Tips for Australians when Travelling Overseas

1.) Plan Ahead 

Research & Select your Destination 

The first thing to do when planning a trip overseas is to figure out where exactly you want to go. The tricky thing is that there are so many amazing destinations to choose from, so this might be the hardest part of the whole process! You can start by listing the top locations you want to visit and seeing how feasible it is to visit each location. This can be in terms of the time of year you want to visit, the weather, the cost or the amount of tourism. Luckily, once you make a decision on where you will be going on your vacation, everything else is not so bad to plan! 

Flights & Airport Parking 

The next step is choosing your flight! There are countless sites to help you find the cheapest flights and if you start looking super early you can track the flights and purchase them when they are at their lowest! It is important to keep in mind that sometimes the cheapest flights have longer journey times with multiple stops, especially if you are flying to a destination that is located very far away from Australia. The most important thing is to decide what is most important to you, the cost of the ticket or the ease of the travel experience! 

If you are planning on driving to the airport with your luggage and family or friends, be sure to check out Flyparks well in advance too. Flyparks is an online comparison site for parking across the biggest airports in Australia and New Zealand. So if you want to save on airport parking and find the best deals on Melbourne, Sydney, Adelaide or even Perth Airport Parking, then Flyparks is the place for you! 

Visa Requirements & Passport Expiry 

Next, you should check to ensure that your passport is valid and that it will not expire while you are away on your vacation. Also be sure to see if it's required for you to get an entry visa or travel visa for your specific destination. That way you won't be surprised on entry. 

2.) Stay Safe 

Travel Insurance 

It is very important to be insured while you are on your trip with the best policy you can find. Be sure to research as many policies as you can and read in depth what you will be covered for. 

Be sure that you also book flights and accommodations with flexible or return policies in case anything happens unexpectedly. 

Watch your Valuables 

In addition, it is important to keep your possessions as safe as possible. The first thing you can do is to not bring too many valuable items including cameras, computers and other electronics. This can be too stressful to carry or to leave at the hotel room and you don't want to be worrying about that while you are trying to have an amazing vacation! 

Also, if you bring important items with you while you are sightseeing, be sure to have a safe backpack with hidden zippers or even a lock! In addition, consider wearing your backpack in front of you to be sure that no one will steal anything while you are not looking. It may not be your desired look but it is better to be safe than sorry! 

Make Copies of Important Documents 

Lastly, be sure to have a plan for if something goes wrong. Have copies of all documents and emergency contact information with you at all times so that you are prepared. 

Ensure you will have Access to your Money 

Be sure that the credit/debit cards you are bringing are common forms of payment in the location you are visiting! Some destinations often only take cash, or specific types of credit cards. It is important to have cash with you in the local currency to ensure that you can always pay for something or in case your credit card isn't accepted. Note that you should also contact your credit/debit card company and let them know that you are traveling so they do not shut off your card for security reasons! 

3.) Pack Efficiently 

 

Know Baggage Limits 

Before you get to the airport, check your airline’s baggage limits to make sure that you don’t have to pay a large price upon check-in at the airport. In addition, after you finalize packing it may be useful to weigh your baggage with an at-home scale to ensure that your bag is not over the weight limit, which is also another unexpectedly large cost you might have to pay during check in. 

Leave Room to Bring Back Souvenirs 

It is important to pack efficiently with enough clothing items to last the whole trip and various types of weather possibilities you may encounter while traveling. One important tip that is often forgotten is to leave some empty room in your suitcase as you will likely find some fun items to bring home with you as souvenirs! This way, you won't have to stuff your suitcase or worry about paying for heavy baggage fees on the way home. 

4.) Plan Travel & Lodging 

 

Traveling within your Destination 

It is important to know what the most popular or cost effective ways there are to get around the city or town that you are visiting. There is usually public transportation, rental cars as well as taxis or ride-share services. If you research this ahead of time, you can make your life a whole lot easier by being prepared and not having to overpay for taxis to get from point A to point B. 

Lodging 

Be sure to find the accommodation that is truly right for you. These days, there are countless sites that you can use to compare lodging options in pretty much any destination. There are hostels, hotels, Airbnb, renting apartments and so on. Be sure to find a place to stay that fits a majority of your requirements so that you have a safe and comfortable place to return to after a long day of adventuring. 

