Have you always wanted to go to Japan, but didn't know where to start? Make your first stop the Japan National Tourist Organization (JNTO) in Downtown L.A., located at the intersection of Figueroa and 5th Streets. The office is a storehouse of free, detailed travel information, and the staff is friendly and ready to help you.

When it comes to travel to Japan, there are two things that seem to be the most daunting to the first-time tourist. One is the language barrier. Those "squiggly lines" can make the uninitiated feel a little overwhelmed. "What if I get off at the wrong station??"

JNTO is aware of this concern and has tried to make Japan as English-friendly as possible. Not only do they carry detailed maps of the major tourist areas, complete with descriptions of how and how much it costs to get there, they have organized a service called the Japan Travel-Phone, an assistance hotline for tourists in Japan. Any time you need last-minute travel info, or are some sort of trouble, you can call a toll-free number (except Tokyo and Kyoto) for help in English. Be sure to ask for this pamphlet at the office. It will give you the extra peace of  mind you need.

And for extra assurance, you can pick up the Tourist's Language Handbook, which features practical phrases written such that you can just point to the appropriate phrase if you are not up to mastering the Japanese writing system on short notice. It also details information about what to do if you are injured or sick, or suffering from something much more common– hunger. You might want to pick up a handful of these guides, as they are laid out in a "workbook" style, encouraging you to circle and fill in blanks to help you get what you want to get.

The other thing that concerns many tourists is the cost of going to Japan. The prevailing view is that you need at least $3-4000 per person to visit the faraway country, and for couples and families, this price can be prohibitively high.

This is another instance when a visit to JNTO can help. Of course, Japan is known for its excellent, world-class service, and if you want to stay in 5-star hotels, you can easily spend several $100's a night (one night at the Imperial Hotel in Tokyo is a cool $600 for two people), but JNTO has brochures representing many smaller hotel collectives, such as Welcome Inns or Japan Economy Hotel Group, that offer rooms at reasonable prices ($60-80 per night).

JNTO also offers economical tours. Right now they are offering a Customized Japan Trip, which let's you choose the level of accommodation you want to stay in. So for example, the 4-day, 3 night Tokyo trip costs $339 + $339 to stay at the Shinagawa Prince, but + 673 if you want to stay at the Hotel Okura. Excursions cost extra. The bargain Golden Tour is quick but hits all the big tourist attractions–Tokyo, Mt. Fuji, Kyoto and Nara. Including transportation and a lunch here and there, this tour costs $1,048 for 5 days and 4 nights.

JNTO
515 S. Figueroa St.
Suite 1470
Los Angeles, CA 90071