Japan Traveling Tips

🧳Pre-travel✈️

  • You CAN bring your prescription medication to Japan. Bring proof that it's yours but most of the time, they don’t check it anyway. I suggest putting it into your check-in bag instead of your carry on.

  • Japanese power outlets are the same as the USA. You don’t need to bring or buy an international wall outlet plug.

  • Bring as much yen as possible - cash is still king here! You can only refill your IC cards (Suica, pasmo, ICOCA, etc) with yen, not credit card. Restaurants, small shops, and convenience stores take card but train fare and food markets, such as Tsukiji, are cash only. You can convert your cash at the airport and also at convenience stores everywhere. 

  • If you have a loose schedule for your trip, you should buy your Narita Express and Shinkansen tickets ahead of time using the JR Pass. The JR Pass allows you to take any trains including anything within the JR line, Narita Express, and the slower Shinkansen trains. If you are on a time crunch, I suggest not buying the JR Pass and just using your IC card to travel on all the trains which will give you more flexibility while traveling. More information here about the differences: https://travelwithamnet.com/learn-about-japan/different-shinkasens-nozomi-hikari-kodama-mizuho-sakura

💴Money + Train🚇

  • Use an ICOCA card instead of a Suica card. You can add the ICOCA card to your Apple wallet but not the Suica for some reason 🤷🏻‍♀️

  • The IC cards can also be used at convenience stores, claw machine games, some restaurants within the train stations, and vending machines! They can be used universally if you don't want to carry a lot of yen around. 

  • You can use your credit card for most things except food markets, Shinkansen tickets, and IC cards. 

  • You can purchase your Shinkansen tickets for the Nozomi line (the fastest option) online beforehand for a cheaper price. This will require you to have to pick up your ticket at the station from a kiosk. If you end up buying it at the station, do NOT use the machines. They are extremely confusing and do not take credit card for some reason. Instead, go to the customer service desk usually titled “Shinkansen” and the workers can help you buy a ticket, reserve a seat, and charge via credit card.

  • The Narita Express requires you to buy a seat reservation. You can't board the train otherwise. 

  • There are women only cars usually in the middle of the train waiting stops. Try to avoid those so you can board faster. 

  • When navigating through large popular train stations, don't look at other people. Just focus on the signs and keep moving to avoid getting lost. 

  • Do NOT run to your train. It won't stop for you and you will catch the next one soon. 

  • JR line is separate from local train lines.

  • Use google maps to navigate trains but keep in mind that the location finder doesn't work well underground. You can find the train you need to catch by looking at the color and symbol of the train, then identify which platform the train will be arriving at.

A) Symbol and color of train

B) Train line

C) Neighborhood direction of train

D) Platform # to board train

E) Station to hop off the train

🍽️Eating + drinking🍻

  • Do not eat at any restaurant that will close within the next hour or less. Last call is usually one hour before closing at least. 

  • No eating or vaping while walking. Pull off to the side to enjoy your food. There are dedicated smoking areas in Japan for vaping. 

  • Drinking and eating on the trains are not illegal, but highly discouraged against and considered rude. The only trains you CAN eat or drink on are the shinkansen (bullet train) and the Narita express.

  • You CAN however drink alcohol in public such as on the side of the street or on the Shinkansen. 

  • Ramen shops are notorious for only accepting yen. If you plan on eating at a ramen shop, ensure you have enough cash beforehand.

  • Pretty much any food spot you find, whether it's famous or not, will be better than anything you'll find in America. Try random hole in the wall restaurants and you will not be disappointed. 

  • Tipping is prohibited at all restaurants!

💡Everyday tips🚶🏻‍♀️

  • The biggest cultural norm in Japan is to NOT be loud and draw attention to yourself (throwback to the Jake Paul incident). In any public environment, do not yell or be disruptive, especially on the trains or in restaurants.

  • When going up and downstairs, follow the arrows on the floor to match the flow of foot traffic. They are there for a reason! On escalators, stay on the far left side if you are not in a rush. If you are in a hurry, you can run up the right side of people.

  • The drugstores sell water for much cheaper than the convenience stores like family mart, Lawson, and 7-11. Buy as much as you can there. Hotel rooms always have a fridge for storage. There are no water refill stations in public areas. It's easier to buy water than lug a water bottle around. 

  • Always bring a bag for trash. Trash cans are sparse and rarely found in public.

Bryn Yasui