20 basic Japanese phrases for travellers

If you are traveling to Japan for the first time, you may be concerned about something known as the “language barrier” – that inexplicable inability to communicate with others due to speaking a different language. Should you stress if you don’t speak any Japanese? Simply put, the answer is no!

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How much does it cost to go to Japan? Traveling on a budget

If you’ve ever thought of traveling to Japan, you’ve probably heard the myth that it is one of the most expensive destinations in the world. Certainly, Japan travel can rack up a big bill – international flights, luxury trains, and Kobe beef may come to mind. However, you can see Japan on the cheap if you put your mind to it, and if you are willing to do your homework in advance.

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How to find and use ATMs in Japan

ATMs, or Automatic Teller Machines, are common sights throughout the world. The devices offer a convenient way to withdraw money stored in your bank account, acquiring cash directly from the machine. ATMs can be especially useful for international travelers, as they dispense cash money in the local currency at competitive exchange rates.

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Rush hour in Japan trains and subway: Travel tips

The country of Japan is actually a chain of more than 6,500 islands ranging in size from tiny sandbars to the main island of Honshu, with an area of nearly 90,000 square miles (230,000 square kilometers). As an island nation, Japan enjoys only a limited amount of space to hold its bustling, vibrant cities.

You’ve likely seen photographs of people pressed together in crowded trains and subways in Japan. If you are planning a trip to this unique country, do not be intimidated.

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10 tips to travel around Japan on a budget

Your Japanese vacation plans are well underway. You’re researching flights, hotels, transportation – then, you take a look at your travel budget, and your countenance falls. Your plans seem to exceed what you can afford. What is such a downhearted adventurer to do?

Travel in Japan has a reputation for being expensive when compared to other countries in the region. However, expenses should not dissuade you from experiencing this geographically beautiful, culturally rich region.

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Staying in a Ryokan, a traditional Japanese guest house

Would you like to relax and unwind during your international travels? Are you interested in a traditional Japanese experience? If you answered yes to either of those questions, a stay at a ryokan may be for you.

What is a ryokan? A ryokan is a traditional style Japanese inn or guest house. Typically small in size, these inns have often been run by the same family for generations. Ryokans are usually located near onsen, or hot springs used for therapeutic bathing, and their design, décor, and setting often focus on the simplistic beauty of nature.

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