The front-end of a super fast train.

Bugs splattered across the elongated nose from high speed smashes. The top is usually very dirty, I’m guessing all the smog and dirty which gets pushed around the nose collects along the top. You’ll also find a very smartly dressed crew, wearing what look like beige pilot suits.

This article will give you some information on the Shinkansen, and how to use them to travel Japan.

The first ever Japan Travel Mate video has been created for this article. Check out this high definition video from my summer trips on the shinkansen.

The Shinkansen has a rich history in Japan. The English term “bullet train” comes from the direct translation of the project to originally build the Shinkansen, way back in the 1930s. The Tokaido line, which runs from Tokyo to Osaka, was the first Shinkansen route and started operation in 1964. Since then, it has been almost non-stop expanding, up to this year when the latest E5 Hayabusa was launched and the MagLev line (also to run between Tokyo and Osaka) was approved for construction.

Checking Shinkansen timetables

Use Hypermedia to check Shinkansen trip times and timetables, it is a website in English which you can use to check not just the Shinkansen, but also local trains and buses of JR and other private transport providers.

Types of Shinkansen

A common misconception is that the names of the service (e.g. Nozomi, Hikari, Kodama) is the name of the train itself. While it can be a good guide, these are actually the names of the service and it tells you how express it is (from fast to local).

Here are some photos I’ve taken of the different types of bullet trains.

Shinkansen series N700 from the side, very cool lookin' train.

The series N700 is the second newest Shinkansen operating in Japan. The newest, E5 on the Hayabusa service is super cool, view some E5 pictures and a link to some HD videos. A new red E6 has already been built and will be launched around 2013.

Logo on the side of the train.

JR West Shinkansen series 700.

Shinkansen series 700 logo.

Shinkansen 700 series - JR West Hikari Rail Star service.

Shinkansen series 300 - you'll probably ride one of these if you travel Japan with a JR pass.

The different bullet train services

There are a few key things which characterise the different services:

1. How many stops it makes and how long it takes: for example, a Nozomi (the fastest with least stops, first in the photo below) from Osaka to Tokyo will stop make 3 stops before it gets to Shinagawa in Tokyo. The Kodama will make 14 stops on the same route. Hence, the more stops, the longer the journey.
2. The type of train: usually the series N700 is used on the Nozomi and Hikari services. The Kodama service may use a series 700, 500 or 300 train.
3. The number of train carriages: Nozomi services will always have 16 cars. See the image below for more info.
4. The price: the Nozomi from Osaka to Tokyo will cost about 14,000 Yen, Hikari services are about 200 Yen cheaper, the Kodama another 200 Yen cheaper.

Shinkansen train and service types information - photo taken on a platform at Okayama.

Buying a bullet train ticket

If you are travelling Japan using a JR Pass, you can ignore this section.

Which Shinkansen service should I use?

When buying a ticket, you need to decide what service you want to use. Nozomi, Hikari and Kodama are the most popular services. During peak times (Friday night through to Sunday night) and holidays, the Nozomi service can become booked out very quickly because it is the fastest service and it’s only around 200 yen more than the other services.

The Hikari and Kodama services do take longer but are a good option to choose if you are travelling in peak time.

Where to buy a shinkansen ticket in Japan

You can buy a ticket from any JR station, up to 30 days in advanced. It’s pretty clear when you are at the station where to buy them, if you are unsure just find an information booth or ask a staff member. Saying something like “shinkansen no kippu wa doke de kae masu ka?”, to ask “where can I buy a Shinkansen ticket?”.

When you buy your ticket, you may receive either one or two tickets (like the one in the photo below). You’ll usually receive one if you booked a ticket from one Shinkansen station direct to another. However, you can book tickets to and from any JR station. For example, when I travelled from Osaka to Nagoya, my trip was actually a local JR train from JR Osaka station to Shin-Osaka station and then the Shinkansen to Nagoya. In these cases, put both your tickets in the gate machines as you enter the terminal.

Unfortunately, you can’t buy tickets online.

Here's a ticket for a trip from Nagoya to Okayama on the Nozomi. 350kms in 1 hour and 40 mins!

Where to buy a shinkansen ticket outside Japan

The best place to buy a Shinkansen ticket outside Japan is at a JTB travel agency.

Arriving at the station

The station where your bullet train departs from will have both Shinkansen and local train lines. Make your way to the shinkansen area, and put your tickets in the gate. If you have a JR Pass, just go to the window and show one of the gate attendants.

You'll see this board, in Japanese and English just after passing through the gates at the station.

After passing through the gates you’ll need to find your platform. At most stations I’ve been to, there are 2 lines on the one platform and both lines head in the same direction. Check the board, like the one above. The easiest way is to look for your train number. However, as the boards only show the next 4 or so trains, you may need to just check in which direction the train is headed.

Another departure times board on the platform.

Platforms will always have another departure times board where you can check your train.

Just like everywhere else in Japan, you’ll find vending machines and convenience stores on the platform. The shops are basically mini-convenience stores, but they have just about everything the larger versions does, such as bentos, alcohol and snacks.

Shinkansen waiting to depart the platform.

The bullet trains are usually really long. The N700′s cars are each about 25 metres long, and there is 16 of them! So before your train arrives, make your way to the waiting are for your car on the platform. In the picture above you can see the open door of the 15th car. On the platform on the white tiles, is a blue area with the number 15 next to it. People will stand in an orderly manner arranged in the shape of this waiting area, and quickly board when the train arrives. The train usually stops at the platform for between 1-2 minutes, so be prompt!

