It is often said that traveling in India changes one's perspective on life. Is this true?
India and Japan have significant differences in culture and society.
Traveling with Japanese customs and fixed notions will only lead to stress and a boring trip.
Whether your outlook expands or your perspective on life changes is up to you.
If you strive for flexible thinking and approach even new experiences and troubles with a sense of fun, your outlook on life may change.
I hope you enjoy the diversity of India.
Indian Climate
Best season: November-February in northern India. Temperatures are about the same as in autumn and winter in Japan.
The lowest temperatures around January in northern India are below 10 degrees Celsius.
Although it's warm outside during the day, Indian buildings lack insulation and heating, making the indoors colder than outdoors.
Thorough cold-weather protection is necessary.
As for travel attire, while not specific to India, layering that is easy to adjust is basic.
It suddenly gets hot from late March.
Hot season: April-September. Sunscreen, hats, and sunglasses are essential.
South India is hot all year round, but November-February is the best season with mild heat.
Japan Weather Association Weather in India
Convenience! Check out the weather app installed! You can see more detailed area.
There are other weather apps in addition to the links below, so you can install your favorite.
Passport and tourist visaEntry Card
passport
The unused visa space in the passport must be at least two pages.
Passport must be valid for at least 6 months.
A passport is required for train and domestic flight reservations. You can apply online.
It takes 2 to 4 weeks from application to issuance.
If you do not have a valid passport, please obtain one as soon as possible.
tourist visa
Please be sure to obtain a tourist visa in advance.
Please refer to the following link for visa application instructions.
How to obtain e-viza
A visa is required even for tourist purposes. You can apply for a visa from 30 days to 4 days prior to the date of travel.
We cannot assist with VISA application entry, operation methods, or system errors. Please contact the visa helpdesk.
No accommodation information is required when applying for a visa. You may enter the country as long as your accommodation information is included in your entry documents.
Visa on arrival is also available upon arrival at Delhi Airport, but it is recommended not to use it except for urgent travel.
It takes time for review (it may take several hours).
English communication with immigration officers will be necessary.
・Visa acquisition is not guaranteed, and there are cases of entry denial.
Checked baggage will be left unattended on the carousel for a long time (there are no staff members watching the bags like at Japanese airports).
About JAL Visa on Arrival
(Reference) Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan
When searching the internet, there are also agencies that handle visa applications on your behalf.
However, most people apply for the visa themselves and do not use an agency.
Even if you use an agent, the number of required items will not decrease, so the effort is the same as applying yourself.
Also, you will be providing detailed personal information to the vendor. Please confirm the safety yourself.
Therefore, there are no agency services that we recommend.
If you insist on using an agency, please select one at your own risk.
TabiZuki India has no affiliation with the vendor in question and is not responsible for any problems related to agency procedures.
arrival card
All visitors entering India are required to pre-register for an "e-Arrival Card" on the dedicated website within 72 hours prior to arrival in India.
Please save or print the PDF file displayed after completing registration and bring it with you when you enter India.
India e-Arrival Card website
Paper landing cards will be abolished on March 31, 2026.
TravelPlanning Points
Don't cram too much into your travel itinerary.
Don't overestimate your physical strength.
Many people are already exhausted by the time they arrive in India after preparing for the trip and doing their work and household chores ahead of time.
Even if I sleep on the plane, I'm not physically resting.
It's easy to feel unwell due to jet lag or environmental changes.
It is important to get a good night's sleep in Japan and keep the immune system in good condition.
Reference site
Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare: Infectious Disease Prevention for International Travelers
(Excerpt from the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare website)
Things to be careful about while traveling
There are many diseases abroad that do not exist in Japan.
During international travel, you experience various stresses (even if you don't realize it) due to factors like time differences and climate changes.
This results in a weakened immune system, making you more susceptible to illness. Some diseases may require lifelong treatment.
Let's aim for a reasonable schedule, avoid avoidable dangers, and have a fun trip.
International Reservations
Direct flights from Haneda to Delhi (JAL, ANA, and Air India recommended): This is the easiest and fastest way to get there.There is little delay. Since you will arrive in Delhi with many other Japanese people, you can ask those around you if there is anything you don't understand. It puts your mind at ease.
