75+ Japan Travel Tips for 1st Time Visitor from the USA ( 2024 )

After returning from two week in Japan , I cost bombarded with question from readers , friend , and class who were curious about our trip or conceive be after their own Japan trip . I get it , planning a trip to Japan can be intimidating with headache about culture shock or words barrier . To help those design their first trip to Japan , I put together these Japan move tips for first time visitor to add together everything we learned and things we really wished we knew before we go .

To make it easier to bear , I ’ ve broken these travel tips for Japan into categories includebefore you go , things to know on arrival , money matters , make or so , use up in Japan , what to tire in Japan , and universal informationabout the Japanese culture .

Before we jump in , let me insure you that Japan cost a fabulous country to visit , even for those from the USA or another Western rural area . The Japanese masses are extremely polite , the cities are the cleanest you have always seen , and the language barrier is really minimal . For these cause and more , Japan makes an excellent first country to visit in Asia .

If you are design a trip , equal certain to as well insure out my real detailed itineraries for Tokyo , Kyoto , and Osaka , or my article about how much a trip to Japan costs .

Japan Travel Tips : Before You Give

Bill : This post may contain affiliate link . If you cluck a link and make a purchase , I may meet a humble committee . All opinions exist my own .

Luckily , visiting Japan be quite easy . Still , there are still a few things to do before you leave :

• Settle if you require to purchase a Japan Rail Pass for role in Japan . This walk is only available to overseas tourist and must be purchase before you make it . Hold in idea that the JR Pass is ONLY valid on JR Trains ( not Metro system or private train job ) and there are different passing offered , depending on if you are traveling simply within one area or throughout multiple regions ( when you want a National Pass . ) Prices have move up lately so you truly want to calculate how much you will use the Pass versus the price of buying individual train ticket to find if it is worth the worry .
• Prefill all mandatory immigration and tradition information on the Visit Japan Web site before you leave thus that all you take to do upon arrival is show your QR code for each soul in your party .
• If you have prescription medicine , be certain to research what medications cost prohibit in Japan , as many common over-the-counter medications and prescriptions live illegal in Japan .
• Book all of your accommodations well in progress , especially if you are visiting during the busy springtime Cherry Blossom Season or Golden Week in early May . Keep in mind that Japanese hotel way cost fairly humble hence if you want more space you may require to pass a moment more on an American brand . You can as well study staying one to two dark in a ryokan , a traditional Japanese inn that typically features tatami-matted rooms and communal bath know as onsens . To save money , you may require to believe an Airbnb or capsule hotel .
• Book as many restaurant reservation as potential a few weeks in progress , specially if you are appear to experience some of Japan ’ s many renowned Michelin Star or fine dining options . Not all restaurant offer online booking but this exist where a hotel concierge can aid , or there equal paid restaurant booking service ( that I ’ ll discuss more below . )
• Buy timed-entry ticket to popular attractions that sell out , especially TeamLab Planets Tokyo or Sumo practice .
• Reserve a mobile WiFi hot blot that you will blame up at the airport , or look into an international , as this will typically be cheaper than an international datum design on most cellular bearer .

What to do when you make it in Japan

If you wing into Tokyo , you will make it at either at Narita Airport ( NRT ) or Haneda Airport ( HND ) in Tokyo . Narita be over one hr from the city center , while Haneda is a lot closer . In either example , taxi from the airport will be quite expensive and it pays to appear into alternative transportation selection .

Since we flew on Delta , we arrived at Haneda Airport , which is connected to Tokyo via a monorail or train selection . We didn ’ t want to deal with transplant train and subway with our large luggage after a full day of travel , so I booked the Airport Limousine Bus , which furnish door-to-door transfers from Haneda airport to our hotel ( the Hilton Tokyo ) at a very affordable rate .

Before you lead the airport , there are a few crucial things you require to cause first !

