Japan is a very unique traditional country with changing landscapes and environments, packed with delicious foods and amazing technology not seen anywhere else.
With the Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympics on the horizon, many people have been adding Japan to their travel bucket lists. Having been to Japan numerous times and experiencing it all firsthand, I’m going to share the most valuable things I learned while traveling in Japan. If you’re planning on making your first visit there, here are my top tips and advice:
Tokyo skyline
Fly using an international air carrier
Unless you like being packed-in like a sweaty sardine, you’ll experience more legroom, far better service and food aboard an international branded airline. This is a fact I learned all too well while doing the “milk run” using American companies like United. Book with ANA (All Nippon Airways) or JAL (Japan Airlines) for the better flying experience. Also book non-stop flights! It’s a hell of a lot longer sitting inside a metal tube, but it saves you a whole bunch of time in the long run.
Cash is king, Credit cards not as much
Japan uses the yen, the symbol for it is:
| ¥ – International symbol 円 – Present day, find this on pretty much everything that has a price sign 圓 – Traditional, hardly used |
Japan is in love with their coins and bills, it’s almost kowai (scary or frightening in Japanese). It’s almost impossible to travel in Japan without cash. They are starting to phase in the major use of credit cards, but if you plan on going outside of the big cities (Tokyo, Nagoya, Osaka, etc.) expect it to be in cash. My tip is to have your cash before arriving in Japan. Get the largest denominations when possible (¥10,000 and ¥5000 are preferable).
Japanese yen bills and coins
You might think, “Why would you only try to get the largest bills and not break it down into smaller amounts?”
Firstly, unlike in North America where you are frowned upon when buying a hamburger with a $100 bill, in Japan they have literally no problem taking and giving you change for a ¥400 purchase with a ¥10,000 bill.
Secondly, you’ll come to accumulate a mountain of coins if you carry smaller bills after a day of shopping.
Thirdly, you’ll get smaller bills over time making your wallet smaller at the start of the trip instead of the opposite.
Did I mentioned they love their coins?
Here’s what the pros at Money We Have have to say about money exchange back home:
Foreign exchange offices – This gets a bit tricky since every exchange office has different rates. Foreign exchange offices found in airports and malls usually don’t have good rates. Any “no-fee” exchange office also tends to have higher rates since they need to make a commission. Despite all of this, some exchange bureaus offer competitive rates. The key is to know what the exchange rates are so you can do the math to see if the rates are fair. If the premium is around 2.5% then you’re getting a decent rate.
Banks – This may come as a surprise but exchanging money at any of the big banks in Canada is usually not a good idea. Unless you’re getting USD, banks charge a pretty premium when exchanging money. Their overall rates really aren’t that good and often you’ll need to order the currency in advance.
Fret not however, money exchange in Japan is actually competitive with what you might see back home (sometimes better if you’re lucky), and if you didn’t arrive packing loads of bills, Japan has a great alternative in the form of the almighty ATM.
ATMs are everywhere in Japan
Many automatic teller machines (ATMs) in Japan do not accept credit, debit and ATM cards, which are issued outside of Japan. The big exception are postal ATMs found mainly at the over 20,000 post offices in all parts of the country and 7-Bank ATMs found at approximately 20,000 7-Eleven convenience stores and other locations across Japan (availability in very rural areas and in Okinawa is limited). These ATMs allow you to withdraw cash by credit and debit cards issued outside of Japan, including Visa, Plus, Mastercard, Maestro, Cirrus, American Express and JCB cards, and provide an English user menu.
7-Bank ATMs are available 24 hours per day around the year which is awesome and a life saver!
Crime
The country has 127 million people yet street crime is almost unheard of; the murder rate is only lower in tiny Monaco and Palau, and the use of drugs is minimal compared to other industrialized countries.
Japan is probably in my mind, the safest country I’ve ever visited in Asia, and actually in the world so far. I feel extremely comfortable walking and taking public transport with thousands of yen in my back-pocket without the fear of being pick-pocketed or mugged at night. I once left my backpack carrying some of my expensive camera gear on the floor near the entrance to a shrine mid-town Osaka by accident, and after about 10 minutes I ran around like crazy to find out where I left my bag, only to find it untouched and undisturbed in its original spot.
Japanese police officers standing on a Tokyo street
Yes, crime does happen if you are super unaware of your surroundings and the crowds vibe. High-risk areas for crime include Shinjuku, especially the areas of Kabuki-cho, Shibuya, and Ikebukuro. However, you should use caution in all entertainment and nightlife districts throughout Japan. Take the same precautions you would back home and you won’t run into any problems!
