Pop Japan Travel

Previously we offered tours that assembled at LAX and flew to Tokyo together. Unfortunately, the rising cost of air travel both inside and outside the United States means many of our guests can no longer afford to fly to LAX first, so we are instead starting group tours at Narita International Airport in Tokyo after guests have arrived individually. But that doesn't mean you're on your own when it comes to making air reservations! We are happy to recommend flights or even book them for you, and if you'd rather buy them on your own, you can send your itinerary to us to make sure your schedule meshes up with the tour.

Yes! We've had participants on our group tours from all over the world and we're always happy to help anyone explore Japan. No matter where in the world you're flying from, we will meet you at Narita International Airport, where the tour will begin. In the additional comments for your application, let us know if you'd like us to get a quote from your local international airport, or if you'd rather arrange your own airfare.

Yes! We work hand in hand with a travel agency that is able to provide flights from anywhere in the world. And if you arrange flights with us you rest assured that if anything happens (such as unforeseen flight delays or cancellations), we have you covered! Just let us know what airport you'd like us to get an estimate from, and soon you'll be flying to Tokyo, where you will meet the tour group.

This depends heavily on the itineraries of each particular tour, as they will almost inevitably differ in several ways. Some tours are during heavy traveling seasons, which means increased airline ticket prices. Some tours are also longer than others, and you guessed it, a longer tour means more hotel accommodations, transportation, and a higher price tag.

Another thing that factors into the price is what cities/sites the tour visits. If a tour remains completely in the city of Tokyo, the tour price is going to be lower because there is no need to take a bullet train or bus outside of that area. If a tour is going to a region outside of the Kantou (Eastern Japan) region, then the cost of transportation will inevitably alter the price.

Transportation within each area is also a very important factor. Pop Japan Travel strives to create itineraries that provide participants with the best possible convenience and comfort during tours, and if that means reserving a charter bus to take the group through the city to maximize the experiences you can enjoy, then it is a cost we are willing to incur. Pop Japan Travel also makes sure to deal directly with hotels and airlines to Japan to ensure the best cost and value is offered to each participant.

New tours are announced anywhere between 4-8 months in advance of their departure days. We are sensitive to the fact that tours in foreign countries take quite a bit of planning ahead of time. People need to request days off of work, save up enough dough, etc. etc.

We're always thinking of new sites, activities, and events to visit on our tours, and once we think we've got enough put together to make a whole tour, we'll pick a name for it, add a little bit of a flavor (see "theme"), and throw it up on the website. The best way to know when a new
tour is up is to sign up for our newsletter or simply keep checking back at the site.

This may vary from tour to tour, but the minimum is generally around 15 participants. If we are unable to reach the minimum number of participants, the tour may be canceled (we will notify everyone after the tour's deadline). If we meet the minimum number of participants early, we will announce that the tour will be held to all those who've registered.

It is recommended that anyone under the age of 18 be accompanied by a parent/relative/guardian that is over the age of 18. Please contact us by e-mail (go@popjapantravel.com) or phone to further discuss this issue, as situations may differ depending on the tour and the participant(s) in question. Please note that some tours may enforce a strict 18+ ONLY policy.

Clients who require special medical attention during the tour for reasons of chronic disease, general illness, pregnancy or physical handicap, need to advise Pop Japan Travel when applying for the tour. Sometimes our tours tend to include a lot of walking, standing, and stair climbing.

Pop Japan Travel reserves the right to refuse some applications if the client's age, qualifications, and other conditions do not conform to those designated for tours aimed at specific customer categories or purposes.

Although Pop Japan Travel makes arrangements with our contacts in Japan, due to unforeseen circumstances that are beyond Pop Japan Travel's control, there may be rare occurrences when the schedule must be altered.

Since Pop Japan Travel visits exclusive locations based on private companies and schools, their schedules affect Pop Japan Travel itineraries. In such a rare occurrence, if a location must be altered or set at a different time, Pop Japan Travel will do our very best to accommodate our participants and offer the best alternative to these locations.

Yes, you can. However, Pop Japan Travel does require a state-issued ID to be submitted alongside your application and credit card information.

Please submit a copy of your passport when you have received it. Also please note that if you are unable to acquire your passport by the time the tour departs, you will be ineligible to go on the tour.

Full payment for the tour is required no later than 14-30 days prior to the tour departure date, depending on the tour. The deposit for the tour ($300) may be charged after you've submitted your reservation, but there are times the travel agency will wait until the minimum number of participants is met before charging.

Your credit card will be charged for the full tour amount either when the minimum number of participants for the tour has been reached, or soon after the tour deadline. You will receive an emailed invoice so that you can review your tour package price before we actually charge. Although you have signed a document allowing us to charge the tour fees during registration, we ask that you reply to the invoice we send that you have checked that the prices shown are correct and ready to be charged.

If you have a special financial situation (e.g. you may not have enough money until a specific date, or you wish to split payments between credit cards), please email us at go@popjapantravel, or submit this information during registration, and we'd be glad to help!

If you're joining a group tour, Pop Japan Travel gives participants the opportunity to exchange their money to yen when the tour arrives at the airport in Japan. Whether you are entering via Narita Intl Airport (Tokyo) or Kansai Intl. Airport (Osaka), there are banks available to exchange money.

Most shops in Japan will accept major credit cards such as Visa or Master Card, but most restaurants and food outlets will only accept cash. Please keep in mind that most of Japan is a cash society and many people pay in yen.

Most ATMs in Japan will accept ATM/debit cards with a major credit card logo on it and will dispense yen. On your bank statement, the yen will be converted into dollars. Pop Japan Travel will provide participants with money information and ATM locations that can be used in Japan.