Japan is a dream destination for millions of international travellers, but what pro tips will help you get the best out of your visit? Find out below.
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Intro
If you’re planning a trip to Japan over the next 12 months, then a little research will go a long way, particularly when it comes to the best ways to travel around this beautiful, exciting, and unique country. For millions of people, Japan is at the very top of their dream destination list. If this goes for you, but you’re in need of a helping hand with your travel planning then you’ve come to the right place. Here at JR Pass, we’ve put together a list of our most essential and need-to-know travel tips for visitors to Japan. Travel Tips for Japan
Ready for our pro tips for travelling Japan? From the best way to explore from city to city and go off the beaten path, to the key items you should book in advance, the latest apps we recommend you download before you arrive, and much more. Let’s go:
- Plan Your Itinerary
While it’s good to retain a degree of spontaneity and flexibility while travelling, it also pays to plan ahead when visiting Japan. A little research before you travel can save you a huge amount of time as well as money. It’s very easy to find yourself needlessly wasting both if you’re making decisions on the fly without having done any research. You don’t necessarily need to plan your itinerary out to the millisecond, but asking yourself some key questions and finding out the answers before you arrive can make all the difference between a good holiday and a great one. From working out a list of the places you want to visit during your stay, to establishing the best, fastest, most cost effective methods to get there and back, it’s really just a case of solving any potential problems before you reach Japan so you have the best possible chance of everything going smoothly while you’re here. As the old saying goes, failing to plan is planning to fail. If you want your visit to Japan to go perfectly then planning your travel itinerary is definitely recommended.
2. Get a Rail Pass
Okay, okay, we sell Japan Rail Passes, I know. But they really are essential for exploring Japan. The country’s trains are the best in the world and its domestic rail network goes everywhere - it’s simply the best way to travel around Japan. And while you can purchase tickets for individual journeys, it’s much better value to book a rail pass for your stay. This is especially true if you plan on visiting more than one destination. For example, you’re staying in Tokyo but you also want to visit Kyoto or Osaka or take a trip to the Fuji Five Lakes. As soon as you start making multiple journeys like this, a Japan Rail Pass becomes an essential travel item. The pass covers the vast majority of trains in Japan including the famous shinkansen ‘bullet trains’ and entitles the holder to unlimited travel during your stay.
Being able to hop on and off trains gives you a huge amount of flexibility and freedom as well as being a more cost effective option than buying individual tickets. You also get free seat reservations. Alongside the countrywide JR Pass, there are also regional rail passes if you’re sticking to one area of Japan too. On the subject of trains, a bonus travel tip for those visiting Japan is to be aware of train etiquette and luggage allowances. We’ll have more on luggage below, but in terms of etiquette, the main things to be aware of are: don’t talk loudly on train, try to avoid taking any phone calls if you can, listen to music through headphones, store your luggage in the designated areas, don’t leave your litter behind, and generally, make an effort not to inconvenience other travellers. Check out our bonus recommendations for more on Japan’s amazing trains
3. And an IC card
Next is another essential item for any city explorers. Alongside a Japan Rail Pass (or regional rail pass) for travelling Japan, it’s very likely you’ll also need an IC card for intercity travel on Japan’s metros and subways. These are prepaid contactless smartcards, like London’s Oyster card, which can be bought and used to get around on Japan’s public transportation, specifically its metros and subways. IC cards are the easiest and most cost-effective way to get around Japanese cities thanks to the speed, cleanliness, and frequency of its public transport. As such, you’ll definitely want to invest in a prepaid travel card such as an ICOCA, PASMO or Suica card. IC cards like these can be topped up and refunded as needed and they work by tapping or waving them over the card reader as you pass through the ticket gates. It’s also worth noting that the metro and subway systems do not run 24/7 in Japan and stop for the night between 11.30pm and 1am depending on your location, so be sure to keep an eye on the time and be aware when the last train leaves if you’re out late at night.
4. Download Useful Apps Before Travelling
Aren’t apps great? It’s easier than ever to get around in Japan and manage with the language thanks to the wonders of modern technology, specifically the latest apps. As well as apps like Google Maps for live travel updates, train timetables, navigation help, walking routes, finding street addresses, and more, and Google Translate, which now has a handy camera function that can be used to decipher signs and other text (even restaurant menus!), there are now apps for making restaurant bookings in Japan, and more. As such, it pays to download these apps and familiarise yourself with them before you go so you’re fully versed in their features and benefits when you’re on the move in Japan.
5. Rent a Pocket WiFi device
There’s a very specific bit of modern technology we’d highly recommend. As we explained above, the latest tech really is your friend and there are some amazing apps out there, which can really make your life easier when travelling. However, to access any of these, you’ll need a stable WiFi connection and this isn’t always easy to find in Japan. Public WiFi does exist but reportedly only 10% of it is actually free and many hotspots require you to register with a Japanese email address. That’s why we recommend you rent a PocketWifi device for the duration of your stay. With unlimited data, support for five devices simultaneously, the ability to share your WiFi with your travel companions, and many more features, renting a PocketWifi is the best way to stay connected, offering you internet access wherever you are and whenever you need it.
