How to rest in Japan: a personal experience
Travels / / December 19, 2019
Helen Millstone
Traveling editor. Loves saturated rest and does not like to overpay. He visited 24 countries.
My husband and I decided to spend New Year holidays in Japan. First dreamed of Tokyo. Thought also stop in Kyoto and see the bathing monkeys in hot springs, but, considering the value of these pleasures, made another route. Splurge on a trip we did not plan, but fed with emotion and inspiration would like to complete. I'll show you how for 200 000 rubles to spend nine busy days in Japan, one day - in China and more to bring a bunch of gifts.
tickets
As usual, the trip began with a ticketing. Monitors Skyscanner husband and Aviasales. Before this trip, we always bought the tickets from the carrier. But the price of tickets for two on the route Moscow - Tokyo directly from Air China was 20 000 higher than for the same flights on Tickets.ru.
We flew with transfer in Beijing. On the way to Tokyo transplant it was very short, but on the way back, we were in Beijing for a night and half a day walking in the middle.
When you purchase tickets four months before the new year, they cost 34 000 rubles per person round trip. I checked how much are the tickets for the next winter vacation: yet the price of less than 40 000 have not seen. In this case, tickets to the middle of May, June or October, you can buy in the range of 28 000 rubles.
High tourist season lasts the whole year in Japan. Undoubtedly, for foreign tourists most popular months - March and April, when the cherry blossoms. And the Japanese themselves are filled attractions during the "golden week" - from 29 April to 6 May. So in Asia it is called a series of spring holidays, united with the output.
Visa
Since 2017, tourists can do the visa in Japan without an invitation and also free. Now it is enough to provide simple list of documents and four days later to pick up the passport with the visa pasted.
Here are documentation needed:
- international passport;
- profile in English in two copies;
- Photos for profiles sized 45 × 45 mm;
- copy of two pages of a Russian passport with photo and residence permit;
- certificate from the employer indicating salary or bank statement indicating the account balance;
- document ticket reservation confirmation;
- document confirming the reservation place of residence;
- on request - a trip plan.
In Moscow, the Consulate is located near the metro station "Prospect Mira" at Grokholski lane, 27. Apply for a visa can be a working day from 9:30 to 12:00, and pick - from 14:30 to 17:30. The queue is usually small.
Housing
The second item, which should be plan until departure. Preferably immediately after buying the tickets, especially if you are flying during the holiday season. The Japanese have a rest a few days in the New Year (on the Internet you can find information about only weekend of January 1, but in 2019 a coffee house in the morning filled with office workers only from 3 January), the week of April 29 and a few scattered days during of the year. Full list weekends and holidays can be viewed here.
It is very difficult, at least during the holidays, find the center of low-cost double. Most often on Booking.com offers capsular hostels. They look very futuristic, and you can spend the night in this at least once for an unusual experience. Cost - from 1500 rubles per person per night.
According to our observations, the most convenient areas for placing - near metro stations Ginza, Tokyo Station and Kayabacho. From here you can walk to major attractions, easily accessible by subway, bus or train.
placement offers are changing almost every day, so you need to look at once willingly book. For example, to open the options Booking.com, Choose th June 2019. Put a check mark in the areas of Ueno, Shimbashi, Asakusa, the center of Tokyo and Shinjuku. Choosing a filter "At first the lowest price." We get Bnbplus Toranomon hostel in the city center. Price per person per night bed - 1193 rubles.
If you are traveling by guys or girls, you can book a bed in exclusively male or female multi-bed rooms. Such an embodiment is widespread in Japan. Here cheap hostels in central Tokyo for women: 1 Night 1980 Hostel Tokyo Asakusa Simple Stay, Bnbplus Costelun Akiba. For men: The Nell Ueno Okachimachi and Capsulevalue Kanda.
If you want a private double room, with the same look at areas and filters ascending price. In the most budget options 6-7 rating points. Lower prices Border - 2 500-3 000. Learning the approximate price, switch to filter "Based on reviews and price."
You can get a share. For example, I came across an option is not in the heart of the city, but in a convenient location. The number in Juyoh Hotel per night will cost 3544 rubles for two. Sleeping on the floor would have virtually - so slept in Japan in ancient times. And you can pay a premium of 500 rubles per night and choose a room with classic beds.
