All G Adventures tours in Japan use the world-famous Shinkansen bullet trains, which have a restriction on maximum luggage size. Your luggage must be less than 160cm in total. This is roughly the size that most airline companies consider as 'carry-on baggage' and allow in overhead storage compartments.

We strongly recommend bringing a day pack or backpack to use during the day, for daily essentials like water, cameras, passport, etc.

Please note that travellers who bring luggage that exceeds this restriction will be directly penalized by the Central Japan Railway Company. Any luggage between 160–250cm will require a fee of 1,000 JPY per luggage, for each leg of your train journey, and is strictly subject to availability. Any luggage over 251cm in total is prohibited on the Shinkansen trains.

If you absolutely must bring more than what fits into a single carry-on bag plus day pack, you may bring a second carry-on bag which also must be less than 160cm in total. Please note, however, that as with all G Adventures tours, you must be able to carry your luggage unassisted.

1. Japan Rail Pass
Please note that only foreigners traveling as a tourist are able to use a Japan Rail Pass. If you are a Japanese citizen/resident or traveling on a student/business/military/diplomatic visa, please advise at time of booking as you will not be able to take advantage of the rail pass.

2. Tattoos
Tattoos are not common or widely accepted in Japan. There is no cause for concern, but do your best to cover your tattoos when possible and note that you may not be permitted to enter public spas or onsens (hot springs).

3. Luggage size restriction 
All G Adventures tours in Japan use the world-famous Shinkansen bullet trains, which have a restriction on maximum luggage size. Your luggage must be less than 160cm in total. This is roughly the size that most airline companies consider as "carry-on baggage" and allow in overhead storage compartments.

We strongly recommend bringing a day pack or backpack to use during the day, in addition to your carry-on sized luggage. Please see “What to take” under Tour details for more information.

4. ACCOMMODATION NOTE:
Please be aware that properties we stay in with only two stories may not have elevators installed and climbing the stairs with your luggage will be necessary.

Japan is one of the most populous countries in the world and space is at a premium. Therefore, hotel rooms are small! Additionally, most Japanese hotels do not have designated non-smoking rooms. Therefore, we ask hotels to deodorise rooms before check in.

Ryokan are traditional inns found across Japan. Featuring tatami floors (soft mats of woven straw), futon beds, Japanese-style baths, cotton kimono (casual robe worn to lounge around or to head to the bath), and elaborate meals (often served in the comfort of your own room), a ryokan is the perfect place to experience traditional customs and hospitality. As ryokan are usually top tier accommodations, most guests stay only one night, often to celebrate a special occasion or holiday. Don’t be intimidated by the formalities inherent to a stay at a ryokan, your hosts will welcome you the same way they do all their guests. Have fun and enjoy this relaxing opportunity to learn more about Japan’s unique customs.

Minshuku are Japan’s answer to the Western bed and breakfast. Similar to ryokan, they have traditional features like tatami floors, futon beds, and Japanese-style baths. Minshuku are often family-run, and as such they offer a great opportunity to interact with local people and learn more about the nation’s customs. More affordable and simpler than ryokan, minshuku tend to have smaller guestrooms, shared bathroom facilities, and any included meals (traditional, local, and delicious) are served in a communal dining room.

Please note that some of the traditional Japanese inns used on this tour only offer shared bathing facilities. This means that individual shower stalls will not be available, instead several shower stations are available in an open, same-sex bathing area. Shared bathhouses and onsen (hot springs) are an essential part of Japan’s culture, traditionally serving as a place for men or women to gather, relax, and discuss the days happenings.

For final details of your joining hotel please refer to your tour voucher.

Directions to Shinjuku Washington Hotel

*Please note, while we intend to use this accommodation as the starting point for your tour, on occasions due to availability, we will use alternative accommodation of a similar standard. Please refer to your tour voucher for your confirmed starting point.*

The nearest station is Shinjuku Station, South exit.
Shinjuku Washington Hotel is directly connected by an underground passageway (serviced
by JR, Tokyo Metro, Odakyu, Keio and other railway lines) between 06:00 and 22:45 for
comfortable access even in bad weather, 8 minutes walk from Shinjuku Station.
Tocho-mae Station, Oedo subway Line (Tokyo Metropolitan Government) - approximately 5
mins on foot.

From Narita International Airport:
By Train - take a train from Narita International Airport Terminal 2.3 station, Keisei Line
Limited Express Keisei Skyliner for approximately 40 minutes to Keisei-Nippori Station and
transfer to JR Yamanote Line and get off at JR Shinjuku Station (South Exit) about 8 mins.
The train ticket fee is 2,770JPY/per pax.

By Airport Limousine Bus- take the bus from Terminal 1 - bus stop #10. About 120~150
minutes by Airport Limousine Bus (arrival at and departure from the entrance of the hotel
Fare: JPY3,200/ per pax.

From Haneda Airport:
By Train - take a train from Haneda Airport Terminal 3 station, Keikyu Airport Line for
approximately 23 minutes to Hamamatsucho Station and transfer to Yamanote Line
Daimon station and get off at Shinjuku Station about 5mins. The train ticket fee is
700JPY/per pax.

By Airport Limousine Bus- take the bus from Terminal 3 - bus stop #4. It will roughly take
about 60~85 minutes by Airport Limousine Bus (arrival at and departure from the entrance
of the hotel Fare: JPY1,300/ per pax. The bus tickets can be purchased at each Terminal of
Haneda Airport ticket vending machine by the bus stop.

If you have booked an arrival shuttle bus servic:
Your driver will be waiting for you with a sign with the transfer company name "GREEN TOMATO" on it outside of the luggage hall.
Emergency Phone number : +81 50-1745-7272

Transfer time from Narita airport to the hotel is approx. 2 hours, and from Haneda airport is approx. 1.5 hours, depending on the number of stops and current traffic conditions.

Luggage restrictions on the included shuttle bus:

Maximum 2 suitcases or boxes per person are allowed to be accommodated except below items:
- Ski equipment
- Golf set
- Snowboard

Please note that day 1 is an arrival day and no activities have been planned on this day.

Once you arrive at your Joining Hotel, look out for a Welcome Note which will be left at reception with all of the necessary information regarding your Welcome Meeting, along with the meeting time (usually between 5pm and 7pm). This is when you will get a chance to meet your CEO and other travellers, receive information about any general and specific aspects of the trip and learn more about how the tour will run. If you don’t see a note, please ask reception for details!
If you arrive late, s/he/they will leave you a message detailing what time and where you should meet the next morning.

Did you know when you book with us you get up to 10% CASHBACK to use on your next tour? We won’t be beaten on price! Let us know if you find this tour cheaper and we will beat it!
 

You score up to 10% of your purchase value emailed to you as a one time code to use on your next adventure!

In Asia the dress standard is more conservative than it is back home. When packing try to pick loose, lightweight, long clothing that will keep you cool in the usually hot and humid climate of Asian summers. In predominately Buddhist, Hindu and Muslim countries we ask that you dress respectfully and avoid very short shorts/skirts and singlets/tanktops when visiting temples, mosques or other holy sites.

You must be 18 to travel unaccompanied on this tour. For minors travelling with a guardian over 21 years old, the minimum age is 12.