22 Things to Know Before Traveling to Japan: What I Wish I Knew Before My First Trip

When I first started planning my trip to Japan, I felt pretty overwhelmed with all the information and trying to figure out everything I needed to know. There is so much to see, cultural differences to be mindful of, and public transit to navigate.

Before our first trip, I spent several months researching everything from train etiquette to how to use a Suica card, and I still learned a lot once we arrived.

Japan is incredibly organized, efficient, and welcoming, but knowing the basics ahead of time really does help keep your trip stress-free. This guide brings together everything I wish I knew before visiting Japan.

If you are planning your first trip, I hope this post walks you through the most important things to know before traveling to Japan so you can feel prepared and excited for your trip!

22 Things to Know Before Traveling to Japan

1. Know Which Airport to Fly Into for Tokyo (Haneda vs. Narita)

If you are flying into Tokyo, you will choose between Haneda Airport (HND) and Narita Airport (NRT).

I flew into Haneda, and it’s the best option in most cases. It’s much closer to central Tokyo, and it took us about 50 minutes on public transit to reach our hotel in Shinjuku. We stayed at the Hyatt Regency Tokyo, and I highly recommend it!

The whole process from getting to our hotel from the airport was pretty smooth, and Google Maps made navigating the trains super easy.

Narita, on the other hand, is much farther away, usually around two hours by regular public transit. You can speed things up by taking the Narita Express or Keisei Skyliner, but they cost extra.

Personally, I would only choose to fly into Narita if the flights were significantly cheaper.

💡Tip: If your itinerary includes Kyoto, Osaka, Hiroshima, or anywhere in the Kansai region, check flights into Kansai International Airport (KIX). It might save you time and money.

📌Overall Recommendation: Fly into Haneda Airport, not Narita Airport. Narita is further away from central Tokyo.

➡️If you’re trying to figure out the best neighborhoods, my guide on where to stay in Tokyo breaks everything down based on what you want to see.

2. Public Transit Etiquette is Important

Japan’s public transportation system blew me away! It is clean, quiet, efficient, and almost always on time.

But, the etiquette on board is very different from what I am used to in the U.S.

Here a few rules I would follow while using Japan’s public transit:

• Don’t talk on the phone.
• Keep your voice low (most people don’t talk at all).
• Wear your backpack on your front during rush hour to avoid accidentally bumping into people.
• Offer your seat to anyone who might need it more than you.
• Avoid eating on local trains (eating on the long-distance bullet trains is fine). We did sometimes bring coffee on the train since we saw others do it as well but avoided drinking it while on the train.

3. Use Google Maps for Public Transit (It’s Better Than Apple Maps)

Google Maps works incredibly well in Japan and was a lifesaver for us when trying to navigate the public transit system in Japan.

The public transit in Japan can seem overwhelming at first because it is so extensive, but it becomes pretty easy to navigate once you use it a few times with Google Maps. We also don’t live somewhere where we use public transit, so if you do, you will probably adjust even faster than we did.

Google Maps will tell you:

• the exact train line to take
• which platform to go to
• which car to board
• when the train arrives
• which exit to use at the station once you get off the train

Apple Maps works fine for walking directions, but Google Maps is much better for trains and buses in my experience.

💡Before your trip, make sure to download Google Maps!

4. Public Transit Is the Best Way to Get Around (No Need for Taxis or Ubers)

One of the biggest surprises on our trip was how easy it is to rely almost entirely on public transportation.

We spent 18 days in Japan and never once took a taxi or Uber, even when traveling between cities with luggage (carry-on size luggage). The trains are so safe, clean, and reliable that it just made sense.

Taxis and Ubers are available (and safe), but they are much more expensive, and honestly, not necessary for most travelers if you’re looking to save some money.

5. Add a Suica Card to Your Apple Wallet Before Your Trip (If You Have an iPhone)

If you have an iPhone, you can add a Suica Card to your Apple Wallet before you even leave for Japan. This is one of the best tips I can give!

