Japan is not only a country with good environment, but also better scenery. Japan, a big tourist country in Asia, has become a choice for many Chinese to travel abroad. But do you know what you should pay attention to when traveling to Japan? What should I pay attention to when I go to Japan for the first time?
A little Japanese will help a lot
In Japan, Japanese is of course the language of communication. Few Japanese can communicate fluently in English. Even if they can speak English at all, they are mostly shy and unwilling to speak it. Even fewer Japanese can speak Chinese. After all, Chinese is more difficult than English. But don't worry too much. Almost all vehicles have multi language signs. Restaurants in tourist areas also provide Japanese, English and even Chinese menus for customers' convenience. If not, you can even read the Chinese characters in Japanese to understand the general meaning. However, learning even the most basic Japanese phrases will certainly bring more convenience to your trip to Japan.
2. Take some travel medicine
Before you go to Japan, you'd better prepare some daily drugs for domestic use. The drugs that can be easily purchased in Japan are prescription drugs that only hospitals can prescribe, or they can't be purchased at all (such as Yunnan Baiyao). Therefore, we must prepare some commonly used drugs before departure, so as to be well prepared.
3. The railway system can be confusing
Japan has a huge and comprehensive railway network to connect the whole country, but it can be confusing to transfer between different metro lines inside the city, especially in Tokyo. Although all kinds of subways, light rails and trams all over the city can take you anywhere you want to go, even local people will use navigation software to find the most effective route. So downloading a navigation map is the best way to make sure you get there.
In addition, it should be noted that Japan's railways and subways belong to several different companies, so not all trains or subways can be transferred at the same station. When you can't determine the train number, you can go to the Information Office of the station, and they will answer your questions professionally
4. The famous scenic spot is also a sea of people
Major tourist attractions in Kyoto, Osaka and Tokyo are also likely to become very crowded. When you visit Tokyo, you should avoid rush hours. It's better to arrange some unknown parks, gardens, museums and shrines that are a little far away from the hot spots.
Also note that during the golden week holiday in Japan from the end of April to the beginning of May every year, almost everyone in Japan is on holiday. Hotel reservation speed is usually much faster than usual, and the air ticket price sometimes rises more than three times of the normal price. Therefore, to avoid the golden week in Japan, we must focus on making travel plans.
5. Customers with tattoos are not allowed to enter some places
If you have a tattoo, most hot springs, public baths and water parks are forbidden for you. Although there are many places where tattoo guests are allowed to enter, there are still many places that are not allowed. Most Japanese know that tattoos are very common in the world, but they are generally indifferent to tattoos in Japanese public awareness.
6. It may take some time for public toilets to understand
Japanese toilets are divided into squatting and sitting. If you are used to washing and sitting at home, congratulations. Just look at the picture signs. If you are used to squatting at home, and you meet a toilet with only flushing in Japan, you have to spend some time to study the function of each button. If it doesn't work, press the emergency button in the toilet, and someone will help you.
7. Remember to bring enough cash
With the approach of the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games, more and more Japanese businesses are installing devices to receive cashless payments, but there are still many shops and restaurants that only accept traditional payments. Compared with the ubiquitous mobile payment in China, Japan is far behind China, so please bring enough cash when you travel. In addition, in some rural areas, automatic withdrawals are closed after 6 p.m. The last alternative is to go to a 24-hour convenience store, where ATMs can be found in most cases.
8. Dietary limitations
Although vegetarian restaurants are becoming more and more common in big cities in Japan, to meet more specific needs (such as vegetarianism and halal food), more travel planning needs to be carried out in advance, and many ordinary restaurants cannot provide similar designated catering services.
9. No tip culture
Tipping is not allowed in restaurants and hotels in Japan. No one will think you are rude because you don't tip. In many places, there is no tip at the checkout, but an appetizer fee. Some places will charge a table fee, while some of the more sophisticated restaurants will automatically add the service fee to the bill. So just pay according to the bill.
10. There may be earthquakes every day
It is said that there are earthquakes every day in Japan. Most of these earthquakes are so small that you don't even notice them, but big earthquakes do happen, and they can be quite terrible. The safest place in an earthquake is to hide under a solid shelter like a table. If it's in an unreinforced building, it's best to evacuate with most of the local people.