We’ve put together some commonly asked questions to give you more information about Japan and RediscoverTours.com
If you have a specific question or request that you can’t find the answer to please feel free to contact us.
You may pay the total price for the tour by credit card, check or bank transfer. In order to reserve your place on the tour, Rediscover Tours requires a non-refundable 20%-30% 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.
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.
In general, Japan is a very 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.
All trains are non-smoking except the some cars in the Shinkansen Bullet Trains and limited express trains that offer both smoking and non-smoking cars. However, smoking is still a popular habit in Japan and many restaurants and coffee shops do not have non-smoking areas. While modern hotels may offer non-smoking rooms, most ryokan (Japanese inn) do not.
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 10 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.
Rediscover Tours does not offer airline tickets.
Yes, just fill out our Contact Us Form to ask any questions that you might have. Please include 2 (two) e-mail addresses to make sure we can contact yoYes, just fill out our Contact Us Form to ask any questions that you might have. Please include 2 (two) e-mail addresses to make sure we can contact you. If we do not contact you within a few days please resubmit your request with a new e-mail address as our original e-mails might have been blocked by a spam filter.
After reading and agreeing to our Terms and Conditions and Cancellation policies, please fill out the Rediscover Tours Reservation Form. A non-refundable deposit is required for each tour. Please see the tour details for the amount of the deposit.
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.
Please contact your nearest Japanese embassy or consulate for details about a tourist visa, documentation and other requirements to visit Japan.
While it is not necessary to be fluent, Japanese people are usually not very fluent in English and they will be pleasantly surprised if you master a few basics like ‘please’, ‘thank you’, or ‘good morning’. You can find more information and a few basic sentences in Greetings and Language.
As you will be carrying your own luggage throughout the tour, it is best to pack light. 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.
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 on by special courier to your next place of accommodation, to avoid you having to carry all your luggage. In this case, part of you 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.
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.
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.
The tours featured throughout our website are intended to give you ideas for what's possible when you travel with us. Treat them simply as inspiration, because your trip will be created individually by one of our specialists to match your tastes and budget.
It was our first trip to Japan. Working with Jeff was a pleasure. His knowledge of the country and local contacts were very helpful. Choice...
Working with Jeff at Rediscover Tours was a wonderful experience. He helped me plan a 10 day trip of a lifetime to Japan with my mother...
I would like to take this opportunity to commend and thank you for the marvelous vacation we recently enjoyed in Japan. The entire experience exceeded...
Years after years we have selected the best specialists about Japan. They have at least lived a minimum of 10 years in the country. They are here to answer all your questions and to make your tour just the way you want it.
![](https://www.rediscovertours.com/wp-content/themes/RediscoverTours/img/team/team1.jpg")
Jeff was born in a south suburb of Chicago named South Holland and lived in Japan for 14 years. He now lives in Commerce Township, Michigan with his wife Yoshimi, son Shota, and daughter Mina. He enjoys playing with his kids, volunteering with his daughter’s marching band, cycling and training & teaching Aikido.
Michiyo was born in Noboribetsu, Hokkaido Prefecture though currently lives in Takarazuka, Hyogo Prefecture. Her main passions in life is traveling all around the world and enjoying their cultures.
Noriko was born in Nagoya. During her childhood she moved around Japan following her father’s office transfer. She especially liked her time in Shizuoka, facing Mt Fuji. She now lives in Minoo (in the suburb of Osaka). Noriko graduated from Hiroshima university. She’s been to Malaysia, Thailand and Europe (Germany and Bulgaria). Her hobbies are hiking, reading and surfing.
Great trips don't just happen It takes a lot to create a truly memorable holiday. You can rely on us to make your trip a perfect Japanese Experience
This is your trip. Together we will design it just for you.
Your interests will be front and center.
We handle your specific requests. We will inform accommodations, guides and partners of any meal requirements, allergies or disabilities you may have.
Your Japan expert has lived in Japan for many years or is Japanese.
We know the hidden treasures of Japan.
Because most of our staff live in Japan we are always aware of what’s happening in Japan. Throughout our network of partners we get first-hand information that will benefit your trip.
They add a whole new depth to your Japanese tour.
Our local guides are extremely professional and knowledgeable.
Your guide will listen to you, give you suggestions and show you sights you want. They are also very flexible and can make on the fly changes to fit your style, mood, weather and crowds.
Our office in Japan is here to assist you.
Rediscover Tours has been organizing travel to Japan since 2000.
You will arrive in Japan feeling safe and comfortable knowing that all the details have been taken care of and that our Japan office is just a phone call away. Indulge yoursefl!