Public Transportation
The Japanese transport network is clean, reliable, punctual and quite comfortable. From where I’m from, having your ride be a few minutes late is acceptable, but in Japan it’s a big no-no. Trains, buses, and even helicopters (yes they have it in Tokyo to the nearby islands!) run to the second, with delays being extremely rare. Trains in the big cities like Tokyo & Kyoto are easy to navigate as all the lines are color-coded, have some form of English lettering, and have corresponding codes to make your commute easier.
Tokyo train station
The three categories of trains that you will have to use on a trip to Japan include:
- Shinkansen, the famous bullet train provides comfort and speed, for a very attractive price if you have the Japan Rail Pass . The Shinkansen traverses almost the whole country from Kagoshima, at the tip of the southern part of Japan, to Hakodate in the far northern island of Hokkaido (the lines will extend to Sapporo, but the dates are still unknown).
- JR trains: the former national railway company is now divided into regional entities, which each manage their own networks. If traveling in a single region, the Regional JR Pass is often the most economical alternative.
- Private lines: they are extremely numerous in Japan and often offer a quality equivalent or better service than JR lines, often for a lower rate. Among the most prestigious are, for examples, the Hankyu train line that connects Kyoto and Osaka in just 45 minutes.
The train is not the cheapest means of transport in Japan (for example night buses are cheaper) but it is the most convenient and comfortable. You can find the train fares and times using Hyperdia or simply using Google Maps. Just plug in the departing station and the arriving station and it’ll give you the times, price and transfers.
On Google Maps we can see that a train ride from Tokyo Station to Shibuya Station on the GREEN 
Yamanote Line, takes 24 mins at a cost of ¥200.
Do note, in some rural areas (and some places in Tokyo like Harajuku & Ueno Station) there are no train maps with English text. Same goes for some ticketing machines. My solution is to just ask the friendly ticket attendants who are usually posted near the ticket entrances. Just say the name of the station you want to go to and that’s good enough to have them understand what you’re talking about and they’ll be able to tell you how much to pay.
On the topic of how much to pay, in Japan the price of the journey is fixed. When buying tickets you’ll see that instead of choosing your destination station by name, its all by fixed price. The train maps (usually right above the ticketing machines) will show how much to that particular station. Tap the price amount and pay using your coins when possible (your pockets/purse will thank you). The Shinkansen uses station names instead.
Rush hour in Japan
To avoid rush hour keep this in mind; Sunday afternoons will be busy, and so will holidays. However, most importantly, plan to travel outside of rush hour (07:00 to 09:00 is the most intense time, and 17:00 to 19:00 is crowded but slightly less so). Take advantage of your jet lag to wake up super early and take trains before the morning rush begins. Trains start running around 05:00! If you absolutely must travel on a rush hour train, try to board the first or last car of the train.
Pasmo VS Suica
The Pasmo card and Suica card are sold by different companies. However, they work the same way and can be used in the same places in pretty much all of Japan. They are for example comparable with Mastercard and Visa credit cards, which belong to different companies but can be used in the same way.
Both cards are rechargeable smart card used throughout Japan for travel on trains, buses, and subways. Simply tap it against the automated gates in train stations or on the reader on the bus, and the cost of your journey is automatically deducted. The card is rechargeable at any time. The cards also function as an electronic wallet to make small purchases or to pay for services, such as parking spots, or for drinks at vending machines.
If you would like to return your Pasmo card at the end of your trip, you can only return it within the Tokyo area. Head to a station of a non JR subway line (for instance: the Keihin or Keisei lines), or the stations at Narita or Haneda Airports. Your remaining balance and ¥500 deposit will be returned to you.
If you want to return your Suica card at the end of your stay, you can only do this in the Tokyo region. In order to get a refund, go into any other JR East station. You will then be able to recover the ¥500 deposit.
Talking on Public Transportation
You’ve might of heard that you’re not allowed to talk on trains in Japan. It’s more of a cultural thing than a hard-set rule per se. Public transportation is considered a quiet area to get from A to B. No one wants to hear you talk about how you threw up last night from over-drinking or how hot that girl/guy was at the club. Feel free to talk, just be respectful of your fellow commuters on how loud you talk among yourselves.
Alcohol
Drinking plays an important role in Japanese society. Drinking parties, typically held at restaurants and izakaya (drinking restaurants), are a common activity that are used to strengthen both social and business ties. A large variety of alcoholic beverages can be found in Japan from your standard beers (Sapporo, Asahi, Kirin, and Suntory are the most popular brands), to your sake (rice wine), Shochu/Awamori (distilled spirit) and whiskey.
