Top 8 Essential Travel Tips for a Self-Guided Trip to Japan

The first essential step before embarking on your self-guided trip to Japan is to apply for a visa. Here's a summary of the necessary documents and procedures you'll need for submission at the Japanese Embassy:

• Passport (valid for at least 6 months)
• Visa application form (with a 4.5cm x 4.5cm photo attached, with your name written on the back of the photo)
• Proof of financial stability to support your trip: income certificate, recent 3-month bank statements (verified by the bank), employment contract copy, and a bank balance of at least 100 million VND
• Travel itinerary for Japan: arrival and departure dates (with airline and airport names), detailed daily itinerary with specific locations, accommodation address, and hotel/flight booking confirmation

It's recommended to arrive at the Japanese Embassy before 8:00 AM to secure a spot in line. If all documents are in order, you can pay the visa fee and collect your visa after 7 days. For more information on the visa process, visit the official website of the Japanese Embassy in Vietnam: vn.emb-japan.go.jp

When deciding what to pack for your self-guided trip to Japan, one important factor to consider is the season you'll be traveling in. For example, during winter, you'll need warm clothes, while summer can bring quite hot temperatures.

Here are some essential items to consider packing for your trip to Japan:

• Universal power adapter – This handy tool allows you to plug your devices into Japanese outlets (and in over 150 countries), adjusting voltage as needed for your electronics.
• Durable backpack – A backpack with at least 40 liters of capacity will make it easier to move around.
• Camera – You’ll definitely want to capture beautiful memories of your time in Japan.
• Clothing organizer bags – These bags help keep your clothes neat and organized in your suitcase or backpack.
• Travel towel – Always pack at least one quick-dry towel for emergencies.
• Portable charger – The last thing you want is to run out of battery on your phone as soon as you arrive in Japan.
• Kindle – Download all your Japan travel guides to your Kindle, so you don’t have to carry heavy books around.
• Lush shampoo bar – No more worries about liquid restrictions. This all-natural shampoo bar lasts up to 3 months and smells amazing!
• GoPro – A great way to capture your trip in both photos and videos. It’s lightweight, waterproof up to 10m without a case, and perfect for adventurers.

Being well-prepared with your packing will give you more confidence during your self-guided trip to Japan.

In reality, traveling in Japan can be quite expensive. Unlike other destinations in Asia such as Thailand or the Philippines, Japan is not an ideal spot for budget travelers. However, the country is unique and absolutely worth the experience.

We’ll share some useful tips for traveling in Japan and an idea of what costs to expect. The following are average prices in Tokyo, though you might find cheaper options or pay more depending on the season and location. Prices can also vary between cities and towns.

Average daily costs for a self-guided trip in Tokyo:

• Budget accommodation: ¥3,000 for a bed in a shared dorm (around 600,000 VND)
• Mid-range hotel: ¥5,000 – 10,000 for a 2-person room (1,000,000 – 2,000,000 VND)
• Luxury hotel: ¥10,000 – 30,000 for a 2-person room in a Western-style hotel or upscale Japanese ryokan (2,000,000 – 6,000,000 VND)
• Ramen bowl: ¥800 at a restaurant (over 160,000 VND), ¥300 at a convenience store (over 60,000 VND)
• Train from Kyoto to Tokyo (without Japan Rail Pass): ¥13,080 one way (over 2,700,000 VND)
• Subway fare: ¥700 per person (145,000 VND)
• Coffee: ¥300 (60,000 VND)

One of the biggest expenses when traveling in Japan is transportation. Japan's trains and subways are some of the cleanest and most efficient in the world. We recommend avoiding taxis or Uber, as fares for these can be very high. For example, a 5 km ride from point A to B could cost you over 500,000 VND.

The best way to save money on trains is by purchasing a Japan Rail Pass (JRP). While the JRP is fairly expensive (around 6,000,000 VND for 7 days), if you plan to visit Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto, it can save you a significant amount of money. JR is Japan's largest transportation network, and with the JRP, you won’t have to worry much about transportation costs across the country. The JR trains can reach speeds of up to 270 km/h.

In addition, major cities offer special deals for transportation. Many Tokyo travelers recommend the TOEI 48-hour subway pass (around 250,000 VND), which allows you unlimited travel around the city’s subway system.

Self-guided travel in Japan is a popular choice for many tourists, as it offers an affordable way to experience the unique culture and breathtaking beauty of the Land of the Rising Sun, from bustling cities to tranquil temples.

Moreover, having a well-planned itinerary can save you valuable time while exploring. For example, if you’re staying in Japan for a week, you’ll spend at least half a day figuring out your schedule. By planning ahead from home, you can simply pack your bags and start your adventure when you arrive. In addition, creating an itinerary will help you manage your budget more effectively and avoid unnecessary expenses during your trip.

Japan experiences a temperate climate, with hot summers and cold winters, often accompanied by heavy snowfall. Therefore, the best times to visit Japan for a self-guided tour are during the spring and autumn seasons. Specifically:

• Visiting Japan during cherry blossom season allows you to enjoy a peaceful moment beneath the cherry trees while sipping sake, tasting traditional Japanese dishes, and watching petals fall in the breeze.
• From October to early November is another ideal time to visit. Not only is the weather pleasant and cool, but you’ll also witness the captivating sight of the entire country’s landscape being painted in vibrant red hues as the autumn leaves change. This is when the locals enjoy sightseeing and taking memorable photos.
• If you love fireworks, the summer months, particularly from late July to August, are perfect for experiencing Japan’s famous fireworks festivals. You can find details about the festivals and firework displays on websites like Wikipedia – Hanabi Taikai and Matsuri-guide.

Make sure you confirm your flight details to and from Japan, and print out your flight information for your visa application. It's also a good idea to double-check your flight details one week before your departure to ensure there are no changes or delays. Additionally, booking your flight in advance will give you more time to plan other aspects of your trip and increase your excitement about visiting Japan.

Every day, there are hundreds of direct flights from Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and Da Nang to various destinations in Japan. However, we recommend choosing one of these three airlines: Vietnam Airlines, Jetstar Pacific, and Japan Airlines, as they often have great promotions. A helpful tip to save money on your Japan trip is to book your flight at least 3 months in advance to score cheaper tickets.

If you're planning a self-guided trip to Japan, Mytour recommends researching your accommodations in advance to ensure you have a place to stay and the necessary documents for your embassy application. Be sure to write down specific addresses for each accommodation, as street names and directions in Japan can be quite difficult to navigate. It's also a good idea to search for and save these locations on Google Maps on your phone.

Reliable hotel booking sites like Booking, Agoda, and AirBnB often offer great deals. Save your booking confirmations and address details on your phone, as many platforms also provide map options to help you find the exact hotel location. Additionally, securing your hotel in Japan ensures a safe and comfortable stay, allowing you to enjoy your trip without any accommodation worries.