The 10 Things You Need To Know Before Taking Your Honeymoon in Japan

The 10 Things You Need To Know Before Taking Your Honeymoon in Japan

Japanpedia - Japan is a wonderful place for a honeymoon. The Japanese service industry is superb and the cuisine is unsurpassed. There's plenty to see and do.

It's a particularly good destination for couples who enjoy culture shock. If you can deal with a foreign language, enjoy trying new things and exotic foods, Japan is a great bet.

A few tips and tricks to ensure you'll have the time of your life:

1. Stay at Ryokan

Ryokan are traditional Japanese inns. They have traditional Japanese rooms and staff wear kimono. Guests wear provided yukata in their rooms. Ryokans include a daily traditional breakfast and dinner with your stay. They range from moderate to very expensive.

Ryokan are the ultimate Japanese hotel experience — they tend to be peaceful and have excellent service.

2. Take the Train

Japanese trains are fast, convenient and inexpensive. Travel by train is certainly more relaxing than attempting to drive in Japan.

There are first class tickets for a reasonable price (green seats). Sit back and relax, enjoy a drink — Japanese trains are generally clean and comfortable (avoid rush hour in major centers such as Tokyo). Trains are always on time in Japan.

3. Use Takyubin
You don't want to be dragging huge bags with you everywhere on your honeymoon. Do as the Japanese do – send your bags from hotel to hotel by delivery service (takyubin). It's reasonably priced and reliable. Hotels usually have takyubin in the lobby where you can pick up and drop off your bags. You might need to bring some things with you because delivery takes 24 hours (confirm before sending your bags).

4. Visit Kyoto

Visitors to Kyoto are never disappointed. It's a magical city that has hundreds of shrines and temples. Enjoy a peaceful Japanese garden or spot a Geisha in Gion (one of Japan's most exclusive entertainment districts).

5. Try a Private Onsen

Some Ryokan have private Japanese hot spring baths (onsen) in the room. If it's not in the room it's sometimes possible to rent one by the hour. Some are outside and many have a good view of ocean, mountain or forest.

6. Go to a Temple / Shrine

Japanese temples and shrines are peaceful spots surrounded by nature.

7. View the City

Japanese couples often go to popular city viewing spots on dates. In Tokyo there are many places to see the city such as Tokyo Tower, Tokyo Skytree, Roppongi Hills and the Fuji Television building in Odaiba.

8. Have Lunch / Dinner at Top Rated Restaurants

The 10 Things You Need To Know Before Taking Your Honeymoon in Japan

Japan is a gourmet's delight. There are 519 restaurants and 119 hotels with Michelin stars in Japan. They are (almost) evenly split between the Tokyo (kantou) and Kyoto (kansai) regions. These restaurants can be expensive (and exclusive) at dinner. Lunch is usually far cheaper.

If fine food is your thing consider investing in the Michelin guide to Tokyo or Kyoto.

9. Go in Spring or Autumn

Japanese summers are hot and rainy. The rainy season is roughly mid-June to the end of July. April, May, September, October and November are generally the best months to visit.

The end of April and start of May are Golden Week in Japan. Prices for hotels skyrocket because everyone takes a week off. However, the weather is often great around this time.

10. Try Kaiseki

Kaiseki is a traditional multi-course Japanese dinner. It may consist of 5 or more small aesthetically pleasing courses.

Kaiseki is fine food. It may be challenging – often Kaiseki includes dishes and ingredients that are completely foreign to Westerners. Japanese people are often not familiar with Kaiseki dishes either.

Many top Ryokan serve Kaiseki for dinner.



Japanpedia Team,

Credit by japan-talk