FAQ

Question 1

Passport, visa & entry requirements

Accepted Answer

* In order to enter Japan, U.S. and Canadian citizens need a valid passport with an expiration date extending at least six months beyond the date of return.
* We recommend having at least two blank passport pages for entry stamps.
* If you are not a U.S. or Canadian citizen, you must contact Japan's consulate for your specific entry requirements.
* You can see the most up-to-date entry requirements for the destination(s) you’ll visit on tour by going to **[goaheadtours.com/entry-requirements](/entry-requirements?tourCode=JPN)** and searching the code JPN.

Question 2

Tour pacing & mobility

Accepted Answer

*   You will walk for about 2.5 hours daily across mostly flat terrain, including paved roads and gravel paths, with few hills. You may need to climb stairs when visiting temples.
*   Travelers should be healthy enough to participate in all included walks without assistance. Adding optional excursions may increase the total amount of walking on your tour.
*   You should feel comfortable managing your own baggage at times, as well as getting in and out of trains and small boats.
*   Go Ahead Tours and the Tour Director who accompanies your group are unable to provide special, individual mobility assistance to travelers on tour. The responsibility of the Tour Director is to ensure the group as a whole enjoys a relaxing and informative journey, and he or she cannot be relied upon to provide ongoing, individualized assistance to any one traveler.
*   If you have any mobility concerns or physical restrictions, please contact our Customer Experience Team.

Question 3

Transportation & arrival information

Accepted Answer

* Round-trip flights booked through Go Ahead Tours arrive in Tokyo and depart from Osaka. A representative from Go Ahead Tours will meet you at the airport and take you to your hotel. Please remain in the arrival lounge, as the representative might be escorting one of your fellow travelers to the bus at the time of your arrival.
* Transfers to and from the airport at your destination are included for travelers who have purchased their flights through Go Ahead Tours. Travelers who purchase their own flights may request airport transfers with Go Ahead Tours for an additional cost.
* A high-speed train transfer from Hakone to Kyoto is included in the price of your tour. (The tour extension also includes a high-speed train transfer from Osaka to Hiroshima.)
* All other included transportation on this tour is by private motor coach.

Question 4

Baggage allowance

Accepted Answer

* Please note that our travelers are limited to one checked bag and one carry-on bag per person due to storage limitations on motor coaches and other transfers, which may include train connections or flights.
* Contact your airline(s) for baggage size and weight restrictions for your flights, which may include on-tour flights in addition to your round-trip flights to and from tour. Please note that your included on-tour flights may have more restrictive baggage limits.
* Some airlines may impose additional charges if you choose to check any baggage or exceed baggage size and weight restrictions. Be advised that you are responsible for any baggage fees incurred on all flights.
* Make sure you label your baggage and keep valuables, medication, and documents in your carry-on bag.
* You will need a small overnight bag (such as your carry-on bag) for your stay in Hakone. Your luggage will be transferred for you from Tokyo to Kyoto directly.

Question 5

Clothing & packing tips

Accepted Answer

*   We recommend packing lightweight, loose-fitting clothing that can be easily layered to accommodate varying temperatures, as well as a light jacket or rainwear.
*   A sturdy pair of walking shoes or sneakers is recommended for sightseeing.
*   You may want to pack dressier attire if you plan to visit a high-end restaurant or attend a special performance.
*   It is preferable not to visit temples or other religious sites with bare legs and shoulders (and entrance may be denied on this basis).

Question 6

Health

Accepted Answer

* At least 60 days prior to departure, check with your doctor or healthcare provider for the latest updates and entry requirements, or visit the Center for Disease Control and Prevention website at **cdc.gov**.
* If you have medication that you take daily, be sure you have enough for each day of the tour as well as any possible delays encountered.
* If you have dietary restrictions and/or food allergies please notify Go Ahead Tours at least 30 days prior to your departure by logging in to your account and updating your traveler info. To update this information closer to your departure date, please call our Customer Experience Team.
* You can see the most up-to-date entry requirements for the destination(s) you’ll visit on tour by going to **[goaheadtours.com/entry-requirements](/entry-requirements?tourCode=JPN)** and searching the code JPN.

Question 7

Cuisine

Accepted Answer

*   Most Japanese meals are based around rice or noodles with fish, meat, and vegetables flavored with soy sauce and miso. You may recognize popular dishes like sushi, tempura, and hot pot.