On-board the shinkansen

Information of the Nozomi service train layout.

The above photo is the layout of an N700 Nozomi service.

Inside the bullet train, it feels like you are on a jet. There are however some great differences: you get much more leg room; the seats recline more; there isn’t so much noise from the outside. Usually there are 5 seats to a row.

I was lucky this trip to be in an almost empty carriage.

Within 1 car there are toilets, and there are also vending machines and phones throughout the train.

The vending machines I’ve seen are really limited, you get a better selection from the trolley cart that is regularly wheeled around where you can buy food, snacks, drinks and alcohol.

Vestibule area between cars, with a vending machine and toilets.

This article is part of my summer holiday of 2011 in Japan post series.

I continually test these out and look for more every time I travel in Japan, which is just about every week!

Things To Do In Japan

(For free… or cheaper than usual!)

• Travel in off-peak times: Now this doesn’t mean you will be missing the good weather. Peak times in Japan are during the major national holidays and the school holidays. The best time is the first 3 weeks of March and all of April. This is spring in Japan and students are at school, the cherry blossoms are blooming and the weather is great. September and October are good times also, it is autumn in Japan and everyone is back to school and work. Mid-July and all of August are summer holidays in Japan, which means peak domestic travel and hence, high prices on just about everything. It is easily the busiest time of year and also the hottest. Read more detail about the best time of year to travel to Japan.
• JR Pass:?The JR Pass is available to anyone on a tourist (Temporary Visitor) visa and give you unlimited travel on all Japan Rail buses, trains and shinkansen (bullet trains) – the only exception is you can’t travel on the fastest express services. At first glance, they may seem expensive. Last time I travelled to Japan on a tourist visa I paid almost $700 AUD for a 3 week JR Pass. Consider this example: a return trip on the shinkansen (bullet train) from Nagoya to Okayama is normally about 24,000 yen (about $300 AUD). Osaka to Tokyo is much further and more expensive. I did about 6 of these trips during a 3 week stay, so I saved about $1000 AUD and saw a lot of the country. Conditions are you must be travelling on a tourist visa and you have to purchase the JR Pass before you enter Japan. For information on getting a JR Pass in Australia, visit JTB Australia’s JR Pass page.
• Bus travel: If you can’t get a JR Pass (for visa reasons), or if you’re already in Japan without one, then bus travel is cheap in Japan, generally about 1/3 or less of the price of the shinkansen. I’ve travelled with Willer Express many times – good buses, good prices and you can book online through their English website.
• Cheap shinkansen travel: If you can’t get a JR Pass, but you don’t want to take the bus, there are cheaper options for the shinkansen. You can buy an unreserved seat, which means a seat is not guaranteed. People tend to sit in the carriage vestibules and there is nothing wrong with that. Being a super fast train, you’re not in for a long journey! But if you travel in off-peak times, and during the day (i.e. not the morning or evening when shinkansen is used for work travel) then you’ll get a cheaper ticket AND a seat.
• Hire a bicycle: This is a great thing to do even if you have a JR Pass, so consider it not only a form of transportation but of entertainment too! My funnest day in Kyushu was when a mate and I hired a bicycle each and rode around Fukuoka. It was only 200 yen for the entire day! Some cities can be more expensive through, especially Kyoto.

Bicycle hired in Fukuoka, Japan. So very cheap and oh so much fun!

• Walk: Not only is it totally free, you get to discover some great places you would never see when travelling via faster methods. Strolling around just about any part of Japan, business districts, shopping areas, residential, if Japan is a new country for you, will show what Japan is like off the normal tourist track. You’ll constantly discover cool things to do in Japan while you’re out on a walk.
• Find the local international association or city hall: Just Google it for the city or town you are visiting. If they have a website in English then they will have a lot of information at their offices about the local area. Often there will be brochures on the local sites to see and walking routes.
• Travel with a friend: You can stay at hotels together, and save money on many meal deals
• Buy alcohol, snacks and more from a supermarket: Shop for your daily drinks and snacks at supermarkets. Definitely go to a supermarket if you want to buy alcohol. Not only is it much cheaper than convenience stores and vending machines, there is great range and it’s also a very interesting way to discover more about life in Japan. You’ll be surprised by what you find in the supermarket! In Aichi prefecture look for MEGLIA, in Kyoto look for LIFE. Usually there will also be a food shopping area around major train stations where you can get cheaper-than-convenience store prices.

Spirits in the supermarket are at least 60% cheaper than in Australia. Beer is a little bit cheaper in Japan.

• Buy toiletries and more from drug stores: Drug stores (as the Japanese call them, pharmacies or chemists as I would call them!) are easy to find in Japan. If you need to buy toiletries then head here, they are very cheap. They have many things, you can usually find drinks and snacks here too.
• Buy one water bottle and carry that with you: Now there are a few reasons behind this one for me, predominantly I feel like I am being raped and cheated every time I purchase bottled water. In spite of most Japanese people’s thinking (call it marketing conditioning perhaps), Japan has drinkable tap water from just about all their taps. If it isn’t safe to drink, there will be a sign saying don’t drink it. Buy one water bottle from a supermarket and then fill it up at free water bubblers on your travels, this will easily save you around 600 yen per day.
• For a big night out: Find an izakaya?(Japanese style restaurant), depending on the price, you will usually find great value deals on all you can eat (tabehodai) and all you can drink (nomihodai). Not only is it a great experience and delicious, but it won’t end up being too expensive.
• Buy travel insurance: What better way to blow out your budget than having to spend thousands of dollars on medical bills? Getting travel insurance before you leave is a must!
• Stay at a capsule hotel or a hostel: Capsule hotels are really cheap and very comfortable. Hostels are available which are also very cheap. I’ve stayed at a great capsule hotel in Osaka that is really cheap. Also I just got back from Kyoto where you’ll also find a few cheap capsule hotels.
• Sleep in an internet cafe: Internet cafes in Japan are amazing. When you are in Japan you MUST visit one just to see what I mean. Anyway, you can buy cheap blocks of say 5 hours or more, enjoy free drinks and sometimes snacks, a comfortable private lounge or armchair and of course… the internet. Many Japanese people themselves will sleep in internet cafes, as the trains usually shut-down between about 12:30AM and 5AM. Here’s a great net cafe in Osaka that is close to the Shin-Osaka station.
• Visit temples, shrines and castles: I just got back from yet another a trip to Kyoto, and saw the great Shimogamo Shrine. It is free, it is also a UNESCO World Heritage site. There are so many temples and shrines all over Japan, and most are free to walk around (but usually you can’t go inside).

