Walking towards shrine in Japan, tips for traveling in Japan

36 Essential Tips For Traveling in Japan: First-time Visitors Guide

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Planning your first trip to Japan? Whether youโ€™re dreaming of exploring the bustling futuristic streets of Tokyosoaking in a serene onsen, or discovering the historic temples of Kyoto, Japan offers a mix of tradition, modernity, and culture like no other place. However, navigating the country can be a bit overwhelming for first-time visitors due to its unique customs, advanced technology, and language barriers. To help you have a seamless and unforgettable experience, weโ€™ve compiled 36 essential tips for traveling in Japan as a first-time visitor. 

This will guide you through everything from transportation hacks, tips for discovering Japanโ€™s food, to cultural etiquette. These tips are based on our personal experience and mistakes while traveling over 3 weeks through the country, advice from our friends who live in Japan, and recommendations from fellow travelers.

Whether youโ€™re a seasoned traveler or stepping foot in Asia for the first time, these practical tips will ensure youโ€™re well-prepared to enjoy Japanโ€™s wonders to the fullest!

walking in the streets of Nara with old wooden building

36 Helpful tips for traveling in Japan

To make browsing easier, weโ€™ve organized our tips into five main categories:

  • Dining
  • Activities
  • Transportation
  • Money
  • Miscellaneous.

If you would like to save all these tips for you to easily review before or during your trip, we have made available a free downloadable PDF Guide including all 36 tips and easy links to the must-book activities.

Harry potter studio tour in Tokyo
Our Harry Potter experience in Tokyo

🗺️ Planning a trip to Japan? Check out our Complete Japan Itinerary Guide where we share our 10 days, 14 days, or longer Japan travel itinerary including what to do each day, where to stay, how to get around the country, and much more! Or you can check out this guide where we share the best things to do in Japan.

Dining in Japan

At the top of our list, exploring Japanโ€™s incredible variety of foods was undoubtedly a highlight of our trip. To make the most of it and avoid any disappointments, here are 9 tips to help you fully savor the experience.

1) Reserve restaurants in Advanced

We were incredibly shocked by how busy and full the restaurants get in Japan. This is largely because many restaurants in Japan are quite small, but even more so due to the sheer number of tourists that visit each year. For this reason, when possible, we highly recommend booking the restaurants in advance.

This is even more crucial when trying out a unique experience like omakases, or dining at a renowned Japanese restaurant (or restaurants that have gone viral on instagram/Tiktok. More on that later!). Some restaurants have online booking, but if not available, then you can always ask your hotel reception or AirBnB host to call for you.  

2) You may be turned away at the restaurant

Always have a plan B restaurant in case it is full, closed, or the rare possibility that you may be turned away. Although it did not personally happen to us, we have heard from several Western travelers that once or twice during their trip, they were turned away from the restaurant, without any clear reason. We have seen some restaurants that post on their door that they only accept clients who speak Japanese. This was rare though.  

3) Restaurants may be closed even if google map says it’s open

Building on the previous point of having a plan B, restaurant opening hours reflected on Google maps may not be accurate or up to date. Furthermore, some restaurants may spontaneously decide to close early, or simply no longer accept any further customers. This happened to us several times during the trip where we were turned away from the restaurant since they decided to close 2 hours earlier than advertised. 

4) Eat Early (5-6pm) to avoid the dining rush

We strongly recommend having dinner earlier, between 5-6 PM, to avoid the peak dining rush at restaurants. This is especially true in smaller, bustling cities like Kyoto, and to a slightly lesser extent in Osaka and Tokyo.

When we attempted to eat around 7 PM, most places had long lines, and several turned us away, as the wait exceeded two hours. It felt like tourists were hopping from one restaurant to another, just trying to find a spot. At that point, it wasnโ€™t about choosing where we wanted to eat, but simply finding a restaurant that could accommodate us. 

If you want to discover some of our favourite restaurants in Kyoto and when to go eat there, as well as the day trips we did from Kyoto, check out our 2 day Kyoto Guide.  

5) Tipping is not customary

In Japan, tipping is not customary or needed when eating at restaurants. In fact, if you try to tip, it may even be seen as disrespectful or confusing. Excellent service is considered a standard in Japan, and workers take pride in doing their job well without needing extra compensation.

Instead, it is best to thank people verbally or with a bow to show your appreciation.

 

6) Most menus are not in English

One of the challenges of eating at restaurants in Japan is that most menus are not in English. We would recommend downloading the Google translate app and using the photo scan feature, which can assist with translating the menu.

