Can I arrive early and/or stay after our trip?
Yes, you are welcome to arrive a few days early or stay a few days later. Just let us know ASAP, and we will reserve additional nights for you, at cost, at the hotels we have reserved for the trip (subject to availability).
In fact, you are highly encouraged to arrive a day or two early, as this will help you get over jetlag and lead to a more enjoyable experience overall.
Payment for the extra nights will be calculated a few weeks prior to the trip start date, and you’ll be sent an invoice for the extra nights, which you may pay via Venmo or debit/credit card.
Which airports should I fly in/out of?
We will be starting and ending in Tokyo, which is serviced by two international airports: Haneda (HND) and Narita (NRT). You may fly into either one, but Haneda will be much closer to the city (it unfortunately has fewer flight options in/out of it than Narita, however). The distance from Haneda to our first hotel is about 30 minutes via train, while Narita is about 60 minutes away
What is the latest possible time I can arrive in Japan for the trip?
Your trip officially starts the evening of the first day of your itinerary with an introductory meetup and trip overview at 6:30 pm. After this, we head to our welcome dinner at around 8:00 pm, returning back to the hotel around 11:00 pm.
As it takes a while to clear customs, grab your luggage, and hop on a train from the airport, we suggest that the latest you can book an arrival time for that day would be 4:30 pm for Narita Airport (NRT) or 5:00 pm for Haneda Airport (HND).
How do I get from the airport to the hotel on the first day?
Airport transfer will be on your own, but we will be providing as much information as possible, as well as being contactable on the ground in case you have any issues.
These are the best guides we’ve found on getting from each airport to downtown Tokyo (Ginza), where our first and last hotel will be:
- From Haneda Airport (HND)
- From Narita Airport (NRT)
Detailed directions will be sent via email to all guests, depending on which hotels are booked for each trip.
Note: Taxis are an option if traveling from Haneda airport, and usually run between $50-$75 (depending on the time of day and traffic). From Narita, they are prohibitively expensive, running upwards of $250-$300.
How much free time will we have?
Not much! We are aiming to show you as much as possible during our eleven days together, so we’ll have a pretty packed schedule the entire time. You’ll have a couple of late starts (11:00 am or so) mornings, and a free night on your own in Kyoto, but expect the rest of the time to be pretty busy—from 9:00 am until after dinner most nights.
If there are other sights or experiences that you’d like to check out during your time in Japan (that are not on our itinerary) we recommend coming in early or staying later after the trip ends.
Do you have any advice on what to do on my extra days in Tokyo?
We don’t have any list of recommended activities, as Tokyo is a huge city with so many options—most guests just like to wander around and choose their own adventures if they have extra time.
Do I need a visa to enter Japan?
Americans do not need a visa to enter Japan and are given a visa on arrival valid for 90 days upon arrival. For other nationalities, please see this website for a list of visa-exempt nationalities. If your nationality is on the list, then you do not need a visa. If you are not listed, then you need a visa prior to arrival—please contact us and we’ll assist with that process.
TIP: To expedite entry into Japan, fill out your customs and declaration forms online before entering the country.
How much money should I bring?
Japan is a largely cashless society as of late, but certain places still do not accept credit cards and require cash. Because of this, we recommend bringing enough cash to see you through the trip or using a debit card to withdraw cash when you need it.
All major credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, and American Express) are accepted in most stores and other establishments throughout Japan.
When you need cash, ATMs are available in every convenience store. Bring a fee-free debit card (such as a Charles Schwab account card) to have easy access to cash for personal purchases.
Is alcohol included?
Alcoholic drinks are not included, although there may be a meal or two where drinks are provided for those who wish to partake (we will let you know when this is the case).
As bills cannot be divvied up on the spot in Japan (there is one cheque per table), your group leader will figure out who ordered what at the end of the meal, take a photo of the receipt, and tally up everything soon after the trip has ended so that guests can pay the balance of what they owe via Venmo or credit/debit card.
What type of bag(s) should I bring?