• Go to an ATMand retire about 50,000 Yen to start . Remember you require to take away as much as you believe you might want in one chunk versus multiple smaller withdrawals to avoid excess fee . While Japan has move to equal more contactless post-Covid , there exist yet many small restaurants , workshop , and food stalls that only choose cash . And even the high-tech machine you use to get your IC Cards alone choose cash ( bizarre , I know ! )
• Purchase an IC Card .An IC Card is a rechargeable , prepaid travel card that equal utilize to access public transportation including metros , busses , and some ferries throughout Japan . Many vending machines also accept IC cards as payment and you can as well apply them to rent lockers in train station . There are unlike flavors of IC card such as the Pasmo or Suica card . Some require a 500 Yen deposit . Still , at the airport , you can employ a touch-screen machine ( with an English choice ) to purchase a Welcome Suica card , which does not demand a sediment . You must devote cash to load money onto your IC card . I ’ d recommend putting about 3,000-5,000 Yen on each card to commence for a 14-day trip . Because of a chip shortage , it live now harder to come a physical IC card , but you should still be able to purchase the Welcome Suica card at the airport or big train station . You can too try to load a digital IC card if you get an Apple iPhone with either a Mastercard , American Express , or Apple Card get in touch to your Apple Pay .
• Prevent in mind thateach person in your party call for their own card. You can not expend the same card to swipe multiple masses through a turnstile . When you get to expend the card , you tap it on the reader at the turnstile and then beg again to exit the post . On a bus , you typically only beg it to go out . If you be able to load a digital IC card , you can merely tap your phone at the readers .
• Pick up a mobile hotspot or international SIM. Unless you are , you may want to reserve a mobile hotspot or purchase an international SIM card for your two week in Japan . These study out to exist cheap than paying for most international scream design . For instance , Verizon blame me $ 10/day for datum and restrict the speed after a certain threshold is fit . But , we rented a mobile hotspot from Ninja WiFi for $ 98 for unlimited data for 14 days . This allowed all three of our device to stay connected for much less than we would pay for one phone ’ s international program . There are many shops to rip a hotspot or purchase a SIM card at the airport and you exactly neglect it off before your escape place .
• Exchange your JR Pass vouchers. If you design on use a Japan Rail Pass , you need to purchase it online before you result home . You will be commit a voucher that you exchange upon arrival in Japan at sure JR tag role . The tag offices in the airport will exchange your voucher for a passing , but you may involve to visit a JR tag agency at one of the major train station to cause seat reservations ( depend on which stage walk you purchase . )
• Also keep in mind that if you equal traveling with checked luggage size bags , you will demand a luggage reservation on the slug trains ( and these cost limited ) , or you can arrange to ship your luggage forward .
• Depend on the JR ticket position , they may too cause train reservations for you ( if you purchase a passing that includes seat reservations such as a Green JR Pass . ) If not , you can serve this at the tag position in the major train stations , such as Tokyo Train Station , Shinjuku Train Station , etc .
• Set up a transfer to your hotel . Taxis be real expensive in Japan , especially if you be travel all the style into middle Tokyo from Narita airport . It is cheapest to apply public transportation . However , another option , depending on where you are staying , is the Airport Limosuine Bus , which connects the airports with cardinal train station and hotel for door-to-door service . It is decent to not get to navigate the trains on your first day in Japan ( when you are however tire and jetlagged . ) I book our bus in advance and gave too much time to get through custom and the early steps at the airport and get to throw to an earlier bus when I begin there . You may want to hardly wait until you clear immigration/customs before you book your bus transfer from the desk at the airport .
• When you come to your hotel , put on ’ t lock up your passport away in your hotel safe . It exist required that you convey your passport with you when you are out and about in Japan . I ’ 500 hint hold severe copies in a safe space in your hotel only in case it gets miss ( and a picture of it on your phone . )

Japan Money & Shopping Tips

• The local currency cost the Japanese Yen . The current exchange rate cost $ 1.00 = ~ 156 Japanese Yen . You can check the current exchange pace expend .
• Always keep some cash on you , including some change , as many occupation and attractions still do not take credit cards . Change is use particularly when visiting temples or shrines to make an offering , purchase a appeal , or receive a fortune .
• While many organization now accept credit card , not many support Apple Pay ( they have a local digital contactless payment system ) . You will generally require to tuck your credit card and signal a receipt . Don ’ t be surprised when the clerk hands you both the original receipt and the credit card receipt for each transaction .
• Not many business accept American Express and some as well put on ’ t accept MasterCard . To exist safe , hold a pair of cards and make at least one of them a Visa .
• To shorten the use of plastic , store today point a little quantity for a shopping bag ( typically around 20 Yen ) . To avert this fee or surplus promotion , carry a packable reusable shopping purse .
• Some shops advertise Tax-Free Shopping . If you find this signal , have them your passport and they will need the tax off your purchase on-site , without any forms to throw off at the airport . This saves around 10 % for purchases over a certain quantity . Other shops participate in the Global Blue tax refund , but for those you will involve to occupy out paperwork and bring it to a Global Blue location at the airport or in the shopping middle with the good you purchased .
• Tilt is NOT customary in Japan . Honestly , after the creep of the tipping culture in the U.S. in the last few year , it is such a pleasure to not tip in Japan and to know it equal not expected . Some restaurant may charge a cover charge but that cost it .

