Japan is the most unique representative of exotic Asia. The country is a mystery, organically combining high technology with ancient traditions, where customs operate on a par with the law. She is as versatile as a diamond. The poetic name is the Land of the Rising Sun.
This is an island state, the main territory of which is located on four large islands: Honshu, Shikoku, Hokkaido, Kyushu. The rest of the 6852 islands are mostly inhabited, but there are also uninhabited ones.
The country's topography is unique. Two thirds of the country's territory is occupied by mountains and hills. And only on the coasts are there plains. The largest lowland is Kanto, making up 2.2% of the country's territory, but it is here that almost 60% of Japan's total population lives.
The capital of the country is also located here. Tokyo and its surroundings are the most developed and densely populated part of the territory, home to 30 million inhabitants. Japan is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world.
Why is Japan attractive to tourists?
First of all, the richest culture, amazing sights, unique holidays of the country and carefully observed and revered age-old traditions of the people.
Japan is rich in temples of original beauty. Sacred places for the Japanese: The Emperor's Residence and the Imperial Palace. Located in the very center of Tokyo. You can only enter the palace twice a year. The country's most revered temples are Todai-ji and Kumano Nachi Taisha. The magnificently decorated Himeji Castle and Kinkaku-ji Golden Pavilion.
Japanese castle during cherry blossoms
How to get from Tokyo airport to the city
Tokyo is served by 2 airports - Haneda and Narita. Let's talk about the second one. From Narita Airport to Tokyo is about 75 km. The most comfortable option to get from Narita to Tokyo is a taxi or transfer. Cost – from $280. It is better to order a transfer in advance, for example, through this service.
The fastest way is by train. There are several trains - they vary in price and travel time. Some are covered by the JR Pass, some are not. Fare from $13.
Buses to the center take from 1.5 hours, price – from $10.
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Narita Airport: how to get to Tokyo
Unique symbols and holidays of the country
Fushimi Inari Shrine - A shrine of a thousand scarlet gates dedicated to the goddess of rice fertility - a historical symbol of Japan.
Beautiful Japanese woman in Fushimi Inari
Natural objects are revered in the country: Mount Fuji, an extinct volcano on the island of Honshu. And climbing this mountain is equivalent to gaining immortality. "Hanami" is a tradition dedicated to sakura. During the flowering period, residents of the country go on picnics, taking snacks and alcohol with them, and contemplate the sakura, which blooms from several hours to 7 days. Residents believe that if sakura pollen falls into a cup of sake, then the drinker will enjoy longevity and health.
Cherry blossom season
Japanese dishes have become true unofficial symbols of this state. Sushi or “sushi” is eaten today in many parts of the world. Ikebana flower arrangement needs no introduction.
Samurai are a social caste that played a significant role in the formation of Japanese history, having their own code of honor “Bushido”. Today, Odawara Province, near Tokyo, hosts historical re-enactments and festivals that reflect the highlights of samurai culture.
Modern businessmen. Katana Sword
Japan stuns and captivates with its architecture, the scale of life in ultra-modern megacities with their tall skyscrapers, an abundance of boutiques and entertainment centers, slot machine complexes, museums, nightlife centers, fashion, shopping, and extravagant strip bars. Many visitors strive to experience the unique art of geishas. Japan can offer all this to any gaijin of any choice, taste and budget.
Godzilla. Road to the famous place in Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan Skyscraper Mode Gakuen Cocoon in Tokyo Two rows of Japanese slot machines in Pachinko Tokyo
The soul of the Japanese people is mysterious. The centuries-old traditions, carefully preserved and sacredly revered by him, are unusual. For two and a half centuries, Japan was closed to foreigners. Perhaps this is why numerous ancient customs are strong here. The peculiarities of the Japanese mentality may surprise Europeans and Russians. Almost all spheres of the country’s life are permeated with a network of traditions and ceremonies, this is especially noticeable in communication between people and in public life. The Japanese respect ethical rules: they are very hospitable and polite. Any communication is accompanied by bows and a smile. The Japanese do not have a handshake. Active gestures and direct gaze into the eyes are perceived as aggression. And for photographing women, you can actually end up in court.
In Japanese homes and restaurants, the floors are covered with tatami (straw mats). The Japanese never walk on them with shoes. This is regarded as sacrilege. The Japanese bath (furo) is not intended for washing, but for relaxation and relaxation. Before you step into the bathroom, you need to shower. Water is heated for more than one person
Traditional clothing is kimono or yukata. True, now most residents wear it at home. The tradition of food and tea ceremony is strong. These are carefully calibrated rituals with their own limitations. It is not customary to have a snack on the go. When using chopsticks, do not stick both of them into the rice at once. This is how they behave at funerals.
