Essential tips for a trip to Japan
Do I need cash, how does the subway work, how to get mobile data at a reasonable price, and how can I speed up entry? What should I do to avoid getting lost?
I’ve been traveling to Japan regularly for 15 years, and I don’t think I’ll ever fully understand this country—it’s just that unique. But I’m not giving up on gathering as much practical information as possible. I’ve put it all together here so you don’t have to rely on questionable sources. Of course, Japan continues to evolve, even though it already seems to be living in the 22nd century—there’s no stopping it. With that in mind, I regularly update this post to keep it as current as possible.
This post is not about restaurants for a change, but rather focuses on the basic preparations, navigation, and getting around, because that can be quite challenging, too.
ARRIVAL
PASSPORT, VISA
Currently, for EU citizens a valid passport is required for entry, and no visa is needed for stays shorter than 90 days. This, of course can change so check with your local consulate.
ENTRY
It's definitely worth getting all the required QR codes in advance, as it makes passing through checks much faster. You can head straight to the QR-code lanes at customs and immigration, avoiding long queues and tedious form-filling. Currently, these two are needed (previously, they also required COVID-related forms): www.vjw.digital.go.jp
MONEY
Card vs cash
It’s hard to predict exactly how much cash you'll need, as it depends on your spending habits, but it’s important to know that there are still places, especially in smaller towns, that only accept cash (though there are also some restaurants that only accept cards). I recommend bringing a mix: some US dollars, which are easy to exchange for yen if needed, and some yen as well. For instance, 30,000 yen per person and a few hundred dollars on hand might be a good starting point.
The simplest way is to withdraw cash from local ATMs using something like a Revolut card to cover the next few days. Pickpocketing and crime are virtually non-existent.
When paying by card, it’s not customary to hand the card directly to the waiter or cashier. Instead, place it on the little tray at the counter. The same goes for cash, and they will also place the change on the tray. (There's no such thing as keeping the small change, so don’t try leaving it behind. )
Tipping is generally not a thing, but in some restaurants, there might be a 10% tax or service charge added, though this is rare. There’s no cheating or scams, so there’s no need to be suspicious or double-check prices. If the bill says a certain amount, that’s exactly what it costs. They don’t make mistakes—either intentionally or by accident. This kind of thing is simply not part of the culture.
TRANSPORTATION
WITHIN THE COUNTRY
JAPAN RAIL PASS
For a long time, it was almost a no-brainer to buy the Japan Rail Pass, but the price has significantly increased, so it’s worth considering whether it’s still a good deal for your trip. You might also want to think about regional passes, depending on where you’ll be traveling.
Ordering from Klook offers great pricing (affiliate link), a clear selection, and they ship the voucher within 4-5 business days, which you can exchange for the actual pass when you arrive in Japan. It’s important to know that you cannot purchase the pass while you’re already in the country—it must be ordered before entering Japan!
TOKYO AIRPORTS
From Haneda, there’s a really good metro line, and it's the fastest option. From Narita, there’s an express train that requires a transfer to the metro, and there’s also a fairly economical bus that goes to Tokyo Station (the edge of Ginza) and possibly to Shinjuku or Shibuya. It’s quite comfortable, though obviously not the fastest option. There’s also a train service covered by the Japan Rail Pass.
PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION
METRO
Japan has an incredibly efficient subway system, so it's best to rely on that for getting around. Taxis can be tricky, and due to the confusing address system, drivers often struggle to find specific locations and may just drop you off somewhere nearby. It’s a good idea to look up your destination and route in Google Maps in advance and save the information in case you lose internet access.
There will still be challenges, so for restaurant reservations and meetings, it’s advisable to arrive at least 15 minutes early, as that often proves to be insufficient. A general rule of thumb is that you can easily get lost, even near your destination.
Google Maps handles public transportation exceptionally well, providing fare information, accurate arrival and departure times, and even suggesting which car to board and which exit to use. It's wise to follow these recommendations; otherwise, you might encounter some serious surprises.
In Tokyo, there are many restaurants both above and below ground, so it's essential to pay attention to what the map indicates, as not everything is concentrated at street level.
