Apart from language difficulties, Japan is a very easy country in which to travel. It's safe and clean and the public transport system is excellent. Best of all, everything you need (with the possible exception of large-sized clothes) is widely available. The only consideration is the cost: Japan can be expensive. It is not nearly as expensive as many people fear, however, and there are enough cheap guesthouses and youth hostels around to bring Japan within the reach of backpackers and other budget travellers.
When to go
Without a doubt, the best times to visit Japan are the climatically stable seasons of spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November).
Spring is the time when Japan's famous cherry trees (sakura) burst into bloom. Starting from Kyushu sometime in March, the sakura zensen (cherry tree blossom line) advances northward, usually passing the main cities of Honshu in early April. Once the sakura bloom, their glory is brief, usually lasting only a week.
Autumn is an equally good time to travel, with pleasant temperatures and soothing autumn colours; the autumn foliage pattern reverses that of the sakura, starting in the north sometime in October and peaking across most of Honshu around November.
Travelling during either winter or summer is a mixed bag - mid-winter (December to February) weather can be bitterly cold, particularly on the Sea of Japan coasts of Honshu and Hokkaido, while the sticky summer months (June to August) can turn even the briefest excursion out of an air-conditioned environment into a steam bath. June is also the month of Japan's brief rainy season, which in some years brings daily downpours and in other years is hardly a rainy season at all. Also keep in mind that peak holiday seasons, particularly Golden Week (late April to early May) and the mid-August O-Bon (Festival of the Dead) are extremely popular for domestic travel and can be problematic in terms of reservations and crowds. Likewise, everything in Japan basically shuts down during Shogatsu (New Year period).
What to take
- Slip-on shoes - you want shoes that are not only comfortable for walking but are also easy to slip on and off for the frequent occasions where they must be removed.
- Unholy socks - your socks will be on display a lot of the time.
- Books - English-language and other foreign-language books are expensive in Japan, and they're not available outside the big cities.
- Medicine - bring any prescription medicine you'll need from home.
- Gifts - a few postcards or some distinctive trinkets from your home country will make good gifts for those you meet along the way.
Right there. When you're in need.
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