Insidejapan Tours Electric Capital City

Trip Dossier Spring Elegance

uTOKYO uMATSUMOTO uTAKAYAMA uKANAZAWA uKYOTO uHAKONE uTOKYO

Japan Facts

Population: 127 million Capital City: Tokyo, pop. 8.23 million (23 wards) Language: Japanese Religion: Shinto & Buddhist, 1.5% Christian Currency: Japanese Yen Time: GMT + 9 hours Electricity: 100V International Dialling Code: 81

to a very different Japan. Our unique Narita International Airport. Many of our Tour Overview guided walking tour of the famous Gion customers choose to come in a day or two district will give you the chance to catch a early to get over jet-lag and get the most Spring is one of the finest times to visit glimpse of geisha along the beautiful Kyoto out of the tour. Whatever the case, up to Japan, as the winter chill makes way for backstreets. with tickets to the famous two days before the tour starts we will have warm sunny days. With this of course Miyako Odori (Spring Geisha Dances) also someone at the airport to meet you. comes the excitement that accompanies included in the tour price. The tour leader will supply you with a Tokyo the annual hanami or blossom-viewing Transport PASMO Card allowing you to celebrations as cherry trees across the From Kyoto there is the option to take a day move around the city easily on the subways county burst into bloom! trip to Hiroshima, Himeji or Nara using the and train systems like a real Tokyoite! included Japan Rail Pass - at no extra cost! Our hotel is situated in the Asakusa area, The Tokyo metropolis is where we’ll start the former downtown and entertainments and finish the tour. It’s a fascinating city, A journey east on the famous ‘Bullet’ Train district of Edo, as Tokyo was formally full of things to see and do, constantly alive to the mountainous hot-spring region of known. This friendly district still maintains and buzzing with activity. With stays in Hakone with its forest covered mountains a traditional atmosphere and is home to old-town Asakusa and the ultra-modern and stunning views of Mt. Fuji, brings Senso-ji, the city’s oldest temple. Tonight Shinjuku district we will have a chance our travels round Japan to a close. We we will be indulging in a first night’s dinner to experience the very different faces of will have a two-night stay in the imperial of your Tour Leader’s choice. Options modern Tokyo life. surroundings of the Fujiya, Japan’s first include Okonomiyaki - a kind of savoury and most atmospheric Western-style hotel, pancake, or at an Izakaya (Japanese style During our stay in Tokyo there will be a before returning to Tokyo and spend a final pub). Food is on us so this is a great chance chance to take an excursion to one of the night amidst the skyscrapers of Shinjuku. to start getting to know the other members many places of interest that lie within easy We’ll be sure to enjoy one last evening of the group. reach of the capital; the elaborate shrines of great food and entertainment before of Nikko, the world’s largest Buddha at saying our farewells. Day 2 Tokyo (B) Ushiku or the sleepy temples and shrines After breakfast today we will embark on a of former capital Kamakura are just three of With your Tour Leader always on hand to full day tour of the city using our PASMO the many options. point you in the right direction for all the cards. We’ll cruise down the Sumida River, sights, restaurants, bars, museums, and take a relaxing stroll through Hamarikyu In between our two stops in Tokyo we’ll special events, the Spring Elegance tour is a tei-en, a tranquil garden that is just a enjoy some of the gentler sides of life in never-to-be-forgotten Japan experience. few minutes walk from the lively Ginza Japan. Situated in the shadow of the awe- shopping district, explore the precincts inspiring peaks of the Japan Alps the towns And of course if the Gods smile upon us of Meiji Shrine and perhaps check out the of Matsumoto - with its impressive feudal and the weather co-operates, you may get amazing view of Tokyo to be had from castle - and Takayama, a town of old narrow the chance to join the Japanese for a night the 45th floor of the Tokyo Metropolitan streets, sake breweries and craftsmen’s of partying under the famous Japanese Government building. Of course if residences, will provide a pleasant contrast cherry blossom. exploring independently is more your thing to the seeming chaos of the capital. In then that is no problem at all and whatever Kanazawa, situated on the Japan sea coast, it is you want to do your leader will help we will visit beautiful Kenroku-en garden, you out. Tonight dinner isn’t included so one of the finest in all Japan. Day-by-Day we recommend heading out to indulge in some of the myriad of culinary delights Three nights in Kyoto, Japan’s capital of Day 1 Tokyo (D) available. history and culture, gives you plenty of The tour begins today in Tokyo, Japan’s time to explore the menagerie of temples InsideJapan Tours electric capital city. Your Tour Leader will and shrines which cast you back in time be there to meet you on your arrival at

