Japan Travel Tips for Beginners: Essential Things to Know before Visiting Japan

✴Golden Week (ゴールデンウイーク): Golden Week is a collection of four national holidays within a week, which makes it "golden"! The holiday normally starts on April 29th with "Showa Day" (昭和の日) and ends May 5th on "Children's Day (子供の日), but 2019 is special due to the current Emperor stepping down. Due to Japanese law regarding holidays, this year's Golden Week will be 10days (April 27～May6). It is Japan's busiest time to travel, so be ready if you plan on coming during this time!

✴Obon (お盆): Also with a nickname of "Silver Week", Obon is a three-day "holiday" (it's not officially a national holiday) in the middle of August that is done to honor the spirits of one's ancestors. Sort of similar to Mexico's Day of the Dead if you want to compare it to something. 

We are sure you have looked over things you want to do and places you want to go,
but here is a small list of some major sightseeing spots in Japan

・Tokyo: Japanese Imperial Palace, Meiji Shrine, Tokyo Tower, Tokyo Skytree, Toyosu Market, Kabukiza Theatre​

・Hokkaido: Sapporo Beer Museum, Nikka Whisky Yoichi Distillery, Otaru Canal

・Tohoku Region: Hiraizumi, Zao Fox Village, Ginzan Onsen

・Kanto Region: Kawagoe, Hakone, Kamakura, Cup Ramen Museum, Kusatsu Onsen

・Chubu Region: Mt. Fuji, Suntory Hakushu Whisky Distillery, Nagoya Castle, Matsumoto Castle

・Kansai Region: Kyoto, Osaka Castle, Dotonbori, Universal Studios Japan

・Shikoku/Chugoku Region: Dogo Onsen, Matsuyama Castle, Mount TsurugiPilgrimage destinations, 88 temple pilgrimage routes, Itsukushima Shrine

・Kyushu: Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine, Sakurajima, Kumamoto Castle, Gunkanjima (Hashima Island)

・Okinawa: Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium, Toyosaki Beach in Emerald Sea, Murasaki Mura Ryukyu Kingdom, Orion Happy Park

Pre-Paid SIM Card
Probably our biggest recommendation out of the two. You can get them at the airport and choose how much data you would like. You are very likely to be covered for the whole trip. Most SIM Cards are provided by DoCoMo which is one of Japan’s biggest mobile operators so you are guaranteed great service. 
Advantages: +Can be used for applications like Skype, Facebook, FaceTime, and Google Maps
+Easy to set up and you know right away if it is working or not
Disadvantages: - Can use up a lot of battery
-Your phone must be SIM-free or unlocked​

Pocket Wi-Fi
Pocket Wi-Fi is better for groups since everyone can use the same limit, however with that uses their daily limit pretty quickly if you aren't careful. 
Advantages: +Coverage even in both urban and rural areas
+Easy to use
+Connect multiple devices
Disadvantages: -It's something extra to carry around
-Requires frequent charging
-Equipment rental and return procedures
-Chance of having issues during travel

In most places in Japan, trains are a major means of public transportation. Buses and sometimes trams are also available but the use of those really depends on the areas. For example, in Tokyo you are better off with trains however in Kyoto or Nagasaki buses (also streetcars in Nagasaki) are what you are most likely to take to get around.

The complication on Japanese railways depends on the area, but that doesn't make using them any less uneasy. Especially in Tokyo where there are around different 55 lines, things can get confusing. Rather than looking at a rail map of Tokyo, it would be better to use an app to help navigate. But what is a popular Japanese train route app? One of the most popular apps that you will hear tons of people talking about is HyperDia. Available in English, Japanese and Chinese, Hyperdia lets you choose your departure and arrival stations as well as the time of travel. Or you can always use Google. 

Another often asked question is rail passes. Japan's train cost can be pretty expensive. The price will increase the further you go and each railway company also has their own prices. Which brings people to ask one of the biggest questions is "is the JR Pass worth it? If not what are other rail pass options?".

Japan Public Transportation Pass/Ticket Options
・Japan Rail Pass: If you are staying in Tokyo, the JR Pass probably wouldn't be worth it money wise. You will need to make multiple trips to give you the bang for your buck. If you have the 7 day pass, taking a round trip from Tokyo to Kyoto will be worth it but for the 14 day and so on you would need to make more trips to say Osaka and Hiroshima. There are a few JR Pass calculators online to help give you an idea if the pass pays off which can be helpful. The pass gives you access to all JR trains nationwide including Shinkansen (except Nozomi & Mizuho trains), local JR buses (keep in mind not all buses are JR, including the Raku bus in Kyoto), and the JR Ferry to Miyajima.
・Tokyo Metro Ticket: Although cheap and available in 24, 48, 72hr tickets, it is only available for Tokyo Metro and Toei Subway lines. So before purchasing, we would recommend you look up the stations you plan on using during your stay to decide if it is worth it. Since there are some stations that do not use the metro.
・Suica or PASMO: Great for those traveling just within Tokyo. It saves you money and hassle in comparison to buying individual train tickets each time.

