First Time in Japan? These 100 Essential Tips Make Everything Easier

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Planning your first trip to Japan? Overwhelming isn’t it? Don’t panic, we’re about to explain everything you need to know to make going to Japan for the first time a lot more simple. Transport, money, where to stay, etiquette, and a few surprises – here are 100 brilliant Japan travel tips to help you plan your trip.

I came back from my first time in Japan with my mind totally blown. ‘It was amazing, but I couldn’t live there,’ was how I described it to everyone. Now, many, many trips later I absolutely could live there, the description of my trips could take about four days of excited babbling and, I can even read basic Japanese writing!

How times change… but what this means is, I know that if you’re traveling to Japan for the first time, it’s confusing. You’re not sure how to get to A-B, how much things are going to cost, what on earth to order in a restaurant and, what to do to ensure you don’t put your foot in it and offend an entire train… but I also know how to help!

Article by Helen Foster. Disclosure: Some links in this post are affiliate links. See our Affiliate Disclosure.

So, here are 100 of the most useful travel tips I think you need for your first Japanese trip. Some are super obvious, others I’ve learned over my own six trips – meaning that once you’ve read them your first visit to Japan will already be off to a flying start!

Flying to Japan

1. The Big Choice: Narita or Haneda

If you’re landing in Tokyo, this is one of the first decisions you might need to make when planning your Japan trip.

Haneda is closest to the city which can be a definite benefit after a long flight. It’s connected to central Tokyo by monorail, train, and bus and will connect you to the super central Yamanote Line in about 15 minutes.

Note – the transport does not run all night so if you have a late-night flight you’ll need to get one of the late-night buses, or, you might prefer to book a private transfer.

Narita is much further away. There are two speedy train options that will take you into Tokyo – the Skyliner and the Narita Express and they take between 40 minutes to 90 minutes depending on where in Tokyo you are staying.

If you’re still not sure, have a look at our guide on how to tell which is the best Tokyo airport for you to choose,

2. Don’t Forget Osaka

More international airlines are now flying into and out of Osaka’s Kansai Airport, and if you’re starting or finishing your trip there, flying into Tokyo and out of Osaka can save time and money on train tickets.

Traveling From the Airports

3. Pick the Right Route

Once you land you obviously have to get from the airport to Tokyo, Osaka, or Kyoto and there can be quite a few routes. These posts can help you find the best one for you

What to Carry

4. Pack as Light as You Can

Even with public transport, you’ll walk a lot in stations, and lifts and escalators aren’t always easy to find which means carrying bags upstairs.

On top of this, Japanese hotel rooms can be quite small, and trying to navigate around two large suitcases can be hard. Keep bags as light and small as you can (you can always buy another one for souvenirs).

We have some suggestions for good bags, in our Japan Packing List, but I use a Delsey Clavel (that’s it above, the little one) which is small and relatively light to start with and fits a surprising amount of stuff. I traveled for a month with it – and still overpacked!

Check pictures and other reviews for it here.

5. Know the Train Luggage Rules

Some Shinkansen (the superfast train between cities also known as the bullet train) lines now restrict baggage – this includes the popular Tokaido line which goes between Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka.

Bags over 160cm (height + width + depth) are fine. If they are between 160-251cm you have to reserve space for them or you will be fined.

Over 250cm can’t be taken on the Shinkansen.

You’ll find more details about this in our post on the Shinkansen luggage rules.

6. Send it Onwards

If you do take a bigger case and are moving around Japan, think about having it forwarded between destinations via a luggage shipping service.

I know it sounds unusual but it’s a common thing for Japanese travellers to do.

Have a look at Yamoto Transport, or ask your hotel if they offer a Takkyubin service and it will be picked up at your hotel.

I used this on my last trip and it totally changed the journeys for me. Definitely recommend it.

7. Pop an Airtag in Your Bag

If you do use luggage transport adding an air tag can help give you an added sense of security as you can see where your bag is.

8. Get a Locker

You can also leave baggage in lockers at stations. This is great if you want to go exploring on the day you leave and don’t want to head back to your hotel.

Some lockers can be paid for with an IC card like Suica or Pasmo (more on those in a minute), but others will only take cash so, make sure you have some coins on you just in case.

