55 Tips You Should Know BEFORE Travelling to Japan

If you're travelling to Japan for the first time, what do you need to know before you go? I've put together essential first-time tips about planning your trip, key Japanese phrases to use and communication tools, as well as advice on how to pay for things, and transportation hints. Knowing these travel tips should make your first visit to Japan smoother and more enjoyable, and you won't need to carry your trash around with you!

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Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License

Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License

Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License

Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License

Chapters
00:21 Attractions
01:20 Language
02:46 Internet
04:09 Money
07:13 Eating Out
08:18 Transportation
10:42 Trash and Toilets
12:48 Luggage
16:06 Weather

[japanunravelled]

Got any questions? Have any other tips for travelling in Japan I didn't mention? Drop them here in the comments! 🗾🏯🎎🔰

[Big-Wonka]

I have one huge recommendation that is probably a super rare situation that happened to me. If you get the rail pass then of course you have to go to the travel center to exchange your voucher. Someone will be in the front of the line with a calendar to ask you which days you'd like to start the pass and end the pass. My friend and I are 10000% sure we gave the correct dates. Either the woman wrote them down wrong or the next woman at the counter entered it wrong. Needless to say, she entered the end date (2 weeks later) as the start date. We didn't realize until 3 days later because that was the first day we were going to take the shinkansen. We activated it at Shinjuku station but realized it at Tokyo station. The travel center agent there sent us to customer service and after an hour she told us to go back to Shinjuku station. We went back, waited an hour in line then explained the situation again. The guy working realized they made a mistake because the date the voucher was exchanged was exactly 14 days from the start date. So obviously it was a mix up. Unfortunately, once the voucher is exchanged then it can't be corrected. The only option left was the manager allowed us to be refunded (minus 10%) since it was never used in the 3 days since we got it and we could buy new passes (at a higher price than we originally paid because I got them when the yen was at its weakest point). All in all, we were out about $200 each. Lesson learned. Just make sure you confirm over and over again the correct dates lol. Sorry for the long comment.

[Gazumi-inOZ]

The airport transfer bus was a very important tip often not paid enough attention to. When flying into either Narita or KIX Osaka ... seriously consider taking the Keisei Bus @1300Y lots of buses, convenient ticket desks at the terminal/s arrival areas or tap IC card on the bus 🤗 ... ahhhh the ease of transfer from directly outside the arrival doors of Narita and KIX airports to Tokyo or Osaka stations provided by luggage loading attendees, riding in air-conditioned comfortable guaranteed seating, while enjoying the large-window sightseeing trip as you travel. 🚌 Only wish I realised how good the KBS's are on my 1st trip rather than my 7th. Since then, it's now the only way I go ! ... From Tokyo station you can train to anywhere on the Yamanote Loop Line easily. BTW, big tip is ... if staying in Tokyo, stay close to a station on the Yamanote line - in hindsight you'll say that was GOLD 🥇

Oh, be aware the Keisei Buses allows only 1 bag (+ carry-on/s) and no oversized items per rider .... More bags/oversized items ? take the limousine buses at av/3200Y ... Skip trains altogether 👌

And, the Keisei bus can be cheaper than trains .... Limousine bus is the expensive one but still worth it 😊

[Gazumi-inOZ]

When staying in Tokyo it's super important to stay as close as you can to a station on the Yamanote Loop Line.

This has you on track quickly to your destinations without having to connect from a line outside the city centre to the Yamanote line.

After 8 trips to Tokyo I finally found the quiet northern area of Otsuka/Sugamo which is the best area I've stayed in out of seven different spots. It's a seniors' local area with cheaper prices all around in restaurants and supermarkets, etc.

Sugamo is only 2 stations from Ikebukuro a major hub and busy city center, and places like Shinjuku and Shibuya only a few stations further on when you want to get amongst the bustling crowds. Sugamo also has a subway station next to the railway station so it's super convenient. In addition there is the Arakawa Toden Tram line as well, the last remaining tram line in Tokyo.

It's a big advantage to be able to retreat from the bustling crowds at the end of each day and enjoy your mornings having breakfast in the quiet area of Otsuka/Sugamo 👍

[Ricozth]

Sadly i only just found your channel now, even if you dont see this Ive been loving binge watching your videos. Love from Canada

[JasminaFun]

I went to the tokyo tourist office. They were super helpful. They recommended a Hakkaido 3 day pass. You can commute an any vehicle! Was great!

[bigbrowntau]

Great tip about the UV! You're the only person I've ever heard mention it. Superb video, one of many you've made. Thank you so much for the effort you put into them.

[mummaguns]

Thank you so much for your videos and helpful Tips for first time travelers to Japan. There is so much to research and learn before going and your videos have been enormously helpful. Fantastic help. Thank you🤗

[Gazumi-inOZ]

I've watched a few of your videos over the years and every time I come back to view another you have really good information and a common sense approach to travelling in Japan. I've just subscribed and looking forward to more of your videos .... Well done, great job 👍 ... On my 10th trip next month.

[geromyre]

Again, thank you so much for making these videos. My trip is in 6 weeks, and it's nice to watch these and give myself peace-of-mind that I'm not overlooking something. The thing about over-the-counter medicines is something I've been meaning to double check, and those links you've provided are super useful!

[johnbailey]

So much good information! I'm not sure the travel experience in Japan would be the same without the konbini's - cash, trash disposal; surprising good food; all the essentials and many locations. I'm glad you mentioned the drug stores - OTC medications we usually find at a convenience store are better located at a drug store in Japan.

[katekenyon]

Great videos - very helpful for a first timer 👍👍

[charlottejsy]

Such a handy video. This will help a lot. Thanks 😊

[Gazumi-inOZ]

If you're confronted with a queue at a restaurant you're considering eating at, GET IN THE QUEUE then Gmap the restaurant to get reviews and menu ideas, or send someone in your group to the store window for assessment of the menu. Nothing worse after 5-10+ minutes of finally deciding to join the queue when you could be almost at the door 💡😮

[seandavie]

Combini has a loo, wow, I hadn't realised that!!

[blueyonder]

Wow what a load of great tips in this video. Glad to see you included soap & small cloth to wash hands. I've been thinking of carrying a small GoToob silicon bottle to carry liquid soap, refillable at your accommodation as liquid body soap is used at most Japanese accommodation. Regarding carrying passport, while you may walk fast I was approached by a police officer and asked to show passport when lingering outside a railway station. I wasn't carrying it but was let off with a warning. Since then I carry it unless going to a public bath. As passports are such an important document it's important to protect them in a case to prevent them getting bent or wet. If I could request in a future video, the use of the microwave oven at convenience stores to heat meals where the customer is expected to use the microwave. The labels are a little challenging. Thank you.

[bhemianrage]

Thank you for the app tips. I've not heard of the mizu one and it's something I always need (I'm terrible for getting dehydrated on holiday because I forget to drink and am trying to make it more of a thing)

[badgeologist]

Hi, I'm traveling to Japan in September, I'm pleased to find your YouTube channel, very helpful, there are so many things to consider)) By the way, I can't find the VPN link you are using, did I miss it? or did you forget to post it? Thank you

[helenstratigos]

Excellent tips - thank you! 👍Excited for my very first trip to Japan in early spring! This is incredibly helpful.😍

[melaniewray]

Thanks for this. All very useful. Anyone ever told you you look like Jarvis Cocker?!