There are slippers at the entrance to any toilet. Need to change clothes. In a word, no other country in the world has such an abundance of unusual traditions. And if you are going to travel around Japan, you need to know and respect them.
Such an organic combination of the amazing ancient foundations of the people, the veneration of ancient monuments and philosophical teachings with modern nano-advances in the development of many industries has brought the country to the first position in the world.
Directions
This is one of the biggest expenses. To travel around Tokyo using public transport, you need to buy a Suica card from a ticket office or machine. When purchasing, you leave a deposit of 500 yen (~290 rubles), which can be returned when you return the card. We forgot to do this, so be careful if you want to save as much as possible.
Photo by the author
We knew the pain of travel costs as soon as we left passport control at Narita Airport. We did not prepare in advance, and did not figure it out on the spot and decided to get to the city center on the Narita Express high-speed train. It goes directly to Tokyo Station, which is convenient if you are staying in the center. A ticket costs 3,220 yen (~1,880 rubles) per person one way.
If you're staying near Ueno Park, you'll find a slightly cheaper option: the Keisei Skyliner. A ticket for it will cost approximately 2,500 yen (~1,460 rubles).
The cheapest option is the bus. We rode it back to the airport, 1,000 yen (~584 rubles) each.
The Tokyo Metro is not one company, as we are used to in Russia. It is represented by two independent companies: Tokyo Metro and Toei. When transferring from a branch of one company to a branch of another, you need to pay. There are no cashiers in the metro; tickets must be purchased from vending machines. On average, travel cost us 90–500 yen (~50–290 rubles) per trip.
Traveling outside the city is even more expensive. A subway ride on the Yokosuka line to the city of Kamakura cost us 920 yen (~535 rubles). Travel to Kawaguchiko, where Mount Fuji is located, cost 1,800 yen (~1,050 rubles).
Due to the cost of travel, we refused to visit some locations. We didn’t go to Kyoto, because travel from Tokyo by high-speed train would have cost about 17,000 yen - that’s almost 10,000 rubles per person one way. Or the journey would take 8–9 hours by bus for about 4,500 rubles.
To stay within our budget, we also skipped a trip to Jigokudani Yaen-koen Park, where you can see Japanese macaques bathing in hot springs. The road there is expensive and tiring. First, the Shinkansen bullet train to Nagano. The fare costs 16,800 yen (9,815 rubles). Then the Dentetsu train to Yudanaka station and the minibus to Kanbayashi Onsen are another 2,500 yen (1,460 rubles) per person. Entrance to the park is another 800 yen (467 rubles), and inside there are crowds of curious tourists and monkeys, which can be seen at the Tokyo Zoo for 600 yen (350 rubles).
But if you plan to travel to different cities, it is more profitable to use the JR Pass card. For about 30,000 yen (~17,500 rubles) you can travel unlimitedly on all JR trains, ferries and buses.
Official information about the country
- Full name of the state: State of Japan (Japan).
- Area – 377,944 km².
- Population – 124,776,364 people. (January 1, 2021).
- The country is home to 98% ethnic Japanese.
- There are 8 megacities in Japan with a population of more than a million people: Tokyo, Osaka, Yokohama, Nagoye, Kyoto, Sapporo, Kobe, Kitakyushu.
- Religion Buddhism and Shintoism.
- The official language is Japanese.
- The capital is Tokyo.
- The currency is Japanese Yen or JPY. There are banknotes in denominations of 10,000, 5,000 and 1,000 yen, as well as coins of 500, 100, 50, 10, 5 and 1 yen.
- Visa. Visa regime.
- Time zone MSK – 6 in winter, MSK – 5 in summer (UTC +9).
- Telephone code: +81.
You'll have to get up before dawn
You won't be able to lie in bed. The already mentioned grandmothers go to all the galleries and exhibitions right before the opening, so from the very early morning all such interesting things are filled with them. But you didn’t come to Japan to sleep, did you? Get some sleep at home.
So a cup of invigorating coffee and off you go! By the way, if you’re late and there are already a lot of grandmothers in the museum, don’t despair. They are most often very small in stature, so you will still see paintings or some other exhibits. True, from afar.
Types of holidays in Japan
This country will surprise even an experienced traveler. Here you can take interesting excursions to ancient historical, architectural and natural attractions that are unusual for us, and get acquainted with the progressive technologies that are being born here for the first time.
