• Select "Yes, I want to share a room" and WTT will assign you a roommate when Final Travel Instructions are sent.
• You can specify a roommate by entering her name where indicated. If your named roommate is not on the tour, for any reason, WTT will assign you a roommate unless you pay to have your own room, if available.
• Select "No, I do not wish to share a room" if you want to have your own room. Additional costs apply.

• All shared rooms have 2 beds
• All shared rooms are non-smoking
• No special requests about your roommate can be accommodated
• See "Frequently Asked Questions" TAB for more details

• 30% Easy
• 60% Moderate (extensive walking and use of public transportation, including train travel)
• 10% Strenuous (time change, long-haul flight to/from tour)

Each day of the itinerary lists the included meals for that day (B,L,D,O=Other). When a meal is not included, the WTT Tour Director will have suggestions for where to eat.

You do not have to dine alone unless it is your personal choice. You'll most likely be dining with new acquaintances you've made, or you can join the Tour Director.

Dietary Restrictions on International Tours: WTT has limited to no control over food selections or variety from meal-to-meal, especially at hotels. While we do our best to accommodate dietary restrictions and ensure variety of options, we cannot guarantee either.

In general the temperature, rainfall and humidity levels vary based on the time of the year. We suggest you monitor weather apps leading up to the time you depart for the most current information.

For This Trip You Will Need—

• Comfortable walking shoes
• Shoes that are easy to slip on and off. When visiting temples and other places, shoes are not permitted.

For This Trip You May Want—

• Typically, you will feel more comfortable dressing in smart-casual wear to better blend with Japan's cultural norms. Sneakers and denim are acceptable, but you may want to pair them with a blouse or jacket.
• Lightweight versatile clothing. Japanese fashion tends to be modest; skip low-cut tops, and wear leggings only under skirts or long tunics rather than as pants.
• A warm jacket/sweater for the cool mornings and evenings or the unusually brisk day
• Inexpensive rain poncho or travel umbrella, just in case.

• Many public restrooms in Japan lack paper towels or hand dryers. You are expected to carry your own small towel to dry your hands.
• If you have visible tattoos, you may want to wear clothing that downplays or covers this body art. Tattoos are still frowned upon in Japanese society.
• Japan has strict laws against the importation of medicines which include many over-the-counter products. Any item that contains narcotic or stimulant ingredients in excess of the Japanese standard is prohibited. These include (but are not limited to) Tylenol Cold, NyQuil, Sudafed, Advil Cold & Sinus, etc. In general, you can enter the country with a one-month supply of prescription medicine as long as it is not a prohibited or controlled drug in Japan. Narcotics and stimulants, including certain ADD/ADHD medicines (such as Adderall) are strictly prohibited. If you require medications, be sure to research thoroughly.

Good Packing Habits—

• Bring what you need to get a good night's sleep, such as ear plugs, white noise generator, sleeping aids, etc. Unfamiliar noises of all types can disrupt your rest.
• Pack a limited amount of comfortable, casual clothing that layer and coordinate. Your fellow travelers will not mind or even notice – seeing you in the same clothing.
• Bring only two pairs of everyday shoes: one pair of well-broken-in walking shoes, and a second pair that could do double-duty as a walking shoe or a slightly dressy shoe.
• Pare down your beauty regimen to the bare minimum and always pack travel-sized toiletries.
• Pack medication in your carry-on and pack only as much as needed for the duration of your tour plus a few extra days as a precaution.

On every WTT tour, our policies regarding luggage restrictions are driven by the physical space limitations of the vehicles we use, the requirement that all travelers be able to manage their own belongings without assistance and the restrictions imposed by other forms of transportation such as [trains and small planes].

• It is best to travel as lightly as possible.  Most travelers regret when they have packed too much.
• You may bring one suitcase plus a carry-on bag.
• We recommend your suitcase be no larger than 26 inches high as measured from the FLOOR to the top of the retracted handle to make it easy for you to handle yourself.
• You are responsible for managing your own belongings.  We expect you to take your belongings from the coach to your room and to bring it back to the coach on days we change hotels. We do not provide luggage pulls; they are not safe and are inconvenient.
• Steps exist at most hotel entrances. On occasion the coach must unload passengers and luggage some distance from the hotel entrance.

Only you can determine your need to stay in contact while traveling.

• You should understand what your current cell phone plan includes in terms of data and minutes. Some, like certain T-Mobile plans, include an international package.
• Contact your cell phone service provider before departing about adding an international calling plan. Most carriers have flat daily rates which will allow your US-based phone to be functional upon arrival in a foreign country.
• Managing data while traveling internationally is important. Using WiFi when available and communicating through apps like WhatsApp help you manage data usage while traveling.Learn how to make an international call BEFORE you leave. Consult your cell provider and check out the website www.HowtoCallAbroad.com.

• Standard two-prong (Type A) US plugs will physically fit into almost all Japanese outlets. There might be some three-prong (Type B) plugs but many Japanese outlets only accept two prongs. If your US device has a third grounding pin, you will need a basic 3-to-2 prong adapter.
• Voltage differences: Japan uses 100 V, while the US uses 120 V.
• Frequency differences: Eastern Japan (including Tokyo) operates at 50 Hz, and Western Japan (including Kyoto and Osaka) operates at 60 Hz.

• The official currency of Japan is the Japanese Yen (¥).
• Japan is very much a cash-driven economy and many places still only accept cash.
• ATMs are typically the best way of obtaining local currency; they are found in most airports and tourist destinations. ATMs of major banks often give much better exchange rates than currency-exchange kiosks.
• If using a debit card, it is good practice to limit the amount of cash available in the account and simply transfer money from another account if you need more at any point on tour. Always use caution when withdrawing money.
• Many travelers feel more comfortable having local currency before they depart for the tour. You may be able to order currency from your bank.
• Notify your credit card issuer that you will be traveling and provide dates of travel.
• Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted, although many cards charge a foreign transaction fee. Be sure to investigate your card of choice as there are many that do not impose these fees and are better suited for international travel.
• If a merchant gives you the choice between making your transaction in USD or the local currency, always choose the local currency, to avoid dynamic currency conversion which includes a conversion fee.

All tips to drivers and local guides who join the tour to lead individual activities will be paid on your behalf.

• We suggest you read up on tipping culture in the various places you will be visiting so you can show your appreciation for any personal service provided with an appropriate gratuity.
• Tipping the national guide in Japan is not required or expected. Because Japan has a strict no-tipping culture, guides take pride in providing world-class service as part of their standard job. However, in the travel industry, guides are accustomed to foreign tipping customs and will happily accept it as a gesture of appreciation for exceptional service.
• You may want to tip your WTT Tour Director for an outstanding job. The amount is entirely a personal preference. If you'd like a guideline, consider $9-$12 per day.