Japan – a summary of the eastern vacation

We spent nine days in Japan. What did we manage to see? What exactly did we do? What is it like to travel on the Shinkansen superfast train? It’s time for a summary!

Unfortunately, all good things come to an end quickly, and this trip ended far too quickly. We spent 9 very active days in Japan – from morning to evening on the move, on the run, traveling. The pace was high but we were anxious to get the most out of the trip, because you don’t know when there will be another opportunity.

So it’s time for a short, practical summary of what to see while in Japan and, by the way, we throw in some practical tips to help you organize a similar trip on your own – also benefit :)

Japan made a great impression on us. One could say that it is a completely different world, a different culture, different people. A world that is orderly, arranged, prescribing calm and moderation. In many situations we were surprised by the customs and culture, but we tried our best to fit in, to show respect for something that is so different to us.

It was an amazing experience to spend time in a country like Japan and see how society functions and how technologically developed the country is. Fast railroads, perfect organization and order, all the amenities make it a place where you want to live.

What is worth seeing in Japan?

There are plenty of places worth seeing in Japan and it would take many months to visit them all. We saw a fraction in 9 days, but we share with you a list of those we can recommend:

Tokyo is too huge to see it all in 1-2 days. We especially recommend the Fish Market, Sensoji Temple in Asakusa, Akihabara district, Shibuya intersection and its surroundings and other attractions from our first day in Tokyo. But Tokyo is also Love hotels, the impressive Meiji chram, the Harajuku district, the Tokyo Tower or finally the entire Odaiba Island, places we wrote about in this post.
From Tokyo, the closest we have is Nikko, where the Tōshō-gū chram is located. An ideal place for a day trip.
From Tokyo, it’s also not far to cities such as Kamakura and Yokohama, with the Great Buddha and the famous China Town.
Kyoto, the former capital of Japan, is a must-see when exploring the country. Countless palaces, temples, chrams – here everything is in abundance.
A visit to Miyajima Island, where Itsukushima chram with its famous torii gate is located, and a stay at Memorial Park in Hiroshima are highly recommended. It is quite a history lesson….
Nara, in turn, is Japan’s first capital and Todaiji Temple, one of the most famous in all of Japan.
Osaka is also worth noting. Japan’s third largest city.
If Japan, then a ride on the Shinkansen is a must. Yes, this is an attraction in itself, because in Poland it is hard to have a similar experience.

Some practical tips

What to look out for before you fly if you are planning a trip to Japan in the near future:

Remember to purchase
JR Pass
. It’s a matter of calculation whether it’s worth it, but if you want to move between major cities, it’s worth considering buying a visitor-only ticket.
No visa is needed for Japan (for stays of up to 90 days). You need a passport, of course.
Japan has left-hand traffic, as does England, for example.
Electrical outlets (contacts) in Japan are different from those in Poland and Europe. You need adapters similar to those in the US. You can find them on Allegro or in stores like Saturn/MediaMarkt.
Toilets in Japan are different…. From normal European ones, to offbeat washlets, to typically Asian-style lavatories. However, any can be used, so do not be afraid of electronics in the toilet ;)
Although Japan is a highly developed country, cash is still the main means of payment. That’s why it’s a good idea to stock up on enough cash before you leave. Treat ATM withdrawals or card payments only as an emergency. Especially since (reportedly) most Polish banks do not accept payments in Japan.
It’s worth getting a solid guide.
It is also a good idea to purchase before you leave
insurance
. In Japan, we are not covered by any insurance, and medical costs are not among the cheapest.