Question 8

Japanese Onsen Customs

Accepted Answer

- Onsens, or hot spring baths, are a huge part of the Japanese lifestyle. With more than 3,600 hot springs across the country, locals and visitors alike make visiting an onsen a priority. Guests should be aware of onsen etiquette before visiting.
- Guests will undress and leave their belongings in the locker room before entering the bathing room. Some onsens are starting to offer policies for the more modest guest, but they are still not common.
- Guests must wash and rinse themselves completely before entering a shared baths. Be mindful of otherwise while washing yourself so as not to spray others in the bathing room.
- A small white bathing towel will sometimes be provided or available to rent, and are used as a cover-up, to wash your body, and dry yourself. Shampoo and soap are commonly provided, but many guests bring their own. 
- Keep your bathing towel with you at all times. Most guests fold the towel and keep it near them while in the baths, or keep it folded up on top of their heads. The bathing towel must never touch the bath water. 
- Hair should  be worn up and should not your towel or the water.
- Onsens are a relaxing and tranquil experience, be sure to speak quietly and be respectful of others who are relaxing. There is no swimming, diving, or running in the baths. 
- You may soak, exit, and reenter the baths at your leisure. It is recommended you don't spend more than 30 minutes in the baths.
- Dry off completely before entering the locker room to change back into your clothes.
- Be sure to check an onsens tattoo policy before visiting. While many onsens are becoming more relaxed about tattoos, and some offer cover-up patches or private baths for those with tattoos, there are still many that do not allow guests with tattoos. While most people in Japan do not have an issue with tattoos themselves, many establishments keep conservative business practices surrounding tattoos being visible.

Question 9

Electricity & air conditioning

Accepted Answer

*   Japan operates on 100 volts and uses a Type A plug, the same as in the U.S.
*   The strength of the air conditioning in Asian hotels is often not as strong or as cool as what one might be used to in the U.S. or Canada. When air conditioning is available, it is usually regulated seasonally and controlled centrally by the hotel.
*   Your hotels may provide hairdryers, irons, and other small appliances. However, these amenities cannot be guaranteed.

Question 10

Connectivity

Accepted Answer

*   Wi-Fi is available in most hotels, though some charges may apply.
*   There is no Wi-Fi on any of the motor coaches.
*   Please contact your mobile service provider for information on roaming charges.

Question 11

Time zones

Accepted Answer

*   Japan is 13 hours ahead of Eastern Time (ET).
*   When it’s noon in New York, it's 1am on the following day in Japan.

Question 12

Currency

Accepted Answer

*   You will use the Japanese yen in Japan.
*   Better rates of exchange are usually available overseas, although it’s worth ordering some currency from your local bank to use when you first arrive.
*   We strongly advise that you take debit/bank cards and credit cards, which can be used to withdraw cash at local banks as needed.
*   You can use most debit/credit cards at ATMs on the international networks Cirrus and Plus, but make sure to check with your home bank about withdrawal fees.
*   Inform your bank and credit card company of your travel plans so that they won’t confuse your international purchases for fraudulent charges.
*   International banks and businesses primarily accept debit and credit cards that work with the EMV chip system. If you do not already have at least one debit or credit card with a chip in it, we strongly recommend requesting one from your bank prior to your tour.

Question 13

Tipping

Accepted Answer

- At the conclusion of your tour, it’s customary to offer your Tour Director and driver a gratuity in local currency. Please keep current exchange rates in mind.
- We recommend tipping the equivalent of $10USD to $12USD per person per day for your Tour Director and the equivalent of $3USD per person per day for your driver.
- If applicable, we also recommend the equivalent of $2USD per local guide.
- Tips can only be paid in cash.

Question 14

Purchasing excursions on tour

Accepted Answer

*   Most optional excursions will be available for purchase while you are on tour.
*   Your Tour Director will only accept cash (in USD only), Visa, or MasterCard as payment for excursions.
*   Please be advised that if you pay for an excursion by credit card while on tour, it may take up to three months for your card to be charged.
*   Some optional excursions may only be purchased in advance. See page four of your tour itinerary for more information.
International travel is, by its very nature, unpredictable. We must therefore reserve the right to change this itinerary, without advance notice, to meet with local conditions at the time of travel. We appreciate your understanding. Please refer to our website for Terms & Conditions, dates, and prices.

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