Israel is a fascinating country with a rich history and diverse culture. It has many things to see and do, but it also has certain cultural differences from other Asian countries that you should be aware of before traveling there.
However, Israeli people are known as some of the friendliest in the world, so it’s no surprise that tourists around the world like visiting Israel. Japanese tourists visiting Israel have been steadily increasing over the past few years. A report from AJC states that around 26,000 Japanese tourists visited Israel in 2019, compared to only 10,000 tourists in 2015.
Thanks to easy access via direct flights from Tokyo and Osaka, as well as growing interest in this country’s unique culture and cuisine, enhancing this tourism numbers.
If you are planning on visiting Israel, this article highlights the seven important things to remember for Japanese travelers traveling to Israel.
Book Your Flight, Hotel, and Any Reservations in Advance
Booking your flight and hotel in advance can save money, time, and stress.
- You’ll save money by booking early. The longer you wait to book your flight and hotel, the more expensive it will be. Thus, book early if you want to go on vacation but don’t want to break the bank.
- You’ll save time by booking early. When you book early, you get the benefit of locking in at a lower price, as well as ensuring availability on flights and hotels. It means you don’t have to spend hours searching for the perfect deal at the last minute.
- You’ll save stress by booking early. When you plan ahead of time and ensure everything is taken care of, there will be nothing left for you to worry about when it comes time for your trip. You can just sit back and enjoy every moment of your getaway, knowing everything is taken care of.
Booking in advance can get you access to special deals unavailable for walk-in customers, and you can lock in your rate for the duration of your stay. In a survey by Statista, around 42% responded that they booked the flight from 22 days to three months before their journey.
While there are numerous trip-makers in the market, it’s wise to choose the best one with reliable services and happy customers. Isrotel is one such name in Israel. With Isrotel, you can book hotel stays in advance. You can see the prices and reserve your accommodation without any problem.
Familiarize Yourself with the Area’s Culture and Customs
Israel is a very diverse country with many different cultures and customs. It can help if you learn some key phrases in Hebrew, but if you’re only visiting for an extended period. However, this won’t be enough to understand what people are saying around you.
It would also be prudent to learn more about your destination’s culture beforehand to fully grasp what’s happening around you.
Learning about Israeli history will help give travelers an idea about how various religious groups came into existence. There is also an influx of Arabic speakers from surrounding countries such as Jordan. Therefore, knowing some Arabic phrases may prove beneficial when traveling outside Tel Aviv.
Finally, though this isn’t necessarily related solely to religion, there are some basic rules regarding etiquette while visiting holy sites such as churches or mosques. Thus, ensure you know these rules before visiting these places to avoid embarrassing situations.
Make More Than One Copy of Your Passport, ID, and Other Important Documents
As a Japanese traveler, making more than one copy of your passport, ID, and other necessary documents is beneficial. However, if you lose the original copies of these documents, you will need to go through a lot of trouble to replace them. Therefore, it is highly recommended that you keep a copy of each document in different places, such as your hotel room or home.
In addition, do not forget to keep a copy of your travel insurance details and itinerary with you at all times. These can help when traveling abroad, especially if something happens and an emergency arises. In addition, you must keep copies of flight details with you, so that airport authorities can provide all information quickly if anything happens during your trip.
Always Wear Sunscreen and a Hat
You should always wear sunscreen and a hat. It is important to remember the sun in Israel is particularly strong, especially during the summer months. Hats are not only effective for protecting your skin from the sun’s rays, but they also help to keep you cool in hot weather. The temperature in Israel is usually high. According to the GIL travel group, the average temperature in Israel ranges between 27˚C to 32˚C.
Israel’s Most Popular Tours
If you are looking for a trip that will provide an insight into the history and culture of Israel, then these tours are perfect for you.
These tours will allow you to see some of Israel’s most popular destinations, like Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, Haifa, and Masada. They will also allow you to experience some of its most famous sites, such as the Dead Sea and Mitzpe Ramon. Finally, one tour allows travelers to experience nature in Eilat.
Jerusalem and Tel Aviv tour is perfect for those looking for an all-inclusive trip to get a good overview of Israel. You can start your tour from Jerusalem and ends there as well. You’ll visit some of Israel’s most famous sites during the first few days, like the Western Wall and Yad Vashem. You can also take guided tours of some of Jerusalem’s old neighborhoods, such as Mamilla or Bukharim Quarter.
Exchange Rate and Credit Card Usage
The Israeli Shekel is the currency of Israel. Credit cards are widely accepted in Israel, but many establishments accept only cards with an EMV chip. ATMs are available in most places, but you may have trouble finding one that will accept your bank card. If you find one, it’s best to get money from there rather than taking out more cash later on when you run low.
While exchanging foreign currency at airports or hotels can be convenient, but their exchange rates are worse than at banks. If possible, exchange some money before arriving in Israel, so you don’t have to worry about finding a good deal once you’re already on vacation. According to the XE currency converter, 1000 Japanese Yen will fetch you only 25 Israeli Shekels approximately.
Safety and Security in Israel
Israel is a very safe country for travelers. However, the crime rates are higher in Israel when compared to Japan. Thus, Japanese travelers may have to be cautious when traveling to Israel.
Although there have been some terrorist attacks in Jerusalem, these were limited to specific areas of the city. However, Israeli authorities are working hard to prevent them in the future.
It’s crucial to remain vigilant and watchful while traveling abroad, especially in locations with higher violence or unrest rates. If you feel uncomfortable while traveling, it’s best to leave quickly and seek help from local authorities.
Be Prepared When Traveling Abroad
Traveling to a new country is an exciting experience, but it can be stressful. Whether you are a seasoned traveler or have never traveled abroad, there are many things to consider when planning your trip to Israel.
Traveling abroad is an adventure in itself, but it also puts you at risk of experiencing unexpected events like health issues or safety concerns. These situations may occur at any time during your journey through Israel, so you must protect yourself and those around you in case something happens.
As you can see, it is necessary to have a good knowledge of the language and customs of your destination country. Moreover, it will help you avoid embarrassing situations and make your trip more enjoyable.
