JAPAN TRAVEL TIPS FOR FIRST TIMERS | 50+ Must-Knows Before Visiting Japan + What NOT to Do!

JAPAN TRAVEL TIPS FOR FIRST TIMERS | 50+ Must-Knows Before Visiting Japan + What NOT to Do!

If you are visiting Japan for the first time, 
make sure you watch this video because in it   I’m going to be sharing the most important ultra-specific 
tips and must-knows, from how to score free domestic flights and save money on shopping, 
to super-niche things like the best snacks to get from Japan’s most iconic convenience stores. Now 
in case you’re new here, hi, I’m Christina from   HappyToWander.com and this channel is all about 
practical travel advice from someone who’s been there, done that. I just got back from about 2 weeks 
in Japan, a portion of which was with Airalo, my go-to eSIM company and this week’s sponsor, who 
invited me on their first-ever brand trip, which   was so much fun but more on them later. Now this 
video will focus on general tips for Japan but I do have some more specific videos for Tokyo 
and Kyoto coming as well, so be sure to like   and subscribe so you don’t miss them. Now let’s 
get started with some Japan travel planning tips. In terms of where to go, do know that Japan 
is separated into 47 prefectures across eight regions, so there really is a lot to see and do. 
These regions are, from north to south, Hokkaido, known for its amazing nature and outdoors, 
especially snow sports in the winter, as well   as their milk which is weirdly amazing; Tohoku, 
which is known for its beautiful landscapes and hot springs; Kanto, which is where you’ll 
find the country’s capital of Tokyo; Chubu, which is known for its dramatic mountainscapes, 
including the iconic Mount Fuji; Kansai, famous for its mix of natural and cultural offerings, 
as well as the major cities of Kyoto and Osaka; Chugoku, home to a number of unique 
natural and historic sites including   Hiroshima; Shikoku, which is known for its 88 
temple pilgrimage route, feudal castles, and unspoiled nature; and Kyushu, which is known for 
its epic nature, from volcanoes to hot springs, as well as the island chain of Okinawa, which 
some consider a distinct region of its own. Now the most common trip for first- timers is a 
mixture of sites in Kanto and Kansai, namely Tokyo and Kyoto, sometimes Osaka. This is what I did on my 
trip, with a day trip to Nara, and it was definitely perfect for a first-time visit. I mean, we could 
have tried to squeeze in more in the two weeks but   honestly, my best advice is that you really just 
need to make peace with the fact that you won’t get to see everything and accept that it’s better 
to explore a handful of destinations thoroughly   rather than rush through them. So give your 
itinerary some room to breathe and your future self will definitely thank you. Another reason the 
Tokyo and Kyoto/Osaka combo is so popular is, of course, the main international airports of Japan 
are located in Tokyo and Osaka, but you should know that there are programs for free and discounted 
domestic flights. Now this is a tip that I think   most people don’t know because it is still so new 
but basically, in 2024, both National Airlines in Japan, being JAL Japan Airlines and ANA All Nippon Airways, 
introduced special programs where you can actually add extra domestic flights to your journey for 
free or for a heavy discount. Now I’ll leave the links for that in the description for you to check 
out but definitely something to take advantage of   if you want to see more of Japan beyond the major 
cities. Now apart from flights, accommodation will be your biggest cost and honestly, in big cities 
like Tokyo and Kyoto, the prices can be crazy. So definitely make sure that you’re booking ahead 
and I would also advise you prioritize hotels   that are near transport hubs for convenience, 
and also pay attention to things like room size. In terms of accommodation, Airbnbs aren’t usually 
a great option for many reasons, and hotels offer a lot of extra perks that you can use in 
Japan, like being able to coordinate things   like luggage delivery or storing bags before 
and after your stay. If affordability is an issue, I would recommend looking into big business 
traveler oriented chains instead. There are tons   of these in Japan that cater to business budgets 
and can therefore offer some great reliable value. Some really big ones include Smile Hotel, Daiwa 
Roynet, Dormy Inn: beloved for their perks like on-site Sentos (which are hot spa baths) and 
free ice cream, yogurt, and noodles. An honorable mention does go to Henn Na hotels, which are usually 
super affordable but that’s because they’re mainly staffed by robots, often dressed up as dinosaurs 
and yes, you can look that up because it is 100% real! Another option that you’ll see everywhere as 
a cheap option is APA, though I would probably not book with them for tons of different reasons that 
you may have read about recently in the news, but   I will let you decide that for yourself. There are 
some special types of accommodation to look into as well, if you’re looking for a unique experience. 
For instance, Ryokan, which are Japanese style inns known for their tatami mat rooms that look like 
this, and this is where you’ll be sleeping on roll-out   futon pads and where you’ll get to enjoy set 
meals like a multi-course dinner and breakfast included in your stay. These can be pricier 
but definitely worth putting on your radar,   especially when there’s cool perks like a private 
onsen involved. And there are, of course, also the infamous love hotels which provide short stays 
starting by the hour that are designed for people seeking a bit of ‘private time.’ There are actually 
said to be over 20,000 of these in Japan and I have heard many stories of tourists unknowingly 
booking them because they were cheap, not realizing   their main intended purpose. In any case, now you 
know! Regardless of whether you’re booking hotels or flights though, a very crucial thing to keep 
in mind, if you’re coming from overseas, is always triple check the time difference and any changes 
in day when you’re booking. For instance, coming from Vancouver, Canada: Tokyo was 16 hours ahead, 
so I arrived a day later than my departure date. I’ve heard lots of horror stories from people 
