Traveling abroad is a great opportunity to grow yourself while enjoying new cultures and beautiful scenery. However, for those who are traveling abroad for the first time, it may be a little uneasy. Therefore, we have summarized the preparation methods necessary for overseas travel beginners in the following eight ways.
decide where to travel
When deciding on a travel destination, it is important to first clarify what kind of trip you want to do. For example, people interested in culture and history can choose countries with historical buildings and cultural attractions. People who like nature can choose countries and regions with abundant nature.
Also, when deciding on a travel destination, it is necessary to take into account the cost and time involved. If you're planning a long trip, round-trip airfare and hotel bills can be expensive. So, if your budget is somewhat limited, you can choose a country or region with low travel costs.
You can also consider the following when deciding where to travel:
- good transportation
- Languages you can use at your destination
- Local payment method
- Ease of local communication
In addition, you can decide on a travel destination by considering local schedules, sightseeing spots, restaurants, etc.
Prepare your passport and visa
When traveling abroad, you need a "passport", which is a document that proves your Japanese nationality, in order to depart from Japan. Also, depending on the country or region you are traveling to, you may need a "visa" to enter the country.
You can apply for a passport at the city hall or the passport center. It is necessary to prepare documents for the application. Documents can be submitted by filling out the application form distributed at the city hall or passport center at the time of application.
You can apply for a visa at an overseas embassy or consulate. It is necessary to prepare documents for the application. Documents can be submitted by filling out the application form distributed at overseas diplomatic missions and consulates at the time of application.
When traveling internationally, it is possible that health problems may arise during the trip. Therefore, it is recommended to carry health insurance even when traveling abroad. If you carry health insurance, we recommend that you apply for overseas travel insurance.
Prepare travel insurance
Travel insurance is a service that insurance companies cover for accidents, disasters, illnesses, etc. that occur while traveling.
To give a concrete example, for example, if you suddenly become ill while traveling abroad and need medical expenses, the insurance company will bear the medical expenses if your travel insurance is effective. Also, if your wallet is stolen or your luggage is lost during your trip, travel insurance may cover replacement wallets and luggage.
To prepare travel insurance, it is necessary to select and apply for an appropriate insurance plan, taking into consideration the destination, travel period, number of people traveling, etc. Depending on the insurance plan, there are those that are effective not only for overseas travel, but also for domestic travel and business trips, so let's choose a plan that suits you.
buy tickets and airline tickets
Tickets and airline tickets are one of the necessary arrangements for traveling abroad.
Specifically, if you are traveling abroad, you will need to purchase an airline ticket. Air tickets provide a means of getting from the airport to your destination, and can be purchased at travel agencies and airlines. There are one-way, round-trip, and multi-route airline tickets, and they vary depending on the price and number of days of travel, so you need to choose the ticket that suits you best.
Also, when traveling abroad, you need to pay an entrance fee to enter tourist attractions, museums, etc. Tickets must be purchased in advance to pay for these entrance fees. Tickets can be purchased at travel agencies and official websites of tourist attractions.
If there are spots or activities you want to see in your travel destination, we recommend purchasing tickets in advance. This will allow you to enjoy sightseeing smoothly during your trip.
prepare your luggage
For first-time international travelers, preparation before departure is very important. Among them, preparing your luggage is an essential step when traveling abroad.
Specifically, make sure you bring the bare minimum. For example, passports, visas, airline tickets, hotel booking confirmations, proof of travel insurance, etc. It's also important to be able to speak a little of the language of the country you're traveling to before you leave. We recommend that you bring a dictionary or translation app with you to facilitate communication in the local area.
In addition, when preparing your luggage, it is important to consider the climate and cultural differences and prepare the necessary clothes, shoes, and travel items. For example, in hot countries, it is important to wear short sleeves and wear-resistant shoes. Also, due to cultural differences, women in particular may be prohibited from wearing clothes that expose their chests or skirts that are too short, so be careful.
Prepare hotels and lodgings
For first-time international travelers, preparation before departure is very important. Among them, preparing a hotel or accommodation is an essential step for traveling abroad.
Specifically, it is important to decide in advance where you will be staying at your destination. You can choose and make a reservation for accommodation such as hotels, inns, and private lodgings that suits you. When making a reservation, consider the schedule, number of people, budget, etc., and choose an appropriate plan.
It is also important to have the address and phone number of your hotel or guesthouse handy before you travel. If you have any problems with local transportation or accommodation, be sure to contact us immediately.
In addition, you may need space in your lodgings to store souvenirs and travel memorabilia. For that reason, it is recommended to check the room size and facilities of the hotel or inn in advance.
Prepare a local payment method
For first-time international travelers, preparation before departure is very important. Among them, preparing a local payment method is an essential step when traveling abroad.
Specifically, it is important to prepare money and credit cards that can be used at the destination. For example, you may not be able to use Japanese yen at your travel destination, so we recommend that you bring the local currency or coins and cards that are accepted around the world. Before traveling, it is also important to check whether credit cards can be used at the destination.
In addition, it is recommended that you do some research in advance, as the way you use money and credit cards at your destination may differ depending on the country's customs and culture. For example, in some travel destinations, cash is the main form of payment, while in others credit cards are often used.
Assemble things to prepare before departure
Specifically, we recommend that you prepare the following:
- passport or visa
- air ticket
- Hotel or accommodation booking confirmation
- Certificate of travel insurance
- A dictionary or translation app to help you speak a little of the language of the country you're traveling to
- Clothing, shoes, and travel goods that take climate and cultural differences into account
- Money and credit cards that can be used at travel destinations
Also, before traveling, it is important to consider the number of people traveling, the duration of the trip, and your budget, and prepare the appropriate luggage. We recommend that you keep your luggage to a minimum. In addition, before you leave, don't forget to plan your trip, how to communicate with travelers, and prepare at home and at work.