The complexity of our trip called the New Year. In the center were mainly multi-seat hostels. But his wife managed to vytsepit smoking room in the three-star Smile Hotel Tokyo Nihombashi 100 meters from Kayabacho Subway Station. If we were paying cash, it would cost the us 35 000 for 9 nights. But we paid the ruble card, so a conversion came 40 000 rubles.
Take note🛫
- How to handle money in a foreign trip
I liked the hotel. It is located in a quiet area, but close to many interesting locations. From the hotel on foot we reach the popular tourist district of Ginza in just 12-17 minutes, as well - to the train station and the grocery market "Tsukiji". Near the entrance to the hotel on the one hand is non-stop supermarket Lawson, on the other - a coffee shop with inexpensive and delicious breakfast.
The only negative - the size of rooms. With 11 m² it was hard to turn and nowhere to hang clothes. But they were cleaned and linen changed every day.
Another important detail: in Japan, the supply voltage - 110 V, and plugs are the same as in Russia or Europe, so the need to bring an adapter (although you can buy on the spot in almost any supermarket).
passage
This is one of the biggest items of expenditure. To move around Tokyo by public transport, you need to buy a Suica card at the ticket office or machine. When buying you leave a deposit of 500 yen (~ 290 rubles), which can be returned when you return the card. We do forget, so be careful if you want to I save.
We know the pain of travel expenses as soon as came out of the passport control area at Narita airport. We are not prepared in advance, and the place did not understand, and decided to get to the city center by express train Narita Express. He goes straight to the Tokyo Station, which is convenient if you are settled in the center. Tickets cost 3220 yen (~ 1880 rubles) per person one way.
If you settle close to the Ueno Park, there exists an option for you a little cheaper - train Keisei Skyliner. The ticket will cost him about 2500 yen (~ 1 460 rubles).
The cheapest option - the bus. Back to the airport we went on it, 1000 yen (~ 584 rubles) each.
Tokyo subway - it's not one company, as we are accustomed to in Russia. It represents two independent companies: Tokyo Metro and Toei. When transplanting from branch to branch companies need to pay the other. In the subway there cashiers need to buy tickets from vending machines. The average fare costing us at 90-500 yen (~ 50-290 rubles) per trip.
For city driving even more. A trip to the metro line to the city of Yokosuka Kamakura cost us 920 yen (~ 535 rubles). Directions Kawaguchiko where the volcano Fuji, cost 1800 yen (~ 1050 rubles).
Due to the cost of travel we gave up visiting some locations. Do not go to Kyoto because the fare from Tokyo by express train would cost the about 17,000 yen - is nearly 10 000 rubles per person one way. Or the road would take 8-9 hours on the bus for about 4500 rubles.
To fit in the budget, we refused and the trip to the park Jigokudani Yaen-koenWhere you can see the Japanese Macaque bathing in hot springs. The road to costly and tedious. First high-speed Shinkansen train to Nagano. Travel costs 16,800 yen (9815 rubles). Then train to Dentetsu Yudanaka station and shuttle to Kanbayashi Onsen - it is still 2500 yen (1460 rubles) per person. Entrance to the park - more 800 yen (467 rubles), and in the curious crowds and monkeys, which can be seen in the Tokyo zoo for 600 yen (350 rubles).
But if you plan to travel to different cities, more profitable use JR Pass card. For about 30,000 yen (about 17 500 rubles) can be of unlimited travel on all trains, ferries and buses JR.
Food
Food in Japan is very pleased. In Rolla many fish, noodles a lot of meat, with prices lower than in Europe and Moscow. We had breakfast in the coffee shop, one or two times a day, eating in restaurants and buy food for a snack in supermarkets.
In Tokyo, small supermarkets are on every step. Not far from our hotel had three: network 7-Eleven, Lawson and Family Mart. The best part is that they are working around the clock. Prices are about the same everywhere, the assortment of benefiting those who are larger.
Every supermarket has a microwave, Wi-Fi and a place to eat. Almost everywhere there are toilets and a smoking room. A more boxes. This is important because on the streets of Tokyo urns are very few. By the way, the seller can not allow you to throw the garbage brought by himself, because its processing costs money.
All labels only in Japanese, but the staff does not speak English, so when buying had to guess on appearance or to take more or less understandable products.
The most annoying thing that I came across - soybeans. They are slimy and very unpleasant smell. Once I bought rolls, thinking that they fish. Inside were the beans. Rolls had to throw it away, because there was impossible.