accidentally booking hotels for the wrong days   or even missing their flights because they forgot 
to account for this time difference, so make sure that is not you. Now in terms of when to visit, do 
know that Japan has very distinct seasons, each with their own sets of pros and cons. Generally, the 
‘peak’ peak seasons across the board include cherry blossom season, which is generally mid-March 
to early April; autumn foliage season, generally   mid-October to the end of November; and the period 
known as Golden Week, which refers to a period from late April to early May where there’s four 
national holidays stacked up in close succession,   which makes it a very, very popular time for locals 
to travel around the country. Now while crowds can be thinner in between these periods, the reality 
is that Japan is almost always busy and most in-between periods also have issues of their own. June, 
for instance, is rainy season, which is something   that I personally experienced firsthand. And July 
to August is known for its stifling heat; and with the winter, of course, the days are short and a 
lot of the iconic gardens that the country is   known for are pretty dead. So just keep all these 
factors in mind when you’re deciding when to go. Next, you should know which apps to download to 
make your Japan trip a thousand times easier. First, this isn’t an app but Visit Japan Web is the 
portal where you can make an account and fill out   your customs declaration digitally so you don’t 
have to do the paper version. You can also enter your information to get a QR code and you can 
actually scan that for tax-free shopping as well,   and so that’s going to save you a bit of hassle 
and time when you go to tax-free shops. Another one you’ll definitely need is Google Maps, more on 
this one later but you will definitely be using it   everyday. As well as Google Translate, which you can 
use to translate signs and menus super easily. I would advise downloading Japanese for offline use 
as well, just in case, so you can use it whenever.   There’s also a very cool app called Payke that 
lets you scan any barcode and then it’s going to pull up the product description in English for you, 
which is super helpful when you’re shopping around. And finally, there’s this super random app with no 
reviews that I downloaded from the app store, that   nobody ever talks about, but it was exactly what 
I needed so I’m going to share it with you now; it’s called Travel Japan and it’s basically a 
Japanese phrase book that has the most important   phrases for different contexts, and then you can 
hear all the different phrases you need in a very clean and organized way. Next, to use all these apps in 
advance of your trip, something super important is that you make sure you have data access available 
to you as soon as you land in Japan. And I do mean   the moment you arrive because you’ll need internet 
for all sorts of things almost immediately, from translating signs to filling out customs forms 
to save time. This is why I far prefer an eSIM over waiting to buy a physical SIM card or pocket 
Wi-Fi. So on that note, this week’s video is brought next tip, which is that you should definitely 
try to find a Japanese show, manga, character, etc., to become obsessed with before you go on your 
trip. Fan culture is massive in Japan and trust me, it really enhances the experience a million times 
if you have a particular anime or character or thing that you love. Luckily, I grew up with Sanrio 
and Pokémon, so I had an amazing time. Let me know in the comments if you have any Japanese things 
that you’re also completely obsessed with. Next, let’s talk about Japan transport tips and getting 
around. In terms of traveling from city to city, Japan is probably best known for its extensive 
rail system, especially its incredible Shinkansen, which is the local term for bullet train. These 
high-speed trains can get you from Tokyo to Kyoto   in just over 2 hours. Now a lot of first- timers 
wonder what the best way is to get tickets, so one thing you really should know is that train prices 
in Japan are generally fixed and buying individual   tickets is usually best. Now a lot of people 
wonder about passes like the JR pass, that gives you unlimited train travel for a set price but due 
to recent price increases, this is honestly very rarely worth it these days, instead buying tickets 
as you need them works really well, even once you   arrive since the price doesn’t actually go up 
closer to the date like it does in other countries. The good news is, because of how many trains there 
are running, it’s very rare that you’ll have zero   options for getting from point A to point B due 
to not booking a ticket in advance. There’s also almost always cars with unreserved seats that 
are first, come first serve, but if you want to   guarantee a specific seating arrangement, let’s 
say you want to make sure you sit with your travel buddies or you want a window seat that faces Mount 
Fuji, for instance, or maybe you want a seat that   includes space for large suitcases, then it is best 
to book those in advance to avoid disappointment. But there are many other train types beyond 
the Shinkansen that might make more sense for   your journey, so always look out for different 
options rather than opting for the Shinkansen automatically. There are also special tourist 
trains, like the Aaoniyoshi Sightseeing Limited   Express, that offers an elegant atmosphere and 
special tourist perks like extra luggage space that you might want to look into, as well 
as lots of fun privately-owned trains that   don’t necessarily show up on Google Maps, like 
the romantic train Sagano – that takes you from Kyoto to Rashyama – and the famous Pikachu train! 
Now to make travel seamless, I do highly recommend you download a digital IC card, like a Suica card, 
to use on your phone for quick payments. IC cards are super popular in Japan and are basically 
prepaid cards that you can use for contactless   payments in a variety of places, including public 
transport, vending machines, convenience stores, and yes, even claw machines, which I learned was very, 
very dangerous for me personally! Having a card like this allows you to just tap in and out of 
public transport without needing to worry about   getting the right ticket, and knowing you have the 
