Ultimate Ambassador Retreat: Highlights of Japan

Complete Your Checklist Before heading to the airport, complete the tasks below and check them off in your Online Account Checklist. If you have any questions, give us a call at 617-619-1411. We’re available 24/7 to make sure you have the Best. Trip. Ever.

Important Documents

• Passport: Your passport must be valid for at least 1 day past the end of your travels     
  Visa: U.S. and Canadian citizens can enter Japan without a visa for tourism purposes and stay for up to 90 days. If you are not a U.S. or Canadian citizen, you must contact your country’s consulate for your specific entry requirements.       
  Additional: Some medications - specifically mental health - may not be allowed. Travelers should  check with CDC or other governmental agencies and to work with their doctors to obtain proper documentation for any medications they may need abroad.
• Travel Insurance: While travel insurance is not required, we strongly encourage all travelers to obtain coverage before departure. Check out cost-effective Travel Protection, designed to meet the needs of EF travelers, here.
• Health Insurance: You will need to carry your primary insurance card with you while overseas. This is a critical item in the event of a medical emergency.

Tour Preparation

• Talk with your doctor: It is highly recommended that you talk with your doctor about your travel plans. If you are taking any medications, be certain to bring enough to last throughout your trip.
• Traveling with allergies? Let your Trip Consultant and Tour Director know of any dietary restrictions/allergies and we will do what we can to accommodate for any included meals.
• Request a roommate: Double-check with us and your Tour Director that they have your rooming status on file. We will assign a roommate for you if you do not submit a specific request.
• Get an international data plan: We recommend getting an international data plan for your mobile device so you can stay connected while on the road. Please talk with your phone provider for your best options.
  • Wi-Fi will be in some hotels, restaurants, and bars, though charges may apply and it may be slower than in the U.S.
  • Wi-Fi is not available on the bus.
• Get the EF Ultimate Break app: Your trip's group will be able to connect on the app before you meet IRL. Don't miss out! Meet other travelers, get updates from your Tour Director, see flights and accommodations, and more. If you're having trouble, give us a call at 617-619-1411.

Flight Preparation Check your online account 30 days prior to departure for your flight itinerary and confirmation number. You can check in to your flight 24 hours prior to departure. If you prefer to check in at the airport, plan to arrive 2.5 – 3 hours before departure.

• If your flight is cancelled or delayed: Don’t worry! We design the first day of tour as an arrival day in case of flight delays or cancellations. Work with the airline to get rebooked on the next available flight, then let your Tour Director know your new arrival time
• If you slept in and missed your flight: You should still talk to the airline and see if they can get you on the next available option. Tears may help in this case.
• Travel from the U.S. to Asia is a lengthy process (20 – 30+ hours travel time total), so prepare for your long flight. Download movies ahead of time, bring that book you’ve been meaning to read, and get some sleep! When flying, we suggest occasionally getting up to stretch, and drink plenty of water to stay hydrated!

Arriving in Tokyo Congratulations! You’ve landed in the world’s most populous metropolitan area of the world, and the capital city of Japan. We can’t wait for you to dive in! Your Tour Director will communicate through the EF Ultimate Break app, WhatsApp, or email about where to meet them at the airport. This is an important reason to make sure you have the EF Ultimate Break app! Once you arrive in Tokyo it will be mid-late afternoon.

Transportation in Japan Transfers between cities and countries are via private bus, or high speed train, and these transfers can take anywhere between 2-6 hours. You’ll also receive a public transportation pass in most major cities where necessary. Transportation in cities that offer no pass may require more walking. Prepare to walk between 4-8 miles per day, especially when sightseeing.

• The rail network in Japan is over 150 lines over 5,000 kilometers, and it is a strict place. Out of respect, try to be quiet and considerate when using public transportation. This means no talking on cell phones, and no food or drink.

You booked an Ultimate Plus tour which means you are typically guaranteed twin-based accommodations. There are two instances on your trip to Japan where this may vary. In Mt. Koya-san, this overnight is a monastery temple-stay, and the bathroom facilities may be shared and not private. In Hakone, this overnight is a hotel with ryokan-style accommodations, and the bathroom facilities are private. You may have to share your ryokan-style accommodation rooming experience with 4-5 other people, however the rooms are large and the experience is one you will never forget!

