Leaving Your Regular Phone at Home

When you travel to a far off place, you have a few different options when it comes to making phone calls. On the one hand, you can always just avoid making any calls whatsoever. If you have ever checked out the prices that a lot of different foreign carriers charge, you might start to wonder if your entire vacation could be doubled in either length or luxury if you simply did not bother with the entire “making phone calls” thing. But on the other hand, you can also go with certain other types of plans, such as calling cards or prepaid cell phones, which can reduce the burden to a great extent.

One of the great things about prepaid cell phones and some calling cards is that they have a great deal of potential for customization. You can get a plan which is tailored to how you are actually going to use the phone, as opposed to just taking on one of a small number of different generic plans. You have the option of simply paying as you go, so you can control the amount of money that you put into this, opposed to simply pouring more and more money into a plan that you may not even use when you are not on a trip.

There is also another great thing about have a prepaid cell phone. If you have ever been on a trip, you know the unfamiliar territory and tendency to move around a lot combine to make for a very difficult time always keeping track of your cell phone. When you have a prepaid phone, you don’t run the risk of losing your personal cell phone (and going through all of that hassle), and you also do not have to worry about losing a massive amount of money through basically having someone else (whom you probably don’t even know) having and using the phone that you lost.

Traveling to Japan: 4 Necessities

If you’re looking for a little something different in your next vacation abroad, why not give Japan a try? Few cultures around the world will offer you such numerous and vast degrees of “different.” Planning your trip can be stressful and a bit confusing, but there are a few simple tips to follow to make things a bit easier.

First of all, set a firm length for your trip. This way, you’ll be sure to have enough of everything—clothing, hygiene products, etc—for the entire trip. Second, check the exchange rate between the American dollar and Japanese Yen. After doing these two things, you should be ready to pack. Packing for a trip abroad can be stressful as well, since it can difficult to know what to pack.

When packing for your trip, the choice is yours as to what you should take with you. However, there are five things that you should always take with you. They are:

  • Enough hygiene products for the duration of your trip. The Japanese pride themselves on cleanliness, and they expect the same practice sfrom those visiting their country. While you shouldn’t have a problem finding hygiene products in stores throughout Japan, they might not have what you use at home. If that may be a problem for you, be sure you pack enough of your own.
  • Enough cash for the duration of your trip. This is where the research into the conversion rates come in. While theft can be an issue in any foreign country, just as it is at home, it shouldn’t be a common occurrence in Japan. Just in case, keep money in separate places on your person.
  • A variety of clothing. While checking the weather should solve this for the most part, pack a little extra, just in case the weather reports are wrong or you an accident.
  • A phrasebook and a book on culture. These will help acclimate you to Japan, in both language and culture. You’ll find them invaluable when in a situation with a language barrier or when you’re not sure about a specific custom.

Must-See Places in Tokyo

When taking a vacation to Tokyo, Japan, it can be difficult to decide what sites to see and visit. Tokyo is one of the largest cities in the world and offers something interesting for just about everyone. Because of the size, it’s difficult to see everything of interest within one or two days, so it’s best to plan out a list of activities before leaving home.

If you’re one who appreciates beautiful scenery and skylines, then make sure you stop at the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building. Tourists and visitors are allowed up to the 45th floor. There you’ll find the best view of the Tokyo skyline. If you’re looking for a great photo opportunity, this may be one of the best you’ll find in the city. At night, the city looks even more amazing.

The Imperial Palace and Palace East Garden are popular among tourists as well. The royal family lives in the palace, so it remains closed to the public, but you’re free to wander through the gardens on one of the many walkways. If you’re looking for any type of entertainment, the Shinjuku district is where you’ll want to head. The most impressive part of this district is all of the neon signage at night.

Spending time in Japan is all about the experiences, so if you’re looking for one that’s a bit different, check out what’s known as the “Shibuya Crossing.” There is a four-way intersection here, and whenever the stoplights change, hundreds of people make their ways from one side of street to the other. The crowd is unlike anything you’ve probably ever seen before.

The Akihabara district is a must-see area of town, especially if you’re one with a gadget obsession. Known as “electric city,” this area of Tokyo guarantees sales of almost anything electric, as well as video games, manga, and anime items.

There are plenty of other sites around Tokyo. The best advice is to find a guidebook and make a list of the places and attractions you want to see. Make the most out of your visit to Tokyo.

Tanabata: A Major Japanese Summer Festival

The festival is a "Syonan Hiratsuka Tanab...

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There’s no shortage of festivals throughout the year in Japan. One of the most popular is the Tanabata Festival, which is also referred to as the star festival. It takes place on either the night of July seventh or the night of August seventh each year, depending on the region of Japan. The Japanese refer to Tanabata as the star festival because it commemorates the popular folktale of the Princess and the Cowherder that has been around for over 2,000 years.