A little north of the city, near a fork in the Kamo river you'll find Shimogamo Shrine.

• Finally, plan ahead: I’m not saying plan every single stay and stop on your Japan trip… that is almost the opposite of what I do when I travel, I find spontaneity and the freedom to change or choose your plans creates a better trip. But if you spend the time planning where you’d like to go, you’ll find through your research many cheap and free things to do. For example, on a trip to Kyoto I discovered you could get a free, English guided tour of Kyoto Gosho (the old Imperial residence of the emperor in Kyoto).

Take these tips and test them out for yourself! Check out the ‘Why go to Japan?‘ post for more inspiration on what you can really do on a budget!

This article has an overview, from my perspective (i.e. an Australian who likes more temperate weather) about the best time when to travel to Japan.

Spring is the best time to travel to Japan

Spring in Japan is from March to May.

The best time to come to Japan is in the spring. The first 3 weeks of March and then the last 3 weeks of April every year are specifically the best times to travel to Japan. This is when the students are at school finishing up the school year, and most other people are at work. The Japanese school year starts in April and finishes in March, so they have a 2 week break at the end of the school year.

Depending on where you travel to in Japan, during spring you will usually be able to see the cherry blossoms in bloom and perhaps attend a cherry blossom festival. The weather is great, however if the winter tends to drag on then the nights can be a bit cold.

Summer is probably the worst time to travel to Japan

The summer months in Japan are June to August.

First, there is the humidity, it is regularly above 80% almost all the time. I’ve never sweated from my shins (except for during Bikram Yoga) until I had experienced Japan’s summer. There aren’t many good places to swim either. The beaches aren’t great and good rivers to swim in are off the usual tourist track.

The biggest factor here though is that the school summer holidays generally run from mid-July and finish at the end of August. The Japanese like to travel, and during the summer holidays it seems as though everyone is out travelling! You’ll pay peak prices for hotels and many other attractions.

One of the good things about Japan in the summer is that there are many festivals.

If you really like the heat or just want to come to Japan in the summer, try early July.

All that being said, I had an awesome summer in Japan and packed in a whole lot of travelling in 2 short weeks.

Autumn is the next best time to travel to Japan

Autumn is September to November in Japan.

Autumn in Japan is from September to November. Everyone is back to school and work usually from the 1st of September. The temperature is nice, the humidity has dropped, and major tourist attractions, especially Kyoto, are turning that classic golden/red/brown colour as the trees prepare for winter.

There are a few national holidays: 2 in September; 1 in October; 2 in November. So you may be surprised here and there by the huge amount of people travelling around.

Winter is 50/50…

The cold, snowy winter months in Japan are December to February.

If you love the snow and are wanting to ski and snowboard during your holiday, then Japan is the right place to come. It snows everywhere in Japan, except for Okinawa and the snow fields are known as some of the best in the world… hence why the 1998 Winter Olympics were held in Japan (they were held in Nagano, which is great to see in the summer too!). Hokaiddo is well known for great snow fields, but any mountain area in Japan is awesome.

One thing I love about Japan in winter is that in ryokans and other places, you will find a kotatsu. This is a low table that has a heater underneath, you put your legs underneath it and a blanket to keep warm, very cosy.

And although onsen (hot springs) are available all year round, they are extra enjoyable in winter!

But if you don’t like the cold then don’t travel in winter, it does snow and it is very very cold.

When it really comes down to it, your personal choice of climate will dictate when you want to come. For example, I find winter in Australia to be cold enough, so Japan’s winter is almost unbearable for me!

Jetstar

My Jetstar flight to Osaka taxi-ing to the terminal.

• Route: Flying from Sydney to Osaka, we had a stop-over in Gold Coast where the plane filled with Japanese tourists heading back home.
• Comfort: This was a day-time flight so I had no need to sleep. The seats are fine for normal domestic flights, but a little small for a 10+ hour international flight. No normal comforts such as meals or movies are included, as Jetstar is a budget airline these all have to be paid for as extra.
• Duration/time: Daytime flight, took about 11 hours including a stop in Gold Coast.
• Price: AUD $525 (one-way).
• Recommended if…: you are flying from Australia and are looking for a cheap flight. Keep in mind if you want to eat and watch movies on the flight you will spend around $25 or more.

Pasta and salad for the Jetstar inflight meal, very ordinary.

QANTAS

After a long wait at the terminal (I got there early) the jet finally arrived.