Prices for the products of European and American brands is much higher than ours: for example, a small Snickers will cost 100 rubles. But why is it needed, if there are so many local delicacies! Every day I tried local pastries. To tell the truth, the Japanese did not know how to do rolls and puff as in Russia, Spain, or Portugal, but I liked crackling sticks in chocolate, marshmallows with berry filling, mochi rice cakes and dorayaki - something like the pancakes with chocolate stuffing.
In supermarkets sell hot fast foods and packaged ready meals. In Japan, easy to adhere to proper nutrition, because you can easily buy fresh lettuce, boiled chicken breast or even boiled eggs.
Most often on the road, we took onigiri - these are the triangles of rice, sometimes with stuffing. At times we missed and bought onigiri, rice consisting of one, and sometimes caught tuna with mayonnaise or other fish. Onigiri, which are sold in the markets, a much "richer" - in a lot of fish, shrimp or caviar.
Several times took noodles in number. Here a rich assortment of noodles and much tastier than on the Russian shelves. I liked the vegetarian, there was a lot of corn and some green leaves. Sami pasta thicker and brighter taste.
Almost every day we had breakfast in the coffee shop network Veloce nearby. There is a smoking lounge. The workdays Japanese sit in dark suits, drinking coffee, Smoking and looking at phones. We took the combo, which in terms of the Russian currency was worth 215 rubles: a drink and a sandwich. It was very delicious soft white bread with a crispy crust, tuna, cheese and lettuce.
To save on food, you just need to not be lazy to go the extra five minutes and feel free to just watch the menu and go, if you do not like it. The standing places Japanese queues, and only tourists waiting in the empty restaurant.
On New Year's night we walked along the Ginza district, and saw in the window a lot of cafes Japanese small tables. We immediately wanted to go. This proved to be a network Cafe Sushi Zanmai, in which the very friendly staff, reasonable prices and delicious food.
Another network institution - Sukiya. In Tokyo, as many as 27 of the network cafe. There can be very filling meal for 300-400 rubles. I took the rice with beef, vegetables and cheese.
In the center of Tokyo, there is a wonderful place to taste the local delicacies and buy a delicious gifts with. This market Tsukiji Uogashi. Not to be confused with the Tsukiji wholesale market, where arrange the famous fish auction. '83 he worked at the same place, and in October last year, he moved to toyosu station area.
Tsukiji Uogashi - retail market. It is located near Tsukiji Honganji Temple - is the main temple of the Buddhist Jodo Shinshu school, you can go on the market in the way of it.
The first time we came to the Tsukiji lunch and to shop around, and the second time was the day of departure. I would recommend to live closer to the market to eat there more often because the food is very fresh and there are cheaper than in the cafe.
There have in the street on a makeshift chairs and a table of available tools, but even tastier. We taste the real crab meat - 3000 yen (1750 rubles) for the claw. They leaned on rolls and onigiri: 180-260 yen (105-150 rubles) per serving. Skewers of octopus and seashells - 600 yen (350 rubles) per serving.
Tokyo attractions
Disneyland
Tickets booked on official website in advance. Log in for a day costs 7400 yen (4320 rubles). If you buy a ticket for 2-4 days will be a discount.
We would like to spend New Year's Eve at Disneyland, but failed to realize that it will open in 2 nights, and at this time we have to get tired and it will be difficult to reach. Therefore, postponed a trip on the morning of January 1st. I do not advise to go there on a weekend or public holiday, because there will be a lot of people - long queues for rides. E-ticket can not print, caring managers sorted out on the spot.
With the travel can be difficult. We came to Tokyo Station the station and learned that the high-speed train will cost 2200 yen (1285 rubles), and a bus ticket costs 720 yen (420 rubles). As we drove away from Disneyland, it turned out that you can get on a regular metro just 220 yen (128 rubles) and 16 minutes.
The most scenic way to get to Disneyland - a monorail with windows as a Long-eared head of Mickey Mouse. Monorail goes from Maihama station and costs 260 yen (150 rubles).
All entertainment and attractions inside are included in the ticket price. Money is only needed for souvenirs and food. I would advise to take snacks with you, because the territory of Disneyland or expensive restaurants or fast food. queues everywhere.
Cafe with owls
In Tokyo, there is a very unusual cafe. Then do not eat - just talk to owls. Akiba Fukurou - a place where owls live in 36 different shapes and sizes. For 2000 yen (about 1170 rubles) can be within an hour to chat with owls, pet them and hold on hands.
