Essential Things to Know Before Traveling to Japan

Planning your first trip to Japan? Whether you’re drawn by ancient temples, futuristic cities, or world-class cuisine, Japan offers an unforgettable blend of tradition and modernity. But before packing your bags, it’s important to know a few things. From cultural etiquette to practical advice, here are key Japan travel tips and essential things to know before going to Japan. Get ready for a respectful, smooth, and enriching experience in the Land of the Rising Sun.

CAPITAL
Tokyo

LANGUAGE
Japanese (Hyojungo) is the official language of Japan.

LOCAL TIME
Japan Time (JST) is 9 hours in front of GMT.

ELECTRICITY
100 Volts AC. To make it more confusing Tokyo and eastern Japan operate at 50Hz while parts of western Japan operate at 60Hz. Electrical items brought from home are unlikely to work reliably. Some North- American items, with plugs that are the flat two pin type, may be an exception.

PASSPORT & VISA
A 90 day visa is issued free on arrival to visitors from many countries (including the UK, Canada, New Zealand, Australia, the US and most European nations). However certain nationalities must acquire a visa in advance. As Japan's visa regulations are subject to change at short notice it is not possible to state which nationalities this applies to. For the latest information on your specific visa requirements you should contact your nearest Japanese Embassy or Consulate close to your planned date of travel.

Note: Japan requires that visitors planning to enter the country on a 90 day short stay visa must possess an onward air or sea ticket.
All Passengers are responsible for securing proper documentation prior to joining the tour. Passports are required; in addition travelers are advised to check with local consulates for full details regarding Visa requirements. Please note securing a valid visa for entry is sole responsibility of the traveler.

LOCAL CURRENCY
Japanese Yen (JPY; symbol ¥). Notes are in denominations of ¥10,000, 5,000, 2,000 and 1,000. Coins are in denominations of ¥500, 100, 50, 10, 5 and 1.
XE.com is a useful site for currency conversion.

MONEY EXCHANGE, CREDIT CARD & ATM
Japan is still very much a cash based society. Large department stores, hotels and large restaurants will accept credit cards but most other places including grocery stores are often cash-only. That means you’ll need to convert your money if you want to buy or eat anything. The best way to get money in Japan is with an ATM card as there are now ATM machines at most post offices and 7-Eleven Convenience stores. The machines are identified with a sticker saying "International ATM Service" and you can opt for instructions in English. They handle cards in nine networks, including Visa, PLUS, Master Card, Cirrus, American Express and Diners Club; you will need your PIN to make a withdrawal. In major post offices the ATMs are accessible at weekends and after the counters have closed, though none are open 24 hours. As this is a new system and there are still some teething troubles it is worth bringing some money in cash in the case of an emergency. Travellers cheques and cash can be changed between 9am & 3pm at Authorized Foreign Exchange Banks, which are found in cities. You must show your passport when making an exchange and you should be prepared for the transaction to take some time. It is best to bring US dollar travelers cheques as sterling and other currencies are not always accepted. Excess yen can be converted back on departure. It is a good idea to retain the original exchange certificates throughout your stay in Japan.

CLOTHING
As a general guideline, clothing should be lightweight, loose fitting, hard-wearing and easily washed. In Japan no matter what time of the year you will need to be prepared for great variations in temperature, so generally it’s best to pack several thin layers rather than one thick layer. Other than that, almost anything goes in Japan! It is particularly important in Japan to travel light. With the exception of trains servicing the airport, there are no special racks for large luggage. On the Shinkansen (Bullet trains), luggage space is limited to a small overhead rack and the legroom in front of your seat, which is sufficient for a small-medium daypack.

COMMUNICATION

Telephone:
Credit cards can be used directly in some phone boxes, although public phones are becoming increasingly difficult to find and are most likely to be located near train stations. They are green and grey, and accept coins and magnetic prepaid cards, available from convenience stories and vending machines.

Mobile phone:
The Japanese mobile network uses PDC (Personal Digital Cellular System) technology, which is not compatible with GSM or other mobile services. Visitors can hire handsets at the airport from companies such as DoCoMo (www.nttdocomo.com), and Softbank (www.softbank-rental.jp). In the UK, phones can be rented in advance of travel from Adam Phones (www.adamphones.com). Coverage is generally good.

Internet:
Wi-Fi is widely available throughout Japan. Alternatively, there are many internet cafés located in Tokyo and other main cities.

Post:
Letters in Tokyo can be taken to the International Post Office (www.japanpost.jp), near exit A-2 Otemachi subway station, which provide English-speaking personnel. Airmail to Europe takes four to six days.

Post office hours:
Mon-Fri 0900-1700 (1900 at bigger branches). Some main post offices are open 0900-1500 on Saturdays; 0900-1230 on Sundays. Some branches have an after-hours service window.