Also, take careful note of where your locker is as there can be hundreds of them and they can all look the same. At Tokyo Station, they’re now adding cute animal pictures to make finding them easier!

Be Aware of Busy Times

9. Holidays to Know About

The three main holidays in Japan are Golden Week (end of April, early May), Obon (mid-August) and New Year (Dec 29-Jan 4). Opening hours will change and you should definitely book accommodation and bullet train seats in advance if you are traveling at these times.

10. Golden Week Tip

If you do find you have booked over Golden Week, it can be cheaper to stay in Tokyo that week and move around before or after. You do have to be a bit more flexible with plans as hours change, but I had a great Golden Week in Tokyo. Look, I got to do this!

If you suddenly realize you have booked your trip to Tokyo in Golden Week, don’t panic and don’t rearrange things, instead check out this guide to Golden Week tips that will ensure you make the most of your trip to Tokyo at this amazing time.

Planning Mistakes Not to Make

11. Don’t Try and Do Everything.

It’s impossible. On my first trip to Kyoto, I thought I could see all the big sights in a day trip from Osaka – I now, can’t believe I was so daft!

Not least as I didn’t even really look at a map – I’ve now been three times and still haven’t seen all of the temples in Kyoto! The place is enormous.

Trying to fit too much in is the biggest mistake I see people make when planning their first Japan trip.

12. Allow Enough Time

The big issue with planning an itinerary is not knowing how long each place takes – so here’s a VERY rough guide.

Allow at least half a day for each area in Tokyo you want to see – personally, I can spend a whole day in some of them between seeing the big sights pottering around back streets, and trying fun snacks.

Kyoto needs a minimum of two days to cover just the main sights. 3-4 is better.

Osaka can be done in a day trip if you have to – but at least two days is better so you can eat all the yummy food!

Hiroshima can be done in one day – ideally, you need two if you’re also visiting Miyajima.

Double travel time to allow for getting lost and finding station exits.

13. Build in Time to Rest

I’m not kidding when I say you’re going to walk a lot in Japan. On my last trip, I did 20km on my first day in Kyoto – and I’d spent 2 and a half hours on a train that day!

Try and spend a few days in each place. Focus on one area at a time with 1-2 must-sees if you have half a day and 3-4 of you have a full day – and have the rest as an ‘if we’re not exhausted.’ option.

Expect to need a sit down between going out all day and heading out at night.

Book a trip to a sento or onsen halfway through to soak away the aches!

Packing for Japan

14. A Few Things Not to Forget

I’m not going to give you a detailed packing list here, (but there is a longer post on packing for Japan here if you do need a little extra help) but I am going to suggest a few things that you might not think to bring with you but definitely shouldn’t forget.

Your comfiest shoes: I cannot emphasize this enough. I once took shoes I thought were comfy, they weren’t! Three days of walking 20km later, I had blisters the size of 50p pieces on my feet. It was awful. Thankfully my friend was coming to meet me and she could bring my oldest, stinkiest shoes so I could at least walk without wincing.

Lots of clean socks: You will take your shoes off a lot and if you’re not wearing clean socks it can be mortifying! If you run out, look in Daiso (see below) to restock.

A small hand towel or flannel: I didn’t know why my friend Jonelle handed me one of these as a Welcome to Japan gift – but, it turns out Japanese bathrooms don’t generally have towels or driers.

Your Tenugui, as it’s known, lets you wash your hands without having to dry them on the back of your jeans. If you forget this, you can buy Tenugui in many souvenir shops.

Antiperspirant/deodorant: You can buy most toiletries in Japan, but the deodorants and antiperspirants may not be quite as strong as the ones you’re used to so, don’t forget to pack your own.

15. Be Careful Packing Medication

Some drugs (including one or two you can just buy in any pharmacy elsewhere) are not allowed to be brought into Japan at all. Others need a permit. Find out more here.

Where to Stay on Your First Trip to Japan

16. Good Areas In Tokyo for First Timers

Shinjuku, Shibuya, and Asakusa are probably the best places to stay on your first trip to Tokyo. They have everything you need and are very central.