Keep in mind that Japanese characters are typically written vertically, from top to bottom, rather than left to right like in English. This can occasionally make it difficult for Google Translate to accurately interpret the text.

When possible, we would try to look at the menu ahead of time from their website or the menu photos posted on their Google Maps page in order to avoid the delays of figuring it out on the spot. 

7) Vegetables and fruits are scarce and expensive

Vegetables are somewhat limited in traditional Japanese cuisine, with common options being sliced cabbage, carrots, and seaweed. Fruits can also be quite pricey, as youโ€™ve probably seen on social media, where certain melons can cost over $100!

Given this, we recommend bringing fibre-rich foods or supplements to help maintain healthy digestion during your trip.

8) The 711s have good food

The 711 convenience stores are surprisingly stocked with pretty good food. They have onigiris, bento boxes, sushi boxes, and even some hot food. It is not only affordable, but also quick and tasty! 

onigiri in Japan

9) There is no need to chase after Instagram restaurants

With the rise of TikTok and Instagram recommendations, weโ€™ve noticed certain restaurants in Japan going viral, resulting in massive lineups. We experienced this firsthand twice, waiting over 2 hours to eat at these popular spots, only to find that they didnโ€™t live up to the hype. 

Instead of chasing after Instagram-famous locations, we recommend opting for lesser-known, authentic mom-and-pop eateries. Walk one or two blocks away from the โ€˜famousโ€™ ramen shop with a huge lineup and youโ€™ll find dozens of other delicious ramen places who are ready to receive you. The food in Japan is consistently delicious, and youโ€™ll avoid the long waits.


Activities in Japan

Japan is full of exciting activities for visitors of all ages. Whether you are interested in racing down the streets Mario-kart style, seeing the Harry Potter studio, or doing a photoshoot at the top of Shibuya Sky, these tips will help ensure that you have a seamless and positive experience.

10) Book activities well in advanced!

Given the rise in popularity of Japanโ€™s tourism, it is crucial to book certain activities in advance. Here is a list of unique activities in Japan that tend to sell out weeks or even months in advance: 

Mario kart, teamlab, and harry potter experience in Japan

If you are heading to Tokyo, make sure to check out our list of unique activities in Tokyo so you will also know which ones you want to do and to book in advance! If you are heading to Osaka or Kyoto, here are our Osaka things to do and Kyoto itinerary guides!

11) Get the activity passes for the region

Get the klook activity pass as it saves you time of buying tickets individually. There is an activity pass for reach region but the most popular ones are the Klook Greater Tokyo PassKlook Pass Osaka, and the Klook Kansai Pass

When we bought our Klook Kansai Pass, we were also able to add as a premium add-on the JR Kansai Wide Area Pass and it ended up being 30-40$ cheaper than the normal price. Iโ€™m not sure if it was a glitch but I have seen others mention in forums that they found similar discounts, so make sure to check.

12) Try a Ryokan experience

A must-try experience when visiting Japan is spending a night at a ryokan. For those unfamiliar, a ryokan is a traditional Japanese inn featuring classic elements like tatami mat flooring, sliding shoji doors, and futon bedding placed directly on the mats.

Many ryokans are situated in onsen towns, where you can spend the day soaking in their mineral-rich hot springs. Throughout your stay, youโ€™ll wear a traditional yukata, enhancing your immersion in Japanese culture. 

Finally, most Ryokans also include multi-course seafood Kaiseki meals, which are considered Japanโ€™s haute-cuisine! To discover some of the best Ryokan experiences we had in Japan, check out our Izu Peninsula Itinerary where we stayed at 4 amazing Ryokans during our roadtrip.   

13) No tattoos in the onsen and you must be fully naked

Onsens are Japanese natural mineral-rich baths that are heated by the earthโ€™s geothermal activity. Soaking in these onsens are considered very beneficial to your health and have therapeutic properties. If you would like to try out an onsen, it is important to be aware of a few rules. 

First, you will be completely naked when soaking in the onsens. The baths are separated by gender, however it is possible sometimes to book a private onsen that you can share with your partner. 

Also, you will only be able to bring a small towel with you inside the onsen that is used to wipe off sweat or cover yourself when moving around the area. 

Additionally, most onsens do not accept visitors that have visible tattoos

Finally, it is important to wash yourself thoroughly before entering the onsen. 