• Route: Flying from Tokyo (Narita) to Sydney, the flight was direct.
• Comfort: I was a little lucky, in that the old man sitting next to me suffered from DVT and was moved to an empty row of seats. I had a double seat free to myself. All comforts are provided on QANTAS so I had socks, eyes mask, pillow, blanket and meals provided. I lucked out that there was no western breakfast available (Japanese option only which wasn’t bad) and the flight staff got a banana for me which wasn’t on the menu.
• Duration/time: Overnight flight, about 9 hours.
• Price: About AUD $850 (one-way).
• Recommended if…: You want a comfortable flight with one of the safest airlines of all time. QANTAS is the best airline to Japan I’ve flown with.

Japanese style inflight dinner with red wine, sushi and soba on a QANTAS flight from Tokyo to Sydney.

Singapore Airlines

My Singapore Airlines flight stocking up and getting ready to leave Sydney International Airport.

• Route: This time flying to Nagoya, the flight departed Sydney (see an aerial photo of Sydney from this flight), short stopover in Singapore and then landed in Nagoya.
• Comfort: The initial flight was good, no-one beside me (I had the window seat again) and not really many people at all. I had a good rest before getting off to change flights at Singapore. From there the plane was packed and the seats were noticeably smaller. Didn’t get any sleep from there on, but had a decent meal for breakfast.
• Duration: About 13 hours (including a one hour stop in Singapore to change aircraft).
• Price: AUD $960 (one-way).
• Recommended if…: You can find a flight with Singapore Airlines cheaper than QANTAS.

Singapore Airlines had the best tasting inflight meal I have had on an international flight.

Of course there are many more airlines to Japan, most notably is JAL (Japan Airlines). They have a good reputation but can be a bit expensive. Cathay Pacific will get you to Japan from Australia and New Zealand. There are multiple Chinese and Korean airlines that fly from many countries to Japan (and is a good option if you are looking to go to an airport which is not Osaka, or Tokyo as they fly to smaller airports like Okayama and Nagoya), however some have a lengthly stopover in either Korea or China.

Where did you buy (or are thinking of buying) your tickets from? You can grab cheap flights on OneTravel and save.

If you have flown to or from Japan, who did you fly with and what did you think of them?

If you are about to visit Japan, who are you thinking of flying with?

Visiting a Japanese onsen (also known as a hot spring or public bath) is a relaxing and therapeutic way to spend a few hours. In Japan, people go to an onsen to relax, to meet with friends (and yes, hang around and chat or watch TV while soaking naked in the water) or just to get clean.

Most natural Onsen will have an outdoor area with a very nice view. They always have screens so people cannot see in.

There are many different types of onsen or public baths. The major difference is the one you visit may be a natural hot spring (usually found in the mountains or somewhat countryside areas) or an imitation hot spring (which can be found in cities and hotels).

A typical indoor Onsen (Hot Spring) in Japan, most will have an outdoor area too.

Generally all Onsen have the same things in common:

• Onsen, unless they are private (e.g. like in a ryokan or hotel), have separate male and female sections. So if you are going with a boyfriend/girlfriend or husband/wife then remember to set a time to meet outside the onsen.
• After you pay and enter your section, there is a locker room to strip off and store your things. In this room there might be some scales, it is interesting to weigh yourself before and after.
• The shower area has rows of cubicle type areas, with a detachable shower head, plastic stool and bucket, shampoo, conditioner and body soap.
• After showering, you can then proceed to the hot bath. There may also be a cold bath and sauna, and any other number of different baths.
• The majority do not allow you to enter if you have a tattoo, or a visible piercing that isn’t the usual ear piercing.

Step 1 – preparing to go to the onsen

Here is a checklist of things to bring with you to the onsen:

• Hydrate, especially if you plan on using the sauna. You will sweat a lot, even though most of the time you won’t realise it.
• Money, generally an onsen session is anywhere from 400 to 800 Yen.
• “Nobi-nobi”, this is like a body towel for cleaning during a shower, you can buy these from supermarkets or convenience stores. Sometimes there is a vending machine at the onsen that has them.
• Small towel, about the size of a tea-towel, you use this to sit on in the sauna or to put over your face (or hide your private bits if you are shy).
• At some large onsens there will be a vending machine where you can buy anything that you need that they don’t have, like razors, nobi-nobi, small towels, boxer shorts, shampoo, body soap and much more!
• Normal bath towel, to dry yourself when you are finished.
• Fresh, clean set of clothes. You will be very clean and relaxed when you finish so it feels good to have clean clothes on.

* I’ll insert a photo of my “onsen pack” next time I visit the local hot spring.

Step 2 – entering reception and paying for your time at the onsen

• As always, remove your shoes. Most onsen do not have guest slippers, as you wouldn’t be wearing them for long. So you will walk around with bare-feet or socks for now.
• Pay for your session at reception.
• Head to either the male or female section.

Step 3 – store your things and get nude

Although not required, 99.9% of people who visit a hot spring in Japan get nude. If you feel shy, just remember this… bathing in onsen is a tradition in Japan dating back hundreds, perhaps thousands of years ago. No-one stares at your “bits” and really, if you do wear clothing you will be the odd one out.

• You will enter a locker room, choose a locker.
• Take out your nobi-nobi (or similar) and your small towel (plus whatever else, razor, special shampoo etc). Usually there is a small plastic container to put everything in so you don’t have to come back to your locker.
• Get nude, stash your clothes and lock the locker. They keys provided generally have some form of a band to put around your ankle or wrist.
• This can be very interesting, go weigh yourself, there are usually scales in the change room. You can then weigh yourself when you return after using the sauna and baths.
• Head towards the showers.

