Japan is the hot holiday destination for Aussies at the moment. A quarter of a million Australian tourists visited Japan in the first three months of this year, up 46.3 per cent from 2019.
From bustling cities to pristine beaches, and snow fields to ancient villages, Japan has it all. But there's one thing to keep in mind when you visit. Carry cash .
.. or you might miss out on one of the most iconic tourism experiences.
READ MORE: Top destinations to visit in Europe, ranked by affordability, beaches and weather Celebrity Cruises' Ismail Arikam, Hotel Director on the Millennium, is a certified Japan expert, with over ten years of experience cruising in the region. He let us in on three main things to know before heading to Japan. He tells 9Travel that the most important thing is to always have cash on you.
If not, you'll miss out on the vending machines. "If you want to experience Japan's legendary vending machines that offer everything from hot drinks to fresh eggs, you'll need plenty of coins," Ismail says. READ MORE: Your guide to a budget-friendly snow holiday There are plenty of other places around the country where cash is king.
"While credit cards are accepted in many places, Japan is still cash-oriented, so it's good to have yen on hand for small purchases and in rural areas." For tourist sites with small entrance fees, like temples and shrines, cash is often the only way to pay. The same goes for some smaller shops and restaurants.
Ismael says that ar.
