Japan Discovered

About this tour

On this tour you will be taking a variety of local transport options to get you from A to B. You will be staying in mainly locally owned hotels and guesthouses.

Group Size

Our public transport tours range in size from 4 to 19, with an overall average of 10 people. Tours travelling on our overland trucks range in size from 10-34 with an overall average of 20 people. On all of the tour dossiers you will find the average size of the group but of course tour sizes can and will vary according to many factors. On the rare occasion that a tour doesn't reach the normal minimum numbers, we may have to, as a last resort cancel the tour. In some equally rare instances, some trips may be confirmed with numbers lower or higher than the indicated group sizes of 4-19 and 10-34. If this occurs your Adventure Specialist will let you know about 2 months before your departure. If in the highly unlikely event that you are the only person or party booked on a tour your Adventure Specialist will again advise you of this before departure with all available options.

Solo Travellers

All of our group tours are priced per person on a shared room basis (unless otherwise stated) meaning there is no compulsory extra payment for those travelling on their own.

I'd like my own room

If you are a solo traveller, a private room is available on most occasions at an extra cost. This must be booked in advance. 

Please note: Room sizes are determined by availability. You will be in a private room however single/double/twin cannot be requested or guaranteed. 

Joining your tour

Your joining hotel is finalised one month before your departure date.

Your Tucan Travel tour leader will usually arrive at the hotel the day before your tour begins. although he/she will be in and out of the hotel making the necessary tour arrangements he/she will have arranged a pre-departure meeting with the group, usually at 6pm on the tour start day.

Please note that Japanese hotels do not usually allow for early check-in. Therefore if you arrive early on the tour start day then you may have to wait to check-in

Arriving in Tokyo

When arriving at either of Tokyo's two international airports, Haneda or Narita, we recommend that you obtain some Japanese yen as soon as you arrive. There are international ATMs inside the airport, as well as money exchange offices offering a good rate. The rate will always vary slightly depending on where you go, it may be worth changing a small amount of money at the airport for your transport, and then finding a bank or money exchange within the city centre.

Making your own way

From Haneda Airport
There are several options that will take you from Haneda Airport in to the city.

Tokyo Monorail
The monorail goes from Haneda to Hamamatsucho Station (which is on the JR Yamanote line). Some of the monorail trains are express and it is possible to get from Haneda to Hamamatsucho station in about 14 minutes. You can buy a ticket for 630 yen which will cover one way travel on the monorail train to Hamamatsucho station.

Limousine Bus
You can take a Limousine bus to Tokyo station. It costs 900 yen and takes around an hour.

From Narita Airport
There are several options to travel from Narita Airport to Tokyo.

Trains
The quickest way to get in to the city is the Skyliner which operates every 30-40 minutes between both Airport Terminals and stops only at Nippori on its way to Keisei Ueno Station. The journey takes approximately an hour and costs about 2400 yen (US$16). Tickets can be bought from the Keisei ticket counters in terminals 1 or 2 after clearing customs. Trains depart from the basement level.

Alternatively there is the Narita Express which arrives at Tokyo Station and costs 2940 yen.

Limousine Bus
This service stops at major hotels in the city and costs ¥2700 to  Asakusa. The ticket can be purchased at the ticket counter in Narita Airport. The journey takes between an hour to an hour and a half.

Pre-Departure Meeting

When you arrive on day one of your trip, you should find some local information at the hotel lobby. Your tour leader will be staying in the hotel and should have put up a welcome note to let you know what room they are in. A pre-departure meeting is usually held in the afternoon or early evening of day one. You will need to bring the following important items to the meeting with your tour leader:

• Your passport, including any necessary visas and at least one photocopy to give to your tour leader
• Vaccination certificates if relevant to any destinations on your tour
• Travel insurance policy and a photocopy to give to your tour leader
• Your travel voucher

Missing the tour departure

If you miss the start of your tour, please ask at the reception of the hotel for a message from your tour leader which will give you instructions on how to catch up with the group. Any associated costs will be at your own expense (although, depending on the reason, you may be able to claim these from your travel insurance so ensure you keep all receipts).

If you know in advance that you are unlikely to arrive on time, please contact Tucan Travel immediately so we can inform the tour leader. Tucan Travel cannot be held responsible should your airline/boat/coach be delayed and we are unable to refund any unused portion of your tour.

Time Keeping

Punctuality is very important and throughout the tour your Tour Leader will give you the time to meet in reception. Tour Leaders will often post notes at reception with meeting times, so remember to always look out for these.

Although rare, delays can occur and we therefore advise you not to arrange your onward travel too close to the end of the tour. We take no responsibility for any missed flights or additional expenses If the group arrives late into the departure city at the end of the tour.

Local Payment - How it works

The majority of our tours are divided into two separate payments. The tour price is paid directly to your travel consultant when you book and before you depart for your tour and the second amount is the Local Payment, which is paid locally when you join the tour.

The Local Payment ensures your Tour Leader has a supply of cash to run some of the tour if access to banking facilities is limited or nonexistent. This helps to save operational and administrative costs, which in turn helps to keep the cost of our tours competitive so we can pass the savings on to you. The Local Payment also helps us get cash directly into local businesses to provide communities with an immediate economic benefit.