Step 4 – washing and showering before entering the hot baths

This is a very critical step. Being the nature of Japanese people in general (i.e. the tolerance they give to foreigners), if you missed this part they probably wouldn’t say anything, but they would grumble and make snide remarks amongst themselves.

• Before the showers and the onsen there is usually some water (it could be a small fountain, or a large wooden keg type container) to rinse yourself with before entering the showers. Rinse yourself off and then go to a shower.
• At the shower you will likely find a plastic stool, plastic container, shampoo, conditioner and body soap. Use the detachable shower head and container as you wish. Put some body soap on your nobi-nobi then clean your body, wash your hair and shave too if you wish. You can pat yourself down with the small towel before leaving the shower area.
• If you took a small container then you can leave your nobi-nobi, razor and everything else except your small towel in this. There is usually a place to store it so you don’t have to go back to your locker.
• Next head toward the sauna (step 5a) or onsen hot baths (step 5b).

Note, that there is no specific order for which you use first, the sauna or the hot spa. If you wish you can just do one, or if you just came here to clean you can use the shower and then leave.

Step 5a – using the sauna

• I learnt this one the hard way (after hearing some remarks from some old Japanese men)… When you are in the sauna, you must sit on your small towel. So basically, no bare bums on floor!
• There will be a water fountain somewhere near by if you get thirsty.
• When you enter, to best warm-up to it, head to the lowest step and lie down. Then after a while, slowly sit up. Always move around slowly in a sauna. As you get used to it, move higher up to experience more of the heat.
• When you exit the sauna, either splash cold water on yourself or enter one of the cold baths. This has many therapeutic and health benefits, so grit your teeth and go with it!

A very traditional looking outdoor onsen (hot spring) in Japan.

Step 5b – the hot baths, the true hot spring in Japan

Onsens can vary greatly. There may simply be one large hot bath. Usually there are several arranged in various areas, indoors and/or outdoors. As such, there is really no fixed method in using these, just relax and find a hot bath that you like. The water temperature seems to be about 39 degrees celsius.

I have been to some onsen, where you sit outdoors (surrounded by a large fence) and bathe in natural rock formations. There is usually an outdoor and indoor area. If it is not a natural hot spring, they will usually mimic a natural rock formation setting. Some have large single person rock tubs to sit in, rock seats where water pours down your back, rock “beds” where you are semi-submerged in water and tatami mat area to lay on and dry off.

Step 6 – leaving the onsen

Once you are finished, and this can take anywhere from 2 – 3 or more hours, head to the area where you first rinsed yourself off, before the showers. Rinse yourself off again and then pat yourself down with your small towel. You don’t have to be completely dry, just don’t be dripping wet when you head back to the locker room.

After this, go weigh yourself again. On average I would lose at least 250grams (probably mostly water due to sweating). Then head toward your locker, get your large towel and dry off completely. Put your clean clothes on, take everything out of the locker and you’re done.

Hopefully now you are super relaxed. I’m usually super hungry after all this!

For a good choice of hotels with discount prices, visit Tokyo Accommodation for more information. Even Tokyo has ryokans and standard western style hotels with onsen.

Yes, it is still very safe to visit Japan…

With the recent devastation that has occurred in Japan many tourists may have been put off travelling to this wonderful nation. Whilst the country has not only had to deal with the horrific repercussions of the earthquake and tsunami, fears of rising radiation levels for nuclear power plants have also struck much of the east coast of Japan. However, there are a number of places in this technologically advanced country which remain safe for visitors to explore. And in some ways, providing much needed tourism and therefore funds to this critically injured nation could offer some support which is very much need.

Japan's flag flying outside Okayama Park, another great city to visit.

For travellers wanting to visit Japan, the best regions are those in Central and Southern Japan. Flights to Japan are relatively easy to find and tourists will still be able to access a range of travel choices. These areas have been little affected by the problems noted and can be safely travelled to without fear of radiation poisoning or negatively affecting ongoing relief and clean up efforts. There are a number of fantastic areas to visit that will give tourists the ultimate Japanese experience away from affected areas including Osaka, Kyoto and Okinawa. And with all these areas safe to visit, Japanese adventures can still be had.

For travellers wanting Japanese culture and history there is no better place than Osaka, the centre of Kansai and a city which has historical charm and modern amenities. Almost as equal to Tokyo in its foreword thinking setting, Osaka is filled with the technologically advanced features that make Japan famous. Nightlife is particularly exciting in this city, with drab alleys and streets becoming alive with tasty foods, excited locals and neon flashing signs. The Open Air Museum of Old Japanese Farmhouses is a wonderful destination to visit, as is the Osaka Aquarium which is home to a huge whale shark.

Kyoto, full of temples and shrines.

Away from the advanced city of Osaka, Kyoto is also a wonderful metropolis to explore and offers a rich tapestry of Japanese history with 17 Unesco World Heritage sites and over 400 Shinto shrines and 1600 Buddhist temples. This city is often the one place where tourists will find the quintessential Japan, with geisha still wandering the streets, raked pebble gardens, and beautiful vermilion shrine gates. Whilst arriving in Kyoto can often lead to disappointment that all of these wonderful sights aren’t instantly on view, a careful exploration of the city will discover exciting glimpse of the areas true nature and this often leads to more of a lasting impression than if everything were laid out for tourists immediately.

For a sight of Japan which may have never been expected travelling to Okinawa will offer surprising visions of palm trees and white sandy beaches. These islands are vastly popular with tourists and locals alike and offer beach life tranquillity with hiking, water sports and beach events all easily found.

