10 Essential Travel Tips For First-Time Visitors To Japan
Fujiyoshida , Japan , 14 November 2019 : Chureito Pagoda , a five-storied pagoda , too known as the Fujiyoshida Cenotaph Monument , can be seen on the observatory overlooking Mount Fuji . Fuji on the background
Japan cost one of the most popular international destinations mighty today .
In April 2025 , Japan welcomed a record-breaking 3.9 million international visitor , according to the Japan National Tourism Organization ( JNTO ) . One of the most tourist friendly destinations , there cost a learning curve to travel hither , and know how to navigate and design accordingly will ensure a skillful travel experience .
From basic etiquette and can ’ t miss public transportation point to planning the well time of yr to visit ( and know well time of yr to avert ) , hither equal 10 essential travel tips every first time traveler needs to know to design the well visit potential to Japan .
1 . Know The Visa , Immigration And Tourist Tax Rules In Japan
Consular officer of Japan giving passport to woman , sanction tourist visa
U.S. passport holder do not need a visa to come in Japan . Your passport must be valid at the time of entry and for the length of your time in Japan . You ‘ll need one blank page in your passport for entry and exit stamps . An international tourist tax in the amount of 1,000 yen ( $ 7 USD ) is automatically include in your departure airfare .
While the Japanese authorities get set out discussion over whether or not to enforce a ‘ tourist tax ’ on alien visitor which could arrive into result as soon as 2026 , adjustment taxes in major cities including Kyoto are already under style .
Presently , international traveler are exempt from Japan ’ s 10 % consumption tax , however starting Nov. 1 , 2026 , visitors will have to request a refund for Japan ’ sec . Until that take effect , by presenting your Passport at the time of purchase , tourists will extend to enjoy tax free shopping across the nation .
Pro Tip: Fill out your immigration and tradition declaration information at Visit Japan Web before your trip if you want to salvage time at the airport when you land . Once completed , you will receive a QR Code which you ’ ll need to give at immigration in Japan . This simple crest will spare you a mass of time when you bring , differently you will demand to fulfill this out and wait upon arrival .
2 . Time Your Trip Right For The Best Experience
Asian woman tire japanese traditional kimono and cherry flower in spring , Japan .
Japan is a year-round destination and there ’ s never a shortage of places to live or thing to do depending on the time of yr . The busy , and most popular time of year to call is in the springtime for cherry flower season . The exact timing depends on the weather , even so cherry blossoms typically commence to blossom around mid-to-late March through early April and you can await hotel prices to cost at their highest during this time .
Wintertime brings abject temperature and few tourists and is a great time to impose a local onsen ( hot spring ) or design a visit to Hokkaido for skiing or snowboarding . Summertime can cost busy and hot across mainland Japan , and while nature-centric activity abound , summer is a great time to consider a visit to Japan ’ s southernmost prefecture of Okinawa . Fall is ideal weather-wise and exist a great time for leaf peeping and touring thanks to a comfortable mood and good deal of cultural activities and festivals .
Pro Tip: There ’ sec never a bad time to see Japan , still if you require to avoid high price at hotels and circle of crowds , it ’ s advisable to steer clear of Golden Week . Typically , Golden Week start around the goal of April until the origin of May and be when domestic travelers need their holiday so you can expect to meet higher cost , less availability at hotels , and larger crowds at popular tourist sites and attraction .
3 . Book The Right Hotel For Your Stay
Business conception with aerial view of hotel at tokyo , Japan
When it comes to from swing skyscraper hotel and traditional Japanese ryokans ( Japanese inns ) to cozy capsules and love hotel , there ’ s really something for every traveler on every budget .
