Money
When should I exchange my money?
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. Pop Japan Travel also recommends that participants use traveler’s checks instead of cash because the exchange rate for traveler’s checks may be slightly higher.
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Can I use my ATM or Credit Cards in Japan
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.
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Reservations and Payments
I don't have a passport yet. Can I still make a reservation?
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.
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How do I know my reservation was received?
Upon faxing your reservation, a Pop Japan Travel consultant will send you a confirmation notice of receiving your information via e-mail or telephone. If you do not receive a response within 24 hours, we recommend you talk to a Pop Japan Travel consultant via email or toll free at (866) 897-7300 (ask for Ben).
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When I submit my reservation, will my credit card be charged?
Full payment for the tour is required no later than 14-30 days prior to the tour departure date, depending on the tour. Your credit card will be charged when the minimum number of participants for the tour to be conducted is reached. Because there is no knowing when exactly this will be, and there is the possibility that your reservation may be the final participant needed, it is recommended that you be prepared to receive a charge for the full amount at the time you submit your reservation forms. If you have a special financial situation (e.g. you may not have enough money until a specific date, you wish to use a different credit card), please contact Pop Japan Travel, or submit this information on a cover letter with your reservation forms.
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Is it possible to extend my stay in Japan beyond the Pop Japan Travel tour itinerary?
Yes! Pop Japan Travel can extend your stay in Japan whether you’d like to go to Japan early, or stay later after the tour is finished (or both!). We offer extended stays at the same hotels Pop Japan Travel frequents, but not with hotels outside of that. The process of doing so is very simple and we only require that you provide us with the dates you will need accommodations. Please be aware, however, that any sightseeing or travel arrangements (safe for your flight home) are your own responsibility. We can provide some information to an extent, but we do not provide arrangements for travel or activities outside the scope of Pop Japan Travel tours.
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Is there a cancellation policy?
After the tour is confirmed, there will be a penalty for cancellations. See our <a href="http://www.popjapantravel.com/policy/">Policy page</a> for details.
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Tour Information
Why are the tours more expensive than previous tours?
There are a few reasons for this. Increasing gas prices (both domestic and foreign) affect the overall price of tours. Depending on how much a particular tour relies on transportation by charter bus, the price may fluxuate up or down, resulting in a higher tour package price. Another factor is that airlines have been raising what is called a "fuel surcharge", which is a supplementary charge added to airline tickets. This can raise tour prices by up to $200, and is entirely unavoidable. As always, Pop Japan Travel still strives to provide tours at an affordable price that is comparable to our competitors. And when you factor in how unique Pop Japan Travel tours really are, you'll find that it's really quite a good deal.
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Why are some tours more expensive than others?
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. 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.
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When do you announce your new tours?
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 popjapantravel.com. The best way to know when a new tour is up is to sign up for our newsletter (here) or simply keep checking back at the site.
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What is the minimum amount of participants needed for a tour to be confirmed?
This may vary from tour to tour, but the minimum is generally around 30 participants.
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What is the age limit for these tours?
It is recommended that anyone under then age of 18 be accompanied by a parent/relative/guardian that is over the age of 18. Please contact us by e-mail 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.
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Does Pop Japan Travel make any special arrangements for those who may need special medical attention?
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.
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I noticed that the tour schedule is always subject to change. What are the reasons for this?
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 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.
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