Japan is the country of many mysteries and paradoxes. Although it is one of the most advanced countries in the world, most Japanese still hold their traditional culture and beliefs strongly. In Japan you can find the most beautiful and serene landscapes and densely populated cities. You can enjoy traditions that can be traced to thousands of years ago and ride the shikansen or Japanese super fast bullet trains.

You can visit Japan by plane or by sea via China, Korea, or Taiwan. There are some cities in Japan which can hold international arrivals, so you should check with your travel agent about your destinations.

English is a mandatory school subject in Japan, but not every Japanese can speak English, especially in rural area. Learn some basic Japanese for everyday conversation, such as “hai” or “yes”, “iie” or “no”, ‘’sumimasen” or “excuse me”, “gomen nasai’ or “I am sorry”, “wakarimasen” or “I don’t understand”, and “arigatou” or thank you.http://www.jnto.go.jp/eng/indepth/about/overview/index.html

Japan is not a cheap country to visit, especially Tokyo or other big cities. Plan your travel and budget carefully. Most shops and restaurants in Japan only accept cash. You can exchange your money in banks. If you don’t have Japan’s credit cards or accounts, you can withdraw cash from the postal office’s ATMs.

Japan has some of the most modern and efficient public transportation in the world, especially their train systems but they are not cheap.http://www.lonelyplanet.com/japan/transport/getting-around One of the safest and modern train in the world is Japanese shikansen or bullet trains. If you travel extensively in Japan, buy the Japan Rail Pass before you enter Japan since it will cost a lot of your traveling cost by trains. Another good option to travel within Japan is by using night buses.

In Tokyo and Osaka, you can ride the city subways and local trains. You can also rent a car if you can get the driving permit for foreigners. If you hire a driver, sometimes they can’t speak English. You can also rent a motorcycle, which is perfect for sightseeing.

Bicycle is a great way to enjoy the outdoors and to travel. Take your bicycle out of the cities by trains or buses before you start your cycling adventure.

Accommodation is not cheap in Japan, especially in large cities. Hotel rates vary greatly between seasons. If you are tight on the budget, try traditional inns or find hostels and budget hotels instead of 5 stars hotels. You may have to book several months ahead to get best price.

Kaiten-zushi or sushi restaurants that serve premade sushi are quite economical, and noodle stalls can save a lot of your money and give you opportunity to enjoy excellent local meal. If you want to try good restaurants, do it at lunchtime since they offer much lower prices compare to dinnertime.http://www.lonelyplanet.com/japan/travel-tips-and-articles/42/1437

If you stop by the train station or if you are taking trains for transportation, try to buy the train station bento boxes or ekiben which are usually sold in beautiful traditional bento boxes. You can taste the delicious Japanese bento meal and take home the beautiful bento box as a souvenir.

There are countless of places you can visit in Japan to see its beauty and culture. Here are some of the most famous places in Japan you should visit when you visit Japan.

Imperial Palace East Garden

To see authentic imperial Japanese garden, go to the Imperial Palace East Garden or Higashi-Gyoen. There is no entrance free and you can get away from the hustle and bustle of Tokyo city life.

Tokyo Disneyland

Like all the Disneyland franchise around the world, Tokyo Disneyland has parades, shows, and numerous attractions for your family. There is a Disney resort in vicinity and Cirque du Soleil theater in Tokyo. Beside the Tokyo Disneyland is the Tokyo Disney Sea with its own attractions you can enjoy.http://www.tokyodisneyresort.co.jp/tdr/english/about/index.html

Mount Fuji

Mount Fuji is the tallest mountain in Japan. The mountain is visited by 30000 climbers every year.http://www.jnto.go.jp/eng/indepth/history/hj/mountfuji.html The mountain holds many emotional significance in the heart of the Japanese and is considered somewhat sacred. Try to visit the mountain during spring to see the beautiful plum blossoms or autumn where the leaves turn to many colors.

Hot Springs

Try to visit traditional onsen or natural hot springs in Japan to relax and unwind. Japanese believe that soaking in the hot spring have many health benefits. Don’t forget to try Japanese traditional massage, shiatsu, and traditional Japanese healing method, reiki.