If you’re traveling to Japan during the winter, you may be concerned about what kind of clothing to bring with you.
Instead of thinking bulky clothing, think layers. While it may be cold outdoors, when you go indoors at retail shops or on the train it will be very warm. Layers allow you to easily adjust to your comfort level by removing adding a layer or two. Tee shirts layered with fleece and then a light to moderate jacket is usually sufficient unless you are planning on doing outdoor winter activities like skiing.
Layers are also better for packing. Instead of packing a heavy coat that takes up a lot of precious luggage space, thin shirts that can be worn together take up much less room. You can also check out some of the outdoors type retailers for thin, lightweight shirts made of fabrics that will keep you warm.
If you are staying at a traditional ryuken, the heating will not be set too high. In this case, you may want to bring some thermal garments to keep you warm while you are enjoying your stay. They tend to be a bit drafty, so pack some thick socks (these also come in handy if you are planning to visit temples and other shrines, since you will need to remove your shoes) to keep your feet warm.
A good warm hat and some gloves will keep you happy outdoors. Fleece is always a good choice for a hat. You may be able to find some while you are there featuring some of your favorite anime faces like Kirara from Inuyasha. You can be fun and warm at the same time! Choose one that is small enough to take off and stick in a pocket when you go indoors.
Crowds do exist in Japan, especially in the major cities. While this may be a culture shock in itself when you visit Japan, unless you see rush hour in motion, you won’t get the full picture of how crowded it really can be at times. At other times and places, Japan can be as quiet and empty as any other place.
The most crowding you’ll see is in Tokyo at rush hour on the trains. They actually hire people who wear uniforms of long blue coats and white gloves that wait until it is almost time for each train to leave. They then start pushing all the people inside the train so the doors will close completely. The passengers are shoved in tightly like sardines.
Other crowded areas are wherever festivals are taking place. During the annual Cherry Blossom Festival, all the parks are packed with picnickers sitting on the grass enjoying their meals beneath the beautiful blossoms.
Certain parts of cities are very crowded in the evenings as people enjoy the lively nightlife. Shibuya, one of the most popular areas in Tokyo, is often very crowded as people flock there for shopping and entertainment. On hot days, pools are so crowded it is hard to see the water. Even cemeteries are crowded, with monuments packed shoulder to shoulder.
Even with the crowds, Japan’s cities work like clockwork. Twenty-four hours a day, everything flows smoothly. The inhabitants know what they need to do to keep the pace, and everyone fits this fast pace into their lives. Rural areas are less crowded, but there are fewer opportunities to make a good living. They don’t have access to the luxuries of city living, but they do have more space per person.
Summer in Japan can be very enjoyable, but you should plan your wardrobe accordingly. June and early July is the rainy season. The Japanese call it Tsuyu. If you don’t like the rain, you should probably either travel in the spring, later in the summer or in the fall. During this time of the year, it really does rain every day. You may want to bring some rain gear, some water resistant shoes, and maybe an umbrella. If your primary interest is the island of Hokkaido, then you’re fine. There is no rainy season there.
If you wait until mid-July through August for your trip to Japan, you will need to plan for hot, humid weather. You may find fewer crowds in Tokyo because many travel to Hokkaido for the cooler weather at this time of year. Bring clothing that will keep you feeling cool and refreshed. Choose thin natural fabrics that will breathe well. Swirly skirts are more comfortable in the heat than pants.
You may want to bring a light sweater, as most places have air conditioning and it may get a little chilly from time to time. Casual wear is just fine for many of the clubs and shops that you may want to visit. If you are planning on doing any clothes shopping while you are there, they will be perfect to wear while you explore the city.
The average high temperature in August is in the upper 80s, so you can expect some higher temps as well. The best thing you can do is pack clothes that make you comfortable in sweaty weather, and try to stay indoors for the air conditioning when you can.
If you are taking your first trip to Japan, two weeks is ideal. This gives you enough time to see a lot of the country and experience the culture as well as having time to rest. If you base yourself in Tokyo, you can spend several days exploring the city and trying new foods like onigiri from the local convenience store. Who knew they would have an entire wall filled with onigiri? There are certain sights in Tokyo that you will want to experience, like the fish market and the famous Shibuya district.
Two weeks gives you plenty of time to travel around rest of the country on day trips or brief overnight stays.
You’ll be able to take the bullet trains and sign up for a tour or two, always ending back in Tokyo. There are plenty of cheap eats in Tokyo that will save you money. Ramen stands, sushi and all kinds of Japanese fast food are available just about every place you go. By saving money on food, you can have more for shopping in the many malls and specialty stores.
One place you do need to visit at least once are the huge video arcades. Can you imagine a seven story arcade? There are also lots of small museums, manga shops and other fun places to explore. Two weeks will give you time to get to know your way around, so by the time you go home you will have truly experienced Japan.
Shibuya refers to a very well-known shopping and entertainment area of Tokyo. It is best known for the busy intersection in front of the train station known as the Hachiko Exit. Huge numbers of people come here every day to shop, meet friends or use the train station. This corner of the region is heavily decorated with large neon advertisements and giant video screens rather like Times Square in New York City.
One of the most famous landmarks in Shibuya is the Hachiko Statue, found outside the train station exit. Hachiko was a very loyal dog who waited for his master every single day in front of Shibuya Station. After his master passed away, Hachiko continued his daily vigil. The statue honors the loyalty shown by this dog. This is a very popular meeting point in Tokyo, and it is always crowded.
Did I say crowded? That is an understatement! Hundreds of people cross to and from the train station every time the light turns green. There are lots to see and do here in Shibuya. There are several museums, the NHK Studiopark, where you can go see them filming a television show, and the National Yoyogi Stadium, which hosts ice skating and volleyball competitions, concerts and many other popular events.
If you still want entertainment, be sure to visit Bunkamura. This is a small “village” which houses a concert hall, two movie theaters, a live theater, a museum and some restaurants and shops. Speaking of shopping, there are so many shops and boutiques here that your head will spin. High fashion, eateries, department stores and more all vie for your money. The Shibuya 109 features over 100 boutiques on ten floors!
Japanese money can be a little confusing if you aren’t familiar with it. First of all, the Japanese call it Okane (pronounced oh-kah-neh). I was always a bit confused when someone would say something small cost 10,000 yen. What is a yen, anyway? It turns out that a yen is the basic coin in the [...]
Japan is an island country located on the Pacific Ocean , east of China and Korea , stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to Taiwan in the south. It is composed of over 3,000 islands, the largest of which are Hokkaido , Honshu , Shikoku , and Kyushu . Most of Japan’s [...]
Layers are also better for packing. Instead of packing a heavy coat that takes up a lot of precious luggage space, thin shirts that can be worn together take up much less room. You can also check out some of the outdoors type retailers for thin, lightweight shirts made of fabrics that will keep you warm.
inhabitants know what they need to do to keep the pace, and everyone fits this fast pace into their lives. Rural areas are less crowded, but there are fewer opportunities to make a good living. They don’t have access to the luxuries of city living, but they do have more space per person.