Travelling to Japan is still safe as long as visitors take time to establish just which areas have been affected by recent events and which haven’t. There are many places away from affected areas, including Okinawa, Kyoto and Osaka, which are still vibrantly carrying on life as normal. And by taking trips to these locations instead, tourists may just discover something special that that could have evaded them had other destinations been open for travel.

This article was contributed by a guest author. The contribue an article, photo or travel, please contact Dean at Japan Travel Mate.
Related posts

• Kyoto – things to do
• Osaka Nightlife
• Capsule hotel in Osaka

7-Eleven Japan convenience stores are found all over the country. Signage contains the name "Seven&i Holdings", the parent company.

How do I use the Seven Bank International ATM?

There are a few different language options, English included. After you select your language it works just like a normal ATM, follow the prompts, it is super easy. See my article on getting the most Yen for your dollar for more detail and a link on how to use the ATM.

What fees will I be charged for using the Seven Bank International ATM?

You need to check this with your bank. For an example, as mentioned in my post about getting the most Yen for your dollar, one of my banks charges $4.50 for an international ATM transaction fee plus a 2% foreign currency charge, the other bank only charges a $2.50 international ATM transaction fee.

What foreign currency exchange rate will I get using the International ATM in Japan?

This one is a little tricky to answer concisely, but lucky for you I have just completed a little experiment which should help shed some light on this question. For this experiment, I withdrew cash from my Australian ING Everyday account using the Savings option in the International ATM.

• Test 1, 15th April 2011: Withdrew JPY 10,000; exchange rate (AUD to JPY) closed for the day at 88.15; AUD 114.82 was taken from my account (plus the additional $2.50 International ATM fee). So eventually, I got my Yen for a very nice AUD to JPY exchange rate of 87.09.
• Test 2, 18th April 2011: Withdrew JPY 20,000; exchange rate (AUD to JPY) closed for the day at 87.85; AUD 228.40 was taken from my account(plus the additional $2.50 International ATM fee). Effective exchange rate was 87.56 AUD to JPY.
• Test 3, 21 April 2011: Withdrew JPY 50,000; exchange rate had closed for the day at 87.99; AUD 575.41 was taken from my account(plus the additional $2.50 International ATM fee). 86.89 AUD to JPY was the effective rate.

So there are some obvious irregularities with the exchange eventually received, but as you can see it is all within roughly 1% of the market rate. This is an excellent rate, compared to the rate (up to 10% drop from market rate) you will receive at a foreign currency exchange vendor or bank.

Update (5th May 2011): A few days I did another withdrawal, this time using an Aussie Credit card, here are the results:

• Test 4, 2 May 2011: Withdrew JPY 10,000; exchange rate had closed for the day at 89.09; AUD 113.00 was taken from my account (plus an additional $4 Overseas Cash Advanced fee and a $3.39 Overseas Taxation fee). 83.06 AUD to JPY was the effective rate.

I strongly recommend not using an Aussie Credit Card for overseas cash advances, the fees are far too high.

There is also a section at the end of this article with information on what to bring if you are moving to Japan to live.

TIP: TRAVEL LIGHT! You’ve probably heard this 100 times, and think that there are so many things in your luggage that you can’t do without. Japan is become more and more “westernised” and you can find most things you need at department and convenience stores.

Japan holiday luggage checklist

• Passport (+ a copy kept separate) – see article about how to get an Australian passport.

• Drivers license (as an additional form of identification)
• Flight tickets or print outs of e-tickets
• Travel insurance information print out
• Japanese currency – see articles on getting a good AUD/JPY exchange rate and spending money and Japan holiday costs.
• ATM card and a Mastercard/Visa credit card – see the article on using your money in Japan.
• Japanese phrase book, if you do not speak Japanese – 2 good books are The Original “Point And Speak” Phrasebook English (ISBN: 9784795818439) and Lonely Planet Japanese phrasebook (ISBN: 9781741042313)
• Travel power adapter
• Camera
  • Digital camera
  • 2 x rechargeable batteries
  • 2 x memory cards
  • Camera bag
  • Mini tripod
• Either laptop and charger, or a journal with pen and paper. It is a good idea to keep a small travel journal, or a blog while travelling.

Happy Luggage Times!

• Clothes
  • Pack depending on the weather, research the weather before leaving for Japan. Using Wikipedia, you can also research the cities/areas you are travelling to and find average temperatures and weather conditions. It can become very humid in summer and snows across much of the country in winter. You will need to swap certain items, e.g:
    • Sun hat for the summer or a beanie for the winter
    • More shorts in summer or long pants in winter
  • Pack light, you can always buy cheap clothes in Japan. Note that if you are overweight or taller than about 170cm you may have problems finding some clothes (especially pants and shoes).
  • 2 pairs of shoes (one pair of general/walking shoes and one pair of smart casual shoes for going out).
  • Thongs or sandals
  • Sleeping clothes
  • Waterproof jacket or poncho
  • At least 3 pairs of socks
  • At least 3 underwear garments
  • Belt
• Medication and toiletries
  • Prescription mediation, bring enough for your trip and bring a copy of the prescription to validify that it is yours
  • Any normal medication (like asthma inhalers, women should bring the pill if they take it)
  • Condoms/safe sex precautions.
  • Antibacterial hand wipes/gel.
  • Toothbrush and toothpaste.
  • Everything else can be bought from a chemist (known as Drug Stores) in Japan.
• International Drivers Permit – these are very cheap from your local motoring services office (see?IDP Authorities in Australia)

Things to put in your carry on luggage

Direct flights to Japan take about 8-10 hours. Many flights have a stop over and the trip can take anywhere from 10 – 18 hours or more, depending on the stops. Make sure you have what you need on hand in the airplane cabin, packed away in your carry on luggage. Some of these things are listed in the luggage checklist above.