Connecting flights increase the risk of delays or missed connections due to the higher number of segments. Please plan your trip with delays in mind.
| Direct flights to Delhi | Three flights daily from Haneda (JAL, ANA, Air India) departing in the morning and arriving in Delhi in the evening. JAL also has late-night flights departing from Narita, but flights that allow you to enter the country by evening are recommended. |
|---|---|
| To Mumbai, the second largest city | ANA direct flight from Narita |
| To Bangalore (BLR), a world-class IT development city | JAL Direct Flight |
Booking directly on each airline's website is recommended.：Can select seats at the time of booking, mileage is credited reliably, and priority for complimentary upgrades to business class when the flight is full is high.
Please be sure to prepare international flight tickets with alphabet notation.
Foreigners cannot read Japanese.In some cases, you may not be able to enter the airport facilities at all because airport staff cannot verify your ticket (even with a QR code).
Money matters
prices (in general)
Due to India's remarkable economic development and the extremely weak yen, it's hard to feel like things are a bargain (the era when Japanese people could travel abroad affordably has ended).
If you expect the same quality and safety from hotels and taxis as in Japan, it will be more expensive.
Global companies like Starbucks are more expensive in Japan.
A short americano is 600 yen. Uniqlo is about 1.8 times the price in Japan.
credit card
When using a credit card abroad, for fraud prevention, the card company's security may activate, potentially preventing payment.
Especially for people who don't usually use cards overseas, this kind of situation is more likely to occur.
If your card cannot be used, please contact your card company and request that the usage restrictions be lifted (contact information is listed on the back of your card).
Additionally, informing your credit card company of your travel plans in advance may allow for smoother use abroad.
However, even if you contact us in advance, we cannot guarantee that the usage restrictions will be lifted.
Additionally, in India, primarily in individual shops, only domestically issued cards are accepted, and some stores do not accept foreign-issued credit cards.
Therefore, we recommend bringing multiple credit cards, focusing on Visa or Mastercard. JCB cards are often not accepted at many stores outside of major tourist destinations and hotels.
money exchange
Exchanging rupees in Japan is not possible because taking rupees out of India is prohibited.
After arriving in India, I will exchange money at the airport or hotel.
You can also withdraw money from ATMs with a credit card.
Approximate exchange rate: 4,000 yen to 5,000 yen per person per day
Exchange remaining Rupees back to Japanese Yen before departing India.
| Indian Rupee (INR) 1 Rupee | 約1.6円（2026年9月） The exchange rate and the actual exchange rate are different. Googleなどに表示される為替レートは、市場取引の基準となるレートであり、実際の両替に必要なリソースを含めていないデジタルな数値です。 実際に両替する際には、銀行や両替所の手数料が含まれるため、 為替レートよりもレートは悪くなります。 |
|---|
Please note that ATMs, especially on weekends, may not have cash in them or Japanese cards may not be able to be used to withdraw money.
It is safer to bring a certain amount of Japanese yen with you, without relying on ATM withdrawals.
Because the demand for Japanese yen is extremely low at regional exchange shops, the rates are poor. It is safer to exchange a slightly larger amount in major cities like Delhi or Mumbai.
In India, cashless and digital payments are actively promoted as a national policy, and digital payment methods are integrated into daily life to a greater extent than in Japan. It is common to see people paying via QR code not only at restaurants and shops, but also at small street stalls and food carts. Through such initiatives, the transition from a cash-based economy to a more transparent digital economy is underway.
However, QR code payment services like Japan's PayPay cannot be used overseas.
- For our homestay (Delhi) guests, we provide currency exchange service on the first day only.
- Currency exchange is not available outside of Delhi.
- Rates are determined based on the rate of the day. The rate is better than at airports and hotels. Please let us know in advance the amount of money (in Japanese yen) you would like to exchange and prepare cash so that there will be no change. The type of money cannot be specified.
Tip.
There's a tipping custom. Due to rising prices, as of 2026, the going rate is as follows.