Lots of variety in Japan
Taking beer to a park or the beach is generally no problem as public drinking is permitted throughout the country. Be a good visitor and don’t crack open a cold one in grocery stores, malls and religious areas or where signs deem otherwise. Common sense! Alcoholic beverages are sold in supermarkets, department stores, convenience stores, liquor stores (saka-ya) and at vending machines (although machines in public shut off after 11PM). The legal drinking age is 20 years old, the same as for purchasing tobacco products.
At the beginning of a meal or drinking party you should not start drinking until everybody at the table is served and the glasses are raised for a toast, which is usually kampai (cheers).
Smoking
Non-smoking areas are becoming increasingly common in Japan these days. You’re not allowed to smoke on the street, although you would never get arrested for it. There are often designated smoking areas especially near train stations in big cities.
Dedicated outdoor smoking area
For restaurants, you can basically smoke at any drinking places, like bars or izakaya. Some cafes have smoking areas inside. When you go to normal restaurants, most of them don’t have smoking areas or allow indoor smoking. Look for the non-smoking signs on storefronts if you have any doubts. Most customers are respectful if they do decide to light up next to you, and they don’t blow smoke right into your face. Air ventilation in most places are top notch and I couldn’t even smell the smoke from the party next to me at a cramped bar.
Pointing
Pointing is considered somewhat threatening in Japan and is avoided. Instead people tend to indicate direction with an open hand. Verbal directions without gestures are also very common.
What to do with oshibori
Many restaurants in Japan will provide you with a moist towel known as an oshibori that’s either cool or hot depending on the season. These are used to lightly clean your hands before a meal. Don’t use it to clean your face and arms or use it as a napkin as it’s considered rude and not well-mannered.
Typical towel wrapped in plastic given out at most restaurants
Bowing
Being a foreigner, you’re not expected to bow like the locals do, but even just a slight nod in the direction of a shopkeeper or train attendant goes a long way. Don’t bow too low however as it’s usually reserved for paying respect to the dead or asking for forgiveness.
Slippers
There’s slippers for houses, slippers for the washroom, slippers for restaurants, office buildings and schools. If there’s a slipper present, use it, that’s why it’s there. Don’t bring your own pair, there’s always plenty in places that require it like temples and houses.
Slippers are provided before entering a Japanese home
Garbage
This catches almost all tourists off guard as in Japan there are almost virtually no garbage bins on the streets, parks, malls and train stations. The last time you might see one is at the airport.
The Japanese are notorious for keeping their streets, parks and rail networks clean and orderly. One ingenious way to reduce pollution was to just remove all the bins therefore no more garbage to clean (recycling/garbage removal initiatives also play a large factor). I can’t imagine the public outcry in North America if our government decided to take away our precious garbage bins! Carry a small plastic bag and keep the garbage with you and throw it out at your hotel or residence.
Recycling is a different matter and you can find bottle bins next to the many vending machines throughout.
Look how many rules there are!
Onsen (hot spring) Etiquette
In Japan, bathing is seen as a relaxing leisure activity rather than an act of cleansing the body. People completely shower with soap before entering a bath. The same convention applies to both home baths and public hot springs.
Female change rooms have red curtains. They are often inscribed with the kanji for woman 女 (onna) (but this varies). Male change rooms have blue curtains and may use the kanji for men 男 (otoko). Virtually all onsen are nude only (exceptions exist). Remove your clothes and put them in the baskets or lockers provided. The only thing you can bring with you into the onsen is a small wash cloth. These towels aren’t permitted to enter the onsen water. You’re also expected to take it with you from the shower area. The usual solution is to put it on your head. Watch what the locals do and emulate it.
Women (left), Men (right)
Speech and Language
I highly recommend that you learn some basic Japanese words and sentences before coming to Japan. Not only will it make your travels easier, but the locals appreciate it a lot more if you attempt to ask them something in their native tongue no matter how bad you may sound.
A huge majority of the Japanese population know little to no English, making communication very tricky. Even if they know some English, they are sometimes too shy and won’t interact with you. Learning how to pronounce the words over how it’s written is what I did and I managed to navigate Japan fairly easily. Japanese uses the “subject-object-verb” sentence structure compared to English’s “subject-verb-object”. The words I used the most:
*Note: Any words that end in “su”, the u is silent.
Language
英 語 eigo = English (language)
日本語 nihongo = Japanese (language)
Direction
” “はどこですか wa doko desu ka? – Where is the ” ” ? (ex. Park = 公園はどこですか kōen wa doko desu ka? – Where is the park?)
トイレはどこですか toire wa doko desu ka? – Where’s the toilet / bathroom?
