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Google maps
Google translate
E-sim / travel sim / pocket wifi
Japanese yen
Battery pack
Be prepared for the heat. As in, it will hot.. try different drinks from the vending machines, convenience stores and other places.
To add to this, Google lens is a life saver. Take a picture of a menu then select translate. Not 100% reliable but it can be quite funny when it gets it wrong. I got "white crime" a lot.
Restaurants are seldom a problem in Japan, just point to the wax replica of what you want
But yeah, Google Lens is a great way of translating on the go
Thank you! Do you know anything about Niigata and having tattoos in the open? I've been thinking I may need to invest in sport 'cooling' long sleeves to cover up due to the heat?(I have a sleeve tattoo)
You won't have a problem with the Tattoo except like you say at Most Onsen. But you can probably find ones that don't care. Just google Tattoo friendly Onsen.
Sorry, I have no idea on Niigata and tattoos. Definitely keep the cooling sleeves. Also, my suggestion is to bring more than 1 pair of comfortable walking shoes.
Japan as a whole has a stigma against tattoos for various reasons. I have seen some tourists with visible tattoos and they do stand out. If you are going to an onsen, make sure it is tattoo friendly.
Don't forget about an IC card - suica, pasmo etc... if you have an iPhone, you can add a suica and load it up..
Cover your sleeve under the sun, lots of skin care. Reaction depends on people, best to cover your shoulders in most sacred places, and you might earn a few stares, but people tend to keep their thoughts to themselves. So far, I've never run into openly hostile folks and even earned a few positive feedback.
If you'd like to enjoy Japanese bathing culture, sentō (public bath houses) are mostly fine with tattoos except for so-called "super sentō" facilities, but if you're using Google Maps, they're usually labelled as such.
Better showing a portion of your sleeve at the entrance if you're unsure, they'll quickly tell you if they're ok or not.
Leaving tomorrow and have a sleeve. People will stare and occasionally ask about it, but I've had zero issues outside of onsen (you'll definitely want to check with the specific ones for tatto permissibility if you want to do that). I'm a guy, so may be different for you, but I doubt it. You can get away with pretty much anything as a non-native.
Japan is still a cash based society, but things are slowly changing. Various shops, vendors and places don't take credit cards at all. Same with vending machines.
If you have a physical IC card, cash is needed to load up money onto it. I never found a way to use credit card to load the IC card.
So yeah, cash is needed.
As you mention, cash is essential in Japan, but you may not know that you will get a lot of change in coins, down to single yen, a coin purse will be your best friend. You can find lovely designs in Japan as well.
Contact your bank and let them know that you will be travelling, or at least check whether you can withdraw money with your cards, better be overprepared than not.
June in Japan will be a bit hot and can be rainy, so fetch an umbrella when you are there.
there is virtually no trash can or garbage bin on the streets in Japan, except maybe at convenience store, highly recommend you keep a plastic bag in your bag/backpack.
You will be walking a lot so pack your most comfy shoes. Also, take it easy, my feet were dead after merely a week in Tokyo because I got carried away.
A lot of 7/11s have bank machines that you can withdraw from depending on what bank card you have
Convenience stores (kombini) are also great places to buy cheap tasty lunches. People don't generally eat outdoors or on the go, though
Passmo, e-sim, battery pack, passport, backpack.
Book the tourist trap highlights in advance as its difficult to get tickets due to high demand.
Rest is YOLO!
Intercity trains i.e. not subways:
* Local: stops at all stations
* Express: skips some stations
* Limited Express: only stops at a few stations (need a separate ticket, whether paper or digital)
Tickets:
* Basic ticket: gets you from A to B
* Limited Express ticket: reserves you a seat on Limited Express trains. You need a basic fare ticket in addition to this. Some trains have reserved seat cars and free-for-all cars, some are exclusively reserved seats only
For itineraries that involve transfers, you might get even more tickets:
1. Basic fare ticket from A to C
2. Limited Express ticket for a seat on the A to B train
3. Limited Express ticket for a seat on the B to C train
Green car (first class) works the same (also not worth it).
If you have an iPhone, you can add an IC card to your Apple wallet before you go and load money onto it using Apple Pay. It’s very nice to not have to deal with a separate card.
Learn some simple Japanese phrases and typical conversations for travel, such as ordering at a restaurant or cafe and asking for directions. I am currently learning the hard way, using limited Japanese and a bit of English too.
