Ready to travel overseas again? Japan is perfect in every way

The land of the rising sun is an enigma. Ancient history sits beside revolutionary technology; rugged natural beauty surrounds a kaleidoscope of patchworked gardens; the fast pace of life is balanced with soaking in an onsen. Then there is cuisine, music, theatre, art, fashion, tea ceremonies, and sumo wrestling.  

So, whether you are a first-timer or a Japanophile, here are a few tips to help plan your dream trip.

Although Japan is one of the safest and cleanest countries in the world, it can be a little confusing when trying to get around. Taking an organised tour means leaving the logistics to experts and focusing on being in the moment. 

Japanese people are polite and respectful. They will appreciate any effort to help communication.  

You may already know one or two Japanese greetings, like Konnichiwa (koh-nee-chee-wah), when you are greeting someone. Here are some others to try: 

• Greet people with ohayō gozaimasu (oh-hah-yoh goh-zah-ee-muhss-oo) in the morning.  

• Switch to konbanwa (kohn-bahn-wah) in the evening.  

• Answer the phone with moshi moshi (moh-shee moh-shee). The Japanese have a different greeting that is exclusively for use on the phone. You say moshi moshi whether you are the caller or being called. 

Credit cards are accepted across Japan, but cash is still ‘king,’ especially in the smaller towns and villages. 

Toyko is the capital of Japan. On your trip, you will not want to miss iconic landmarks like Tokyo Skytree, Imperial Palace, and Shibuya Crossing. 

Tokyo's most famous landmark, the Imperial Palace, has beautiful 17th-century parks surrounded by walls and moats and is a must-see when visiting the capital. 

If you are headed out of the city, why not gaze at Mount Fuji while riding the Shinkansen bullet train? Japan's most recognisable landmark is also the country's highest mountain peak. Towering 3,776 meters, the mountain is tall enough to be seen from Tokyo, more than 100 kilometres away. 

Kyoto is one of the few cities in Japan to be spared the devastation of WWII. On your trip, you can explore fine old streets and temples, much of it unchanged since the Imperial family took up residence here more than 1,000 years ago. If you are lucky, you may even spot a geisha in the streets! 

You may also like to visit Hiroshima. The city has many spots which commemorate the many victims of the world's first nuclear attack, including the Peace Memorial Museum, the Memorial Cenotaph and the Flame of Peace, and the Atom Bomb Dome - the ruins of an administrative building that lay at the centre of the explosion.

Bowing is a crucial part of Japanese social culture. Although tourists are not expected to follow this etiquette, it is good to be prepared and follow the customs. If someone bows at you, mirror their bow, or at the very least give a friendly nod. 

The Japanese do not wear shoes inside, and in many places, you will have to remove your shoes when going indoors. Having shoes that are easy to take off and put back on at entrances to temples and restaurants saves time.