駅 eki – (train) station (add at the end of the station name, ex. Tokyo Station = Tokyo-eki)
Daily Conversation
水 mizu – Water
ビール bīru – Beer
銀行 ginkō – Bank
交番 kōban – Police box
コンビニ konbini – Convenience store
おはようございます ohayou gozaimasu – Good morning!
こんにちは konnichiwa – Hello / Good afternoon!
今晩は / こんばんは konbanwa – Good evening!
ありがとうございます arigatou gozaimasu – Thank you
ください kudasai – Please (requesting)
どうぞ douzo – Please (offering)
すみません sumimasen – Excuse me
ごめんなさい gomen nasai – Sorry
わかりません wakarimasen – I don’t understand.
英語はできますか Eigo wa dekimasu ka? – Do you speak English?
Eating Out
メニュー、お願いできますか？menyuu, onegai dekimasu ka – May I have the menu?
これは何ですか？kore wa nan desu ka – What is this?
お勘定/お会計、お願いします okanjou/okaikei, onegaishimasu – Check, please.
Shopping
これはいくらですか？kore wa ikura desu ka – How much is this?
クレジットカードは使えますか？ kurejitto kaado wa tsukaemasu ka – Can I use my credit card?
Seasons to Travel
Winter in Japan lasts from about December to mid-March, depending on the location. Winters are cold, with temperatures ranging from approximately -1 to 7 °C (30 to 45 °F). You’ll find far fewer tourists during winter. It’s also an amazing time for winter activities and you’ll find that the northern island of Hokkaido is the best place for such. It’s also the best time to really enjoy Japanese onsen (hot springs).
New Year’s and Christmas time is quite busy and you’ll find shopping centers very crowded and restaurants completely booked by the locals.
Enjoying onsen in winter
Spring in Japan lasts from about mid-March to May, depending on the location. The weather in spring is notoriously fickle, with temperatures ranging from approximately 4 to 18 °C (40 to 65 °F). On some days you may still want your winter coat, while on other days you may not even need a sweater.
Spring is Japan’s most famous season, and is symbolized by the iconic sakura (cherry blossoms), which typically bloom sometime between the second half of March, and the first half of April (sakura bloom schedules, too, vary significantly depending on location). Cherry blossom season lasts from mid-March until around mid-April, and in terms of popularity and crowds it’s comparable to Europe during summer vacations.
Cheery blossom at Himeji castle
Along with the New Year’s holiday (and the Obon holiday in August), Golden Week is one of Japan’s peak travel weeks. Golden Week usually begins at the very end of April, and runs through the first week of May (each year’s calendar varies slightly).
During this time of year, Japanese people travel heavily, making it an extremely busy and expensive time to travel around Japan. Book your accommodation and airline tickets several months ahead before the prices jump considerably.
Summer in Japan lasts from about June to mid-September, depending on the location. Summers are hot and humid, with temperatures ranging from approximately 21 to 32 °C (70 to 90 °F).
July and August are typically the hottest and most humid times of year, and can be uncomfortable for sightseeing if you are averse to humidity. Summer is also the season for festivals and firework displays which is among the best in the world.
While there are great ones throughout the year, summertime features many of Japan’s best festivals – including Kyoto’s Gion Matsuri, Osaka’s Tenjin Matsuri, Aomori’s Nebuta Matsuri, and the Awa Odori festival in Tokushima, on the island of Shikoku.
Visit places such as the Japanese Alps, Tohoku (northern Japan), and Hokkaido as it’s less hot and humid.
Summer is also the rainy season and it goes from early to mid June until mid July, depending on the location. Despite being the rainy season, travelers shouldn’t necessarily expect rain every day. Pack a collapsible umbrella in the event you get a rainy day, or buy a cheap one at most convenience stores or 100 yen shops.
Fall (autumn) in Japan lasts from about mid-September to early December, depending on the location. Autumn is widely considered to be the most pleasant time (weather-wise) to visit Japan, with temperatures ranging from approximately 10 to 21 °C (50 to 70 °F).
Autumn foliage with Mt. Fuji behind
With the pleasant change in weather, tourists also begin pouring in to enjoy the lovely temperatures, making October a very popular travel season in Japan. Pack light/medium clothing as sometimes it can get chilly during the night. Otherwise this is probably the best season to experience Japan.
Ordering food from a ticket machine
One of the neatest things you might come across in Japan is that some restaurants require you to order using a ticket machine usually positioned outside the restaurant or right at the entrance inside. Luckily most have pictures and sometimes English on the buttons. If they don’t have the latter, my suggestion is to get what’s on the top left corner button as most places put their signature dishes in that area.
