Current Events > So I'm planning on visiting Japan in November....for a 1 week vacation/trip

(+) Yeah! (+)

How much money should I budget? I dont want to make it a frugal trip, I want to make it enjoyable, spend what I need, just need an estimate and I can save it.

What are some things I need to know?

What are some must visit places?

How will I fare if I dont know any Japanese?

10k
---

Over 9000 USD
---

$10000 at least. Do a couple of goat assassination jobs if you don't have the money
---

japan is super expensive
---

I was thinking $8k to be on the safe side.....

It'll be my wife and I.

$8k is fine. Honestly, a week in Tokyo can take care of $8k pretty quickly; but outside of that, you don't have to spend too much. It's important to know that when people say Japan is expensive, they mostly mean that the cost of living in the city is high (which it definitely is). It's significantly more manageable as a tourist, especially if you can get a good deal on a hotel in advance.

The only thing I would say to watch out for specifically are the people in major cities who will hound you for money. Otherwise, just be aware that street advertisers are a little more aggressive about gathering customers. Also, understand that you will get plenty of passing glances and even the occasional prolonged stare.

The kind of places I'd recommend are dependent entirely on what kind of things you'd like to see. Unless you like the cold and snow, however, I would recommend you stay clear of Hokkaido (even though it probably won't be too bad around November).

Signs in most cities are translated into English (however questionably). And pretty much all the the signs at train stations you would be in will have the English written beneath or somewhere around the sign. Japanese people do not understand English though, so outside of select tourist areas, don't expect store clerks to understand you when you ask a question in English.
---

Dragonblade01 posted...

Japanese people do not understand English though, so outside of select tourist areas, don't expect store clerks to understand you when you ask a question in English.

So how do I function and do anything? Google translator?

Seems weird that Japan doesn't require English like a lot of European countries.
---

MorbidFaithless posted...

Seems weird that Japan doesn't require English like a lot of European countries.

Japan is very strict with immigration very few are allowed to stay they dont want to lose there culuture like some countries have
---

DanHaren- posted...

I was thinking $8k to be on the safe side.....

It'll be my wife and I.

lmao is this a joke
---

DanHaren- posted...

Dragonblade01 posted...

Japanese people do not understand English though, so outside of select tourist areas, don't expect store clerks to understand you when you ask a question in English.

So how do I function and do anything? Google translator?

Again, there's plenty of English signposting, especially in major cities. You may have better luck finding someone who speaks some English at a major train station as well, since they often see large influxes of foreign tourists.

Otherwise, how well you'll function depends on what you want to do. Like, you don't need to know Japanese to understand the cost of something and give the appropriate amount of cash. You don't need Japanese to go to a store and pick out what you like. You don't need to know Japanese to visit historical sites or shopping districts.
---