Times Of TIU

Writer: Chamodi W.
Editor: Jordan O.

     Going on a trip is fun but planning it can be overwhelming. More to the point, organizing a trip in a country that you have never traveled around before would be challenging unless you knew the tips and tricks that the locals know of and use. So here I am going to give some of my experiences that I wish I knew before. 

Japan is a country where you can go on a trip any time of the year and see unforgettable scenery wherever you go. It can be spring, summer, autumn, or winter. All you have to do is do some research, plan the trip, and get ready to go. Sounds so easy, doesn’t it? However, it is not as simple as it sounds. When we plan a trip, we need to find a destination that we would like to visit during each season. It is always good to have a rough idea about the places and the activities you are going to do. That’s why planning is important. To give you an idea, most foreigners think Hokkaido is all about skiing, but there is a lot more you can enjoy during off-peak seasons in Hokkaido as well, like visiting flower felids, Aoiikeblue pond or waterfalls.

So, what is exactly “planning”? This is a tricky question. Planning can be different for each person, yet there are some basic points that everybody may be concerned about. Those include transportation, accommodation, luggage storage, meal plans, and the overall budget. Let’s discuss each to make it more clear.

Transport 

As you may already know, the most common transportation options in Japan are trains, buses, planes, or private vehicles. A boat or cruise ride is also an option but is not so common in many areas. When you are planning a trip, the train will be the most convenient method, but if you want to go to a place that is a bit far from your location, night buses or planes could be the cheaper option.For example, the fastest way to go to Hokkaido will be either by Shinkansen or plane, and if you are on a budget, planes are much cheaper than bullet trains. At the same time, night expressway buses to areas such as Kyoto or Osaka can be an affordable option too. Additionally, some places like Kamakura offer day passes for unlimited train rides in a selected area for a day. This is a great offer if you plan to visit several places that are in the same city but a bit far from each attraction. However, you need to be aware that you can’t use the pass outside of the designated area, and sometimes you can only take the buses and train lines that are mentioned on the ticket. This can happen in areas such as Kyoto or Osaka, which have many train and bus lines. So, if the ticket says JR and certain bus types, you can only use the pass for those buses and train lines that stop within the city. Therefore, it is important to decide where you want to go before purchasing these one-day passes. 

Another option that some of the TIU students use is renting a car. This is possible only if you have a valid driving license. However, if you are planning a trip with a group that consists of at least one person who has a driving license, this can be a good alternative too. At the same time, parking the vehicle is also something you need to consider, as most of the time you might have to park it in a “coin parking lot”.

Hotels & Stay 

The next trickiest thing is to find accommodation if you are planning to stay for two or more days during your trip. Normally, prices of hotels and other places are going to be twice the usual during the peak seasons or during the Sakura season or golden week. So, if you are willing to miss out on these special occasions in each area, it is highly possible to find a great deal. Sometimes booking.com or Airbnb offers some discounted prices on their websites, and if you subscribe to their newsletter, they will send their latest offers. When considering accommodation, there are several types other than hotels & ryokans which include shared houses, hostels, and inns, which are more likely to be affordable than hotels. Or if you are coming with several members, you can book an apartment through Airbnb, and the cost can be divided within the group. However, when you find a place to stay, it is good to go through reviews to find out what type of place it is.

Luggage & Storing

One thing I have found so interesting in Japan is the coin lockers which can be found in different places. Mostly those will be available in the train stations and you can put your belongings in there when you don’t want to carry them around. There are several sizes of lockers with different amounts to pay, and small lockers typically have a price range of 100 to 300 yen, while medium-sized lockers generally cost around 300 to 500 yen. Larger lockers are priced between 500 and 800 yen on average. If you require luggage storage for more than a day, it is possible to do so for a period of 3 to 4 days, with the storage fee increasing for each additional day.

Selecting attractions & Meal plans 

When planning a trip, it’s crucial to decide in advance which places you want to visit. This is because certain attractions may be temporarily closed for repairs or other reasons. Additionally, it’s important to keep in mind that traveling can be tiring. Even if you have an ambitious itinerary for a single day, it might be challenging to cover all the planned places if you’re feeling exhausted. Therefore, effective time management and prioritizing the order of your visits become essential. The same principle applies to meal planning. If you’re on a budget and want to try a variety of local foods, it’s better to include some meals from convenience stores (Konbini) or local chain restaurant. While chain restaurants may not be available in every location, you can find convenience stores such as FamilyMart or Seven-Eleven almost everywhere you go. This way, you can enjoy both local cuisine and familiar food options while staying within your budget.

Planning the budget 

Having a rough idea about the whole trip expense is handy even though you are not on a budget. This is because it’s common to spend more money than initially expected, and in some cases, local stores may not accept credit cards. Therefore, it’s better to carry extra cash for such situations. Always be prepared for unexpected situations and take action accordingly. For instance, prior to the golden week, JP Bank announced that their ATMs and credit or debit cards would be unavailable due to repairs. If you had planned a trip during this period without knowing of the unavailability of credit card use, it could have caused significant inconvenience.

There is no need to be stressed out about planning a trip. However, knowing what to expect will be helpful to make the trip more meaningful and fun. Hopefully, this article helped you to plan upcoming trips better, and in another article let’s discuss famous trip destinations of TIU students. So, which places are you eager to go to next? Don’t forget to use the tips and tricks mentioned in the article.