1 of 6 To book please call 0870 120 5600 or email us on [email protected] Day-by-Day continued

Day 3 Tokyo / Excursion Day (B) and Samurai houses before heading out in old-world Asakusa, we’ll be staying in Today you can take one of the many day for dinner. Our accommodation is superbly Shinjuku, the busiest and most modern trips available or alternatively, stay in Tokyo located right in the centre of Kanazawa and district of the city. This is your chance to do and explore more of the city’s attractions within walking distance to the main sites. all that last-minute shopping and to check at your own pace using your PASMO card out the sights you missed first time round. – the choice is yours! Day 8 Kyoto (B&D) In the evening we hope that everyone will This morning we’ll take the express train join us for a last meal together and a few Day 4 Matsumoto (B) on to Kyoto for our three-night stay in this drinks before we all head our separate ways Today, if you’d like to join us at the city’s famous city. Kyoto is a great city to explore after what we hope will have been a real morning fish market, we’ll be making a on foot. There are several walking tour holiday experience to treasure. 4.30am start! This is a fascinating excursion routes, each with different places of interest and we are sure you will have seen nothing along the way. Your Leader will accompany Day 14 Sayonara (B) like it before in your life! The Japanese are the group along a chosen route. This It is that sad time when we all have to say serious about their fish and here you’ll get afternoon you might join our tour of Gion our goodbyes and head our separate ways. to see where it all comes from. You may and the Geisha districts with a local Geisha Your transfer back to the airport is included, like to try a sushi breakfast at one of the expert, giving you a truly unique insight allowing you to relax knowing that you will market’s tiny sushi bars. If this isn’t to your into this hidden world. You will have tickets be in good time for checking in. We wish taste don’t worry though - breakfast at the to the famous Spring Geisha Dances, you all the best for a safe journey home and hotel will still be available. followed by dinner at a Gion restaurant. It’s hope that perhaps one day you will return sure to be an exciting day! to Japan for some more adventures in the The journey to Matsumoto will take Land of the Rising Sun. about three and a half hours in total. We Day 9 Kyoto (B) will have a chance to visit Matsumoto’s A full day to explore some of Kyoto’s premier attraction, the black castle. This is wealth of sights. Check out some temples Accommodation one of the finest examples of an original and shrines such as the exquisite hilltop castle still surviving in Japan, escaping as Kiyomizu-dera, the Golden Pavilion or one The following accommodation is used on it has the ravages of fire and war which of Kyoto’s many Zen gardens. the Spring Elegance tour: have destroyed so many of Japan’s other feudal castles. For dinner you might like Day 10 Kyoto / Excursion Day (B) Tokyo Hotel Sunroute Asakusa to try a meal of soba noodles (made with Today is Excursion day - you can use the Excellent business hotel located in the buckwheat), the speciality food of the included Japan Rail Pass to make a day heart of the traditional Asakusa district region. trip to Hiroshima, Himeji, Nara or perhaps Tel. 03 3847 1511 Japan’s lively second city of Osaka. Day 5 Takayama (B&D) Alternatively, there is so much to see in Matsumoto Richmond Hotel Today it’s on by highway bus to Takayama. Kyoto that you may wish to spend the Stylish business hotel in the heart of the The journey takes just over 2 hours and day just meandering through the narrow city and a short walk from the castle we’ll be arriving late morning. After leaving backstreets discovering some of Kyoto’s Tel. 0263-37-5000 our bags at the ryokan we will have a hidden gems. chance to start exploring this intriguing Takayama Tanabe Ryokan mountain town. Shrines and sake breweries Day 11 Hakone(B&D) Beautiful old Japanese inn located in the are among the attractions! Dinner will Today we get to enjoy a trip on the ‘Bullet’ heart of Takayama tonight be served at our inn and this is Train as we make our way (at speeds Tel. 0577 32 0529 sure to be one of the culinary highlights of approaching 300km per hour!) to the Fuji the trip as we indulge in a classic Japanese Hakone National Park at the foot of Mount Kanazawa APA Chuo Hotel ryokan meal. Fuji. The total journey takes just under 4 Conveniently located and comfortable hours, including local transport. Included in business hotel Day 6 Takayama (B) the tour price is a “Hakone Free Pass” which Tel: 076-224-7755 Takayama has an abundance of things to allows you unlimited travel on nearly all of do and see. The morning markets, where the local transport in the Hakone region; a Kyoto Sunroute Hotel fresh produce is brought in daily from the great way to explore! Our accommodation Comfortable Western style hotel located surrounding fields by local farmers, are a is the classic Fujiya Hotel, sure to be one of just minutes from the bustling heart of great way to start the day. Move on to one the accommodation highlights of the tour Kyoto and the famous geisha districts of Gion of the traditional merchant residences for and a real treat! Dinner tonight is included Tel. 075 371 3711 a look at life in Takayama in years gone by. at a local restaurant near our hotel. Don’t miss the Hida-Takayama folk village, Hakone The Fujiya Hotel a fantastic outdoor museum made up of Day 12 Hakone (B) Japan’s first and most famous Western-style a collection of old traditional-style houses A full day to explore Hakone. You may like hotel from all around the Hida region - a rare to take a short hike along what remains of Tel. 0460-2-2211 chance to catch a glimpse of what rural life the old Tokaido highway that used to be was like in pre-industrial Japan. Dinner is the major road linking Edo (modern day Tokyo Sunroute Plaza Shinjuku not included tonight so head out to sample Tokyo) with Kyoto and Osaka. The open- Brand new superior business hotel in a top some of the region’s famous beef or visit air sculpture museum features pieces by location in west Shinjuku one of the town’s lively local eateries! many world-renowned artists all set against Tel. 03 3375 3211 a stunning mountain backdrop. There is Day 7 Kanazawa (B) an assortment of museums to visit and of Please note that accommodation is subject to Today we’ll make the three-hour journey course one of Hakone’s famous ‘trick boxes’ change. Final details of the accommodation by limited express train to Kanazawa, would make for a great souvenir. will be included in your Info-Pack which will be home of Kenroku-en, one of Japan’s finest sent out approximately 4 weeks prior to the tour gardens. After spending some time here, Day 13 Tokyo (B) start date.