right zones, and what you’re paying, so it really does make life a lot easier, especially if you can 
get one downloaded on your phone. Suica cards are some of the most popular IC cards and these 
days, you can actually just load one directly   onto your Apple Wallet, which makes topping up a 
breeze. Alternatively, there are other IC cards you can get too, though the best one might depend on 
where exactly in Japan you’re going because some   are more commonly accepted in certain regions 
than others. Now in terms of taking trains in Japan, there are certain things that first- timers 
might not be used to. I feel like this topic could   honestly be a whole video in itself, so let me know 
in the comments if you’d like a full train guide to Japan, but do keep the following in mind. First, 
beware that stations are huge and confusing, so plan to arrive early. I should also note that 
trains in Japan are super punctual and there are many of them, so don’t ever board too early, 
at least not until you double-check the train   number. I’ve heard lots of stories of first-timers 
boarding what they thought was their train but it was actually one departing earlier than theirs 
from the same platform, so in the end it wasn’t   the right train. Speaking of double-checking, do 
double-check station names as well. Most cities will have multiple stations, like Shin-Osaka versus 
just Osaka. Shin is a word that you’ll encounter a lot in Japanese, it basically means the newer 
version of something, so Shin-Osaka would be the new Osaka station. Also, if there’s a train with a 
route that is super popular with tourists, let’s say from Kyoto to Nara, for instance, do definitely 
keep walking along the platform to cars that are further down to avoid the crowds. Usually, if you 
keep walking until the end, few people make it that   far and you might even have a car all to yourself. 
I should say as well, if luggage is a stressor for, you that Japan does actually offer some very 
reliable luggage delivery services to save you   from bringing it all with you. Yamato is a very 
popular company for this, but most hotels actually work with specific couriers, so definitely ask your 
hotel if they offer this as an option. Now in terms of getting around once you’re in your destination, 
do plan that every journey will take at least 10   minutes more than Google Maps tells you, if not 
more. Now this is because Japanese train stations can be massive, so finding the right exit can 
actually be a huge challenge in itself, but also places can often be really hard to find because in 
larger cities, many businesses are actually stacked on top of each other on multiple floors, both in 
malls and in different buildings, so following the blue dot on Google Maps might not actually be all 
that helpful. So if you’re looking for a specific business, do look in the address for a bit that 
ends with F because usually, that’s going to tell   you which floor that exact business is on. Now I 
do have to say, while you’ll no doubt have your share of walking in Japan and public transport 
in most cities is excellent, taxis are pricey but can be worth it for the time saved, especially 
when you’re traveling in a group. Uber is actually   an app that you can use to call a taxi in Japan, 
so this can make things a lot easier in terms of making sure they get your destination right even 
with the language barrier. But do know that when   you’re calling a taxi through the Uber app, that 
is still going to be using the taxis metered fare, so in some cases, the rate will actually be more 
than the estimate that they give you on the app,   which did happen to me a few times. But if you’re 
taking a taxi, a final FYI is that taxi doors do open automatically for you, or the driver likes 
to get it for you, so don’t try to open the door   yourself. Alright, now this next section is going 
to be a big one, let’s talk about Japan food and drink tips! First, don’t stress. Japan honestly 
has tons of great places to eat everywhere, so you should really try not to over-plan. I think a 
lot of first- timers get caught up in wanting to try places that they’ve seen go viral on social 
media, or ones that have really high ratings on   Google Maps but honestly, I do think this is a big 
mistake. There are truly excellent options all over the place, so I would prioritize the sites that 
I want to see and then find food close by rather than plan the entire itinerary around famous food 
spots. This can just result in you standing in long line-ups with other tourists who saw that exact 
same TikTok as you and, especially in large cities   like Tokyo and Kyoto, this can really mess up the 
flow of your sightseeing. So definitely go find your own gems, you don’t necessarily need to go to 
all the ‘viral spots.’ In terms of reviews though, do beware that Japanese reviewers are notoriously 
harsh, and the go-to local app for restaurant reviews isn’t actually Google Maps, it’s Tabélog,
so be sure to use that app if you want to   see what locals are saying. Next, you have probably 
heard the rumors and I am here to confirm that Japanese convenience stores have tons of tasty 
and affordable options if you’re on a budget. The main ones that you’ll find on pretty much every 
corner include 7-Eleven, FamilyMart and Lawson. Honestly, all of them sell a similar assortment 
of to-go food options like onigiri, buns, snacks, and drinks – even hot bottled ones to go, by the way, 
which I’ve never experienced before – as well as to- go meals that you can get heated up on site. In 
any case, it’s fun to scope out each one and see which one you prefer and what’s different. 7-Eleven, 
for instance, I love because they have these really   great affordable smoothie cups that you can buy 
and get blended on site, so that’s perfect for getting some veggies and fruit in. And FamilyMart 
is quite well known for its Famichicki, which is a surprisingly delicious and juicy piece of fried 
chicken. They’re also known for their weirdly nice quality apparel, like FamilyMart branded 
socks. Now in terms of types of food places,   you’ll honestly find all kinds of establishments 
for every price point, so make sure you’re trying a wide variety of Japanese dining experiences 
and styles. Some terms to familiarize yourself with include isakaya, now these are Japanese 