Fans of beach and winter holidays will find excellent conditions for a successful holiday. In general, Japan will satisfy the requirements of any tourist and leave an unforgettable impression for many years.
Excursion tours
First of all, in the Land of the Rising Sun you will be invited to get acquainted with the cultural heritage of the country.
You will be surprised by the exquisite temple architecture:
Todai-ji Temple
It is interesting because it is the world's largest wooden structure, and also houses the world's largest bronze statue of Buddha within its walls. A majestic statue of the deity looks down from a 15-meter height.
Great Buddha Hall at Todai-ji Temple, Nara
Kinkaku-ji Golden Pavilion
This is a structure covered with sheets of gold. Guests are received on the first floor of the pavilion; on the second floor there is an exhibition of paintings. On the third, religious ceremonies are held.
Castle in Himeji city
It is called the castle of the White Heron, its lines and outlines resemble the image of this bird. It is surprising that throughout history it is one of the few castles that did not suffer from enemy raids or fires and was preserved in its original form. It consists of 83 structures in which it is easy to get lost.
In Kyoto alone, the ancient capital of Japan, there are over 1,600 Buddhist and about 600 Shinto religious buildings of antiquity. A number of temples are under UNESCO protection.
Interesting natural attractions of Japan:
Fujiyama
Japan's business card. Its height is 3776 meters. Climbing the mountain is carried out only in summer.
Arashiyama Bamboo Grove
Located in Kyoto. The height of the trees reaches 40 meters, and they produce very melodic sounds. You can listen to unusual forest songs for hours.
Bamboo Forest Kyoto
Sankei-en Garden in Yokohama
Plants from different parts of the planet are collected here, and nearby are historical buildings: a 16th century pagoda brought from Kyoto, the Chosyukaku tea house, a medieval peasant house from Gifu Prefecture. All this creates an unusually fabulous environment for walking.
Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park
Located on the island of Honshu. Tourists come here with families to watch amazing animals.
Snow Monkey Park
Fans of entertainment and shopping will be interested in the vibrant and cheerful Ginza district in Tokyo. In addition to tall skyscrapers, you will visit numerous restaurants, shops, and shopping centers. The best Japanese department stores - Mitsukoshi, Matsuzakaya, Matsuya, Isetan, Keio - are located in the Ginza and Shinjuku areas on Aoyama-Dori Street. Men will be interested in the electronic city of Akihabara, where electronic equipment is sold.
With children in the capital, it is interesting to visit the oldest Japanese zoo, Ueno, Luna Park with numerous attractions and Disneyland.
Tickets
As usual, planning the trip began with purchasing tickets. My husband monitored Skyscanner and Aviasales. Before this trip, we always bought tickets from the carrier. But the price of tickets for two on the Moscow-Tokyo route directly from Air China was 20,000 rubles higher than for the same flights on Tickets.ru.
We had a connecting flight in Beijing. On the way to Tokyo, the transfer was very short, but on the way back we stayed in Beijing overnight and walked around the center for half a day.
When buying tickets four months before the New Year, they cost 34,000 rubles per person round trip. I checked how much tickets for the next winter holidays cost: so far I haven’t seen prices below 40,000 rubles. At the same time, tickets for mid-May, June or October can be purchased within 28,000 rubles.
The high tourist season in Japan continues throughout the year. Undoubtedly, the most popular months for foreign tourists are March and April, when the cherry blossoms bloom. And the Japanese themselves fill the attractions during the “golden week” - from April 29 to May 6. This is the name given to a series of spring holidays combined with weekends in Asian countries.
Beach holiday
The natural conditions of the country make it possible to offer tourists all the main areas of resort recreation. There is an opportunity to have a great time at sea, ski and balneological resorts
The choice of vacation spot will depend on its type. The huge length of the coastline and warm climate contribute to the development of beach holidays in Japan. Beach umbrellas and palm trees on Sunset Beach in Chatan City of Okinawa Island in Japan.
Beach umbrellas and palm trees on Sunset Beach in Chatan City, Okinawa Island
Numerous resorts are located in Okinawa Prefecture. The high season lasts from September to mid-October. The city of Miyazaki on the island of Kyushu is loved by vacationers with children for the Ocean Dome water park.
Fans of active recreation on the water will love the Ryukyu Archipelago, which is part of Okinawa. The Kerama Islands are popular among divers; visitors can also watch humpback whales here. For surfers, the Kamakura resort is more suitable.
