The complete Japan prep checklist — from cash and eSIMs to etiquette, onsen rules, and the one thing tourists always get wrong on the escalator.
✨ Build My Japan Itinerary FreeJapan is one of the world's most rewarding travel destinations — and also one of the most different from what Western visitors expect. The cash culture, the etiquette rules, the onsen tattoo ban, the luggage-forwarding service, the no-tipping norm: none of these are difficult once you know about them, but all of them trip people up. This list covers 30 things every visitor should know before stepping off the plane.
Jump to a section
Unlike most developed countries, a huge number of restaurants, temples, rural shops, and vending machines only accept cash. Always carry ¥5,000–10,000 on you. ATMs at 7-Eleven and Japan Post Bank accept Visa and Mastercard reliably — use those on arrival.
The Japan Rail Pass must be purchased before you arrive in Japan (though you can exchange a voucher at airport ticket offices). Buying in-country is not possible. A 7-day pass (¥50,000) covers the full Tokyo–Kyoto–Osaka Shinkansen route and pays for itself in 2 round trips.
Airport SIM shops have long queues and premium prices. Order an eSIM through Airalo, IIJmio, or Sakura Mobile 2–3 weeks before departure. Activate it as soon as you land — you'll need Google Maps immediately for navigating Tokyo's subway system.
Japan's digital immigration system generates a QR code that speeds through customs at the airport (no paper forms). Register at vjw-lp.digital.go.jp up to 6 months before arrival. Fill in your passport, flight, and accommodation details, then show the QR code at the Joint Kiosk lane.
The Ghibli Museum in Mitaka releases tickets only on the 10th of each month via Lawson ticket, and they sell out within minutes. teamLab Borderless (now in Azabudai Hills) and teamLab Planets (Toyosu) also require advance booking — there are no walk-up tickets at either venue.
Load a Suica or PASMO card once and tap in/out of every train, subway, bus, and monorail in Japan. They also work at convenience stores, vending machines, and taxis. Add Suica to Apple Wallet or Google Wallet before landing so you can use it immediately at the airport.
Google Maps knows every train, subway, and bus timetable in Japan, including platform numbers and transfer points. Download offline maps for Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka before you go — you'll want them even with an eSIM. Also download the Google Translate app with Japanese for offline camera translation.
Japan's takkyubin service lets you ship suitcases door-to-door between hotels via any convenience store for ¥1,000–2,000 per bag. Delivery takes 1–2 days. It's a game-changer for days when you're changing cities — travel light on the Shinkansen and have bags waiting at your next hotel.
A Tokyo taxi starts at around ¥500 for the first 1 km, then ¥80 per 233m. Narita to central Tokyo by taxi can cost ¥20,000+. Use trains almost always. That said, taxis are useful late at night after the last train (around midnight), when the night surcharge (+20%) applies. Apps: GO, DiDi, and Uber all work.
In Tokyo: stand on the left, walk on the right. In Osaka: stand on the right, walk on the left. (Osaka is currently transitioning to a "stand on both sides" policy, but locals still default to the right.) Watch locals and follow — it matters more than you think during rush hour.
Of Japan's ATM networks, 7-Eleven (Seven Bank) is the most foreign-card-friendly — accepts Visa, Mastercard, Maestro, Cirrus, and most international debit cards. Japan Post Bank ATMs also work. Avoid domestic bank ATMs (Mizuho, SMBC, UFJ) — most don't accept international cards. Fee is around ¥110 per withdrawal.
Japan's consumption tax is 10% and is included in all displayed prices (restaurants, shops, tickets). There's no "plus tax" shock at the register. Duty-free shopping is available for tourists spending over ¥5,000 at participating retailers — bring your passport for instant tax refunds at department stores.
Japanese convenience stores (7-Eleven, FamilyMart, Lawson) are a completely different category from their Western equivalents. They sell freshly made onigiri, hot karaage chicken, excellent drip coffee, quality sandwiches, sake, and — at some stores — hot fresh ramen. They're also ATMs, ticketing offices, and package-receiving hubs.
Japanese department stores — Isetan, Takashimaya, Mitsukoshi — have basement floors (B1, B2) entirely dedicated to gourmet food. Think dozens of patisseries, premium sushi counters, wagashi sweets, and seasonal fruit. It's one of the best food experiences in any city. Free to browse, and most things are sold by the piece.
Airport souvenir shops charge 20–40% more than convenience stores and supermarkets. Regional Kit Kats (matcha, wasabi, sake), Pocky sets, and local snack boxes are all cheaper at the nearest 7-Eleven. Buy them the day before your flight and store in your hotel — no bulky souvenirs on day one.
