Japan the subtleties of tourism. Review of beach resorts in Japan: features of recreation, climate, prices

Planning to travel to Japan in 2020? Great choice! In this review, we will tell you all about the seasons, weather and where is the best to go and what to see in a given month. We will also find out where the best beach vacation is and what advice tourists give.

Japan is a world of sophisticated exoticism. Jewelry combination of tradition and modernity. A place of harmony of spirit and body. You can pick up many more epithets, but you can understand their meaning only by visiting the Land of the Rising Sun.

Where to find cheap tickets? This is most conveniently done using search engines and Skyscanner. To find best price, check in both and see tickets for different dates. Read also the instructions,. The cost of tickets is approximately the following: a round-trip flight to Tokyo or Osaka from Moscow and St. Petersburg can be from 25-30 thousand rubles, from Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk and Khabarovsk - from 15-20 thousand. For the list of cities in Russia for which the cheapest tickets to Japan are found, see.

When is the best time to go on vacation to Japan?

Spring

First of all it is hanami, the Japanese national tradition of flower viewing. Nature begins its performance with the flowering of the Japanese ume plum from late December to late March. However, the main event of the hanami is the sakura blossom. Thanks to the climate, this magical sight can last more than three months (from late February to late May). There are times when, for example, on the island of Okinawa, sakura begins to bloom in January. A wave of Japanese cherry blossoms has been sweeping across the country since south island Kyushu and ends its turn in northern Tohoku.

Flowering lasts only 8-10 days, so there are two options: either follow the "wave" across the country, or seize the moment. In addition, other beautiful flowers begin to bloom from May: azalea, shiba-zakura and wisteria.

Thousands of tourists from all over the world come to see the khanami. However, the real excitement in the country is from April 29 to May 6. At this time, a series of official holidays take place: Sowing Day, Constitution Day, Greenery Day and Children's Day. The period of the celebrations is collectively called the "Golden Week". It entails traffic jams and queues, as well as difficulties with hotel reservations. In addition, the prices for vacations in Japan at this time rise sharply. We advise you to take this into account when planning your trip.

It is also worth mentioning that traditional festivals begin in mid-May, including Kanda Matsuri and Sanja Matsuri in Tokyo, as well as Aoi Matsuri in Kyoto.

(Photo © SteFou! / Flickr.com / CC BY 2.0 license)

Summer

The beginning of summer is not the best time for a vacation in Japan. The so-called tsuyu(rainy season) and lasts until mid-July. Summer in the country is very hot, the air temperature is between + 34 ... + 38 ° С, and the humidity can exceed 90%.

Nevertheless, only in summer you can conquer one of the main attractions of Japan - Mount Fuji, located on the island of Honshu. Officially climbing Mount Fuji is allowed only from July 1 to August 27. With the end of the season, you will not find the accompanying professionals and rescue services to ensure safety in the summer.

Summer in Japan is the season of festivities and grand fireworks. If you want to see one of the festivals, then we advise you to plan the route in accordance with the country's holiday calendar. View the calendar of festivals by major tourist cities... There is also another calendar. Both sites are in English.

In mid-August, the Japanese celebrate smell... It is believed that at this time the souls of the dead descend to earth. Locals visit the graves of their ancestors and pay tribute to the memory. People disperse to their homes to see their relatives. Moreover, in August, children have school holidays, so there may be problems with booking hotels and buying tickets.

Autumn

Judging by the weather, September is not the best way holidays in Japan in 2020. The heat has not subsided yet, the humidity too. In addition, at this time, the country is especially prone to typhoons, which are characterized by strong gusts of wind and heavy rains.

By the end of September weather soften, the number of tourists decreases and begins, in our opinion, the most favorable time to travel to Japan.

October and November is the time of the traditional momiji, it is also called the season of red maples. As sakura once covered Japan from south to north, so now in reverse direction(from north to south) red and yellow waves of autumn leaves color the country. The best place to observe Momiji is in Kyoto. Travelers are also advised to enjoy Japanese autumn in Tokyo, Okayama and Hiroshima.

In reviews of their holidays in Japan, tourists celebrate the October festivals. One of the most representative holidays - jidai matsuri, a festival of eras dedicated to the history of the country. You can visit it on October 22 in Kyoto.

