Travelling to Japan for the first time

Hi all,

Im 20 years old and live in the UK. I'm planning to travel to Japan around May-June next year and as I have never travelled anywhere on my own before you can appreciate I am very nervous!

While I'm there I hope to see Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka and Yokohama and I just have a few questions about my visit. Any help would be greatly appreciated;

1) How long would the trip take to see all of the above thoroughly?

2) Which airport is best to fly into? My plan at the moment is to arrive and depart from Narita airport.

3) I have also heard that train tickets must be bought in advance of arrival in Japan (over the internet) is this true?

Any other information would be great, i'm really excited about booking the trip but its also a big step into the unknown for me haha

Thanks
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How long would the trip take to see all of the above thoroughly?

This depends on your idea of "thoroughly". I recommend a minimum of one week for people who like a very fast pace, and three weeks or more for people who prefer a slow pace.

Which airport is best to fly into? My plan at the moment is to arrive and depart from Narita airport.

You could save a return trip between Tokyo/Yokohama and Kyoto/Osaka by flying into Narita and leaving through Osaka's Kansai Airport or the other way around.

I have also heard that train tickets must be bought in advance of arrival in Japan (over the internet) is this true?

No, it is not true! It is not even possible to buy most train tickets from outside of Japan.

Only the popular Japan Rail Pass must be purchased outside of Japan. For yourself, the pass would only make sense if you were to make a round trip between Tokyo/Yokohama and Osaka/Kyoto within seven calendar days. Otherwise, regular tickets (which you buy in Japan after arrival) come considerably cheaper.

About the Japan Rail Pass:
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2361.html

have a look at a 7 full days in Japan itinerary:
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2400_tokyo_7.html
and one for 14 full days in Japan: http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2400_tokyo_14.html
You should read the section A-Z at the very top of this guide to learn as much as possible about Japan.One good thing is that subways and trains aren't that different from the ones in Europe and there are lots of signs using the Roman alphabet.

If you have the time do 3 weeks. 1 in Tokyo and 1 in Kyoto and split the other with Osaka and the other destinations. I spent 3 days in Kyoto and did not even scratch the surface of things to do. I also spent 3 days in Osaka and found that was plenty of time for that city. Tokyo has a lot of interestings areas each with its own feel. Look at Tokyo as being made up as different cities. In all honesty you could spend 2 weeks in Kyoto but 1 week will be enough to explore throughly. Have a great time and I would also suggest using this website as a main tool. Its got most everything you will need for all your research.

In the UK for more information on the places you'd like to see send an e-mail to JNTO (Japan National Tourist Organization) and request brochures which they will send to you free of charge, the details are here
http://www.seejapan.co.uk/contact/inquiry/index.html

I have done this on all my trips to Japan and it has helped me as you get maps and stuff that help you judge the distance between things you want to see.

Also if you are in London or close to London you can pop into the Japan Travel Centre, this is part of the Japan Centre at PIcadilly Circus
http://www.japantravel.co.uk/site/default.html
They will have lots of information for you here and you can also purchase your Japan Rail pass here.

This might not be the exact information your are looking for but I hope it helps.
Enjoy Japan when you go it's an amazing place :-)

Thanks very much for your answers. I think im gonna spend about 3 weeks, and go start in Tokyo. Cant wait to get it all sorted.

Thanks again