Quick-fire answers to our most frequently asked questions

In this section we've put together some of the questions we frequently get asked about our tours and about travel in Japan. We have divided this section into three areas according to the different kinds of holiday we offer: General FAQs, Small Group Tour FAQs, and Self-Guided Adventures FAQs.

If your question is not answered below or if you have any questions about our brand new Exclusive Private Journey concept, please don't hesitate to contact us directly.

General FAQs

Small Group Tours, Self-Guided Adventures, Exclusive Private Journeys � I'm confused! Help!

On our Small Group Tours you will be part of a group of 10-14 people and will travel around Japan with the full-time services of a tour leader. These trips have set start dates throughout the year.

On a Self-Guided Adventure you will travel independently, not as part of a group and without a tour leader. We do usually include a day or two (or more) with a private guide, however, or we can include day tours. You can take a self-guided trip at any time of year, around dates that suit you.

If you have specific destinations in mind for your trip, or feel that none of our Self-Guided itineraries quite fit your plans, we can tailor-make a trip itinerary just for you, based on your thoughts and ideas. You might like to base your trip on one of our Self-Guided itineraries with a few adjustments to take in exactly the elements you are looking for.

Our Exclusive Private Journeys represent the very top end of tailored travel in Japan. On an Exclusive Private Journey you'll travel privately and enjoy the services of fantastic guides in every location, highly exclusive experiences, masterclasses with some of the country's most respected experts and artisans, and the very best of first-class travel and five-star accommodation throughout.

If you have more questions relating to the kinds of trip we offer, have a look at our Self-Guided Adventure FAQs and Small Group Tour FAQs sections - or get in touch with us to find out more about what we can offer.
Why travel to 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 joy, from speeding through the countryside on a bullet train, to sampling Japanese cuisine, to meeting friendly locals with a genuine interest in your visit to their 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. At InsideJapan Tours we will make sure that whilst not missing out on the most famous destinations you will also 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.
Is it safe to travel to Japan?

Japan is generally regarded as one the safest countries in the world, and has some of the lowest crime rates among developed countries. Changing conditions or events beyond our control are extremely rare, and we have sent customers on trouble-free trips for many years.

When travelling to any country, you should maintain the same vigilance that you would do at home and take sensible precautions. Some areas are known to have occasional instances of muggings such as Roppongi and Kabuki-cho in Tokyo and America Mura in Osaka and extra care should be taken in these locations. If you need any further advice, our experienced travel consultants are on-hand and happy to help. With teams in the UK, US, Australia and Japan, there's always someone there to take your call.
What happens if there is a travel advisory in place for Japan?

It goes without saying that we will always put the safety of our customers first. Like many other travel companies, we use official government travel advisories as a trusted authority from which to take our lead.
Who are you? What is InsideJapan Tours?

Founded in 2000, we are an independent team of Japan specialists. The company was set up to offer trips to Japan organised by those who know and love the country, at a price that needn't break the bank.

We have offices in Bristol (UK), Boulder (USA), Brisbane (Australia) and Nagoya (Japan). All of our UK staff have lived, worked and travelled in Japan, and all of our Japan office staff members are English speakers.

For more information about InsideJapan Tours and what we do, see our About Us section.
Is my money safe? Are you insured against financial failure?

InsideJapan Tours Ltd is bonded with ABTOT for your financial protection and peace of mind. Under the terms of the bond, all monies paid to the company are secured in favour of ABTOT Trust Ltd. You can, therefore, rest assured that your money is safe.

InsideJapan Tours is also member of AITO, The Association of Independent Tour Operators. Established in 1976, the AITO symbol has become the hallmark of good holidays from specialist tour operators. All AITO companies are fully bonded and governed by AITO's independent dispute settlement service which means you are in safe hands when you book with an AITO member.
What about flights?

If you are travelling from the UK we would be delighted to arrange international flights for you. We can arrange flights from the UK to Japan with JAL, BA, Cathay Pacific and most other major airlines. If you would like international flights included please ask us for more details on the options available.

International flights are not included as standard in our packages as we have clients coming to Japan from all over the world and like to give our clients the flexibility to make their own arrangements should this be more convenient. Even if you prefer to book your flights separately we are more than happy to book your airport transfers when you let us know your flight details.

If you are looking into your own flights, the major airports in Japan are Tokyo’s Narita (NRT) and Haneda (HND) airports, which are within easy reach of Tokyo, and Osaka Kansai Airport (KIX), which is close to Osaka, Nara and Kyoto.

If you are joining a Small Group Tour then you will need to book flights in time to join that tour. For Self-Guided Adventures or Exclusive Private Journeys you can of course travel whenever you like and we will fit the land arrangements around whichever flights you book.