(Photo © Freedom II Andres / flickr.com / CC BY 2.0 License)

Winter

Going on vacation to Japan in winter is perhaps the most interesting of all from mid-December, when the country is immersed in the New Year's atmosphere. However, it should be borne in mind that the Japanese themselves at this time are constantly traveling to their hometowns and traveling. We advise you to book accommodation in advance and plan your itineraries as carefully as possible, as prices for vacations in Japan increase during this period.

Japanese landscapes get dull in January and February, so to see the snowy beauty, we advise you to stick to the northern regions. Feel all the delights of the famous Japanese hot springs onsen advise near Mount Fuji. A combination of natural hot tub, Japanese winter and view snowy peaks legendary volcano is perhaps the best atmosphere in which to appreciate an onsen.

When traveling Japan in winter, be sure to visit the world famous Snow festival in Sapporo, which is held annually in early February and lasts 7 days.

Where to stay in Japan? Living in the country is not cheap. We advise you to search for hotels on the search engine Roomguru, it will select the most profitable options among many booking systems. For example, in Tokyo, a night in a hostel with excellent reviews costs from $ 26, but rooms in decent hotels in Tokyo are much more expensive - for example, the price for staying in double room at the hotel starts from $ 95.

Beach holidays in Japan

The Japanese themselves are not the biggest fans of seaside vacations, since the traditional fashion for pale skin in the Land of the Rising Sun has survived to this day. However, there are beach resorts on almost every island in the country, and tourists can sunbathe on the coast while touring the country.

Choosing a beach destination in Japan depends on your needs and hobbies. For fans of surfing, the Kamakura resort is more suitable. However, most popular with amateurs active rest enjoys the archipelago on the water Ryukyu and his large island Okinawa. The sea is always warm here, and the minimum water temperature here is + 20 ° C. The colorful coral reefs attract divers from all over the world. Also on the islands Kerama located near Okinawa, tourists can take advantage of the exceptional opportunity to watch whales.

In reviews of a beach vacation in Japan with children, tourists advise the city Miyazaki on the island of Kyushu. In addition to luxurious beaches, there is a famous water park "Ocean Dome", which can accommodate more than 10 thousand people.

A truly unique place to relax in Japan by the sea is the city Shirahama that on the island of Honshu. Snow-white quartz sand was brought to its coast from Australia. The resort's well-maintained beaches, hot springs and modern hotels beckon both tourists and locals.

The name of the city of Ibusuki (Kyushu Island) translates as "a city on the hot earth." Thermal waters here they come so close to the surface of the earth that the temperature sea ​​water can reach + 40 ° C. Not surprisingly, the city is called Japanese Hawaii.

There is such a saying: "The patient is bitter and honey." So that the rest is not spoiled by ailments, we advise you to collect the right one.

(Photo © Shinichi Higashi / flickr.com / License CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

When planning a vacation in Japan in 2020, you should understand that the concept of a low season in the country practically does not exist. Each season here has its own uniqueness. In addition, domestic tourism in the country is developed just as well as external. Locals move around the country en masse during national holidays, so this period is characterized by difficulties with booking accommodation, problems with buying transport tickets and widespread long lines. Also during the holidays there is an increase in prices for vacations in Japan.

Japan is a very law abiding country and the crime rate is extremely low. Nevertheless, one should not forget about elementary precautions, and even more so to become a source of violation of law and order (as our compatriots sometimes like to do in popular resorts). Not everyone is fluent in English in Japan, so it is best to seek help from the police in case of anything. In addition, for the convenience of foreigners, metro inscriptions and road signs are duplicated in Latin letters.

It is important for tourists going on vacation to Japan to know a couple more things that are considered the norm in some countries (even an unspoken obligation), but here they will be perceived as an insult:

1. In Japan, it is not customary to leave a tip, the usual 5-15% incentive is already included in the price of a product or service.
2. In the country, they are not traded either in shops or in markets.
3. In addition, I would like to give a little advice on shaking hands. The Japanese pay great attention to issues of personal space and restraint of behavior. Do not be the first to reach out for a handshake, as this type of European greeting may not correspond to the values ​​of every local.

Those who like to bring something "from overseas, ocean" should take into account that souvenirs and delicacies can be produced exclusively in one or another region of the country. For this reason, we advise you not to postpone the purchase of what you like. In reviews of their holidays in Japan, tourists are advised to purchase jewelry and bijouterie. Although their prices do not differ from European ones, the quality and design are at the highest level. If Japan can attract girls with natural cosmetics based on pearls and algae, then men will certainly not be left indifferent by ultramodern and computer games.