InsideJapan Tours perhaps we’ll check out the Ninja temple Back to Tokyo. In contrast to our initial stay

2 of 6 To book please call 0870 120 5600 or email us on [email protected] More Tour Information

What’s Included Your Tour Leader is not a guide so may not Mobile Phones The following elements are all included in know every historical detail of every shrine, Until recently overseas mobile phones have temple or palace; equally however, s/he is the price of your tour: not worked at all in Japan. However, with available pretty much all day everyday and the advent of 3G if you have a 3G enabled 4 13 nights accommodation will even accompany (willing) tour members handset you will be able to use your mobile 4 All transport between destinations in to karaoke… across most of Japan. If you do not have a Japan including airport transfers on 3G handset you may wish to hire a mobile arrival and departure Flexibility for the duration of your stay. For this service InsideJapan Tours recommends Go Mobile 4 Meet and greet upon arrival at Narita Our tours aim to be as flexible as possible, as offering the best service and the best Airport so there is no set-in-stone itinerary for each day. Each morning the Tour Leader will rates. You can book a mobile phone to be 4 Breakfast everyday outline what s/he is going to do that day delivered to your first hotel in Japan and at 4 Sumida River cruise and will be available if you need advice the end of your trip you simply pop it in the 4 Tokyo Transport PAMSO pass about doing any other activities. post back to Go Mobile. All phones have 4 4 evening meals a 3 mega-pixel camera and can send and receive email. 4 7 Day Japan Rail Pass Meals 4 ‘Miyako Odori’ tickets in Kyoto and There are a number of meals included on 7 days rental costs from 2995yen which includes 15 minutes of local calls. Further Geisha district walking tour all our tours. Please let us know if you have information about the service can be found 4 any special dietary requirements. Hakone Free Pass to cover local at www.gomobile.co.jp and an on-line transport in Hakone region booking form can be found here: 4 Transport on tour Luggage forwarding between Tokyo & https://www.gomobile.co.jp/order_form_ Takayama, Takayama & Kyoto and Kyoto Please note that all transfers are by public in.e.php & Tokyo transport making use of Japan’s first-rate transport network. All the hotels and ryokan Please be sure to enter our agent code 4 Full time services of your Tour Leader have been chosen for their location close - INSIDEJAPAN – to receive your discounted 4 InsideJapan Tours’ complimentary to convenient transport links. However, price. Info-Pack you will have to carry your bags for short distances and some stations do not have Even if you have a 3G handset you may wish NOT included escalators. Please see the ‘Luggage’ section to consider this service as the call charges 6 International flights for more information on what luggage to will be a LOT lower and you do not have to pay to receive calls. The push-email facility 6 bring and a handy packing check-list. Additional local transport at any desti (as available on Blackberry handsets in nation except that covered by the ‘Free Early check-in the West) is also very useful and can make Pass’ in Hakone and PASMO in Tokyo keeping in touch very easy! 6 Entrance fees to shrines, temples, Upon arrival you may well be tired after a museums etc. long international flight. Hotels in Japan Crime and personal safety 6 Lunches, 9 evening meals, drinks operate strict check-in policies. If you have Japan is perhaps the World’s safest country 6 Baggage handling - you will be an early flight arrival please ask us about early check-in options. and personal crime is almost unheard of. expected to carry your own luggage You are extremely unlikely to have anything Visas stolen whilst you are in Japan and the Bathroom arrangements likelihood of being threatened in any way is At all night stops on the Spring Elegance Entry visas not required by UK, USA, CAN, almost nonexistent. It is not uncommon to tour your room will have full en-suite AUS & NZ citizens. For other countries leave your wallet, phone, camera or lap-top facilities (attached bath, shower and toilet). please check with the Japanese embassy or in a bar or restaurant and return hours later The Japanese inn will also have traditional consulate in your home country. to find your lost property waiting for you. large, shared use baths available. However, you should still take the usual Power and Plugs precautions: Keep large amounts of money Policy on single rooms Japan uses 100v with two pin flat blade out of sight and consider using a money InsideJapan Tours do not charge a single plugs. Travellers from the USA will find belt; in your hotel room keep your valuables supplement for most of our tours. In the that their plugs will fit into some Japanese packed away and when out and about keep Western-style hotels all single travellers will sockets but not all. Plug adaptors are readily an eye on your bag and other personal be provided with a single room. However, available in electronic stores in Japan and effects. in Japanese-style accommodation it is are not expensive. US appliances will work Japan is also a very safe country for women traditional for people to share a room. in Japan even though the voltage is slightly to travel in and there is a very low risk of Therefore, we ask single travellers to share a lower than North America. Travellers from being assaulted in any way. Most areas room (same sex share) at the Japanese-style the UK should purchase a plug adaptor are safe to walk alone at night but it is best inn in Takayama. before arrival in Japan as three pin adaptors to be with another person. Women can are somewhat hard to find once you arrive. sometimes find themselves the subject of Your Tour Leader Please note that due to the much lower unwanted attention from drunk Japanese voltage UK electrical appliances will not salary men. Such men are best ignored or Our tours are led on the ground by a Tour work unless they have a variable voltage Leader’, a Japanese speaking Brit, Aussie a firmly delivered “Go away!” will usually power-pack (such as a lap-top computer). If embarrass them into leaving you alone. or American who is there to ensure that you are bringing a digital camera make sure you get the most out of your trip and that it has a power-pack or it will NOT recharge! the whole adventure goes smoothly. The Leader travels with the group and stays at the same hotels and ryokan so please feel

InsideJapan Tours free to ask for help or advice at any time.