It's also advisable to avoid the morning rush hour unless you're specifically aiming to experience the crowding.
METRO TICKETS
Tickets can be purchased upon entry by specifying your destination. The fare depends on the distance traveled. If you make a mistake and the gate doesn't let you out at the end, there's no need to worry; you can simply pay the extra fare at a designated machine (fare adjustment), and it will allow you to exit. Similarly, if your journey ends up being shorter than expected, you can get a refund for the excess fare at the same location.
There are also day passes available for specific metro companies or for all companies combined, but I don't highly recommend these unless you're sure you'll be using the metro a lot that day.
However, it's much simpler to use a rechargeable IC card, with two main companies offering them: Suica and Pasmo. They are equally effective, so it comes down to personal preference. You can buy these in physical form, but it's much easier to purchase them as e-cards on your phone, which also allows for convenient top-ups. (Top-ups can only be done from Mastercard; Visa does not work!)
If you have one of these cards set up as an Express card on your phone, you only need to hold your phone to the reader when entering and exiting the station. For those interested in diving deeper into the topic, here’s a detailed article.
TAXI
If someone really wants to take a taxi, they should do it through an app, because you won't have a chance to explain to the driver where you want to go. Uber is also available, and you can flag down a taxi on the street, but it will be a bit harder to explain your destination in that case. There's no cheating or hustling here either. The signaling is reversed: red means available, and green means occupied.
You shouldn't touch the taxi doors, the driver opens and closes them electronically—maybe there's even a catapult feature, but I haven't tried that yet.
TELECOMMUNICATION
TELEPHONE, SIM, WIFI
While there's Wi-Fi available in places like subway stations and convenience stores, you often have to connect, approve, enter an email address, etc. So it might be a good idea to insert a Japanese SIM card into your phone at the beginning—WhatsApp will work with that, too. An eSIM is much easier than a physical SIM (as long as your phone supports it); this has worked really well for me. Plus, there are packages available that are valid for all of Asia if you’re going on a longer trip. The initial setup for the eSIM takes about 10 minutes, but you can even do it in advance from home, allowing you to start using data immediately upon landing. I’ve read a few comparative articles on the subject, and there are many providers; I found Airalo to be the most user-friendly. I've used it in Thailand, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, China, etc., and it has worked excellently. (Anyone who gets Airalo (app) will receive $3 if they use my referral code during the first installation: ANDRAS3735.)
If you still want a physical SIM: Here’s a longer description about the topic. In general, I recommend buying whatever you can find, even at the airport or the first store. It’s wise to buy from a professional place where they can install it for you and make sure it works, as dealing with potential Japanese error messages/settings later can be challenging! Most of these prepaid cards only include data and do not include voice calls!
CLOTHING
DRESS CODE
Overall, the dress code can be a bit more relaxed than in Europe, suit is not expected almost anywhere, for instance. However, closed-toe shoes, long pants, and preferably non-branded/patterned tops are still recommended. (Of course, this excludes casual places like street food vendors and similar spots.)
SHOES
In Japan, you can walk a lot, so make sure to wear comfortable shoes. Also, it's often required to take off your shoes when entering certain places, so slip-on styles are a plus.
OTHER
ELECTRICITY
You will need an adapter! The one commonly used in the USA generally works, as most places have two vertical flat prongs (like tagliatelle for Italians!). Grounded outlets are rare.
QUEUING
In Japan, waiting in line is completely normal. People will stand in line for hours if needed, whether at train stations or subway stops (only in the designated areas and direction!), and even for a great ramen shop. Rain or shine, everyone must stay in line if they want to get in...
BE OPEN
And it's really important to give yourself time to adjust to the differences and have plenty of openness: in Japan, luxury, quality, and hospitality do not equate to what we've imagined for ourselves here in Europe. It’s not necessarily worse; it’s just crucial to arrive with curiosity rather than expectations for maximum enjoyment. This is an island nation that lived in complete isolation from the world for centuries by its own choice, which makes it quite peculiar. Yet, I find this to be what’s exciting and valuable; it doesn’t organize itself along European-American values, although those do sometimes appear, even in bizarre roles (for example, it’s customary to go to KFC at Christmas).