20+ Japan Travel Tips You Need To Know Before Traveling To Japan
Last updated on July 2, 2023 by Sophie Nadeau
Japan is a beautiful country where old meets new, tradition meets cutting-edge modernity.a country made up of a series of islands (mainly Hokkaido, Honshu, Shikoku, and Kyushu)here are the top Japan travel tips you need to know before visiting Japan…
Even before setting foot in Japan, I knew it would end up being one of my favorite travel destinations (It’s in my top 3 along with France and Italy). After all, the country is known for its rich culture. Including beautiful temples, delicious food and amazing organization.
Here are some things I wish I had known before visiting Japan, especially since respect and courtesy are an important part of society and culture, and you are a guest in someone else’s country!
Japan Travel Tips
always carry cash
If there’s one thing you need to know before visiting Japan, it’s that cash is king. Although most of the country is modern, you’ll find many bars, restaurants and even tourist attractions that only accept cash.
The currency is Japanese Yen, and the best places to withdraw cash are ATMs at 7-Eleven convenience stores across the country.
English is not as widely spoken as you might think
While it’s always polite to learn a few words in the local language no matter where you’re traveling (sorry please thank you sorry that’s a good place to start), the thing that surprised me the most during our trip to Japan was , people speak English.
This includes some of the tourist hotels and major attractions we visit. I highly recommend getting a data plan to help you translate content into English (the photo translation tool on Google is excellent), which is especially useful when you’re ordering food at restaurants.
Get a local SIM card
One of my first suggestions before visiting Japan is to bring a SIM card.We personally downloaded an app called Airalo and used the eSim feature on one of our phones (check your phone for compatibility) We use data while in Japan.
Access to data is invaluable because we can use Google Maps as much as we want and order from the menu with ease. It’s also useful when we’re not quite sure what a certain ingredient is and want to check what we’ve ordered!
As a vegan, I also like that we can check where the nearest 7-11 or Starbucks is, as I’ve found these to be the best options for finding meat and fish free snacks.
Find out how to get from the airport to your first hotel before you go
If you’re flying from Europe to Japan, your flight time will be over 12 hours (from London, the flight to Tokyo takes over 14 hours). So the last thing you want to do after you arrive and go through passport control is check how to get to your hotel.
Be sure to check transportation options before you leave home so you know the route ahead of time. If you fly into one of Tokyo’s airports, there are many easy transport links to Tokyo itself.
don’t eat while walking
If you are in a hurry to get somewhere, you should be aware that it is considered bad manners to eat while walking. In general, you should make sure to find a quiet bench where you can sit and have a snack without disturbing anyone. Street food and festive meals are excluded.
Do not smoke outside in Japan
If you are a smoker then you should be aware that in most cases you are not allowed to smoke on the street. Instead, most public places have a designated room where you can queue to smoke (use Google Maps to find these rooms).
If you are caught smoking in a non-designated area then you could face a sizeable fine. Having said that, almost all metro stations have their own smoking rooms, and many bars/pubs allow indoor smoking (although you should check first).
Public transport is the best way to get around
If this is your first time in Japan, chances are you’ll spend most of your time visiting major cities like Kyoto, Osaka, Tokyo and Hiroshima. The easiest and most convenient way to get around is by public transport.
While Tokyo’s subways can be a bit tricky at first, public transportation in general is fast, convenient, safe, and reliable. In fact, we were shocked when the bullet train we were on was listed as “significantly delayed”, when the delay was only five minutes!
Buy a Japan Rail Pass Before You Go
If you’ve read anything about visiting Japan as a tourist, you’ve undoubtedly heard of the Japan Rail Pass. If you’re planning to visit multiple cities in a short period of time, this pass is great value as it gives you unlimited train rides for a week or weeks (note that there are exceptions to the types of trains you can use).
That being said, the easiest way to get this great deal (do count how many trips you plan to do though, and look at the cost of individual trips to check if the pass is right for you) is one to three months before your trip Buy a pass. Learn more about the Japan Rail Pass here.
buy travel insurance
Japan has some of the best healthcare in the world, but if you’re not a resident, it can be costly. Since it is impossible to predict every situation, I personally recommend against traveling abroad from your own country without travel insurance.
The best time to visit Japan is spring or autumn
In terms of Japan’s weather and natural beauty, the best time to visit is spring (for cherry blossoms) or autumn (for red leaves).