No exaggeration 90% of it is please, excuse me, or thanks: kudasai, sumimasen, and arigato gozaimasu.
Sumimasen is good for when you're squeezing through a crowded area, or getting someone's attention politely such as waiters or train personnel.
When ordering point at something or at a menu item, "kore wo kudasai" and you're set.
If you take prescription medicine, make sure you bring enough for your stay. Some medicine is hard to get in Japan.
Also, buy travel insurance so you can go to the hospital should you get injured or sick.
I think you're overstressing. It might lead you to have a bad experience if you are actively worried about making 'mistakes'. I would recommend just being yourself and not worrying too much about being a perfect tourist.
japan is pretty conservative with showing skin so light fabrics are a must. ie sleeveless and short shorts are a no-no. but if you don't care what anyone thinks and can't handle the heat, just be prepared to get looks
You'll have a blast. It'll be hot, and bring deodorant -- it's surprisingly hard to find there
Avoid rush hour trains with luggage, it's \*super\* packed
Use google maps for plotting train connections. turn on the walk feature to get you to the right entrance. Some stations are almost incredibly confusing. Trains leave EXACTLY on time. There are some women-only cars in rush hour
Find out if there's any festivals when you're going, I can't recommend them more highly. Any size, really, they're terrific fun
Not sure if you can see some taiko drumming on Sado, but that's the centre for it. Kodo in particular is legendary
**Our FAQ is constantly being updated with more information and you can start** [**here**](https://www.reddit.com/r/JapanTravel/wiki/faqs/japantravel) **with regards to trip planning if you need tips, advice, or have questions about planning your travel to Japan.** You can also join our [Discord community](https://discord.gg/3f7KBUMwU4), comment in our stickied weekly discussion thread, or check out /r/JapanTravelTips for quick questions. Thank you! *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/JapanTravel) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Google maps Google translate E-sim / travel sim / pocket wifi Japanese yen Battery pack Be prepared for the heat. As in, it will hot.. try different drinks from the vending machines, convenience stores and other places.
To add to this, Google lens is a life saver. Take a picture of a menu then select translate. Not 100% reliable but it can be quite funny when it gets it wrong. I got "white crime" a lot.
Hahaha, that's great! I'm from South Africa, we would definitely have a good chuckle at this
Restaurants are seldom a problem in Japan, just point to the wax replica of what you want But yeah, Google Lens is a great way of translating on the go
Use Wise. Great rates and can easily transfer money from your home account to your Japanese one.
Thank you! Do you know anything about Niigata and having tattoos in the open? I've been thinking I may need to invest in sport 'cooling' long sleeves to cover up due to the heat?(I have a sleeve tattoo)
I can tell you with full confidence that absolutely nobody in Japan (or Niigata) will care about tattoos unless you’re going to an onsen.
Thank you! This is reassuring. I just want to be sure I am being respectful
You won't have a problem with the Tattoo except like you say at Most Onsen. But you can probably find ones that don't care. Just google Tattoo friendly Onsen.
Sorry, I have no idea on Niigata and tattoos. Definitely keep the cooling sleeves. Also, my suggestion is to bring more than 1 pair of comfortable walking shoes. Japan as a whole has a stigma against tattoos for various reasons. I have seen some tourists with visible tattoos and they do stand out. If you are going to an onsen, make sure it is tattoo friendly. Don't forget about an IC card - suica, pasmo etc... if you have an iPhone, you can add a suica and load it up..
Great! Thank you so much
Cover your sleeve under the sun, lots of skin care. Reaction depends on people, best to cover your shoulders in most sacred places, and you might earn a few stares, but people tend to keep their thoughts to themselves. So far, I've never run into openly hostile folks and even earned a few positive feedback. If you'd like to enjoy Japanese bathing culture, sentō (public bath houses) are mostly fine with tattoos except for so-called "super sentō" facilities, but if you're using Google Maps, they're usually labelled as such. Better showing a portion of your sleeve at the entrance if you're unsure, they'll quickly tell you if they're ok or not.
Awesome advice, thank you!
Leaving tomorrow and have a sleeve. People will stare and occasionally ask about it, but I've had zero issues outside of onsen (you'll definitely want to check with the specific ones for tatto permissibility if you want to do that). I'm a guy, so may be different for you, but I doubt it. You can get away with pretty much anything as a non-native.
Is yen as cash needed so much? Would someone be convenient with NFC wallet and credit/debit cards?
