Japan Travel Tips: Everything You Need to Know Before You Go

What you should know before your trip to Japan

First of all, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know before a road trip through Japan. A vacation in Japan really does reward careful planning.

Who is Japan the perfect destination for?

Honestly, Japan is one of those destinations that’s still surprisingly underrated — so if you’re after something truly extraordinary for your next trip, it absolutely deserves a spot on your list.

You’ll find enormous, endlessly fascinating cities like Tokyo — one of the most exciting metropolises in the world. And while Japan is a very modern country, there are outstanding cultural treasures and temples for sightseeing in Japan, plus plenty to keep nature lovers happy too.

If sun and beach are a must for you, Japan even has that covered. Head south and you’ll find islands and beaches that hold their own against the well-known beach destinations in Southeast Asia.

Bottom line: Japan is seriously diverse. Cities, nature, beaches — you’ll find exactly what you’re looking for here.

It’s also a country that’s very easy to explore independently. The infrastructure is excellent, though navigating it can be a bit of an adventure since many Japanese people speak limited English.

When is the best time to visit Japan?

Japan is a great destination year-round. Since the country stretches several thousand kilometers from north to south, it spans six different climate zones.

In the south it’s mild even in winter and very hot and humid in summer. The main island of Honshu — home to Tokyo, Kyoto, Hiroshima, Osaka, and Mount Fuji — is also hot and humid in summer, while winters are cold but usually clear. In the north, summers are short and warm, and winters are long and cold.

The best time to visit Japan is spring during the cherry blossom season and fall. Of course, those are also the busiest times — attractions get crowded and hotel prices climb noticeably compared to the off-season.

One thing to definitely avoid: Golden Week. Between April 29 and May 5, huge numbers of Japanese people take time off and travel around their own country. It gets very hectic.

How much time should you plan for Japan?

Given how long the flight is, it’s absolutely worth staying as long as you can.

To hit the main highlights on Honshu, you’ll need at least two weeks — and even that’s a tight schedule with little breathing room.

We’d recommend three weeks. More is always better, but three weeks gives you a really solid trip.

Travel costs: How expensive is a vacation in Japan?

The cost of traveling in Japan is broadly comparable to traveling in Europe. It’s not a budget destination, but it’s not wildly more expensive than Western Europe either.

Accommodation is by far the biggest cost. A decent mid-range hotel in a good location typically runs between 100 and 150 euros per night.

Local food — sushi, noodle soups, that kind of thing — is relatively affordable. Western food, on the other hand, is expensive. Subway fares are cheaper than in most European cities, while high-speed train prices are in a similar range to fast intercity rail in Europe.

If you’re really on a tight budget and willing to compromise on comfort, you can make Japan work without spending a fortune.

Booking flights

Flights to Japan from major European cities — especially to Tokyo and Osaka — are widely available, with some direct routes taking around 12 hours.

Direct flights are usually pricier than connecting ones, so it’s worth comparing your options.

Good deals can often be found with Finnair via Helsinki, LOT via Warsaw, Emirates via Dubai, and Qatar Airways via Doha.

It’s a trade-off between a longer journey and a potentially much lower price. We always use Skyscanner to find the best deal.

Search for flights on Skyscanner

Entry requirements for Japan

To travel to Japan, you’ll need a valid passport. As a tourist, you’ll receive an entry stamp that allows you to stay for 90 days — and if that’s not enough, you can extend by another 90 days while you’re there.

You’ll also need to fill out entry and customs forms before reaching passport control. You can do this through the Visit Japan Web portal (which generates a handy QR code), or using the paper form handed out on the plane. You’ll need to provide a Japanese address — just use your first hotel in Japan.

Once you’re in the country, you’re technically required to carry your passport at all times. We’ve never heard of anyone actually being checked, but it’s worth keeping it on you just in case.

What do I need to pack for a trip to Japan?

Depending on the season, pack accordingly. In summer, light clothing and a thin jacket are plenty; in winter, dress warmly.