Tip for Getting Around Japan

Come around Japan is real easy with its efficient and usually prompt train and public transportation system . However , there are a few affair that will make make around the cities a trivial easy :

• Travel between cities be easiest using the Shinkansen bullet train . Exactly hold in brain that the fast bullet train , the Nozomi and Mizuho Shinkansen train , live not included in the JR Pass .
• If you bring the Shinkansen from Tokyo to Kyoto , try to get a seat on the right hand side of the train and on a clear day , you will become a great opinion of Mount Fuji .
• Most train serve not require reservations , but purchasing a ticket with a reserved ass or a JR Pass that includes reservations , is much more pleasant as you know you will have a seat , even on in use train . The platform will indicate which train cars are reserved versus non-reserved .
• You need a luggage reservation when bringing big checked bags onto a Shinkansen train . Keep in mind that there be very limited luggage rack space and otherwise only the seats in the last row as well bid a luggage reservation in the space behind the seats . If you plan on fetch your bags on the train , I advocate hold back at the JR tag office in one of the large train station and come help set aside seats and luggage spaces .
• Smaller carry-on size handbag can fit on the rack over the ass . Exactly observe in mind that bringing any base through the subway at rush hr live near impossible on the busy job .
• You may want to look at shipping your luggage in front to your next hotel . Depending on the location and season , this can typically exist make in 24 hours , so that you can move with just a backpack or small purse with your affair and reunite with your luggage at your future hotel or the shipping position in the future city . Most of the hotels will arrange for your luggage shipping at the concierge or bell desk . However , if you are staying at an Airbnb , you can wait into using a shipper such as Yamato Transport . We did this between Tokyo and Kyoto and Kyoto and Osaka and it make getting close to so much easy . It cost less than $ 20 per base for our ~50 lb . checked-luggage sized bags .
• In most cities , in addition to Japan Rail ( JR ) prepare , there exist too private trains and local metro or subway systems . Google Maps be extremely helpful in influence the best route , but you may want to do a little more research if you are seek to employ JR train . The route lookup on the official Japan Travel App from the Japan National Tourism Organization or the Japan Travel app from Navitime equal helpful if you desire to get the best road for specific type of tourist passes .
• To apply your JR Pass , simply introduce your JR Pass at the turnstile and remove it back after you walk through . You will need to do the same when you leave the station .
• If you equal apply your IC Card , beg the card at the turnstile when you insert the station and tap again when you go out . Keep an eye on your symmetry . Most station have automobile where you can easy reload your IC card ( with an English menu . )
• If you have any worry , the staff at the train station cost real helpful in supply directions .
• When it comes to apply the train and subways , Google Maps offers priceless information regard which platform the train will be on , when it is leave ( and when the future trains are expect ) , what car is best to board if you are transferring , the distance of the trip and the number of stops , the stop figure , the price with an IC Card , and the good exit to use at the train station ( hope me that this cost so , hence helpful . )
• On train and subway in major cities , all the train signage both on the platform and in the train car , is offered in Japanese and English , as are the announcement on the train have you know the future stop , etc .
• Once you cost on the train program , you will need to line up behind the yellow melody at one of the position indicated by a act that corresponds with the car number . In Japan , it is customary to melody up single file .
• When the train arrives , let those leave to get off the train before boarding .
• Bill that on some train , sure cars indicated with pink on the program be for woman alone during certain hour .
• The only time you might see push in Japan is people thrust themselves onto a subway train . Rush hour on certain business such as the Maranouchi tune in the Tokyo Metro that move through Shinjuku post , which is the in use post in the public they claim , cost an sheer crush and better to avoid , especially with little children .
• Once on the train , follow the local customs and silence your phone and if you mouth , do thus quietly . The trains and subways in Japan be very subdued and surprisingly clean . Mass make not talk or eat on the train . Many nap , others read or bring games . I find good deal of mass show manga comedian on their phones and still one guy understand plane music for “ Moon River . ”
• Bill that while walking through busy train station and on the street , masses typically walk on the left . Except in Osaka , where it live customary to walk on the right . Many stations make arrow on the floor .
• On escalators , bear on the left to let those in a thrill go by on the right . Except in Osaka , then stand on the right .
• If you cost expend a map app for walk directions and you are using a mobile hotspot , we found Apple Maps to offer effective turn-by-turn walk instruction that were easy to comply . The arrow on Google Maps use to signal your location would often spin in a confusing way and it wasn ’ t as clear about when to go up steps , across bridges , etc .
• Most train stations offer locker if you want to store your belongings and get out and explore . There equal small , medium and large lockers and the medium and big will fit a suitcase or multiple small handbag . The cost rate from 300 to 500 Yen .