17. Is Kabukicho Safe?

Shinjuku does have a red light district called Kabukicho and, there are quite a few hotels in this area. One common question is whether it’s safe to stay here, and the answer is yes.  However, it’s true that you might see some things you don’t expect in Japan. We’ve covered this in more detail in our specific post as to whether Kabukicho is okay to stay in

18. Good Areas in Kyoto

Look at the Downtown area around the area of Nishiki Market and a few blocks in any direction if you want to be right in the middle of everything.

Or, on the other side of the river, Southern and Northern Higashiyama are also good spots.

19. Good Areas in Osaka

Around Namba is good unless you’re doing a lot of day trips in which case you might find it better to stay around Shin-Osaka station as travelling to and from Namba adds a lot of time to your journey.

On our first trip there we stayed at the Fraser Residence Nankai which was a fantastic hotel, surrounded by bars and restaurants and brilliant at night, but we did find it a bit annoying to have to come back so far from the station as we went on a lot of day trips.

20. Where to be a Bit Wary in Osaka.

You might want to steer clear of parts of an area called Nishinari – there are a few backpacker hostels here, and again, by Western standards, it wouldn’t exactly be classed as a no-go zone, but it might also not be what you’re expecting from your Japan trip.

Other Japanese Hotel Tips

22. Find Your Hotel Type

Not only do you need to decide where to stay in Japan, you also need to decide what type of accommodation you would like to stay in as there are lots of different hotel types in Japan – from capsules to luxurious Ryokans where you’ll be waited on hand and foot.

If you’re not sure what type of hotel is best for you, have a look at our guide to Japan hotel types.

23. Book Near a Station. 

24. Check Your Room Size

Japanese hotel rooms can be extremely small (16sq metres is not uncommon) – always check the room size and the bed size if there’s more than one of you.

One chain that has larger than average rooms is the Citadines – we like the Citadines Shinjuku a lot. In fact, I just came back from my fourth stay there!

25. Know Your Plugs

Japanese plug sockets are two straight pins so you’ll need to buy an international adaptor to make things work. If you forget, then ask at your hotel reception desk, they might have one you can borrow.

26. Expect Extras

Don’t be surprised if you walk into your room and find sleepwear on the bed. You’ll usually find basic toiletries included in your room – but if you’re staying at one of the Japanese chains aimed at business people like APA, Dormy Inn, Mitsui Garden or the B Hotels, and a few other hotels you might find a set of pajamas laid out for you too.

They are yours to use throughout your stay – but, don’t take them away with you.

The ones above are at the Hotel Monday Asakusa, one of the hotels I stayed in on my last trip.

Internet Access in Japan

27. Do You Need a SIM? 

There is a lot of free internet around Japan, and there’s a school of thought that says you don’t need to rely on anything else. I am not in that school! It’s just easier to get around if you have maps, train apps, and timetables on your phone.

I generally buy a SIM card from Klook to pick up at the airport and then I’m set for the whole trip.

You can also use personal Wi-Fi devices but it’s one more thing to carry and one more thing to charge so personally, I’m Team SIM Card.

However, if you’re traveling as a family, a Wi-Fi device can connect to more than one device so it can be more useful for those in a group.

See more about how to decide which is the best method for you in our post comparing all the different online methods.

Small Things You Must Do

You’ve probably got a good idea of the big things you want to see on your trip – theme parks, shrines and temples, beautiful bits of nature but, these are little tiny things not to miss on your trip…

28. Eat an Egg Sandwich from Family Mart:

These things are legendary – I have no idea why they are so good but they are totally addictive. If the thought of egg makes you feel queasy, have a strawberry and cream one instead.

The sandwiches are so iconic, we’ve written a whole article on convenience store sandwiches. Check it out when you’ve finished this one.

29. Buy a Gachapon: 

Everywhere you go in Japan you’ll see these little machines that look like bubble gum machines stuffed full of tiny capsules – these are gachapon and they are one of the cheapest souvenirs you can buy.

Well, apart from the fact that, like the sandwiches, Gachapon can become a bit addictive.

If you want to know the best places in Tokyo to collect Gachapon, have a look at our larger post on the toys.

30. Buy a hot milk tea from a vending machine

Not only it is delicious (see our ode to it here) -but how cool is hot drinks in a bottle from a machine! The blue buttons are for cold drinks, red ones are hot.