Spring and fall are trickier. During our April visit, some days we were out in just a T-shirt, while other days — especially evenings — we were reaching for our heavy winter jackets. Come prepared for anything.

A power adapter for Japan is also essential. Our universal adapter, which had worked everywhere else up to that point, didn’t have the right plug for Japanese outlets. You can pick up the right one here for a good price.

We also recommend packing as many toiletries and personal care products as possible. You can buy everything in Japan too, but labeling is almost always exclusively in Japanese. Toothpaste is manageable, but with creams and lotions it gets tricky — many products in Asia contain skin-lightening ingredients.

Also check out our city trip packing list for more pointers that apply to a Japan vacation too.

Vaccinations and travel medicine kit for Japan

No special vaccinations are required for Japan. Standard routine vaccinations are sufficient. Only for long-term stays is an additional vaccination against Hepatitis B and Japanese encephalitis recommended.

Most common medications are also available in Japan — pharmacies are usually integrated into drugstores. The language barrier is an issue here again, though.

Packaging and inserts are often exclusively in Japanese, and it’s not always guaranteed that a pharmacist will speak English. It doesn’t hurt to bring a small supply of anti-diarrheal and pain medications just in case.

If you come down with a cold in Japan, we have a genuine local favorite remedy for you.

Japanese people swear by something called “粉薬” (Konagusuri) — an effervescent powder you can get at the supermarket that you dissolve in water three times a day. It tastes absolutely awful, but it really works.

Japan itinerary for two and three weeks

There are so many incredible places and things to see that it’s hard to know where to start. We felt exactly the same way on our first trip. On top of that, getting your bearings takes a little time.

We’ve written down everything we learned so your planning process is a little easier.

Our 3-week Japan route

When you’re visiting a country for the first time, getting oriented is often tricky. To make it easier, here’s how we mapped out our trip.

The schedule for three weeks:

• 10 days – Tokyo including a day trip to Kamakura & Yokohama
• 3 days – Osaka including a day trip to Nara
• 6 days – Kyoto
• 1 day – Hiroshima + 1 day – Miyajima

Verdict on the chosen route

This is definitely what you’d call a classic first-timer’s route. Looking back, we’re absolutely happy with the places and highlights we chose, and we can wholeheartedly recommend it.

Our tip: If you have two extra days, we’d suggest a one- to two-night stay at the foot of Mount Fuji. We’ve heard great things about the Kagelow Mount Fuji Hostel. They also have private double rooms, and from some rooms you get a direct view of Mount Fuji.

Alternatively, you can do a day trip from Tokyo.

Book a day trip from Tokyo to Mount Fuji online

Shortening the route to two weeks

Not everyone has three weeks. If we’d only had two, here’s how we’d have trimmed the route:

The schedule for two weeks:

• 5 days – Tokyo (optional: day trip to Kamakura & Yokohama & day trip to Mount Fuji)
• 2 days – Osaka including a day trip to Nara
• 4 days – Kyoto
• 2 days – Hiroshima including a day trip to Miyajima

Japan attractions

There is an incredible amount to see in Japan. The country is huge and seriously diverse. Places like Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, Hiroshima, and Mount Fuji are absolute must-sees.

We cover which highlights are definitely worth your time in dedicated articles.

Hotels and accommodations in Japan

Accommodations in Japan are unfortunately on the pricier side, and hotel rooms in major cities are very small. In Tokyo we had just 11 square meters, and in Kyoto only nine — yet we still paid around 140 euros per night in each case.

For a mid-range hotel in a good location during peak season, those are pretty standard prices. You can find cheaper options if you book hostels with dorm rooms or stay in one of the famous capsule hotels.

Since Japanese people travel a lot within their own country and often book months in advance, we recommend looking for your place to stay as early as possible. In the off-season you still have a good chance of finding something last-minute, but especially in spring and fall things book up fast.

Our tip: In our article on Japan hotel tips, we introduce all the hotels we stayed at during our trip and share plenty of practical advice for finding accommodation in general. For Tokyo, we have two separate articles on where to stay in Tokyo and which budget hotels in Tokyo are worth considering.

