Japan Highlights

• Visas and travel insurance
• Spending money – budget for meals, snacks, drinks, limited souvenirs, laundry, tips and any extras
• International flights to/from the start/end of your tour and departure taxes  
• Tips on excursions, visas, travel insurance, personal items and single rooms.  
• Optional excursions - On each trip, you may find there are some excursions that are not included. This might be because they are not to everyone's taste or there may be various options of differing value to choose from. More information on the excursions we recommend is listed under each day of your itinerary though prices may vary. If you are after something in particular, don't hesitate to ask your tour leader.
• Airport transfers and pre and post tour accommodation

Your joining hotel is finalised one month before your departure date.

Your Tucan Travel tour leader will usually arrive at the hotel the day before your tour begins. although he/she will be in and out of the hotel making the necessary tour arrangements he/she will have arranged a pre-departure meeting with the group, usually at 6pm on the tour start day.

Please note that Japanese hotels do not usually allow for early check-in. Therefore if you arrive early on the tour start day then you may have to wait to check-in

Arriving in Tokyo

When arriving at either of Tokyo's two international airports, Haneda or Narita, we recommend that you obtain some Japanese yen as soon as you arrive. There are international ATMs inside the airport, as well as money exchange offices offering a good rate. The rate will always vary slightly depending on where you go, it may be worth changing a small amount of money at the airport for your transport, and then finding a bank or money exchange within the city centre.

Making your own way

From Haneda Airport
There are several options that will take you from Haneda Airport in to the city.

Tokyo Monorail
The monorail goes from Haneda to Hamamatsucho Station (which is on the JR Yamanote line). Some of the monorail trains are express and it is possible to get from Haneda to Hamamatsucho station in about 14 minutes. You can buy a ticket for 630 yen which will cover one way travel on the monorail train to Hamamatsucho station.

Limousine Bus
You can take a Limousine bus to Tokyo station. It costs 900 yen and takes around an hour.

From Narita Airport
There are several options to travel from Narita Airport to Tokyo.

Trains
The quickest way to get in to the city is the Skyliner which operates every 30-40 minutes between both Airport Terminals and stops only at Nippori on its way to Keisei Ueno Station. The journey takes approximately an hour and costs about 2400 yen (US$16). Tickets can be bought from the Keisei ticket counters in terminals 1 or 2 after clearing customs. Trains depart from the basement level.

Alternatively there is the Narita Express which arrives at Tokyo Station and costs 2940 yen.

Limousine Bus
This service stops at major hotels in the city and costs ¥2700 to  Asakusa. The ticket can be purchased at the ticket counter in Narita Airport. The journey takes between an hour to an hour and a half.

Pre-Departure Meeting

When you arrive on day one of your trip, you should find some local information at the hotel lobby. Your tour leader will be staying in the hotel and should have put up a welcome note to let you know what room they are in. A pre-departure meeting is usually held in the afternoon or early evening of day one. You will need to bring the following important items to the meeting with your tour leader:

• Your passport, including any necessary visas and at least one photocopy to give to your tour leader
• Vaccination certificates if relevant to any destinations on your tour
• Travel insurance policy and a photocopy to give to your tour leader
• Your travel voucher

Missing the tour departure

If you miss the start of your tour, please ask at the reception of the hotel for a message from your tour leader which will give you instructions on how to catch up with the group. Any associated costs will be at your own expense (although, depending on the reason, you may be able to claim these from your travel insurance so ensure you keep all receipts).

If you know in advance that you are unlikely to arrive on time, please contact Tucan Travel immediately so we can inform the tour leader. Tucan Travel cannot be held responsible should your airline/boat/coach be delayed and we are unable to refund any unused portion of your tour.

Time Keeping

Punctuality is very important and throughout the tour your Tour Leader will give you the time to meet in reception. Tour Leaders will often post notes at reception with meeting times, so remember to always look out for these.

Although rare, delays can occur and we therefore advise you not to arrange your onward travel too close to the end of the tour. We take no responsibility for any missed flights or additional expenses If the group arrives late into the departure city at the end of the tour.

Your tour in Japan will use tourist class hotels.

We use a mixture of hotel styles in Japan depending on location and availability. You will find out your joining hotel one month before departure on your joining vouchers. The hotels used are centrally located with easy access to trains and buses. You may find that the hotel rooms in Japan tend to err on the smaller side and the pillows can be quite flat.