pubs that serve alcohol, along with a menu of   tasty snacks and smaller dishes, like skewers and 
sashimi. Omakase, which is a style of dining that translates to “I leave it up to you” and gives the 
chef full control over what you’re having, perfect   if you’re indecisive. Yakinikiu, which is Japanese 
barbecue where the meat is usually cooked to your liking at table grills. And, of course, teppanyaki, where 
your meal is prepared by chefs in front of you on a hot griddle, though I have to say, in Japan, 
it is less of a fun entertainment experience with tricks like in North American teppanyaki 
places like Benihana, so be prepared for that. In any case, Japanese food is absolutely incredible 
and honestly, there are way too many good things   to list but you should definitely familiarize 
yourself with the most common Japanese must-tries in terms of food. Let’s start with ramen, this 
is THE go-to affordable noodle soup dish that’s perfectly rich and comforting, often served quickly 
as well, which is ideal for tourists. There’s a lot   of different kinds of soup bases like shio, which 
is salt, shoyu, which is soy sauce, miso, which is fermented bean paste, and tonkotsu, which is made 
with pork bones, but there are tons of different variations depending on where you go, so just 
try them all. There’s also noodles of all kinds honestly, like udon, which are thick and chewy 
wheat flour noodles, or soba, which is made with   buckwheat. Both come in infinite varieties, often in 
broth and trust me, you just have to try them all. Another one is sushi, of course, though beware 
that the options might be different to what you’re   used to back home. Sushi in Japan tends to be quite 
simple because they prioritize fresh ingredients so you want to actually be able to taste them. 
Sashimi, which is just raw seafood, or nigiri, which is raw seafood on a ball of sushi rice, are 
usually the most common. Another really good one   is Japanese curry, which involves a rich sauce base 
made with curry powder, along with your protein of choice. This is an absolute must-have in terms of 
comfort food. Related to this is curry bread, which is like a stuffed bread pocket with curry inside 
that’s coated in breadcrumbs and deep fried… so, so good. Another staple is onigiri, which are these 
readily available rice balls with different fillings and usually a layer of crispy seaweed 
outside. There’s also okonomiyaki, which is like a savory omelette pancake made of eggs, flour, cabbage, 
and all sorts of different fillings and toppings; and grilled skewers like yakitori, which is made 
with chicken or skewers with other grilled meats. And we are not done! In terms of sweet treats, I 
can really recommend daifuku, which is stuffed mochi,   or glutinous rice cake, that comes with different 
fillings like red bean paste being a popular one, though I’m personally partial to the custard ones. 
There’s also taiyaki, which are these crispy filled   griddle cakes, usually in the shape of a fish 
but you can sometimes find other fun ones like this Snoopy one that I got in Kyoto. And honestly, 
anything with Hokkaido milk, which is milk from Japan’s Hokkaido region, known for its distinctive 
creaminess and rich flavor. Ice cream or cakes made with it are so good. And honestly, anything matcha-flavored, 
from ice cream to pastries is delicious. But in general, the amazing sweet buns that you’ll 
get in convenience stores and bakeries all over   are a really affordable and delicious option. My 
favorite is the melon pan, which isn’t flavored like melon by the way, but it’s named that way 
because it’s a sweet bun with a crackly crust   on top that kind of looks like a melon. Okay, sorry 
for the specificity but I know how stressful it is trying to figure out what to eat in Japan, 
so comment ramen below if you’re still with me!   I know it doesn’t sound possible but honestly, all 
these recommendations are just barely scraping the surface. On top of these general ones, something 
I really advise is you try local specialties depending on where you are. Japan actually has 
quite a varied food scene, so try to eat based on what the place is well known for as well, instead 
of just trying sushi and ramen everywhere you go. Now when you’re dining out, something you’ll 
often encounter is that some places will   actually outright require you to buy one 
drink per person or one dish per person. In my experience, this will be written somewhere 
on the menu or they’ll disclose it to you as   soon as you sit down. Apparently, the reason for 
this is many smaller restaurants don’t actually profit too much off the food, so they enforce 
a drink minimum just to help ensure that they   actually make money, which I personally think 
is fair. Related to this is that many bars and izakayas will actually charge a cover fee of 
a few hundred yen and generally, they’ll say   that this includes a small appetizer of some kind, 
though you truly never know what you’re going to get and based on personal experience, they’re not 
always the tastiest appetizers, so just keep that   in mind. Speaking of drinks though, you should also 
get familiar with all the different fun drinks that are available in Japan because it’s honestly 
not just about the food here. On the non-alcoholic front, tea is obviously huge. Matcha, which is 
powdered green tea, might now be known worldwide but I also really like sencha, which is the usual 
green tea that they serve in restaurants, and hojicha, which is roasted green tea. But honestly, there 
are tons of types of tea that you can try and you can get them bottled both hot and cold in most 
convenience. Other great soft drinks include sport   ion drinks like Pocari Sweat, which sounds gross 
but really helps you stay hydrated; and fermented dairy drinks like Yakult and Calpis that are 
weirdly refreshing and delicious. I know it doesn’t   sound good but it’s very, very good. In terms of 
alcoholic drinks, most places are big on beer and, of course, sake, which is a rice-based wine but 
another one that’s quite unique that I discovered on this trip are sours, specifically lemon sours, 
which are these super refreshing cocktails   made with shochu, soda water, and fresh lemon juice. 