• Bottle of water

• Magazine, newspaper or book to read
• Toothbrush, toothpaste and floss (mouthwash if you like)
• Gum or mints
• Snacks like fruit, nuts or chocolate
• Loose pair of socks
• A light jumper or jacket
• From the luggage checklist: passport; ticket print outs; Japanese currency; bank/credit card; phrasebook; camera; laptop.

Moving to Japan to live/work? Here are some additional things you should bring

• Some candies or typical Australian (or your home country) snacks. Check that these can be taken to Japan first. These are great as they can be used for small gifts, there are many traditions in Japan which sees a small gift being given (e.g. you might give a small gift to your new neighbour, or to some new friends when visiting their house).
• Photos or any nick-nacks you can put in your new place to make it feel a little bit more homely.
• Pack clothes for the current and next season. Then, get your family to post some more clothes for subsequent seasons. If you have room, you can pack more clothes.

Related articles

• See other posts from the Japan Travel Tips and Planning category.

Did I miss anything? Is there anything else that you think is a “must-have” for packing in your holiday luggage?

At the time of writing this post, the live exchange rate on xe.com for AUD to JPY exchange was taken at close on 22 February 2011. The rate was 1 AUD = 82.79 JPY . For this research, I am trying to find the best deal to exchange AU$1000. I want to find the best exchange rate AUD to YEN.

Except for using the International ATMs to withdrawl money in Japan (as I found these have very good rates), I don’t talk about exchange your foreign currency for Yen in Japan. I found these to be some of the worst rates, for the Australian dollar anyway.

AUD to JPY chart

You can see the AUD/JPY chart from XE.com. If you have time, keep an eye on this for the best time to buy Japanese yen.

There are many options when exchanging currency. Carefully consider what is the best for you.

Pre-purchasing currency online

Travellers’ Cheques from Travelex Australia was the first thing I found on the hunt for buying travellers’ cheques. Using the link above to their site, you can purchase foreign currency cash online, and then pick it up at a Travelex store (or agent, as places like HSBC banks, international airport terminals and travel agents will have a Travelex facility). The rate was 1 AUD = 78.80 JPY.

Here I can buy 79,000 JPY for 1002.54 AUD. Pretty low for AUD to JPY, the second lowest in my research here.

Currency from HSBC Australia’s Get Rate (or telegraphic transfer)

My local bank is HSBC Australia, although not quite the “world’s local bank” that I would have liked (just one ATM in Japan, and that is in Tokyo of course). The rates have always looked OK. They recently introduced Get Rate through Internet banking.

Get Rate seems very easy to use (I logged in to Internet banking and tried it). However the restriction is, this is a telegraphic transfer, so you need a Japanese account to send it to.

Here, you can buy 81,699 JPY for 1020 AUD (includes $20 telegraphic transaction fee)

You can preview what the AUD to JPY exchange will be, and from 8am – 10:30am winter time/11:30am summer time you get the live rate. If you click accept after that, you will get the opening rate of the next day.

I asked about getting cash from the bank, and they directed me to Travelex (above).

Cash or Travellers’ Cheques from other local Australian banks

Westpac has an online service that buys direct from American Express.

You can pre-purchase currency or Travellers’ Cheques at the rate of 79.13 JPY for 1 AUD. You would get 80,000 JPY for $1,014.99 AUD (includes a $4 service fee).

Commbank, using the same online service as Westpac, just re-branded has a lower rate.

Buying cash, you would 78,000 JPY for $1,012.08 (including a $10.02 fee).

Buying Travellers’ Cheques, you’d get 80,000 JPY for 1,019.30 AUD (including a $12 fee).

The rate was 77.84 JPY = 1 AUD.

International ATMs in Japan (Seven Bank ATM and Japan Post Bank), taking your card overseas

One of the easiest things to do is use your normal ATM card at the International ATMs provided by Seven Bank at 7-Eleven convenience stores in Japan, or the International ATMs at Japan Post.

I like to use the Seven Bank ATMs. They don’t charge a fee (but note that your bank might). The rates are always said to be pretty competitive (I am still trying to find exact information on this). Here are the fees for two of my account:

• I prefer to use my ING Everyday debit card as they charge me only a $2.50 AUD fee per transaction with no foreign currency transaction charge.
• With HSBC I would be charged $4.50 + 2% for foreign currency transaction charge, so I don’t use this one.

Seven Bank’s accepted cards and service time. They also have an ATM locator in English.

Japan Post Bank’s accepted cards and service time. Japan Post Bank has a fee of 105 JPY per transaction on most days, 210 JPY per transaction on Sundays and public holidays.

If you are planning on using the International ATMs, I strongly recommend:

• Withdrawing large sums of cash from the ATM, around 100,000 JPY. This means you will get hit less regularly with the fees.
• Notifying your bank that you are travelling overseas, because sometimes they will freeze access to an account if overseas transactions are being made on your card (to prevent fraud).

How to use a Seven Bank (7-Eleven or 7-11) International ATM in Japan and its restrictions

The great thing is, it’s all in English. See the How to use a Seven Bank International ATM page at the Seven Bank website.

Restrictions:

• Only 10,000 JPY notes are dispensed and you can get a maximum of 50 notes in one transaction.
• There are times when the ATM will be down or out of service. See the link about service times above. Generally they go offline for 15 minutes around midnight, it varies depending on the card.