Twin Share

Accommodation on this trip is mostly on a twin share basis unless you have upgraded to your own room.

I'd like my own room

If you are a solo traveller, a private room is available on most occasions at an extra cost. This must be booked in advance.

Check-in Time

Although we endeavour to have hotel rooms ready in time for arrival, sometimes this is not possible especially if we arrive early in the morning. In this instance we will store our luggage and enjoy the destination before checking in later in the day.

The main transport used on this tour in the Shinkansen, also known as the Bullet Train. It is by far the fastest way to travel through Japan and is an experience in itself!

It is your responsibility to carry luggage on and off transport.

Your tour includes the Japan Rail pass, which covers all Shinkansen journeys as well local trains and JR lines in Tokyo used whilst on tour. In some of the cities we will also use public buses to get to included excursions as well as some taxis to help us get to our hotels.

This tour also includes a day trip to Miyajima Island where you will take a short ferry journey.

Approximate travel times on this trip

The below information provides approximate travel times and modes of transport for your tour. Please note that modes of transport may be subject to change depending on the group size and timings may vary depending on the season and border crossings on the day.

• Tokyo to Odawara - 35 minutes by bullet train followed by 1h by bus
• Odawara to Takayama - 1h by bullet train followed by 2h30 by regional train
• Takayama to Kyoto - 2h30 by regional train followed by 50 minutes by bullet train

Luggage

You will be carrying your own luggage on tour. Please limit this to one piece per person plus one day bag.

It is important to bring luggage you can carry and lift comfortably, potentially up several flights of stairs in hotels where elevators are not available and between bus/train stations and hotels.

Packing List

Japan has four distinct seasons so depending on the time you are visiting will depend what clothes you need to pack. We recommend researching the average weather for the month you will visit and plan accordingly.

What essential items should I bring to Japan?

• A small daypack - This should have enough room to carry food and snacks for day trips.
• Good, comfortable trainers and sandals. You will be walking a lot around the cities.
• A small daypack - This should have enough room to carry food and snacks for day trips.
• Cash - you may be surprised to find that although Japan is one of the most technological countries, the use of ATM card machines is actually quite limited. Many places you will visit will only accept cash.

Clothing

• A lightweight and waterproof jacket
• Jeans/trousers
• Underwear and pyjamas
• T-shirts/tops/shirts
• Shorts/dresses/skirts
• Trainers or walking shoes
• Sandals
• Jumper/cardigan/fleece
• Swimwear/sarong/coverup

Electronics

• Phone and charger
• Camera and charger
• Worldwide adaptor
• Portable battery pack
• Ipad/tablet/e-reader (great for long journeys!)

Toiletries

• Toothbrush and toothpaste
• Small medical kit with paracetamol/plasters
• Antibacterial hand gel
• Insect repellent and bite cream
• Sun cream and lip balm
• Shampoo/conditioner/body wash - ideally in bar form
• Antiperspirant/deodorant

Other

• One small day bag
• Sunglasses
• Reusable water bottle
• Cloth bag for shopping
• Ear plugs and sleep mask

Documents

• Passport
• Visas
• Insurance
• Printed copy of your passport
• Printed copy of your emergency contacts numbers

Laundry

Depending on the time spent in each destination, your Tour Leader will be able to advise on laundromats or laundry services in or near our hotels. Hotel services can be pretty costly however your tour leader will be able to recommend cheaper options. If you wash clothes yourself take care not to be too obvious where you hang them as most hotels do not like guests washing and drying their clothes in the hotel rooms.

On a Tucan Travel tour you will experience a huge variety of amazing food in each location. Meals included are listed on the day to day itinerary and the "about your tour" section. On this trip, most breakfasts are included but lunch and dinner are at your own cost. Your tour leader will suggest restaurants in each location, and arrange evening group meals for those who wish to join. In Japan, there is a huge choice of both local and international restaurants.

If you have a specific dietary requirement it is important you advise us at the booking stage. We also recommend re-iterating this information to your tour leader on day 1. While we endeavour to assist as much as possible, it is ultimately your responsibility to research and arrange meals that suit your dietary preferences.

Breakfast in Japan will vary depending on the hotel. In some you may find large buffets equipped with everything from cereal to eggs and even noodles and rice which is a staple in most Asian countries. In other hotels there may be a more limited selection available. On this trip, most breakfasts are included. Occasionally a breakfast will be omitted for operational reasons such as early departures when an included breakfast would be missed.