(Photo © Moyan Brenn / flickr.com / CC BY 2.0 License)

Introductory Image Source: © risaikeda / flickr.com / CC BY-NC 2.0 License

Today I am going to tell you how to take and travel to Japan. This is a wonderful country, about which I have already written a lot in my blog. And now I offer you a simple travel guide to help you organize your trip. If you like to plan your own travels, but are more used to traveling around Europe, this post is for you - here I will explain what is worth seeing on your first trip to the Land of the Rising Sun.

And if you've been to Japan before, flip through this text too to make sure you haven't missed anything. Or, on the contrary, give me advice!

There are many links here to other posts that describe in more detail certain aspects of a trip to Japan. But I tried to build this post as simple as possible to give general concept how to ride for the first time. If you have friends who are going to Japan, feel free to send them to read this post, and if you yourself are not ready yet, but would like to go in the future, it is better to bookmark it for the future!

My friends often ask me: "I'm going to Japan for the first time. Where to go there? What to see? How about security? Internet? English?" I also collected this post so that in the future they could simply be given a link! (Yes friends, this is for you!)

When is the best time to go to Japan?

The main tourist seasons are (usually at the beginning of April), and (at the end of November). These are approximate figures for Tokyo and Kyoto. During these two periods, Japan is incredibly beautiful, but because of this, there will be many tourists everywhere and many hotels will be booked in advance.

Summer is a great time to travel if you are walking (I did it at the very end of June, a few days before the official season opened). And winter will give you the opportunity, it is also a very beautiful sight.

If it doesn’t work for that long, then in general it doesn’t matter either, any time spent in Japan will make you feel that you need to come here for longer.

Where to go in Japan?

If you do not have too much time, try to spend at least 2-3 days in Kyoto, and Tokyo you will see how it goes. If you have more time, then it is worth traveling around the country, and maybe even driving to one of the islands in addition to the main Honshu (there are four main islands in Japan in total).

How to get around the country?

Trains run strictly on schedule, and you can get on them wherever you want - the Japanese love of rail transport shows itself throughout the country.

True shinkansens are expensive. A one-way ticket from Tokyo to Kyoto costs about $ 100! To save money on these moves, it is worth ordering in advance. JR-Pass, a pass that allows you to use most trains for 7, 14 or 21 days. A seven-day pass costs about $ 250 (depending on the exchange rate of the yen), and generally pays off if you go to Kyoto and ride a little more shorter distances. Please note that it can only be ordered before arriving in Japan! ()

If you come to Japan for 10 days, then it is better to spend the first two in Tokyo, and then, after activating the seven-day JR-Pass, go to Kyoto and beyond. Then go back to the capital in the evening of the seventh day, when the pass expires.

And for those moments when the JR-Pass is not activated, or for private metro lines where it is not accepted, I advise you to purchase a card Suica... Suika costs 500 yen, which you can get back by returning it before you leave. Then cash is put on it, and the card is used to pay for trains, and a bunch of other things. More and more points are accepted by suikas; it is convenient to pay with them throughout the country.

Unlike JR-Pass, Suika can be taken upon arrival in Japan, at any railway ticket office. Don't forget to put money on it, and it will make your trip a lot easier.

Is it safe there? Am I not lost?

Plus, Google Maps knows everything about Japanese streets and trains. You can poke a point on the map, and Google will tell you how best to get to it by public transport, when the next train, and how much it will cost! (.)

In addition to this, Japan is one of the safest countries in the world,. Nothing terrible will happen to you.

Tell us about Tokyo!

"So for two, or three ?!" you ask. "Yes!" I will answer you.

The whole secret is that you need to rent a hotel in the area upon arrival in Tokyo. Ueno- it is convenient to get here by express from Narita airport. Ueno is a relatively inexpensive and relatively quiet area. On the first day in Tokyo (let's say it's Friday), you can watch it eastern part moving south from Ueno, or going down to Ginza, and going up north. Your JR-Pass will not be valid yet, so you will be using Suika to move around.

And on the second day (Saturday), you will go to Kamakuru- one of the ancient capitals of the Japanese Empire. This is a lovely place an hour's drive from central regions Tokyo, here Coast, ancient temples and the Big Buddha statue. Here you can spend most of the day, and even go for a ride.

