Japan is a popular tourist destination for it’s dizzying array of experiences, mouth watering food, and otherworldly beauty. Japan can be a rewarding destination but, for all its charm, possesses a knack for confounding the unprepared. Here are 10 tips for planning a trip to Japan.
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- Japan has visa exemption arrangements with over 60 countries for short-term stays for tourism, up to 90 days. This includes the US and Canada and many more. Check here to see if your country qualifies for a visa exemption. If it does, just make sure your passport expiry date is at least three months after your intended departure date from Japan.
- Plan ahead if you want to see popular attractions such as Ghibli Museum and Tokyo Disneyland/DisneySea. You may need to get tickets months in advance. Other attractions that may require booking at least a few days in advance include Universal Studios Japan, Saihōji (Kokedera) Temple, and teamLab Borderless.
- If you plan on traveling around the country, a Japan Rail Pass can simplify things. With the pass, you can ride unlimited JR local, regional and express trains throughout the country. Use this calculator to help determine if it will actually be an economical choice for you. Keep in mind that you need to buy the pass online before arriving in Japan. When you arrive, you’ll spend 20-30 minutes exchanging your voucher.
- Get a rechargeable IC card to tap and pay for public transit. Depending on where you buy it, it may be called, Suica, Pasmo, Icoca, etc., but it will work interchangeably on subways, trains, and busses in most large cities. You can return most of these cards for a refund before you leave the country. Currently there is a shortage of the cards however so when we visited, the only one we could easily get was a Pasmo Passport card (at the airport), which is a tourist card good for only 30 days, and non-refundable.
- Use Google Maps to check train routes, schedules, and prices in Japan. You can adjust your setting to choose “prefer fastest route” or “prefer simplest route” etc.
- Pack good walking shoes and anything you need to protect yourself from the sun. Slip on shoes may be a good idea as you will find yourself taking your shoes of often if visiting temples and some restaurants.
- The power socket is type A & B which is the same as North and Central America plugs.
- Credit cards are widely accepted in Japan but a lot of smaller shops and restaurants are still cash only so make sure you have Yen (¥) available. ATMs in convenience stores tend to work well with foreign cards if you have trouble finding a good ATM elsewhere. Tipping is considered rude so hold onto your extra change.
- Water in Japan is safe to drink so pack a refillable water bottle.
- Make sure you have Google Translate on your phone and download the Japanese Language to help with reading menus when there is none available in English.
- Google Maps is extremely helpful for walking directions (including multiple floor maps of department stores), and step by step public transit directions. Do not ignore information such as what train car to choose for easiest transfer, and do not be tempted to get on an earlier train than Google tells you just because it has the same final destination.
- Read the room. If you’re on public transit or in a temple and notice near complete silence, respect that with your own silence.
- There is no set dress code for Japan, other than perhaps at upscale restaurants. That said, you’ll find most Japanese people have cleavage, bellies, shoulders, and knees covered with loose fitting clothing, and often with several layers. If you want to blend in just a little, try for loose full length or calf length pants or skirts, and breathable full coverage tops.
Let me know if you have any more tips for planning a trip to Japan!
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