Preparing for your trip

Checklist

Documents & Entry Requirements

Entry requirements are provided for your convenience. However, unless otherwise stated, it is your responsibility to determine the requirements that apply to you and your trip and to comply with them, including obtaining any necessary visas or other travel documents by the required deadlines and carrying them with you. Especially with COVID-19, requirements are subject to change, so check back for the latest before you depart.

Japan Entry Requirements

Advice from our partner Sherpa

General Requirements & Guidelines

• In general, you must have a passport to travel abroad, which should be valid for at least six months after your return date. Passports expiring before then should be renewed as soon as possible. Passports contain at least 2 blank pages for each country visited. If your passport does not have this many pages, obtain a new passport as soon as possible.
• if your passport and visa are not in order, airlines and cruise ships may deny boarding, countries may deny entry, and your trip may be disrupted. Travel insurance may not cover such losses.
• Any changes in names or passport information should be reported to us immediately. Airlines and cruise ships may deny boarding if the name on your passport does not match your tickets.
• Minors (age 17 or younger) departing and/or returning to the U.S. without parents or with only one parent may be required by U.S. Customs & Border Protection (CBP) to present a notarized parental consent letter and/or unabridged birth certificate (more information). Many other countries have similar entry requirements, especially for minors traveling with a parent/guardian with a different surname; check with the consulates of all countries you'll be visiting to learn more.

Final Documents

Your final travel documents will be sent to you via email by 14 days prior to departure. These will include your daily itinerary, hotel and emergency contact information, and other relevant information. Please print your documents and take them with you. If you're departing in less than a week and haven't received your documents, let us know immediately!

Travel Insurance Documents

If you purchased travel insurance, please print and carry your policy documents, including contact information for emergency travel assistance and instructions on how to make a claim. If you purchased the travel protection plan we offer, we recommend you print the full policy.

Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)

We encourage all U.S. citizens and nationals traveling abroad to enroll in the Department of State's Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP). This free service allows you to receive important updates about safety and security issues in your destination, and makes it easier for the U.S. Embassy, as well as family & friends, to contact you in case of an emergency. To enroll or get more information, please visit the STEP website or any U.S. Embassy or Consulate.

Flights, Transfers & Arrival

Questions about your flights before you depart? Read the information below first. If you still have questions, contact our air specialists at 800-555-5765 ext. 2 or air@friendlyplanet.com.

Flights & Tickets

For this package, we generally book your flights and issue tickets after your final payment due date.

Once we have issued your tickets, we'll send you an "e-ticket receipt" which contains all of your flight information, including times, carriers, an airline booking reference number, and an e-ticket number. If you have not received this, or have questions about the flights we booked for you, please contact our air department. You will not receive paper tickets. We recommend you print and carry a copy of your flight details, including the airline booking reference number and e-ticket number, as some airports require this to enter the terminal. You do not need to reconfirm your flights with the airline prior to your departure, as we will handle this for you.

Please contact Singapore Airlines directly for your preferred seating once you receive your electronic tickets via email. Singapore Airlines will allow seats to be pre-assigned for a fee. The cost to pre-assign your seat is not included in the tour price. Otherwise, seats will be assigned at the airport when you check-in. The toll-free number for Singapore Airlines is 1-800-742-3333.

Flight Schedule

You may review the sample flight schedule(s) below. This information is for general planning purposes. You will receive your actual flight schedule by email once we issue your tickets.

Airlines may change schedules at any time, even after flights have been confirmed, and we are not responsible for such changes. Please check for updates to your flight schedule prior to booking any connecting flights and again 72 hours prior to departure.

Connecting Flights

If you plan to purchase connecting flights to your departure city, we strongly suggest waiting until after your final payment due date and after you receive the e-tickets for your international flights, to reduce the chances that that your departure might be cancelled or rescheduled or that your international flight times might change. Before purchasing connecting flights, verify the times for your international flights. Leave at least 3½ hours connecting time between flights, and if you're traveling within a few weeks of Daylight Savings Time changes (in March and November, when flight schedules may change even more dramatically), allow 5–5½ hours between flights. Nobody likes waiting around the airport, but missing your flight is far worse!

Airport Transfers

Scheduled group airport arrival and departure transfers are included with this package. When you exit customs, please look for our representative holding a Friendly Planet sign, who will cheerfully escort you to your transfer vehicle and assist with your luggage.  