Hotel: Porter Rs50 (Rs100 for 5-star hotels), Bed making Rs50 (Rs100 for 5-star hotels)
Prepaid cab: not required
Toilet: Rs20
Private car driver and guide: Rs500 per passenger
public order
As you can understand when you come to India (it is difficult to understand when you are in Japan), guided tours are incomparably safer and more secure than unguided tours. There is no need to be afraid.
Please be careful if you are traveling without a guide.
(Must read) Notes from the Embassy of Japan in India (↓click on the picture)
The following is an excerpt from the Embassy of Japan in India. For more information, please see the link above.
To avoid being involved in a case
There are many unexpected dangers when traveling in India. When traveling in India, please be aware of the following
Avoid late night arrival flights to India if possible.
Avoid traveling alone as much as possible, and travel with two or more people, or join a reliable tour. Especially women should avoid traveling alone and going out at night as much as possible.
Make hotel reservations as far in advance as possible and avoid extremely inexpensive hotels.
Never accept an invitation or offer to drive you to the home of a person who approaches you in a friendly manner. There have been many cases of theater-style scams and threats. In addition, do not eat or drink anything even if you are offered something to eat or drink, as you may be subjected to a sleeping pill robbery. If you are unlucky enough to become a victim of such a scam, promptly report the damage to the nearest police station.
Cabs are taken by Uber, prepaid cabs, or other cabs with a designated license plate number.
Beware of malicious guides.
In Agra, where the Taj Mahal and other monuments are located, there is no end to reports of damage caused by malicious Indians claiming to be "Japanese-language tour guides.
The customer is not allowed to enter the store.
The guide fee is not included in the original guide fee, and the customer is required to pay a hefty tip.
The entrance fee for tourist attractions is deceiving.
The "Japanese-speaking guide" is just a name, and at tourist spots, the important explanations are given in English.
He persistently invites women to dinner, etc., even while he is guiding them.
He is relentless in asking for personal belongings.
Are guides necessary for traveling in India?
多様な文化や価値観が共存するインドでは、日本とは社会通念や習慣が大きく異なります。
インフラが整い社会のルールや常識が、比較的共有されている日本とは異なり、日本人旅行者にとっては想像しにくいトラブルに遭遇することもよくあります。
インドを安心してスムーズに旅していただくために、現地事情をよく知るガイド付きの旅行をおすすめしています。ガイドが同行することで、危険な場所や悪質な客引きを避ける、適正な料金か判断する、観光地のルールや当日の状況を確認するなど、起こり得るリスクをあらかじめ察知し、多くのトラブルを未然に防ぐことができます。
それでも、交通渋滞（日常茶飯事）、国内線や電車の遅延（日常茶飯事）、ホテルの部屋が予約内容と異なる（ちょいちょいあります）、お客様の体調不良（たまにある）、などのトラブルをゼロにすることはできません。
そんな時に頼りになるのがインド人ガイドです。日本人旅行者にとっては途方に暮れるような状況でも、すぐに対処できることが少なくありません。
We offer response capabilities that are only possible because of our deep familiarity with India's unique circumstances, such as finding alternative routes, negotiating with relevant parties, coordinating with hotels and drivers, and searching for open medical facilities.
ガイドなしでもインドを旅することはできるかもしれません。しかし、ガイドが同行することでトラブルに遭うリスクを減らし、万が一問題が起きても迅速に解決して安心して旅を続けられます。
A guide is not just a sightseeing tour operator.
It is, so to speak, the manager of the trip, ensuring that the entire journey goes safely and smoothly.
Meals and preferences
If you want to eat delicious Indian food at a casual dining restaurant with low hygienic risk, it'll cost you from 300 rupees per meal (about 580 yen).
The average Indian eats spicy Indian food for three meals a day.
For them, Indian food is the safest choice because there are some religious foods they cannot eat.
Therefore, it is no exaggeration to say that there is only Indian food in the city.
Some diners can request a less spicy preparation.
Indian spices, garlic, and mustard oil place an excessive burden on the Japanese digestive system, and the beneficial bacteria that had adapted to the Japanese environment are killed.
Travel fatigue also weakens the digestive system.