Vegetarian in Japan

Finding vegetarian or vegan food in Japan can sometimes be tricky as it is an island nation where seafood is king. Nevertheless many restaurants will have some vegetarian options especially tofu or vegetable rice and noodle based dishes. You can also find a great selection of vegetarian sushi. Your Tour Leader will be able to advise on vegetarian options whilst on tour.

Food in Japan

Japanese cuisine is delicious with a variety of options available. Below are some popular dishes you will find at restaurants.

• Yakitori - Grilled chicken skewers, often served alongside a cool pint of beer!
• Ramen - Famous noodle soup. There are many different types of ramen in Japan, some made with pork broth, others with chicken or vegetables.
• Miso Soup - Found in almost every restaurant, miso soup is served alongside a main meal. It makes a fantastic palate cleanser.
• Tempura - Deep-fried seafood or vegetables, tempura is a delicious dish. Get it on its own or part of a main meal with rice.
• Gyozas - Dumplings which are fried or boiled. Often filled with pork or vegetables.
• Sushi/Sashimi - Sushi is simply rice prepared with other ingredients - usually seafood but sometimes vegetable and meat as well. Sashimi is raw seafood or meat, served thinly. You can find sushi restaurants for various budgets in most Japanese stops on this tour but especially Fukuoka and Nagasaki as they are by the coast!

Currency

Japan uses the Japanese Yen which can be exchanged beforehand in your own country or taken out and exchanged at Post Offices or 7/11s in Japan.

We recommend checking your international withdrawal and exchange fees with your bank, as sometimes it is cheaper to withdraw money in your location rather than exchanging it beforehand.

Some optional activities listed on the itinerary are in USD for the ease of global travellers; however, you will need to ensure you bring the appropriate currency when travelling.

Local Payment

The majority of our tours are divided into two separate payments. The tour price is paid directly to your travel consultant when you book and before you depart for your tour and the second amount is the Local Payment, which is paid locally when you join the tour.

The Local Payment ensures your Tour Leader has a supply of cash to run some of the tour if access to banking facilities is limited or nonexistent. This helps to save operational and administrative costs, which in turn helps to keep the cost of our tours competitive so we can pass the savings on to you. The Local Payment also helps us get cash directly into local businesses to provide communities with an immediate economic benefit.

The Local Payment is a portion of the total tour cost and must be paid directly to your Tour Leader in the currency as indicated on your tour vouchers. The Local Payment is not optional and failure to pay this money in cash may result in you being excluded from starting the tour. It must be paid in high denomination notes only (100s, 50s, 20s). The notes must be crisp with no tears or markings and should be no older than 2013.

Cards

Japan is actually a country where cash is very much preferred. In many restaurants and shops you will find that you cannot pay with card so please ensure you are carrying cash at all times. It is easy to find ATMs - most 7-11 shops will have them. For restaurants that do accept card, Visa and Mastercard are preferred - you may find some places will not accept American Express.

Spending Money

We know how easy it is to lose track of your spending on holiday! That’s why it’s essential to thoroughly read your trip notes so that you understand what is and what isn’t included on each day. Most lunches and dinners are at your own cost, which gives you the flexibility to spend as little or as much as you like. Remember to budget for things like laundry, tipping, souvenirs and optional activities. Japan can be known as a pricey destination and yes this can be the case with some restaurants especially in Tokyo, but you will always be able to find food to suit your budget. Keep an eye out for lunch deals and set menus.

Take note of how long you will be spending in each country and don’t take out or exchange too much money. Unless you’re a big spender, you won’t need thousands just for two days in a country! We recommend checking your international withdrawal and exchange fees with your bank, as sometimes it is cheaper to withdraw money in your location rather than exchanging it beforehand.

Tipping

Japan is very much a non-tipping culture and tips can actually be refused. The Japanese are an extremely polite and respectful culture and believe that good service should not be paid extra for. Ensure that you are polite in return and learn Arigatou which means thank you!

Tips are appreciated by Tucan Travel tour leaders at the end of your tour and we recommend an average of $2-$5 per person per day for the duration of your tour. This is only if you feel that their service was up to standard and is completely at your own discretion.

Budget

Your budget should include additional meals, transport within cities, optional excursions, shopping and an emergency fund.