Owls funny names: Shrimp, Mr. President, Tomato Queen of Hearts. They love music - playing classics here. Touch an owl can only touching one finger to his forehead. Moreover, you must first show the owl hand to touch was not a surprise for her. Administrators hang red stickers near the owls, who are on holiday - they can not be bothered. The cost of attendance includes one printed photo.
The cafe is located between the Imperial Palace and Ueno Park at Akihabara station. Tickets must be booked at a cafe on the site in advance for a certain day and hour. You can only pay cash on the spot.
The observation deck at City Hall
In the Shinjuku district has a free observation deck on the roof of City Hall. This place is called the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Buildings. There you can go on working days from 9:30 to 18:45. Nothing outstanding, but if you enjoy views from a height and do not want to pay an entrance fee 1600 yen (934 rubles), to climb to the Tokyo Tower, then you here.
Odaiba
One day, I would advise to devote Odaiba. It is an artificial island in Tokyo Bay, was built virtually from the debris. Here you can walk among the pines on the bay, lie on the grass, go shopping and visit a few attractions. And in the evening - relax in the traditional Japanese baths.
You get to Odaiba in several ways:
- Monorail on Yurikamome line from Shimbashi Station. one-way ticket costs 320 yen (186 rubles), for a day - 820 yen (480 rubles). The travel JR Pass.
- In conventional underground from the Shinjuku station to Tokyo Teleport.
- Take the metro to Shibaura-futo station and walk to the foot of Odaiba, across Rainbow Bridge. Its length is about 1.7 km.
The first place you tend to tourists arriving at Odaiba - an observation deck with a scenic spot for a photo on the background of the Statue of Liberty and local Rainbow Bridge.
Then you can walk along Odaiba Seaside Park. Here you can not swim, but you can have a picnic or a game of Frisbee.
We came here to see the technological advances in the Miraikan Museum. It has interactive exhibits not very impressed, but the kids will definitely be interesting. The museum is open from 10 am to 6 pm. Admission is 550 yen for adults and 300 yen for children (320 and 175 rubles, respectively).
Along the way we met the building of the Museum of Marine Science. It is built in the form of a cruise ship in full size.
On the territory of Odaiba there are many shopping centers with shops and a discount brands - DiverCity Tokyo Plaza, Aquacity, Decks, Venus Fort.
At sunset, we went in a glass bowl Fuji TV office. inside suit anime Exhibition and selling themed souvenirs. Nothing special, but you can see how at nightfall the lights Rainbow Bridge. Entrance to the site is worth 550 yen.
End your day in Odaiba would be great in the spa complex of Odaiba Tokyo Oedo-Onsen Monogatari. This onsen - a traditional Japanese bath in the style of the Edo period. Inside are many public and private hot spring, a garden with a stream, steam and Finnish saunas. But we did not get to visit the onsen. The reason for that - a tattoo with them were not allowed there. If you have a small tattoo may turn out to hide the tape.
Also with a can not bring food. On the territory there is a cafe with traditional Japanese cuisine.
Bani work almost around the clock: from 11 am to 9 am the next day. Admission is 2,900 yen during the day, and 2000 yen after 18:00 (1700 and 1170 rubles, respectively).
Cathedral of the Resurrection of Christ (Nicholas-up)
On Christmas Day, we happened to see on the map Orthodox Church and decided to definitely get it. Orthodox Cathedral is named after Nikolai Kasatkin - missionary who devoted his life to preaching in Japan. Inside works friendly countrywoman, who happily chatted with you.
The temple is located near Ochanomizu station and is open from 13 to 16 hours.
I will not talk about the hundreds of Buddhist and Shinto temples in Tokyo, because you have them, and so will certainly meet and visit.
Attractions outside Tokyo
Mount Fuji and lakes Kawaguchiko
One of the days we spent traveling to Fuji volcano Kawaguchiko and lakes. Kawaguchiko get to town by bus from Tokyo Station. Suika map on this flight does not work, so you need to buy tickets at the box office with cash or card payment. Tickets cost 1800 yen (1050 rubles) per person. The journey takes two hours.
The Kawaguchiko come to rest on the lakes (five of them here): a walk in the pine forest, climb to the top of Mount Fuji and ride the rides at its foot.
There is Takabisha - Japan's most extreme attraction Hill, ranked in the "Guinness Book of Records" for the steepest slope. Ride, we did not, because they were a cold and barely coped with chills.
