I have put a lot of thought into why my journey was successful, especially since I plotted the trip in its entirety myself. Below are ten simple tips to aid in gathering your thoughts before beginning to plan your next great adventure!

1

Think about your budget!

Budget is very determinant of how much you can do and what you would like to do.

2

Ask yourself about the scope of what you want to experience!

Are you a city person, or do you want to go beyond that to find the appeal of rural Japan? You may want to go deep into nature, or you might simply want to stick to skyscrapers and the comfort of English accessibility. Different regions offer various foods which is also important to consider.

3

When do you want to experience it?

The four seasons in Japan drastically shape the atmosphere around you. Fall and Spring offer scenic experiences full of colorful foliage, whereas summer best captures the presence of greenery even within large cities. Winter is a great time for comfort food and to visit the Northern regions of Japan in particular. Air travel prices vary to great degrees as well for each, so it is important to do your research.

4

Determine how long you will stay!

Depending on how much you have to spend and wish to see, a small trip to Tokyo might be the ideal. Or, an extended vacation encompassing the whole country might appeal much more! Plan for travelling between cities if your trip is inclusive of multiple locales, and give plenty of time for each- often there are more sites to visit and sights to see that one might initially think of.

5

Pick a city or two… or five, or twelve…

You might already have locations in mind. If not, narrow down your options to fit your timeframe and budget: determine if you have a preference for larger cities like Tokyo or Osaka, medium metropolises like Sendai, Kyoto, or Kanazawa, or even the smaller dots on the map such as Aomori or Hiroshima.

6

Research the cities!

Once you have cities or towns in mind, scour the web to find attractions in them. Additionally, get a feel for the more technical aspects of being a tourist in them such as their usual weather, public transport, and English accessibility.

7

Put it all in order!

Think logically about movement, as well as the flow of your trip. While it is important to be methodical in moving from one area to the next, make sure to schedule your cities and attractions at an appropriate pace. For example, do not overwhelm yourself with every modern activity in the beginning, and then visit an array of shrines all at once. Spreading your itinerary across the various levels of history and culture is perhaps the best way to experience the diversity Japan has to offer.

8

Make the travel arrangements!

Book your hotels central to attractions and close to the invaluable public transport systems within Japan. Unless your trip includes climbing a remote mountain, most likely you will not have to rely on a rental car. Additionally you may want to explore deals for public transport such as the Japan Rail Pass, or single day passes for travel within cities. Compare airline offerings and their prices carefully! Assuming your travel is from the western world, you might be in for a long flight.

9

Study!

Japan is very navigable without learning the language entirely. However, in the interest of being respectful do not forget to learn terms for basic manners, as well as general knowledge about what not to do. This is especially true if your journey strays farther from the capitol. Natives will thank you for taking the time to learn more about their country!

10

Get excited!

After all is said and done and everything is booked, be merry and worry free- you’re going to Japan! The experience you will get in this nation is far different from the comfort of touring your home country or the more popular destinations.