What to know before traveling to Japan? — Top 12 things & what to know before going to Japan

I know every trip will be better when you have a companion, because you can both taking pictures of each other, sharing taxi fare, chatting to kill idle time, or help each other in unexpected incidents. However, recently I received many questions about “how to travel to Japan alone because my companion fails to get a visa (the most common reason) or must join an unexpected job”. I have been visited Japan 4 times in which I completely done 2 solo trips. With a lot of experience that I got after these trips, I want to write the following useful tips, so your upcoming trip to Japan even if you are going alone will still be promising.

So, to plan a perfect trip to “the land of the rising sun”, before you go I think you should know these Japan trip tips especially for your first-time visit. Let’s check out our Japan travel tips blog regarding what to know before traveling to Japan including what you need to know before going to Japan, things to know before traveling to Japan for first timers as well as Japan travel advice, Japan travel advisory to help you have a smooth trip!

#1. Always bring enough cash

Lots of restaurants, shopping malls, bars, pubs, and shops accept international credit cards, but Japan is still a place that using a lot of cash. Because local shops, small shops will not accept credit cards, and many places even have credit card machines but do not work with international cards. So it’s best to bring 5,000 – 10,000 yen every time you go out.

#2. Japanese manners: Must know do’s and don’ts of Japanese culture

If we go into detail, there will be thousands of manners and etiquettes in Japanese culture, but below are the most important things that I can summarize:

• Do not receive or make a phone call when taking public transport in Japan, if you must answer, speak quietly and quickly end the call.
• Don’t point at others with one finger.
• Always remove your shoes outside before entering areas such as ryokan (traditional Japanese inn), onsen baths, main halls of shrines, temples. You will have a locker to store your own shoes outside, when entering the onsen, you will use the slippers of that onsen area.
• Always line up.
• Remember to wear a mask when you have a cold or cough.
• Do not take pictures of others without their permission.
• Do not take pictures of Geisha and Maiko while they are walking on the street without their express consent.
• Do no tips when dining at a restaurant in Japan.

#3. Make the most of Coin Locker

Coin Lockers are very popular in Japan, you can find them in any famous place to visit or train station. Coin Locker allows you to put your luggage into to free your hands to go out and explore comfortably instead of having to drag your luggage with you. But there is a very high chance that coin lockers are used up at train stations. But you can use Coin Locker in shopping malls or famous tourist attractions. If you temporarily forget where your Coin Locker is, just bring your receipt and ask staff at information desk. I once forgot my Coin Locker position and just go to the tourist information counter, they can immediately look it up for you, print out a map for you to find very carefully.

#4. Staying in a hostel/dorm in Japan

Japan has many very modern and clean hostel/dorm chains among the places I’ve been to. When staying in a dorm, you will save 1/3 of the accommodation cost compared to renting a hotel which is very expensive in Japan. However, when staying in a hostel/dorm, please note the following things:

• Do not disturb other guests.
• After self-cooking, remember to clean it up.
• Pay attention to the operating hours of that hostel/dorm.
• Check check-in and check-out times carefully.
• You can rent many services at a hostel/dorm such as bicycles, buying sightseeing tickets, let buy them comfortably because the price is not much different from buying right at place.

#5. Don’t come late when traveling by public transport

Many of you think that the departure time at 12:30PM, passengers will start boarding, but no, 12:30PM is the exact time the train starts running. You should come 15-20 minutes earlier to boarding the train. Especially, if you take Shinkansen without a reservation, you should go early to get a good seat.

The same goes for bus, if you come late only 1 minute, it is enough for the bus to have already passed your stop. All public transport in Japan running on time unless there is a technical problem.

#6. Notes when entering Shinto shrines

There are specific rites of worship in Shinto. In general, engaging in the following actions will suffice for any foreign visitor.

• There will always be a purification trough with running water for you to clean up yourself (body self-purification by water). Use the trough respectfully.
• At the trough, use the ladles to catch the water. Wash your left hand, then your right hand. Finally, pour some water into one hand and use it to rinse your mouth.
• Under no circumstances should you spit in the trough or wash your hands on it.
• At the donation box, put coins in, bowing twice, clapping once, bowingn again and praying.