辛いのが得意な方でも1日3食、本場のカレーを食べたらお腹を壊します（辛いのが得意な人は、食べ過ぎるので特に注意です）。
Don't trust your stomach too much.
If you want to eat Western or other non-Indian food, the restaurants in the five-star hotels are recommended.
The cheap places are ”pseudo-Western food (spicy).”
A 5-star hotel's pasta dishes start around 3,000 rupees (approximately 5,800 yen).
Five-star hotels offer peace of mind in terms of hygiene.
Raw vegetables are easy on the stomach, so don't eat them.
Tap water is not drinkable. Please prepare drinks without ice.
To our customers: Western and fine dining restaurants are more expensive, and the number of restaurants that can accommodate them is limited. They are not included in the trip cost and are charged separately. Please pay directly to the restaurant.
Alcohol & Tobacco
Morally, drinking alcohol is considered a decadent and undesirable habit (this idea is particularly strong in rural areas).
While 5-star hotels have bars for foreigners and the wealthy, alcohol is not sold in regular restaurants (the ultimate combination of curry and beer does not exist in India).
There are also states where alcohol consumption is prohibited by law, such as Gujarat and Bihar.
Similarly, since the general public does not smoke, there are few places where one can smoke.
shopping
There are no supermarkets or convenience stores outside of major cities, none in the Japanese sense. A supermarket that is easy to stop by while sightseeing is at the Ambience Mall, a huge shopping mall near Delhi Airport. Sweets, mineral water, and daily necessities are bought at private stores.
what to bring
The first step to a comfortable trip is to bring what you use in Japan as much as possible.
Japan is the only country with such well-equipped hotel amenities.
Do not consider local procurement, as it is difficult to procure the same quality in India.
- Toilet paper: Hotel toilet paper has a loose roll, about 1 centimeter thick, and is intended for one use. It's also hard. You can get more by asking staff, but it's a hassle to ask every time, so bringing your own is recommended. Most public restrooms outside do not have toilet paper installed.
ちなみにホテルや空港以外は、和式トイレがほとんどです。衛生学的には、お尻をつける洋式トイレよりも和式の方が衛生的。インド人に好まれます。 - Menstrual products: environmental changes and stress disrupt the cycle.
- Mask (especially necessary for people with rhinitis due to dustiness)
- Slippers to wear in hotels
- Sunscreen, mosquito and insect repellent (there are many kinds of insects), anti-itch
- Hats, stoles, sunglasses, parasols
- Earplugs (less than 3-star hotels may suffer from outside noise at night)
- Pajamas, toothbrush, hairbrush, shampoo and soap (the hotel has soap that doesn't lather well and shampoo that makes hair stiff), razor, body wipes (for wiping down when you sweat, or before sleeping on a night train or boarding your return flight).
- Attack Anywhere Bag Laundry 5L
インドにコインランドリーは存在しない（他人が使用した洗濯機を使いたくない）。
If you want to wash clothes, hand wash them in the bathroom (the sink in the washbasin is too small and has no plug). There is no place to dry them, so it's a good idea to bring your own hangers. - Bath towels and face towels are available at the hotel.
- Socks: If you wear sandals, your feet will get very dirty if you don't wear socks.
- Cold weather: hot water bottles, body warmers, ultra-warm HEATTECH
- Hair dryer compatible with 200V: Bring your own if you are staying in a 3-star hotel or lower (the hotels and homestays we use will lend you one)
- 200V, outlet type B, BF, B3.
Overseas power conversion adapter
Appliances compatible with 200V can be used. Appliances compatible with 100V only will require a voltage converter.
Hotel outlets in India are scarce, and even if there are multiple outlets, they may be broken.
We recommend bringing a power strip that can be used for multiple devices at the same time so that one outlet can be used effectively. - If you are concerned about using the electric kettle in your hotel room, bring an international travel kettle.
- physical SIMSIMs are available for purchase at airtel near airport exit 4, cheap (1.5GB per day, valid for 30 days for 500 rupees as of November 2024). The staff will even activate it for you on the spot.
In any country, the control of communications is a matter of defense importance.