Fact: Travel is exhilarating. And FOMO is real. So, we understand why you don’t want to miss a second of the action. But there’s a difference between maximizing your time and spreading yourself too thin. Here are some tips to stay healthy and happy on tour:

• Sleep: Flying across the globe, changing time zones, and being constantly on the move can take a toll on your body. Make sure you get the rest your body needs. If that means missing a night out for some well-earned rest, or having a little afternoon nap, so be it. This is a marathon, not a sprint.
• Stay hydrated: It’s important to drink plenty of water throughout the day, we recommend bringing a refillable water bottle!
• Be prepared: We recommend bringing a small first aid kit including antacids, anti-diarrhea medication, motion sickness medication, and any prescription medications in your carry-on bag.
• Take time for yourself: Group travel is an amazing experience, and there’s nothing quite like exploring a foreign country with a group of like-minded people. That said, it’s okay to take time for yourself to relax and reflect on your experience. Here are a few mindfulness apps you can take with you on the road:
  • MindShift: Focused on anxiety management, this app has an array of cognitive behavior therapy features including journaling, goal-setting, calming audio, and a community forum.
  • Ten Percent Happier: Filled with videos and guided meditations intended to help with everything ranging from sleep to stress reduction.

With a global presence of more than 46,000 people in over 115 countries and regions, we’re fully committed to your safety. From your first flight all the way through to your farewell dinner, don’t hesitate to reach out to your Tour Director or your Trip Consultant if you need a helping hand. Keep these extra tips in mind so you can #travelsmart:

• Keep your bag/purse in front of you and your phone zipped inside when you’re not using it. Leave your laptop at home, store valuables at the hotel in locked luggage or the safe deposit box. Refrain from carrying large sums of money or wearing valuable jewelry.
• Use the buddy system. Stay in groups and watch out for each other, especially at night—no one gets left behind!
• Be smart about alcohol consumption. Watch your drinks and don’t accept drinks from people you don’t know. Don’t leave the bar alone with someone you just met.
• Before you go out, grab a business card at your hotel so that you always have the address handy for getting back later.
• At the end of a night out, use trusted transportation like a licensed taxi and always have cash on hand.
• Save our 24/7 number in your phone: +1–617–619–1411

For weight and size restrictions please refer to your airline’s website. Flight information will be available 30 days prior to departure in your online account. Below you'll find some critical packing information and suggestions.

• The most important piece of advice we can give you: Pack light! Your international airline ticket does include a checked bag, but years of customer feedback tells us a carry-on is the way to go. You may need to carry your suitcase where buses and elevators cannot, so make sure you are comfortable carrying everything you bring yourself.
  • You've probably heard the hacks about rolling clothes and using packing cubes a million times, but there's a reason for that! It really does help.
  • If you choose to pack all of your toiletries, don't bring your regular-sized bottles from home. Offload some of that into travel-sized containers.
  • Choose your luggage wisely. We recommend a roller carry-on bag and a backpack as your personal item.
  • Choose shoes carefully as well. They're some of the bulkiest items you can pack, so we recommend a good pair of walking shoes and a pair of climate-appropriate shoes (boots or sandals depending on the destination and time of year). We also recommend a pair of closed-toe water shoes if your itinerary has any water activities.
  • Make a packing list of must-haves and stick to it. If you have a little extra space in your bags once all your must-haves are packed, then consider adding in a few nice extras.
• Unfortunately, luggage can get lost. It’s a painful situation no matter what, but here are tips to ease some of the hassle:
  • DO NOT put important medications in a checked bag. If your luggage is lost, this could become a dangerous issue.
  • Even if you put most of your clothes in a checked bag, put a couple outfits in your carry-on along with your toiletries.
  • If you are forced to check you carry-on at the gate, be sure to remove essentials and valuables before handing it over.
• Carefully review TSA restrictions when packing. There are a number of items not allowed in your carry-on and liquids have certain restrictions.
• Check out the local weather; we haven't figured out how to control the weather yet so best to be prepared and plan accordingly.
• Don't forget: Outlets overseas can differ from the US, so be sure to pack the right power adapters/converters!

Budgeting Budget around $60-$80 per day for meals, drinks, souvenirs, and tips or extra activities.