Prices of air fares vary enormously but as a rule if you are paying less than £900 for an economy ticket then you have found a good price. Prices will vary if you prefer to fly direct or via a European or Asian hub, using a UK departure as an example, direct return flights from London to Tokyo start from around £950 per person for an economy class ticket. Non-direct flights on European or Asian carriers such as Cathay Pacific, KLM or Air France start from around £850 per person.
Do I need a visa to travel to Japan?

There is no visa required to go to Japan for short stays under 90 days. Please visit our Latest Japan Travel Requirements page to stay up to date with the latest entry requirements.
Can you sell me travel insurance?

While we are not able to sell or arrange travel insurance, one of the conditions under which we accept bookings is that our clients take out travel insurance against medical and personal accident risk and have adequate baggage cover.
When should I visit?

Any time 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 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 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 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 preclude 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.
Is travelling around Japan difficult for non-Japanese speakers?

Travelling in Japan is a joy. Public transport is fast, efficient, clean and punctual. All trains and most buses have sufficient English-language signs and announcements, and with your InsideJapan Tours Info-Pack to guide you, your adventures through Japan will be remarkably smooth and worry-free! As a further back-up we have our own English-speaking office in Japan who are available 24/7 to help you with any unforeseen issues.

The Japanese are almost universally polite and helpful. Even in a situation where someone does not speak English they will almost certainly be willing to try to help, and people often go out of their way to assist foreign travellers. This is out of genuine care and concern and is not done expecting anything in return!

Most visitors who had concerns about finding their way around Japan later comment about how simple it was in the end. Most people also come home with the odd miracle story about the kind, helpful person on the bus/train, or at the shop/restaurant who came to their rescue in their moment of need!
Is there much English spoken in Japan? What about signs in English?

English is not as widely spoken in Japan as in many other Asian countries. In the major cities such as Tokyo and Kyoto there are more English speakers and in most situations you will usually find someone around who speaks English.

However, the further away from large urban areas you get, the less English you will find spoken - and in rural areas you may struggle to find anyone who understands you! There are often staff who speak some English at tourist sights and attractions. English (to differing degrees!) is spoken at most of the accommodation options we work with.

Signs in English follow a similar pattern - plenty in the big cities, rather less in smaller towns and rural areas. All but the tiniest train stations are signposted in English, including the whole rail and subway network in Tokyo.

English explanations at sights and attractions vary; some have plenty of information in English, some have rather less. Menus in English can be found at some restaurants, again mainly those in the big cities with more regular non-Japanese trade. However, many restaurants that do not have English menus will have picture menus which take a lot of the stress and worry out of ordering!
Isn't Japan really expensive?

Visiting Japan is possible at varying levels of budget. While it is certainly possible to go out and spend a month's salary at one of Kyoto's most exclusive restaurants, or buy a square watermelon for an extortionate amount, it is equally possible to get an excellent meal for less than GBP10/US$15, or to get across Tokyo on the subway for less than GBP1.50/US$2.50.

Day-to-day expenses for travelling in Japan are often no more expensive than in Europe or North America and often less so. Most people come back from Japan pleasantly surprised at how affordable it can be.
How much money will I need in Japan?

This is the $1,000 question, so to speak! Everybody spends a different amount when they visit. However, nearly everyone finds Japan a lot less expensive than they were expecting.

Eating out is very reasonable and as food is one of the biggest expenses (and pleasures!) when travelling, this helps to keep costs down. Local transport, which is generally NOT included in our packages is also inexpensive, with the highest fare on the Tokyo subway being just 310 yen (less than �2/$3.)

Entrance fees to shrines, temples and museums are also very reasonable, with most in the region of 200-500 yen. Occasionally you will need to pay as much as 1,000 yen, but this is not the norm.

As a rough guide we recommend taking around 3,000-6,000 yen (approx. �20-35/$25-50) per day in spending money. This should cover your meals, drinks, local transport and any entrance fees - assuming you eat at mid-range restaurants. You could easily spend a lot more if you chose to!

What this won't cover are souvenirs and other purchases you may wish to make. Beer and drinks can also add up very quickly so if you like a tipple of an evening you may need to budget a bit more.
Can I use my credit/debit card in Japan?

Paying by card has become more prevalent in Japan in recent years, and cards are now generally accepted at major department stores and in upmarket restaurants. However, Japan is still a very cash-based society, and you won’t be able to use a card in smaller shops and restaurants so do carry enough. You can get Japanese Yen from ATMs (cash machines) at all post offices in Japan (large and small) and at 7-Eleven convenience stores. You will need your 4-digit PIN code to make withdrawals and it is a good idea to let your bank at home know in advance that you will be using your card in Japan. ATMs have instructions in English, so you won't have any problems - just make sure you get the 0s right!
Can I use my mobile/cell phone in Japan?

There is a lot of confusion surrounding the use of overseas mobile phones in Japan. Please note that the information given here is intended as a guide only. We cannot be responsible for charges made by operators or rental companies.

