Destination: Japan
LONELY PLANET'S OFFICIAL GUIDEBOOK INFORMATION
Getting Started
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.
DON'T LEAVE HOME WITHOUT...
What clothing you bring will depend not only on the season, but also on where you are planning to go. Japan extends a long way from north to south: the north of Hokkaido can be under deep snow at the same time Okinawa and Nansei-shoto (the Southwest Islands) are basking in tropical sunshine. If you're going anywhere near the mountains, or are intent on climbing Mt Fuji, you'll need good cold-weather gear, even at the height of summer.
Unless you're in Japan on business, you won't need formal or even particularly dressy clothes. Men should keep in mind, however, that trousers are preferable to shorts, especially in restaurants.
You'll also need:
- 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.
Lonely Planet recommends World Nomads Travel insurance
