Check-in information
With most airlines, you can check in online 24-48 hours prior to departure. Make sure you have your passport information and airline reference number handy. Your airline reference number is 6 letters or digits long and can be found on your e-ticket/flight itinerary provided with your final documentation.
You are able to manage your booking and select your seats online through your airline's "manage my booking" section. Please note that some airlines will allow you to pre-book seats more than 24 hours in advance but will usually charge a fee to do this, which needs to be paid to the airline directly by phone or via their website. Please refer to your airline’s website for further information.
We recommend you arrive at the airport at least 3 hours prior to your international departure, even if you have checked in online, to make sure you clear security in good time.
If you do not have access to the internet, we again recommend that you arrive at the airport 3 hours prior to departure where you can either use one of the available check-in desks or the self-service kiosks before taking your luggage to the bag-drop area.
Baggage information
We recommend that you do not exceed 20kgs of checked baggage on your international flights as many of the domestic airlines and trains within Japan have a luggage allowance of only 20kgs. As a guide, your main baggage should not exceed the following dimensions: 90cm x 75cm x 43cm (35.5ins x 29.5ins x 16ins), including the handle, pockets and wheels. Your cabin baggage should not exceed 55cm x 40cm x 20cm (22ins x 16in x 8ins)/ and have a maximum weight of 5kg. For further information please refer to your airline’s website.
If your tour involves a lot of train travel, we would recommend packing as lightly as possible. Porterage is not included in Japan and you will need to be able to carry your own luggage.
Terminal Information
This is shown on your e-ticket.
Transit information
If you are transiting from an international flight to a domestic flight in Tokyo (such as international flight Sydney to Tokyo, then domestic flight Tokyo to Osaka), or vice versa, you will need to go through immigration in Tokyo, collect your luggage, change terminals and re-check in your luggage for your next flight during your transit. Allow plenty of time to complete airport formalities. This also applies to airports in Australia (such as domestic flight Melbourne to Sydney, then international flight Sydney to Tokyo). If you're unsure if this applies to you, check with the airline counter before your first flight.
If you are transitting from one international flight to another international flight (such as in Singapore or Hong Kong), your luggage will be checked all the way through to your onward destination. You do not need to go through immigration or collect luggage. You may need to change terminals, refer to your boarding pass and information screens at the airport.
If you miss your connection, please immediately speak to the airline counter to organise a new flight. Wendy Wu Tours is generally unable to assist you with missed connections as the airline has control of your flights. Please refer to your final itinerary document for contact information if your arrival flight into Japan changes.
Transfers
Transfers in Japan are included on all Classic Tours and Go Beyond tour including Additional Nights' accommodation before and after your tour. For Short Stays/Extensions, please refer to your itinerary. Your final itinerary will have more detailed information on our transfer service.
For all transfer services, an English speaking representative will be waiting your arrival.
Whilst on tour
Every location on the itinerary will be visited with entrance fees to the main areas included, although the order may change depending on weather, traffic, last minute alterations or other conditions. If you wish to visit places that are not included in the itinerary, you may do so at your own cost. Please check in advance with your National Escort. After a day’s sightseeing, you may sometimes be taken directly to dinner rather than have the opportunity to go back to the hotel to shower and rest first. Many public toilets in Japan are now western-style, but you can still come across squat toilets whilst out sightseeing, at train stations and at traditional Japanese restaurants.
Queuing for major attractions - Be prepared for large numbers of other tourists, both foreign and domestic, at many of the attractions you will visit. The Japanese travel extensively within their own country, and inbound foreign tourism has grown rapidly in recent years. Your National Escort/Local Guides will queue for your entrance tickets but you may still need to wait to get into some attractions.
Public holidays
Japan has 15 national holidays that celebrate people, nature and the country itself – Greenery Day is a particular favourite! Golden Week is the biggest holiday of the year and is a collection of four holidays within a week, which usually will give people one whole week off. The first holiday, Showa Day, falls on April 29, which is the start of Golden Week. If you are travelling during any of these holidays, expect everywhere to be busier than usual, shops and businesses to shut and travelling to be more difficult.
Next: Tipping in Japan