See the results of an experiment I carried out in Japan, using 7-Eleven’s Japanese International ATMs to find what rate you will actually receive.

Currency from an agent, walking into the store

Haven’t tried this, next time I am in Sydney, I will. I hear that KVB Kunlun in Sydney (See KVB Kunlun’s Google Maps Place page) have good rates.

Every person I ask, Japanese and the regular traveller to Japan has recommended going to KVB Kunlun as they consistently have the best rate.

Update (16 May 2011): Before I left Australia for Japan this year, on March 24, I went to KVB Kunlun and exchanged some cash. Only today did I find the Confirmation of Foreign Exchange Transaction, given upon receipt of exchange.

Results of exchange currency at KVB Kunlun in Sydney:

• Exchange rate for the day closed at 1 AUD = 81.98 JPY.
• The rate given by KVB Kunlun was 1 AUD = 80.62. A very good margin indeed!
• I paid $2704.05 AUD in exchange for 218,000 JPY

This was easily the best margin in Sydney, as I had spent a few hours over two days looking at various banks and currency exchange places. It isn’t as good as the exchange rate given at 7-Eleven Japan International ATMs, but it is a good idea to take some currency with you to Japan.

Conclusion: best way to exchange AUD to JPY

Well after considering the research above, the telegraphic transfer is not justified, the $20 transfer fee is just too much, even if you do get a decent rate. It might be a good option if you have a Japanese bank account already or know someone who does, and can withdrawl the money when you are in Japan.

Also the Travellers’ Cheques are usually the worst rate, so I put them to the side also. You would use this if you are very worried about the safety of having cash.

The exchange rate for foreign cash (i.e. changing foreign notes at a bank or Japan Post) in Japan is usually very poor, perhaps even worst than Travellers’ Cheques.

For the average traveller who might be taking a few thousand dollars to Japan, I’d recommend (having done this before) that the best thing to do is:

• Change half your spending money in an AUD to JPY exchange by buying Japanese Yen notes in Australia by walking into a money exchange agent (KVB Kunlun in Sydney is one of the best).
• The other half of your AUD to JPY, put into whatever account you will be accessing at the International ATMs. If you are worried you might lose your card, then either take 2 cards from the same account (request an additional from your bank) or have different cards from multiple accounts which you can quickly netbank and swap money between accounts.

What do you think is the best way to exchange AUD to JPY?

How do you prefer to exchange dollars to Japanese Yen? We’d like to hear from you even if you are from countries other than Australia, especially if you have information on exchanging currency in Japan that will get you a better rate that the ones above.

The Japan holiday costs here is an example for a single adult going on a 14 day holiday to Japan. It is assuming that you have a Japan Rail Pass, so won’t be paying for the majority of transport and also excludes flights. All prices are approximate and are in Japanese yen, use the XE Quick Currency Converter to convert to your currency and find the current exchange rate. You can also find the exchange rate history for AUD and JPY.

If you’re a budget conscious traveller, you need to see this article: Japan on a Budget, Tips for Cheap Travel!

Yen prices taken from travel brochures and receipts

General Japan holiday cost breakdown

Accommodation

• Capsule hotel – 3,000 to 4,000 yen per night.
• Ryokan (traditional Japanese inn) – 5,000 to 10,000+ yen per night (note: they can be much more expensive, but I am keeping this moderate).
• Hotel – 5,000 to 15,000+ yen per night.

Food and drink

• Convenient store/noodle – 350 yen per meal.
• Fast food/cheap restaurants – 600 yen per meal.
• Decent Japanese restaurant – 900 yen per meal.
• Japanese cuisine: Wagyu/Teppanyaki etc at an Izakaya – from 2000 yen per meal.
• Sweets/snacks/vending machine drinks – no more than 250 yen.

Attractions and Entertainment

• Single attraction: e.g. Tokyo Tower viewing platform – 820 yen
• Temples: up to 500 yen (if it isn’t free, which many are)
• Beer (500ml can from convenient store): from 270 yen
• Beer/house spirits at bars: 600 yen
• Other drinks at bars – 600 to 1200 yen

Souvenirs

• Shirts and general clothing – 1,000 yen
• Smaller themed souvenirs (e.g. pens, key-rings, lucky coins) – 500 yen
• Larger items, tea sets, ceramics, robes/coats, etc – 1,000 to 20,000+ yen

Travel costs

• Before you travel to Japan, purchase a Japan Rail Pass (JR Pass). It will save you a lot of money, and you can use it to travel on the bullet train (shinkansen) and all Japan Rail trains and buses. See the Japan Package travel agency for costs to purchase in Australia.

Spending money for Japan holiday

From the above totals, you would need at least 10,000 yen a day for basic accommodation and food. 25,000 yen on average per day would allow you to treat yourself to a special meal, buy some great souvenirs and regular nights out!

For a 14 day trip to Japan you would need about 200,000 yen for a decent time, over 350,000 yen you can go all out! As an example in Australian dollars, that is about $2,500 – $4,000.

Save money

If you’re like most of us, you will need to do a bit of saving in advanced to get that spending money. I stuck to a regime of $500 per month, straight into a high interest savings account. After a few months I have my spending money along with some additional interest to add to the total.

If you’ve travelled here like me, what were your Japan holiday costs, what do you think you might need next time?

Next you can get some information on using your money in Japan.

Related articles

• AUD to JPY – Get more Yen for your Australian dollar
• 7-Eleven Japan International ATM
• Using your money in Japan