We are planning our first trip to Japan in this upcoming february after a long postponing due to covid. Would love some tips from others here! We have dates but no specific ideas while there yet. More specific questions:
Recommended budget per day based on general costs of food and lodging there?
Recommendations for places to go while generally trying to avoid touristy locales?
Train for getting around while there or is there a better option?
How important to study basic Japanese?
Thanks!
FYI the JR pass is going to double in price in October. I’ve heard a lot of people say it will no longer be worth it for most people after that. I believe you can buy it just before the price increase and use it up to 3 months later, but that puts OP’s trip just out of the range of being able to do that.
It looks like you are right :( https://www.japan-guide.com/news/japan-rail-pass-cost-increase.html