When the post-Meiji period came to Japan, the festival fell quiet and nearly disappeared completely. It gained back popularity after the second World War, and has been something of a national treasure ever since it’s re-emergence. At the present-day Tanabata festivals, wishes are written on small scraps of paper and then hung on bamboo sticks. They are either placed in a river or burned when the festivities are over, usually the following day.

While the Tanabata festival is full to the brim with tradition, the atmosphere surrounding it is much like that surrounding a gala or carnival. Colorful decorations of red, blue, and yellow can be seen almost everywhere, there is nearly every kind of Japanese cuisine imaginable, and occasionally a parade or two will take place. These festivals are popular and dear to the people of Japan, but many tourists try to arrange their trips to cover the festivals as well.

Tanabata festivals are held in nearly every city, but some of the best-known ones take place in Miyagi Prefecture and Hiratsuka-city.

Visit Japan for a Unique Honeymoon Experience

The main building of Shuri Castle

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If you are interested in a truly memorable honeymoon, you should consider visiting a location that not everyone goes to for this experience, such as Japan. This country is not often mentioned when it comes to honeymoon destinations, despite its rich culture and wealth of things to do while visiting.

Whether you want to stay at a 5-star hotel in a big city or a quaint bed and breakfast in a rural area, Japan has you covered. Check out Tokyo if you love big cities, or Okinawa if you plan to get out of the hotel and make memories while snorkeling or walking on the beach. Of course, there are also tons of resorts available that boast features like hot springs and massages. You can usually get all the same pampering done in Japan as you can in more traditional honeymoon settings, but with a unique twist. This is because the Asian culture is prevalent in nearly every activity in this romantic destination, allowing you to learn about Japan’s history while enjoying your time with your new spouse.

Just because your honeymoon is not traditional does not mean that you cannot partake in other longstanding vacation traditions. For example, consider sending postcards from your destination so that your friends and family know you made it to your vacation spot and are having a great time. Postcards are often considered more personal and much more exciting to receive than simple text messages and e-mails, so pick up a bunch, each with a different photo of the sights in Japan. Scrawling a personal message on each card will truly make your loved ones feel special.

You may just want to relax and forget the world during your honeymoon in Japan, but your family will want to hear from you while you are gone. Writing a couple of messages is fast and can even be done from the spa, completing your unique getaway.

The Japan Railway Pass: How Do I Get One?

Central Japan Railway N700 series Shinkansen s...

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To get from city to city and island to island in Japan, most people use the available railway systems. The largest and most popular is the Japan Railway, which runs different routes throughout the entire country. A great way to save money when using the train system is to use the Japan Railway pass, known as the JR Pass, that is available to tourists.  This pass allows for unlimited travel on the system from seven to twenty-one days.

The rules for who can obtain a railway pass and how to go about doing so are extremely strict and must be followed to a tee. Typically, there are two things that qualify you as eligible for the Japanese Railway pass> You qualify if you’re a tourist possessing a passport with a “temporary visitor” stamp, or if you’re a native of Japan who is currently living in another country. In either case, you must fill out the proper paperwork and request forms for a pass before leaving for Japan.

The pass is only available outside of Japan. Once you complete the necessary forms, you’ll receive an Exchange Order. When you get to Japan, you’ll exchange this for a real railway pass. There are numerous places where you can take care of this exchange, all of which are either airports or train stations. It is recommended that the exchange be done at the airport as soon as you arrive.

The railway passes can be purchased for seating in either the Ordinary Cars (equal to second class) or the Green Cars, which are equal to a first class seat. The passes may seem expensive at first, but in the end, since they allow unlimited train travel, you’ll be saving a lot more money.

Japan for the Frugal

With the slanting economy, lay-offs, and fairly dismal job market, it seems that just about everybody is looking for ways to save some money in any way possible. Just because you’re trying to save money doesn’t mean that you need to cut vacations like so many people think. If you’re on the fence about whether or not you should go to Japan, the answer is “yes.”

A vacation to Japan, especially if you’ll be taking the whole family, can be quite expensive. Contrary to the beliefs of many, though, it is possible to have a great time and spend as little as possible while in the country.

The biggest and most popular mode of transportation in Japan is train. As such, you’ll likely be taking it just about everywhere, so the first thing you should do is look into getting your hands on some of the budget tickets for the trains. There are two kinds of these tickets ad either of them will help you save hundreds of dollars.

  • Japan Railways (JR) Pass: This pass will get you onto any of the trains in the Japan Railways system, most of which go all over the country. You’ll need to complete a request for this before leaving for Japan, though.
  • Seishun 18 Kippu: This type of ticket is offered in spring, summer, and winter and is meant more for those looking to experience smaller towns in Japan. They are transferable and come in books of five tickets.