Money in Japan

31. Carry Some Cash

Despite its high-tech image, Japan can still be very much a cash-based society (see more on how to get around this in our post on cash vs cards). While credit cards are becoming more widely accepted you should always have some cash on you.

32. Know Your Coins

The currency in Japan is called the yen. There are five coins – 1 yen, 5 yen, 50 yen, 100 yen and 500 yen. Notes are 1000, 5000 and 10,000 – if you ever see a 2000 you might want to keep it as they are very rare!

33. Buy a Coin Purse

You will get a lot of coins – make your first souvenir a change purse from one of the discount shops like Daiso.

34. Don’t Go to a Bank to Get Cash

 Foreign ATM cards don’t work in Japanese banks. Instead, go to an ATM in a convenience store like 7-11, Lawson, or Family Mart.

When I did this on my first trip to Japan I was convinced it was a big scam and my account was going to be cleaned out by the time I got home, but it’s perfectly fine.

35. Getting Money at the Airport

The cash points at Narita and Haneda do accept foreign cards, but I always still arrive with 100 dollars worth of yen just in case.

This is a full list of all the ATMs at Narita and their locations. If you’re flying into Haneda, this is where you’ll find the Haneda ATMs.

36. Etiquette Tip

When you buy something in Japan, place the money, or your card if you are using it, in the tray on the counter of the shop. You’ll get your change back in the same tray.

37. Paying Hotel Bills 

You will be able to use your credit card to pay for your hotel in most places – but do check it you’re going somewhere a bit more rural just in case.

38: Consider Currency Cards

Another option if you don’t want to use your credit card is a payment card like Revolut or Wise. You can load these with yen and then use them to pay for things or draw cash out from the ATM.

They’re also a good way to save for your trip – especially if the exchange rate is good as you can change money into yen and hold it there.

39. Get an IC Card

If you really hate small change, then you can use prepaid Suica and Pasmo cards to pay for items in shops like 7-11, some restaurants, and some vending machines.

These also act as travel cards for local train, tube, and bus journeys – like the Oyster or Opal cards in the UK or Australia. See more about using them in our post on cash vs card.

Budgeting Tips

One of the biggest misconceptions I think there is about Japan is that it’s really expensive to visit – it can be, but you can also do things very cheaply. Here are a few budgeting tips.

40. Look for Restaurants With a Ticket Machine

Not only are they usually a budget option, but they also allow you to see the prices, order, and pay before you sit down – or even go inside in some cases – so no worries about accidentally overspending.

If you’re a bit nervous, we’ve got a whole guide on how to use a Japanese food ticket machine here.

41. Know Your Chains

It always makes me laugh when people sneer at chain restaurants in foreign countries as ‘not being local’ – erm, who do you think is filling up the seats?

Chain restaurants can be a quick, easy, cheap way to get a meal. They usually have menus in English or with pictures and on your first trip to Japan, if you’re just a bit intimidated by the whole Japan experience, they can help while you find your feet. Some of the chains to look for include

Yoshinoya and Sukiya – sell ‘bowl’ dishes which are basically sliced meat on rice

Mos Burger or Freshness Burger – the names give those two away

Coco Ichiban – Japanese curry. It’s not like Indian curry.

Even McDonalds and KFC can be fun to visit – they have things you won’t see at home.

Another cheap way to eat is to try some street food dishes, check out this list on some of the best dishes in Osaka and where to find them here.

If you’re traveling to Tokyo, you’ll find some great suggestions in this list of Tokyo street foods over at Trip Anthropologist.

42. Check For Seat Fees 

In some of the small atmospheric drinking alleys like Memory Lane or Golden Gai, or in Hoppy Street in Asakusa, you might have to pay for your seat as well as your drinks – if you’re budgeting carefully, double-check for this.

We got caught one night on my first trip as it was well hidden on the menu.

43. That Snack isn’t Free

Other bars might serve you a small food item after you’ve placed your drink order. Sorry guys, it’s not on the house, and nor can you really say no to it, it will be added to your bill and this is another form of seat fee. You don’t tip though so it does even itself out.

44. Try Standing 

If in doubt, join the locals at one of the standing-only bars or, pick a larger bar like the Asahi Beerhalls and Ginza Lion pubs – it’s generally bars with just a few seats that apply these fees as they can’t afford you sitting around all night nursing one beer.

