Japan: Kyoto, the Japanese Alps & Tokyo

• In order to enter Japan, U.S. and Canadian citizens need a valid passport with an expiration date extending at least six months beyond the date of reentry.
• We recommend having at least two blank passport pages for entry stamps.
• If you are not a U.S. or Canadian citizen, you must contact Japan’s consulate for your specific entry requirements.
• You can see the most up-to-date entry requirements for the destination(s) you’ll visit on tour by going to goaheadtours.com/entry-requirements and searching the code JAG.

• Round-trip flights booked through Go Ahead Tours arrive in Osaka and depart from Tokyo.
• Transfers to and from the airport at the beginning and end of the tour are included for travelers who purchased their flights through Go Ahead Tours. Travelers who booked their own flights are responsible for securing their own airport transfers.
• When you arrive in Osaka, a Go Ahead representative will be waiting for you in the arrivals hall with a Go Ahead sign or a sign with your name(s). If you don’t see a representative immediately, please be patient and stay in the arrivals area. They may be assisting another traveler who has also just arrived and will be back shortly.

Physical Activity Level

This is a very high physical activity-level tour. You can expect vigorous activity throughout the course of the tour.

Tour Pacing

This is a brisk-paced tour. The pace of a tour itinerary considers how often you’ll switch hotels, the amount of planned daily activities, and how you’ll get from place to place. You can expect:

• One 1-night stay
• Most days full of included activities (more if you add excursions)
• Most transportation by motor coach
• Some transport by train
• Daily bus time varies and can be lengthy

Walking, Terrain & Physical Requirements

• Travelers should be prepared to walk 3-5 miles per day over varying terrain - this includes crowded city streets, stone paths, uneven stairs, and steep hills.
• During the Zen meditation it is important to note travelers will need to sit on the ground for the duration and should feel comfortable getting up and down unassisted.
• Travelers should be healthy enough to participate in all included walks without assistance.
• Please Note: Adding optional excursions may increase the total amount of walking on your tour.

Climate Considerations

• Temperatures range from 40sF in winter to low-80sF in summer, with occasional heatwaves in the summer months (June-September).
• Summer is the rainy season in Japan and travelers should expect hot, humid days.

Physical Activity & Tour Pace Questions

• Go Ahead Tours and the Tour Director who accompanies your group are unable to provide special mobility or luggage handling assistance to travelers on tour. The responsibility of the Tour Director is to ensure the group enjoys a smooth and informative journey, and they can’t be relied on to provide individualized assistance to any one traveler.
• This tour moves at a reasonable pace to avoid missing scheduled stops. The rest of the group cannot miss any scheduled activities because of the needs of an individual.
• Due to the pace and physical activity level of this tour, mobility aids such as wheelchairs or walkers will be difficult to use and are not recommended. Please notify Go Ahead Tours before your departure if you plan to bring these on tour with you.
• If you have mobility concerns or tour pace questions, please visit our Help Center or send a message to our Customer Experience Team. We’re here to help!

• This tour includes various modes of transportation, including trains and private motor coach. Some modes of transportation will have raised platforms or steps and often not provide access to ramps or lifts.
• Train rides from Osaka to Hiroshima, Kyoto to Kanazawa, and Kanazawa to Tokyo are included in the price of your tour. (The tour extension also includes a round-trip flight between Tokyo and Okinawa.)
• All other included transportation on this tour is by private motor coach.
• Japanese train stations typically operate similarly to airports where security measures, such as baggage and body scanners, are common. Platforms are often spread out across large distances and require travelers to manage their luggage on escalators or stairs. Porterage services are not offered on train transfers and luggage storage on trains is extremely limited. Please keep in mind that trains may only be stopping at the stations for a few minutes; speed with loading and unloading may be imperative.

• Please note that our travelers are limited to one checked bag and one carry-on bag per person due to storage limitations on motor coaches and trains.
• Some airlines may impose additional charges if you choose to exceed baggage size and weight restrictions. Be advised that you are responsible for any baggage fees incurred on all flights.
• Contact your airline(s) for baggage size and weight restrictions for your flights.
• Make sure you label your baggage and keep valuables, medication, and documents in your carry-on bag.
• Travelers must manage their own luggage throughout tour as porters are not guaranteed. This includes at hotels, airports, and boarding trains.
• Luggage storage on trains is extremely limited, and only hand luggage is allowed. Larger luggage will be shipped to each hotel and typically arrives the following day so an overnight bag is recommended.

• We recommend packing lightweight, loose-fitting clothing that can be easily layered to accommodate varying temperatures, as well as a light jacket or rainwear.
• A sturdy pair of walking shoes or sneakers is recommended for sightseeing.
• You may want to pack dressier attire if you plan to visit a high-end restaurant or attend a special performance.
• It is preferable not to visit temples or other religious sites with bare legs and shoulders (and entrance may be denied on this basis).
• In case of emergencies, we also recommend packing your medical insurance card in your carry-on.