Arrival Complications

We make every effort to ensure our tours run smoothly and trouble-free. We don't expect any problems, and nor should you. But when things don't go as planned, here's what to do:

• You miss your flights, or your flights are cancelled: Please call us immediately. If it's outside our normal business hours, leave a message in our emergency mailbox, with a phone number at which to reach you, and we'll get right back to you.
• Your flights are delayed and you're worried about missing your included transfers: Please contact us to let us know about the delay, and we will notify our partners in destination. They will be tracking your arrival and will plan accordingly.
• Your package includes transfers, but you can't find our representative at your destination: Don't panic—they may have been unexpectedly delayed. Wait up to 30 minutes. Then contact our local partners in destination, listed on the emergency contact page of your final documents. If you can't reach them, call us. If it's outside our normal business hours, leave a message in our emergency mailbox. If all else fails, make your own way to the starting hotel (or cruise port), and we'll refund you the cost of your transfer.

Packing & Luggage

Baggage allowance: In general, our tours & packages allow per person: one checked bag, not to exceed 44 pounds; one personal item such as a purse or camera bag; and one carry-on bag, which should fit under your seat or in the overhead compartment. If your trip includes domestic flights within your destination and/or travel by motor coach, your carry-on should also fit should also fit under your seat or in the overhead bins on those flights or coaches.

Your tour includes bullet train rides between cities and porterage at train stations is not available. We have arranged for your luggage to be transported separately on days you are scheduled to take the bullet train. Be sure to have your medications and other essentials in your carry-on bag.

Learn more about Baggage Allowances on your international flights. Note that our baggage allowances may be less than those for your international flights. If you exceed the baggage limits, you may be subject to excess baggage charges levied by the airlines and/or by Friendly Planet.

Regardless of the limits—we recommend a smaller size and weight for both your checked and carry-on bags. It's so much easier and faster for you to get around when you have fewer, lighter bags! For your carry-on, consider a soft-sided bag such as a duffel rather than a hard clamshell-type case, which may not fit as easily into overhead compartments or under your seat, especially on buses. For your protection, we suggest your checked luggage have a TSA-approved lock.

Luggage tags: For your safety, we are no longer mailing Friendly Planet luggage tags to you. We encourage you to use your own. Fill in the luggage tags with your name and contact information and attach to each bag, including carry-ons and camera cases, so that your luggage can be identified should it get misplaced during your trip.

What to pack: Check out our list of top 10 must-haves for international travel, as well as what not to pack. Pack smart: put your travel documents, medications, one change of clothing, and other essentials in your carry-on, in case your checked baggage is misplaced. And pack light, for your own comfort and convenience. For clothing, we suggest packing a variety of separates with climate and comfort in mind.

What not to pack: U.S. law forbids you to carry hazardous materials aboard aircraft in your checked or carry-on baggage or on your person, including explosives, compressed gases, flammable liquids & solids, loaded firearms, poisons, corrosives and radioactive materials. Common examples include paints, lighter fluid, fireworks, mace/tear gas and oxygen bottles. Restricted materials may vary by airline and destination. Some items, in quantities of no more than 70 ounces total, may be carried within baggage, including medicinal or toilet articles such as hairspray, perfume and certain medicines that are necessary during your journey. Please check with the airline and/or visit the FAA website prior to travel if you have any questions.

While on Tour

What to Expect

This moderately-paced, locally hosted tour includes a reasonable amount of walking or hiking and requires an average level of physical fitness.

Customs & Culture: Japanese people are generally extremely gentle, polite and have a low-key demeanor. It is important to be respectful of their culture and customs. In Japan, people typically bow as a sign of respect when greeting you. For tourists, a simple head nod or a slight bow at the waist will usually suffice. The Japanese are also quite strict about taking shoes off, whether it is in a temple or a restaurant. Remember to bring a pair of clean socks during your tours. 

Suica card: Each traveler will receive a pre-paid Suica card transit/e-money card.  The Suica card is a convenient e-money card which you can use on local trains and buses. The Suica card can also be used to make purchases from vending machines to buy water bottles or soda, and to spend at select convenience stores and restaurants. We have preloaded your card with ¥2,000 so that you can explore Tokyo easily and independently during the free days. The Suica card can be recharged at designated kiosks. Be sure to bring a credit card that doesn’t charge foreign transaction fees as you will need to pay to reload the Suica card with yen.

You will receive your card upon arrival along with a welcome packet with instructions, a map, and coupons. 