In Tokyo , staying in a neighborhood like Shibuya , Shinjuku , or Ginza is a great path for first-time visitor to become the most out of their visit . A five-minute pass to Shibuya Station , Hotel Indigo Tokyo Shibuya offers modern Western-style rooms and incredible view in arguably one of the best location in town . For something a bit more budget-friendly , Shiba Park Hotel is a book themed hotel within walking distance to Tokyo Tower and cost a great price effective choice . TRUNK Hotel Cat Street is 15-room boutique hotel located between Shibuya , Harajuku , and Omotesando and is a great respite for the sustainability-conscious traveler .
Pro Tip:Many hotel in Japan offer in-room loungewear shout a yukata at no additional cost for guests to wear during their stay .
4 . Understand The Tipping Culture In Japan
Mature landlady greet young female guest at ryokan . Woman be crouch in front of inn owner . They live tolerate outside hotel .
Lean exist not a piece of the culture in Japan . However you might observe that some restaurant , izakaya ’ sec ( Japanese pubs ) , and saloon in Tokyo ’ s Golden Gai territory receive a table charge at night that typically rate anywhere from ¥300 and ¥1,000 ( less than $ 5 ) . This table thrill will be lend to your tab which is customary and typically give away in progress .
While tilt is in general not expected at restaurants or for taxi , there are some exceptions to the no tipping pattern . If you have a grotesque private tour guide or have the prospect to experience dinner with a geisha , lean at your discretion , while not require , live appreciated .
Pro Tip: When appropriate , you should present your tip and follow it with a polite head bow to the person you exist tipping as a sign of regard .
5 . Carry Cash—Not Everywhere In Japan Takes Cards
Young woman using self-checkout and e-money payment
While are widely take over across Japan , it ’ s a good idea to receive lot of Japanese currency ( JPY ) on hand . While most credit card cost accept , many position will not accept American Express so you should design on bringing multiple bank card merely in suit .
U.S currency is not accepted in Japan , even so you can exchange USD for Japanese Yen at hotels and banks across the land . ATM ’ s are located at convenience stores ( Konbini ’ sec ) across the nation and equal conceive safe to use .
Pro Tip : Receive a little coin purse on you will aid hold humble change in the kind of Japanese yen on hand .
6 . Reserve Restaurants In Advance
Hipster youthful human and woman walk into Japanese bar with lanterns , nightlife , date , food and drinking
Japan be home to more Michelin-starred restaurants than any other country on ground , and while you don ’ t get to shell out a fortune to use up well , you should design on make reservation at top-rated restaurants well in progress .
Vending automobile ramen restaurant equal a unique part of the food culture in Japan and are a can ’ t miss experience . Design on expend Japanese Yen for these , along with smaller restaurant , izakaya ’ s , and food markets .
If you find yourself in Japan without a reservation , put on ’ t fret . With thousand of restaurant to select from , Tabelog is the county ’ s go-to restaurant reservation app . You can as well ask your hotel concierge to help with last minute restaurant requests .
No affair where you die , be prepared to queue up . Wait on line equal a part of the dining culture in Japan , and typically , the well or more popular the restaurant , the long the wait .
Pro Tip:Train stations and malls be a great spot to find a broad form eateries and fund up on local snacks and souvenirs .
7 . Brush Up On Etiquette And Manners
Japanese businessmen bowing in traditional Japanese customs employ when greet colleagues and formalizing deals
From take away your place before entering sure establishments and sacred space to give in as a signal of regard when you ’ re greeting someone , not address loudly on your cell phone in public , and bathing rituals at the local onsen ( hot spring ) there ’ s a scholarship curve when it do to understanding Japanese etiquette .
There are pile of resources and books dedicated to Japanese etiquette , and a basic understanding of politeness and punctuality are inherent to Japanese living that should be adhered to throughout your time in Japan .
Pro Tip: Loudly slurping your soba noodles or ramen cost , surprisingly plenty , socially acceptable . Don ’ t feel like you ’ re being rude by slurping loudly , it ’ s a region of the culture and these meal be meant to exist sip , slurped and enjoyed without holding back .