45. Stay on One Train Line. 

Different lines in Japan can have different owners which means you need to buy different tickets to travel between them and it can add up. To save cash, try and work out your journeys so you stick to one train line and walk a little bit.

46. Consider a Tourist Train Pass 

IC Cards like Suica and Pasmo cards are very convenient but if ever I overspend on a day in Tokyo, it’s on transport – also look at the train passes available to tourists like the Tokyo Subway Ticket.

These can be a bit complex as they only work on set lines, but, if you can’t walk long distances and want to hop on and off trains all day they might save you money.

 A full list is here or, if you want more details, then have a look at our guide to determining if the Tokyo Subway Ticket is right for your trip here.

If you’re traveling to Osaka and planning to visit a few different attractions you can save a lot of money with the Osaka Amazing Pass.

If you’re just looking for a cheap train pass, then the Explore Eco card might be more suitable for you. We explain that here.

47: The Best Cheap Souvenirs

Japanese KitKats come in some very unusual flavors – and, if you’re traveling to Japan for the first time you might have trying these on your list of things to do, but they also make a great gift to take back for people.

If you do, have a look at our post on why the KitKat is so famous in Japan and the best places to buy them on your trip

Handy Words to Know

English is used far more in Japan than it used to be (see more about how common it is here) but it’s still a good idea to know a few phrases.

Japanese is incredibly complex and there is more than one way to say many things, but these will get the message across even if they aren’t perfect.

48. Sumimasen – excuse me – you’ll say it a lot particularly when trying to get off trains. It also works as I’m sorry in a pinch, even though you’ll notice that the locals use ‘gomen nasai’ for that.

49. Arigato gozaimasu – thank you, but a bit more polite

50. Kudasai or onegaishimasu – please

51. Wakarimasen – means I don’t understand

52. Gochisousama – I was coached to pronounce this for 10 minutes during a food tour!

I still can’t quite do it – it’s kind of like goats’ cheese salmon. It loosely means thank you for preparing that meal and shows you enjoyed it. If like me, it’s too tough to remember, try oishi which also conveys that you’ve enjoyed the food and experience. Make waiting staff and chefs happy.

Things to Know About Bullet Trains

53. The Best Planning App

If you’re going to be using bullet trains, then download the Navitime app. It tells you the times of trains and it’s essential for planning a smooth trip in advance. You’ll save a lot of time making your seat reservations if you know what train you want to be on.

54. Be on Time, Move Quickly

The trains are punctual to the second and they don’t wait for stragglers – nor do they hang around for long at stations so be ready.

55. Be in the Right Queue

Shinkansen trains have two doors to each carriage and, if you have a reserved seat and get on the wrong one you’ll be fighting the tide to get to your seat. So, check if there’s a chart that looks like this by the doors.

It tells you which door is better for your seat number.

56. Where to Sit for Fuji Views

If you’re traveling from Tokyo to Osaka and want to see Mount Fuji from the train, book seats on the right and pay attention about 40-50 minutes into the journey. If you’re going the other way, book on the left and wait until about 40-50 minutes before you reach Tokyo.

57. The Quick Guide to the Japan Rail Pass

This is the Cliff Notes version: We do have longer posts on this, but right now, here’s the bullet point guide.

• • The Japan Rail Pass is a pass for tourists that lets you use trains around Japan without having to buy tickets every time.
• • You can now buy it inside Japan, but it’s cheaper to buy it in advance. You can order yours from Klook or buy it directly from Japan Rail Pass
• • You do NOT need one if you are only going to be in Tokyo.
• • It’s only worth it if you are making at least two long bullet train journeys – this rule will change in October when the pass goes up.
• • If you’re not sure, cost out your journey on Navitime.
• • Don’t lose it. It’s like cash. If it goes, it’s gone.
• • For more advice on whether you need a Japan Rail Pass for your trip check out our guide on if the JR Pass is worth it.
• • If however you’ve already decided you do want a rail pass but aren’t quite sure how it all works, then you need our guide to using the Japan Rail Pass instead.

58: How to Beat the Rail Pass Price Rise

The Japan Rail Pass is going up in price significantly in October 2023 – but, if you’re going to be in Japan before December 28th 2023, you can buy a pass at the old price and still use it. See more on what to do here.