Foreign tourists without an Indian phone number or Indian Aadhaar card cannot buy a SIM card in the city.
Travelers who need a SIM should purchase one at the Delhi airport. Local airports do not carry them.
Price.com International eSIM Comparison
- travel insuranceBe sure to purchase travel insurance before your trip. Travel cancellation insurance is also available in case you are forced to cancel your trip due to sudden illness, injury, or family circumstances.
Insurance included with credit cards is revised from time to time. Please check the details and consider taking out separate insurance.
Overseas Insurance Comparison Site
Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare: Things to keep in mind while traveling abroad
Clothing and baggage
North India November -February Temperatures are about the same as Japan's autumn and winter.
The lowest temperatures around January in northern India are below 10 degrees Celsius.
The weather outside is warm during the day, but inside Indian buildings, it's cold because they lack insulation and heating. Robust cold-weather measures are necessary.
As for travel attire, while not specific to India, layering that is easy to adjust is basic.
It suddenly gets hot from late March.
Hot season: April-September. Sunscreen, hats, and sunglasses are essential.
South India is hot all year round, but November-February is the best season with mild heat.
Clothing should cover some skin, even in hot weather. Coordinate clothing so that it is easy to adjust the temperature.
Reason 1: It burns your skin to the point that you think it will burn. Burning skin causes inflammation in the body, which drains your strength. Mosquito bites become more likely.
Reason 2: You cannot enter temples, which are sacred grounds, wearing shorts or sleeveless shirts. If you wear a skirt, please wear leggings underneath. Indians dress formally when visiting temples (especially in South India). When visiting temples, please avoid wearing all-black clothing (black is believed to absorb negative energy).
Clothing for temple visits (see also the later section on worshippers' attire)
You will enter the temples barefoot, so it is assumed that your feet will get dirty. Do not wear expensive shoes (Indians wear flip-flops).
In a society where one's appearance affects the way one is treated, many people (especially elders) dress neatly when they go out. For example, even young Indian men pulling vegetable carts often wear long sleeves and long pants with collars and neatly coiffed hair. Even if it is hot, they do not show much skin.
Carry-on luggage is OK; no need for a backpack for train travel.However, the roads have steps and are dirty. Since some stations do not have elevators, a weight that can be temporarily lifted is good. Domestic flights allow free checked baggage up to 15 kilograms, but it can be checked for an extra fee if exceeded.
traffic
You might think that since Delhi has both Uber cabs and metros, you can sightsee without a guide, but in reality it is difficult.
Because of India's high rate of traffic accidents, we recommend that you travel with a government-approved driver.
Reason 1: Uber cabs are of poor quality drivers and cars (not sure if they have been inspected, smelly, cars are wrecked, loud music, driving while talking on the phone with family members is normal, English is not spoken).
Reason 2: Drivers often won't accept short-distance rides. Because of this, it takes time to get a booking. Many drivers are waiting for passengers heading to the outskirts of Delhi (comparable to going from Tokyo Station toward Yokohama or Omiya).
Reason 3: Foreigners are often refused rides or credit card payments are frequently rejected (drivers cancel after booking).
Reason 4: You might think using the metro is convenient, but since you need to take an auto-rickshaw from the station, it's more efficient to head directly to the destination by car.
You cannot walk on the road. The road does not have sidewalks and is not designed for walking.
lodging
Characteristics of India
Twin rooms are extremely limited, and the majority of the rooms feature double and king-size beds. Therefore, it may not always be possible to book a twin room.
Indians rarely have the habit of sleeping in individual beds (feeling lonely), and even when traveling with friends, twin rooms are not preferred.
For the hotel location, I recommend the South Delhi district, which is safe, highly convenient, and mostly populated by the middle class and above!
The Old Delhi area, including the vicinity of New Delhi Railway Station and the budget hotel district of Paharganj, is considered unsafe, and local Indians tend to avoid it.
The old city has the oldest infrastructure in India, making it the area with the worst sanitation conditions for water and sewage.
