Travel Tips for Japan

Introduction

Planning a trip to Japan over the next 12 months? If this beautiful, exciting, and unique country is at the top of your travel wish list then you’ve come to the right place. We’ve put together a list of our most essential and need-to-know travel tips for visitors to Japan. 

Top Ten Tips for Travelling in Japan

Discover our expert tips for travelling Japan, from the best way to explore from city to city and go off the beaten path, the key items to book in advance, the latest apps to download before you arrive, and more.    

1. Plan Your Itinerary

While it’s good to retain a degree of spontaneity and flexibility while travelling, it also pays to plan ahead when visiting Japan. A little research before you travel can save you a huge amount of time as well as money. It’s very easy to find yourself needlessly wasting both if you’re making decisions on the fly without having done any research. You don’t necessarily need to plan your itinerary out to the millisecond, but asking yourself some key questions and finding out the answers before you arrive can make all the difference between a good holiday and a great one. From working out a list of the places you want to visit during your stay, to establishing the best, fastest, most cost effective methods to get there and back, it’s really just a case of solving any potential problems before you reach Japan so you have the best possible chance of everything going smoothly while you’re here. As the old saying goes, failing to plan is planning to fail. If you want your visit to Japan to go perfectly then planning your travel itinerary is definitely recommended.  

2. Get a Rail Pass

It’s widely accepted that the best way to explore Japan is using the country’s impressive rail network. While you can purchase tickets for individual journeys, it’s much better value to book a rail pass for your stay. This is especially true if you plan on visiting more than one destination. For example, you’re staying in Tokyo but you also want to visit Kyoto or Osaka or take a trip to the Fuji Five Lakes. As soon as you start making multiple journeys like this, a Japan Rail Pass becomes an essential travel item. The pass covers the vast majority of trains in Japan including the famous shinkansen ‘bullet trains’ and entitles the holder to unlimited travel during your stay. 

Being able to hop on and off trains gives you a huge amount of flexibility and freedom as well as being a more cost effective option than buying individual tickets. You also get free seat reservations. Alongside the countrywide JR Pass, there are also regional rail passes if you’re sticking to one area of Japan too. On the subject of trains, a bonus travel tip for those visiting Japan is to be aware of train etiquette and luggage allowances. We’ll have more on luggage below, but in terms of etiquette, the main things to be aware of are: don’t talk loudly on train, try to avoid taking any phone calls if you can, listen to music through headphones, store your luggage in the designated areas, don’t leave your litter behind, and generally, make an effort not to inconvenience other travellers.

3. And an IC card

Alongside a Japan Rail Pass (or regional rail pass) for exploring Japan, it’s very likely you’ll also need an IC card for intercity travel on Japan’s metros and subways. These are prepaid contactless smartcards, like London’s Oyster card, which can be bought and used to get around on Japan’s public transportation, specifically its metros and subways. IC cards are the easiest and most cost-effective way to get around Japanese cities thanks to the speed, cleanliness, and frequency of its public transport. As such, you’ll definitely want to invest in a prepaid travel card such as an ICOCA, PASMO or Suica card. IC cards like these can be topped up and refunded as needed and they work by tapping or waving them over the card reader as you pass through the ticket gates. It’s also worth noting that the metro and subway systems do not run 24/7 in Japan and stop for the night between 11.30pm and 1am depending on your location, so be sure to keep an eye on the time and be aware when the last train leaves if you’re out late at night.

4. Download Useful Apps Before Travelling

It’s easier than ever to get around in Japan and manage with the language thanks to the wonders of modern technology, specifically the latest apps. As well as apps like Google Maps for live travel updates, train timetables, navigation help, walking routes, finding street addresses, and more, and Google Translate, which now has a handy camera function that can be used to decipher signs and other text (even restaurant menus!), there are now apps for making restaurant bookings in Japan, and more. As such, it pays to download these apps and familiarise yourself with them before you go so you’re fully versed in their features and benefits when you’re on the move in Japan. 

5. Rent a Pocket WiFi device

As we explained above, modern technology is your friend and there are some amazing apps out there, which can really make your life easier when travelling. However, to access any of these, you’ll need a stable WiFi connection and this isn’t always easy to find in Japan. Public WiFi does exist but reportedly only 10% of it is actually free and many hotspots require you to register with a Japanese email address. That’s why we recommend you rent a PocketWifi device from Ninja WiFi for the duration of your stay. With unlimited data, support for five devices simultaneously, the ability to share your WiFi with your travel companions, and many more features, renting a PocketWifi is the best way to stay connected, offering you internet access wherever you are and whenever you need it. 