They’ll also do all sorts of other flavored fruit sours which are amazing on a hot day. Plum wine or 
Umeshu is another popular one that’s delicious on its own or mixed with soda water, and whiskey is 
also huge in Japan with highballs being another popular mixed drink, combining whiskey and soda 
water. Next, do definitely check out local chains for an affordable and casual meal option on the 
go. Yes, it is fun to eat at independent restaurants but honestly, Japan has so many amazing chains that 
are well worth experiencing, like Coco Ichibanya, which is Japan’s most beloved curry chain; Yayoi Ken, which 
specializes in home-style teishoku set meals with bottomless rice refills; and Marugame Seimen 
for inexpensive udon. Now, let’s move on to some Japan tips for attractions. First, very important, do 
make sure you’re booking ahead for popular spots and attractions to avoid disappointment. And I’m 
talking months early. The new Nintendo Museum, for instance, requires you to put your name in a draw 
3 months before your desired visit. Other big ones you should definitely book in advance include 
TeamLabs installations, there’s a few of them   and usually you should book these at least a few 
days in advance, as well as popular viewpoints like Shibuya Sky, especially at peak times like sunset, 
and honestly, lots of ultra popular food spots like the Pokémon Café or any other viral places. Now 
I will have a more specific list with timelines in my future videos for both Tokyo and Kyoto, so 
be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss them. That said, some places will have last minute slots open 
up, so if you don’t manage to get a spot, do keep   checking. For instance, I saw lots of Pokémon Café 
reservation slots open up the day before because cancelling is free and I think the deadline is 
either 9 or 10 p.m, so usually around then a   lot of slots open up. And do know that there are 
plenty of activities for you to do outside of the main suggested must-dos. Now honestly, I do think it 
is possible to over-plan your Japan trip and just hop from one booking to the next, but if you do 
that, I promise you’re going to be miserable, so   be sure to look beyond these most popular spots 
and try to find some quieter alternatives, which is very easy to do for things like temples or 
shrines, of which there are thousands across the country. So on that note, do know that there are 
many differences between temples and shrines, and different etiquette to abide by. While the two are 
often lumped together in sightseeing itineraries,   there are some really big differences between 
temples and shrines in Japan to be mindful of, the big ones being that temples are linked to Buddhism 
while shrines are linked to Shintoism, which is a religion that’s indigenous to Japan that believes 
in sacred spirits known as kami that inhabit the nature, people, and objects that make up our world. 
Interestingly, a lot of Japanese people actually participate in rituals of both, so it’s not like 
a one or the other type situation. Now, how can you   tell the difference between temples and shrines? 
Well, usually Shinto shrines are the ones that are marked by a torii gate. The expected etiquette 
here is that you bow once before entering through the gate, usually not in the direct center because 
that’s reserved for the deity. You then cleanse your   hands and mouth at the shrine’s water pavilion, 
and in terms of praying, if you want to do that, you go to the altar and throw a coin into a box 
for the offerings. You ring the bell and bow twice before clapping twice, and then saying your prayer 
and ending with a final bow. At Buddhist temples, however, the protocol is a little bit different and 
definitely not as strict, though you’ll often have   to remove your shoes if you’re entering inside 
temple buildings. Prayer here is often preceded only by a monetary offering, although sometimes 
lighting incense is a common ritual. And okay, this might be my favorite tip of all because it 
is just so fun but just FYI, Japan is full of free stamps that you can collect at attractions and 
train stations, so don’t miss them, they make the perfect free souvenir. I personally would recommend 
you buy a notebook or even a special stamp book from a local stationary store to collect all these 
stamps because they’re so much fun. And if you’re anything like me, you will quickly become obsessed 
with collecting these stamps and before no time,   you’ll be downloading apps like Stamp Quest 
and joining Facebook groups such as the Japan Stamp Rally to find the different locations of 
these stamps. When in doubt, just ask. The staff on site tend to always be happy to help. Now I should 
say, these stamps are not to be confused with the Goshuin stamps, which are official seal stamps from 
places of worship that mark your visit as a sign of devotion. These are also a very unique keepsake 
but they require special Goshuin books intended for this purpose only, not to be mixed with those other 
fun stamps that you collect at train stations. And usually these stamps are not free, they typically 
come at the cost of a few hundred yen each.   Now depending on the place, some will give you a 
paper Goshuin to stick in your book by yourself but many also add the stamp and calligraphy manually, 
which is super cool to witness because they put a   lot of artistry into it. Now let’s move on to some 
Japan etiquette tips. This is definitely a big one because I know many first-timers worry about 
coming across as rude on their trip, so here are some very important things to keep in mind. First, 
know that respect and consideration for others   is huge in Japan, so you want to behave accordingly, 
so make sure you’re not blocking people’s pathways with your luggage; and make sure you’re adhering 
to signs that tell you where to stand or walk on   escalators; and also make sure you’re respectfully 
lining up for things without cutting in line by accident because they’re very strict on queuing 
here; and also that you’re, of course, cleaning up   after yourself in public spaces. Respect is so 
huge in Japan that chefs and bartenders will literally follow you out of the establishment 
to bow and say goodbye, so yes, make sure you are   as respectful as possible and kind of return 