Well, on Sunday, your JR-Pass will begin to operate, you sit on the shinkansen and go to the side. It is important to take window seats on right! You don't want to miss this view:

You will return back to the capital by the evening of the seventh day (Saturday), when the validity of the railway pass comes to an end. And this time you will settle in the west of Tokyo, in the area named Shibuya.

If you've ever seen a picture of Japan with crowds running through a huge crosswalk, then this is exactly what Shibuya is. It's a crazy drive here, and it seems like an endless number of people, but if you spend an evening here, you will be drawn into this crazy Zen. ...

In the morning, it's time to go explore the western part of the city - this is the second half of my guide. We'll see the trendy neighborhood Harajuku, the shrine of Emperor Meiji, and located next to him Yoyogi Park... Oh, did you notice that we were here on Sunday? It's not easy! It is on Sundays that they pass in front of the park entrance!

Well, in the evening you can get to Shinjuku, the area where it is located! After an evening spent here, you will not be sorry to fly home.

What about Kyoto?

But besides the temples, you should just walk along the old streets of the city. Here you will meet the Japanese in beautiful traditional clothes (most likely they are, like you, tourists), you will be able to taste the old local cuisine, and .

I advise you to settle in the area Sanjo Ohashi Bridge and spend about four days... No, you will not be walking around the temples all this time. In Kyoto, and besides them, there is something to see. Here are just a few of the nearby attractions (you can spend half a day, or a whole day on each):

• with a huge wooden temple and tame deer
• - the sanctuary of the red gate
• Arashiyama- a mountain in the north-west of the city, where the famous bamboo grove is located
• Philosopher's Trail in the northeast, sakura blooms especially beautifully along it, and there are many ancient temples.

About other places.

If you have a few extra days of JR-Pass validity and want to look at some more unique places, feel free to board the Shinkansen in Kyoto and continue to the southwest!

And between Osaka and Himeji there is also Kobe, the city that.

As you can see, there is plenty of choice to complete the seven-day, 14-day, and even 21-day JR-Pass. And what's great: all of these places are easily accessible by train!

What's with the money?

You can often hear that it is expensive in Japan. Compared to the rest of Asia, no doubt. But if we compare, for example, with Europe, then in Japan only housing and trains are expensive, and even then not much more expensive than European ones. We have already saved on trains with the help of JR-Paz, but you have to pay for housing if you want to live in the center of everything (I recommended these places). But if you wish, you can save here too. Yes, in Japan there are many high-quality expensive things - restaurants, clothes, etc., but if you wish, you can make your way here on a modest budget.

One problem is that credit cards are not accepted everywhere (especially far from cities). Cash will help us out, but there are few exchangers, and some ATMs refuse to understand Western cards. Fortunately, the ATMs at 7-Eleven are ready to dispense money to tourists from Europe and America. And there are a lot of these 7-Elevens in Japan. (ATMs are not in every, but many are.) Also, they say in post offices there are also friendly ATMs.

Hotels? Ryokans? Apartments?

Ryokans: These are classic Japanese "flophouses", in a traditional style. It is because of this that staying in them is the most expensive option. But it's really cool: you can sleep on straw mats. tatami(don't worry, you will have a mattress) and get dressed in. Many ryokans have traditional hot baths - onsens, and the opportunity to dine like the Japanese ate back in feudal times. In short, ryokan is total immersion. But they also cost from $ 100 per person per night! One ryokan room can accommodate up to 4-5 people, although the price for each will not drop much from this, since the payment is made for the number of people.

The best place to live in a ryokan is Kyoto. But I advise you to book them in advance, as places in those that are relatively affordable can be occupied in a few months.

Further we go rented apartments on sites like AirBnB. (and sometimes -!) but the price can be cheaper than comparable hotels. An apartment can be a good option for Tokyo, especially if you are traveling in a group of 3-4 people, it will be cheaper than taking several hotel rooms.

Regular Western-style hotels in Japanese cities are quite expensive. Personally, I try to avoid them. But I love to shoot. They are relatively inexpensive and I love how thoughtful it is to squeeze all the amenities into a small space. It is profitable to rent such hotels in small towns, where a double room can cost $ 60-80, or in Tokyo, where they will already be $ 80-120.