5.) Prepare all technology 

Converters 

One thing that many people forget is that different countries have different outlets! It is a common thing to forget with all the hectic and excited energy leading up to a vacation, but beware that buying a converter at the airport can be up to 4 times more expensive than buying it prior to leaving! Thus, be sure to look into the types of outlets your destination has and also the voltage used on different outlets/devices. 

International Phone Plan or Apps 

These days, everything is done on our phones. From your hotel confirmation email to your flight boarding pass, your phone is essential when traveling. Thus, it is important to ensure that it will work when you are out on the town and without wifi. Thus, be sure to look into international phone plans and how to communicate with loved ones back home or the individuals that you are traveling with.

Hopefully you are now feeling less stressed about your upcoming vacation and are getting more and more excited for the adventure that awaits you. Traveling from Australia is not an easy thing to do but it is most certainly a rewarding experience. If you follow all the advice given in this article then you will be on the right track. Good luck and enjoy your travels abroad!

Coronavirus State of Emergency in Japan

Japan entered a second state of emergency due to the coronavirus in January with the Tokyo region declaring a state of emergency to curb a surge in coronaviruses cases. Ten other prefectures soon followed suit with the current state of emergency set to end on February 7^th.

The eleven prefectures are Tokyo, Kanagawa, Chiba, Saitama, Tochigi, Aichi, Gifu, Osaka, Kyoto, Hyogo, and Fukuoka.

The restrictions include asking restaurants and bars to close by 8 p.m., requesting that businesses ask their employees to work remotely where possible, and urging people to refrain from nonessential outings at all times, but especially after 8 p.m.

The spread of infections in Japan rapidly increased just after the oshogatsu New Year period. A holiday period where people traditionally return to their hometowns to spend time with their family.

The Japanese government is currently discussing the state of emergency and may extend it for up to another month in Tokyo and other areas that continue to see a high number of infections. The areas which look like extending the state of emergency are Tokyo, Kanagawa, Chiba, Saitama, Osaka, Kyoto, Hyogo and Fukuoka.  

Okinawa Prefecture may also be added to the list. The remote islands of Okinawa have seen a spread of the virus in recent times.

Daily infections have begun to fall across Japan, but the medical system remains under intense strain.

The Japanese government plans to make a decision about whether to lift the state of emergency next week.

Inbound travel to Japan remains off limits for now. The Japanese government is putting a road plan in place for the return of international tourism to Japan. This could possibly happen in April 2021, with limited small group tours allowed into the country.

The Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games are still planned to go ahead, but could be held without spectators. It is difficult to see regular tourism returning to Japan before autumn 2021 at the earliest. 

Image: NHK World

 

ByFood: Japan’s One-Stop Food Platform

ByFood is Japan’s one-stop food platform with over 250 food experiences (and counting) across Japan, such as food tours, cooking classes, tastings, and dining experiences. With filters for vegan, halal, kosher, gluten-free, and more, byFood strives to make Japanese food experiences accessible to all. We bring locals and visitors together through food experiences, help small local businesses, and celebrate authentic Japanese cuisine. In doing so, we hope to preserve local Japanese heritage and promote cross-cultural understanding through food.

Spreading Happiness Through Food! 

ByFood’s mission is “spreading happiness through food.” For every experience that is booked through the platform, byFood donates to a different NPO or NGO of the month. So, just by enjoying a meal in Japan, guests can help children in developing countries get access to necessities like nutritious meals, schools, and housing, so they can grow up healthy and happy, and ready to change the world.

Here’s a preview of our recommended experiences: 

Food Tours 

Hop on a two-wheeler for a foodie bike tour, taste 6 bowls of ramen on a ramen tour, explore bustling fish markets on foot, or munch on the most Instagram-worthy sweets in Harajuku. There’s something for everyone!

Ultimate Osaka Night Tour

Bar Hopping in Harmonica Yokocho (The Midnight Diners Experience)

Cooking Classes 

Learn to make ramen noodles from scratch, roll your own decorative sushi, fry up crunchy tempura, and more. The best souvenir you can take back home is the skills to make these classic Japanese dishes in your own kitchen!

Traditional Japanese Sweets, Wagashi and Mochi Class

Handmade Soba Noodles Cooking Class

Dining Experiences 

From omakase sushi with a personal chef to luxurious multi-course kaiseki meals to classic izakaya bar food, byFood offers a vast selection of dining experiences in Japan.

