Journeys in Japan

By Margaret Zellers

Traveling around Japan is "soft adventure" for those unfamiliar with Japanese customs and language. While the public transportation system and lodging facilities are top-notch, Japanese signage and lifestyle will seem exotic for first-time visitors who will be richly rewarded by independent travel in Japan.

Tokyo and Beyond
Tokyo's big city attractions draw many visitors. Sunrise Tours, operated by Japan Travel Bureau, offers walking tours as well as a "Japanese Culture" tour. The JNTO has a three-page list of "Free Things to Do and See in Tokyo" that would be useful for those heading to the city.

See Japan By Rail
While point-to-point purchase of railroad tickets is possible at all major railroad stations, arranging for a Japan Rail Pass in hand prior to arrival in the country means that clients can hop on and off trains at will. Only foreign-based travelers with "temporary visitor" status can use the Japan Rail Pass, which is offered in seven-day, 14-day, and 21-day versions.

Accommodations
Ideally located both for the airport and for touring outside Tokyo, the 496-room Radisson Narita is set amid 29 acres of well-maintained gardens. Well-established, the property added an 11-story tower in 1992 and has undergone recent renovations.

Extended travels in the country should include overnights in at least on of the Japanese-style hotels known as Ryokan where the custom of "shoes off, Geta and Yukata on" and the Japanese menu is a matchless way to experience the country. (Geta are wooden clogs and a Yukata is the wonderfully comfortable cotton robe - acceptable Japanese-style attire inside and out.)

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