the favor because they are so hospitable and respectful. That said, don’t stress too much about 
following all these unwritten rules and making locals angry because honestly, they tend to be 
super understanding. These days, I actually think   there’s a lot of fear-mongering in terms of 
what is considered rude or offensive in Japan. Trust me, unless you are being super blatantly 
disrespectful, odds are most locals will give   you a pass because they recognize that you’re 
a tourist and you might not necessarily know how all the things are done in Japan. This isn’t to 
say you should forget adapting customs altogether, you should try your best but just know that the 
occasional misstep isn’t going to be the end of   the world and they will most likely be incredibly 
nice about it. Next, do try to learn some basics in Japanese before your trip so that you can kind 
of get by. I’ll be honest with you, in many cases around tourist areas most staff, ranging from train 
stations to convenience stores, are well equipped   with signs in English to help with communication, 
even if they don’t speak it themselves, so they’ll point to a sign and ask if you need a bag. That 
said, knowing a little bit of Japanese is still very nice and can help you navigate a lot more 
confidently. So some basics to keep in mind include “arigato gozaimasu,” which is, of course, thank you very much, you’ll 
be saying this a lot for sure. Sumimasen, which means excuse me in the context of both getting someone’s 
attention and also saying sorry for bumping into them. And for greetings, konichuwa for the day and konbanwa for the evenings. In a pinch, of course, Google Translate works very well, often, I even noticed local people 
use it to communicate in English when they don’t   know how to speak it, which I think is so sweet 
and considerate, so don’t be afraid to use Google Translate back. Next, keep in mind that tipping 
is not expected when you’re in Japan. I have   found some exceptions to this in very touristy 
situations but in these cases, they’ll make it very clear that tips are accepted. Otherwise, there is no 
obligation to tip and in some cases, they actually do find it rude, so no need to tip. Another big, big 
one is to make sure you refrain from eating while walking or when you’re taking most forms of public 
transport. Now this is kind of an unwritten social norm and there’s also very few public garbage cans, 
so you’ll be holding on to your trash for a while. While some locals will say that this is fine 
depending on the context, like so long as it’s   not a messy snack and you’re not walking in 
a crowded place with a ton of other people around you. I honestly would still just avoid 
it altogether because better safe than sorry. And yes, this does apply especially in places like 
food markets, which I know sounds crazy but you’ll see tons of signs reminding you of this in all 
the touristy food markets, so make sure you find   a perch to eat your food on the premises before 
you start walking around. In most popular markets there usually is a small area with a perching 
stand in the back or sometimes in front of the   stall. Speaking of food, do know that there are a 
lot of unspoken chopstick and eating etiquette rules to be aware of. Now honestly, again, tourists 
largely get a free pass, nobody’s going to kick you out of a restaurant just because you used your 
chopsticks wrong but these are just some things   to keep in mind in case you want to keep with 
local etiquette. Now generally, you’ll be given moist napkins or towels at the start of your 
meal, use these to wipe your hands, not your face. In terms of shared dishes, you shouldn’t be using 
personal chopsticks to grab things off a shared   plate. Instead, opt for a separate set or, in a pinch, 
the other end of your chopsticks. And refrain from passing things from one set of chopsticks to 
another or putting your chopsticks straight   up in a bowl of rice or noodles or whatever it 
is you’re eating. Another big general rule is to avoid speaking too loudly on public transport 
and just generally out in public. And you’ll   notice, especially on trains and public spaces in 
Japan, that speaking loudly is just not that common so you definitely don’t want to disrupt the 
peace. And of course, remember to take off your   shoes inside and make use of slippers. Cleanliness 
is a huge deal in Japan and wearing shoes inside homes and certain restaurants or temple areas is a 
huge no no. Even in public bathrooms in restaurants sometimes there will be signs asking you to remove 
your shoes and use the slippers that are available   instead. When in doubt, always look for signs 
that outline the protocol and you’ll be good. Now finally, let’s move on to some Japan tips for once 
you actually arrive. First, we have to talk about Japanese toilets because they are truly high-tech 
and incredible but if you’re not used to them, then you should know that Japanese toilets come with a 
number of cool features, so you should definitely   familiarize yourself with them so that you’re not 
just left confused staring at a sea of buttons. These days, especially in touristy areas, most of 
the toilet buttons, I have to say, do actually come   with English translations but you will encounter 
a few that are entirely in Japanese, so to save you the awkwardness of using Google Translate while 
you’re on the toilet, here are some main symbols   for you to look out for. Now the flush is usually 
depicted by a whirlpool symbol, sometimes there’s a light flush option and a heavy flush option, 
though some toilets will actually have a separate   flush that’s either motion detected or manual, so 
don’t be confused, sometimes it won’t actually be present on that little interface on the side, 
have a look around. Now these buttons actually   activate the bidet, usually this one will do the 
front and this one will do the back, or as all the buttons like to say, the rear. You can press 
the stop button here when you’re done. And this button typically activates the dryer, though don’t 
worry, toilet paper usually is available as well. And some toilets will have a privacy button that 
will, no joke, play music and sound effects so that you can cover up any awkward bathroom noises, which 
I find amazing. On the opposite end of the spectrum though, you might find in some public spaces 
