Recently, I’ve seen so many articles and videos about how difficult Japan is for Life Experienced Travelers, especially those over 65. The perceived hurdles include stairs (most temples require stairs), all those steps (yes, there will be more than you are used to), and unfamiliar foods (yes, and that’s a good thing). However, each of these can be managed with a bit of forethought.
I’m also seeing more and more about off-hours tourism. This plays into the wheelhouse of the Life Experienced Traveler. Even without jet lag, we tend to rise earlier than our younger counterparts. I first began hearing about these in Kyoto, which makes perfect sense, as Kyoto is the epicenter of over-tourism. By beginning a tour at 7am or 8am, crowd size is a fraction of the mid-day throngs that overpower the key locations.
Companies like Get Your Guide and Viator offer early start times. English-speaking guides are available, and the group sizes are small. Private tours are also available. I have used both services for specific tours and found the experience to be positive.
During my first trips to Japan, I did suffer from jet lag and was up early. However, I didn’t really have a plan, so I ended up wandering around mostly empty streets. These days, I’ve learned to make a plan to take advantage of my earlier wake-up. This could be as simple as an early bath at a sento, going to an interesting neighborhood for breakfast, or using this time to fully enjoy one of the smaller temples.
Not only are sightseeing spots less crowded, so are the trains. I really like early train travel, as seating is easier, especially those coveted luggage-friendly seats in the Green Car on the Shinkansen. Train stations are easier to navigate as well.
One of the cool things about early morning walking, especially in Tokyo neighborhoods, is the crows. If the sound of a Vespa being tortured is the soundtrack of Rome, surely the caw-caw of well-fed crows is the soundtrack of early morning Tokyo.
For those who prefer the other side of the clock, Japan is magical at night. From villages with few, very few streetlights to the walls of neon in Shinjuku, the nighttime is special. There are tours geared towards late nights; far and away, my favorite is the street photography workshop by EYExplore. Lucas takes you through the more adult entertainment areas, stopping at a few locations that offer even mediocre photographers like me a chance to make art.
The best part about these off-hours tours is that they give you a chance to enjoy popular areas without the maddening crowds.
