Mount Fuji, Japan © Shutterstock
In the land of the samurai
A genuine “onsen” has a women’s area and a men’s area. Mixed “onsen” are starting to appear, but they remain very rare and not authentic.
Renting a car in Japan is entirely possible. Once you’ve picked up the right habits, the experience reflects the Japanese people themselves: driving is done with respect and courtesy. A GPS is essential, along with renting a pocket Wifi device to get around the language barrier. Note that cars drive on the left in Japan!
Another important point: you will need to have your driving licence translated into Japanese.
That said, for a more relaxed trip, we recommend using public transport in major cities and booking a driver where public transport is less practical.
For travelers who aren’t keen on raw fish, rest assured — restaurants, markets and neighbourhood cafés offer plenty to satisfy your appetite and make for some fine culinary discoveries.
The accommodation to try is the traditional Japanese inn: the ryokan.
You typically sleep in a shared room on a futon, with mattresses laid out in the evening.
Ryokan often have communal baths, though private bathrooms are becoming increasingly common.