6. Learn A Few Japanese Phrases
While no one is expecting you to be fluent, taking an effort to learn a few Japanese words and phrases can go a long way while visiting the country. Even if you are far from fluent, Japanese people will appreciate your efforts with their language. Here are a few examples to help you get started:
- Hello = Kon’nichiwa
- Excuse Me = Sumimasen
- Please = Onegaishimasu
- Thank You = Arigatō gozaimasu
- Cheers = Kanpai
- Yes = Hai
- I Don’t Understand = Wakarimasen
- Goodbye = Sayonara
7. Bring Cash
Perhaps surprisingly for such a seemingly futuristic nation, cash is still king in Japan and remains the main method of payment for goods and services across the country. While carrying large amounts of cash on your person is becoming more and more unusual for westerners used to contactless payments, you will definitely need plenty of Japanese yen for your stay. While Japan is slowly moving towards the use of electronic payment methods, particularly in big department stores, chains, and malls, you may also find many establishments that are cash only. As a result, it really does pay to carry cash. To do so safely, you might also want to invest in a travel money-belt or coin purse for travelling. Saying that, Japan is one of the safest countries in the world with very low levels of crime so you needn’t worry too much. Alongside cash, you’ll also want to bring debit and credit cards. If you need to take out extra money while in Japan, the best place to do this is at Japanese convenience stores (7-Eleven and Lawson), which have ATMs and are often open 24/7.
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8. Travel Light (and use luggage transport services where needed)
You could find that space is at a premium when you’re staying in Japan, so it’s generally advisable to travel light and avoid taking huge suitcases that you’ll struggle to carry on public transport. If it’s impossible to avoid bring large, oversized luggage with you, for whatever reason, then it might be worth looking into the country’s luggage forwarding services, commonly known as Takuhaibin, which offer next day delivery and can send your suitcases on to your next destination within Japan, while you travel footloose and baggage-free.
9. Make Reservations
No reservations? Better make some! Japan is a very popular place and the most in-demand attractions, restaurants, and activities can be fully booked months in advance, so it’s best to plan ahead. If there’s something you really want to do or a place you definitely want to go, whether it’s a sumo tournament, theme park, digital art experience, or a Michelin-starred restaurant, then it’s best to book to guarantee your place. As far as restaurants go, there are a few apps which can help with making bookings such as GuruNavi Restaurant Guide, Tablelog, Sushi Dictionary / Ramen Beast, PocketConcierge, Tableall, and Omakase. It’s also worth noting that some restaurants are walk-in only and do not take bookings. As a bonus tip, if you’re out and about looking for somewhere to eat, keep an eye out for restaurants packed with local people inside (as patiently queuing outside) as this is usually a sign of quality food! Speaking of dining out, consider this a bonus piece of advice. When it comes to travel and food, make sure you sample the bento boxes sold at train stations across Japan. Known as Ekiben, these lunchbox style meals are made specifically for commuters and other travellers (although anyone can eat them of course) and they have a reputation as being the best ‘train food’ in the world. You can read more about these delicious lunchboxes in our Guide to Ekiben.
10. Explore Off The Beaten Path
Go rogue! Japan has a huge amount to offer international visitors and some of its most wondrous sights can only be experienced by getting out of the city and exploring off the beaten path. Of course, if it’s your first time visiting Japan then you’ll want to see the likes of Tokyo and Kyoto - and you absolutely should - but we definitely recommend combining your urban adventures with at least one trip further afield. It’s perfectly achievable too thanks to Japan’s high-speed trains and extensive public transport. From Buddhist monasteries in the mountains to preserved samurai era towns, and much more, there are some amazing experiences to be had. As an example, try reading our recent blog post on Exploring Off the Beaten Path in Hiroshima.
Bonus Recommendations
- You can find out more about the latest JR Pass Pricing and Perks here.
- Our dedicated blog also has a long list of in-depth travel guides and other articles about individual trains, journeys, and routes for you to read, from features on sightseeing trains such as the Ametsuchi, steam trains like the SI Hitoyoshi, luxury trains like the Saphir Odoriko, and of course, the famous Shinkansenbullet trains. This is just a small selection of our guides to individual trains. Explore our blog for more.
- Meanwhile, when it comes to trains, for practical help getting around Japan, read our Visitors Guide to Japanese Trains and Railways.
- And of course, there’s the Japan Rail Pass too. We explained above about how useful and cost-effective it is for exploring Japan. Want to find out more reasons why it’s the best and most affordable way to travel across Japan? Read our guide to Why The JR Pass Is Worth It for a great list of reasons.
