… as much of this beautiful country as possible! Why not visit the northern island of Hokkaido which is known for its ski slopes, volcanoes and onsen (natural mineral hot springs). You'll want to maximise your time in the wildly exciting metropolis of Tokyo, but also plan to visit the ancient former capital city of Kyoto, which is famous for its shrines, Buddhist temples, imperial palace and iconic gardens. Further southwest, Hiroshima, rebuilt after its decimation by a nuclear bomb in 1945, is today a vibrant city with a rich and interesting history and beautiful memorials to those who lost their lives in the devastating attack.
It's not as expensive as you may have heard
There's a common misconception that Japan is a costly place to travel but it really isn't. Like a visit to any developed country, you can find easy ways to cut costs while still having a great time. First and foremost is investing in a Japan Rail Pass (7, 14 or 21 days), but make sure you maximise the distances you're travelling by bullet train to really get your money's worth. There's a great real street food scene here (but remember to stand still or sit while eating) and it's very easy to find affordable food in small noodle bars and even convenience stores. Accommodation-wise you have a wide range of options from pod or capsule hotels, B&Bs and well-priced business hotels, so-called for the businessmen who don't quite make it home after a big day at the office or a night on the town afterwards with clients. The rooms at these won't be flash, but you'll hardly be in them anyway – you'll be out exploring! Note that tipping is not a part of the culture, so that's one extra cost you don't have to factor in.
How to get around
Japan has an amazing transportation network both between and within its main cities and it's very simple to navigate. The famous high-speed shinkansen bullet trains will get you between most places on nine different lines throughout the country. Travelling at speeds of up to 320km/h, they're a great way to get around though the scenery will be moving so fast your eyes won't be able to keep up. The Japan Rail Pass previously mentioned is great value for money and will give you unlimited access to almost all JR Group trains including the shinkansen as well as JR buses, ferry services and airport transfers. The rail network also links up with the excellent metro systems within the main metropolitan areas to make things even easier.
Must see architecture
Art and architecture lovers should pay a visit to the island of Naoshima in Kagawa Prefecture, accessed via a 20-minute ferry or 15-minute high speed boat ride from Uno Port in Okayama. This tiny island is home to several modern art museums as well as many impressive outdoor art installations and sculptures, the most famous of which, Yellow Pumpkin by Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama, is perched on the end of the island's jetty. Naoshima has a Mediterranean feel, complete with sandy beaches and lots of sunshine and it makes for a nice respite from the pace of the huge cities of Tokyo and Kyoto. The neighbouring islands of Teshima and Inujima, also accessible by ferry from Uno Port or direct from Naoshima, have a number of art installations too, and every three years these three islands and more are host to the Setouchi Triennale art festival.
Etiquette to remember
The Japanese culture has many unspoken rules but a few key pieces of travel etiquette will see you through. It can be helpful to remember that walking while eating or drinking is seen as impolite (during festivals you may get away with it) and forbidden on trains (except for long-distance trains like shinkansen), and it is frowned upon to fill your own glass with alcohol when dining with others – allow someone else to fill it and return the favour if you can. It's a good idea to always carry cash – smaller establishments may not accept credit cards – and if you see a small tray beside a till, place your money here to pay. It is good manners to remove your shoes when visiting someone's home or when stepping onto tatami (flooring made of woven rice straw), and if a guest at a meal, be sure to say "itadakimasu'' (to show gratitude for the food you are about to receive) before eating or drinking, and "gochiso-sama deshita" when you've finished (to thank your hosts for the food).
Air New Zealand offers year round non-stop flights between Auckland and Tokyo and seasonally between Auckland and Osaka from November through to March, domestic New Zealand connections available from Air New Zealand serviced airports. Book now .
For more information about travelling in Japan, visit jnto.org.au