ESSENTIAL Japan Tips for First-time Travelers | Your Ultimate Trip Planning Guide 🇯🇵

Thanks to Saily for sponsoring this video.

6 years of my Japan knowledge in one video... 🧘‍♀️🇯🇵

I tried to make a good starting point for people's research while touching on some stuff that may not be obvious to people at first 🥸 Of course it's not everything, but I hope this is a good base for people~ I have traveled all over Japan since moving here of course, but I also visited a few times before moving here 🥰

Let me know down below what you learned while watching this video or if you have any other topics you think you'd like covered!

🌸 follow me on social media 🌸
twitter: @allisonintokyo
instagram: @allisintokyo
tiktok: @allisintokyo

⭐️ Support me on Ko-fi! ⭐️

🔰 timestamps 🔰
0:00-0:39 intro
0:40-3:08 airports
3:09-9:40 transportation
9:41-12:41 communication
12:42-15:45 hotels
15:46-19:23 luggage
19:24- itinerary planning

-----
🚃 TRAVEL JAPAN WITH JR PASS (affiliate link so buy through here to support me 🥰)
-----
More info:

❤️ music ❤️
🎈Daystar -

ESSENTIAL Japan Tips for First-time Travelers | Your Ultimate Trip Planning Guide 🇯🇵

[yaminogame]

if you do a hotels video...please make it accessable to the average traveler who doesn't want to spen 400 bucks a night? most of us are looking for mid tier. lots of influencers stay at fantastic hotels and don't realize the average traveler can't afford that in budgets.

[suzyt]

Thanks for this really useful information. I’m coming next May with my best friend and we are so excited to be planning our itinerary 😂 We are in our 60’s but will definitely be rocking kimonos at some point.

[BramKendrick]

I'm planning to study in tokyo for 1 year and I was wondering if getting a bike would be a good idea to save money. Because of that I got a couple of questions; can you park for free in tokyo? And if so where? And is it easy to get a second hand bike (like with mercari or a bikeshop in tokyo?)

[yunsez]

i’ve loved your content for over a year now. me and my mom watch your videos together in preparation for our future trips to japan and since i intend to move to japan after university. your content is always helpful and your energy is great ! tysm for another great video :}

(btw, good luck w natlan ! may you win your 50/50s)

[michaelmaslo]

My wife and myself are headed to Tokyo May 2025 as a another subscriber is. Thank you so much for these videos. Very helpful.

[robertcvillela]

Thank you for the updated info for traveling to Japan ! Brand new subscriber !

[JackBlack-iiip]

Let me correct a minor error, Haneda was in operation long before Narita. I first arrived in Yokohama by ship in October 1970 after travelling across Russia. That was the exploratory visit. When I arrived as a relocation in late 1972, the airport was Haneda. Narita came on stream much later.
Jack, the Japan Alps Brit

[LoopieLupie-pu]

I'm a fan of your videos, but recently I've seen this misleading information in your videos twice now: The digital suica/pasmo (the one on your phone) only works on iPhone. Android phones bought outside of Japan usually doesn't support the “Osaifu-Keitai” which means these cards won't work!! Please do NOT go to Japan assuming this will work in your android phone.

[niueanlaho]

Just subbed ..Arigatou gozaimasu...going to Japan, just getting all the tips from Youtubers. Thank

[JackBlack-iiip]

With hotels in Japan, somewhere in a city will often be a better deal than in a resort area. . But that rule of thumb applies just about everywhere. Book on the web and check in
Jack, the Japan Alps Brit

[Bakapooru]

Haneda is the older airport. Haneda's international terminal is the only part that is newer than Narita. Otherwise, you save about an hour and $16 USD (each way) by using Narita.

