trip to Japan
Arrival: How do I get a trip to Japan?
trip to Japan, Swiss flies from Zurich directly to Narita International Airport in Tokyo. Please note: Tokyo has several airports. The most important airport for domestic flights is Tokyo Haneda, which is closer to the city center. Especially if you are taking a domestic flight, you should make sure which airport it is departing from. If you have to change planes directly after arriving from Switzerland and have to change airports, you should allow around three hours for the transfer (shuttle buses are available), checking-in, and security checks.
Entry: What are Japan’s entry requirements?
For Swiss and EU citizens, a passport is sufficient for a tourist visit of up to 90 days. A visa is not required. A form must be filled out upon entry. This can be done on paper upon arrival or digitally in advance at https://services.digital.go.jp/en/visit-japan-web.
Getting around: How do you travel around Japan in trip to Japan?
trip to Japan has a top rail network that takes you to (almost) any place. And where there is no train, there is a bus. The most famous train in Japan is the Shinkansen, the express train that connects the most important centers at over 300 kilometers per hour.
The Shinkansen comes in three variants, each of which stops at a different number of stations. The Nozomi Shinkansen is the express variant with the fewest stops – but all Shinkansen trains get you to your destination quickly.
Most Shinkansen trains have two classes, the standard class (2nd class) and the Green Car class, which is roughly equivalent to 1st class. On some routes, you can also find the GranClass, which is even more comfortable.
There are both reserved and unreserved seats. However, a reservation is always recommended.
Tickets can be bought at a counter or a machine in the station. For online purchases, the Klook website is recommended.
If you are planning a longer vacation with train journeys, you should get the Japan Rail Pass, which is available for 7, 14 and 21 days. Prices start at around 400 francs, which is already worth it for a round trip from Tokyo to Hiroshima.
The Suica card: The Suica card is a rechargeable prepaid card that can be used to buy tickets for public transport. This is particularly useful for public transport in Tokyo.
Costs: Is Japan an expensive travel destination?
trip to Japan is not a cheap Asian travel destination, but its prices are lower than those in Switzerland. A week’s vacation in cheap accommodation with affordable food, transport, and sightseeing starts at around 1300 to 1500 francs. Anyone who can afford 2500 to 3000 francs for a two-week vacation (not including flights) should be able to manage. However, the costs increase with the demands on accommodation and experiences.
Despite its affinity for technological innovations, trip to Japan is a cash country. So you should always have a few thousand yen in your pocket. Exchange rate: approximately: 1 CHF = 175 yen. Money can be withdrawn from ATMs. However, not all banks accept Swiss cards. You’ll have the most luck with the Postbank and the ATMs in 7-Eleven stores.
Credit cards (Visa and MasterCard) are only accepted in larger restaurants, shops and hotels.
Stay connected: Internet and surfing with your cell phone in Japan
Roaming charges in trip to Japan are very high. That’s why you should only use your Swiss SIM card in an emergency.
Most hotels, restaurants cafes, and sometimes public places offer free WiFi, but the speed often leaves a lot to be desired.
If you want to surf at 4G or 5G speeds, there are two inexpensive options:
A portable WiFi router: The small, portable routers, to which you can connect several devices via WiFi, are connected to the Japanese network. The routers are rented from a telecom provider. Prices start at around 2.50 francs a day.
A Japanese SIM card: If you have an unlocked cell phone, you can use a Japanese SIM card that is valid for between 7 and 30 days. Prices start at around 20 francs for 7 days.
A good provider with very good network coverage is Ninja Wifi. It is advisable to order the router or SIM card on the website before you arrive (ninjawifi.com) and then pick it up at a counter in the airport. They will also help you with the installation.
Is Japan a safe country to travel to?
Yes, Japan is a very safe country to travel to. According to the World Peace Index, which measures the peacefulness and safety of a country based on various criteria, Japan is ranked 17th (out of 162). For comparison: Switzerland is ranked 6th and safe Sweden is ranked 39th.
