How to make sure you make the most of your trip to Japan

To some, the prospect of planning a trip or holiday to a brand new destination might appear an overwhelming task while to others, making sure you have proper travel insurance and various other essentials ticked off would appear a normal practice. Regardless of what type of planner you may come across as being seen, provided is an overview on what a prospective travel plan ought to look like in the event Japan is on your bucket list.

Know when to go

The answer to the above boils down to individual perspective as you may want to avoid certain seasons owing to a number of factors relating to weather, affordable accommodation & discounts and so much more. The low season in Japan runs from June through September and thus, might be factored into your decision making process as travellers like yourself will not be confronted with huge crowds at popular tourist landmarks.

What to pack

Once again, depending on the nature of activities that you intend on partaking in, one's clothes would need to complement the above. If you're more of a hiking or outdoors person yearning for trips to the stunning Mount Fuji, then perhaps, getting out your trusty footwear for this purpose will surely hold you in good stead. If holidaying during spring and summer, the weather tends to remain consistently pleasant. Also, summer brings with it warm spells and thus, you will not require layered clothing to go out. On the flip side, winter is bitterly cold which would tell you that you will need to have extra warm clothing items such as jackets, pullovers and gloves to keep you cosy and content.

Purchase tickets to the most sought after activities

Japan has a little something for everyone. Be it participating in traditional tea drinking ceremonies or spending hours at a local theme park; one will surely be satisfied from beginning to end of one's trip. However, it is wise to book tickets to your favourite hotspots so that you avoid the hassle of running around at the 11th hour. Amongst the notable excursions and destinations that require pre-bookings would be Universal Studios, Osaka, Legoland, Nagoya, a bar hopping tour in Kyoto and Tokyo Disney and Disney Sea respectively.

Understand the geography of the country

Owing to the mountainous nature of a majority of Japan's landscapes, traversing within cities via public transport would appear short when observed on a map. In reality, your preferred destination might be hours away and the sole means of getting there could be on a bullet train or bus. A common mistake that your average traveller can make is underestimating the distance, not just between cities but also within certain parts of one city too. This applies to the nation's capital of Tokyo as well as neighbouring regions and locales such as Kyoto. In the case of the latter, if you want to call by the Arashiyama Bamboo Forest, Fushimi Inari Temple and the Kinkaku-ji Golden Pavilion; you will discover that these areas are located almost on opposite sections of the city with public transport facilities at a bare minimum. Thus, it is important to factor in the above ahead of making any sort of itinerary to Japan.

Mix the contemporary with the traditional

What is meant by this is that one's travel plans must include journeys to Japan where its traditional as well as modern day appeals are experienced in equal proportion. From hiking to the most sought after pilgrimage sites in Kii Peninsula & Kumano Kodo, staying in a shukubo (accommodation in a temple) to riding on a shinkansen or 'bullet train' and trying out local favourites at a themed café in the likes of Tokyo's Ninja Akasaka; where ninja themed dinners and an actual ninja himself all but complete a truly intriguing time must not be overlooked when thinking of a holiday in Japan.

Manage your money well

Having cash in your hand to make purchases at local or smaller stores as opposed to shopping malls is a good way to go about things. Also, foreign exchange centres found at airports would not offer you the best value which is why carrying some Japanese Yen with you before you land is advisable. Convenience stores such as Lawson and Family Mart possess ATM machines where money can be withdrawn in bundles so to speak in order to save on international transaction fees and to obtain the best exchange rates accordingly. If for example, you are staying in Otaru such as the property belonging to Park Hotel Group, then the ability to store away extra money inside your room's safe will appear a feasible move ahead of utilizing same for the numerous things to do in Otaru.