First Trip to Japan: Practical Tips Before You Go

Japan has a reputation for being hard to figure out, but it is really one of the most orderly countries you can visit: almost everything works smoothly once you know a few unwritten rules. These are the tips we give every traveler before a first trip to Japan, from getting around by train to bath etiquette and what to do with a large suitcase.

Getting around: let the trains do the work

Japan’s rail network is dense, punctual and spotless. The shinkansen (bullet train) links Tokyo and Kyoto in a little over two hours, and city subways and commuter lines reach almost every neighborhood. Signs are in English as well as Japanese, and platform markings show exactly where each car will stop, so lines form neatly before the train arrives.

• The nationwide rail pass: it covers most of the national rail network for 7, 14 or 21 days. It only pays off if you take several long rides in a short period. For a classic Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka route, individual tickets often cost less, so do the math for your own itinerary before buying one.
• Rechargeable transit cards: a tap-to-pay IC card works on subways, buses and many trains in the big cities, and in convenience stores and vending machines too. You top it up with cash at station machines, and some versions can be added to a smartphone wallet.
• Taxis: clean and reliable but expensive over long distances. Rear doors open and close automatically, so let the driver handle them.

Money: carry cash, use cards where you can

Credit cards are now accepted in most hotels, department stores and city restaurants. Small family-run restaurants, temples, shrines, markets and rural shops, however, often still take cash only. ATMs in 24-hour convenience stores and post offices usually accept foreign cards, so withdrawing yen on arrival is easy. Keep enough cash for a meal and a few entrance fees at all times.

Tipping is not part of Japanese culture. Leaving money on the table can genuinely confuse staff, who may run after you to return it. Good service is simply expected, and a sincere thank you is enough.

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Etiquette at a glance

Japanese people are forgiving with visitors, and a small bow and an “arigato” go a long way. In Kyoto’s Gion district, do not photograph geiko or maiko without permission, and stay off the private lanes marked with signs.

Onsen: how hot spring baths work

A night at a ryokan with its own hot spring bath is one of the highlights of any first trip to Japan. A few rules make it relaxed rather than awkward:

• Wash thoroughly while seated at the shower stations before you get in. The bath itself is only for soaking.
• Bathing is done without swimwear, and baths are separated by gender, usually marked by colored curtains (often blue for men and red for women).
• The small towel never goes into the water; rest it on your head or on the edge.
• Some baths do not admit guests with visible tattoos. Others ask you to cover small ones, and many ryokan offer private baths you can reserve. We check the policy for you when booking.

Phones, power and useful apps

The easiest way to stay online is a data eSIM activated before you fly, or a pocket Wi-Fi router picked up at the airport. Japan uses 100-volt power with two flat-pin sockets, so most U.S. chargers fit as they are; three-prong plugs need an adapter. A translation app that reads text through your camera is invaluable for menus, ticket machines and signs, and an offline map of each city helps in underground stations with weak signal.

Luggage: travel light, forward the rest

Trains have limited space for big suitcases, and on some shinkansen lines very large bags require a reserved seat with an oversize luggage area. The common solution is a luggage forwarding service: you leave your suitcase at the hotel front desk and it is waiting for you at your next hotel a day or so later. It is ideal between Tokyo and Kyoto when you spend a night in Hakone with only an overnight bag.

Entry requirements

Entry rules depend on your nationality and can change. Many visitors, including U.S. passport holders, can currently enter visa-free for a short tourist stay, and Japan offers an online service to fill in your immigration and customs details before you land. Check the latest on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan website before you go, and see the Japan National Tourism Organization for practical travel information.

Planning your first trip

A first visit is where a private tour helps most: train tickets, transfers, ryokan bookings and luggage forwarding are all arranged before you arrive. In Japan you travel with an English-speaking guide (subject to availability); book early, and it is confirmed in your quote. Our Japan’s Golden Route private tour covers Tokyo, Hakone, Kyoto, Nara and Osaka in 10 days, from US$1,400 per person, confirmed in your quote. For spring, the Japan Cherry Blossom Tour runs 11 days from US$1,540 per person, confirmed in your quote.

Many of our travelers pair Japan with Vietnam, where we are based. If that sounds tempting, look at our 11-day Vietnam culture tour or read more about us as a Vietnam tour operator.