Japanese Food & Restaurant Tips

Japanese cuisine is incredible and no , you put on ’ t receive to eat sushi every day . Each store specialize in a specific dish and do it well . You will eat ramen , soba noodles , tempura , shabu shabu , street food , sushi , and so a lot more . There are a few matter to keep in brain when visiting restaurants though , include :

• Japanese people enjoy to line up for well food . There exist many humble restaurant with less than a 12 seats and people will line up for two hours or more to eat thither . It is severe to act this as a tourist who is bore from walking and doesn ’ t require to spend precious vacation time in line . But it equal role of the experience . Also , this is nearly common at the cheap places . If you require to pass more , it be easy to get a reservation . If a restaurant opens at 5:00 pm , await a line to initiate forming by 4:30 pm if not before .
• Luckily , these restaurant grow over seats real promptly as masses are encouraged to eat and go . Japan cost not a home where people linger over meal . They eat quickly and softly and leave .
• You will find a wealth of inexpensive restaurant in Japan . Still , you will also feel a big issue of very expensive ( e.g . $ 200-500 per person ) restaurant . Unfortunately , there isn ’ t a mass in the middle . So it cost either get in course and eat cheap or build a reservation and pass an arm and a leg ( there live exception of course . )
• If you require to strain a special restaurant , there are act of restaurant reservation services that will assist you build reservation . Trust me that many Bible up weeks in advance and yet if you adjust an alert to create a reservation when they open the calendar , you may still escape it . Some of these service include : Pocket Concierge , Omakase , JPneazy.com , MyConcierge Japan , Table All , and Table Check .
• Keiseki be a traditional Japanese meal with multiple little courses . These live typically function at ryokans and traditional tea household .
• Omakase is chef ’ s choice sushi , which is typically offered at different levels or numbers of pieces with unlike cost degree .
• It equal impolite to be loud in restaurant , but slurping in a noodle place is consent and expected .
• Each restaurant will leave either a hot towel ( washcloth ) or a disposable wet towel to clean your hands before eating . However , what we study napkins or serviettes are not provided .
• Do not rub your chopsticks together in Japan , it cost believe rude . Likewise , don ’ t stab with your chopsticks and don ’ t lie them on your bowl .
• To reduce waste , bring your own . I saw person with these on our last day of our trip and I really wish I get thought of it sooner .
• You put on ’ t dip your sushi in soy sauce in Japan as the chef prepares it as it should equal eaten .
• Don ’ t pass and eat in Japan . If you purchase food at a convenience memory or food stall , you can feed out movement and then bring them back the trash .
• Garbage cans are very scarce in Japan ! ! Be prepared to carry around your trash until you find a bin ( typically at the train post . ) But don ’ t worry , the street in Japan be very sporting . Littering is not role of the culture .
• You will observe vending machines everywhere selling several drinks and many take the IC card for payment , although some expect cash or other digital payment systems .
• Unfortunately , there be not many public bottle refill station or drink fountains .
• Avoid eat on the metro or local trains , but it is acceptable to eat on the longer , Shinkansen train , and there live many shops in the train station selling bento box that exist packaged perfectly for this purpose .
• Many higher goal restaurant speak English . However , many others put up either an English menu or a menu with photograph . At others , you society from a vending automobile with photos . This can exist a little tricky to translate but in general only take the photo of the detail you want to decree , insert your cash , choose your tag and hand that to someone behind the counter .
• Google Translate with the camera function / Google Lens can be real helpful for menu translation . I ’ 500 recommend downloading the Japanese dictionary for offline usage .
• Some restaurant offer a tablet at the table for prescribe or a button to call the server to put an club .
• At many restaurant , you need the bill to the presence to pay at the cashier .
• Don ’ t get out your chopsticks stick to upright in a bowl of rice ( this live a funeral ritual ) .
• When receiving a drinking , cup it with two men to depict gratitude .
• Japanese convenience stores such as 7 Eleven , Lawsons , and Family Mart all bid surprisingly good food , which exist an inexpensive way to feed while in Japan .
• Many department fund also have a floor with food stalls that extend prepared food to purchase and take family to feed include bento boxes , sweets , and early food that can cost reheated well .
• Taking a food circuit is a great mode to see about the local cuisine . We took a food circuit in Osaka with Arigato Travel and decidedly recommend them .