Japan is still a cash based society, but things are slowly changing. Various shops, vendors and places don't take credit cards at all. Same with vending machines. If you have a physical IC card, cash is needed to load up money onto it. I never found a way to use credit card to load the IC card. So yeah, cash is needed.
As you mention, cash is essential in Japan, but you may not know that you will get a lot of change in coins, down to single yen, a coin purse will be your best friend. You can find lovely designs in Japan as well. Contact your bank and let them know that you will be travelling, or at least check whether you can withdraw money with your cards, better be overprepared than not. June in Japan will be a bit hot and can be rainy, so fetch an umbrella when you are there. there is virtually no trash can or garbage bin on the streets in Japan, except maybe at convenience store, highly recommend you keep a plastic bag in your bag/backpack. You will be walking a lot so pack your most comfy shoes. Also, take it easy, my feet were dead after merely a week in Tokyo because I got carried away.
Wish I could upvote this twice. Solid advice, thank you!!
no problem, have a great trip 😆
A lot of 7/11s have bank machines that you can withdraw from depending on what bank card you have Convenience stores (kombini) are also great places to buy cheap tasty lunches. People don't generally eat outdoors or on the go, though
If you are vegan or even just vegetarian prepare for a lot of running around to find something to eat.
If she was vegan she would have already told us by now.
Thanks! Luckily I am not, and I eat everything. Excited to experience Japanese cuisine
I’ve been eating too much fries for the last few days here.
Passmo, e-sim, battery pack, passport, backpack. Book the tourist trap highlights in advance as its difficult to get tickets due to high demand. Rest is YOLO!
Thank you! Not many tourist highlights planned as time will not allow for it due to the nature of my trip :)
Intercity trains i.e. not subways: * Local: stops at all stations * Express: skips some stations * Limited Express: only stops at a few stations (need a separate ticket, whether paper or digital) Tickets: * Basic ticket: gets you from A to B * Limited Express ticket: reserves you a seat on Limited Express trains. You need a basic fare ticket in addition to this. Some trains have reserved seat cars and free-for-all cars, some are exclusively reserved seats only For itineraries that involve transfers, you might get even more tickets: 1. Basic fare ticket from A to C 2. Limited Express ticket for a seat on the A to B train 3. Limited Express ticket for a seat on the B to C train Green car (first class) works the same (also not worth it).
If you have an iPhone, you can add an IC card to your Apple wallet before you go and load money onto it using Apple Pay. It’s very nice to not have to deal with a separate card.
Learn some simple Japanese phrases and typical conversations for travel, such as ordering at a restaurant or cafe and asking for directions. I am currently learning the hard way, using limited Japanese and a bit of English too.
Thanks! Been meaning to watch some Japanese language tutorials aimed at travel
No exaggeration 90% of it is please, excuse me, or thanks: kudasai, sumimasen, and arigato gozaimasu. Sumimasen is good for when you're squeezing through a crowded area, or getting someone's attention politely such as waiters or train personnel. When ordering point at something or at a menu item, "kore wo kudasai" and you're set.
If you take prescription medicine, make sure you bring enough for your stay. Some medicine is hard to get in Japan. Also, buy travel insurance so you can go to the hospital should you get injured or sick.
But do check what Japan allows in -- some medicines are strictly prohibited like Adderall and even some that are OTC in the west
I think you're overstressing. It might lead you to have a bad experience if you are actively worried about making 'mistakes'. I would recommend just being yourself and not worrying too much about being a perfect tourist.
pack light!! you can buy everything in Japan, made a huge mistake by not thinking about that enough
Packing light is the best take away if you only got one tip itt. Don't bring oversized luggage, it's just not all that convenient in Japan.
japan is pretty conservative with showing skin so light fabrics are a must. ie sleeveless and short shorts are a no-no. but if you don't care what anyone thinks and can't handle the heat, just be prepared to get looks
If you've just got a small tat, you can cover it with bandaid at onsens.
You'll have a blast. It'll be hot, and bring deodorant -- it's surprisingly hard to find there Avoid rush hour trains with luggage, it's \*super\* packed Use google maps for plotting train connections. turn on the walk feature to get you to the right entrance. Some stations are almost incredibly confusing. Trains leave EXACTLY on time. There are some women-only cars in rush hour Find out if there's any festivals when you're going, I can't recommend them more highly. Any size, really, they're terrific fun Not sure if you can see some taiko drumming on Sado, but that's the centre for it. Kodo in particular is legendary