Tipping is not a thing in Japan. Service quality is considered intrinsic to the job, not something earned through gratuity. Leaving money on the table after a meal, or handing cash to a taxi driver and saying "keep the change," can confuse or embarrass staff. No tipping applies at restaurants, taxis, hotels, hair salons, and tour guides.
Shoes come off before entering traditional restaurants, ryokan, many temples, and all Japanese private homes. There are always slippers or bare floors waiting. Wear shoes that slip on and off easily (avoid complicated laces) and make sure your socks have no holes — you'll be displaying them regularly.
Phone calls on any Japanese train (including the Shinkansen) are prohibited and deeply frowned upon. Ringtones should be on silent. Speaking voice is kept to a low murmur. Don't take calls even in train lobbies without stepping outside the building. Also: give up priority seats (silver seats) even if they're empty when you board.
Eating while walking is considered rude in most of Japan. Standing and eating at a street food stall is fine; walking down the street with food is not. Exceptions: Takeshita Street in Harajuku and food market streets like Nishiki in Kyoto are walk-eat zones. Also: trains (except most commuter lines — Shinkansen is fine).
Sticking chopsticks vertically in a bowl of rice mimics a funeral offering and is considered taboo. Similarly, passing food chopstick-to-chopstick (rather than setting it on a shared plate) mimics a bone ceremony. Both are easily avoided. Most restaurants offer forks on request, and nobody will be offended if you ask.
Public trash cans were removed from most of Japan after the 1995 Tokyo subway attack. Tourist areas have them, but most streets don't. Carry a small plastic bag (konbini ones are perfect) for wrappers, drink cups, and tissues. Convenience store entrances have rubbish bins sorted into categories — use them when you're passing.
The majority of traditional public bath houses (onsen, sento) in Japan ban visible tattoos — a policy with roots in historical associations. Options: look for "tattoo-friendly" (タトゥーOK) facilities, book a private bath (kashikiri-buro) at a ryokan, or use waterproof tattoo cover patches for smaller tattoos. City day-spas often have more flexible policies.
Japan has strict narcotics laws. Some common Western prescription drugs — stimulants (Adderall, Ritalin), some codeine-based cold medicines, and anabolic steroids — are illegal in Japan even with a valid prescription. Check the Japan Ministry of Foreign Affairs website before you pack. Carry a letter from your doctor for any controlled substance and apply for a "Yakkan Shoumei" import certificate.
Japan's famous heated bidet seats are in most hotels, restaurants, malls, and train stations. The control panel shows 「おしり」 (rear wash) and 「ビデ」 (front wash). 止 or STOP ends the wash. Water pressure and temperature are adjustable. Squat toilets still exist in older rural areas — good to practise before you go.
Typhoons primarily affect Okinawa and Kyushu, but major ones occasionally hit Honshu too. They cause train delays, Shinkansen suspensions, and attraction closures — sometimes for 24–48 hours. Buy travel insurance that covers weather cancellations. Typhoons are tracked precisely: you'll always have at least 24 hours' warning and can adjust plans.
"Irasshaimase!" (いらっしゃいませ) means "welcome" and is shouted by all staff simultaneously when you enter a shop. It's a ritual greeting, not a personal one. You don't need to respond. A small nod, a smile, or simply browsing is fine. The word "arigatou gozaimasu" (thank you) said quietly when leaving is always appreciated.
Sakura peak bloom in Tokyo ranges from mid-March to early April depending on the year — sometimes varying by 3 weeks. Japan Meteorological Corporation issues "sakura forecasts" annually from January, but they shift weekly. If you plan a spring trip, aim for a window (e.g., late March to mid-April) rather than a single week. Full bloom lasts only 5–7 days before petals fall.
Nara's famous sika deer are considered messengers of the gods and are legally protected. But they've also learned precisely how to extract shika-senbei (deer crackers, ¥200/pack) from tourists. Hide the crackers in your bag immediately — if you hold them up, you will be surrounded and nudged aggressively until you comply. They're adorable. Also kind of rude.
You don't need Japanese to travel Japan, but a few phrases go a long way: "Sumimasen" (excuse me / sorry), "Arigatou gozaimasu" (thank you very much), "Itadakimasu" (said before eating — "I gratefully receive"), "Eigo hanasemasu ka?" (do you speak English?), and "Kore wa ikura desu ka?" (how much is this?). Even a bad accent gets a warm reaction.
Japan consistently ranks among the safest countries in the world for tourists. Violent crime against visitors is extremely rare. Wallets left on restaurant tables are returned. Solo female travelers regularly rate Japan as their safest destination. The infrastructure is exceptional, trains run to the second, and locals are unfailingly helpful. Whatever anxieties brought you to this list — set them down and enjoy the trip.
Tell JapanFlow your dates, interests, and budget. Get a personalized day-by-day itinerary in seconds — free.
✨ Plan My Japan Trip