Preparing for a trip to Japan is a daunting task, even if you have visited Japan several times. You may be too excited about this visit and end up not preparing well. This time around, we want to make your trip to Japan easy. Whether you are going there for a tour, honeymoon, business tour, or just a Christmas holiday, you should know how to plan and prepare for the trip. Preparation helps you avoid the hiccups that are bound to happen along the way. Below are the top eight tips for preparing before going to Japan.
Prepare your Documentations
When traveling to Japan, some formal documents will be needed. For citizens of the U.K, U.S, and Australia, no visas will be required for your visit trip to Japan. However, passports are needed: whether they are biometric or not. The passports should be valid for the duration of your stay in the country. Know the specific documentation needed by the Japanese embassy and prepare them accordingly.
Book your Flight
You can book your flight through a travel agent or an online agent. Generally, there are very many online travel booking agents that make the booking process easy for you. These agents have wonderful customer care services that work 24/7 to ensure that all your questions are answered. If you are overwhelmed with the booking process, these customer care will help you out. The agents will advise on the best-priced hotels, bars, restaurants, and itineraries around Japan. Once you have booked your trip, you will get several useful advice like places to visit in Japan, things to see in Japan, and much more information.
Book a Hotel for your Accommodation
Before starting your travel, know the hotel that will accommodate in Japan. It is of utmost importance to make reservations since you may reach the country and lack a place to go. Contact the hotel some 2-3 months before making a booking. Ensure you book a hotel that has what you need. Learn about the location of the hotel and social amenities in it online. Look at the costs and rules of the hotel, then make a booking.
Carry out Cash Exchange
To make your trip more organized, have a rough estimate of the expected expenses for your visit. Write down all the costs and carry some extra cash in case of unexpected situations. With the amount you have budgeted for, exchange the cash into the Japanese currency. Japan is not very friendly with credit cards as other countries may be. Some stores in Japan allow the use of credit cards. However, most of the stores in Japan do not accept cards but only cash. Some airports allow the exchange of money, and if your airport has this option, you are lucky off.
Pack your Suitcase
You don’t have to carry your entire house when visiting Japan. If you are sure of how long you should be visiting, pack only the necessary items to make your journey light. Write down a list of all the specific items that you will need for your trip. If possible, visualize how you will spend your vacation and all the things you will need. These may include shoes, clothing, toiletries, accessories, gadgets, among other things. The packing list will help you not to forget the essential items. If your suitcase is quite small, prioritize what you need most and only pack these.
Have an Extra Bag or Leave some Space in your Suitcase
If your suitcase is full, carry an extra bag along with you. Whether you are going for your honeymoon or a backpacking voyage, you are likely to buy some souvenirs. If you do not have an extra bag, you could leave some space in your suitcase. This space will also prevent your bag from bursting along its seams. Let the suitcase be light to pull along to make your journey light and easy. Do not bring too much to the country since, when you are leaving, you might have too much to take home.
Learn some of the Simple Japanese Words
The Japanese language has very many new words. Since you are only going there for a visit, you may not need to know all the words at once or even a majority of them. Teach yourself how to pronounce the basic Japanese sounds and learn some commonly used vocabulary. In your learning, you might upset the native Japanese speakers; this should not worry you. Interact in the language, and you will be surprised how quickly you will learn it. Practice what you know and see yourself becoming better in the language. Let the internet be your friend. From here, you will get very many sources that you will practice.
Download a Google Map
Is this your first time to visit Japan? Are you a regular visit? Either way, you need to be knowledgeable about some routes around Japan. Knowing these routes will help you know where five-star restaurants are and where recreational places are. Also, the routes will help you know the best ways to go around Japan, if by taxi, bus, personal car, or on foot. Many online platforms give you comprehensive information on the transportation modes to take and the specific times that they operate. Google maps are the best ways of navigating around Japan.
Conclusion
You are now good to go. With these eight simple preparation steps, you will be very ready for your travel. Traveling to Japan will take a long flight. Pack a few healthy snacks. If you do not love airplane food, ask the flight attendant for some hot water. Always remember to bring with you an eye mask, a pillow, and a cardigan. You will love your flight. Happy Travels!