that Japanese style squat-toilets are still a   thing. I personally only saw this in a few places 
though, and there were always western style toilets available, but just beware that this might be 
something that comes up if you’re traveling in a   more rural area, for instance. All that said, though 
toilets in Japan are usually very high-tech, you might find that some public toilets in Japan will 
not actually have soap or hand dryers by default. This is why I would advise you carry a bit of hand 
sanitizer with you at all times and, if you like   dry hands, you can do as the locals do and buy 
yourself a small towel to dry your hands with. These are usually available in the most adorable 
designs in pretty much every gift shop you can   find. Next, very important, do know that you should 
bring cash because there are still some cash-only businesses and attractions, so it’s really good 
to be prepared. And just FYI, when you pay in Japan, there usually is a small tray where you can put 
your cash or card, rather than handing it directly   to the cashier. And in general, I have to say, you 
should be ready for a lot more interactions in general throughout the purchase process. Usually 
they’ll confirm the price with you, or sometimes   the expiration date of things, to make sure you 
fully understand what you’re buying. It’s honestly really sweet. Related to this whole cash thing as 
well, is you should really consider buying a coin   purse with organizers for all your coins and also, 
in advance, maybe having a quick crash course on what each coin is worth because Japanese yen coins 
can quickly become a confusing mess in your wallet. And if you ever have an opportunity to spend 
the smaller ones like 1 or 5 yen by paying exact change at a grocery store or convenience store, 
definitely go for it because even most vending   machines ask for 10 yen as a minimum. Do note that 
this can be especially easy at convenience stores where they have these payment machines that you 
can just put a bunch of coins into, so it’s not   as stressful as just like handing a mountain 
of coins over to a person. Next, if you want to be compliant with Japanese law, yes, you do in fact 
need to carry your passport around with you at all times. Though practically speaking, I haven’t really 
heard of anybody getting their passports checked just while sightseeing, but I’ll leave it up to 
you if the risk is worth it. I will say though, a lot of you will probably end up carrying your 
passport anyway, just because you’re going to need   it if you’re going to do any tax-free shopping, 
as that is a requirement. On that note, if you do plan to shop in Japan, you should definitely try to 
understand in advance how tax-free shopping works   and the different rules around it. So do note that 
many changes are coming into effect in November 2026 but for now, as of June 2025, this is how 
it all works. In Japan, temporary visitors can qualify for tax-free purchases, which essentially 
saves you from paying the local consumption tax, which is 8% for food goods and 10% for everything 
else. So long as you meet the following criteria first: that your total exceeds 5,000 yen before 
tax, that the tax-free items will be leaving the   country with you, and in the case of consumable 
items – meaning anything you can use part of like food, beverages, medicine, and cosmetics – you 
actually keep those goods inside their special packaging and do not use them while you’re in the 
country. And you also can’t get more than 500,000 yen’s worth tax-free for those ones. There are two 
main ways that you can get your tax-free rate; some stores will take it off directly at the till 
once you show them your passport, and other places will make you pay full price, then give you a cash 
refund if you bring your receipt to a tax refund   counter. On paper, they also say that you may need 
to present your tax-free goods at customs when you leave Japan, so they advise you actually put these 
items in your carry-on or let them know before   you check the bags so that a customs officer can 
come and verify your purchases. In reality though, it sounds like a lot of travelers actually skip 
this step and turn out just fine but just FYI, if   you want to be on the safe side. As a final note 
on this topic, do be aware that not all stores will offer tax-free, so look out for this sign 
out front that says Japan tax-free shop. And if you want to save even more money, you can usually 
find extra coupons and discount codes that you   can stack on top for the best deal when you go 
to big department stores and things. And you can check out the written version of this guide for 
more details on that. Speaking of shopping though,   another tip is if you see something that you like, 
do buy it there and then, odds are you won’t come back for it and that is something I really 
learned the hard way. There are many things   I kept thinking, “Okay, I’m going to go back and get 
that” but realistically, I didn’t have a chance to so yes, just a reminder, when you see something 
you like, go buy it! Another niche shopping tip   is that you should know that Don Quijote is actually 
quite pricey and also incredibly overstimulating. The main benefit of Don Quijote, or Donki as it’s 
affectionately known, is that you have lots of   stuff concentrated in one place and they’re very 
familiar with tourists and the tax-free system. But in terms of prices, I did notice it was actually 
quite a bit pricier than some other stores for   the same stuff, so if you want to save money, 
definitely shop around. And if you want to do any duty-free shopping at the airport, just know that 
there is a stress-free way to do that because you   can actually place your duty-free order online 
in advance. I’ll leave the link for that in the description. Next, do beware that there are very 
few public trash cans so be prepared to carry   around your own trash. I can definitely recommend 
having a plastic bag inside of your day bag for this purpose. Finally, do be aware that some bars, 
restaurants, and cafés still allow smoking indoors, so don’t be caught too off guard by that. Alright, 
thanks so much for watching, be sure to like and subscribe for more travel videos just 
like this one, and I’ll see you next time. Bye!