• Go Ahead handpicks every hotel you’ll stay at, striking a balance between comfort, location, and local charm.
• Specific properties will vary based on your departure date, but are typically three-to-four-star hotels; always include private bathrooms; and usually have in-room safes for valuables. Additionally, your hotels will have Wi-Fi, but access may be limited to common areas. There may also not be elevators.
• Unfortunately, we can’t guarantee that your accommodations will have laundry services or facilities. We recommend checking directly with your hotels once they’ve been confirmed, about 30 days prior to departure.
• Some hotels on this tour are situated on narrow streets; as such, our buses can’t drop you off right out front. In these instances, you’ll have to walk your luggage to the property, no more than a few blocks.
• Please be advised that the strength of the air conditioning in Asian hotels/buildings is often not as strong or as cool as what you might be used to in the U.S. or Canada.
• Japan operates on 100 volts and uses a Type A plug, the same as in the U.S.
• Specific accommodations will vary based on your departure date.

• Onsens, or hot spring baths, are a huge part of the Japanese lifestyle. With more than 3,600 hot springs across the country, locals and visitors alike make visiting an onsen a priority. Guests should be aware of onsen etiquette before visiting.
• Guests will undress and leave their belongings in the locker room before entering the bathing room. Some onsens are starting to offer policies for the more modest guest, but they are still not common.
• Guests must wash and rinse themselves completely before entering a shared baths. Be mindful of otherwise while washing yourself so as not to spray others in the bathing room.
• A small white bathing towel will sometimes be provided or available to rent, and are used as a cover-up, to wash your body, and dry yourself. Shampoo and soap are commonly provided, but many guests bring their own.
• Keep your bathing towel with you at all times. Most guests fold the towel and keep it near them while in the baths, or keep it folded up on top of their heads. The bathing towel must never touch the bath water.
• Hair should be worn up and should not your towel or the water.
• Onsens are a relaxing and tranquil experience, be sure to speak quietly and be respectful of others who are relaxing. There is no swimming, diving, or running in the baths.
• You may soak, exit, and reenter the baths at your leisure. It is recommended you don't spend more than 30 minutes in the baths.
• Dry off completely before entering the locker room to change back into your clothes.
• Be sure to check an onsens tattoo policy before visiting. While many onsens are becoming more relaxed about tattoos, and some offer cover-up patches or private baths for those with tattoos, there are still many that do not allow guests with tattoos. While most people in Japan do not have an issue with tattoos themselves, many establishments keep conservative business practices surrounding tattoos being visible.

• Excursions are available for purchase prior to departure, and most excursions will be available for purchase while you are on tour directly through your mobile app for an additional $10 USD.
• We recommend purchasing excursions at least 3 days prior to your tour departure. Please note some excursions have advance booking deadlines. Check your tour itinerary for more information to ensure you don’t miss the deadline to add them.
• Optional excursions may be canceled on tour due to reasons like low enrollment, weather or unexpected closures. If an excursion you signed up for is canceled by Go Ahead Tours, you will be refunded the full cost of the excursion. Please note it may take up to 60 days for your refund to be processed.
• Your Tour Director may offer their own optional excursions which can only be purchased on tour via cash (in local currency).

• At least 60 days prior to departure, check with your doctor or healthcare provider for the latest updates and entry requirements, or visit the Center for Disease Control and Prevention website at cdc.gov.
• If you have medication that you take daily, be sure you have enough for each day of the tour as well as any possible delays encountered.
• If you have dietary restrictions and/or food allergies please notify Go Ahead Tours at least 30 days prior to departure by logging in to your account and updating your traveler info. To update this information closer to your departure date, please call our Customer Experience Team.
• Most of our itineraries include headsets used during certain sightseeing tours so travelers can hear their guides or Tour Director. If you use an assisted listening device, such as a hearing aid or cochlear implant, please visit our Help Center for more information or contact our customer experience team. Please note that at this time not all our destinations offer headsets due to supplier limitations.
• You can see the most up-to-date entry requirements for the destination(s) you’ll visit on tour by going to goaheadtours.com/entry-requirements and searching the code JAG.