Prior Lake is better to walk on foot, and at the same time to observe how the Japanese live. On the road there are supermarkets, you can buy something for a snack on the shore of the picturesque.
But with the choice of the way to Mount Fuji, we missed a bit. You could take a bus to the station, where climbers stop. But I wanted to walk through the pine forest. I was shivering on the temperature and saves only that in Japan even in deserted places you can find the machine with hot coffee and tea. Nevertheless, it was nice to go - weather was sunny and the air is very fresh. To the foot walk to sunset, we would not have time to Kawaguchiko bus back to the bus, which is a good way picked up on the way back.
From Kawaguchiko we sent postcards to friends and family. sending the price to anywhere in Russia alone - worth 70 yen stamp on the usual postcard 260 yen - a large or heavy cardboard.
Kamakura
Another trip out of Tokyo, standing and tolerant budget. Kamakura - one of the oldest cities in Japan. The most surprising is that in Kamakura from Tokyo can be reached by subway. Get off the train and feel at once, I was not mistaken: in just an hour you get to the resort with private little houses and flowering gardens.
This place is famous for its mild climate, and the local waves attract surfers all year round. There are more than 20 Buddhist temples and Shinto. A symbol of the city - the statue of the Great Buddha.
Ticket to Kamakura costs 1000 yen (584 rubles). And for 1470 yen (860 rubles) at Shinjuku Station in Tokyo, you can buy a single ticket for unlimited travel in the direction of Enoshima - Kamakura. With this ticket, you can explore the Kamakura for a day and a tiny island of Enoshima, which also exist alongside Shintoism and Buddhism, and the air filled with the smell of roasted seafood.
To get at the feet of the Great Buddha is worth 200 yen (116 rubles), and another 20 yen (12 rubles), you can go inside the statue itself. Tickets to the local churches will cost 200-300 yen (116-175 rubles). You can have lunch on the beach, watching the surfers.
Purchases
Without this article on travel expenses you can do, but not in Japan. How not to bring local cosmetics, delicatessen and production of second-hand?
We travel light, with backpacks, luggage space but we were, so were among the purchases and shampoo, and sake.
Dragstory
This is both a pharmacy and cosmetics shops. They can even find products. Dragstory located in sleeping areas, and walking the streets. Near our hotel had three dragstora. I walked a few different networks, to compare prices. I remember Tokyu Hands and Matsumoto Kiyoshi.
In dragstore I bought the powder from cold, compression hosiery, dietary supplements, energy, tonic, and's Skin cosmetics, cloth masks and patches, patches of tired legs, hot mask for relaxation eye. Once recounted the phone price in rubles, to figure out how much prices are beneficial. For example, high-quality ink can be bought for 700 rubles, 400 rubles worth hyaluronic lotion to moisturize the skin, for 350-500 rubles, you can buy a well-known eye drops from redness. Package of five cloth masks can be found even for 250 rubles.
When buying at 5000 yen (about 2900 rubles) acts Tax Free, With the amount of tax deducted from the check immediately at the cash register, that is, you simply pay less, do not have anything to make out at the airport.
At Narita Airport also has dragstor Matsumoto Kiyoshi, and the prices are almost the same as in the city. Therefore, if you do not have time to be bought in, come early to the airport before the flight.
Second-hands in Harajuku
Almost every travel I bring a couple of things from vintage stores, flea markets and from second-hand. In Tokyo, in terms of hunting for vintage is where carousing. At Harajuku station there is a whole area strewn with shops clothes from the past.
I was very pleased with their organization: things are in excellent condition, and neatly hung, often on colors or themes. Here you can buy a real kimono, clothes of famous brands or unusual nouneym. Almost all the shops are also valid Tax Free with the purchase of 5000 yen.
I bought a faux fur coat Zara for 8000 yen (including Tax Free came about 4000 rubles) short kimono for 6,000 yen (Tax Free - 3000 rubles), designer earrings for 2500 yen (1400 rubles).
During the trips we keep checks or fix costs in the application. The trip to Japan, if we calculate with the cost of tickets, accommodation and shopping, cost us about 200 000 rubles. It's worth noting that we bought not the most advantageous tickets because flew to New Year holidays, a few times missed with public transport (cheaper options can be selected), we spent a lot of purchases. This means that you can relax cheaper if desired.
To save even more, you need to monitor tickets, fly not popular seasons (not holidays and during the period cherry blossom), catch the best deals on booking accommodation and to think carefully about inside routes countries.
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