Backup Funds

Travel can be unpredictable. While we endeavour to plan for every situation there are some instances where it is out of our control, such as severe weather, strikes, civil unrest or natural disasters. If these result in unavoidable itinerary changes, you should have access to enough funds for you to return home unexpectedly.

Emergency Contact

If you require urgent assistance before meeting your tour please call (+66) 633 21 0066.

Safety in Japan

Japan is generally very safe and has a very low crime rate. There are a few precautions which you should always take.

• Do not travel with valuables. While phones and cameras are inevitable, leave the expensive jewellery and watches at home.
• Make sure your handbag/daypack has a zip and is closed at all times.
• When in crowded areas and on metros keep your bag on your front.
• Do not walk alone after dark.
• Only use registered taxis and if possible have the hotel phone one for you.
• Do not take out large sums of cash at once and avoid keeping it all in the same place. Only take what you need for the day and leave the rest in a safe. Ideally, take more than one credit/debit card in case one is lost or stolen.

The safety of our travellers is a number one priority when operating our tours. As a British registered company the lead is taken from the Foreign & Commonwealth Office Advice Service (FCO). Tucan Travel reserves the right to cancel, amend or continue the operation of a tour based on, but not solely restricted to, the advice of the FCO.

Travel Insurance

Travel insurance is compulsory on all Tucan Travel tours. Your tour leader will request your travel insurance details at the pre departure meeting which are immediately submitted to the office. Failure to produce these details will mean you cannot join the tour.

Pack a Medical Kit

A medical kit is handy for minor wounds and ailments. In areas with limited or dubious medical facilities, an emergency medical kit containing sterile syringes is also advisable. By law our staff are not allowed to administer first aid or give drugs to travellers, so please be prepared with your own supplies. If you are taking medication, please ensure you bring an adequate supply and a letter from your doctor to avoid potential issues at border crossings.

Vaccinations

It is important to consult your doctor or travel clinic in good time before your tour departs to determine what vaccinations you require. If you are coming from a yellow-fever infected country then you must have had a yellow-fever vaccine and carry the certificate with you. It is also recommended to be up to date with typhoid, hepatitis A and B, TDap, Cholera, Diphtheria and influenza.

Horse Riding

All clients wishing to participate in horse riding or similar activities, whether included or optional, acknowledge that the availability of protective headgear can vary or be non-existent. Therefore Tucan Travel cannot guarantee that headgear will be provided or will be to the same standard as those available in the UK or your home country. Any client intending to partake in these activities should bring their own protective headgear and other protective equipment with them.

Age Restrictions

Our tours are perfectly designed for those aged between 18 and 65 years old. They are fast-paced and sometimes tiring, while packed with adventure, new experiences and feel-good moments. With customers from around the world, of different ages, backgrounds and nationalities, some groups can be more boisterous than others. As a result, we ask that anyone wanting to travel under the age of 18 or over 65 carefully consider whether a group tour is right for them. We may ask that you fill in our tour suitability form found here to guarantee your enjoyment of the trip. Please read through our Tour Suitability page or contact a member of our Reservations Team if in doubt. Please note that we do not accept children under the age of 16 on our group tours. If you are travelling with children please contact our tailor-made team for a bespoke holiday.

As a global tour operator, we understand the importance of running sustainable tours that have as low an impact on the environment as possible. Please read our comprehensive guide here before you travel.

Physical rating on your tour

The about this tour section will advise you on the physical rating of your chosen tour. This is scored from 1 to 5.

• Relaxing: Sit back and relax on this trip! There are no physically demanding excursions included. You will have to carry your own bags.
• Easy: Some easy physical activities are required on this trip though you won't need to prepare in advance. There may also be more strenuous optional excursions available which may require advanced preparation depending on your level of fitness. You will have to carry your bags, enjoy short walking tours in the heat or at altitude or perhaps travel on cramped public transport.
• Moderate: This trip will get your heart racing with tough one-day or easy multi-day hikes included. A good level of fitness is required to get the most out of the trip. You will have to carry your own bags and travel on cramped public transport.
• Serious: Preparing in advance for this trip will allow you to get the most out of it. Tough multi-day hikes at altitude, having to carry your own bags and travel on public transport all feature but this rating may relate to the length of your tour and the mental endurance needed to get to the end.
• Heart-pumping: Our most difficult physical rating. This trip will get your body moving and heart pumping. Prepare to be challenged both physically and mentally.