Sleeping accommodations are plentiful in Japan, as they have some of the ritziest hotels in the world. If you’re looking to save money, you have three great options:

  • The Ryokan: Offering comfortable futons, sliding doors, and decorative walls, this is the traditional inn all over Japan. If you want to experience tru tradition, stay here.
  • The Hostel: More than a cheap room and bed, these offer the opportunity to meet other travelers and learn more about the country and upcoming events.
  • The Business Hotel: Cheap but luxurious, these offer large beds, clean showers, and a refrigerator in each room.

Japanese National Parks

Cherry Blossom "Tunnel" along the Mi...

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If you’re a nature lover, there’s no shortage of beautiful scenery throughout each island of Japan, most of which makes for some great photography. If you’re not entirely sold on just photos of the sukura trees, cherry blossoms, and the hundreds of Buddhist temples, then why not head out to a national park or two?

Japan has 28 national parks in all, which are a very important part of the vast ecosystem throughout the country. The parks are instrumental in protecting other parts of this system, such as the wildlife, wetlands, and the seashores on each island. The parks all offer hiking trails and stunning scenery.

If you’re wondering in which season to visit the national parks, there is no right or wrong answer. Why? Because the parks offer something unique in each of the seasons! For a breakdown of what each season brings to Japan’s national parks, take a look at the following list.

  • Spring: In Japan, springtime marks the blooming of the sakura trees and cherry blossoms. The blossoms are iconic of the country and are a big attraction for tourists and the Japanese themselves. You can find the trees just about anywhere, so if you’ll be in Japan in the spring, be sure to bring a camera!
  • Winter: Japan has many species of migratory birds. In the wintertime, the numerous national parks are a temporary home for them. If you’re lucky, you might catch a good view or two.
  • Summer: Warmer weather brings about the mass blooming of wildflowers. The weather also allows for mountain and trail hiking, providing plenty of photo opportunities, especially of the multiple kinds of foliage and flowers.
  • Autumn: This is one of the best times to visit Japan, second only to springtime. Head to locations like Towada Lake and Oku-nikko for some bright and beautiful autumn foliage colors.

Living, Traveling and Enjoying the World

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Being able to travel abroad is an exciting and adventurous opportunity that many people only get to enjoy once in a lifetime. Countries like Italy or Japan are richly seasoned with historical monuments and memorable places and things to do that the entire family would enjoy. Distance travel is also something that many couples do when they’re planning a honeymoon vacation or celebrating other special occasions for couples.

In many rare cases, vacationers find themselves so enamored with some places that they’ve visited while on vacation, some decide to move to that particular location and make it their home. The romantic idea of waking up every morning to enjoy the sights and sounds that they did while on vacation is definitely something to look forward to. Planning that move is even more exciting as each step of the move brings them closer to their dream. Everything from finding a doggie kennel to getting moving quotes from distance movers is done with excitement and in full anticipation of enjoying that “dream” life that they’ve only wondered about.

Moving is very detail-oriented and you should make sure that everything is completed as you begin planning. Other things to consider on a moving checklist include securing and updating passports, selling or leasing a current home, selling furniture that may be too big or bulky to take on the trip and of course, researching the area that you’re planning on moving to. All of this detail or organization will ensure that the move is not only smooth, but that everything that needs to be done gets done in a timely manner. So, when the day of the big move comes, the couple or family can leave for their new home, eager to start a new chapter in their lives, and begin that chapter in a new, exotic, rich, historical place that they will now call home.

Travel Etiquette Tips

Because no two countries in the world are the same, the cultures will vary, and this includes what is acceptable and unacceptable within those cultures. When traveling abroad, it can be difficult to distinguish between what is okay and what isn’t. The best advice is to do some research into the culture of the country you’ll be visiting. However, it should be noted that there are some things to remember that will work in almost any culture and country. Look over the list below for some tips on travel etiquette.

  • Remember to use your indoor voice as often as possible. Being able to speak softly in all situations will keep from drawing attention to yourself, but the habit of an indoor voice is one that everyone will appreciate.
  • If you’ll be traveling to a country where the language is different from your own, try to learn as much of that language as possible before going. At the very least learn some of the common phrases. Not only will they be tremendously helpful, but the people will be appreciative as well.
  • Find out if there is any kind of appropriate dress for the country you’ll be visiting. If there is no traditional dress, then be sure to pack appropriately for the weather.

The best advice is to learn as much about the culture of where you’ll be visiting. Purchasing and reading through a travel guide isn’t a bad idea. Certain practices, language, hand gestures or other body language may be okay in one culture, but it can mean something completely disrespectful in another. It is best to be as prepared as possible when traveling outside of your home country.

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