Japan is not cheap, it’s true, hut this partially stems from the scarcity of land

See Japan cheaply

Pick up tips on getting around Japan.

Japan is expensive, so they say. A holiday there would make your ringgit disappear faster than a politician’s promise.

Naturally, this makes many would-be travellers to the Land of the Rising Sun think

twice. Can you have an affordable holiday in Japan and come back with good memories

and not feeI like a pauper?

Japan is not cheap, it’s true, hut this partially stems from the scarcity of land. There is little available land for construction. Subsequently, the high price of land contributes to Tokyo and Osaka being among the most expensive cities in the world.

However, there are ways to make a holiday in Japan much more affordable. But you need to plan your trip properly.

A lot of travellers head for Tokyo first, or use it as a base. And why not? Tokyo has all

the thrills and spills that a capital city should have, and it is renowned for its shopping.

Its various districts – Roppongi, Ginza, Shibuya and Akihabara for example – will slake the thirst of even the most devoted of sbopaholics, and there are genuine bargains

to be found.

Nevertheless, even the Japanese complain about Tokyo prices. For the traveller, the problem with using Tokyo as a base – apart from the high cost – is that it is a long way from everywhere else. If you really want to experience Japan, there are other places that can better serve as your starting point. Kyoto, for example.

Kyoto was once the capital, and is still the cultural centre, of Japan. Steeped in tradition and with more shrines and temples than you can poke a stick at, the city is considered by many to be an absolute must,

However, why just “do” Kyotu? Why not stay there and use it as a base since it is right

in the centre of the country? It avoids all the hubbub of a major metropolis and is conveniently nestled between Japan’s two next major cities, Osaka and Nagoya.

Osaka’s Kansa] International Airport also has regular direct flights to and from Kuala

Lumpur. These cities are 15 and 40 minutes from Kyoto on the Shinkansen (bullet train

respectively.

Once in Kyoto, you’ll find immediately that things make sense – everything is in English.

This city is geared towards tourism like no other in Japan. Signs are easy to read and

follow, and most people in a public service capacity speak at least some English – or are

willing to give it a try. They also go out of their way to help those in need.

Travellers marvel at the masterpiece of glass and steel that is Kyoto Station. a transport hub, shopping mall and landmark all rolled into one. It is also a perfect place to take a look at the city, with its panoramic views and Skyway elevated walkway.

Accommodation-wise, a single room in a moderately-priced hotel will set you back from about “47,000 (RM219) to $11,000 (RM344 for a double) a night, There are cheaper rooms, but these are popular with stranded businessmen and are often booked.

The city itself is a real jewel with some of the most spectacular buildings and backdrops. The Golden Temple (Kinkakuji) and Kiyomizu Shrine (Kiyomizudera), for example, are simply jaw-dropping. Kyoto is a designated Unesco World Heritage Area and richly deserves this accolade. Kiyomizudera was recently shortBsted as one of the

wonders of the modern world.

There are so many wonderful places to visit in Kyoto that it isn’t possible to do them

all in a day, or even two.

The real joy though, is the price. Cultural attractions in the city usually cost between

$300-$600 (RM9-RM18) for an adult (half that for a child,). And with a daily $500 (RMI6) bus pass, a tourist can get around the city comparatively cheaply.

However, Kyoto doesn’t have much more to offer besides culture and food, particularly for children. Things improve a little in Nara, roughly 40 minutes by train from Kyoto.

Unlike most Japanese cities, Nara has a lot of open space and lacks that claustrophobic feeling of buildings closing in. The city is well known for its deer. The story goes that the god Takemikazuchi rode into Nara on a white deer. Now a protected species, the deer are quite tame and used to tourists – especially kids – and don’t mind being petted.

Inside Todaiji Temple is the Daibutsuden (Great Buddha Hall), reportedly the largest

wooden structure in the world, which houses the Daibustu, or the Great Buddha, a 16m-tall bronze statue. Kasuga Shrine is als0 another gem worth seeing, but is a bit of a hike up the mountain.

The thing about Nara is that while there is a bus service, it is much easier to walk. There is an easy-to-follow tourist trail that will take you around the city.

For real excitement, though, Osaka is the prime destination.

Japan’s second largest city of about five million inhabitants lays claim to be the heart

of the country. Where Kyoto boasts culture, Osaka is known for embracing life. Osakans are noted for their sense of humour and more approachable attitude.

The city’s one-day bus/subway pass is available from any subway or bus station for

$850 (RM27) – and it is well worth it. One thing to note is that despite the city’s many

boasts, the subway system is infuriatingly in Japanese only.

One way to sidestep this hurdle is by downloading the subway map in English from www.kotsu.d~.osaka.jp/foreign/english/sub~ay/img/map.pdf – a real lifesaver,

There is a multitude of things to see and

do in Osaka.

Tennoji Park, for example, incorporates an art museum and zoo. The impressive Osaka

Castle, which dominates the city centre with its huge grounds and ornate structures, is

impressive to behold, Meanwhile, in the port area, there is a maritime museum and an

aquarium that houses one of the largest tanks in the world.

All these attractions are available for few hundred yen.

Osaka also lays claim to good food. There are more takoyaki (fried octopus), okonomiyaki (Japanese pizza) and yakiniku (indoor barbecue) restaurants than the city knows what to do with.

However, the piOce de In resistance would have to be Universal Studios Japan. The

Hollywood studio’s Asian theme park caters to thrill seekers of all ages and competes

directly with the Disney franchises based in Tokyo. The adult one-day tickets are similarly priced as Tok’yors at ~5,800 (RM181).

Ouch That’s nearly RM200.

This is probably one of the biggest ironies of tourism in Japan. The government bends

over backwards to try and keep its prices low but the private companies charge a lot of

money for their services.

Also, eating out in Japan is not a cheap affair. Food from roadside or market stalls are

fairly cheap but restaurants can be daunting.

Bills of several thousand yen per person are not uncommon, for the Japanese love good

food and will travel and pay handsomely for it.

Something else to remember here is money. Exchange rates are much less favourable than at your “friendly” bureau de change back home, so it’s wise to get currency in Malaysia.

The Japanese do not haggle. The price you see is the price you are expected to pay.

Often, it is a fair price as the Japanese consider overcharging to be dishonourable – although the country is not without one or two rip-off merchants.

Also, Japan is a cash economy. Credit cards are not widely accepted: and usually only in large chains.

With all this in mind, is it really worth it to visit Japan?

The answer would be a definite “Yes”.

Of course, Japan isn’t the cheapest country in the world but when compared to coun-tries of similar economic stature, ke the US,UK, and Western Europe, things do make more sense (see s/delmr). It is also arguably the safest country in the world and it welcomes foreign visitors.

For those who want to experience something completely different, or who are just curious, lapan has something to offer.

Purchasing train tickets

You can buy a seven-dayJapan Rail (JR) Pass from travel agents for

It about $28,000 Ifor an adult) or RM875. which allows unlimited travel on any JR train – Shinkansen or local. This seemingly high price does pay dividends for those who like to get about.

Of course, the more conventional local JR train will also get you to your destination at around half the cost but also at half the speed – and will probably include at least one annoying change and wait.

Cultural attTaction entry fee comparison:

Kiyomizu-dera IKyoto): $300 $RM9)

St Paul’s Cathedral (London): ~10 IRM63)

The Empire State Building (New York):

$19 (RM61.75

Theme park comparison (one-day pass):

Tokyo Disney/USJ: ~5.800 (RMI81)

EuroDisney: g49 (RM251)

Disneyland ‘California): $66 (RM214)