Japan is one of those countries that suffers a great deal from some very bad cliches and myths created by Hollywood movies. Part of the fun visiting the country is that you can discover for yourself what is true and what is not. Japan's cities are highly developed, but outside of the major cities the scenery can be breath taking. Think of snow capped mountains, rice paddies and thatched roof cottages.
Japan is often regarded as one of the most expensive countries in the world, however, ongoing deflation has controlled prices over the past 10 years. It is probably a cheaper place to visit than most parts of western Europe. By staying in Japanese style hotels (ryokan), eating Japanese food and by making use of a Japan rail pass, Japan can be extremely affordable on any budget.
Best time to go: Spring or Autumn. Spring is a popular time to catch the cherry blossom. Winter is fairly mild and can be a good time to visit if you would like to do some skiing. Summer is hot and humid, not particularly pleasant.
Accommodation Budget hostels start from around 1500 yen per night. Ryokan or minshuku are budget Japanese hotels that start at around 5000 yen per person. They usually have shared bath facilities and futons for sleeping. Business hotels can also be good value in the cities.
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