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PS: If you don’t miss out on this deal, you can actually get your eSIM now and activate it for later travel when you need it 🙂

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Don’t visit Japan without watching this first! Here are all THE tips and must-knows for first time Japan visitors to save money, eliminate overwhelm, and have the most magical Japan vacation.

0:00 INTRODUCTION
0:49 JAPAN TRAVEL PLANNING TIPS
10:17 JAPAN TIPS FOR TRANSPORT AND GETTING AROUND
15:47 JAPAN FOOD & DRINK TIPS
24:06 JAPAN TIPS FOR ATTRACTIONS
28:09 JAPAN ETIQUETTE TIPS
32:55 JAPAN TIPS FOR ONCE YOU ARRIVE

Watch next:

Written guide with more tips: https://happytowander.com/japan-travel-tips/

LINKS MENTIONED

ANA Free Domestic Flights: https://www.ana.co.jp/en/kh/plan-book/promotions/domestic-add-on-free-flights/

JAL Explorer Pass (new program to replace their previous domestic flight promo): https://www.jal.co.jp/world/en/world/japan_explorer_pass/lp/

Payke app for scanning barcodes: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/payke-making-shopping/id1040452788

Travel Japan Phrase app: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/travel-japan-phrase/id6739940739

Aoniyoshi Sightseeing Limited Express: https://www.kintetsu.co.jp/foreign/english/aoniyoshi/

Sagano Romantic Train: https://www.sagano-kanko.co.jp/en/?

Pikachu Train: https://www.jreast.co.jp/multi/en/joyful/pokemon.html

Tabelog for reviews and reservations: https://tabelog.com/en/

Duty free shopping pre-order for Haneda: https://duty-free-japan.jp/haneda/en/

Duty free shopping pre-order for Narita: https://duty-free-japan.jp/narita/en/index.aspx

Official tax-free shopping guide: https://www.mlit.go.jp/kankocho/tax-free/page01_000113.html

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Note – many of the links below are affiliate links which means I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon associate I earn from qualifying purchases. For more info on what this means, check out my website privacy policy and disclosure: https://happytowander.com/privacy/
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HOTELS WE STAYED AT

Tokyo – Hotel Indigo Shibuya w/ epic view: https://www.booking.com/hotel/jp/indigo-tokyo-shibuya-an-ihg.html?aid=1180711

Tokyo – Cute small hotel in Ueno with a great location and decent price: https://www.booking.com/hotel/jp/open-sale-ueno-lang-201-5-minutes-to-sta-dong-jing-du.html?aid=1180711

Kyoto – Cool, modern hotel in downtown Kyoto: https://www.booking.com/hotel/jp/ace-hotel-kyoto.en-gb.html?aid=1180711

Kyoto – Great value hotel near the main tourist sights near Higashiyama – we booked the triple room and it was huge with a beautiful view:
https://www.booking.com/hotel/jp/ethnography-kiyomizu-gojo-kyoto.html?aid=1180711

CHRISTINA’S TRAVEL GEAR
➡️ My Camera {Paid Link}: https://amzn.to/3MhZ0VQ
➡️ My Favourite Regular Packing Cubes {Paid Link}: https://amzn.to/45OdSlI
➡️ My Favourite Compression Packing Cubes {Paid Link}: https://amzn.to/3MbIiYs
➡️ My Favourite Noise Cancelling Headphones {Paid Link}: https://amzn.to/46J6cTg
➡️ My White, More Elegant Carry-On {Paid Link}: https://amzn.to/3uS6lpU
➡️ My Pretty Re-Usable Toiletry Bottles {Paid Link}: https://amzn.to/3SeqaAJ
➡️ My Amazing E-Reader That Links to the Library for FREE Books {Paid Link}: https://amzn.to/3Mgfca2

OTHER TRAVEL RESOURCES

➡️ My favourite travel credit card – Wise: {Referral Link} https://happytowander.com/Wise
➡️ My go-to eSIM {Affiliate Link} – Use the code CHRIST99027 for $3 off: https://happytowander.com/Airalo
➡️ Where I search hotels {Paid Link}: https://www.booking.com/index.html?aid=1180711
➡️ Where I search flights: https://www.google.com/travel/flights
➡️ My go-to travel insurance {Paid Link}: https://happytowander.com/WorldNomads
➡️ Where I book activities/tours {Paid Link}: https://happytowander.com/GetYourGuide
➡️ Where I find rental cars {Paid Link}: https://happytowander.com/DiscoverCars

Wondering what not to do in Japan? This Japan travel tips video summarizes all the important must-knows before visiting Japan for the first time, from how to avoid crowds and secure tickets and reservations to helpful Japan apps and etiquette to be a respectful Japan visitor.