Sake Pairing & Omakase Sushi with Personal Chef

Most Expensive Ramen in Tokyo (Luxury A5 Wagyu)

Tastings 

Visit Japanese sake breweries, whisky distilleries, and tea farm regions in Japan during a byFood tasting experience. Tickle your tastebuds with new flavors and aromas, learn how to brew a superior cup of tea, and become an expert in your favorite Japanese beverages.

Kyoto Sake Brewery Tour in Fushimi Sake District

Tokyo Bars & Mixology

To see more, browse food experiences in Japan! 
Every booking helps children in need through byFood’s Food for Happiness Program.

The Tokyo Metropolitan Area at Night

Tokyo is one of the most exciting cities in the world with the action never stopping day or night. Japan’s energetic capital mixes the modern (neon-lights and skyscrapers) with the traditional (historic temples and zen gardens).

The Greater Tokyo Area is the world’s most populous metropolis consisting of 23 central city wards and approximately 30% of Japan’s total population. It covers an area of 13,500 km2 and includes parts of Kanagawa, Saitama, Chiba, Ibaraki, Tochigi, Gunma and Yamanashi prefectures.

One of the best times to explore Tokyo is at night when its amazing architecture and ultramodern buildings really come alive. Pick up a good travel guide for suggestions and the latest up-to-date advice on the must see places destinations and attractions.

The beautiful nighttime cityscape of Tokyo includes Tokyo Tower, the second tallest structure in Japan and the iconic symbol of Tokyo, Tokyo Skytree, the second tallest structure in the world at 634 meters and the new symbol of Tokyo, Odaiba, a high-tech entertainment hub located on a man-made island in Tokyo Bay, and Shinjuku, home to the busiest train station in the world and many of Tokyo’s tallest buildings.

One of the best things to do in Tokyo is to explore the city at night. Luckily you have quite a few options available to you for enjoying the Tokyo nightlife. For the best views, check out one of the many observation decks located in towers or tall buildings. Some of the best are the observation decks at Tokyo Skytree, Tokyo Tower and the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building.

Rainbow Bridge at Night from Odaiba | Wikimedia Commons

If you are feeling brave and adventurous, you could try a helicopter ride over the city. For those of us that like to take our time and leisurely enjoy the sights, try a boat cruise along Tokyo Bay where you can enjoy the waterfront scenery with the amazing lights of the city.

This short video from Aramadas, a video production company based out of Japan will give you a stunning glimpse from the air of what Tokyo looks like at night. Strap in and enjoy the ride!

Super Cheap Hokkaido Book Review

Hokkaido is Japan’s northernmost island and is home to an abundance of unspoiled nature, hot springs and ski resorts, along with arguably some of the country’s best-kept culinary secrets. This northern wilderness attracts many fans of the outdoors with fantastic skiing and snowboarding in the colder months and hiking and camping in the summer months.

This often overlooked part of Japan might seem a little scary due to its sheer size but with the right travel guide, you’ll have no trouble in planning your long overdue trip to Hokkaido.

The Book’s Content 

Super Cheap Hokkaido is the ultimate budget travel guide for exploring Japan’s nature paradise on a shoestring budget. The travel guide covers Sapporo and Hokkaido Prefecture and the must see destinations such as Sapporo, Hakodate, Niseko, Furano, Otaru and Noboribetsu.

The book covers a wide range of money saving tips such as how to spend next to nothing drinking local beer in Sapporo, relax in free hot springs, spend a cheap day’s hiking in the mountains or where to find the best, inexpensive super fresh sushi and sashimi. It’s all here in this amazing travel guide.

Inside the book you will find:

Budget Food – comprehensive listings of low-cost restaurants, take-outs, cheap roadside stations and supermarkets.

Budget Shopping – all the best attraction discounts, free sample hot spots, 100 yen shops and tax-free shopping.

Colour Maps – ideal for budget travelers, making it easy and stress-free to get around.

Highlights and Itineraries – for those with rental cars or using discount train passes.

Cheap Accommodation – the best and cheapest hostels, family-friendly hotels, campsites, mountain lodges, capsule hotels and net cafes.