After this point, it might be cheaper to buy individual tickets for your journey. You can do this in Japan at the ticket office, or, use an advance booking service to buy your tickets in advance. We have a full guide on the best places to buy Shinkansen tickets.

Other Trains

59. Get an IC Card

The easiest way to pay for train tickets is to buy an IC Card – often just referred to as a Pasmo or Suica. You then just load them with cash and they can be used on any line. As I mentioned above, it might not be the cheapest option, but it is the easiest.

60. Plan Your Exit 

Always check Google Maps to see what exit from the station you need (it’s marked with a little number). Otherwise, you could literally be on the other side of the area from where you need. Follow the yellow signs for the right exit when you get there.

61. Find the Magic Chart 

Google Maps also tells you which carriage to be in to find your exit – but, if you don’t have internet, on the wall of each Metro station, you’ll see a chart like this. This diagram is time-saving gold! It tells you exactly which carriage to get into to be nearest to exits or interchanges.

So, look up the name of the station where you’re getting off and then look for what you’re going to do when you get there – like change to the Ginza line or go to the exit. This will be marked on a carriage – that’s the closest one to be in.

62. Join the Queue 

Japanese people will line up to get on the train. And they file on in order too, so join the queue.

I forget this so often and just hang around the platform. Then have to get in line. If you live in London, I know you’re used to every man for himself on the tube, but this is the polite version.

63. Beware Lady Carriages (Gents)

If you notice a pink sign on the floor by the carriage doors or pink signs on the windows, you’re going into a ‘ladies only’ carriage – this is fine if you are a lady. If you’re not you might want to shuffle along the platform a bit.

64. Try and Avoid Rush Hour

Do NOT go on the Yamanote Line during rush hour because you’ve seen the people being pushed on trains on TV. It’s not fun at all!

Taxis and Ride Share

65. Don’t Touch the Doors

Taxi doors open and close automatically so you don’t need to touch them.

66. Be Understood

Make sure you pick up a card with the hotel’s address written on it in Japanese so you can show it to your driver. If you’re going somewhere other than your hotel, then ask your host to write down the address.

67. Red Means, Go!

That’s interesting… If you need to catch a cab on the street, don’t get confused. A red sign means it’s empty, a green sign means it’s not for hire.

68. Uber Isn’t the Same

Uber exists, but it isn’t as popular as it is elsewhere in the world and it will actually call you a normal taxi not a private car. Still, if you want to go somewhere and don’t have the address written down, it can be an easy way to make sure both you and your cab driver know where you’re trying to go.

Faux Pas Not to Make in Japan

Japan is a very polite society and there are a few things you should try not to do…

69. Blow Your Nose in Public

Despite the fact that you’ll often be handed tissues on the street, blowing your nose is not the done thing.

70. Eat or Drink While Walking Down the Road 

If you buy something from a vending machine, stay at the machine to consume it – the benefit of this. They are usually the only place with a bin (if you do end up with rubbish, convenience stores also usually have a bin).

71. Chat on Your Phone or Speak Loudly on the Train

You’ll be pleasantly surprised by how nice and quite it is!

72. Offering Your Seat to Someone Older Than You

I know it’s polite everywhere else but it’s just not done. It’s better to just stand up quietly and let the person take it if they want to. The exception to this is if you’re sitting in the priority seats at the end of the carriage (they’re marked) in which case, you should get up.

73. Stick Your Chopsticks Upright in Your Rice. 

Or pass anything to other people on the table with the ends of your chopsticks.

74. Pour Soy Sauce on Your Sushi

You’re supposed to lightly dip it in. In very formal sushi restaurants you also shouldn’t ask for more wasabi. The theory is the chef knows exactly the right amount to put on.

75. Be Careful About Taking Photos

This is mostly for those going to Kyoto. Some areas around the Gion district now forbid photography to protect the geisha and Maiko working in the area. You’ll see large wooden signs if you’re in one of these areas and there is a fine if you break the rule.

If you do want to meet a geisha or maiko on your trip, you can book organised tea or other activities where they will be happy to be photographed. Find a good recommendation in our guide to the best things to do in Kyoto.

