Visiting Japan: 5 DOs and DON'Ts

Introduction

Today I am bringing 5 DOs and DON'Ts related to visiting Japan. By that I mean you can have a bad or a good experience here, but there are some common mistakes a newbie does when coming to Japan.

So now, here are the five things you should be aware of, as well as how to prevent them.

Himeji Castle Cherry Blossom

Photo by ganmed64

1. Avoid the Summer at all costs.

Avoid the Summer at all costs, unless you are coming to Japan just to do something related to the Summer, like climbing Mount Fuji. The humidity in Japan during the Summer is terrible, which makes the heat much worse.

If you enjoy the hot weather better than the cold, then you should come during the Spring. Since the weather gets a little hotter everyday, Spring is a great season to go outdoors and enjoy the beauty of flowers and the nature.

Not to mention the Cherry Blossom week, somewhere around the first week of April. You will find prices are higher indeed and hotels/hostels/ryokans are close to full in places such as Kyoto, however you will be mesmerized by the beauty of the parks and the temples in this season.

It is such a unique experience that it's hard to put it into words!

2. Avoid the Winter, too!

In parallel, avoid the Winter, unless you are visiting Japan for Winter-related activities such as Hokkaido's Snow Festival, Winter sports at Nagano prefecture, or even the yearly sale on January 2nd.

If you prefer the cooler weather, then the best choice for you is coming to Japan during Fall. Leaves will be a mixture of yellow and red, and some of the sights are unforgettable. Fall is also much more comfortable in terms of weather, with the temperature around 15 C/60 F, and not much rain.

The best time to come is between November 20th-30th, when the maple trees turn red.

Kiyomizudera Temple, Kyoto

Photo by np&djjewell

3. Don't stay in Tokyo for too long.

Tokyo is such a cliche. Go visit it, but don't spend too much time there. In the end, tokyo is just like any other big city. It might be a bit more different, crazier, but that's not true Japan.

You can find something much more interesting around the Kansai area, which gathers modern cities (like Osaka and Kobe) and traditional ones as well (Nara and Kyoto), as well as great natural scenery (the night view of the Osaka Bay, know as the "Million Dollar View", Amanohashidate in Northern Kyoto prefecture, and also Mount Hiei, between Kyoto and Shiga prefectures) and interesting activities as well (Himeji castle, in Hyogo prefecture, or sake breweries in Kobe).

4. Avoid having an excessively tight budget.

Tight budgets are a no-no in Japan. The thing is that Japan is known for the quality of the services they offer. If you come visit Japan on a budget, then you miss on one of the greatest aspects of true Japan.

I know things can be expensive, but I'm not telling you to splurge. Just don't always choose the cheapest option when you come. The second cheapest will likely already be much better.

This is especially true for Japanese food, such as sushi and "washoku" (traditional food).

5. Bring your own toiletries.

Don't forget your toiletries at home. Not only it will be hard to find a known brand sold in Japan, but also you may simply not adapt with what's sold here.

Deodorants are terrible, as well as toothbrushes and toothpaste (not all of them have fluoride). Every now and then I have my parents sending me these items to me via mail, since I've been here for almost 4 years already and I don't like the Japanese offers for these products.

It may be a bit troublesome, but remember you can leave them behind if you need the extra space when you go back home.