23 Essential Things to Know Before Going to Japan

I just got back from two incredible weeks in Japan and I’m already dreaming about my return.

If you’re planning your first trip (or are deep in itinerary mode), I’m equal parts excited for you… and jealous. Japan is magical, and this post is packed with all the things to know before going to Japan. These are definitely the tips I wish someone had told me before my own trip.

You’ll get tips on navigating transportation, avoiding common first-timer mistakes, and understanding cultural norms so you can feel confident, prepared, and enjoy every moment of your trip.

How to Use a Digital Suica Card

Suica is one of the metro cards that is used in Japan. If you have an iPhone, a digital Suica card is going to be a game changer and your best option for using the public transportation system as there is currently a shortage in physical cards.

We used it across Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka. 

To get the card follow these steps:

1. Go to the Wallet app on your iPhone
2. Click the plus button
3. Click on “Transit Card” 
4. Search for “Suica”
5. Follow the prompts to add it to your wallet

It’s important to know that if you are using a foreign credit card, you have to use a MasterCard or AmEx in order to add money to the virtual card. Visa cards will not work. 

You can put any amount you want on the card. Google Maps will tell you how much the cost of a journey will be so you can easily put the exact amount on your card if you want.

We started off with one of the suggested amounts because we knew that we would be using the trains/buses almost exclusively throughout the trip. Then, the last couple of days, we just topped off the card with the exact amount we needed prior to each trip. That way we finished out our trip with a zero balance. 

I’d recommend getting your virtual card set up before your trip so that you’re ready to go once you land.

Use Google Maps to Navigate Public Transit

Be sure you have internet access so that you are able to use Google maps to help you get around. It’s very accurate and easy to follow and you can use it for both the bus and the subway system. 

Just note that the walking time that it gives you between transferring from one train line to another may sometimes be optimistic. You may take a bit longer as some stations are really large and it can take a few minutes to get your bearings and figure out which direction you need to walk in.

Just remember that there are plenty of trains so if you miss one, you can just grab the next one. 

Tokyo Metro Closes Earlier Than You Might Expect

Contrary to what you may think, the metro doesn’t run at all hours of the day.

The Tokyo metro stops running around midnight. Just be sure to plan accordingly if you’re going to be out late.

I also recommend avoiding the last train if at all possible. It’s usually jam packed. I’m talking uncomfortably packed and there are typically some very drunk people on it. I would also avoid trains during rush hour if you can as they are likely to be more packed as well. 

Use Uber for Late Nights or When You’re Tired of Transit

There is a local taxi app that you can download but we didn’t bother with that as Uber worked just fine. While I do recommend you use public transportation 90% of the time because it’s just so efficient and cost effective, there will be times when you just want to call a taxi.

Uber makes it quick and easy to call a taxi and you won’t need to pay the taxi driver directly as it’s all handled through the app.

Money, SIM Cards, and Everyday Tech in Japan

Japan is incredibly modern, but a few tech and money quirks can catch first-time travelers off guard. These tips will help you stay connected and avoid any issues.

Stay Connected with an eSIM or Local SIM Card

You could get a local sim card but if you have an unlocked phone, I recommend getting an eSim.

You will 100% need internet access in Japan both to use Google Maps for navigating the transit system and to use Google Translate to help you with the language barrier.

Japan Is Still a Cash-Based Society

Japan is very much a cash-based society and it’s good to have cash on hand.

While most of the restaurants and bars we went to did accept credit cards, most street food / small shops won’t. You’ll also need cash for entrance to temples, some shrines, and other tourist attractions.

Need Cash? 7-Eleven ATMs Are Your Best Friend

Believe it or not, 7/11 is one of the best places to get cash from. Just don’t forget your debit card!

They have an ATM at the front of the store and there’s usually one within a few blocks of you at all times in all of the major cities. If you’re headed to one of the smaller towns or more rural areas, just grab some cash beforehand to be on the safe side.

No Power Converter Needed (If You’re from the US)

Good news, if you’re traveling from the US, you won’t need to worry about bringing a convertor with you as the plugs are the exact same and the voltage is compatible. Keep in mind that the outlets are two prong so if you have a three prong plug that will not work. 

There Are No Publish Trash Cans

Yup, you read that right. For the most part, you won’t find trash cans while you’re out and about. I think we saw a trash bin a grand total of twice in our entire trip. If you have trash, you will likely need to hold onto it until you get back to your hotel. 

When we saw people ordering coffee and pastries to go, they would typically drink/eat right outside the coffee shop and then hand their trash back to them before heading on their way. 

This is really important to know because a lot of the coffee shops in Tokyo (and the rest of Japan) are tiny so you may not find a seat.

Yes, Japan Really Has Vending Machines on Every Corner

One of the most fascinating things about Japan is the abundance of outdoor vending machines on street corners (sometimes there are even several clustered together). 

They are seriously everywhere so if you need something to drink, you’ll likely have options every block or so (just remember, you probably won’t find somewhere to throw the trash away when you’re done). 

Weirdly enough, we didn’t see any vending machines with food, which personally seems like a missed opportunity because who wouldn’t love to get some drunk snacks from a vending machine!?

Wait staff are paid a livable wage and there is no tipping culture in Japan. In fact, our friends had a woman chase them down an entire block to return 10 yen (less than $0.01 USD) they accidentally gave them.

Instead, if you love your meal, be sure to express gratitude by saying “gochisou-sama deshita” as you are leaving the restaurant. The Japanese really take pride in what they do and when we used that phrase in Kyoto, the chef was beyond happy.

Can You Visit Onsens in Japan If You Have Tattoos?

Traditional onsens are a beautiful part of Japanese culture and are hot baths filled with geothermal water from hot springs. There are plenty of public baths that you can visit or you can find private ones that you either reserve or that come with your stay in a traditional Japanese inn (known as Ryokans).

It’s important to note that most public onsens do not allow you to visit if you have any tattoos. 

If you have tattoos and want to visit a traditional onsen, be sure to do your research ahead of time as you can find the occasional public onsen that will allow you to enter with tattoos. Or, just find a private option!

While I don’t have a photo of an onsen, the Buddhist temple we stayed at in Mount Koyasan (pictured below) did have an onsen that we loved.

You’ll Walk a Lot So Bring Comfortable Shoes

I got this advice before I went to Japan and I didn’t think much of it. I mean I always walk a lot on a trip, why would this be any different? Well, it was.

We walked between 7-10 miles every single day and that was with trying to be careful because I have a bad knee. Trust me, with walks to and from the metro station, within the station, wandering around neighborhoods, etc it really adds up and you are going to be miserable if you don’t have a really comfortable pair of shoes.

As I mentioned, I have a really bad knee and the shoes I can put a lot of mileage in are my Hokas. And if you want something cuter, I bought these booties that have built in arch support before my trip and they were pretty comfortable (I wore them almost every day of the trip).