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Japan travel guide

China - Guangdong

Meet Japan Japan weather report Getting into Japan From the Japanese kitchen From the Japanese bar Currency in Japan Major airports in Japan Did you know?

Meet Japan

Japan is truly a traveller’s delight. A country which at once confirms almost all of the charming stereotypes for which it is so well known the world over, from the abundance of cherry blossoms and kimonos to mystic temples and surfeit of sushi. This should not however fool the traveller into thinking lacks the element of surprise; there is a profusion of activities to enchant and amuse, numerous places of historical, cultural and artistic merit to visit, and a way of life to explore that is utterly fascinating.

Tokyo is a bright, bustling, energetic city which seems to be almost constantly moving; its population are all self-confessed technophiles. The bright lights of central Tokyo will draw the first-time visitor in, but it is attractions like the Imperial Palace, Shinjuku Gyoen Gardens and unique city wards that will ensure it imprints an indelible mark on one’s memory.

Other cities such as Kyoto have incredibly rich arrays of temples among other things. Some of Kyoto’s better known examples include the Kiyomizu-dera Temple and the shrines of Kamigamo-jinja, Shimogamo-jinja, and world heritage listed Ujigami-jinja shrine. Visit the iconic Kinkaku-ji Temple, a beautifully designed building which has a spectacular covering of real gold.

Take time to check out some of the world heritage listed sights in central Japan’s Nara region. These include the Buddhist monuments in the Horyu-ji area which double as the world’s oldest wooden buildings. The historic monuments of ancient Nara are also a must see as are the sacred sites complete with original pilgrimage routes on the Kii mountain range.

Travel to the historically important city of Hiroshima and visit the moving Peace Memorial museum and Hiroshima Castle.

Japan’s relatively small size and excellent transport facilities mean that even a short stay can lend itself to exploring a great deal of the country, visiting numerous cities. Grab the opportunity to see as much as possible, your Japanese experience will be all the better for it.

Japan weather report

Summer in Japan runs from roughly June to August and kicks off with a month long monsoon season. Temperatures rise dramatically heading into June hitting the mid to high 20s and occasionally peaking in the low 30s. Humidity is also a factor and the air can feel very thick and heavy in some parts of the country.

Autumn stretches from September to November and the temperature dips appreciatively during these months while remaining relatively comfortable. Average temperatures in autumn will range between 16-18˚C and the season sees forests awash with Chrysanthemums.

Spring is of course blossom season in Japan so keep an eye out for the dazzling displays of plum and cherry blossoms with their rich, vivid colours. Spring usually lasts from early March until some time in May and temperatures are fairly cool being in the region of 15˚C.

Winter is generally from December to February and for most of the country is comparatively mild. Temperatures range from roughly 6-10˚C.

For the latest weather info use the Pampo weather forecast tool.

Getting into Japan

Japan allows UK passport holders to enter the country for up to 90 days without applying for a visa. Should you wish to extend your stay beyond this it is possible to apply for an extension at an immigration authority which will allow you to stay for up to 6 months.

Austria, Ireland, Germany, Mexico, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and Liechtenstein all have "Reciprocal Visa Exemption Arrangements" with Japan allowing visits of up to 6 months.

For a full list of countries which have agreements with Japan see the Japan National Tourism website.

From the Japanese kitchen

Japan is the home of Sushi. The diverse creativity used in creating this simple food is truly remarkable.

Try Nigirizushi which is fairly simple and contains just two ingredients; sushi rice and a single topping. The topping on Nigirizushi is known as neta and is often a form of fish such as eel, haddock, octopus or tuna, which is usually raw, but can also be friend or grilled.

Oshizushi is popular in Osaka and the surrounding areas, and is a square shaped piece of sushi created using a wooden mould. Oshizushi comes with a range of possible ingredients but again fish is the most popular; these blocks of mixed rice and fish are neat and bite sized.

Makizushi means “rolled sushi” and consists of finely cut pieces of fish mixed with chopped vegetables rolled together (using a bamboo mat called a makisu) with sushi rice and enclosed in sheets of seaweed. The resulting roll is then cut into smaller circular pieces which are easy to handle. This comes in various delectable combinations of seafood and vegetable, as well as plain vegetable options.

From the Japanese bar

Japan has an excellent reputation for making quality beers and has a variety of brands that will interest anybody who enjoys a cold pint at the end of a long day.

Try the celebrated Ashai beer, originally created with the idea of forming a brew that would be compatible with food. Ashai is somewhat dry, but crisp and refreshing with a gentle hops infused aftertaste.

Another popular beer brand is Kirin which comes in a variety of tastes. The most popular of these is Kirin lager which is made with only the best barley malt and finest quality hops. The result is a smooth drinking lager that has an understated yet distinctive aftertaste.

Sapporo is a lager which is painstakingly made with a blend of malt, hops, yeast, corn and rice to create an exceptional taste which is both clean and refreshing. Sapporo is a medium bodied beer so is fairly easy to drink and can be used to complement a range of foods.

Currency in Japan

The currency of Japan is the Yen which is symbolised with the ¥ sign

Coins are available in ¥1, ¥5, ¥10, ¥50, ¥100 and ¥500 denominations and notes currently in circulation include the ¥1000, ¥2000, ¥5000 and ¥10,000 denominations.

There is no limit on the amount of any currency that may be bought into or taken out of the country although should anyone wish to transport more than ¥1 million they would have to sign a declaration at customs. For the latest info on your rates, please use the Pampo exchange rates calculator.

Major airports in Japan

Narita International Airport (NRT) – Tokyo

Kansai International Airport (KIX) – Osak

Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport (HGH)

Chūbu Centrair International Airport (NGO) – Nagoya

Did you know?

Raw horse meat (called sakura) is a popular food in Japan

Japan has over 200 volcanoes, some of which make up 10% of the world’s active volcanoes

Fugu is the name given to puffer/blow fish which is another popular dish in Japan. Its preparation is particularly dangerous because if is not carefully done, the fish’s poison can be lethal

There are more than 20 recorded instances of Japanese people either being killed or sustaining serious head injuries as a result of bowing to greet somebody

Japan experiences over 1,500 earthquakes every year, the majority of which are not lethal

Japan is the biggest auto-manufacturing country in the world with brands such as Nissan, Toyota, Honda, Mitsubishi and Suzuki well known globally