FOOD
Mention Japanese food and most people think immediately of raw fish and seaweed. These are indeed quintessential Japanese dishes, but Japan also offers a surprising variety of dishes and cooking styles. Western food (including most major fast-food chains) is also available. Restaurants and bars tend to specialize in one particular type of food. There is seldom a menu in English, but often there are plastic displays in the window of meals and prices. Teishoku (set meals) are common, easy to order and generally good value. Knives, forks and spoons are only provided in western restaurants so you will need to adapt to eating with short chopsticks called hashi. Soup is drunk straight from the bowl. Sticky rice is such a staple that breakfast, lunch and dinner translates as morning rice, midday rice and evening rice. One bowl meals of rice topped with other ingredients, e.g. a deep-fried pork cutlet (katsu-don) makes a great, filling lunch. Japanese breakfast can be a bit unappetizing to foreigners. It usually consists of a small piece of cooked fish, soup, boiled rice, pickle and tea. Occasionally a western alternative is available from a local bakery or convenience store. A serving of selected slivers of raw fish is actually called sashimi. Tuna, squid, salmon, prawn, abalone, mackerel, yellow tail and sea urchin are all popular varieties. If prepared and served on a ball of vinegar rice it is called sushi. Tempura is food deep-fried in a light batter; often prawns, fish and vegetables. Yakitori is small skewered pieces of chicken coated in an exquisite sauce and barbecued. Originally a Chinese dish, ramen is a big bowl of very thin noodles served in a chicken stock with vegetables and meat. Also commonly available are thick white flour udon soup noodles and narrow buckwheat soba, which may be served in a hot or cold soup or on its own. On offer at specialty restaurants, shabu-shabu and sukiyaki are thinly sliced beef, tofu and vegetables cooked at your table. O-konomiyaki is a tasty pancake of meat fish and vegetables, which you cook yourself on the built-in hot-plate on your table! Special mention should also be made of o-bento. This is a popular packed meal offered at railway stations (and now often elsewhere too) for eating on the train. Tea is drunk everywhere in Japan. O-cha, green tea, has a delicate and distinctive flavour. Coffee, hot or iced, is widely available too, but coffee shops are generally looked on as places to meet and sit, and charge accordingly. A wide range of soft drinks (e.g. Coca-Cola, Pepsi and locally produced alternatives) are available throughout Japan. Ancient communal and religious practices have made alcohol an integral part of life in Japan. Sake (pronounced O-sa-kay) is a rice wine usually served warm. Shochu is the traditional distilled spirit and should be mixed with water before drinking. Beer is now the most popular alcoholic drink and Japan produces excellent quality light, lager-type beer such as Kirin, Asahi and Sapporo. Imported wine is available but is relatively expensive.

Things to know:
Most traditional Japanese cuisine is eaten with chopsticks. Restaurants have table service and in some places it is customary to remove footwear. There are no licensing hours. Drinking is subject to long-standing rituals of politeness. The host will pour a drink for the visitor, and will insist on the visitor's glass being full. It is bad manners for a visitor to pour one for him or herself.

Specialties:

• Teriyaki (marinated beef/chicken/fish seared on a hot plate).
• Tempura (seafood and vegetables deep-fried in a light batter).
• Sushi (slices of raw fish and seafood placed on light and vinegary rice balls).
• Sashimi (slices of raw fish and seafood dipped in soy sauce).
• Ramen, soba and udon (varieties of noodles, which can be served hot or cold, in soups or with dipping sauces).
• Kushikatsu (crumbed fish, meat and vegetables deep-fried on skewers)
• akitori (skewers of grilled chicken)
• Okonomiyaki (grilled savoury pancake made with shredded cabbage, seafood, pork and noodles)
• Champuru (Okinawan style stir-fry usually cooked with goya bitter melon)
• Obanzai (Kyoto home-style cooking based on vegetables, tofu and fish)
• Shojin-ryori (traditional Buddhist cuisine using vegetables, tofu and rice with very light flavouring)

MEALS
Approximate costs for meals and snacks not included are shown below:

• Simple snack - US$3
• Simple breakfast - US$5
• Lunchtime set meal - US$6-8
• Evening restaurant (dinner) - US$17+

DRINKS
Complimentary Japanese green tea and tap water is generally provided with meals in restaurants. All other drinks: bottled water, soft or alcoholic drinks are at your own expense. Approximate costs for drinks bought in a shop in the street are shown below.

Regional drinks:

• Green tea is extremely popular. The quality of the tea varies greatly from houjicha (a common brown-coloured tea) and sencha (standard green tea), to genmaicha (green tea roasted with brown rice) and matcha (a bitter green tea used in tea ceremonies).
• Sake (rice wine served hot or cold).
• Shochu (strong vodka-like spirit usually mixed with soft drinks to make cocktails).
• Popular brands of beer are Asahi, Kirin, Sapporo and Suntory.

Note: Prices in restaurants and hotels are usually at least double those specified.