Money account love
You may not be thrilled at the prospect of carrying large amounts of cash, but cards are not accepted everywhere, so be prepared to look for ATMs that partner with foreign banks. Yes, and not all ATMs work on weekends. If they did give out the money on a weekend, then most likely they charged you a commission for coming at an odd time.
This is how it is, the many faces of Japan. It's safe, tasty and interesting, and these little tips will help make your trip even more comfortable.
Welcome to Japan!
Author: Viola Brazhnikova
Winter holidays
In Japan, it is possible at more than 500 ski resorts, with excellent conditions: stunning winter scenery, well-groomed slopes, hospitable hosts and relaxing onsen after skiing.
The ski season lasts from the end of December to the end of March. The best resorts are located on the islands of Honshu and Hokkaido. These are Rusutsu, Furano, Nizeko and Tomamu, Sapporo Teine and others.
Furano is located in the center of Hokaido. Numerous and varied trails allow not only tourists to ride. The World Ski and Snowboarding World Cups are held here. Resorts in Nagano and Niigata prefectures are attractive.
The largest and most popular world-class Japanese resorts are located: Hakuba and Shiga Kogen, Naeba. The Zao Hot Springs resort is famous for its huge number of hot mineral springs and bizarre snow-covered figures in the form of “snow monsters”.
Snow monsters Mt.Zao in Yamagata
In addition to the basic set - alpine skiing and snowboarding, onsen and karaoke, Japanese resorts offer other types of entertainment: sliding down the hills on large rubber rings, snow rafting, sleigh rides, snowmobiles and dog sleds, visiting a shopping center, game rooms and an indoor swimming pool with artificial waves. Accommodation for tourists for every taste and budget: in resort hotels, traditional ryokans, guesthouses, minshuku guest houses and cottages.
Visa
From 2021, tourists can apply for visas to Japan without an invitation and for free. Now you just need to provide a simple list of documents and pick up your passport with a visa attached in four days.
Here are the documents required:
- international passport;
- application form in English in two copies;
- photographs for the questionnaire measuring 45 × 45 mm;
- a copy of two pages of a Russian passport with a photo and registration;
- a certificate from the place of employment indicating the salary or a certificate from the bank indicating the account balance;
- document confirming ticket reservation;
- a document confirming the reservation of a place of residence;
- optional travel plan.
In Moscow, the consulate is located near the Prospekt Mira metro station, at Grokholsky Lane, 27. You can apply for a visa on a working day from 9:30 to 12:00, and pick it up from 14:30 to 17:30. The queue is usually short.
Medical and recreational holidays in Japan
Since the Land of the Rising Sun is located on lands of volcanic origin, the country has about 2,300 thermal springs, which the Japanese call onsen.
This is not just a hot spring gushing out of the ground. Almost always, next to the spring there is a Japanese-style hotel - a “ryokan”, which helps you fully feel the connection with nature. The mineral composition of these waters is different.
Balneological resorts and sanatoriums were built on them. Tourists are offered to swim in hydrogen sulfide, ferruginous, salt, and carbonated mineral waters, the average temperature of which is about +40̊C.
Ibusuki Onsen is a group of hot springs on the sea coast of Kagoshima Prefecture, on the island of Kyushu, famous for its “sand saunas”. Kusatsu is based on treatment with thermal waters.
Hot springs open in Jilin city at night
And the Tamagawa spring in Akita Prefecture, which even contains hydrochloric acid, has become famous as a place where you can recover from cancer and is now visited by patients from all over the world.
Japan is a unique country. It can offer an abundance of holiday options. The choice of tour and vacation destination in Japan depends on your needs and hobbies.
Note to the lost
If you get lost, don't panic. Just stand there with a confused look and a map in your hands. After some time, a compassionate Japanese will definitely appear and take care of you. His English may also be weak, but he will try to help. When the Japanese has exhausted all available methods of explaining the road, then he will simply hand you over to the police. But this is not at all as scary as the imagination makes it out to be. It's just that in small police stations called koban, police officers have the necessary information and large printed maps of the area. They will study your case and clearly explain (with gestures) where to go and how long the journey will take.
Regions of Japan
Official subjects in Japan are 47 prefectures, but historically they are united into 8 regions. Their names also developed a long time ago. These are Hokkaido, Tohoku, Kanto, Chubu, Kansai, Chugoku, Shikoku and Kyushu (which includes Okinawa).
Northern regions
Hokkaido
In the north of the country is Hokkaido, the second largest island and less developed region of Japan. It is sparsely populated, but attracts tourists with its untouched nature, excellent ski resorts, and hot springs. The capital is Sapporo.