 

14) Do not cram your schedule packed with sights to see

very crowed area in Kyoto, recommended to not cram your schedule, tips for traveling in japan

Japan is very busy and you will feel overwhelmed and exhausted if you simply try to rush from one temple to another. We recommend scheduling to see from 2-3 places per day. This allows you time to fully enjoy each location, and accounts for delays with dining and slow downs due to the crowds. 

The highlight of Japan is immersing in the vibrant culture, which can only be truly experienced by taking the time to interact and engage with each location. To get an idea of how to plan your itinerary, you can check out our 2 days Kyoto guide showing an ideal schedule and some of the best things you can do there. Alternatively, if you can check out our Complete guide on Traveling through Japan to get a better idea on an overall itinerary, best things to experience, how to get around, and more!

15) Try an Omakase experience

Omakase is a Japanese dining style where the chef selects and prepares the meal for you. The term โ€œomakaseโ€ translates to โ€œI leave it up to youโ€ in English, indicating that diners are entrusting the chef to choose and serve the best dishes of the day. Regarded as one of Japanโ€™s premier culinary experiences, omakase typically features 9 to 16 courses of delicately prepared, small portions such as sushi or sashimis. 

If you are interested, make sure to book your omakase experiences well in advance (usually several weeks). We forgot to do so and had to spend hours finding an omakase that had availability. 

If you want to learn how to make sushi omakase-style, then check out this awesome Omakase cooking class in Tokyo!

16) Do not be afraid to go off-the-beaten-path

We feel like most travelers will gravitate towards the main tourist attractions such as Tokyo, Hakone, Kyoto, and Osaka when visiting Japan. Although each of those destinations are beautiful and exciting, they are also crowded and very touristic. 

If you have the time, we would recommend going off-the-beaten path where you will discover a more authentic, local, and also peaceful side of Japan. For example, we ventured out into the Izu Peninsula during our Japan Itinerary where we had some of the most relaxing Ryokan and onsen experiences, stayed with local families who prepared delectable kaiseki meals, and witnessed some of the most incredible coastal views with Mount Fuji in the background.

If you want to discover something new, check out our Best things to do in Izu Peninsula guide


Transportation in Japan

Navigating transportation in Japan can be quite challenging due to the multitude of train lines, various passes, and unfamiliar systems. To help you manage this complexity, here are some tips for getting around Japan efficiently!

17) Use NaviTime App for Navigation

In addition to Google Maps, we highly recommend using NaviTime for your public transportation navigation needs. What we found helpful with NaviTime is that in addition to providing the public transportation routes, it also lets you know exactly which platform you need to stand on, which carriage to get on, the cost, and if that route is covered by the JR pass. 

Knowing which platform to wait on really comes in handy since sometimes checking the metro line, and figuring out which direction it is going in by deciphering the complicated names, can be very confusing. Instead, you will be given the exact platform name, and you can head there directly. 

NaviTime also provides the exact departure time of your train, which is especially useful since multiple train lines can stop at the same station. By knowing the precise departure time, you can avoid mistakenly boarding a train that arrives just minutes before your scheduled one.

18) The JR Passes are not always worth it

The JR Pass for whole of Japan, allowing you to have unlimited rides on the high-speed shinkansens, used to be advertised as a must-have when visiting Japan. However, due to the significant price hike that occurred in 2023, this may no longer be the best solution for your transportation needs. 

Shinkansen in Japan

We recommend using the JR Pass fare calculator to add up all the costs of transportation in your travel itinerary and see if the JR Pass is worth it for you.

For our trip, we got the JR Kansai Wide Area pass for 5 days (covering the greater Kansai region from Kyoto all the way to passed Okayama) only and it provided good value as we knew we were going to take the Shinkansen for 5 large trip segments within those days. Before you purchase your JR Pass, make sure to evaluate the savings value.    


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This post is part of our series about Japan. If you want to learn more about Japan, planning your trip, and some of the best experiences there, check out the guides below:

19) Arrive early at the train station

When taking the Shinkansen trains, it is important to arrive early at the train station to account for time to validate your passes. Even if you bought the tickets online, oftentimes you need to go through some validation process. We would recommend arriving a good 20-30 minutes in advance to ensure you have ample time to process your ticket, navigate the enormous train stations, and find the correct platform. 

lineup at the japan station machines

20) Get the SUICA or ICOCA card

SUICA and ICOCA are rechargeable transportation cards that can be used for paying buses, trains, subways, vending machine items, and convenience store purchases. SUICA is primarily used in the Tokyo region, while ICOCA is mainly used in the Kansai region (Osaka, Kyoto). However, both cards are interchangeable and can be used in either region. 