Nowadays most modern phones should work in Japan, and you should only have issues if you are using a very old model that doesn’t have 4/5G. However, depending on your roaming plan, you will find that charges for using a mobile phone in Japan can be expensive and this is especially the case for data (email and internet). We recommend that you check what plans are available with your phone provider before departure, and if in doubt, turn off roaming on your mobile telephone to avoid a nasty surprise!
Pocket WiFi, phone rental, roaming charges... what's the best way to keep in touch from Japan?

In these days of social media, keeping in touch with friends and family online has become an important part of many people's holiday experience. Add in all the apps that many of us rely on to get around, and internet access is an important thing for most of us to consider when we travel. However, Japan is surprisingly not the simplest place from which to keep in touch.

Free Wi-Fi is not readily available in Japan. Although the cities are covered in Wi-Fi zones, they are mostly for subscribers only and can be difficult (or impossible) to access as a temporary user. Similarly, although nearly all coffee shops and bars have Wi-Fi, it is nearly always a subscription service.

Depending on the roaming charges from your provider, this can also be an expensive option for getting online. (We recommend contacting your phone contract provider in advance to check costs if you plan to go with this option).

So what do we recommend? A pocket Wi-Fi device.

What it pocket WiFi?

When you rent a pocket Wi-Fi handset you will receive a smart phone-sized device which acts as a mobile wireless router. It fits comfortably into any pocket or handbag and creates a Wi-Fi zone with a reach of around ten metres. You can wirelessly connect up to ten devices simultaneously, so even if you are a family of five all wielding your iPhones, you can all still get online through a single pocket Wi-Fi device.

Mobile coverage is very good in Japan meaning you can have Wi-Fi internet with you almost wherever you travel. Of course, some rural areas might not have such a good signal, but in the cities you will be connected all the time. Even on the Shinkansen bullet train you will find you are online all the way.

We can include this for you as part of your trip, so you don’t need to make arrangements yourself. Just let us know that you want us to include it.
Is tipping expected in Japan?

For the most part there is no tipping in Japan; leave change behind on a restaurant table or at the cash register and you may find yourself chased down the road by staff desperate to return your "lost property".

However, tipping is customary in a few instances. A tip properly given at these times will impress the recipient with your cultural awareness. Tipping is common when staying at a ryokan, (Japanese-style inn), in which meals are served in your room. The tip should be handed directly to the server or maid. 1,000 yen in a small envelope is customary (up to 3,000 when staying consecutive nights), although a small gift from one's country or another location in Japan is also acceptable.

You can try to let a taxi driver "keep the change" but you may find that the driver at first refuses the tip, and tries to hand it back to you; it may take a couple of goes to get him/her to take it! If you hire a driver for the day then a tip of 500-1,000 yen is customary.
I am a wheelchair user. Can you arrange a trip to Japan for me?

Yes, we would be delighted to. We have arranged many Self-Guided Adventures or Exclusive Private Journeys for wheelchair users in the past, and have a suggested wheelchair accessible Golden Route trip itinerary.

In the major cities many Japanese hotels have accessible rooms, trains and stations can accommodate wheelchairs and we can let you know exactly which temples, shrines and gardens have suitable access. Do let us know your needs and we'll tailor the trip to suit you. You can read about one of our customer's experiences on an accessible trip to Japan here.
I'm gay and travelling with my partner. Will we experience any discrimination in Japan?

In a word: no. While Japan still lags behind the UK and US in gay and transgender issues, there are no legal restraints to same-sex sexual activities of either gender.

We're proud to have arranged many trips for gay couples and have had no problem booking double bedrooms regardless of the travellers' gender. Public displays of affection are rare between same-sex couples in Japan, but the same can be said for heterosexual couples. You may raise a few eyebrows if you hold hands in the countryside, but that's probably about all.
We would like to watch some sumo. Can you make that happen?

Yes we can! There are six major sumo tournaments (basho) every year, running for the middle two weeks of January, March, May, July, September and November, and we can get tickets for them for you. The cheapest tickets are from about 3,000yen. The sumo tournament locations and dates are as follows:
Tournament Cities and Months
January - Tokyo
March - Osaka
May - Tokyo
July - Nagoya
September - Tokyo
November - Fukuoka
If you are not in Japan during a basho then it may be possible to attend asa-geiko (morning training) in Tokyo. Please contact us for more details.
I would like to see a Kabuki/Noh/Bunraku performance while in Japan. Is this possible?

If an event or performance is taking place in Japan, we can usually obtain tickets. However the frequency of these events varies. Kabuki performances are fairly easy to get to, with regular performances in Tokyo. Noh, Bunraku and other performing arts can be harder to come by, though we will certainly do our best to find something that fits in with your itinerary.