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Think you know Japan? Think again! Imagine landing in Tokyo with a suitcase full of assumptions, only to discover that half of them don’t hold true. Here are nine common myths to let go of before your trip to Japan.
Article by Helen Foster. Disclosure: Some links in this post are affiliate links. See our Affiliate Disclosure.
Myth 1: Japan Will Break the Bank
Convinced that Japan will drain your wallet faster than you can say ‘Yen,’ well, that’s not necessarily the case.
Of course, you can spend, spend, spend if you want to; a room at the luxurious Amanemu, reportedly Japan’s most expensive hotel, will set you back at least 215,000 yen a night and the Chef’s Omakase dinner at Kyoto-Kitcho in Arashiyama, one of it’s priciest restaurants, can cost as much as 124,000 during the autumn season when pricey ingredients like crab hit the menu, but you’ll also find budget business hotels that offer a small, but clean and comfy, room in the middle of everything for numbers closer to 11,000 yen.
And the unwritten rule that stops many ramen shop owners from charging more than 1000 yen a bowl means cheap eats are never far away.
Whatever you want to spend, Japan can fit snugly within your budget.
Related Read: Get an idea of everyday tourist costs in Japan in our budgeting guide.
Myth 2: There’s No English
Worried about a language barrier as high as Tokyo Skytree? Breathe easy, there are English signs all over the major cities in Japan, English menus can be common, and, while you might encounter the occasional communication hiccup, in the tourist areas at least, many Japanese are ready and willing to help with some English, especially if you try a few key phrases in Japanese first.
And if all else fails, grab your phone – apps like Google Translate and Payke make translation easy.
Our post on how much English you’ll find in Japan provides more specific examples for what to expect on transport, in restaurants, and in theme parks, and includes some handy tricks for if you do get stuck.
Myth 3: The Food Is All Sushi
Do not stress. If sushi is the only thing on your Japanese food radar, you’ll be pleasantly surprised when you arrive and find a whole host of different meal options that don’t involve anything resembling rice, seaweed or raw fish!
You can also rest if you don’t even like fish. There are at least 13 different types of Japanese cuisine that don’t revolve around our scaly friends – from smokey skewers of grilled chicken in a yakitori bar to comforting plates of curry rice with a kick. Find a full list of suggestions here.
Myth 4: Japan is Living in the Future
You’ve probably seen the TikToks that claim this, but, while Japan is synonymous with innovation, label it a tech utopia and you might be in for a surprise.
Ask someone working in Japan when they last used a fax machine, and you might be surprised to find out the answer is today.
When Mr Japlanease arrived, Apple Watch at the ready, expecting to tap and go at every opportunity, even he had to admit defeat by day two – and he hasn’t carried a wallet in Australia since 2020!
Arrive with just a digital ATM card, and you could find yourself in real trouble as the machines only accept physical versions of foreign bank cards. And while more places are accepting credit cards or cashless payments than they used to, you’ll still find a decent number that only take cash.
So yes, you can get coffee made by the cute Hamish in our first picture or checked into your hotel by a robot, the toilets are as magical as everyone says they are, and you can buy everything from a bottle of hot tea to a wagyu beef steak from a vending machine, not everything is quite as high-tech as you might think.
Related Read: Do you still need cash in Japan in 2025?
Myth 5: The People Are Very Serious
One of the reasons that Japan is so delightful to travel to is that people do follow the rules. And yes, there is a whole level of etiquette, respect, and hierarchy that can take years to master, but that doesn’t mean the Japanese don’t have a fun side.
Visit the Poop Museum in Odaiba and you’ll see Japanese ladies in twin seats grimacing on a fake toilet to earn their souvenir plastic poop.
When I asked my friend Jonelle to take me somewhere very Japanese on a trip a few years ago, she took me to the Trick Art Museum. At first, I was confused until I saw all the people around us throwing themselves into the experience and realised exactly what she was trying to show me.
Tokyo Disney is particularly joyous because of the delight the Japanese guests openly display on the rides, and ten minutes in a Karaoke bar at 11 pm will destroy any leftover images you might have about stuffiness! Yes, enjoy the ritual, tradition and elegance of Japan, but don’t miss out on the chance to have some fun as well.
Need Extra Planning Help?
Our Japan trip planners can help. You might like our 62-page Japan Super Planner, which includes tips on everything from picking hotels to sightseeing. Or our super-duper Tokyo Disney Planner makes arranging your park trip MUCH easier. We also have specialised planners like Tokyo Tips, Kyoto Tips, or the Rail Pass Planner. Find them in our Planners store – printable and digital versions are available.
Myth 6: Japan is Overcrowded with Tourists
Okay, so this might be a bit true in the most popular areas like Asakusa in Tokyo or around the main shrines and shopping streets of Kyoto, but I’ve spent days in Japan where I’ve been the only Western tourist in sight.
If you want to avoid people, try visiting the pretty town of Iwase with its award-winning sake brewery, visit Takayama after the crowds have gone home or, take a day trip to Kurayoshi, close to Tottori, probably the friendliest place I’ve been in Japan – I was even shown around someone’s house.
In big cities like Kyoto, seeking out lesser-known sights can help you find a peaceful moment in the madness. I was the only person at Kyoto’s Bonsai Garden in the middle of a public holiday, when elsewhere in Kyoto, the buses were too busy to get on.
Seek out the road less traveled and you’ll find peace, quiet and space to yourself.
Related Read: How to Beat the Crowds in Kyoto.
Myth 7: Japan is Crime Free
It’s definitely safer than most Western cities, particularly those with a high concentration of people. And yes, if you leave your bag on the train, there’s a very good chance that it will be returned to you with everything intact, but that doesn’t mean you can totally let your guard down.
Crimes against tourists are rare, particularly violent crimes, but pickpocketing is not unheard of, drinks do get spiked, and people do get ripped off in bars, so don’t leave your common sense completely back home! Even Shinjuku’s famous cat is on board to warn people about bar touts for example!
Related Read: 7 Dangers to Watch Out For in Japan
Myth 8: The Trains are NEVER late
Generally, the day-to-day service is incredibly punctual – but that doesn’t mean accidents don’t happen, that bad weather doesn’t affect things, or that very occasionally, one of Japan’s many earthquakes won’t stop everything moving for a few hours. One Shinkansen recently got stopped by a snake!
What this means is that you should allow for the possibility of delays, especially when trying to get back to the airport for your flight home – Osaka is a long way from Haneda or Narita if you have to get back when the trains stopped.
Myth 9: No One Uses Their Phone on the Train
This is a myth I see repeated in many of the Japan Facebook groups – and it’s partly true. It’s rare to find anyone talking on their phone, or playing videos or music out loud on their phone, but pretty much everyone is reading on it, playing games on it, watching TikTok videos or scrolling Instagram – silently!
Generally, public transport in Japan is pretty quiet – particularly the bullet train, so, keep voices down, if you do need to use your phone to speak, wait until you’re somewhere more private, or move between the carriages of the shinkansen, and PLEASE use headphones if you’re playing videos or music.
Actually, can we make that one the rule everywhere?
So, there are some of the most common myths about Japan that you might be falling for busted. If you believed most of them, you might also want to check out our guide on mistakes not to make on your trip, just in case.
Who Writes This Blog?
My name is Helen Foster, and I’m a journalist and author. My travel articles have appeared in publications including The Australian, Escape, RAC Horizons, Jetstar Magazine, Sainsbury’s Magazine, and more.
I’ve traveled to Japan eight times before – solo and with my partner and visited over 25 towns and cities. My last visit was November 2024 so, everything here is pretty up to date.