Travel Guides – all the major destinations are covered with Sapporo, Niseko, Furano, Otaru, Biei, Hakodate, Matsumae Castle, Daisetsuzan National Park, Lake Mashu, Shiretoko National Park, Abashiri and much more.

My View 

Why I really like the book? Like the other books in the Super Cheap series, Super Cheap Japan and Super Cheap Tokyo, it is compact and easy to use with all the information at your fingertips. I like how the book provides a quick guide on how to use it and how to save on your holiday before moving into the travel guide and covering the must see places.

The travel guides provide information on how to get around, discount passes and tickets, transportation maps, things to do, budget food, best places for shopping, recommended cheap accommodation and how to get there.

It is easy to use with colour maps making it easy and stress-free to get around. The maps use landmarks and walking routes to help get you around and include convenience stores, cheap supermarkets, 100-yen stores, budget accommodation and tourist information.

This book is perfect for backpackers, budget travelers, families on a tight budget, students and those of us who just want an amazing time, without blowing all their cash in a day.

About the Writer 

The author, Matthew Baxter is a British travel writer living in Tokyo. Having traveled across the country for more than a decade, without much money, he has built up an extensive knowledge of budget travel in the Land of the Rising Sun. He now writes professionally for several websites and publications, such as the Japan National Tourist Association, Japan Visitor and All About Japan. He is the author of Super Cheap Japan and Super Cheap Tokyo.

Super Cheap Hokkaido is all you’ll need for a fantastic budget friendly trip to Sapporo and Hokkaido. This book gives you some great money-saving tips all in an easy-to-use travel guide. Take the plunge and explore Japan’s northern frontier on your next trip.

Super Cheap Hokkaido is available now from Amazon.

The Best Places in Toyama Japan

Toyama is located in the Chubu Region of Central Japan along the Sea of Japan coast. Surrounded by tall mountains including some 3,000 meter peaks of the Northern Japan Alps, Toyama is home to spectacular nature, dynamic landscapes and tasty food. Toyama’s picturesque mountain-lined bay has been recognized by UNESCO as one of the Most Beautiful Bays in the World.

This often overlooked tourist destination can boast some impressive attractions such as the remote village of Gokayama, a UNESCO World Heritage site famous for its traditional gassho-zukuri farmhouses, Kurobe Gorge, an impressive scenic spot with natural hot springs and hiking routes, the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route, a spectacular route through the Northern Japan Alps known as the ‘Roof of Japan’ and Toyama Castle which dates from the 15th century.

Gokayama | Photo by William Cho | Flickr

Seafood is the pride and joy of Toyama with fresh seafood caught off the Sea of Japan coast daily. If seafood is not your thing, give Toyama Black Ramen a try. This unique dark soy sauce based ramen has been taking the nation by storm.

Toyama is only 250km northwest of Tokyo, which is just over 2 hours by Shinkansen. Take a look at this short video from Japan Guide to inspire your next trip.

Small Buildings of Kyoto: Volume II Book Review

The second volume of John Einarsen’s delightful little picture book, Small Buildings of Kyoto: Volume II has recently been published by Kyoto Journal. The book came about from a hit photo series on Instagram which focused on the charm and visual richness of seemingly ordinary structures in Kyoto. This photo series led to the first edition, Small Buildings of Kyoto being published in 2017.

Kyoto Journal is an award-winning quarterly English magazine founded in Kyoto in 1987 with the goal of presenting cultural insights from Japanese and Asian culture.

The Book’s Content 

Small Buildings of Kyoto: Volume II is a great insight into the real buildings and architecture of Kyoto that usually don’t make it into the books and travel guides about this historic city.

Kyoto, Japan’s ancient capital is famous for its masterpieces of Japanese architecture and UNESCO World Heritage Sites with many of its buildings listed as National Treasures and Important Cultural Properties.

While the buildings in this book might not have the stunning beauty of these national treasures, they do have their own charm and beauty through their quaint and quirky characteristics. Each building has its own story to tell, offering you a fascinating insight into the way Kyotoites live today.

My View 

Why I really like this book? It is compact and full of beautiful colour photos that highlight the enduring charm of Kyoto’s everyday architecture.

The colour photos in the book are not of the iconic postcard-worthy attractions of Kyoto such as Kinkaku-ji (The Golden Pavilion) and Kiyomizu-dera Temple, but the everyday buildings that make up the urban fabric of the city.

