Part I: Clothing - Cruising Land of the Rising Sun
There is much conflicting advice on the Internet about what to wear when touring Japan. If traveling on a business trip, more stringent dress code applies, but for this land-cruise trip, I offer the following advice.
Due to the small percentage of non-Japanese on the island, you will always look like a tourist, but will be taken more seriously if you dress appropriately. Most Tauck travelers will be over 50, so dress the way Japanese tourists of that age do – casual pants (chinos, microfiber), long or short sleeved shirts/blouses, sweaters, light jackets. T-shirts, especially ones with logos, are rarely worn except by young people. Very few tourists wear shorts. Women can wear either dresses or pants, but tights would be inappropriate. Athletic shoes for walking are fine, but you’ll want a nicer pair for dinner. For men, I’d suggest taking a sport coat, although it’s not necessary. Upscale Japanese restaurants prefer a sport coat and there are four dinner events when most travelers will wear one (welcome and farewell dinners for both land and ship portions of the tour). You can get by without a coat, but will be in the minority.
