Five Reasons to visit Japan in 2012

Today's post comes from my friend, Heather, a huge fan of Japan! I'm here at home, helping my 18-year old son finish up his college packing. We send him off on his first adult adventure in just a few days. He may not be traveling to Japan, but for this mama, it sure feels that way! 

Most days, Japan makes our headlines when there’s a peaceful protest against nuclear energy or the hot-dog-eating guy breaks another record.  Neither is really much incentive to travel to the opposite end of the earth (and drop several K in so doing).

If you’re looking for horizon-broadening, mouth-watering, and family-friendly budget travels, though, it doesn’t get much better than Japan in 2012.  Here are 5 reasons why.

1.     Accommodations are cheap.  Although most of the nation is going about the daily grind again, the tourism industry could use a boost.  This makes many things cheaper for travelers, especially sleeping accommodations.  You’ll find cheaper accommodations in Tokyo now than you will in London, Paris, or New York.  Minshuku guesthouses (the budget version of ryokan, like a bed and breakfast) can cost 3,000 yen or $37 a night, and you’ll get a feel for traditional Japanese lifestyles and food. 

2.     See the sights for less.  Many attractions are free or have miniscule fees within walking distance from most hotels and certainly buses and trains.  And there’s never a shortage of hospitable locals eager to show you the hidden gems of their cities.

3.     Travel easily and cheaply to and within Japan.  Unlike America, Japan is heavily reliant upon its public transportation, which makes traveling within the country easier, cheaper, and more fun.  You can explore an ancient temple in the mountains in one hour and be in a brightly lit mall full of high fashion clothes and the latest technology in the next!  

To get to Japan, be sure to check Japan Airlines (JAL) in addition to the usual American variety.  In my personal experience, air travel with JAL is just as safe, often cheaper, and always more comfortable than any American airline I’ve been on.   (They also have way better airplane food.)

4.     It’s the foodie capital of the world.  Japan has 32 three-starred restaurants according to the Michelin standard, which is 6 more than France.  Budget travelers will also find it easy to eat well on very little in Japan.  Grocery store sushi—around 700 yen for enough sushi for two—tastes better than most sushi served in American restaurants.

5.     They’re happy to see you.  Having lived there for many years and visited numerous times since, I can assuredly say that the Japanese people are the friendliest and most helpful people I’ve met anywhere in the world.  The year 2011 was rough for everyone in Japan, but their compassion seems only to have compounded after the March 2011 tragedy.  People are glad to see travelers exploring their country rather than shunning it, as if the whole island were radioactive.
If you’re still uncomfortable, that’s okay.  Try reading what the writers at Lonely Planet have to say.  (The short story is: stay away from Fukushima, explore the rest to your heart’s content.  There’s an ongoing dialogue on it here.)

Happy travels, near and far!

Heather Green is a mom, freelance writer, pet lover and the resident blogger for OnlineNursingDegrees.org, a free informational website offering tips and advice on the online nursing degree website and online physical therapy aide programs.