Health: What do you have to look out for?
No special vaccinations are required for trip to Japan. Medical care is very good. An initial overview can be found at Osir, the Swiss travel medicine information center in eastern Switzerland.
Gibberish: How do I communicate in Japan?
English is taught as a compulsory subject in schools. However, that does not mean that all Japanese people feel confident in English. Nevertheless, in every situation in which you need support, there is someone who speaks sufficient English. In addition, the people in trip to Japan are very helpful and try everything to help a guest. There are also English-language signs on public transport and at tourist attractions.
Another good tool is Google’s translation function, which allows you to translate at least simple sentences into Japanese.
So: Don’t be afraid of the language barrier!
Watch out for faux pas! How do I behave correctly?
Japanese culture and the way people interact with each other is fundamentally different from our Western behavior – it is precisely these differences that make a trip to Japan so appealing.
Everyday Japanese life is characterized by many traditional behaviors that are hard to understand as a guest. Faux pas are therefore inevitable. But don’t worry: In Japan, no one expects you to know the ins and outs. In places where certain rules of behavior are required (for example in temples), pictograms are used to indicate this.
In general, the rule in Japan is: You behave in such a way that you don’t disturb other people. You talk quietly, put your cell phone on silent, keep your distance (even when greeting people), apologize often, don’t show strong emotions in public, and are always polite. If you keep your gestures to a minimum, you are already following the most important Japanese rule of behavior.
Other things to remember are not to tip (this is considered an insult), to take off your shoes in temples and homes, and to never put your chopsticks in the rice (this is a burial ritual).
When is the best time to travel to Japan?
Japan is a year-round destination. Due to its length, the country has a variety of climate regions. These range from the subtropics in the south to the cold climate in the north. This means that there is a region with the perfect travel weather at any time of year.
The best time to travel to Hokkaido in the north is spring to autumn. In winter, the northern island is very cold and snowy – ideal for skiing.
Central Japan gets very hot in summer. That’s why it’s best to visit in spring when the cherry blossoms are in season or in autumn. Winter sports are also possible in the mountainous regions in the center of the country.
Subtropical southern Japan has a hot rainy season in summer. The rest of the year is therefore best for a visit to the south.
Sightseeing: What should you experience in Japan?
Let Tokyo overwhelm you
Almost 10 million people live in Tokyo, and the metropolitan region has 38 million. The crowds, the bright neon signs, and the skyscraper canyons are overwhelming. Tokyo also has 230 Michelin-starred restaurants – so you can feast excellently here. And if you like things a little bizarre, go to a manga café, where some of the staff serve in manga costumes.
Walk on old paths in Kyoto
The former capital is the spiritual center of Japan. The highlights are the historic temples and city districts, where you feel like you’ve been transported back centuries.
Commemorate peace in Hiroshima
No city in the world represents the horror of war like Hiroshima. On August 6, 1945, the Americans dropped the first atomic bomb, which they named “Little Boy,” on the city. Around 80,000 people died immediately. The Peace Memorial and the Peace Museum are impressive memorials against war.
Hiking in the Japanese Alps
The country’s natural highlight is the Japanese Alps, which rise to over 3,000 meters into the sky – a great playground for all mountain outdoor activities.
Enjoy the cherry blossom
One highlight of the year is the cherry blossom (sakura) in spring when hundreds of thousands of trees bloom. Then people meet in the parks for a picnic.
Wellness in an onsen
No visit to Japan is complete without a visit to a traditional thermal bath, the so-called onsen, which is often located in beautiful locations. When entering an onsen, a few rules must be observed, which are patiently explained to the guest beforehand.
Stay overnight in a ryokan
A ryokan is a traditional guesthouse built in the traditional style. You sleep on mats on the floor and are served traditional Japanese dishes. An experience!
Also Read: The 8 Best Places to Take Pictures in Tokyo