General

Since you will soon be travelling to Japan—from 13 April to 23 April—it is wise to form a broad mental map of the country before stepping into it. Japan rewards travellers who understand its rhythm: the seasons, the social codes, and the quiet order that binds the society together. Allow me to sketch for you a traveller’s orientation—something between a cultural briefing and a philosophical introduction.

Japan: A General Orientation

Geography and Character of the Land

Japan is an archipelago of about 6,800 islands stretching along the eastern edge of Asia in the Pacific Ocean. The four major islands are:

• Hokkaido (north)
• Honshu (main island, where Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka are located)
• Shikoku
• Kyushu

Nearly 73% of Japan is mountainous, leaving limited flat land for cities and agriculture. This geographic constraint shaped Japanese culture: dense cities, careful land use, and a deep aesthetic appreciation of nature.

This is the land where Mount Fuji rises like a sacred axis of the sky. Rivers run short and fast. Forests cover the hills. The Japanese imagination has long seen the landscape not merely as scenery but as kami — living presences.

As Laozi wrote:

“Man follows the earth,
Earth follows heaven,
Heaven follows the Dao.”

Japan feels like a civilisation that still remembers this.

Currency and Cost

Currency

Japan uses the Japanese Yen (JPY).

Typical approximate exchange rate (2026 range):

• 1 SGD ≈ 110–115 JPY
• 1 JPY ≈ 0.009 SGD

Example conversions:

Yen	SGD (approx)
¥1000	~SGD 9
¥5000	~SGD 45
¥10,000	~SGD 90

Cash is still widely used in Japan. Although credit cards and mobile payments are increasing, many small restaurants, temples, and rural shops still prefer cash.

Convenience stores (7-Eleven, Lawson, FamilyMart) are the easiest places to withdraw cash.

Weather in April (Your Travel Period)

April is one of the best months to visit Japan.

Typical conditions in Tokyo in April:

• Average temperature: 13–19°C
• Daytime highs: around 18–21°C
• Night temperature: around 11–12°C
• Rain: about 120 mm across ~11 days 

This is spring.

You will experience:

• cherry blossoms (sakura)
• mild weather
• bright skies after rain
• comfortable walking temperatures

Clothing suggestions:

• light jacket
• scarf
• comfortable walking shoes
• umbrella (spring showers happen)

Tokyo in April is neither hot nor cold. It is what the Japanese call:

春風 (harukaze) — the wind of spring.

Culture and Social Norms

Japan operates through what sociologists call a high-context culture. Much is communicated without explicit speech.

Understanding a few key principles will make your trip far smoother.

1. Respect and Harmony (Wa)

The most important cultural principle is:

和 (Wa) — harmony

Avoid causing inconvenience to others.
This principle governs behaviour everywhere:

• trains
• restaurants
• streets
• homes

People speak softly in public spaces.

Even on a crowded Tokyo train with thousands of commuters, it is quiet like a library.

2. Bowing

Instead of handshakes, people bow.

Three levels exist:

Bow	Meaning
small nod	casual greeting
30° bow	polite respect
deep bow	apology or gratitude

Tourists are not expected to perform perfect bows—but a slight nod shows respect.

3. Shoes Off

Shoes must be removed when entering:

• homes
• traditional inns (ryokan)
• temples
• some restaurants

Slippers are usually provided.

4. No Tipping

Japan has no tipping culture.

If you tip:

• it may confuse staff
• sometimes they will politely refuse

Service excellence is expected as a professional duty.

5. Queuing Culture

Japan has extremely disciplined queues.

You will see lines everywhere:

• train platforms
• escalators
• convenience stores

People line up neatly and wait patiently.

6. Public Behaviour

Certain actions are considered impolite:

Avoid:

• speaking loudly on trains
• eating while walking (some exceptions)
• phone calls on public transport
• blocking pathways

7. Cleanliness

Japan has few public trash bins.

Yet the streets are spotless.

Why?

People carry their trash home.

This reveals a deeper ethic: responsibility for shared space.

Japanese Social Character

Three traits are widely observed in Japanese society.

Discipline

The society is organised and punctual.

Trains arrive to the minute.

A delay of 30 seconds may trigger an apology announcement.

Collective Responsibility

Group harmony is often valued over individual expression.

This comes from centuries of:

• rice agriculture cooperation
• village community systems
• Confucian ethics

Craftsmanship (Shokunin Spirit)

Japanese culture reveres mastery.

Whether it is:

• sushi
• knife making
• tea ceremony
• photography
• calligraphy

The artisan strives for perfection in repetition.

Food Culture

Japanese cuisine emphasizes:

• freshness
• seasonality
• simplicity

Key principles:

旬 (Shun) — eating ingredients in their natural season.

Typical meals include:

• rice
• fish
• fermented foods
• vegetables
• soup

Longevity studies often highlight the Japanese diet as contributing to long life.

You may enjoy:

• ramen
• sushi
• tempura
• udon
• soba
• wagyu beef

Convenience store food in Japan is also surprisingly excellent.

Tokyo: The Metropolis

Now we turn to Tokyo itself.

Tokyo is not merely a city.

It is one of the largest urban organisms in human history.

Population

Greater Tokyo metropolitan area:

37 million people

It is the largest metropolitan region on Earth.

Yet paradoxically:

• safe
• orderly
• efficient

Crime rates are extremely low.

The Character of Tokyo

Tokyo is a fascinating blend of three layers.

1. Edo (the historical city)

You still see traces in:

• temples
• wooden houses
• gardens

2. Post-war modernity

After WWII, Tokyo rebuilt itself rapidly.

Concrete, rail networks, highways.

3. Hyper-modern future

Tokyo today represents:

• robotics
• AI
• fashion
• subcultures
• digital life

Walking through Tokyo can feel like travelling between centuries within minutes.

Districts You Will Encounter

Important Tokyo areas:

Shinjuku

• skyscrapers
• nightlife
• government buildings

Shibuya

• famous scramble crossing
• youth fashion

Ginza

• luxury shopping
• architecture

Asakusa

• historic temples
• traditional atmosphere

Akihabara

• electronics
• anime culture

Ueno

• museums
• zoo
• park

Ariake (where your hotel is located)

• modern waterfront district
• near Tokyo Bay
• exhibition centres

Transport System

Tokyo’s rail network is one of the most complex but efficient in the world.

Key systems:

• JR lines
• Tokyo Metro
• private railways

The most useful tourist card:

Suica / Pasmo

Tap and go.

Works on:

• trains
• buses
• convenience stores
• vending machines

Safety

Japan is among the safest countries globally.

People commonly:

• leave laptops in cafes
• walk at night safely

However:

Tokyo is huge, so normal urban awareness still applies.

Cultural Experiences You Should Not Miss

During your visit (April):

1. Cherry blossoms (Sakura)
2. Tea ceremony
3. Temple visits
4. Japanese gardens
5. Local izakaya dining
6. Street photography

For a photographer like yourself, Zhutianyun, Tokyo is an endless theatre of light and motion.

Neon reflections in rain.
Quiet temples beneath skyscrapers.
The geometry of trains sliding through urban canyons.

A Final Thought

Japan often reveals itself slowly.

At first one sees:

• order
• politeness
• quiet efficiency

But beneath this lies something deeper.

A civilisation shaped by:

• Zen
• Shinto
• nature
• discipline
• impermanence.

The cherry blossom is the perfect symbol.

It blooms brilliantly for only a short time, then falls.

The Japanese call this awareness:

もののあわれ (mono no aware)

— the gentle sadness of impermanence.