In Japanese hostels I have never stopped, but I know they are. Although if you really decided to save money, I would recommend it to you. They cost $ 20- $ 30 a night, many have great onsen, and in general they are a great experience of Japanese culture. The only thing is that, as a rule, they are either only male, or only female (there are fewer of the latter).

Every way of life - food, internet, English.

Sockets: The sockets in Japan are similar to the North American ones, with two flat pins. Most US, Canadian or Chinese plugs can be inserted without adapters (except for plugs where one of the pins is wider than the other). But Russians and other Europeans will definitely need adapters.

Well. I hope you are now roughly clear on how to go to Japan, and what to watch there. If you have any questions or comments, I will be glad to see them in the comments. I will also update this post as needed.

If the next country of travel on your list is the country of the Rising Sun - Japan, do not rush to quickly pack your bags: think if you know everything about this country. Japan is by no means European country in which you are used to rest and know all the nuances independent rest... This is a country of different rituals and principles, where a different atmosphere reigns. The Japanese, by virtue of their politeness, will never offend a foreign guest, but it is still better to familiarize yourself with some unwritten statutes, "commandments" so as not to feel like a savage in the land of the Rising Sun.

Basic commandments

Any travel involves communication with the locals. In Japan, it is very important to show your respect to the interlocutor. Even if you ask him what time it is. If you just “nod” or say “hello”, to an ordinary acquaintance it will seem like a sign of disrespect to him. In addition, when greeting the Japanese, it is necessary to bow. The number and duration of bows directly depends on the status of the individual in society.

In Japan, special attention is paid to table etiquette. For example: every Japanese restaurant serves a small wet napkin for drying hands, not as a towel or handkerchief, as many European tourists think. After the person wipes his hands, the napkin lies on the edge of the table. If you are having lunch or dinner in the company of Japanese people, do not rush to eat right away: when food and drinks are brought to everyone, only then can you overstep your meal. In addition, you can also bring the plate to your mouth for a more comfortable meal. And if you don't know how to use chopsticks, don't count on being presented with a fork or spoon. However, your inability to handle chopsticks will not offend anyone. But it is not customary to leave a tip in Japan: the waiters simply will not understand you.

Briefs about Japan

The languages ​​of communication are Japanese and English, which every Japanese knows.

The national currency is the yen. It is best to change the currency at the airport, since the hotel has restrictions for one person: no more than $ 300 per person, and banks will have to fill out a lot of documents and go through a lot of bureaucratic formalities.

Narita International Airport, which is only an hour's drive from Tokyo. The cheapest way to get to the capital from the airport is by shuttle bus.

On the roads, only left-hand traffic. In taxis and in hotels, as well as in restaurants, no tips are left.

The voltage in the mains is 120 volts.

In Japan, sanitary nomes are very strictly monitored, so drinking ordinary tap water is safe.

Best time to visit Japan

The tourist season is March-April and October-November, when the air temperature is good for traveling. During this period, there are also many bright holidays that will allow you to get to know this country even better. In summer, the temperature reaches +40 degrees and more, and it often rains. September is the typhoon season. However, at any time of the year, an umbrella in Japan is an important and necessary thing. However, if you have the opportunity to purchase chip flights on this site, do not waste a moment: this country is beautiful at any time.

Hotels in Japan

There is no official star rating for hotels in Japan. It is more important to choose the type of hotel: European or traditional, Japanese. Most of the hotels in the country are European-style hotels with different levels of apartments and high level service. Business hotels with small rooms, but equipped with everything necessary, are popular. The cheapest option is "capsule" hotels, with tiny rooms in which you can only sit or lie down. Inside the capsule, in addition to the bed, there is also a telephone, a lamp, a TV set, and in the corridor there are washing machines, machines for dispensing toothpaste and brushes, and razors. For those who want to get to know more about Japanese exoticism, it is worth staying at a ryokan - a Japanese-style hotel. You just have to sleep on the floor, or rather on a mattress, sit on mats, and move around the hotel itself without shoes.

And one more subtle point, especially for men: be sure to stock up on socks. The thing is that when you enter Japanese hotel, a restaurant, private house you have to take off your shoes.

Traditions

The number of traditions and rituals, obligatory or recommended for observance, is simply enormous. 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.

General rules

Electricity

Tipping and taxes

Price level

Personal experiences of travelers

Maria | august 2016

aerobulochka | spring 2016

travel_rm | winter 2015

shkaf_gingemy | winter 2015