by Carole Devine

Created on: November 02, 2009

Japan is an island country rich in history, culture and tradition, but also cutting edge in matters of technology and modern architecture. From the tropical beaches of Okinawa to the shrines and temples of Kyoto, from the high tech mega city of Tokyo to the snowy mountains of Hokkaido, there is something for everyone. The Japanese people are some of the most hospitable people in the world, and you will, no doubt, be impressed by their courtesy, and by their pride in their country. However, it is also one of the most expensive countries to visit. In July of 2009, London's Guardian newspaper named two of Japan's largest cities, Tokyo and Osaka as the 'world's most expensive cities.' (

http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2009/jul/07/tokyo -worlds-most-expensive-city)

Despite the high cost of traveling in Japan, with its rich history, its ancient customs, and its natural beauty, it is one of the most beautiful and fascinating destinations to visit in Asia. For those of you who will be traveling for the first time to the Land of the Rising Sun, I offer the following tips to maximize your enjoyment and minimize the damage to your wallet.

1. Plan ahead.

The internet is loaded with information about Japan, from accommodations, to transportation, to top tourist attractions and 'off the beaten path' jewels. For competitive airline pricing, visit www.kayak.com to find the best deals and the best times to travel to Japan.

Public transportation in Japan is top notch. If you live in or near a major metropolitan city and you have your heart on seeing as much of Japan as you can, seriously consider buying a Japan Rail Pass (JR Pass) before you even leave your home country. You can buy a 7-day pass for about $315 or a 14 day pass for about $500 that will allow you to travel by rail from Tokyo to Hiroshima. Also included with this pass is travel on some 'Shinkansens' (bullet trains). While this may seem expensive, if you traveled round trip by Shinkansen from Narita Airport to Kyoto, you would spend over $350 on that trip alone. If you have limited time and want to focus on one region of Japan, consider a regional rail pass. These are slightly cheaper per day, but are only good for travel up to 10 days maximum. You can purchase these online, and find more information about the JR passes and overseas locations for purchase of the JR Pass at (http://www.japanrail.com/index.php?page=JR-japan-rai l-pass). Explore all the online resources out there on Japan, and make a list of 'must

• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• Next Page >>