As you can imagine, visiting during one of these times is the most popular and therefore the most expensive. However, seeing the cherry blossoms in full bloom or the fall foliage is a once in a lifetime experience that you will never forget, so the extra price is worth it in my opinion.
tipping is not the norm
Do not tip when in Japan. It’s not actually part of the culture, nor would it be expected. If you try to tip, an awkward situation can arise as the person tries to get the money back to you. You have paid for the service as part of the dinner/drinks you ordered.
There are many places where you need to take off your shoes
Whether you’re visiting someone’s home, a historic castle, or a temple, there are many situations where you’ll need to take your shoes off. Therefore, I recommend always wearing socks under your shoes. If you’re wearing sandals, be sure to keep a spare pair of socks in your bag.
Carry your passport with you at all times
In fact, in Japan you are required by law to carry official identification at all times, so you should always have your passport with you.In any case, it is also very useful to have your passport with you, as many shops offer tax-free shopping to tourists (including Uniqlo).
don’t blow your nose in public
In fact, blowing your nose in public is considered extremely rude, especially in enclosed public spaces like subways. Instead, people sniff, and you notice it more and more as you travel around the country.
Stand on the left when riding the escalator
When taking escalators in Japan (this is often done in malls, subways, etc.), always stand on the left side. The only exception is Osaka, where people stand on the right.
Walking on escalators is also not typical or customary, so most people stand on the left and wait for the escalator to take them to the top.
don’t give cash directly
Although you’ll often pay in cash, it’s considered bad manners to just hand someone cash. Instead, there will be a small tray where you put your cash and the cashier will take it and put the change on the tray.
You can then collect your change from the tray. Whenever you hand someone something, such as a tray or a business card, be sure to use both hands, put your thumbs on them and bow slightly.
In most cases, you should cover your tattoo when you are out in public. This is especially important when visiting hotel pools, public baths, and onsen. Some hotels will provide tattoo covering patches, while others won’t allow you to use their facilities at all, so check before booking.
use the toilet
If there’s one thing you’ve probably heard about Japan, it’s the amazing high-tech toilets. While almost all toilets come with basic features like bidets, heated seats, and music for privacy, some have even more options like lighting.
You should be aware that hand sanitizer and towels are not readily available, even in restaurants. So whether you’re traveling in Japan or need to carry hand sanitizer and tissues with you.
Vending machines are everywhere
Of all the Japan travel tips I can give you, one of the best things to know is that there are vending machines almost everywhere – even near the summit of Miyajima, there is a vending cable car near the entrance to the summit.
One of the things that surprised me the most was that most of the vending machines were for drinks, not many were for food. There are also vending machines selling novelty items, including a Pikachu vending machine at Haneda Airport.
Not many litter boxes/bins
One of the more surprising things to note is that there aren’t many places to throw your trash (other than the recycling bins next to nearly every vending machine).
Typically, you take your trash with you and throw it at your residence. To keep litter out of the way, I recommend keeping a small ziplock bag with you to store all the trash!
Book a restaurant in advance
In many popular venues, the best way to get a table is to book in advance, usually a few days in advance at your preferred time slot. Fortunately, many restaurants have online reservation systems, so you can usually use Google to help you reserve a table.
chopsticks etiquette
One thing you should absolutely never do is place chopsticks face up in a bowl. It was reminiscent of funeral rites and was seen as offensive. Instead, you should use the provided chopstick rests to set down your chopsticks. You should also not use chopsticks to fork food.
Convenience store is great
Whether you’re looking for a quick meal, an easy dinner like instant ramen, or a drink, convenience stores are located all over Japan, so it’s very convenient! Even in smaller towns and villages, there are usually at least one or two convenience stores.
Stay in a ryokan
If you want to experience a traditional Japanese lodging experience, be sure to book a ryokan for at least one night. Guests at these traditional Japanese inns sleep on tatami mats rolled up on the floor.
Save space in your suitcase for shopping/souvenirs
Honestly, Japan is one of the best places in the world to shop. In addition to shopping for the usual souvenirs like a Nintendo Switch or comic-related merchandise, there’s all sorts of cool stuff to buy. My husband even bought a glass of Japanese whiskey to take home for my dad!
really safe
Japan is one of the safest countries in the world. Traveling in this country is really safe, from subway rides to the absence of pickpockets (although there are still some, but they’re fairly rare).
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