Here is how to add the Suica Card to your Apple Wallet:

1. Open your Apple Wallet
2. Tap the + sign
3. Choose “Transit Card”
4. Search and select “Suica”
5. Add money using a credit card already in your Wallet

Once it’s set up, you just tap your phone to enter and exit trains and buses. No buying individual tickets, no standing in line at machines.

If you don’t have an iPhone, you can buy a physical Suica card when you arrive and reload it with money when needed at the machines.

💡Tip: If you have leftover money at the end of your trip, you can spend it at convenience stores, vending machines, or even some restaurants. We used up almost all our remaining balance buying snacks at the airport before we headed back home.

6. Most Travelers Don’t Need a Japan Rail Pass (JR Pass)

The JR Pass used to be a great deal, but the price has increased significantly, making it no longer worth it for most people.

Now, most travelers are better off buying tickets individually unless they are taking long-distance trains every few days.

You can use an online JR Pass calculator to compare costs and see if you would be better off using the JR Pass or buying individual tickets.

For most itineraries, like ours going from Tokyo → Kyoto → Osaka → Koyasan → Hiroshima → Tokyo, individual tickets will be cheaper than buying the JR Pass.

7. You Usually Don’t Need to Book Shinkansen Tickets in Advance

Unless you’re visiting during Golden Week (late April to early May), I recommend just buying your Shinkansen tickets at the station. We always purchased ours in person for the next available train and easily got reserved seats next to each other.

If you are leaving from Tokyo, the two stations where the bullet trains (Shinkansen) depart from are Tokyo Station and Shinagawa Station. Shinagawa is smaller and easier to navigate, but both are fine. I would just choose the station you’re closest to.

I think buying tickets online adds unnecessary stress because it locks you into a specific time, and the trains do not wait for anyone. They leave exactly on time.

If you do miss your train, you can still get on the next one in the unreserved seating area, but to keep things simple, I recommend buying your tickets at the station for the next available train. They usually run every 15 or so minutes, so it is quick and easy.

8. Breakfast Spots Open Late – Convenience Stores Are Your Best Friend

Something that surprised us was how few breakfast spots and coffee shops open before 9:00 AM or 10:00 AM. 

If you’re starting your day early, convenience stores like 7-Eleven, Family Mart, and Lawson will be lifesavers for breakfast and they are delicious!

Every morning, we went to the 7-Eleven at the bottom of our hotel and grabbed:

• tuna onigiri
• teriyaki chicken and egg sandwiches
• Iced latte (the ones where you can buy a cup of ice and then once you check out, use the machine)

Convenience stores in Japan truly have good food (I miss it already!).

9. Take Advantage of Tax-Free Shopping

If you are planning on doing a lot of shopping, most stores offer tax-free purchases if you show your passport, so make sure to do this!

Most stores do require a minimum spend of around 5,000 yen which was the case when I was shopping in Uniqlo.

10. Figure Out Your Phone Plan Before Your Trip

It is important to plan before your trip how you’re going to stay connected while in Japan so you can still make calls, send texts, and use Google Maps.

Here are the three main options I considered:

Option 1: Pocket Wi-Fi – Pick up a small portable device at the airport.

• Pros: Works for multiple devices.
• Cons: You have to carry it with you and return it at the end of your trip. If multiple people are using it, everyone needs to stay nearby to be able to use it.

Option 2: eSIM (Ubigi, Airalo) – Install a digital SIM before traveling.

• Pros: Affordable, easy, works immediately.
• Cons: Some don’t include calling or texting. As an alternative, you could use WhatsApp for messaging.

💡P.S. If you’re traveling internationally, I highly recommend purchasing the Airalo eSIM. It’s a great way to avoid those excessive roaming charges and eliminates the need for plastic eSIMs!

Option 3: Your Phone Carrier’s International Plan – This is what we used.

• Pros: Easiest, keeps your number, stress-free.
• Cons: Usually the most expensive.

I recommend picking whatever fits your budget and convenience level. For us, paying a little extra money for the simplicity was worth it.

I have Verizon, and the International Day Pass is $12/day, but you can pay $100 for one month. Since our trip was 18 days, I paid the $100 for one month.

11. Travel Insurance Is Important

I always recommend getting travel insurance for international trips so you’re covered in case anything unexpected happens.