I love the range of buildings covered in this book that showcase a mix of influences with some dating from the pre-war Taisho era (1912-1926) and others an interesting hybrid of textures, materials and shapes.

One thing that I really admire about Japanese architecture is how they get the most out of working with limited space to create elegant and graceful structures.

The best way to really get out and explore Kyoto is on foot by walking through the backstreets and tucked-away neighbourhoods that offer you the magic of the everyday charm of modern Kyoto.

This book is perfect for anyone looking to get some real insight on the everyday life of modern Kyoto. The quirky, humble and endearing buildings in the book reveal another side of Japan’s ancient capital city.

About the Writer 

The author, John Einarsen is a photographer and long-term resident of Kyoto. Originally from Colorado, he fell in love with Kyoto on his first trip there and settled down there in the early 1980s. He is the founder editor of Kyoto Journal and has served as an advisor to the Japan Times.

Small Buildings of Kyoto: Volume II is available now from the Kyoto Journal Website.

Super Cheap Tokyo Book Review

Tokyo is one of the most exciting cities on the planet with its mix of the traditional, from historic temples and colourful shrines to the ultramodern, with neon-lit skyscrapers and pop culture. Tokyo has it all. With so much to see and do in Tokyo, it can be overwhelming trying to plan a travel itinerary without the right travel guide.

The Book’s Content 

 

Super Cheap Tokyo is the ultimate budget travel guide to exploring Japan’s capital on a shoestring budget. The travel guide covers the greater Tokyo metropolis and the surrounding Kanto region on the cheap. Unlike other Tokyo guides, this book shows you exactly how, where and when you can save money.

The book covers a wide range of money saving tips such as how to grab a traditional Japanese meal for only $3, buy clothes in the fashion mecca, Harajuku for under $10, and how to spend next to nothing on a day’s hiking or relaxing in a Japanese garden.

Inside the book you will find:

• Budget food – a comprehensive list of low-cost restaurants, take-outs and supermarkets.
• Budget shopping – the best tax-free shopping, shopping hot-spots and 100-yen stores.
• Highlights and itineraries – based on discount subway and train passes, so you can explore while keeping the costs down.
• Tokyo’s hidden treasures – walking routes to all the hot spots and must see places to visit.
• Cheap accommodation – the best and cheapest hostels, budget hotels, family-friendly hotels, internet cafes, overnight spas and more.

My View 

Why I really like this book? It is compact and easy to use with all the information and tips at your fingertips. I like how the book provides a quick guide on how to use it and some useful information about Tokyo before moving into the travel guide and covering the must-see places. Each area of Tokyo is broken down into a brief intro, a little bit of history about the area, things to do, and getting around, before moving into budget food and shopping.

Tokyo offers countless tourist attractions to visitors, and this book gives you plenty of great travel options to explore without breaking the bank.

It is easy to use with colour maps making it easy and stress-free to get around. The maps use landmarks and walking routes to help get you around and include convenience stores, cheap supermarkets, 100-yen stores, budget accommodation and tourist information. The book covers all the best of the region including the highlights of Tokyo such as the Imperial Palace, Tokyo Skytree, Harajuku, Asakusa, Shibuya, Shinjuku, Ueno, Akihabara, and Odaiba, as well as the Kanto region with Mount Fuji, Kamakura, Yokohama, Nikko, Hakone along with many other off-the beaten-track spots.

Shibuya Map

The colour photos in the book add to content giving you a glimpse of the amazing places that you will visit.

This book is perfect for backpackers, budget travelers, families on a tight budget, students and those who just want an amazing time, without blowing all their cash in a day.

About the Writer 

The author, Matthew Baxter is a travel writer living in Tokyo. Having traveled across the country for several years, without much money, he has built up an extensive knowledge of budget travel in the Land of the Rising Sun. He now writes professionally for several websites and publications, such as the Japan National Tourist Association, Japan Visitor and All About Japan. He is the author of Super Cheap Japan.

Super Cheap Tokyo is all you’ll need for a fantastic budget holiday in Tokyo and the surrounding Kanto region. This book gives you some great money-saving tips all in an easy-to-use travel guide. There is no better time to come to Tokyo and Japan than now.

Super Cheap Tokyo is available now from Amazon.