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Japan holidays & tours: Frequently asked questions...
Japan holidays & tours home page - call us on 01543 258631
Why Visit
Japan?
Japan is like no other country on earth. It is a place where it is not just
the sights that impress and intrigue, but where the whole travelling experience
is a total joy to behold, from speeding through the countryside on a bullet
train, to sampling the myriad of Japanese cuisine, to meeting friendly locals
with a genuine interest in your visit to their wonderful country. One could
spend a lifetime exploring Japan. The cities of Tokyo and Kyoto may grab the
headlines, but the country offers so much more, from some of the world’s best
powder snow in the ski resorts of Hokkaido in the north, to crystal clear
tropical waters of Okinawa in the south. We can make sure that you will get a
chance to see some of the hidden delights of Japan, making the very most out of
your time in this very special country.
When Should I visit?
Anytime is a good time to visit Japan! Spring and autumn are popular times
for visits, with pleasant temperatures and the chance to glimpse Japan’s famous
sakura cherry blossom or autumn colours. Summer is festival time with hundreds
of fantastic celebrations taking place from local parades to huge city-wide
extravaganzas of colour and noise. Winter is a quieter time to visit, with
uncrowded sights and clear winter skies. Of course winter is also the time to
head to the mountains for winter sports, with a long December to April season
available at many resorts. For those keen to see the famous sakura cherry
blossom late March to mid-April are the best times to visit the coastal cities –
up in the mountains things bloom a little later. For the autumn colours early to
mid-November is the best time down at sea level, with the leaves turning a
little earlier at higher altitudes.
What is the weather like?
As mentioned above spring (March to May) and autumn (October and November)
are popular for their warm, pleasant days. In summer the temperature rises, as
does the humidity, although up in the mountains things remain a few refreshing
degrees lower. Late June and early July see a brief ‘rainy season’ with a few
overcast days and increased precipitation, though this should by no means put
you off travelling at this time. Winter is cool at sea level; cold up in the
mountains, with heavy snowfall the farther north you go from Tokyo. Rainfall is
fairly even throughout the year, with showers possible in any season.
Isn't Japan very expensive?
Japan is no longer an expensive holiday destination. With zero inflation for
the past 15 years and even a slight fall in many prices, the cost of living in
Japan is now significantly less than many parts of the UK which surprised many.
Prices of everyday items are comparable with those in other developed nations.
Does any one speak English?
All Japanese study English at school and at university and most have at
least 10 years of English education behind them. However, levels of spoken
English are not so good and vary greatly. The good news is that in all the major
cities and tourist destinations you will usually find someone about who can
speak English and wherever you are in Japan you will find that people understand
a lot more English than they can speak. In many ways though, the key to
communicating in Japan is not to be shy! The Japanese are very friendly and
really will do their very best to assist you during your travels whether they
can speak good English or not. In Tokyo, spend a few minutes looking lost and
you can almost guarantee somebody will come over and ask if they can help. And
of course, the universal language of signs and gestures will generally get your
message across!
How much does a flight cost?
Prices of air fares vary enormously but as a rule if you are paying less
than £500 / $1000 then you have got a good price. If you need any help at all
researching flights then please do not hesitate to ask. The first choice you
have to make is whether to fly direct or via a European or Asian hub. Using a UK
departure as an example, direct return flights from London Heathrow to Tokyo
Narita start from around £750 per person for an economy class ticket. Non-direct
flights on European carriers such as KLM or Air France start from around £450
per person. We can include flights with your package, please ask for a
quotation.