Japan trip tips: #7. Dress comfortably when visiting castles

Although it’s beautiful, but Japanese castles were once fortresses, so the architecture inside is very zigzag and meandering, especially to climbing up to the high attics to enjoy the panoramic view of the city, you won’t find any elevator, so should note to dress comfortably if in your schedule to visit a certain castle during the day.

#8. Check forecast for seasons & festivals

For any trip to Japan, the two most important forecasts are the Sakura Forecast (Cherry blossoms season forecast) and the Fall Foliage Forecast. If you don’t like those 2 seasons (I think you’re lying) you should still check these seasons because usually in the Sakura season, the room rates will have a much more expensive than usual.

#9. Take advantage of convenience stores

You may be familiar with the convenience store culture in your country, but Japan is where this culture is more popular. You can buy almost anything here from drinking water, lunch box (according to me, it is very delicious), to printing, mailing, buying tickets, everything can be found here. Convenience stores are open 24/7, so if you go alone and can’t find a place to sit while waiting for your train, you can stop by here to sit comfortably because there is also Free WiFi.

Japan tips for first timers: #10. Buy a sim card when you come to Japan

The reason is very clear, we cannot live without the Internet. Although many public areas such as JR stations and shopping malls, all have free wifi, but Sim Cards in Japan are inexpensive, you can visit convenience stores, BIC Camera stores to buy easily and stay connected.

What to know before traveling to Japan: #11. Use Google Maps to get around on public transport

In Japan, Google Maps works very exactly and effectively, every train, every bus is updated exactly to the minute. If you are not good at navigation, Google Maps is the most effective solution.

Japan travel tips blog: #12. Don’t buy a JR Pass if you travel a little

The JR Pass is sold by the Japan Railways (JR) association is one of the most efficient passes in the world. It is especially attractive when traveling alone in Japan because you can be flexible with your itinerary. However, the JR Pass is only really useful if you intend to traveling through many different cities with too long distances from each other. If you only traveling between many cities but are located in a specific region, you should buy a JR regional pass. For example, if you only traveling in Osaka, Kyoto, Nara, Kobe, Himeji, you only need to buy the Kansai Pass is enough, which will save you a lot of money. To buy and see more information about JR pass here.

Some best day tours, trips, activities and transfer services, tickets in, to and from Tokyo you can refer to

• Private Narita International Airport Transfers (NRT) for Tokyo 23 Wards, Hakone, or Karuizawa
• Private Haneda International Airport Transfers (HND) for Tokyo 23 Wards, Hakone, or Karuizawa
• Airport Limousine Bus Transfers from/to Narita and Haneda International Airport (Free Wifi Onboard)
• Tokyo Amazing Sightseeing Bus Day Tour
• Tokyo Highlights Private Day Tour
• Nikko Day Tour from Tokyo
• Mt Fuji & Hakone Day Tour: Lake Ashi & Ropeway Day Trip from Tokyo
• Nikko Cultural Day Tour from Tokyo
• Tokyo Subway Ticket (24, 48, or 72 Hours)
• Tokyo Skyliner and Tokyo Subway Ticket
• Shuttle Bus Transfers (One Way/Round Trip) from Shinjuku/Ikebukuro to Tokyo Disneyland or Tokyo DisneySea
• Tokyo Disney Resort Park Ticket
• Klook Pass Greater Tokyo
• SHIBUYA SKY Ticket
• Warner Bros. Studio Tour Tokyo – The Making of Harry Potter Ticket
• Skyliner Narita Airport Express Ticket
• TeamLab Planets Ticket
• TOKYO SKYTREE® Ticket
• Limousine Bus Narita or Haneda Airport to Tokyo
• Skyliner Narita Airport Express With Tokyo Subway Ticket
• JR Tokyo Wide Pass
• Sky Hop-on and Hop-off Bus Pass
• 4G Prepaid Sim Card (JP Airports Pick Up) for Japan
• 4G WiFi (BKK and DMK Airport Pick Up) for Japan (Unlimited Data)
• JR Pass for Whole Japan (7, 14, or 21 Days)

Are you looking for more Tokyo travel guide and top things to do in Tokyo: Tours, activities, attractions and other things? Read more: Tokyo itinerary 3 days — What to do in Tokyo in 3 days?