3 of 6 To book please call 0870 120 5600 or email us on [email protected] 20Kgs Luggage (44lbs) max / 12kgs (26lb) recommended You will have to carry your own bags for most of the trip. Large cases 1 main bag + 1 day WILL be an inconvenience to you and will slow down the whole group. A compact case WITH WHEELS or a good quality rucksack is appropriate bag + overnight for this tour. DO NOT bring holdalls or sports bags for your main luggage. bag

If you are travelling for a long time (such as a round the World ticket), then make sure you have a smaller bag as well as your large bag. Japan has a superb system of luggage forwarding (takyubin) meaning there is no need to carry around all the items you have with you for a year long trip! Instead you can forward them to your final hotel and they will be kept safely until you check-in. The cost of this service is between 1200 yen (for a medium sized bag) up to 1830 yen for a very large suitcase. There are no weight limits so you don’t need to worry about this.

We highly recommend making use of the luggage forwarding service during your stay in Japan. For this reason we suggest you bring an overnight bag with you. This can be a smallish rucksack, a sports bag or any piece of luggage so long as it is not too big!

Packing check-list

On this page you will find our packing 4 Day sack / small back pack Miscellaneous check-list. This is not fully comprehensive 4 Overnight bag 4 Paper / notebook (for writing your but you should find nearly everything you diary!) could possibly need to bring on a trip to Documents 4 Pen / pencil Japan! There are also a few things to keep 4 Reading material - a good book never 4 Your passport!! in mind when packing. goes amiss! 4 A copy of your passport 4 Earplugs (good on the plane and if 4 Credit cards Clothing and footwear you are sharing a room) 4 Your travel insurance / health Comfortable casual clothing is all that is 4 Sunglasses insurance documentation required. Outside of business situations 4 Camera the Japanese are very relaxed about 4 Camera recharger / spare camera dress so formal attire is unnecessary. It is Toiletries / Health products batteries (charged!) always possible that some of the nights Nearly all toiletries are widely available in 4 Inflatable travel pillow outside of Kyoto and Tokyo might be Japan. However, many people prefer to 4 Phrase books or Dictionaries cool or even cold so a jumper or fleece use their own brands so you will need to 4 Laundry detergent (available in Japan jacket and a light waterproof jacket are bring these with you. but you may prefer your own brand) advisable. There is a certain amount 4 Plug converter (for recharging your of walking involved so a pair of good 4 Tooth brush, Tooth paste digital camera) quality, comfortable walking shoes is also 4 Contact lens equipment or Glasses recommended. 4 Deodorant (most people do not like You do NOT need Japanese brands so be sure to bring 6 An Umbrella - these are available The obvious things! your own!) everywhere in Japan for a very low cost 4 Underwear 4 Shower gel / Shampoo (these are 4 Socks provided at every night 6 A large towel - towels are provided at 4 T-shirts / Polo Shirts / Casual shirts stop but you may prefer your own) all night stops on our tours 4 2 pairs of long trousers (Jeans, Cords, 4 Tampons and Pads 6 Regular Batteries - All standard Chinos etc.) 4 Mosquito repellent battery sizes are available to buy in 4 A pair of shorts 4 Sunscreen and After-sun cream convenience stores for less than the UK 4 Sun hat 4 Comb or Brush price 4 Warm hat (Spring, Autumn and 4 Condoms or Contraceptive Pills 6 A hair dryer - these are provided at Winter) 4 Hair products (gel, spray etc.) nearly all night stops. Hair dryers brought 4 Light waterproof 4 Lip balm from the UK will not work due to the lower 4 Light sweater (the air conditioning 4 Razor & shaving gel voltage in Japan. can be cold!) 4 Tampons and Pads 4 Night wear 4 Fleece jacket, warm jumper or sweater Your tour leader carries a well stocked (Spring and Autumn) first aid kit so you do not need bandages, 4 Comfortable shoes or trainers plasters (band aids) or other similar 4 Walking shoes / boots products. However, you may wish to bring: 4 Open-toed sandals 4 Small hand towel (many public toilets 4 Pain killers (Aspirin, paracetamol, do not have hand dryers/towels) Ibuprofen etc.) 4 Swimwear (if you want to go to a 4 Motion sickness tablets public pool). Western ladies find it very hard to find swimwear to fit in Japan so it is best to bring your own InsideJapan Tours