[Jasiwardas]

Alison, how does Customs and Taxes work when you send you luggage by Yamato? 18:10

[mariannebackham]

My daughter, also an Allison has been living in Japan for 28 years. She plans my trips when I visit and books everything ahead. I always take a foldable duffel to bring back my souvenirs. Love Haneda airport. Very efficient. We went through Narita to go to South Korea . Less efficient and I have a knee replacement and it took me ages to go through security. They kept wanding me and chasing me after I went through.I finally lifted my pant leg to show my scar. Annoying for sure!

[lynda.grace.]

In addition to landing at Narita or Haneda, as an international visitor I hate wasting time backtracking ground I've already covered on transit. So for those whose destinations are Tokyo and Kyoto, depending where you wish to start, please consider flying into or out of Osaka-Kansai (KIX). That's a 75 minute train ride from Kyoto directly to/from the airport.

I usually fly through Narita and don't' really care about the airport not being as modern as Haneda. I don't spend enough time there to make it a selling point. However, because of the 20+ hours in transit from my doorstep and early evening arrival with my preferred airline, I always book a hotel that has a shuttle bus service from the airport. Then I spend the night in Narita. Refreshed in the morning, I head into Tokyo after the rush hour on the Narita Express (NEX). That gives me the opportunity to relax, sleep in, have the hotel breakfast, take the shuttle back to Narita and take the NEX to my destination.

[ndprojects]

Whats your best advice around visiting japan within a 6 day timeframe and is it wise to stay at tokyo main city? also was thinking of traveling during may? thoughts?

[The_CoffeeSlayer]

regional passes are still very affordable for example the Jr East Hokkaido Pass which is only 200 some odd dollars for 6 days and it can get you as far as Sapporo. A ticket there and back is already more than that but this gives you the option to basically explore east Japan (north Japan) for 6 days with unlimited shinkansen. Another great pass is the Hokoriku Pass which takes you from Tokyo to Osaka through Kanazawa (which is a very different and interesting way to get to Osaka or wherever you want to explore in this region) its also just shy above 200 usd.. and its a week long pass. One way ticket from Tokyo to Osaka is like 100 or 80 if you buy a discount ticket from one of those discount places(found everywhere in big cities in Japan). I highly recommend people think outside the box a bit more and not just do the same boring route that everyone does. There is so much to offer all across Japan and places like Kyoto are just not the same anymore. The farther out you go in the countryside you will really see the Japanese omotenashi spirit in full force.. an experience everyone needs to have. You could also just do an entire trip solely in Tokyo.. there is so much there to offer and if you aren't afraid to go to the more local neighborhoods such as Hatagaya or Koenji etc etc you will be greatly impressed on how different people are and you haven't even left Tokyo! Japan is truly and amazing country.

[theelliscrew]

Hello Allison - Thank you so much for your very useful information. i was wondering if i could get your opinion. We are planning on touring Japan in December with a visit to Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto and Hiroshima. What would you suggest we purchase for travel by train. If we get a 7 day JR pass, does that allow a return to Tokyo as well upon the end of the 7day trip. What local passes will we need to get? Any advice you can provide will be appreciated. Thank you.

[Cat]

I‘m always staying in a hotel around Otsuka Station. It’s a station on the Yamanote Line - so very easy to get to the different important parts like Shinjuku, Shibuya, Asakusa and so on. It’s a small station with only two exits, so you can’t get lost. It has a nice bakery and some really good cafes around, perfect for your first coffee in the morning. And it’s only one stop away from Ikebukuro, you can even walk there if you’d like. Form me it’s the perfect spot to start my exploring adventure from 😊

[Kirgul]

A huge 👍👍👍 and subscribe for the tip where to sit in the train to see Fuji! Many useful tips that one can see coming from a local :D Great videos, short and on point. Thanks a lot!

[MrSTravelQuest]

Allison, this was an excellent video! I'm currently doing my research as I prepare for my first-ever trip to Japan in 2025. Do you have any suggestions on where to stay in Tokyo and Kyoto? I’ve subscribed and am excited to learn more about Japan through your content!