Cherry Blossom in Japan

Bathing has a long tradition in Japan! In many cities, you'll find public baths (sento) and the famous onsen with their natural hot springs. These baths are often found in temple inns, ryokan (traditional Japanese inns), on some tours in yurari onsen (spa resorts), and sometimes in hotels as communal bathing areas next to private showers.

Here's how bathing in an onsen or sento works:

The baths are segregated by gender, and swimwear is not permitted. Your tour guide will explain the detailed etiquette to you on-site, but here are the most important points:

In the entrance area, you lock away your belongings and shoes. Towels are usually provided, or you can bring your own.

You go to the men's or women's section.

In an anteroom, you undress and place your clothes in a locker or basket. Leave your towel there.

With a small washcloth, you go into the bathing area. There, you wash yourself thoroughly (if you don't want to wash your hair, put it up – it mustn't go into the bathwater, so don't submerge your head).

Only after you've completely cleansed yourself should you enter the various pools of hot water and enjoy the soothing heat.

Important: Never take a washcloth (whether used or not) into the bathwater! Unfortunately, you sometimes see tourists doing this.

Further advice:

Please don't speak too loudly; the bath is a place for relaxation. The hot water can put a strain on your circulation – stay in the water only briefly at first, be careful when getting up, and rinse yourself with cooler water from time to time. Drink plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration.

At Yurari Onsen, which we visit on some trips, there are various pools, including an outdoor area with a view of Mount Fuji, as well as a sauna and steam rooms.

The etiquette of washing thoroughly before relaxing in the hot water also applies when staying with host families, in temple guesthouses, and in ryokan. It's especially common in families, as everyone wants to take a dip in the hot tub. To conserve water, everyone washes thoroughly before enjoying the bath.

Please note: Some onsen and sento may refuse entry to guests with tattoos.

Japan is ahead of the UK by 9 hours during British Winter Time (GMT) and 8 hours during British Summer Time (BST), as Japan does not observe daylight saving time. This means that when it is 9:00am in London during the winter, it is already 6:00pm in Tokyo; in the summer, 9:00am in London becomes 5:00pm in Tokyo.

The majority of hotels, train stations, restaurants and cafes in Japan have high-speed Wi-Fi that is very easy to connect to.

If you wish to stay connected at all times, we recommend that you purchase an eSIM before travelling, which is very easy to add to your mobile phone. You can also purchased a travel SIM card upon arrival in Japan (your guide will be there to help you) or subscribe to a data roaming plan with your current mobile provider.

We will use public transport such as trains, subways or buses, which are super convenient in Japan and offer excellent connections throughout the country.

We will also take the Shinkansen, the Japanese high-speed train, the second fastest in the world. To fully enjoy Mount Fuji we use a private bus.

Try to adapt as much as possible to Japanese culture and society:

• On an escalator: stand on the left if you want to wait, and move to the right if you want to go up or down quickly.
• Don't litter. The streets are super clean because there's a great respect for public space and everyone is responsible for their own waste.
• If you see an elderly lady in a kimono, young children in school uniform or a sumo wrestler on the subway, remember to ask before taking a picture.
• Japanese streets are quiet, especially in quieter areas like Takayama or the old streets of Kyoto. It's best not to shout or speak too loudly.
• Respect the signs in the subway and train which ask not to talk on the phone (the Japanese often take a nap there, and we wouldn't want to disturb them!).

This is not recommended! It's not customary to tip drivers, waiters, or porters at hotels, and you might even make them uncomfortable, as they will likely try to return the money you left. Taxes are already included in the bill, whether in bars or restaurants. You can tip your tour guide if you wish.

However, many visitors to Japan are surprised when they go out to eat or drink and receive a dish they didn't order. This dish is called "otoshi." It's an indirect service charge for bars and establishments that serve alcohol, similar to the "coperto" in Italy.

During our trip, you'll spend a night with a Japanese host family. This authentic experience offers you a private evening with the family (private room, but shared bathroom and toilet) as well as a morning with the family.

A few words of English, exchanging photos, and above all, the help of digital translators will allow you to communicate and get to know your hosts.

The placement of travelers with Japanese families (generally 2 to 4 participants per family) is arranged by our local contact. It depends on the families' capacity, their availability, and dietary compatibility. Therefore, we cannot inform you in advance which family will host you.

Your English-speaking guide will meet you at the airport upon your arrival in Japan and will also take you back to the airport on the last day of your trip. We want you to discover as many places as possible during your stay.

But thanks to the country's excellent safety conditions and everyone's different preferences, we also want to give you some free time to explore certain aspects of Japanese life on your own. You can choose one of the options we suggest, or ask your guide for advice.