Remember that you know your spending habits best and not everyone’s spending habits are the same. These recommendations are based on a traveler who says yes to any and all activities while on tour.

Managing Money The local currency in Japan is the yen. Read on for more must-knows about money and tipping on your trip!

• When exchanging money before the trip, better rates are usually found overseas, but it’s worth ordering some currency from your local bank to use when you first arrive.
• Cash is king in Japan, but you should take debit and credit cards with you 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 be wary of fees.

Tipping

• We recommend tipping your Tour Director $10-$12 per day at the end of the trip
• For local guides, you should tip $2-$3 at the end of each experience.
• Tipping at restaurants or for taxis is not customary, and in some cases can even be considered rude. While tipping in Japan is not the norm in most settings, your tour director and local guides still really appreciate the gesture!

The official language of Japan is Japanese. While it may feel awkward at first, attempting the local language goes a long way when navigating a city and interacting with people. Practice these basic phrases to get started:

• Hello: Kon’nichiwa
• Goodbye: Sayanara
• Please: Onegai shimasu
• Thank you: Arigato
• Pardon me: Sumimasen
• Yes: Hai
• No: Iie
• Cheers: kampai

As you prepare to spend time in a new culture, here are some expert tips to help you understand the ins and outs of Asia, and feel like a true local:

• #BeHumble: The Japanese are simultaneously the most proud and the most humble people. Humility is a core principle in Japan, and there is a deep respect for elders, superiors, and order. You’ll notice this in locals bowing, customer service, or even lack of confrontation.
• Navigating: There are no street names in Japan, so an address in Japan starts with the city, then the ward, then a specific area of the ward, then finally ends with the block number. Try to orient yourself with landmarks and asking for directions!
• Restaurants: Some restaurants in Japan may turn you away because you are foreign. This is usually because they are either worried about making a mistake, or, pure exclusivity and needing an introduction from a trusted patron to get in.
• Bathrooms: The rumors are true. Japan has high-tech bathrooms, specifically toilets that flush backwards and have a lot of buttons. It’s an experience to say the least.

Dining in Japan is very different than in the United States. Prepare to dive into a fusion of ancient tradition and extremely modern practices. This is the gastronomical paradise that is Japan. Read on for tips, tricks, and delicacies you must try.

• Street Food: In Japan you have to try the street food. Try to find stands with long lines - that means it’s delicious, AND safe to eat.
• Noodles: Noodles are a popular base in Japan, similar to rice in China. Soba noodles are buckwheat flour noodles with soy sauce or sugar sauce. Udon noodles are kneaded wheat flour with similar toppings as soba, but a much thicker, firmer density than soba!
• Shabushabu: Sometimes known as “Hot Pot” - this is a dish where you boil your own meat and vegetables in a flavored broth and eat as you cook! Try adding some udon noodles to the dish to kick it up a notch too.
• Onigiri: A boiled rice ball typically dried plum, salmon, or cod roe all wrapped in a sheet of dried seaweed. You can ind these everywhere and take them to go. And you should.
• Sushi: Heard of it? In Japan, try a kaitenzushi (conveyer belt sushi restaurant) for some cheap, yet delicious, sushi options. Just 100 yen per plate!
• Tempura: Tempura is a dish where veggies, seafood, or other ingredients are dipped and fried in a flour & egg batter. Served with dipping sauce, guaranteed deliciousness.
• Ramen: Consider Ramen in Japan a significant upgrade from your 99 cent college ramen noodle days. Try this noodle soup dish with a chicken, beef, or seafood broth, noodles, veggies, spices, and usually an egg!

Note: Chopsticks are a staple of Asian cuisine and culture. Attempting to use chopsticks instead of western cutlery will earn you some respect with the locals, but be wary of using chopsticks to point at someone, poke at food, or play them like musical instruments - these are all signs of disrespect.

If you did not purchase EF Ultimate Break Optional Excursions before the trip began, you can log into your Online Account and do so on tour. You can also talk to your Tour Director on tour and they can help you get enrolled. If you’d like to plan something else during your free time, connect with your Tour Director before doing so; they sometimes arrange extra activities for the group during free time. Prices for these optional excursions will increase on tour, so please check your online account for available add-ons.