Remember that you're a guest in someone else's homeland, and that you're traveling to experience their country and culture. Be sensitive to local customs and manners, as many things may be done differently than what you're used to. And while we have made every effort to secure modern and comfortable accommodations and transportation, please note that the standards in other countries may be different from those you are accustomed to at home. Overall, you will find a polite, positive, patient, and open-minded approach generally yields the best travel experience!

Please keep in mind that you'll be traveling with a group. Sharing your explorations with like-minded folks can often be a source of joy, and some of our travelers become lifelong friends. But traveling with strangers can also sometimes be challenging, especially in a foreign country. We ask that you be patient and respectful with your fellow travelers, including their needs and preferences. Also remember that you have responsibilities to the group—please be prompt for group activities so you don't keep everyone else waiting. Lastly, please defer to your tour leader, guide or manager. They are there for your safety and wellbeing, and to ensure the journey goes smoothly for everyone. If you have a problem with one of our tour guides or managers, please let us know, either while you're on tour or after you return, and we'll make sure your concerns are addressed.

Accommodations

It is not uncommon for hotel rooms to have two beds instead of one large bed. If you prefer a king-size bed, we will glad request one, but please note that they are limited and not always available. 

Smoking is still common in Japan. Although Friendly Planet requests non-smoking rooms, the smell of smoke may linger in some hotel rooms.  If your room smells of smoke, please inform the hotel concierge, the front desk, or your local guide that you wish to move to a different or non-smoking room, if available, or provide an air purifier in your room.

Eating & Drinking

The meals included with your package are listed in the itinerary.

Japanese cuisine is an exciting adventure! When visiting Japan, you must not leave without trying a delicious steaming bowl of ramen or a plate of sushi! There are many great restaurants to try in every city or region of the country.

Non-included meals: While you may have heard that Japan is a very expensive country, you'll find that you can still dine on a budget. Your guides will be glad to direct you to good, local restaurants that are not expensive. While English may not be widely spoken in such restaurants, they normally have plastic displays of popular dishes and you can point out your choice to the server.

Please see above for special meal requests.

Tipping

Tipping is not customary in Japan, but small gratuities are appreciated. You will be traveling through Japan in the company of a professionals who are very committed to making your tour the dream vacation you are counting on. These people feel great pride in being given a chance to show foreign visitors their country. If your guides, drivers and others with whom you are traveling are doing a good job, please take our suggestions for tipping seriously. Naturally, tipping is personal and voluntary, and if you have not received good service, your tip should reflect this fact.

The recommended amounts are as follows:

• Guide: $6-8 per person per touring day
• Driver: $2-3 per person per day
• Tokyo transfer assistant: $2-3 per person per day
• Porter: $1 per bag
• Housekeeping: $1 per person per day
• Restaurant staff: $1 per person

Optional Excursions

The optional excursions offered are regularly-scheduled, English-speaking bus tours. Tour participants must arrange their own way from the hotel to and from the place where tours begin and end. There are no vouchers needed for the prepaid optional excursions. The guide will have a list of passengers who prepaid the optional excursions. If you did not prepay the optional excursions and prefer to purchase them locally, space will be subject to availability and the local selling price may be higher. Payments may be made directly to the guide by cash (in local currency or US dollars) or by major credit card (Visa, MasterCard and American Express). Card payments may be subject to a 3.5% card surcharge.

Independent Activities

You will have free time to explore Tokyo and Kyoto on your own. You can use your Suica card to travel on local trains and buses and explore the various sections of Tokyo on your own. If you decide to not participate in the group activities and explore on your own instead, please make sure to inform your guide in advance. There is NO refund for unused group arrangements. We recommend that you ask the front desk for a business card of the hotel with the address and local phone number in both Japanese and English. Or take the name of the hotel and phone number (written in Japanese and in English) with you so that you can communicate with taxi drivers. The hotel staff will gladly assist you with these translations.

Special Needs & Requests

Please see above for special meal requests and seat requests. If you have any other special requests, including wheelchair or electric cart assistance, please mention your request when you book with an agent, or in the special requests section when you book online. We will do our best to accommodate them!

Country FAQs

Japan Fast Facts

Fine Print

Terms & Conditions: Please review our terms & conditions for this package.

Cancellations: If something comes up and you need to cancel your trip, please let us know as soon as possible. All cancellations must be made in writing. Cancellation fees vary by package; please see the cancellation fees for this package.