Tips for getting around Japan

The public transportation in Japan is excellent. There’s an extensive network of trains and buses both within cities and between them.

Getting around between destinations

For traveling between cities, the train is your best bet. Trains in Japan are fast, extremely punctual, and comfortable.

You can either purchase a Japan Rail Pass before your trip — which lets you ride most trains without buying individual tickets — or buy tickets for each route separately. The Japan Rail Pass has gotten very expensive in recent years and in most cases is no longer worth it. For a classic itinerary, individual tickets are the smarter choice.

Local public transit in the city

Major cities have excellent subway networks, supplemented by buses. Your best move is to get an IC card right at the start. These are prepaid cards that work on most urban rail systems.

It’s faster and less stressful than buying a single ticket every time, and it’s a bit cheaper too. Each region has its own card, but they also work in other parts of Japan.

We recommend the Suica Card from Tokyo.

Money and paying in Japan

Currency

The Japanese currency is the yen. Common bills come in denominations of 10,000, 5,000, and 1,000 yen, along with a whole lot of coins that nearly burst our wallets.

At many vending machines — which are absolutely everywhere in Japan — as well as in small supermarkets, you can also pay with the same IC card you use for the subway. That’s really handy when you don’t have small change, though running out of coins is rarely a problem in Japan.

Paying by credit card is also very common. We paid our hotel bills with a travel credit card throughout the trip. Additional fees for credit card payments are unusual in Japan.

Withdrawing cash in Japan

You can of course withdraw cash at ATMs in Japan. The machines look a bit different from what you might be used to, but they can be switched to English — and sometimes even other languages.

Some machines don’t accept foreign cards, but we always managed to track down a compatible ATM without too much trouble.

Using a fee-free travel credit card means you can withdraw smaller amounts without worrying about fees adding up — which is really convenient.

Tipping in Japan

Tipping is completely uncommon in Japan and is sometimes even considered an insult. So don’t try to tip anyone at all.

In restaurants and taxis, you’ll always get your exact change back.

Food and drink in Japan

Japan has some outstanding culinary highlights to offer, and we’re already missing Japanese food.

Breakfast in Japan

Traditional Japanese breakfast is pretty unusual for Western palates — think rice, fish, pickled vegetables, and omelet.

Hotels typically serve a Japanese breakfast as well. At those room prices, breakfast is usually not included though. If you prefer a sandwich or something sweet, head to one of the coffee shop chains or one of the many French-style bakeries that are surprisingly common across Japan.

Traditional dishes in Japan

Sushi

Of all Japanese dishes, sushi is certainly the most well-known internationally. In Japan it’s noticeably more affordable than back home — and of course much, much better. We ate it almost every day.

You should definitely try a kaiten sushi restaurant, known in many countries as “conveyor belt sushi.” The plates travel past on a belt and you simply take whatever catches your eye.

Depending on the restaurant, each plate costs the same (often just 108 yen), or prices vary by the color of the plate.

Traditional Japanese soups

Traditional Japanese soups are also delicious — especially ramen and udon. These come with various toppings like meat, egg, or seaweed. In noodle restaurants, you often order at a vending machine that prints out a ticket you hand to the server or cook.

Soba

Soba was a real surprise for us. These buckwheat noodles are served cold with a little wasabi and soy sauce for dipping. It sounds unusual at first, but it’s genuinely delicious.

Okonomiyaki

Another standout is okonomiyaki — a savory pancake cooked on a hot griddle with noodles, meat, seafood, cabbage, and egg, then finished with a savory sauce.

Absolutely delicious! It’s especially popular around Hiroshima, but you can find it throughout Japan.

Vegetarian food in Japan

In general, meat features heavily in Japanese cuisine. Many restaurants have a grill built into the table for cooking your own food. Vegetables and fresh fruit, however, are a bit harder to come by. Anyone eating vegetarian or vegan will definitely have a tougher time — but it’s doable!

If you don’t mind picking meat out of dishes, it gets a lot easier. Vegetarians who eat fish will actually have it relatively easy. Simple cold soba and udon are usually completely vegetarian. Vegetarian sushi is also available in a fairly wide variety.