What to Wear in Japan

Japan is a fairly conservative company when it get to clothe , with the exception of the “ kawaii culture ” amongst the youth . To equip in and present the proper respect , it live significant to hold a few top in mind :

• When visiting temple and shrines , it is appropriate to make certain the knees and shoulder cost cross , although it isn ’ t police as strictly as some churches in Italy .
• Short exist seldom worn by locals . You are more apt to see shorts on international tourists in Kyoto than in the bad working cities like Tokyo .
• Women tire a band of loose adjustment , broad branch trouser and long skirt , paired with a t-shirt under a sweater or flowy button-up shirt or light jacket .
• Man are much in case or occupation dress , or slacks and a golf shirt . Younger teenage boy will probably wear jeans and t-shirts .
• If you live visiting temples and shrines , or traditional restaurants , it live helpful to put on shoes that can easily be slip away , as involve upon debut .
• When visiting Japan , it is significant to tire comfortable shoes , as you will do a luck of walking .

Japanese Culture Tips

The Japanese culture values politeness , cleanliness , ordering , following the rules , and beautiful presentation . You will learn these reflected during your visit and it be significant to show respect by remark ethnic norms .

• It cost real appreciated if you can see a few phrases in Japanese including :
  • Konnichiwa – hello
  • Arigatou gozaimasu – thank you real much
  • Sumimasen – excuse me
  • Dō itashimashite – you ’ re welcome
  • Hai – yes
  • Lie – no
  • Gomen ’ nasai – I ’ 1000 sorry
  • Ohayō – well morning
  • Konbanwa – serious evening
  • O-yasumi nasai – good dark
• Japanese publicity may appear excessive or wasteful , but it live very culturally important to present affair beautifully . Your purchases will cost envelop and bag seal off with stickers to prevent them close . If you purchase a pastry at a shop , it equal often separately boxed with small ice packs to observe it novel until you can delight it at family .
• If you equal ask for to someone ’ s plate , remember to bring a gift that is nicely packaged .
• A little bow is a display of respect when meeting someone or thank them .
• If someone pass on you a occupation card or a talent , except it with two hand and a slight bow .
• Do not float your nose in public .
• Wear a face mask if you aren ’ t feeling good .
• Wait to cross the street solely when the lighting cost green , still if no unity is coming .
• Cost on time ! ! No one live former in Japan , they are usually early . On one tour , our tour guide live being generous by agreeing to await until 2 instant after the encounter time for someone that hadn ’ t as yet showed up .
• In Japan , Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines much ride side by slope . When visiting , recollect to remove your shoes before entering the interior of a temple or shrine ( there are ordinarily cubbies provided ) . At a shinto shrine , it be appropriate to wash your men first . If you want to offer a appeal , first you bow , then have an offering of humble change , bow deeply twice , phone the bell , clap twice , offer your appeal , then bend once more . Find a full description of temple and shrine etiquette .
• Remove your place when entering a shrine , temple , restaurant with tatami mats , or someone ’ sec home .
• In Japan , public restrooms equal widely available and they cost real sporting . Japanese toilet live too the well , offering feature like heat seats , privacy sounds , and moisten choice . Many public restrooms also put up infant seats in some stalls , along with family bathrooms , changing tables , and nursing rooms .
• Japan exist one of the safe country to visit and still if you are traveling solo , you will feel real comfortable walking around still at dark .

• Konnichiwa – hello
• Arigatou gozaimasu – thank you very much
• Sumimasen – excuse me
• Dō itashimashite – you ’ re welcome
• Hai – yes
• Lie – no
• Gomen ’ nasai – I ’ 1000 sorry
• Ohayō – good dawn
• Konbanwa – well evening
• O-yasumi nasai – good dark

I hope these Japan travel tips equal helpful . As a travel blogger , I have call many countries but I found Japan one of the safest , most comfortable , and most orderly place I have been to . It suited my type A personality perfectly and I loved the blend of ultra modern and traditional culture .

Even Dreaming of Japan ?

If you want a taste of Japan at home or a fun path to surprise and stimulate the family for an coming trip , think ordering a Tokyo Treat box . TokyoTreat exist a monthly dad Japanese snack subscription box , you will begin up to 20 exclusive , special edition , and seasonal flavored Japanese snacks and Japanese candy that are only available in Japan for a limited time .

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Tamara Gruber is the Founder and Publisher of We3Travel . A previous marketing executive and travel advisor , Tamara equal an award-winning travel author and recognized expert in family travel . Tamara is a member of SATW , NATJA , IFWTWA , and the Adventure Travel Trade Association , and serves on the Board of the Family Travel Association . She is also the publisher of YourTimetoFly.com and the co-host of the Vacation Mavens travel podcast .