Japan Travel Essentials: What You Must Know and Do Before Your Journey 🛫📝
🆘 Emergency Numbers
Police: 110
Ambulance or fire department: 119
Foreign Traveller Hotline: 050-3816-2787
🛂 VISA Requirements & Arrival
Do you need a VISA to enter Japan?
Check it in the link below before you book your flight.
Japan uses a QR code system for their Immigration, Customs and Tax-free shopping service, which will make it faster to go through as you declare everything before you even land.
Make sure you have this done before you even take your plane so you don't stress once there.
Here below is the link and you can complete it from your phone as well.
⛅ Weather
The best time to visit Japan is Spring (Mar-Apr) when you can see the beautiful Cherry Blossoms and Autumn (Oct-Nov) with red foliage all around. The days are sunny and dry and the temperatures are mild enough to enjoy.
During the summer months (May-Sept), the cities are hot and humid, with heavy rainfall occurring across the country in June & July, except for Hokkaido.
In winter (Dec-Feb), days are cool and crisp, with heavy snowfall in Hokkaido and the Japanese Alps.
💵 Currency and Payment Methods
Currency: Japanese Yen - JPY - ¥
Cash is necessary in Japan, but nowadays card readers are everywhere in big cities such as Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, and Hiroshima.
Temples, small local shops and even some restaurants didn't accept cards, but they were much less than expected. Always ask before you order so you don't waste your and their time.
If you think of going to more rural areas, definitely need a big amount of cash.
I use Revolut as a Travel Card and I didn't have any issues during my time in Japan.
📱 Internet and SIM Cards
There are many options to get data on your phone nowadays.
Whatever option you choose, always remember to make sure it is compatible with your phone model.
eSim
eSims are very popular as you don't need to physically switch your sims and it is so easy to just activate/deactivate. A con is that you don't have access to phone calls, but if you don't need them I find it the best choice.
I used Airalo from the Phone App to purchase mine and it went very smoothly.
I purchased the 20 GB for $26 and had plenty left at the end of the two weeks (bear in mind I uploaded stories on IG, watched TikToks and continuously used Google Maps).
Pocket Wifi
Another option is Pocket Wifi.
This is very convenient if you have multiple devices and you will not need to check if it is compatible with your devices.
Physical Sims
If you prefer having calls available or a more traditional option, you can get a sim at the airport or even in the city in-store such as Bic Camera.
Here below is an article with all the options you can get at Narita Airport.
🚈 Transportation
Japan is famous for its excellent transportation system, especially the trains.
JR Pass
If you are visiting many different cities, the JR pass is the best option. Book it at least a month before your trip so you can have peace of mind, they will ship the paper coupon to your delivery address or pick-up point and you must keep that with you until you are in Japan where you will exchange it for the real pass.
They will give you the JR pass paper copy and if you lose it there is no way to get another one, so make sure you treasure it!
Here below is the link where I purchased it and one where it explains how to book the seats.
City metros and buses
To use the local cities transportation such as metros and buses you will need an IC card. They have different names across Japan, but they all work everywhere. You can also use them to pay in convenience stores and some game arcades.
You can get it at the airport at the same counter where you exchange the JR Pass, at JR East ticket machines at train stations and at JR East Travel Service Centers.
There is a deposit fare to pay and they give you back once you return it (we kept ours as memories and in case we come back), there is also a tourist one valid only for 30 days, but you can claim back any of the remaining values so you need to be careful.
Here below is a link of an article that explain IC cards very well.
Use can use an app to check the balance in the IC card from your phone, which I found super useful to now when to recharge it with no surprises.
Apps to get around there
If you have the JR Pass you can select it and it will tell you what is covered by the pass so that you can make the most use of it.
It is very accurate with the timings, it will tell you the platform of the station, which car of the train is best and what exit.
The only downside is that it doesn't update the timing in real-time, so if you make a stop on your way or lose the train it recommended, you need to get out of that journey and start again.
Google Maps works very well in Japan.
I suggest you save all the places you want to visit there including restaurants, cafes, and pubs in different areas, once you are there and go to your saved places it will recommend the ones near you before the rest, which I found very helpful. And of course, saving your accommodation address is essential.
🔌 Sockets Voltage and Types
Power plug sockets: Type A & B
Standard voltage: 100 V
Frequency: 50 and 60 Hz
Check your electronics before hands, usually cameras, phones, powerbanks, tablet and similar all have "100-240V" and "50-60Hz" market which mean they are safe to use over there as well.
Things that require more energy like laptop chargers and hair dryers usually are not suitable and you must buy a converter rather than a simple adaptor.
If you need a simple adaptor, I strongly recommend this one. Me and my partner used it in Japan and it was enough for all our appliances.
📅 Must-Book Before
You have your ticket and accommodation and now it's time to plan some of the things to make it easier once you are there.
QR codes, JR Pass, and Hakone Free Pass are all the necessary things you should do before going there.
Here below I listed some activities and restaurants you should book before to avoid missing them or waiting hours.
Activities
Restaurants
🎁 Best Souvenirs
I strongly suggest you go with more than half of your luggage empty!
Here below is a list I found when researching the best souvenirs I should get and pick the ones that suited my taste.
I personally bought a lot of different things and here below are the pictures of the souvenirs I and my partner bought.
There are a lot of different things and I recommend making a list of your must-have for your loved ones so you don't forget about anything.
If you are into skincare, do your research before so you can get the best ones for your skin type. They were so cheap compared to London that I regret not buying more!
Pottery, folding fans, teas, small things like pins, lucky charms, decorated towel napkins and all the typical things were a must for me. And sometimes it was also nice to just discover local shops and buy what you like on the spot.
Video games, consoles, gaming accessories and merch are everywhere there and another must! If you are a chef you must bring home a Japanese knife! The quality is superior and the price will be much cheaper than in your town. Japan is famous for its whisky and of course, sake, so if you enjoy alcoholic drinks it's nice to bring home some flavours to taste later on.
📌 More tips
Japan has a very strong culture and it's better to learn about it before going there.
Here below I linked some blogposts that explain all the basic things to know about Japanese culture and some basic phrases to use.
Let me know if I should add anything to this list! 🙌
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