Our tip: Download the free Happy Cow app before your trip. It lists vegetarian and vegan restaurants and works particularly well in Kyoto and Tokyo.

Drinks in Japan

Beer is relatively expensive in Japan. Prices for a small glass at a restaurant range from 3 to 8 euros. The most well-known brands are Asahi, Kirin, and Sapporo — all of which taste pretty good.

Japan also has a rich tradition of drinking sake, a rice wine. What the wine aisle is to a supermarket back home, the sake aisle is in Japan. Sake is drunk cold or warm and usually has an alcohol content of between 15 and 20%.

Coffee is available at the many coffee shop chains, as well as from vending machines in nearly every supermarket. Tea is even more widely consumed, available both hot and cold.

Vending machines are found all over Japan, offering water, soft drinks, tea, and coffee at very affordable prices (around 1 dollar).

Additional travel tips for Japan

Internet in Japan

The internet in Japan is fast and reliable. In all our hotels we had excellent connections that could even handle streaming.

Many cafés and stores also offer free Wi-Fi hotspots.

Mobile internet, on the other hand, is fairly expensive if you use a standard roaming plan. Special SIM cards for tourists let you go online on the go. You can find these at the airport as well as at tourist information centers.

Stay connected on the go: With an eSIM from Saily

We always travel in Japan with a Saily eSIM. You buy it from home and install it easily through the app. After landing in Japan, the eSIM activates automatically.

Saily is affordable, super easy to use, and ideal for a trip to Japan.

• Fixed data packages and unlimited data available
• 200 destinations
• Top security features

Use the code 22places to save 10 percent on your Saily eSIM.

Get your Saily eSIM

Safety in Japan

Japan is one of the safest countries in the world. Robbery and violent crime against tourists is very rare, and theft isn’t a major issue either.

Some caution is advisable in the nightlife districts of Tokyo and Osaka, but even there it’s still safer than in many European cities.

The one real danger in Japan is earthquakes. The country experiences around 1,500 per year, many of which are noticeable. During our stay, the ground shook a little in Tokyo. Most are harmless, but every few years there’s a stronger one — it’s worth knowing what to do.

Language and communication in Japan

Let’s talk about the trickiest part of traveling in Japan: communication. Significantly more Japanese people speak English now than a few years ago — but you’ll still often be spoken to entirely in Japanese.

It’s always amusing at supermarket checkouts, where cashiers rattle off every item in a nonstop stream of Japanese while scanning everything. Just keep smiling.

At train stations and tourist-relevant spots, the most important signs are generally in English too. In more touristy areas, restaurants will sometimes have an English menu if you’re lucky.

Otherwise, it’s common for dishes to be shown in photos or display cases, so you can at least see what you’re ordering before you commit.

Overall, you manage very well despite the occasional communication challenge. Japanese people are incredibly helpful and considerate, and despite the language barrier, things somehow always work out.

Our tip: Before your trip, download the Google Translate app along with the Japanese language file (within the app) on your phone (for Android – for iOS). Using the camera mode, you can often translate signs and menus on the spot. It genuinely helped us out many times.

Pro tip: Smiling always helps in Japan.

Japanese people also appreciate it when you try a few words of their language. Hello and thank you are usually more than enough — which is why we’ve put together the most important words for you here.

We assumed it would be simple: good afternoon is Konnichiwa and goodbye is Sayounara. To our surprise, these words are barely used in everyday speech.

Konnichiwa is at least used as an afternoon greeting, but Sayounara is hardly used at all. It’s more like “Farewell” — and nobody really says that in everyday conversation either.

Here are the most important words:

Good morning – Ohaiyou Gozaimasu (the Z is pronounced more like a sharp S)
Good afternoon – Konnichiwa
Good evening – Konbanwa
Bye – Itte Kimasu
Thank you – Arigato
Thank you (more politely) – Arigato Gozaimasu
Yes – Hai
No – Iie
One – Ishi
Two – Ni
Three – San