• This tour includes five dinners: They may be set menus, buffets, or family-style meals, depending on the location. Dinners also include one glass of beer, wine, or a soft drink, as well as water, coffee, and tea.
• Breakfast each morning is also included at the hotel and is typically buffet style with hot and cold options.
• Most Japanese meals are based around rice or noodles with fish, meat, and vegetables flavored with soy sauce and miso. You may recognize popular dishes like sushi, tempura, and hot pot.
• In Tokyo, you’ll find regional dishes from all over the country as well as international cuisine throughout the city. Popular dishes in Tokyo are nigiri sushi, Chanko Nabe hot pot (a favorite of sumo wrestlers), and Monjayaki—a delicious griddled pancake made with seafood, meat, and cabbage.
• You’ll find rich culinary history in Kyoto ranging from fine-dining kaiseki dinners where the chef’s plating skills are on full display, or simple and traditional home-style meals which are referred to as obanzai ryori. Be sure not to miss the Nishiki Market, known as Kyoto’s Kitchen, you’ll find over one hundred stalls offering local produce and tasty snacks.
• Local foods are Hiroshima’s specialty such as their Okonomiyaki dish—a savory pancake which is layered with several toppings and placed on yakisoba noodles. You’ll also find the cold noodle dish Tantanmen where you can choose your spice level and add toppings like sliced meats, eggs, and vegetables.
• In the Japanese Alps, you’ll find some of the country’s best soba noodles which are served in a variety of dishes. Beautifully marbled Hida Beef out of the Gifu Prefecture can be found throughout the Alps region as well as mountain vegetables, Buddhist cuisine, and traditional Japanese sweets.

• At the conclusion of your tour, it is customary to offer your Tour Director and driver a gratuity in local currency. Please keep current exchange rates in mind.
• We recommend tipping the equivalent of $10-$12USD per person per day for your Tour Director and the equivalent of $3USD per person per day for your driver.
• If applicable, we also recommend the equivalent of $2USD per local guide.
• Tips can only be paid in cash.
• The cost of porterage is included in your tour price, and it is not necessary to tip baggage handlers.

• You will use the Japanese yen on tour.
• Better rates of exchange are usually available overseas, although it’s worth ordering some currency from your local bank to use when you first arrive.
• We strongly advise that you take debit/bank cards and credit cards, which can be used to withdraw cash at local banks as needed.
• You can use most debit/credit cards at ATMs on the international networks Cirrus and Plus, but make sure to check with your home bank about withdrawal fees.
• International banks and businesses primarily accept debit and credit cards that work with the EMV chip system. If you do not already have at least one debit or credit card with a chip in it, we strongly recommend requesting one from your bank prior to your tour.
• Plan ahead and bring cash to tip your tour director, local guides, and bus drivers. We also recommend keeping coins in the local currency on hand, as some public bathrooms may charge a fee for use.

• To ensure you feel prepared before traveling on tour, we strongly recommend you download the EF Go Ahead Tours mobile app. The app is free and provides important deadlines, entry requirements, your detailed itinerary, packing tips and more. You can also connect with fellow travelers through the chat feature in the app.
• Wifi is available in most hotels, though some charges may apply.
• There is no Wifi on any of the motor coaches.
• Please contact your mobile service provider for information on roaming charges.

• Your Tour Director will be leading your group throughout your journey. You will have the same Tour Director throughout your tour.
• The role of the Tour Director is not only to provide information and context on the destinations you visit, but also to confirm services, coordinate inclusions, prepare each days’ activities and support travelers while on tour. As such, they must focus on the success of the group, and cannot provide individualized assistance to any one traveler.

• One of the benefits of traveling with EF Go Ahead Tours is our on tour emergency support team.
• Our extensive network of offices around the world, and our integration of ISO 31000: Risk Management Guidelines, help our dedicated 24/7 Emergency Service teams anticipate and address on-tour challenges in a flexible and iterative way.
• This team supports travelers and Tour Directors using a combination of extensive training, simulations, incident response planning, and decades of experience to help manage emergencies if they arise, ranging from personal health concerns or injuries to major world events.
• As needed, On Tour Support can facilitate additional support for travelers on tour, arrange assistance from outside specialists, and liaise with local and international authorities to help solve on-the-ground issues. In addition, the team is dedicated to supporting and facilitating communication between travelers and families in the event of an emergency while on the road or at home.

• Japan is 8 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) and 14 hours ahead of Eastern Time (ET).
• When it’s noon on Monday in New York, it’s 1am on Tuesday in Japan.

• When you travel with Go Ahead Tours, you’ll make a positive impact on the places you visit and the people and animals you meet along the way. That’s because our three core Responsible Travel commitments—protecting the environment, supporting local communities, and promoting animal welfare—are at the heart of every tour we offer.
• Travel, when done responsibly, can have an enormous socioeconomic impact on communities. To maximize your impact, eat at locally owned restaurants and shop at small businesses. Ask your Tour Director to point out restaurants they recommend.
• Prepare for your trip: Be aware of monetary norms such as tipping and negotiating in a market; learn about the destination’s forms of etiquette; and take some time to learn a few words in the local language.
• When interacting with locals, make sure to ask people for permission before you take their picture, and approach cultural differences with empathy and an open mind.
• Go Ahead Tours encourages travelers to limit their waste while on the road, especially single-use plastics. You can cut back on generating plastic waste by packing your own toiletries, using electronic documents, and bringing a reusable water bottle and shopping bag. If you need to use plastics or paper, please recycle.
• When visiting national parks, reserves, or other protected areas, please do not remove anything from the natural environment or leave any litter. Carry out what you carried in.
• If you feel we aren’t meeting any of these commitments, please let us know.