Err on the side of traveling light, as there will be a bit of walking around, and you don’t want to lug around 50-pound bags when it comes time to move locations. Think of a roller suitcase and a carry-on or backpack.
Note: We will be using the Takubin service at each hotel to ship our large bags to the next destination, which will avoid needing to carry them to the train station and onto the bullet trains (which tend to be packed as is). As we need to leave the large bags out in the lobby by 11:00 am the day before we leave, you’ll need to pack any necessary toiletries, medication, and the next day’s clothing into your day pack for the next day.
What will the weather be like? What clothing should I pack?
The weather will run the gamut, so it could be cool, or it could be warm—it’s a toss-up. The average weather in Kyoto in March through early April is lows in the 40s ℉ (5℃) and highs in the mid-60s ℉ (15℃), but we have also seen it snow in Kyoto before during late March, so you need to be prepared for anything. There may be a few days with rain, so bring a light raincoat (we can buy cheap umbrellas or ponchos at any nearby convenience store if needed).
The trip will more often than not be casual, comfortable dress, but bring a nice outfit or two for the fancier restaurants we will be visiting (button-up shirts for guys, a nice top or two for women, etc.). Nothing too high-end is needed; it’s just that you wouldn’t want to wear a T-shirt and shorts in these places (jeans are okay, though).
Please bring a pair of comfortable, worn-in walking shoes, as there will be a fair amount of walking on most days (averaging 10,000-20,000 steps).
Will I be able to wash my clothes at the hotels?
Yes, most hotels we stay in will have options to do laundry, either on a price-per-piece basis or via a laundry room that you can use on your own for a small fee.
Do I tip for anything in Japan?
No, you never tip for anything in Japan, as it is not a part of their culture. One notable exception might be if you joined something like a free walking tour somewhere on your own, where the guides only get paid via guest gratuity.
What is the electrical grid like in Japan? Do I need a converter?
The electrical grid in Japan is similar to the US, but not quite the same. Do not bring high-voltage electronics, such as hair straighteners or hair dryers, as they will not work properly on their 110V 50/60 Hz system (the U.S. is 120V 60 Hz) and could damage or break the internal electronics.
Japan’s outlet type is similar to the US, with two prongs, but does not have the round grounding plug. Your phone and battery chargers should be good to go as-is, but if you have any three-prong power cables (such as for a laptop), then you’ll need a simple outlet converter such as this.
Do you recommend travel health or cancellation/interruption insurance?
Travel insurance is always recommended — you can find many inexpensive plans that fit all needs by searching the Squaremouth travel insurance search engine.
How can I get internet for my phone while in Japan?
Internet access is required for this trip, whether you go through your existing provider and add on a travel package, or if you go the eSIM route. We recommend grabbing an eSIM through Airalo for inexpensive, no-hassle service.
What if I have food allergies/restrictions/preferences?
If you have food restrictions and are not willing or able to change or alter your normal diet for whatever reason (e.g., strict vegan, vegetarian, celiac, etc.), we do not feel you’ll get the full experience out of this particular trip.
If you are allergic or wish to stay clear of something that is not pervasive in Japanese cuisine (such as tree nuts or lactose), just let us know, and we will try our best to accommodate. Please be aware, however, that some restaurants we visit are not willing to change their menu to accommodate guest preferences.
I’d like to arrive early/stay late, and climb Mount Fuji. Do you have any advice?
The climbing season for Mount Fuji is July through mid-September. Outside of that range, the mountain is covered in snow, and there are no services at all, so climbing is not possible. For the best views of Mount Fuji, you can head to the Hakone area, or the towns around the mountain in Yamanashi and Shizuoka prefectures, such as Akakurayama Sengen Park, Fuji City, Lake Kawaguchiko, or Hakone.
Extra Tips
- Make sure your passport has at least six months of validity by the time you check into your flight to Japan, otherwise, they may not let you board.
- For information regarding bringing prescription and non-prescription medication into Japan, please see this government website. In general, any medication that includes amphetamines (such as Adderall) is illegal to bring into Japan, regardless of whether you have a prescription or not.