Theme Parks and Attractions

76: What to Buy in Advance

You’ve probably worked out that a trip to Japan needs a bit of forward planning – but there are some attractions where you must book your tickets in advance or you probably won’t get in. Here are the big ones …

Ghibli Museum. If you want to visit this museum, you have to book a month in advance. Tickets for the whole month go on sale on the 10th of the month – so, if you’re travelling in May, you’d log on April 10 to buy your ticket. Buy them here.

Ghibli Park: Located in Nagoya about 90 minutes away from Tokyo, this park allows you to further immerse yourself into Ghibli’s world. Like the Museum it’s immensely popular. Tickets normally go on sale for a month of dates on the 10th of the month three months before, If you miss out you can buy accommodation packages – see more about those here.

Pokemon Cafe: The hardest ticket to get in Tokyo! You must be on the website, ready to go at 6 pm Japan time 31 days before the day of your reservation. Warning – they sell out in minutes.

Team Lab Borderless: This interactive exhibit is currently moving locations and will reopen in 2024 – it’s always very popular and the new one will be packed! Check to see if it’s open for your trip and book in advance here.

Shibuya Sky. This is the newest observation deck in Tokyo and it’s immensely popular at sunset. Tickets go on sale a month in advance and, while it’s advisable to book at any time, it’s essential if you want to be up there at sunset – and you’ll need to do it soon after the tickets go on sale. Book them here.

Tokyo Disneyland. You don’t always have to book these far in advance, but you do need to book for a specific date. Here’s what to do.

USJ: Universal Studios Japan in Osaka can get incredibly busy and it’s best to book tickets in advance – and essential if you want to use the express passes that let you cut the queues. See your options here.

77. Check Crowd Calendars

If you are going to Tokyo Disneyland, check one of the crowd calendars to find the least busy day during your trip. It will make a LOT of difference to your day to go when it’s less crowded. Try this one, but you’ll need to translate it into English.

Restaurants and Eating Out

78. You don’t need to tip

It’s not expected and you might even confuse people by doing it.

79. Beer is Frothy!

Expect to find a large head of froth on your beer – don’t complain! The Japanese think it makes the beer taste better.

80. Use the Basket

If there’s a basket by your seat, it’s for your bag.

81. The Mistake I Still Make

Money First. If you’re ordering from a food ticket machine, put the money in first. I forget this one every time. Once you’ve finished ordering, get your change by pushing the button and the ticket. Hand the ticket to the staff and wait for your meal.

82. Smoking is Allowed in Some Bars and Restaurants

But the ventilation seems to be pretty good. I’m very sensitive to smoke and can’t think of any bar or restaurant I’ve had to leave because of it – nor do your clothes smell the next day.

83. Veggies Watch Out

It can be quite hard to be vegetarian or vegan in Japan as some restaurants don’t always understand what classes as veggie or vegan.

Visit Happy Cow which has a whole Japan section, or Vegewel (who also list gluten-free restaurants) to find those that definitely do.

84. Get an Allergy Card

If you have a food allergy, you’re obviously going to want to convey information correctly. You can buy cards written in Japanese that explain you have an allergy and what to – or, this excellent resource from Allergy and Anaphylaxis Australia is free to print out.

85. Some Restaurants Might Not Serve You

Don’t be upset: Sometimes you might see a sign that says ‘no foreigners’ or be turned away from a small bar or restaurant. It’s not personal. Often it’s because the owners don’t speak enough English to feel they can serve you properly. Don’t get stressed or upset, just let it go and find the next cool place around the corner.

86. Hands, Hands. Hands. 

If you’re handed a damp cloth before your meal it’s for cleaning your hands, not your face.

87. Check Pricing

In some restaurants you’ll see two prices on the menu – one will be about 10 percent higher than the other. This is the ‘eat in’ tax and, if you sit in the restaurant you will be get charged it.

Things to Know About Onsens

88. You Will Be Nude

Onsens are hot water baths that you can soak in – but you have to do it naked! When I was on my first trip to Japan, I didn’t go because of that, but I’m so glad I got braver on trip two.

No-one cares about your naked butt in an onsen except you! Don’t miss out on going because you’re worried about having to strip off in front of strangers, they really don’t care about you.