Train Passes in Other Cities
Many of Japan’s cities have a variety of day passes allowing giving unlimited rides and even discounts to various attractions. This is a lifesaver for budget travel in Japan! Some examples are:
・Hiroshima: 1 Day Streetcar Pass - 600yen (300yen for children) or 1 Day Streetcar and Ferry - 840yen (420)
・Osaka: Osaka Amazing Pass - 1 day pass 2500yen or 2 day pass 3300yen
・Kyoto: Kyoto Bus One-Day Pass 600yen (300yen)
・Nagasaki: One-Day Bus Pass - 500yen (250yen) or One-Day Streetcar Pass 500yen (250yen)

Izakayas are basically taverns that serve sake, liquor, and simple Japanese dishes. Some places are open until early in the morning, but most close around 11pm~midnight. 

・Ordering: Izakayas and restaurants in Japan don't have a set waiter per table so there are three ways of ordering. 1. Hold your hand up to show your ready (normally it is seen as rude in other countries but it is very common in Japan). You can even use your Japanese skills and say "Excuse me" or, "Sumimasen" like everyone does. 2. Some places have buttons you can push to notify the waiters you are ready 3. Some places have tablets at the table that you use to order so there you will have little conversation with the waiter. Most tablets are offered in Japanese, English, and Chinese. 

・"Otoshi" Table Charge: Many if not most izakaya's have a food culture known as "otoshi" (お通し) which is basically a table charge but they do it by serving a small random dish that you never ordered at the beginning of the meal. The charge can be anywhere between 500 to 700 yen (roughly between $4~7), and most izakayas don't tell you they have a table charge.

・Paying the bill: Be prepared that many izakayas and restaurants don't split the bill nor accept credit cards. It is There may be an Izakaya that does not accept payment of the card at times. 

Before traveling many people wonder how much money they should exchange, where can they get more if they run out, and if they can use credit cards. Well in terms of how much to bring, it really depends on if you plan on buying a lot or just the essentials. One thing we can give advice on is using and getting money while you're in Japan.

 

Using a Credit Card in Japan
Japan is a very much cash-based country. Lately, more and more places accept credit cards like department stores and a few restaurants, but it is really hit and miss. Even a few tourist spots like castle or museum entree fees can only be paid by cash. So we strongly recommend you plan on using cash for the majority of your trip. 

Withdrawing Money from Home Bank Account
If you run out of money and would like to withdraw money from your account you have two ATM options.
① ATM at the convenience store 7/11 (other convenience store ATMs won't work)
② Japan Post Office Bank ATM (Japan Post Bank ATM Finder and more info here)

Exchanging Money within Japan
For those that have no Japanese yen but plenty of their own currency and would like to exchange in the city here are 3 recommendations:
① DAIKOKUYA (大黒屋) - most famous and normally the best rates
② Travelex
③ Some Japanese banks (Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ, SMBC Trust Bank, Mizuho Bank)

There is a particular system when it comes to bringing medication into Japan, and the regulations on over-the-counter and prescription drugs are different. Some people will tell you they had no issue bringing medicine into Japan, but the fact is they just got lucky. We have had occasions where all of our medication has been dumped so be careful! 

Over-The-Counter Medicine
Most over the counter drugs are allowed to be carried to Japan, but Japanese law limits up to a two months' supply. According to the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, products that contain stimulants and these ingredients are not allowed by law. If you wish to bring in more than a two-months' supply of medicine, you need to fill out and apply for "Yakkan Shoumei" before leaving for Japan. 

Prescription Medication
When it comes to prescription drugs, it gets tricky so if you are unsure about anything your best bet is to contact a local Japanese Consulate. The general rule for prescription drugs is that you are limited to a months' supply only. Similar to the over-the-counter drugs, if you exceed that amount then you need to apply for "Yakkan Shoumei" in advanced. Travelers should bring a copy of their doctor's prescription, a letter stating the purpose of the drug, and the Yakkan Shoumei certificate, and show the forms with your prescription medicines at customs. If you are bringing a household medical device (like a CPAP) you do not need to file for Yakkan Shoumei but you are only permitted to bring one (one device) and will be required to have it checked at customs.

Some medications aren't allowed in Japan like Adderall, which is why it is best to check if your medication is alright to bring into Japan. For more information about bringing medicines for into Japan, please visit the website of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare page.

From Haneda Airport
① Tokyo Monorail: 483yen, get on from Hamamatsucho Station
② Keikyu Line: 407yen, get on from Shinagawa Station
③ Bus: Just like at Narita Airport, there are a number of buses available to take you close to where you are going like Keikyu Bus that goes to most major cities in and around Tokyo. Unlike with Narita Airport, transportation options are limited from Haneda Airport so we recommend taking a bus so you won't have to deal with changing trains and traffic. 

 

More info on "things to know while in Japan" coming soon!!

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