Start by checking what your health insurance and credit cards cover, then decide if you need extra coverage. It’s never a bad idea to have travel insurance for peace of mind while traveling abroad.

For my trip to Japan, I bought travel insurance through Allianz that covered medical emergencies, delayed flights, and lost luggage.

We paid $163 for two people for an 18-day trip, and the peace of mind was worth it.

➡️ Read more about my entire Japan trip cost for my 18-day trip where I detail everything from accommodations, food, transportation, flights, and more.

12. Withdraw Cash in Japan from a 7-Eleven ATM (Don’t Exchange at Home)

Even though Japan is becoming more card-friendly, you will still want some cash for:

• Temple entrance fees (usually around 500 yen)
• Food stalls
• Large food markets (like Tsukiji Market in Tokyo and Nishiki Market in Kyoto)
• Small local restaurants

The best way is to withdraw cash at a 7-Eleven ATM – this is what we did. When prompted at the ATM, make sure to choose to be charged in yen, not USD, for a better exchange rate.

Don’t let the ATM make the conversion for you, because your bank will give you a better conversion rate.

We only used about 20,000 yen during our entire trip, but I recommend always keeping a small amount on hand. We only used the cash when necessary and used our credit card whenever possible.

13. Pack Carry-On Only If Possible (I Know This is Hard, but Worth It!)

If you can, I highly recommend packing light and doing carry-on only. Train stations often involve stairs and crowds, making it hard to navigate with a lot of luggage.

For our 18-day trip, we each brought:

• 1 carry-on suitcase (here is the one I use and love!)
• 1 travel backpack that fit under the airplane seat as our personal item (Here is the one I use and I can’t recommend it enough! I have the XL size and it still fits under the airplane seat.)

We did laundry halfway through at a 24-hour laundromat in Kyoto, which was cheap, clean, and easy. It cost $18.13 for two loads of laundry.

If you need to bring checked luggage, consider using luggage transfer services so you don’t have to navigate trains with huge bags. I heard about Yamato Transport the most!

➡️If you’re visiting Japan in early summer and wondering what to pack, also check out my guide on what to wear in Japan in June for helpful summer clothing and packing tips from our trip.

💡Tip: If you struggle with packing carry-on only, check out my guide where I share all my carry-on packing tips that help me!

14. Avoid Visiting During Golden Week (Late April – Early May

Golden Week (late April to early May) is one of the busiest travel periods in Japan. 

Golden Week is a collection of four national holidays in Japan that all fall within the same week (usually April 29–May 5). It’s one of the busiest travel periods of the year because many locals take the time off to travel around Japan.

Trains, hotels, and attractions book up quickly and can be extremely crowded. If you want a more relaxed trip, I recommend avoiding traveling during this time.

15. Bring a No Foreign Transaction Fee Credit Card

Using a credit card with no foreign transaction fees is a must. I used the Chase Sapphire Preferred during our trip, and it worked everywhere. If your card charges foreign transaction fees, those extra charges add up quickly, so definitely sort this out before you leave.

Also if you don’t take money out of ATMs often (like me 🙋‍♀️), then here is a reminder that you will need to use your debit card, not your credit card, to withdraw cash from ATMs.

Our bank (Chase) charged a small fee since it was an international withdrawal and not a Chase ATM, but it wasn’t a big amount. I think it was around $3-$5 for 10,000 yen.

If you plan on taking out a lot of cash, it might be worth looking into a debit card with no international ATM fees, like Charles Schwab.

💡If you’re looking for a credit card with zero foreign transaction fees, I highly recommend the Chase Sapphire Preferred! It is what I use and love. For our Japan trip, we used 142,000 credit card points to book 12 nights at Hyatt Hotels!

16. Bring a Portable Phone Charger

Bringing a portable phone charger with you is a must!

You will rely heavily on your phone for Google Maps, using Google Translate, and taking photos/videos.

Bring at least one portable charger (preferably two in case you forget to charge one overnight), you will definitely use it!

17. Research If You Need a Plug Adapter

Japan uses Type A and Type B plugs, which are the same as the United States. However, most outlets in Japan only have two prongs, not three. This worked fine for me because all of my chargers and my hair straightener only required two prongs.

