Visiting Japan from the UK is like travelling to a completely different world, although some of the aspects of city life feel familiar to UK citizens, the Japanese have taken these to a whole new level. The technological advances of the country are shown throughout the Shinjuku quarters of Tokyo and beyond, where giant screens line the streets.
The culture of Japan upholds the traditions of hundreds of years, you can see these traditions all over the country through the many temples and shrines where locals worship and tourists visit to immerse themselves in Japanese culture. From Tokyo where you can find the huge Meiji Shrine, to the Fushimi Inari Shrine in Kyoto where thousands of vibrant orange arches line a long walkway through the hillside.
Once in Japan, it is easy to travel between different areas of the country thanks to their bullet train network. The bullet train is one of the safest modes of travel in Japan, and the quickest. As a tourist, you can purchase a JR Pass, which enables you to use the bullet train systems as much as you like during the length of time the pass is valid for, making travel cheaper for tourists.
One of the best things about Japan is the food available here. From Nishiki Market in Kyoto to the many fantastic restaurants all over the country, Japanese food is unique and delicious, and often prepared to perfection. Travelling and tasting the traditional Japanese dishes such as sushi, sashimi and ramen can really enable you to eat like a local and enjoy all of the comforts that Japan has to offer.
Japan is well known for its huge cities, such as Tokyo, Osaka and Kyoto, but there is an abundance of nature and glorious natural wonders to see if you travel to the outskirts of the populated areas. You can see Mount Fuji in all of its glory on a clear day. Or, you can travel to Hokkaido to visit the Shiretoko National Park, there are many National Parks in Japan to explore. Not far from the mainland, you can visit the tropical island of Okinawa. Even though this is a short flight away, if you want to experience the tropical side of Japan, this is the place to be.
The official language in Japan is Japanese. Until recently, the presence of the English language was very minimal, since hosting the football World Cup in 2018 and the rugby World Cup in 2019 Japanese train and tube stations have incorporated English so it is easier to get around. However, you should learn some Japanese phrase before your trip to help you communicate with the locals. Also, don’t forget to change your currency into Japanese Yen.
No matter your plans whilst you are in Japan, it is important that you take out travel insurance to protect yourself against many unforeseen eventualities.
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Why may I need Travel Insurance for Japan?
Even though purchasing travel insurance isn’t a legal requirement for any trips away from home, it should still be considered as essential for your trip. When going on holiday, there are many potential circumstances that could catch you off guard. Although most visits to Japan are trouble-free, having travel insurance can help you to be and feel protected when you are on holiday.
In Japan, there is a continuous risk of earthquakes, volcanic eruptions and tsunamis throughout the whole of the country. Regular earthquakes happen in the country, most of which are small and do not cause concern for the locals. If you are using a Japanese Wi-Fi connection, you will get a warning alert through your phone if a severe earthquake is predicted.
Furthermore, typhoon season runs mostly from July to October, and is usually strongest in August and September. You should keep an eye on the weather forecast in the lead up, and during your trip to Japan to ensure you are best prepared for changeable weather.
Find out more about travelling to Japan by visiting the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office website.
What’s covered with a Travel Insurance policy for Japan?
- *Not available with Bronze level cover
- **Only available with Gold level cover
- Terms and Conditions apply.
Frequently Asked Questions
In terms of crime, Japan is a very safe country to visit. The crime rate in the country is very low, and the culture in Japan is extremely kind and trusting, most of the Japanese people that you meet will be respectful towards you.
However, Japan has seen problems on the trains and tubes with some men using it as an opportunity to sexually harass young women. The targets for this abuse are usually young Japanese girls. As a result of this, Japan have created women only carriages on trains, so if you feel uncomfortable whilst travelling and you are a woman, you can make the most of this service.
Earthquakes and weak tremors occur on a daily basis in Japan. That is why the country has taken extensive measures to protect the people who live in the country, as well as tourists visiting.
Strong earthquakes do happen regularly throughout the year, but these cannot be predicted apart from close to the time that they occur. It is important to be prepared and to know the procedures to follow when exploring Japan.
Japan is a very built up country, there are so many cities to explore, all with a different feel and with different aspects that make it unique. Here are some of the top cities in Japan to visit:
· Tokyo
· Kyoto
· Osaka
· Hiroshima
· Sapporo
· Fukuoka
· Yokohama
· Nagoya
· Kobe
Japan is a huge country, meaning that the different parts of the country experience different weather at the same time. Depending on what you want to do in Japan during your visit, you should research the best areas for those activities. For example, you can ski in Hokkaido, but experience a tropical getaway in Okinawa.
The best times of year to visit Japan, if you don’t want to ski, are during the months of March to May and from September to November. These are great times to visit for good weather and for exploring.