Frequently Asked Questions

We’ve put together some commonly asked questions (FAQ) to give you more information about Japan and Rediscover Tours. If you have a specific question or request that you can’t find the answer to please feel free to contact us.

How do I pay for my Rediscover Tours tour?

You may pay for your tour by credit card, check or bank transfer. In order to reserve your place on the tour, Rediscover Tours requires a non-refundable 20% deposit. Final payment is due 45 days before the first day of the tour for custom tours and 60 days for group tours unless otherwise indicated.

Will my electrical appliances work in Japan?

In Japan the voltage supply is 100 and the electrical sockets are the same flat 2 pin types (not 3 pin) as in North America. The frequency of electric current is 60 Hertz in West Japan (Kansai area, Nagoya, Hiroshima, Shikoku and Kyushu) and 50 Hertz in East Japan (Tokyo, Yokohama, Tohoku, Hokkaido). While most modern North American appliances will work fine, but maybe a little slower-in Japan, most European appliances will not. To be safe we advise you to check the specifications of your appliance.

Is travel in Japan safe?

Yes, Japan is a safe country. However, in order to keep your money, credit cards, passports, and other valuable items safe it might be a good idea to use a money belt or a similar travel pouch.

Do you have non-smoking tours?

All trains are non-smoking. Smoking is still a popular habit in Japan and some restaurants and coffee shops have a smoking section.

How physically strenuous are Rediscover Tours tours?

Traveling to Japan includes a lot of walking, climbing stairs and standing for long periods. All train stations are required to have elevators or ramps for wheelchairs but some popular attractions are not wheelchair accessible. Shrines and temples usually have very long staircases at their entrance. Furthermore, it is not always convenient to take public transport everywhere so you should be prepared to walk for up to 15 minutes, sometimes with your luggage. Roller board suitcases work fine in Japan but please bear in mind that you may need to carry them up or down stairs.

Do you sell airline tickets?

Rediscover Tours does include or sell airline tickets as you can get better deals online and book the exact flight you want.

If I have questions about tours, can I contact you?

Yes, just fill out our Contact Us Form to ask any questions that you might have. If we do not contact you within a few business days please resubmit your request with a new e-mail address as our original e-mails might have been blocked by a spam filter.

How do I sign up for a Rediscover Tour?

After reading and agreeing to our Terms and Conditions and Cancellation policies, please fill out the payment form we sent you. A non-refundable non-transferable deposit is required for each tour. Please see the tour details for the amount of the deposit.

Should I bring extra money during the tour?

Yes, please prepare extra cash to pay for meals not included in the tour package, transportation during free times, souvenirs and other experiences. Japan is a cash society and many smaller places do not accept credit cards. Larger stores and restaurants do however accept them, so it is definitely worthwhile to bring them. Please make sure that you bring international credit cards. Tipping is not customary in Japan but there are a few exceptions.

In Japan, there is something called “Thank you Money” which is a kind of tip. It is customary to wrap the “thank you money” in advance in paper or put it in a small envelope. Amounts can range from 3,000 yen to 50,000 yen. Japanese have some superstitions about numbers so it is best to select one of the following amounts 3,000 yen, 5,000 yen, 10,000 yen, 30,000 yen, or 50,000. Please avoid “4” as it represents “death” kind of like “13” is considered unlucky in the West. Also, it is best to have the first number in the amount to be odd like 3 or 5. “Thank you Money” is only to be paid to guides, high-end ryokan inns, luxury hotels, and high-end restaurants. You do not need to pay it at normal restaurants or if the service is average. For your private guide, 3,000 yen or 5,000 yen is enough.

Do I need to have a Visa?

Please contact your nearest Japanese embassy or consulate for details about a tourist visa, documentation and other requirements to visit Japan. For more information see the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan at https://www.mofa.go.jp/j_info/visit/visa/index.html

Do I need to speak Japanese?