6. Learn A Few Japanese Phrases

Making an effort to learn a few Japanese words and phrases can go a long way while visiting the country. Even if you are far from fluent, Japanese people will appreciate your efforts with their language. Here are a few examples to help you get started:

• Hello = Kon’nichiwa

• Excuse Me = Sumimasen

• Please = Onegaishimasu  

• Thank You = Arigatō gozaimasu

• Cheers = Kanpai

• Yes =  Hai

• I Don’t Understand = Wakarimasen

• Goodbye = Sayonara

  

7. Bring Cash

Cash is still king in Japan and remains the main method of payment for goods and services across the country. While carrying large amounts of cash on your person is becoming more and more unusual for westerners used to contactless payments, you will definitely need plenty of Japanese yen for your stay. While Japan is slowly moving towards the use of electronic payment methods, particularly in big department stores, chains, and malls, you may also find many establishments that are cash only. As a result, it really does pay to carry cash. To do so safely, you might also want to invest in a travel money-belt or coin purse for travelling. Saying that, Japan is one of the safest countries in the world with very low levels of crime so you needn’t worry too much. Alongside cash, you’ll also want to bring debit and credit cards. If you need to take out extra money while in Japan, the best place to do this is at Japanese convenience stores (7-Eleven and Lawson), which have ATMs and are often open 24/7.

8. Travel Light (and use luggage transport services where needed)

You could find that space is at a premium when you’re staying in Japan, so it’s generally advisable to travel light and avoid taking huge suitcases that you’ll struggle to carry on public transport. If it’s impossible to avoid bring large, oversized luggage with you, for whatever reason, then it might be worth looking into the country’s luggage forwarding services, commonly known as Takuhaibin, which offer next day delivery and can send your suitcases on to your next destination within Japan, while you travel footloose and baggage-free.

9. Make Reservations

Japan is a popular place and the most in-demand attractions, restaurants, and activities can be fully booked months in advance, so it’s best to plan ahead. If there’s something you really want to do or a place you definitely want to go, whether it’s a sumo tournament, theme park, digital art experience, or a Michelin-starred restaurant, then it’s best to book to guarantee your place. As far as restaurants go, there are a few apps which can help with making bookings such as GuruNavi Restaurant Guide, Tablelog, Sushi Dictionary / Ramen Beast, PocketConcierge, Tableall, and Omakase. It’s also worth noting that some restaurants are walk-in only and do not take bookings. 

As a bonus tip, if you’re out and about looking for somewhere to eat, keep an eye out for restaurants packed with local people inside (as patiently queuing outside) as this is usually a sign of quality food! Speaking of dining out, consider this a bonus piece of advice. When it comes to travel and food, make sure you sample the bento boxes sold at train stations across Japan. Known as Ekiben, these lunchbox style meals are made specifically for commuters and other travellers (although anyone can eat them of course) and they have a reputation as being the best ‘train food’ in the world.

10. Explore Off The Beaten Path

Japan has a huge amount to offer international visitors and some of its most wondrous sights can only be experienced by getting out of the city and exploring off the beaten path. Of course, if it’s your first time visiting Japan then you’ll want to see the likes of Tokyo and Kyoto - and you absolutely should - but we definitely recommend combining your urban adventures with at least one trip further afield. It’s perfectly achievable too thanks to Japan’s high-speed trains and extensive public transport. From Buddhist monasteries in the mountains to preserved samurai era towns, and much more, there are some amazing experiences to be had.   

Useful Links 

Here at JapanDen, we take a holistic approach to helping you plan the perfect trip to this incredible country. As well as providing guidance on where to stay, you’ll find expert travel advice, 24/7 support, portable WiFi devices, essential information, and in-depth articles on key topics such as Getting Around Japan, Japanese Cuisine, What To Pack For Japan, and more. At JapanDen, our mission is to bring together everything you could possibly want or need to know about Japan in one place to ensure the best possible travel experience. Find out more below: 

• For the perfect place to stay, visit our Hotels page and choose from more than 2,800 hotels and 1,800 traditional ryokans.

• Meanwhile, if you want to learn more about Japan’s regions and prefectures so you can decide the best area to visit, you should check out our Destinations page. 

• If you’re looking to explore Japan then the country’s famously efficient trains are the way to go. Japan’s railways are renowned as being the fastest, cleanest, and safest in the world. The country’s rail network is so vast and interconnected that it can help you reach almost any corner of Japan you’d like to visit. Furthermore, with a Japan Rail Pass you can enjoy unlimited travel on the majority of the country’s trains, including the famous Shinkansen ‘bullet trains’. The JR Pass is by far the most cost effective and flexible way to get around Japan. Find out more by visiting our partners at www.jrpass.com today.

• Want to use Google Translate to support your language skills? Or Google Maps for live train updates? What about posting photos to social media or keeping in touch with home? For all this and more, you’ll need a PocketWifi device like those from Ninja Wifi. With unlimited data, support for five devices simultaneously, the ability to share your Wifi with your travel companions, and more, renting a PocketWifi is highly recommended. Our Pocket WiFi guide has everything you need to know. 

• If you’re looking for information about Japan and want to speak with fellow travellers who have been there and done that, then you should join our Community. This welcoming and friendly forum is the place to go to share stories, knowledge, and experiences about Japan, ask questions, make new connections, and find travel inspiration.