#Tips for sightseeing in Japan.

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Consider the following tips for a more pleasant sightseeing experience in Japan.

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1. Head out early. Getting up at the crack of dawn to go sightseeing may seem extreme, yet uninterrupted photo opportunities in places like Kyoto's Ninnenzaka area are well worth it. 
    

2. Use Time and Date (https://www.timeanddate.com/sun/) to check sunrise and sunset times. This will help you make the most of your daylight hours. 
    

3. Make it a habit to carry some cash if visiting temples or shrines with admission fees as these are typically cash only. 
    

4. Quite a few sights don't open till 9 am or 10 am onwards, consider visiting these later in the day (nearer to closing time) when crowds hopefully start to die down. 
    

5. Use Google's My Maps https://www.google.com/maps. This is a great tool for creating sightseeing maps of your own with all the places you wish to check out. Note: you will need to have a Google Account and be signed in to use this feature. 
    

6. Carry a small paper/plastic bag to hold any rubbish you may accumulate during the day.
    

7. Bring sturdy and comfortable shoes for walking - you will likely do much of this. 
    

8. Make a list of rainy-day activities for the places you plan to stay at. This makes for a handy reference at times when it isn't suitable to be outside.
    

9. Make the most of good weather by aiming to leave indoor activities for rainy days or, where possible, in the evening.
    

10. Join an online Japan travel community such as a Japan Travel Facebook group or discord server. These will generally allow you to post questions that other members can help to answer.
    Some communities you may like to try include:
    - Hidden Gems in Japan (for discovering places popular with local travellers in Japan): https://www.facebook.com/groups/hiddengemsinjapan
    - Japan Travel Tips (for Japan travel advice): https://www.facebook.com/groups/yourjapan
    - Ninja Monkey (for travel advice, meet ups, and discussions on living and working in Japan): https://discord.com/channels/934143761007669268/934143761007669271
    - Japanese Journey Information (for Japan travel advice and inspiration):  https://www.facebook.com/groups/844770670263489

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