The Local Payment is a portion of the total tour cost and must be paid directly to your Tour Leader in the currency as indicated on your tour vouchers. The Local Payment is not optional and failure to pay this money in cash may result in you being excluded from starting the tour. It must be paid in high denomination notes only (100s, 50s, 20s). The notes must be crisp with no tears or markings and should be no older than 2013.

For more information on why we have the Local Payment please click here. 

Local Payment on this tour

For this tour the Local Payment must be paid in USD. Please note - Local Payment must be paid in new, high denomination notes only. Notes must be crisp with no tears or markings and should be no older than 2013.

Emergency Contact Details

In the unlikely event of an emergency, please contact our Asia Destinations Manager on +44 (0)203 129 3763

Emergency contact details are a service for emergency calls only. We respectfully request that you consider the urgency of your enquiry. Non-urgent enquiries should be made during office hours. Visit contact us page for office hours.

Visas

It is the responsibility of the traveller to arrange any required visas you need for this trip. The majority of countries will ask for proof of onward travel before issuing a tourist visa on arrival. Please ensure you have printed off your tour itinerary showing your departure date and/or any onward flight tickets.

Keeping in Touch

Your tour leader will point out internet cafes in all major cities and towns and Wi-Fi may be available in some hotels. Mobile phones may not work locally depending on your network. If you have an unlocked phone you may be able to purchase a local SIM card. Hotel details are listed on your tour dossier but can be subject to change. If someone needs to contact you urgently during your tour the best method is to contact our office who can pass a message on to the tour leader.

Money

For personal spending money we recommend bringing US dollars, Pounds Sterling or Euros to exchange for or use alongside local currency. While bank cards provide a very good way to access funds overall, it is not recommended to rely on them as your sole source of funds as cash machines do not always work and may not be available in remote locations. Carry a mix of cards and cash with you, including notes in small denominations.

ATMs are fairly commonplace and pay out in local currency, except in Cambodia where US dollars is the main form of currency. If the ATM doesn’t work after the first two attempts, find another machine as it may retain your card the third time. Always make sure no one else sees your PIN number when using ATMs.

Your spending money should cover some meals, optional excursions, souvenirs, drinks, laundry, border and airport taxes and any visas obtained locally. We provide guideline prices for optional excursions in the itinerary to help you budget, but ultimately the amount you will need to budget for your trip very much depends on your individual requirements. We recommend bringing extra money to cover emergencies or unexpected situations.

Tipping

Tipping is a part of the life in Asia, but you should not feel obliged or pressured to tip if you have not received good service. A gratuity of 10% of the total bill is recommended in restaurants. Gratuities are usually expected for local guides on included and optional excursions. Tips are also appreciated by Tucan Travel tour leaders at the end of your tour and we recommend an average of $2-$4 per person per day for the duration of your tour. This is only if you feel that their service was up to standard and is completely at your own discretion.

Packing List

The best advice when packing is to travel light and leave space for souvenirs in your bag.

Luggage

It is important to bring luggage you can carry and lift comfortably, potentially up several flights of stairs in hotels where elevators are not available and between bus/train stations and hotels. There may be times when you have to get your luggage through crowded streets which may be cobbled or store your luggage in lockers. Luggage too large for lockers will have to be left insecurely or carried for the duration of the day.

We recommend a frameless backpack or a sports type shoulder bag which fits comfortably on your shoulders, as they are less bulky and easier to handle than rigid suitcases or framed backpacks. Hardcase/Hardshell suitcases are not suitable for our tours and are not recommended. Tucan Travel takes no responsibility for damage to your luggage while on tour.

In addition to your main bag, you will need a small daypack for your everyday excursions. Try to keep this bag as light as possible and make sure that all main sections of your bags can be padlocked. This daypack should have enough room to carry food and snacks for long hikes and treks and space to carry belongings for overnight excursions.

Please note: Tucan Travel tours have a checked luggage restriction of up to 20kg in total. Some tours in Asia which include domestic flights are also subject to the local carrier conditions of booking and have their own luggage restrictions which may be a maximum of 15kg. Any excess luggage charges on tour or on flights must be paid by the client. Hand luggage allowance will, vary from airline to airline. Due to variances in airline regulations and for your own comfort while travelling, we recommend a luggage weight of no more than 15kg checked luggage and 5kg hand luggage

Sleeping Sheet

Sleeping bags are not required on this tour, but a sleeping bag liner/sleep sheet is optional if you wish to bring one along. Some passengers like to use them on long bus journeys and overnight trains.

Clothing and Footwear

We recommend packing lightweight and durable clothes. Nights can be cold at higher altitude, so it is a good idea to bring at least one pair of warm trousers plus several thinner sweaters / fleeces which you can layer. Please avoid military or camouflage-patterned clothing as it can cause problems and in some countries may be illegal. In some sacred and religious areas you will be required to cover your shoulders and knees as a sign of respect (this often applies to men as well as women). A sarong or light scarf can be very useful in these scenarios.