89. Scrub First

This is the cardinal rule of onsen etiquette. You must wash your body before you get in the communal baths. There’s a room for this. Scrub everything.

90. Take Your Towel

Top tip: You’re given a little towel to carry in the onsen – you can strategically position it to hide some blushes. Don’t put it in the bath.

91. Learn Your Kanji

Onsens are segregated by gender. Make sure you go through the right door. Usually the curtains are different colors – red or pink for women, blue or navy for men.

If it’s a place that caters for tourists, the signs will also be in English – but, just in case, it’s handy to know the kanji for men and women.

男 – is men

女 – is women

92. Check Re Ink

Tattoos are traditionally frowned upon and you will find signs telling you that you can’t go in swimming pools or public onsens with them. If you can cover them, then do. If you have larger tattoos, the site Tattoo Friendly Japan will help you out a lot.

On this trip, there were signs at Thermae Yu, a public bath in Shinjuku that’s perfect for soaking away some aches saying that they were relaxing their tattoo rules for tourists. Women could go in with small tattoos and men could go in with certain types of tattoos covered – if they showed their passport to prove they were traveling.

That might sound strange and a bit sexist, but tattoos are still associated with organized crime in Japan so, they are more wary with men than women.

Using Japanese Bathrooms

Yes, trust me you do need a section on this – I’ve already told you you might need a little towel, but here are 3 other things to know…

93. Check Outside for Some Slippers

It’s not in every place, but if you are in a smaller bar or cafe, someone’s home, a public bath like Spa World in Osaka or Thermae Yu in Tokyo, or a royokan, you maynotice some slippers outside the door of the toilet. These are the bathroom slippers – use them.

And don’t forget to take them off when you come out.

94. The Toilets Are Talked About For a Reason 

Switch on your heated seat. You’ll thank me for this tip when your legs are aching after sightseeing.

95. Beware The Red Button

Toilet flushes can often be hidden in Japanese toilets for some reason – but, in a public bathroom, there can be an emergency button on the wall that calls for help! I have heard of people pushing this instead of the flush.

These buttons are usually bright red – do not push a red button!

Safety and Health

96. Don’t be Afraid to Experiment 

Restaurants are generally extremely clean so you don’t need to worry about food poisoning. You can also drink tap water in Japan.

97. Report Lost Items

If you lose something it’s likely to be returned. If you lose it on a train, visit a Travel Service Centre at the nearest station who can help you, or, ask your hotel reception to call the Lost and Found Department of the relevant train line. If it’s on the street, go to the police station close to where you think you lost it and ask for help.

98. Earthquakes do happen

The second night of my latest trip I was woken up by my phone screaming ‘earthquake, earthquake’ at 4.30 am. This is the Tokyo early warning system that’s triggered if a quake is coming that they expect to be over 5 in magnitude. I admit I was a bit scared at this point and wondering what was going to happen or what to do, but I didn’t feel it.

After a quick Google I found out that the alert triggers a few seconds before a quake will hit to allow you to take cover if you’re outside – and get away from anything that might fall if you’re inside.

As I said, I didn’t feel anything from this one, but people staying over by Tokyo Disney which was closer to the epicenter did feel things moving about.

I was a bit freaked out by all of this until I looked at the charts and found out there had been 7 earthquakes in the 48 hours I’d been there!!! They’re happening all the time, so don’t worry about them – just be aware of what to do if you do get caught in one.

Don’t panic, but do locate emergency exits and stairs when you get to your hotel room just in case you ever need to use them. You’ll also find a torch in your room for if the power goes out.

99. Make Sure You Have Insurance

Just in case. I have used CoverMore on my last two trips, but there are many, many companies to choose from.

100. Stay Calm

There’s something about booking your first trip to Japan that freaks people out. They get overwhelmed and I’ve seen people contemplate cancelling as they’ve got so panic. Chill, take a deep breath. It’s all going to be okay and we’re here to help. If you can’t find the answer to your question on the blog, come and ask questions in our Facebook group and I’ll do my best to help you.

So there you go 100 of the most essential tips to make planning a trip to Japan for the first time a bit easier – and, I hope a bit more special. If you enjoyed it, please share it with friends, and family, or on social media to help out other people wondering how to prepare for their first Japan trip.