ICOCA card that is used in the Kansai region

We highly recommend getting the card as it will save you a lot of hassle and avoid needing to scrounge up coins to pay for each transportation segment. 

Also, make sure to pick up your ICOCA/SUICA card once you arrive at the airport or main JR station as it is not available in the smaller metro stations. 

21) Stay quiet on public transportation

You will quickly notice that it is very quiet while riding the buses or trains in Japan. Please make sure to keep your conversation volume low when on public transportation as it can be seen as disrespectful talking loudly.

Also, waiting your turn in a lineup is an important aspect of public etiquette. There is no tolerance for cutting the line and is considered very rude in Japan. 

22) Bring comfortable shoes since you will be walking a lot

You will be walking a lot in Japan. Ditch the high heels or fancy shoes and make sure to wear very comfortable walking shoes. For example, when we did our Day Trip to Nara, we easily clocked in over 20,000 steps by visiting the huge parks, the multiple temples, and strolling through all the cute streets.

23) Use Luggage transportation service

To avoid carrying your luggage up and down the stairs when changing from one city to another, you have the option of using their local luggage transportation service, called Takuhaibin (ๅฎ…้…ไพฟ). How this works is that the company will pick up your luggage from one of the nearby convenience stores, stations, or directly from your hotel, and transport it directly to your next hotel. The cost is quite reasonable at around 1700 yen for a parcel under 10kg, and around 2600 yen for a checked luggage. 

luggage at hotel

Another added advantage is that you can check out of your hotel in letโ€™s say Osaka, have your luggage shipped to your next hotel in Kyoto, and have the entire day to explore Kyoto freely without worrying about checking-in or dragging around your luggage. You can find the Takuhaibin counters at the airport or can look up service locations with Yamato transport, one of the most recognized Takuhaibin in Japan. 

24) Driving in Japan

Driving is very safe and the drivers are very respectful. They do drive on the left side though which is opposite to North America and Europe. Also make sure to bring an international driverโ€™s license when renting your car. 

Renting a car is also an excellent way of travelling in Japan if you are going outside of the main cities. I would not recommend driving in the big cities like Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto as their public transportation system is already excellent.

On our trip through Japan, we wanted to take a break from the crowds and visited the beautiful Izu Peninsula where we did a 5 day road trip! Driving was safe, convenient, affordable, and allowed us to see some incredible off-the-beaten path sights!

25) Taxis are very expensive

Taxis are very expensive so you should rely on the local transportation system. Fortunately, their bus, train, and shinkansen system is incredibly efficient.

If you need to book a private transport, then we would recommend checking out WelcomePickups.  


Money in Japan

Below are some tips to help you save money and figure out how to pay for things in Japan.

26) Tax-free shopping in Japan

One of the awesome benefits of shopping in Japan is that most of the official stores have duty-free shopping. Whatโ€™s more is that they refund you right at the store instead of needing to keep all your receipts and requesting your return at the airport.

By shopping at a tax-free store, you can save from 8-10% on the retail price of the item!

Make sure to check out stores like BIC Camera, Yodobashi, Don Quixote, Uniqlo, and AEON mall. Also donโ€™t forget to bring your passport with you as they will require it when providing the tax return.

27) ATMs in Japan

You will find ATMs available in the local convenience stores like 7-Eleven, Lawson, and FamilyMart. Whatโ€™s more is that they tend to be the most reliable for international withdrawals. Keep in mind that most ATMs will charge a fee between 110-220 yen

Japanese money

28) Bring Cash

Although credit cards are becoming more widely accepted in restaurants and stores in Japan, it is still important to always have cash on you. Many ramen restaurants require you to place your order on a little vending machine and most will only accept cash. I would say half the restaurants we went to only accepted cash, especially if they are more local. Surprisingly, American Express was widely accepted in places that accepted credit cards.

A question we see asked often is how much cash you should carry around with you. Given that ATMs are readily available, and the withdrawal fees are not high, I would recommend carrying around approximately 15,000 (around 100 USD) yen with you at a time

29) Cash and card handling etiquette

When paying in cash, do not pass the money directly into the personโ€™s hand. Instead, they will slide a flat tray towards you where you can put the money. The same generally applies for credit cards. 