If you have devices that need a three-prong outlet, you will want to bring an adapter so you’re not stuck.

18. Download Google Translate

Google Translate is essential for translating menus, signs, and communicating when needed. 

Make sure to download Google Translate before your trip! I saved it as a widget at the top of my phone screen for easy and quick access when needed.

19. Learn a Few Common Phrases

You don’t need to speak Japanese to travel easily, but people really appreciate it when you try. 

Here are the most common phrases I recommend learning:

• Hello: Konnichiwa
• Thank you: Arigatou gozaimasu

Even using these two goes a long way in showing respect. 😊

20. Passport, Visa & Customs Requirements

• Your passport must be valid for the full duration of your stay. 1 blank page is required per entry stamp. Make sure your passport has more than 6 months of validity from the date of your trip.
• U.S. citizens and many others can enter Japan visa-free for 90 days.
• Japan uses Visit Japan Web for digital immigration and customs forms. Create an account before your trip and screenshot your QR codes to scan when you go through immigration once you land in Japan. If you don’t want to do it online, you will just fill it out on paper once you land in Japan.

Make sure to do your own research relevant to your own trip! If you’re a U.S. Citizen, you can read more about the requirements here.

21. How Ordering at Restaurants Works

Many restaurants have machines where you order at the front and take a ticket while waiting to be seated.

All the machines we used had a button to translate to a different language which was very helpful but there were also photos on the menus too.

Most places have you line up outside, many don’t have indoor waiting areas. This is very normal in Japan, especially for ramen shops.

22. General Japan Etiquette Tips to Know

These are some good things to know before traveling to Japan:

• Don’t eat while walking.
• Don’t tip, Japan is a no-tipping culture.
• Carry a small hand towel because many bathrooms don’t have paper towels.
• Trash cans are rare, hold onto your trash until you find one.
• Wear comfortable shoes, expect lots of walking. I only brought one shoe for my 18-day trip to Japan, the Hoka Clifton 9s, and they were great!
• Japan feels extremely safe, even at night.
• Most hotels (and even ryokans) will store your luggage before check in.

Final Thoughts: Things to Know Before Traveling to Japan

Japan is one of the most memorable and welcoming places I have ever traveled to, so don’t be nervous for your trip!

I hope this guide helps you plan your own trip and feel more prepared before you go. If you’re traveling to Japan for the first time, you’re truly in for the trip of a lifetime.

If you need help planning your itinerary, packing, or figuring out where to stay, feel free to explore more of my Japan guides on my blog below.

• Best Things to Do on Miyajima Island – Day Trip from Hiroshima
• Koyasan Temple Stay: My Experience at Ekoin (Is It Worth It?)
• 2 Days in Hiroshima Itinerary for First-Time Visitors
• Our 4-Day Kyoto Itinerary: Everything We Did & Food We Loved
• What to Wear in Japan in June: My Summer Packing List and Tips
• 2.5 Weeks in Japan Trip Cost: How Much We Spent for 18 Days
• 5-Day Tokyo Itinerary: My Favorite Sights & Eats
• 1-Day Kamakura Itinerary: Exploring as a Day Trip from Tokyo
• How to Plan a Day Trip from Osaka to Koyasan (Mount Koya)
• 3 Days in Osaka Itinerary: What You Can’t Miss!
• Osaka to Nara Day Trip Itinerary: How I Spent My Day
• Osaka vs Kyoto: My Honest Take After Visiting Both
• Where to Stay in Hiroshima: Best Areas & Hotels for First-Time Visitors
• Where to Stay in Osaka: How to Pick the Right Area for Your Trip
• Where to Stay in Kyoto: Choosing the Perfect Area for Your Trip
• Where to Stay in Tokyo: A First-Timer’s Guide Based on My Own Trip
• 1-Day Kyoto Itinerary: How I’d Spend One Day If You’re Short on Time
• 1-Day Osaka Itinerary: What We Did in Osaka in One Day
• 3-Day Tokyo Itinerary: A Detailed Guide for First-Time Visitors