Japan travel tips: 5 essentials for first-timers

Do you need a Japan Rail Pass?

For years, the Japan Rail (JR) Pass was an automatic purchase for anyone visiting Japan. However, recent massive price increases mean it no longer pays off for a standard Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka route. You now need to do the math on your specific itinerary. If you are just doing a round trip from Tokyo to the Kansai region, buying individual Shinkansen (bullet train) tickets at the station is almost always cheaper.

Instead of a nationwide pass, look into regional passes if you are exploring a specific area, like the Kansai Wide Area Pass or the JR East Pass. These can offer incredible value if you plan to do multiple day trips from a single base, such as traveling from Osaka to Nara, Kobe, and Himeji. Because regional pass offerings and prices frequently change, check before you go to see what current deals apply to your route.

For individual tickets, you can buy them easily at the English-friendly ticket machines at major stations like Tokyo, Shinagawa, or Kyoto.

• Calculate your estimated train costs using online fare calculators
• Consider flying for long distances, like Tokyo to Sapporo
• Use the SmartEX app to book Shinkansen tickets in advance

Cash or card: How to pay in Japan

Japan used to be a strictly cash-based society, but that has changed dramatically. You can now use credit cards at most hotels, major department stores, and chain restaurants in big cities. However, you still absolutely need to carry cash for smaller establishments, street food vendors, and rural areas.

One of your first tasks upon arrival should be getting an IC card, like a Suica, Pasmo, or Icoca. These are rechargeable smart cards used to tap in and out of local trains and subways. You can also use them to pay at convenience stores like 7-Eleven, Lawson, and FamilyMart, as well as many vending machines. If you have an iPhone, you can add a digital Suica or Pasmo to your Apple Wallet before you leave home, allowing you to reload it instantly with your foreign credit card.

When you need cash, withdrawing money is easy. Simply take your foreign debit card to an ATM located inside any 7-Eleven or Japan Post Office, which offer English menus and reliable exchange rates.

• Always carry around 10,000 to 20,000 yen in cash
• Keep 100-yen coins handy for shrine donations and gachapon machines
• Notify your bank that you will be traveling to Japan to avoid blocked cards

How to manage your luggage on trains

Navigating crowded train stations with massive suitcases is a fast way to ruin your day. Japan has an incredibly efficient luggage forwarding system known as Takuhaibin, with Yamato Transport being the most famous provider. You can drop your heavy bags at the front desk of your Tokyo hotel and have them shipped directly to your next hotel in Kyoto or Osaka.

Shipping a standard suitcase usually takes one to two days, so pack a small overnight bag for the interim. The cost is very reasonable for the convenience it provides, allowing you to ride the bullet train stress-free.

If you decide to bring your large suitcases on the bullet train, be aware of the Shinkansen oversized baggage rules. If your luggage exceeds the standard limits in total dimensions (height, width, and depth), you are required to reserve a specific oversized baggage seat at the very back of the train car. If you board without this reservation, you will be hit with a steep fine by the conductor. Because these rules occasionally update, check before you go to ensure your suitcase fits the standard requirements without a penalty.

• Forward bags directly from Narita or Haneda airport to your hotel
• Keep your passport, medications, and electronics in a small day bag
• Ask your hotel concierge to help fill out the Japanese shipping waybill

What you must book in advance

First-timers often assume they can just show up to popular attractions, but Japan requires serious advance planning. Travel to Japan is booming, and tickets for the most famous spots sell out weeks or even months in advance. You cannot simply walk up to places like Shibuya Sky or teamLab Planets in Tokyo and expect to get in on the same day.

Theme parks are particularly strict. If you want to visit Universal Studios Japan in Osaka to see Super Nintendo World, or Tokyo Disneyland, you must secure your entry tickets online well before your trip. The same applies to niche cultural attractions like the Ghibli Museum in Mitaka or the Pokémon Cafe in Tokyo.

Restaurant reservations for high-end omakase sushi or popular wagyu beef spots also fill up instantly. Many of these highly-rated restaurants do not accept walk-ins at all, preferring to prepare exactly enough food for their reserved guests. Always research when the ticket windows open for your must-do activities, as many release their inventory exactly 30 or 60 days in advance at a specific time in Japan.

• Book teamLab and Shibuya Sky at least a month out
• Reserve Shinkansen tickets in advance if traveling during peak local holidays
• Ask your hotel to help book highly-rated local restaurants

Basic etiquette for first-timers

Japan is famous for its politeness, and following a few basic rules will help you blend in and respect the local culture. The most common mistake tourists make is eating or drinking while walking down the street. It is considered rude to walk and snack. Instead, if you buy a matcha ice cream in Kyoto or a skewer in Dotonbori, stand near the stall to eat it, throw your trash away there, and then continue walking.

Speaking of trash, public garbage cans are incredibly rare in Japan following security measures introduced decades ago. You will need to carry your trash with you until you find a bin, which are usually located next to vending machines (for bottles and cans only) or inside convenience stores. Bring a small plastic bag in your backpack for this exact purpose.

Additionally, remember to be quiet on public transport. While it is fine to chat quietly with your friends, speaking loudly or taking phone calls on local subway trains is frowned upon. Keep your phone on silent mode.

• Do not tip at restaurants, hotels, or taxis; it is often politely refused
• Stand on the left on escalators in Tokyo, but stand on the right in Osaka
• Always take your shoes off when entering a traditional tatami room

Plan it with your group

Organizing a trip to Japan with friends means keeping track of bullet train schedules, multiple hotel bases, and shared costs like nice sushi dinners. Triplanex makes this easy by giving your group a shared itinerary and map where everyone can see the schedule at a glance. You can use the app to vote on which Tokyo neighborhood to stay in and automatically split the costs for shared meals and activities without any stress.

Frequently asked questions