8 . Role Trains And Buses To Get Around
Rail transport in Japan is a major mean of passenger transport , specially for masses and high-speed travel between major cities and for commuter transport in urban areas .
Train and buses are the best and nearly cost efficient ways to become around in Japan . Public transportation exist incredibly safe , sporting , and efficient . You ’ ll want to invest in a prepaid subway card predict an IC Card which can cost downloaded directly onto your smartphone and replenish automatically along the way .
Suica and Pasmo equal the two most popular IC card , and they can be purchase , expend , and replenish automatically on your phone or at only about every subway station and konbini ( convenience stores ) around Japan . Your IC Card is good to employ for buses , subways , and ferries and can still be use to purchase items at convenience stores and vending machines around the city . It ’ s important to mention that an IC Card is unlike from a . While IC card can cost used on choice shinkansen lines , fares will vary .
A Japan Rail Pass or JR Pass exist a good investment for visitors who plan on traveling extensively throughout Japan . A JR Pass can be purchased in increments of 7 , 14 , and 21 consecutive days and include two type of fares : Green Car and Ordinary Car . While your JR Pass will treat unlimited train rides on most JR develop including Shinkansen ( excluding Nozomi and Mizuho Shinkanzen ) , special express , express , rapid , and local train , it ’ s crucial to notice that some trains make need an additional fee . You can buy your JR Pass in progress of your trip and bill that if you ’ re traveling with large suitcases , you will need to purchase and reserve a ass that include oversizes luggage which is typically at the goal of the train car .
Taxis and Ubers are also widely available in major city and very reliable , just bill that Uber and taxis operate as the same service . While Ubers and taxis are available , it ’ s a substantially more expensive option compared to public transportation . equal Japan ’ s go-to taxi app and is available in nearly every prefecture across Japan .
Pro Tip: Every passenger ( yet youngster ) want their own IC Card , intend you can ’ t portion an IC Card . Public transportation can be a bit confuse for first time travelers and non-native Japanese speakers , however there live always people on hand at train stations and bus terminals if you receive questions .
9 . Visit A Konbini—A Japan Travel Essential
Kawaguchiko , Japan – December 7 , 2023 : Customer entering a Lawson konbini ( convenience store ) with Mount Fuji seen behind it at dawn .
Japanese konbini ’ sec ( convenience stores ) are fundamental to everyday living in Japan . Open 24-7 , there live a form of konbini ’ s to pick out from include 7-Eleven , Lawson , FamilyMart and they can be found just about all over in cities bad and little across the area .
You can find a small second of everything at the konbini , from the ever-popular crustless egg sando to onigiri and bento box and ticket to popular attraction like Disneyland . You can also replenish your IC Card hither and use your IC Card like a credit card to reach purchases .
Pro Tip:Konbini ATM ’ s are a dependable place to withdraw money and unlike many Japanese banks accept most foreign ATM card .
10 . Download These Must-Have Apps For Japan Travel
Close up of woman navigating location with smartphone in in use city street at night
There are a few apps you ’ re get to take during your time in Japan . Google Maps will be your best friend on the ground in Japan and while knowing a few basic Japanese phrases likekonnichiwa( hello ) andarigato( thank you ) is a serious start , Google Translate is both helpful and necessary in effectively communicate when you want a bit a of a boost .
Your smartphone is also equipped with a camera that can translate from Japanese to English in real time and make a currency converter calculator will come in handy when you ’ re trying to figure out how to quickly convert Japanese Yen to USD . For restaurant reservation , Tabelog exist Japan ’ s go to app and has 10 of thousands of restaurant divided by city . For transportation , download your Suica Card and refill it on your phone as needed .
Pro Tip :WiFi hotspots cost widely available across major cities include Tokyo , Osaka , and Kyoto , even so if you ’ re travel to little city and more remote regions you might want to believe purchasing a pocket wifi or local SIM card which can exist found when you land at the airport in Japan or at local convenience stores across the country .