4 of 6 To book please call 0870 120 5600 or email us on [email protected] Money and currency

What money to bring crazy prices of the bubble era. The Japanese Yen is the currency in Japan In conclusion we recommend using a and you should make sure that you have combination of a couple of methods to Exchange rates as of 16th December access to plenty of it during your stay as manage your money whilst you are in 2008: Japan is still very much a cash society. Japan. We suggest bringing a substantial There are several different ways to get your amount of JPY in cash to Japan or 1 Australian Dollar AUD = 61 yen hands on those precious yen and it is just a changing a large amount of money at 1 British Pound GBP = 135 yen case of deciding which suits you best. the airport. If you need more we suggest 1 Canadian Dollar CAD = 73 yen using your credit or debit card to make 1 Euro EUR = 124yen Obtaining money withdrawals from the post office / 1 United States Dollar USD 89 yen 7-11ATMs. Travellers Cheques Be sure to have a look at the rates before You can change travellers cheques at How much money will I need? you travel as these levels are unlikely to banks across Japan as well as at the continue indefinitely. airport upon arrival. However, it can be a This is the $1000 question so to speak! time consuming process. We recommend Everybody spends a different amount Tipping bringing travellers cheques only if you when they visit. However, nearly everyone intend to change all of them for yen at the finds Japan a lot less expensive than There is no tipping in Japan. This means airport (where the exchange takes next to they were expecting. Eating out is very that at restaurants you should not leave no time), or if you wish to keep them as reasonable and as food is one of the anything extra on top of the bill and you emergency back-up. It is probably best to biggest expenses (and pleasures!) when should not tip staff in hotels or taxi drivers. bring your travellers cheques in US Dollars travelling, this helps keep costs down. However, if you feel your Tour Leader has or Pounds Sterling as you can change these done an outstanding job on your tour a tip anywhere. Euro, Australian Dollars and Local transport, which is generally NOT is always appreciated! Canadian Dollars are also widely accepted. included in our tour packages, is also not You can bring JPY travellers cheques but expensive with the highest fare on the Every day prices you will be hit for charges changing them Tokyo subway being just 310 yen. Entrance back to your home currency should you fees to shrines, temples and museums are Loaf of bread 200 yen decide not to use them. also very reasonable with most being in Big Mac Meal 620 yen the region of 200-300 yen. Occasionally Litre of milk 180 yen Japanese yen in cash you will need to pay as much as 1000 yen Banana 100 yen This is one of the best ways to bring yen but this is not the norm. Litre of Petrol 123 yen to Japan. You can purchase yen from most Snickers 120 yen banks or in the UK from the post office. As a rough guide we recommend 100,000 500ml beer 290 yen You can then be sure to arrive in Japan well yen per person as a good amount to cover Shop sandwich 230 yen equipped with currency. Again, make sure basic costs on a 2 week trip. This should Umbrella 500 yen you don’t bring more than you plan on cover your meals, drinks, local transport and Newspaper 150 yen spending as you will have to pay to convert any entrance fees. What this won’t cover Bottle of water 150 yen any leftovers into your home currency. are souvenirs and other purchases you may Subway journey 160-310 yen wish to make. Beer and drinks can also add Taxi (per car for 2km) 680 yen Foreign Currency in cash up very quickly so if you like a tipple of Starbucks Tall Latte 360 yen You can bring your home currency in cash an evening you may need to budget a bit to change at the airport or at banks and more. post offices during the tour. You actually Entrance to a shrine/temple/museum: Usually between 200 yen and 600 yen get a better rate for cash at the airport Emergency Funds than for travellers cheques. It is also much per person. quicker to change cash at the post office When travelling abroad it is always Lunch: Sit-down lunch around 1000 than it is to change travellers cheques at advisable to have emergency funds tucked yen, sandwich / onigiri / snacks from a bank. However, not all post offices and away somewhere in case of unexpected a convenience store around 500 yen. banks offer this service so you can end up occurrences. In Japan this is not such an Beef bowl from Yoshinoya is 400 yen. issue as it might be in other parts of Asia spending time trying to find one that does! Dinner: Multi-course meal around but it is perhaps best not to rely on your 3000 yen per person, bowl of noodles plastic for this money. We recommend Credit / Debit cards up to 1000 yen per person, hot “bento” keeping £100 / $200 of cash on one side. Possibly the most convenient way to (box) dinner from a convenience store This can be in your home currency or in manage your money in Japan is to use around 800 yen per person. your credit or debit card to withdraw cash yen but make sure it is there and don’t spend it! You never know when you might from ATMs. Every post office and 7-11 Of course, as in every country you can need those extra funds. convenience store in the country has an pay a LOT more for food if you like. ATM that will except your foreign issued Some restaurants in Tokyo and Kyoto cards. Just be sure that you know your 4 Exchange Rates will set you back as much as £250 / digit PIN. It is also advisable to notify your During 2007 the yen reached record $500 per person! However, if your card issuer before you travel that you will lows against the pound and weakened tastes are not too extravagant then be in Japan, otherwise there is a possibility considerably against the US Dollar. there is no reason to spend large sums that the transaction will be blocked for However, 2008 has seen a considerable on your meals. security reasons. shift in the currency markets which sadly has pushed up the cost of travelling in Japan. However, after 15 years of 0% inflation Japan is still an affordable destination and is a world away from the InsideJapan Tours