No, you do not need to speak Japanese to enjoy Japan. However, Japanese will be pleasantly surprised if you master a few basic phrases like ‘please’, ‘thank you’, or ‘good morning’. You can find more information and a few basic sentences in Greetings and Language.

What should I pack?

You will carry your luggage throughout the tour, so it is best to pack light. Traveling with oversized baggage is not recommended as some trains may not be able to accommodate your large luggage. We will assume that you are traveling with luggage of overall dimensions (width + height + depth) less than 160 cm (63 inches) unless explicitly stated at least 2 months before you arrive in Japan. Not all trains have space for large luggage and the train cars with space only have space for 1 or 2 suitcases.

If you decide to travel with large luggage, the following Shinkansen train lines have seats with designated luggage storage: Tokaido Shinkansen (Tokyo – Osaka), Sanyo Shinkansen (Osaka – Fukuoka), and Kyushu Shinkansen (Fukuoka – Kagoshima). However, these seats require a reservation in advance and we need at least 2 months notice to try and secure these seats for you.

There is a hotel-to-hotel delivery service that works very well. Space on trains is limited and most trains do not have space for large suitcases

Casual clothing is acceptable for traveling in Japan unless you plan a special dinner. Shrines and temples do not have dress codes but since they are places of worship, conservative clothes should be worn.

If possible, bring slip-on shoes. In Japan, you are asked to take off your shoes when entering a home, Japanese-style accommodations, shrines and temples and even in some restaurants. You will be taking off your shoes continuously in Japan and it is much easier to do so without having to tie and untie shoe laces every time. Make sure you also bring a pair of comfortable shoes as you will be doing a lot of walking during the tour. Click here for more information about packing for your tour to Japan.

Is it better to pack one large bag or two smaller ones?

We suggest you bring two smaller bags rather than one large bag. As you might be using lockers a few times during the tour to avoid carrying your bags everywhere, it will be easier to find a luggage locker to fit two smaller bags. Also, some of Rediscover Tours’s tours will arrange for part of your luggage to be sent by special courier to your next place of accommodation, to avoid you having to carry all your luggage. In this case, part of your luggage will need to be sent on the previous day so it might be best to keep a separate bag to carry anything you may need immediately. Please leave enough room in your suitcase to take home things you may buy in Japan.

Asaba-Ryokan-Room, Japan Tours, RediscoverTours.com — Asaba Ryokan, Rediscover Tours

Are there private baths in the rooms?

Depending on the accommodation, your room may or may not have a private bath or toilet. If the accommodation only offers public baths, the baths for men and women will be separated. Your tour quote will indicate if your room has a private bath and toilet. Learn about accommodations in Japan here.

Will Japanese get upset if I don’t follow their etiquette?

No, Japanese are very forgiving and will immediately recognize that, as a foreigner, you are unfamiliar with their etiquette rules. It might be nice to know some of the basic etiquette in advance however and you should try to follow them the best you can. You can find more information in Travel Tips.

Why Rediscover Tours

Great trips don't just happen; it takes expert knowledge and years of experience to create a truly memorable holiday. You can rely on Rediscover Tours to make your perfect Japanese experience. Our dedication to excellence makes the difference.

Trips Made for You

Your Japan travel expert will create your trip just for you

Your interests and travel style will be front and center when designing your tour

Accommodations will be selected based on your style and we will inform them of all your special meal and physical requirements

Japan Experts

Your Japan expert has lived in Japan or is Japanese

They know the hidden treasures of Japan that you will love and most tourists miss

Most of our team lives in Japan giving them first hand knowledge of the latest trends and experiences for you to enjoy

Finest Guides

Private local guides add a whole new depth to your Japanese tour

We only hire the best guides and review each trip with them insuring excellent experience

Your private guide will listen to you, show you sights of interest and will make on the fly changes to match the weather and crowds

With Confidence

Our office in Japan is here to assist and support you

Rediscover Tours has been organizing travel to Japan since 2000

You will arrive comfortable in the knowledge that all details are taken care of and that our Japan office is just a call away

Frequently Asked Questions