Insert money, select desired food item, receive order ticket(s), give ticket to cook/waiter
Japanese-type Toilets vs Western-type Toilets
There are two styles of toilets commonly found in Japan; the oldest type is a simple squat toilet, which is still common, and the more modern Western-type flush toilets and urinals. In large parts, you might never see a Japanese-style squat toilet during your time there, but if you do the proper etiquette is to squat over the opening facing the dome with your back facing the door of the stall.
In Japan, toilet paper is water-soluble and can be flushed down toilets, but please do not try to flush other trash such as sanitary goods, paper diapers and other kinds of paper. Women toilet stalls might be equipped with a small trash box for disposal of sanitary goods only, not toilet paper.
Crowds
Honestly yes it’s crowded in Japan. Just not as much as you might think based on what you see on videos and television. With more people living in the Tokyo Metropolitan Area than there are in all of Canada, you might think you’ll be squished… It’s actually quite the opposite in fact. There’s tons of people but it’s spaced out very well on the streets, shops and even in the metro tunnels. People tend to mind their personal space and rather not bump shoulders with others which is very nice (rush hour is a different story).
Line up for everything
The Japanese have turned queuing into an art form. You line up for pretty much everything from getting onto the train, paying for food, entering shrines and temples, even getting into an elevator. During even among the chaos at rush hour, they are still keen on lining up in an orderly fashion. I don’t know how your culture does things, but in Japan you get in line with everyone else and wait (skipping the line is a huge taboo). It makes everything a more pleasant experience for everyone as most Japanese learn during their youth.
Self-discipline, cooperation, and respect is the name of the game in Japan
Escalator Etiquette
In the Kanto region, of which Tokyo is the largest city, people stand on the left, but travel to eastern region of Kansai, home of Osaka, as well as Kyoto, Kobe and Nara and everyone stands on the right. The reason for the alternate versions of escalator etiquette have been debated for many years and many of the locals seem to have no idea why you swap sides in a different part of the country, it is just something that you do. If you can’t remember what side, just follow the person in front of you. I also noticed in shopping malls there seems to be no right or left side rule as a large amount of riders are either foreigners, with small children, or not in a hurry like in the train stations.
Vegetarianism in Japan
Few Japanese people are vegetarians. It’s a relatively unfamiliar concept in Japan. Vegetarian dishes are easy to find but vegetarian restaurants are relatively rare. The Japanese word for vegetarian is bejitarian. Many people in Japan assume that vegetarians eat fish. Shojin Ryori (Japanese Buddhist) food is always vegetarian (usually it’s also vegan).
Fruits
If you’re coming from North America like me, you can say that fruits like oranges and apples are quite cheap and easy to obtain. It’s quite the opposite in Japan as it’s not as common as you might think to go and buy a dozen apples at a Japanese grocery. I found it very weird when I bought a bunch of fruits (not cheap either) for a snack and the clerk was asking me if I wanted them wrapped as gifts. I responded “No I eat outside at park”, and she was awe-struck that I planned to eat all these different fruits in one go. I may be terribly wrong at these assumptions but if you love fruits, don’t expect to eat very much of it while you’re there, for cheap at least.
Directions
If you’re lost and don’t know who to turn to, the Japanese police are generally more than happy to give directions. Japanese streets are narrow and winding. Addresses in Japan are complex (typically there are no street names). Japanese people and long time residents often find themselves lost. It’s common to ask police for directions.
Speak slowly using minimal wording to get your message across
Parking
Rule of thumb: Always back-in when you park — no matter what the situation. You won’t get a ticket if you do decided to park the opposite way however.
Noodle slurping
According to Japanese manners, it’s completely acceptable to slurp noodle dishes such as ramen, udon and soba. People slurp loudly and so can you — enjoy!
No Tipping
You shouldn’t tip in Japan. You may learn to like this. Most Japanese staff will consider a tip demeaning. You’ll quickly find the lack of tips doesn’t affect the level of service.
Umbrella condoms
Japanese department stores offer plastic wrapping for your umbrella on rainy days. It’s considered good manners to wrap your umbrella before entering (no pun intended). This prevents the floors from becoming wet.
Taxi
Taxi’s are expensive in Japan and should be really only used if you missed the last train or if you’re to intoxicated to drive/walk back to your accommodation. They are usually metered and the drivers are very polite and courteous. Also, taxi doors open and close automatically. Drivers get annoyed if you open or close the door yourself.
Yakuza
As a tourist it’s unlikely you’ll see Yakuza (Japanese mafia). If you do they’ll likely ignore you. They have better things to do than to pick on tourists. The port city of Kobe is where most of them are located and really the only time you actual see them is during the night downtown.
I’ll be adding more information soon, so stay tuned!