5 of 6 To book please call 0870 120 5600 or email us on [email protected] Climate

Japan has four distinct seasons with winter the northern regions of the country which does rain a lot. The wettest month of the being quite cold but dry, spring warm with can get a lot colder than Tokyo. Much of year is September. However, this is mainly regular rainy days, summer very hot and Japan is mountainous and of course, the because of typhoons dumping huge humid and autumn warm and wet for the higher elevation you go, the colder it gets! amounts of rain in very short spaces of first few weeks and dry towards the end. time, so you do get a lot of dry days as well There is also the risk of typhoons from July Temperatures in Hokkaido can reach as as the very rainy ones! through to around the middle of October. low as -25 °C in winter with very heavy snowfall. The same goes for the Japan Alps Rainy season in Tokyo officially begins Below you can find a chart of the and other mountain regions of Japan. Be on 8th June and runs through until 20th average temperatures in Tokyo through sure to take all this into account when July. However, the period of heaviest rain the year. This is a good indicator of the packing for your trip. If you are heading up tends to be the last week in June and the kind of temperatures you can expect to into the mountains you will need warmer first week in July. As with all these things experience during your trip. However, clothing. Even in summer the temperatures though, exactly how much rain will fall in Japan is a geographically very diverse can drop quite low during the night. rainy season is very hard to predict and country and this does have an effect on some years you really wouldn’t know it was the temperature. The western regions of You can be sure that it will rain during rainy season at all! Honshu and Kyushu island can be quite a your stay in Japan! In fact average rainfall lot hotter than Tokyo. The reverse goes for is nearly double that of the UK so it really

Average lows and highs in Tokyo Average monthly precipitation in Tokyo Temperature °C Inches mm °F Temperature