Excerpts from the Embassy of Japan in India
In front of New Delhi Railway Station, Paharganj area, Connaught Place, and other places where travelers gather, there are many cases of people being taken by malicious travel agents who approach them claiming to be from the India Tourism Board. Never be approached by an Indian government official.
For Japanese people, we recommend 3-star or higher hotels.Our standard hotel is 2-3 stars.
Many customers tell us that if it's just for sleeping, it's not a problem at all.
2-3 stars areNot up to the level of a standard Japanese hotel.However, it is recommended for those who want to keep costs down.
2-star and 3-star hotels are actually almost identical in both facilities and room rates, whether they are 2 or 3 stars.
Example: The plumbing is subpar, such as having hot water but sometimes no shower (not up to Japanese standards). The walls are not soundproofed, and many rooms are noisy with traffic sounds (noise in India is intense). Mosquitoes and other bugs may appear. Some rooms have no windows. Hairdryers are not permanently installed in the rooms (borrow them at the front desk). The Wi-Fi speed is slow in some rooms (hotels used when participating in our tours have Wi-Fi facilities).
Why do we recommend a 4-star or higher hotel?
At 4-star and above, you are closer to global standards and various stresses are alleviated (and prices go up dramatically accordingly).
But even if it is a 4-star hotel, the water facilities are better than those of Japanese business hotels.
We recommend a 4-star or higher hotel, especially if you are a germophobe.
The quality of clientele and staff will obviously be better (Westerners and business travelers from Japan are staying here), there is always a window in the room, the windows and walls are soundproof (important because the noise level in India is tremendous), there is a hair dryer in the room, the Wi-Fi speed is not stressed, and there is more likely to be female staff.
At five-star hotels, security is further enhanced by the fact that luggage is x-rayed and body searches are conducted at every entry and exit.
Sensibly, the 3-star APA Hotel in Japan is equivalent to a 5-star hotel in India. But 5-star hotels in India are several times more expensive than APA Hotels (Japan is the cosmopolitan country).
Extremely cheap hotels have a high risk of security, fire, and sanitation issues, soLodging of foreigners is prohibited by law.The company has been
Therefore, even if you manage to make a reservation, showing your passport at check-in will result in the refusal of your stay (though hotels that refuse you are operating in accordance with the law, so in a sense, they are decent hotels).
Also, India is a male-dominated and caste-based society. Women never stay alone in budget hotels.
Furthermore, Western tourists are by nature very risk-conscious and avoid cheap accommodations.
Please also check the following article regarding hotels.
souvenir
Souvenirs appreciated by Japanese people
Tea, spices, sweets, block print accessories, KAMA rose water, khadi products, shawls, incense, India-only Starbucks mugs
Souvenirs appreciated by Indians
3-color ballpoint penRegarding food, chocolate is the most appreciated (almond chocolate, Choco Pie, Pocky, Takenoko no Sato, marble chocolate, etc.), Jagarico (Salad flavor), Caramel Corn, All Raisin, Happy Turn, Kabukiage, and Salad Senbei (Chocolate is rare in India. Avoid items containing meat-derived ingredients).
Other Basic Information on India
| time difference | 3 hours 30 minutes behind Japan |
|---|---|
| population | More than 10 times that of Japan |
| average age | 25 years old (45 years old in Japan) The only men who are out and about are between the ages of 15 and 30. It is the men's job to go grocery shopping. We hardly see women walking alone. |
| life expectancy | 68.6 years old (84.2 years old in Japan) |
| land area (of a country, continent, etc.) | 328,7263 square kilometers (about 9 times the size of Japan) The proportion of flat land is larger than in Japan, and the infrastructure is not well developed, so the distance sensation is more than 10 times greater than in Japan. |
| Language | Hindi, English, official languages of each state (there are at least 20) |
| religion | Hindu 81%, Muslim 13%, Christian 2%, Sikh 2%, Jain 0.4%, other 0.71 TP3T |
| Number of Japanese Residents | 8,000 people. Compared to the 80,000 Japanese nationals residing in Thailand, 100,000 in China, and 400,000 in the United States, the number of Japanese nationals is extremely small. The number of Japanese tourists to India is too small to have statistics. That is why a trip to India is a valuable and precious experience. |