• 1l of water - US$1.5
• 300ml can of soft drink - US$1
• 500ml can of beer - US$3

Tap water is perfectly safe to drink in Japan, but is not particularly tasty. Carbonated soft drinks and, to a lesser extent, bottled water and fruit juices, are widely available throughout the country.

TIPPING
Tips are never expected. In some upmarket places, a 10 to 15% service charge will be added to the bill. In some bars, there may be a table or "charm" charge too, which can be quite steep; it's best to enquire in advance if you're in any doubt.

Social conventions:
Japanese manners and customs are vastly different from those of Western people. A strict code of behaviour and politeness is recognized and followed by almost everyone. However, Japanese people do not expect visitors to be familiar with all their customs but do expect them to behave formally and politely.
A straightforward refusal traditionally does not form part of Japanese etiquette, and a vague 'yes' does not always mean 'yes'. (The visitor may be comforted to know that confusion caused by non-committal replies occurs between the Japanese themselves.)
When entering a Japanese home or restaurant, shoes must be removed. Bowing is the customary greeting but handshaking is becoming more common for business meetings with Westerners. The honorific suffix san should be used when addressing all men and women; for instance Mr Yamada would be addressed as Yamada-san.
Table manners are very important, although the Japanese host will be very tolerant towards a visitor. However, it is best if visitors familiarize themselves with basic table etiquette and use chopsticks. Exchange of gifts is also a common business practice and may take the form of souvenir items such as company pens, ties or high-quality spirits.

WEATHER & CLIMATE
Generally Japan benefits from a temperate climate with four very distinct seasons. Spring (Mar-May) is warm and sunny, summer (Jun-Aug) hot and humid, with high rainfall. Autumn (Sep-Nov) is mild and pleasant, rainfall is low and days clear. Winter (Dec-Feb) is cold and dry and the mountainous areas and the northern island of Hokkaido experience heavy snowfall. Overall, spring and autumn are considered the best seasons to travel. However if you are planning to climb Mt Fuji, it is only possible in July and August due to the extreme conditions on the mountain at other times of the year.

Tokyo: (approx)

HEALTH & MEDICAL REQUIREMENTS & GUIDELINES
As a general recommendation, it is advisable to check with your family doctor or travel clinic for latest health information.

TRAVEL INSURANCE
It is highly recommended that you purchase travel insurance from your travel agent. Health plans only provide limited coverage while traveling outside of the country. Indus Travels can offer you a complete travel insurance package. Some credit cards do offer travel insurance, however they do not always provide adequate coverage. Review and understand the terms of your credit card insurance policy. Extra travel insurance can be purchased.
Most insurance companies do have exclusions in their coverage. Pre-existing medical conditions are not insurable. High risk activities such as skydiving, parachuting, and bungee jumping are also not covered by insurance. Understand the complete insurance coverage you have before travelling out of the country.

 

FAQs: Things to Know Before Traveling to Japan

1. Is Japan a good place to visit?

Absolutely. Japan is safe, clean, efficient, and culturally rich. It’s perfect for travelers interested in history, technology, nature, and gastronomy—all wrapped in a highly organized and respectful society.

2. What are the best tips for traveling to Japan?

• Buy a Japan Rail Pass in advance if you plan to travel between cities.
• Always carry cash—many places still don’t accept credit cards.
• Download helpful apps like Google Translate and Hyperdia for trains.
• Learn a few basic Japanese phrases—it’s appreciated!

 

3. What are the things to know before going to Japan?

• Japan is very punctual—be on time for tours, trains, and reservations.
• Shoes must be removed before entering homes and some restaurants or temples.
• Trash bins are rare—carry a small bag for your garbage.
• Silence is golden, especially on public transport.

 

4. What are some useful tips for visiting Japan for the first time?

• Get an IC card (like Suica or Pasmo) for easy travel on local transport.
• Tipping is not customary—don’t leave money at restaurants.
• Respect queue lines and avoid loud conversations in public.
• Try convenience store food—it’s surprisingly great!

 

5. Are there any specific things to know when visiting Japan?

Yes, etiquette matters a lot. Bowing is a common greeting, slurping noodles is considered polite, and talking on phones on trains is frowned upon.

 

6. What are the most important tips for going to Japan?

• Plan your itinerary in advance; spontaneous changes can be hard with fixed train schedules.
• Book accommodations early, especially during cherry blossom or autumn seasons.
• Respect cultural norms—even small gestures like passing money in a tray are appreciated.

 

7. What are some essential things to know before traveling to Japan?

• The weather varies drastically by season—pack accordingly.
• Wi-Fi isn’t always available, so consider renting a pocket Wi-Fi.
• Convenience stores (konbini) are lifesavers—they’re everywhere and sell everything.

 

8. Any cultural tips for traveling to Japan?

Yes! Avoid pointing, don’t tip, always be respectful of personal space, and follow local customs, especially at shrines and temples. Japan values harmony and politeness above all.