4 Tips for Backpacking in Japan

I contribute some articles to Japanese blog site.They have list of themes that they want people to write about and you can grab whatever you want and write. When they approve, they publish your article on their web site. Yesterday I was writing about my first backpacking experience in the blog and thought that maybe I should write about tips for people visiting Japan as well. So here are some tips:

• If you can speak some Japanese and try practicing your language, try visiting a small city. People in the country side don't speak English. If you don't speak any Japanese, you should try stay in a bigger city, for at least first few days.
• If you just want to visit for a short period of time (say, 2 weeks at the most), define your theme for the trip. If you decide to go "traditional Japanese culture", then visit the area such as Kyoto or Kamakura. If you want to enjoy "nature of Japan", you are likely to go more into the country side. If you don't know Japanese, make sure that you have some language book that can be used to express yourself when you need to ask questions. If you want to enjoy "modern Japan", stay in a big city like Tokyo.
• If you don't have any predefined time period, but you want to wonder around Japan and may stay longer if opportunities present, you would like to go to youth hostels and cheaper hostels where similar foreigners gather. These places are cheap to stay and you get to know other travelers of similar interests and you might get useful information.
• For those of you who want to actually stay in Japan for a longer period of time, first research about some job opportunities through local JETRO, Japanese consulate etc. They often have programs for young people to teach English in Japan. If you are fairly educated to teach English to foreigners and if you were not qualified for any of these government programs, you can try your luck by going to Japan and ask English schools there to see if they hire you. Of course, research and reach out to them before actually going there if possible. 

In general, if you are in a big city, probably you won't have any problem finding someone trying to help you get your way around. Many of them are quite helpful and they also want to find opportunities to practice their English. If you find willing helper, it might not be a bad idea to let them show you around. You could get to many places you wouldn't know otherwise. 



Image by fishines on flicker