30) Use a Bank card that charges minimal fees like WISE

We have our WISE Travel Card in over 20 countries and it has always worked flawlessly! In Japan, most ATMs will charge a flat fee of 110 yen or 220 yen. Fortunately, that is only about 1-2$ per withdrawal. However, you will definitely want to try to avoid the hefty fees and inflated conversion rates YOUR bank charges, which can be from 3-7$ + 2.75% markup! 

By using WISE, we were able to really minimize the transaction fees and have the best exchange rate when withdrawing money. If you want to learn more about this card, check out our guide on how much WISE card can help you save.

Click here to be directed to the official WISE website where you can register for your card! 


Miscellaneous tips for japan

Finally, here are some of the tips that did not fall into the categories listed above, but are equally important to know before visiting Japan.

31) Internet when traveling in Japan

Given how much you will need to rely on Google Maps and Navitime when traveling through Japan, it is essential to have a reliable and fast internet service on your cellphone. We used Airalo in Japan and it worked perfectly. We have also been using Airalo in over 20 countries and it has always served us well. 

Airalo Japan sim plans

There is also the option of getting a pocket WIFI but it is significantly more expensive as compared to the Airalo Esim. To give you an idea, renting a pocket WIFI Device with unlimited data for a week will cost around 52 USD whereas a 30 day Airalo Esim, with 10GB of data, costs only 19 USD. Given that Wifi is readily available all over Japan, you definitely do not need unlimited data.  

📲 Check out the Airalo Japan ESIM plans

32) Common and useful Japanese phrases

ใ“ใ‚“ใซใกใฏ (Konnichiwa) โ€“ Hello / Good afternoon
ใ‚ใ‚ŠใŒใจใ† (Arigatou) โ€“ Thank you
ใ™ใฟใพใ›ใ‚“ (Sumimasen) โ€“ Excuse me / Iโ€™m sorry
ใฏใ„ (Hai) โ€“ Yes
ใ„ใ„ใˆ (Iie) โ€“ No
ใ•ใ‚ˆใ†ใชใ‚‰ (Sayounara) โ€“ Goodbye

33) Stay in Business Hotels for more affordable accommodation

Hotels can be pretty costly in Japan. If you would like to save some money, then check out business hotels. They are meant for Japanese businessmen/businesswomen who simply need a place to sleep when on work trips.

We stayed at a few during our trip and felt like they were very sufficient for our needs, providing a clean, simple room to stay in and also included breakfast. Some of the more popular business hotels include APA Hotels, Toyoko Inn (which we personally stayed at), and Hotel Mystays.   

34) Safety in Japan

Do not worry about safety as Japan is one of the safest places to travel. We walked the streets at night, took public transportation, and explored many off-the-beaten-path locations and always felt secure. We even noticed that many of the locals will just leave their phones or laptops on the coffee shop table to go and place their order. Of course, we donโ€™t recommend that you do the same but it shows the level of trust and respect in Japan.

walking at night in Tokyo

However, despite the safety in Japan, accidents can happen so it is important to have travel insurance. We have been using SafetyWing during our world trip and can recommend them based on their affordable pricing and all their coverage inclusions!  

35) Trash bins in Japan

Despite how clean Japan is, we were surprised by the fact that trash bins are not readily available in the streets. For this reason, it is a good idea to have a small plastic bag that you can use to carry your garbage until you can find a bin.

36) Plug outlets in Japan

Japan uses Type A plug outlets, similar to the ones in North America. If you are from a European country or any other country that doesnโ€™t use Type A (2 parallel flat prongs), then make sure to bring a travel adapter.

Type A plug outlet in Japan, useful tips for traveling in japan

Using WISE card in Japan

When taking cash out of an ATM while abroad, you will most likely be charged both a foreign exchange fee and a foreign transaction fee by that countryโ€™s ATM. With my Canadian card, this can easily be 3-4$ + 2.75% + a markup on the exchange rate charged by my bank, and then another 3-5$ charged by the foreign ATM.

Wise card

This can be really costly. For this reason, we recommend using WISE card which has only minimal fees and just about no foreign currency exchange markup. This helps me save at least 5-7$ every time I take out money from an ATM. If you want to see our full review of the card showing exactly how WISE can help you save, check out our WISE Travel card Review post.


Summary: Important tips for traveling in Japan

Figuring out all the details of your trip to Japan is a very exciting but also daunting process. Having spent 3 weeks traveling from Tokyo all the way to Okayama, we gained a lot of insight and tips that we are now happy to share with you. We hope that these tips will make your journey smoother, help you navigate the diverse aspects of Japanese travel, and enhance your overall experience in this fascinating country.


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