Get Ready

Money, tipping, WiFi access, what to wear, local climate and packing tips—the following information aims to help you prepare and pack for our Modern Adventure in Japan.

COVID-19

Modern Adventure takes the health and safety of our employees, guests, and partners very seriously. Our health and safety protocols during your trip such as physical distancing, masking and other safety practices will be in accordance with up-to-date local regulations in your destination. You will be informed of any specific protocols aheads of travel, and in-destination by our local guides and/or Modern Adventure trip leader.

Internet & Phones

Our accommodations offer free Wi-Fi, and we recommend using Wi-Fi supported apps such as WhatsApp, FaceTime or Skype as an alternative to making calls from your mobile phone. For US travelers, many phone providers have temporary international travel plans. Check with your provider for options.

Electricity

In Japan the power plugs and sockets are of type A and B. The standard voltage is 100V and the standard frequency is 50-60 Hz. For guests traveling from the United States of America, some equipment will work fine (we use A and B sockets in the USA at 120v), however some devices may need an voltage adaptor, especially equipment involving heating (i.e., hair dryers).

COVID-19 Testing, Vaccines & Medications

If your destination requires proof of a COVID-19 vaccination and/or negative test result taken within 72 hours of travel, you will be required to confirm that you are fully vaccinated with an authorized COVID-19 vaccine, and/or have tested negative for COVID-19, and have the required documentation to prove it. Otherwise you will be ineligible to participate on the trip, and ineligible for a refund.

If you are on prescription medication, you should ask your doctor for a letter detailing your condition and prescribed drugs. This prevents possible issues at customs and helps the local doctor if you need to buy medication while traveling. If you wear prescription glasses or contact lenses, we recommend you bring an extra pair and a copy of the prescription in case of emergency.

Climate

November is a great time to visit Japan. Autumn ushers in colorful foliage and comfortable temperatures, with daily highs averaging in the mid-60sF, and evenings and morning temperatures cooling to the mid-50sF. November is generally dry with the occasional rainy morning or afternoon. Inland you can expect the occasional rain shower and blustery weather.

Clothing

We’ll spend time in two large cities as well as a small island, where both casual and elegant will be equally appropriate depending on the situation. Mornings and evenings can be chilly and the mid-day sun warm, so layers are always a great option.

Casual clothing and sturdier walking shoes are great for our active days, and there is always time to change for cocktail hour and dinner.

A selection of sleeved tops and long pants or skirts work well. They'll also be handy for protecting against the sun. We also recommended a sweater or a warm jacket for cooler mornings outdoors, and recommend bringing a dressy option such as a dress, slacks or a nice coat for dinners. We do not dine anywhere that requires a sports jacket or tie but they are, of course, welcome additions.

We’ll spend time on foot during this experience, so make sure to bring sturdy walking shoes. We will travel by private bus between destinations, so you might want to pack along a pair of headphones for the ride.

Additionally, a bag that closes completely (such as a backpack) prevents personal items from falling out when stored, and is a better option than an open purse. There are a few additional items that we recommend you to bring:

  • Hat (to protect yourself from the sun)

  • Sunscreen & sunglasses

  • Sandals or flip-flops

  • Sturdy walking shoes

  • Bathing suit

  • Phone charger

  • Headphones

  • Travel pillow

  • Ear plugs

Travel Insurance

We highly recommend purchasing travel insurance. Travel insurance allows you to seek reimbursement for your trip costs; if your trip plans change for unforeseeable reasons, or if you need to get medical help, emergency transport, and for theft, loss or damage of items while traveling.

For best coverage, always insure the full trip cost within two weeks of your initial trip deposit and note that most 'Cancel For Any Reason' policies must be purchased on the date of your initial deposit.

While Modern Adventure does not recommend any policy specifically, we encourage you to compare benefits and options, a few of which are listed below. We recommend that any plan you select includes trip cancellation and trip interruption coverage, at minimum.

Allianz: https://www.allianztravelinsurance.com/find-a-plan

Travelex: https://www.travelexinsurance.com/travel-insurance/plans/

IMG Global: https://www.imglobal.com/travel-insurance

Squaremouth: https://www.squaremouth.com/

Visas & Passports

US citizens do not require a visa to visit Japan for visits less than 90 days. Just bring a valid US passport. We recommend that your passport is valid for 6 calendar months beyond your planned departure date from Japan. Not a US citizen? Please check with the Japanese Embassy or Consulate for information and requirements.

Money & Tipping

The local currency is the Japanese yen (JPY), worth roughly 107 yen to 1 US dollar. There are numerous ATMs in Japan to access your bank back home. Many restaurants and shops in Japan accept credit cards; however you will want some yen notes when traveling outside of the main cities.

We curate your Modern Adventure to ensure all experiences are immersive and included in your trip price. We recommend bringing enough money with you for a few meals on your own, as well as any souvenirs or local arts and crafts you might like to bring back with you.

Most gratuities and tips are included in our trip price. Tipping isn't customary in Japan and can be considered rude or insulting in many situations. Most Japanese restaurants require customers to pay for their meals at the front register, rather than leave money with the waiter or waitress. Tipping also isn't required for cab or bus rides and many hotel services.

Please note, however, that tipping our local and Modern Adventure guides is at your discretion; to show your appreciation for good service, we recommend tipping each guide US$70 - $150 per guest.