10 Tips and Recommendations for your Trip to Japan

We present a series of tips and recommendations for your first visit to Japan so that you can make the most of your time in the country. Let’s go there!

Decide when to visit Japan

Japan is a year-round destination as each season has its own unique highlights and highlights, from the cherry blossoms in spring (sakura) and the “Matsuri” or festivals in summer, to the stunning change of foliage in the fall. and skiing in winter. In any of the seasons you will find much to enjoy although the best time of year to visit Japan depends on your preferences in terms of weather and crowds and the experiences you most want.

The marked differences between seasons require that you plan and pack according to the weather you are going to encounter. Keep in mind that temperatures can vary significantly depending on which part of the country you’re visiting, so be sure to check the forecast for the specific destinations you’re visiting.

Venture outside the big cities

There is more to discovering Japan than big cities like Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka. Normally they are the places that the tour companies want to take you to, but do not be afraid or feel bad about wanting to visit other places that are not so typically touristy. In fact, if you want to get to know the real Japan , avoid visiting the big cities since they hardly represent it and the rest of the country has other interesting things and places that you can get to know. Not only will you escape the crowds, but you’ll also get to see and enjoy some of the most authentic and memorable parts of Japanese culture.

Learn some key phrases in Japanese

It is entirely possible to travel in Japan without knowing Japanese, you will find a lot of signage in English (sometimes also in Spanish) and in the big cities and popular tourist spots the local people may know a few English words. If you don’t know English don’t worry, many of the signs and signals as well as directions are easy to follow because of the graphics or drawings. Also, ultimately there is always mime to save you in those moments of trouble with languages.

However, learning a few Japanese phrases can significantly improve your travel experience in Japan. The Japanese really appreciate when tourists put in the effort to learn it, even if it’s just the most basic phrase!

Get a Japan Rail Pass

The Japan Rail Pass is a discounted rail pass offered exclusively to tourists. It offers you unlimited travel on most JR trains , including the Shinkansen (bullet train) for periods of 7, 14 or 21 consecutive days! If you are planning several long-distance trips, you can save yourself a lot of money on travel.

Get your JR Pass ! A good way to travel in Japan!

Travel with cash (yen)

Japan is a very cash oriented society, people prefer to pay with money instead of credit card.

Many local bars, markets, small shops and restaurants only accept cash payments , especially in rural areas. You will probably need to carry more money in your pocket than you are used to but don’t worry Japan is a very safe country.

Preferably it is better that you buy yen in your country of origin, although you can also exchange money while in Japan at the airport and at exchange houses in large cities. On the other hand, there are more and more ATMs that accept international cards, especially in convenience stores and some Japan Post ATMs.

IMPORTANT: Don’t forget to inform your bank and credit/debit card provider that you will be abroad and be able to use your cards while in Japan.

Pack light

Traveling around Japan is so much easier when you only have to worry about a small, easy-to-carry suitcase or bag, especially if you’re visiting several different destinations. Especially on trains, space is very small and not to mention the peak hours when there is not even room for a pin because the train is so full. That is why we recommend that you travel light and with the essentials. You can leave larger suitcases or packages in the lockers of the stations and visit and walk around with only a small bag. Another very important thing is that you travel with shoes that are easy to take off and put on. You probably visit many traditional places where you have to take off your shoes quickly so as not to waste time. For the same reason, we also recommend that you always wear socks without holes and/or pinkie-type socks, you do not want to walk around tea houses or temples and shrines with such notoriously used socks! XD

Get an IC card

Once in Japan, we recommend you buy an IC card, which are rechargeable passes that can be used to pay fares on the different public transport networks. With one of these cards, you won’t have to worry about which ticket to buy or how much the fare will cost, just swipe the card through the reader and you’re good to go.

Also, IC cards can be used in other cities and not only, you can also use them to pay for drinks and snacks at most convenience stores (konbini) and vending machines. How convenient!

Be respectful on public transport

Japanese society is known for its emphasis on courtesy and one of the places where this is most evident is on the train network. Conductors bow to you, carriages are spotlessly clean, and departures are so punctual you can set your watch.

In order not to pass as a bad tourist, avoid talking on the phone on public transport. If you need to make or answer a call on the train, you can do so in the small compartments between carriages. On the train platform, you’ll usually see painted lines, numbers, and symbols on the ground indicating where to wait so line up in designated areas. And of course it allows people to get off the train before trying to board .

Try the local food

This also includes sushi and ramen , which you will probably have tried a version of in your country of origin but we assure you that in Japan its flavor is very different. There are countless local specialties to enjoy as you visit different cities, so if your itinerary includes multiple destinations, be sure to research the best dish of the place you visit!

Take a day off

This will sound a bit crazy to you, but we recommend you take a day off from visiting and walking around places and cities on your trip through Japan. You can choose a park or a terrace in a cafe or restaurant and sit down to admire the people passing by, see and discover the daily life of the Japanese. You can learn a lot about Japanese culture with these moments of observation and meditation. If your vacation time allows it, make a hole in your itinerary to take this type of break. We highly recommend it!