Good, comfortable walking shoes are essential. These do not need to be expensive boots, but they should have good ankle support and grip, be worn in and ideally waterproof.

Essential items:

• A lightweight water/windproof jacket with hood
• Easy to pack wide-brimmed hat of cap
• Towel - you will need a towel for most overnight excursions
• Swimwear
• Sandals or thongs/jandals/flip flops

Suggested items:

Laundry

There are usually laundromats or laundry services in or near most of our hotels. Hotel services can be pretty costly however your tour leader will be able to recommend cheaper options. If you wash clothes yourself take care not to be too obvious where you hang them as most hotels do not like guests washing and drying their clothes in the hotel rooms.

Electricity Supply

The power supply in Asia differs not only from country to country but sometimes from region to region within a country.

• Vietnam, Thailand & Laos require a European plug with two circular metal pins
• Singapore and Malaysia requires a three square pin power sockets as in the UK.
• Japan requires a plug with two flat parallel prongs similar to those used in North and Central America. However, the Japanese plug has two identical flat prongs.
• China use a Japanese-style plug with two parallel flat blades; Australian-style plug with two flat angled blades and one vertical grounding blade; British-style plug with two flat blades and one flat grounding blade; South African/Indian-style plug with two circular metal pins above a large circular
• Cambodia uses a European plug with two circular metal pins or Japanese-style plug with two parallel flat blades.
• Nepal uses 2 or 3 round prongs as found in the US. You will also need a voltage converter.
• India use South African/Indian-style plug with two circular metal pins above a large circular grounding pin.
• Central Asia, Indonesia, Russia and Mongolia use a European plug with two circular metal pins.
• Myanmar uses Japanese-style plugs with two parallel flat blades; European-style plugs with two circular pins; British-style plug with two flat blades and one flat grounding blade; South African/Indian-style plugs with two circular metal pins above a large circular grounding pin; and Australian-style plugs with two flat angled blades and one vertical grounding blade. The voltage is mostly 230V.

We recommend bringing a universal plug adaptor with you.

Health, Fitness & Safety

Altitude Sickness

Some of our tours in Asia, especially Nepal, reach dizzying heights and sometimes people can be affected by altitude sickness. For more information please read our High Altitude guide as well as consulting your doctor if you are worried you may be affected.

Vaccinations

It is important to consult your doctor or travel clinic in good time before your tour departs to determine what vaccinations you require. You may need several vaccinations and/or malaria tablets and you should be aware that some inoculations require more than one visit and can take several weeks to administer. Always carry your International Certificate of Vaccination with your passport.

Malaria can be found in some parts of Asia. The risk is greater in rainforests or other areas at sea level. If required make sure you pack sufficient prophylactics for the duration of your tour and the incubation period after. You should take a good insect repellent (with DEET) and apply liberally and regularly. Flying-insect spray or mosquito coils (containing a pyrethroid insecticide) can help clear rooms of mosquitoes and may be worth bringing.

E-cigarettes

The use of E-cigarettes varies across the world and some countries in Asia have completely banned them. We recommend checking with your local embassy before you go.

Pack a Medical Kit

A medical kit is handy for minor wounds and ailments. In areas with limited or dubious medical facilities, an emergency medical kit containing sterile syringes is also advisable. By law our staff are not allowed to administer first aid or give drugs to travellers, so please be prepared with your own supplies.

If you are taking medication, please ensure you bring an adequate supply and a letter from your doctor to avoid potential issues at border crossings.

Fitness & Suitability

This is a public transport-based tour so it is essential that you be able to carry your bags over distances between bus and train stations and hotels, generally for up to 20 minutes. Disruptions happen and while your tour leader will make every effort to ensure your trip runs smoothly, patience, a sense of humour and willingness to get involved and help your tour leader are essential ingredients for a successful and happy group.

If you have any pre-existing medical conditions please let us know at the time you book or as early before departure as possible. Depending on the severity of the condition, you may be asked to produce a medical certificate from your doctor approving your participation in this tour. While this would only happen in very exceptional circumstances, if we consider you incapable completing this tour or you have concealed an existing medical condition which is affecting your ability to participate in the tour of Tucan Travel reserve the right to turn you away without reimbursement.

Safety & Security

Asia is generally safe, even more so in a group. Reasonable precaution is advised; do not bring valuable jewellery or watches (even fakes can catch the eye of a thief), do not walk by yourself at night, heed your tour leader’s advice and always keep an eye and a hand on your camera and bags in public places. Tucan Travel cannot accept responsibility for any valuables left in safe deposits in hotels or on public transport.

Age Restrictions

We have a minimum age on all our Worldwide Adventures group tours of 16 years old. Children aged 16 and 17 must each be accompanied by a legal guardian or parent and we recommend that children have a companion of a similar age to them so that they have company along the way. While we do not have an upper age limit, the nature of our group tours can be very fast paced and travellers might be required to walk long distances, often in the heat. As a result, we may ask that you fill our a form found here to guarantee your enjoyment of the trip. Please read through our Tour Suitability page or contact a member of our Reservations Team if in doubt.