Niseko
The famous ski resort in Japan Niseko, located on Mount Annupuri, consisting of three resorts Grand Hirafu, Niseko Villas and Annupur. The tourist infrastructure is well developed here. A whole complex of apartments, hotels and inns has been built for accommodation.
The region is rich in natural beauty. Several beautiful national parks: Daisetsuzan - the roof of Hokkaido, Shikotsu-Toya, where there are many volcanoes and lakes; The Shiretoko Peninsula is a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Japan. Noboribetsu, Jozankei and Sounkyo are mineral springs where tourists can take a bath. Hokkaido hosts more than 1,200 festivals and events throughout the year.
Tohoku
Tohoku occupies the northern part of the island of Honshu. More than 130 natural hot springs. More developed are Iizaka Onsen, Iwaki Yumoto Onsen and Higashiyama Onsen. Rice is grown in Fukushima. The city is famous for its locally produced sake (rice wine).
Central regions of Japan
The Central regions of Japan include Kanto, Chubu, Kinki or Kansai, Chugoku, which are located on the largest island of Honshu.
More developed and densely populated is Kanto. It includes Tokyo and the surrounding prefectures: Gunma, Ibaraki, Kanagawa, Saitama, Chiba and Tochigi. These are noisy multi-story megacities.
Tokyo
When traveling to Japan, you should definitely visit Tokyo, the capital of the country. Economic, cultural and industrial center. Large business centers are concentrated here. All advanced technologies are developed here. Areas of the capital that are interesting for tourists: Ginza has the most expensive hotels, first-class restaurants and excellent shopping.
Shinjuku has become the “new center of Tokyo”, Akihabara is the center of the electronics trade and IT industry, the Shibuya quarter is the center of youth, where they dress and spend time. These streets have the busiest intersection on the planet. During peak hours, 2.5 thousand people cross it in just a minute, and more than 2 million people pass through it per day.
Famous intersection in Tokyo
Tokyo has many attractions: the Imperial Palace, Senso-ji Temple. It is worth seeing modern architectural structures: skyscrapers of various shapes, the Tokyo Skytree Tower. The architecture of the Kabukiza Theater, the city's main kabuki theater, is unusual.
Relax in the amusement park – Mega Web. There are an abundance of museums here. At least go to the Samurai Museum or the Mori Art Museum, the Edo-Tokyo Museum. Stroll through Ueno Park, Shinjuku Gyoen, Hamarikyu Gardens, and Yoyogi Park. In early spring, cherry blossoms especially attract locals and tourists.
30 kilometers from Tokyo is the second largest city in the country - Yokohama. Here, visit exhibitions where you can appreciate technical innovations created in Japan at the industrial center of Mitsubishi or in the scientific center of Yokohama. Walk through the business district of Minato Mirai 21 - hundreds of shops, boutiques, offices, entertainment - a kind of town of the future, built in a futuristic style. From the observation deck of Yokohama Landmark Tower Sky Garden you will see an amazing panorama of the developed metropolis.
Skyscraper and TV tower "Tokyo Sky Tree"
Kansai
The historical region of Kansai is the heart of Japan. The largest cities are Osaka, Kobe and Kyoto. There are many temples and sanctuaries located here.
Kyoto
Today tourists travel to the city of Kyoto, the former capital of Japan. The most interesting sights of the city are the Kiyomizu temples, the Golden and Silver pavilions, the rock garden at the Ryoanji temple, the shogun's Nijo castle, and the old imperial palace.
17 local historical sites, including the Kiyomizu-dera temple complex and Nijo Castle, are included in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Japan. The local holidays Aoi Matsuri, Gion Matsuri and the Diamonds Festival are known far beyond the country's borders.
Southern regions of Japan
Shikoku
Agricultural Center. An important place belongs to tangerines and grapes. The favorable climate allows rice to be harvested twice a year. Most of Japan's domestic product is produced here.
Chugoku
The region is hot. Its largest city is Hiroshima. The world's first atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima. In memory of the bomb dropped, the Genbaku Memorial Dome, listed as a UNESCO cultural heritage site in Japan, was erected.
The flow of tourists to the second city that experienced the atomic bombing, Nagasaki, is not decreasing. Travelers are attracted to the Peace Park.
Okinawa
The largest island of the Japanese Ryukyu archipelago. The best resorts in Japan are located here. There is never snow on Okinawa; the island is surrounded by rich coral reefs and inhabited by rare fauna.
All eight regions of the Land of the Rising Sun are original and help Europeans and Russians understand the uniqueness of Japan.
