Frequently Asked Questions
- How is the weather in Japan when we travel?
- What kind of clothes should I bring for the trip?
- What amenities may we expect to find in our accommodations?
- Along with the ordinary things packed for travel, what specific gear and clothing would you recommend for our trip?
- What advice can you give regarding health maintenance during our travels?
- How much luggage will tour members be allowed?
- How much spending money should we bring?
- Should we purchase yen in Japan or here in the United States? Do you recommend cash or traveler's checks?
- Can we use American credit cards or ATM cards anywhere in Japan?
- Do hotel employees generally understand English?
- How rigorous are CTS tours?
1. How is the weather in Japan when we travel?
Kyushu Tour: May in Kyushu is mild and pleasant. Short-sleeve or light long-sleeve shirts should suffice, along with a light jacket or sweater.
Shikoku Tour: The Shikoku tour of early April is scheduled for the most pleasant days of spring time. The cherry blossoms will be past their peak, but other flowers will be in full bloom. Evenings will be rather cool. Light long-sleeve shirts and blouses are best for the daytime, and a light jacket will suffice for the evenings.
Sea of Japan Tour: Japan's weather in October is quite pleasant with clear skies and mild temperatures. Typhoons are uncommon in October in Japan. But, if one comes, it will pass quickly.
Please note that irregular weather has been seen all over the world in recent years, and Japan is no exception in this regard. For more information about weather, please check http://weather.yahoo.com or your favorite weather site.
2. What kind of clothes should I bring for the trip?
No formal wear will be needed during your tour. Pack casual wear. Layered clothes that can easily be adjusted are best, and be sure to bring shoes suitable for walking. Remember that Japanese custom necessitates frequent removal of shoes when going indoors. Shoes that can be easily taken off and put on, such as the ones with Velcro attachments, are highly recommended.
3. What amenities may we expect to find in our accommodations?
Every hotel and lodging has Western-style bathroom. They will also provide toothbrushes, toothpaste, soap, shampoo and yukata or pajamas. All hotel rooms are equipped with TV, alarm clock, hair dryer, refrigerator, thermal bottle, tea bags and tea cups. Body soaps and other sundries are somewhat different than those available in America, so if you have special need, bring your own.
4. Along with the ordinary things packed for travel, what specific gear and clothing would you recommend for our trip?
- Many restrooms in Japan are not equipped with paper towels. Bring along a handkerchief.
- Restaurants don't customarily provide paper napkins, so bring a supply of tissue paper.
- Hotels provide towel sets but no washcloths. If you need one, bring your own.
- Earplugs can help you to get a good night's rest. They can also ease jet fatigue.
5. What advice can you give regarding health maintenance during our travels?
I asked Harriet Fukushima, a past tour participant who is a nurse, for advice.
"After being sick with a virus for the first half of the Kyushu trip, I decided to take better care of myself for October. Several passengers on the plane were coughing and sneezing. Members of our group who did not get sick were taking Airborne tablets. It is an effervescent vitamin tablet developed by a teacher. I bought some at Walgreen's (Trader Joe's also has it for a good price). Being well rested before the trip begins and keeping your immune system working efficiently with exercise and a healthy diet will help. I also use the Argonne Laboratory Jet Lag Program which was popular a few years ago. It uses food and caffeine to help your body adjust to a different time zone. The Lonely Planet guide to Japan has a good medical kit list. Over-the-counter drugs are expensive in Japan so bring what you think you will need. Bufferin was $7! "
6. How much luggage will tour members be allowed?
The airlines allow two check-in baggage free of charge. The baggage should weigh less than 70 pounds each. However, the tour price includes luggage delivery service for only one item per participant during the tour. Extra luggage charge is about twenty dollars per item for each delivery.
Our itinerary includes a few overnight expeditions, for which you'll need a small portable bag. You'll be carrying that bag on public busses and trains, so make it as light and compact as possible.
7. How much spending money should we bring?
Your will need to pay for the meals that are not included in the tour price. The average daily meal costs for previous tours have been 8 - 10 dollars for breakfast, 10- 15 dollars for lunch, and around 15 dollars for dinner. Multiply the number of meals that you need to buy. To this you should add one or two hundred dollars to cover transportation, admission and snacks during your free time activities. Plan your budget accordingly, remembering that craft and souvenir purchases are not included in this forecast.
8. Should we purchase yen in Japan or here in the United States? Do you recommend cash or traveler's checks?
Exchange rates are more favorable to you over in Japan, and travelers checks get a better exchange rate than cash. You should exchange currency at the airport of entry. Please note that once the tour begins, you will not have access to any banks that can change currency.
9. Can we use American credit cards or ATM cards anywhere in Japan?
Large department stores and specialty shops can handle major credit cards and traveler's checks (both American Dollar and Japanese Yen), but small regional shops and restaurants cannot. Almost all ATMs in Japan will not accept credit or American debit cards.
10. Do hotel employees generally understand English?
Since this tour takes participants well off the regular foreign tourist venues, hotel staff generally will not understand English. However, since rudimentary English grammar and vocabulary are part of Japanese public education, you should be able to communicate by writing simple English phrases.
11. How rigorous are CTS tours?
CTS tours are by no means rigorous. When we started up in 1994, we traveled "rough" relying mostly on local transportation and hauling our own luggage. Those days are behind us. We now rely on carrier services to carry large bags. We never walk more than a few miles a day and there are no steep hills to negotiate. In recent years we have had many seniors in our tour groups and they have always been able to keep up without discomfort or complaint.
