Making the trip to Japan is amazing and has been one of my favorite places to travel so far! I wouldn’t consider the country to be difficult to navigate, but I would recommend learning a little bit about the culture before traveling to Japan! Learning these facts will make you a more respectful tourist and also let you know what to expect so you aren’t surprised by anything! Let’s get started.

Quick Facts About Japan

Language: Japanese

Population: 126,150,000

Timezone: UTC/GMT + 9 hours

Currency: Yen (¥ JPY)

Country Code: +81

Plug Types:  Type A (U.S. style plug, 2-prong without ground and Type B similar to type A, but with an extra prong for grounding.

Emergency Numbers to Know Before Traveling to Japan

Here is a list of numbers to save before your trip! Fortunately, it doesn’t matter what type of phone you use to call an emergency number, they are all toll-free in Japan!

• 119: Medical Emergency / Ambulance / Fire
• 110: Police
• 118: Coast Guard (Sea Rescue)

Tokyo Specific Numbers

• 03 3501 0110: Tokyo English-speaking Police (weekdays 8:30 – 17:15)
• 03 5276 0995: Tokyo Emergency First Aid Association

Do you Need a VISA to Travel to Japan?

If you are visiting Japan as a tourist, you are required to obtain a “temporary visitor visa” before arrival, which is valid up to 90 days.  However, Japan does have a list of 68 countries that can visit for up to 90 days visa-free! The list is below.

Japan is Incredibly Safe

I can attest to this! Japan is ranked as one of the top 5 safest countries to travel and it feels like it. I personally witnessed people leaving their laptops on the table in a café unattended, while they went to the restroom (as an American, I can’t even imagine doing this).

While Japan has a very low crime rate, there are areas of Tokyo and Kyoto where there have been cases of drink-spiking and theft, such as the Roppongi district in Tokyo.  I have been to Roppongi and it feels very similar to party districts in any city. Be smart, don’t accept drinks from strangers and don’t leave your drinks unattended!

Accommodation & Reservations

Japan has so many options for accommodations! You can stay in brand name hotels, hostels, inns or you can choose to branch out and experience traditional Japanese culture in a Ryokan. My husband and I stayed in a Ryokan when visiting Kyoto and absolutely loved it. They do tend to book up, especially if you plan to visit during a popular time of year, like cherry blossom season. Also keep in mind, smaller forms of accommodations might not accept credit cards and will expect a cash payment.

Note: When you check into your accommodation, the front desk staff will ask to make a photocopy of your passport (they have to by law). If you bring a spare photocopy, it can help speed up the check-in process, especially if you are traveling in a group!

Read more: 10 Day Japan Itinerary for First Time Visitors

Want to plan a trip to Japan? I know how overwhelming it can be to plan international travel! Japan is my specialty and I would be happy to help! Email me to book a free consultation and let’s get planning!

Japan has a Cash Based Society

This is HUGE.  Japan is a cash-based society and cash is the most common method of payment you’ll experience during your travels.  You can always ask if a restaurant or store accepts credit cards by simply saying “Kādode īdesu ka?”  There are certain instances where a shop does accept credit cards, but there is a minimum amount to spend.  Either way, be prepared and have plenty of cash on you (especially in the countryside where an ATM can be hard to find).  If you are exploring a larger city, I highly recommend just going to 7-eleven for an ATM and a yummy snack.  Japanese 7-elevens are the best!

You don’t have to tip

Tipping isn’t part of the culture in Japan and can actually be seen as an insult!  The Japanese are known for their excellent service so you might feel like you want to tip, but in that instance, they would most likely run after you to return the extra money. Just relax and enjoy the amazing service!

Plan Ahead for Dietary Restrictions

For all of my vegetarian friends or people with other dietary restrictions, this one is a bit tricky. Don’t worry though, while it’s more difficult to find vegetarian dishes in Japan, it’s not impossible!  The word “vegetarian” or “bejitarian” in Japanese, is a much looser term than in Western culture.  It’s not uncommon to be offered shellfish or fish-based meals in response, so you will have to be specific. 

Before you sit down at a restaurant, double check with them at the front desk because some restaurants may not be able to accommodate your dietary restrictions. It’s also not a thing in Japan to edit your order, which a lot of Westerners are used to, so make sure they have vegetarian specific items on the menu! I would also consider doing some research online and find a few restaurant that fit your needs before traveling to Japan.

Getting a Server’s Attention at a Restaurant

In Japan, restaurants don’t assign tables to each employee.  It is the responsibility of every employee to take care of the customer’s needs! With that being said, you won’t catch your Japanese server observing you from a distance to see if you are ready to order or need more drink.  When you are ready or need something, just call out “sumimasen” (excuse me) or often times restaurants will have a button you can push on your table.

It can be strange to a lot of tourists, but it does take the pressure away to order.  You and your friends can talk and read over the menu and call someone over when you’re ready.

Chopstick Etiquette

While I’m on the topic of restaurants and eating, chopstick etiquette should be discussed.  Don’t worry if you struggle with using chopsticks!  No one will judge you for that.  Although you should probably practice before traveling to Japan because you can’t always ask for a fork.  The big “no no” is leaving your chopsticks straight up and down in your food.  This is something that is done at Japanese funerals and is considered disrespectful outside of that setting. 

If you are having a hard time with your chopsticks, you can always move your small plate closer to your mouth or just order something that doesn’t require them like, sushi, yakitori, or even Japanese curry! 

Trash cans are few and far between

Japan is an incredibly clean country, so you might be surprised to hear that trashcans can be hard to find just out on the streets. It’s not uncommon to have to carry around a piece of garbage with you until you are able to find a garbage can.  I recommend bringing a small trash bag or baggie with you to keep trash in, so you don’t have to physically carry it (I put mine in my backpack).

It’s not a common practice to walk down the street and eat in Japan, so if you stop and grab a treat, eat there and then throw your trash away at the shop before moving on.  When you do come across trash bins, you’ll notice that there will be multiple bins for separating out your garbage for recycling purposes.

The Public Transportation is Very Reliable

Oh, how I love Japanese transportation! I would literally take a shinkansen (bullet train) everywhere if I could.  Public transportation in Japan is known for being on time, exceptionally clean and efficient.  There was even an instance where a rail company in Japan apologized for departing the station 20 seconds before it was supposed to (if that gives you any idea how punctual they are).

Fun fact: The subway in Tokyo actually has heated seats!

If you are looking at traveling to Japan and you want to use the bullet train system (shinkansen) to travel to and from major cities, you’ll need a JR Pass. I thoroughly enjoyed riding the shinkansen and would highly recommend it!

Metro Systems Don’t Run 24 Hours

It might sound a little strange, but even in the big city of Tokyo, the subway doesn’t run 24 hours. You’ll find that in the major cities, the subway runs from about 5 am to midnight.  So, if you plan a night on the town, make sure you have a way back to your hotel.  Of course, taxis are an option, but they do increase the cost by 20% from the hours of 10 pm to 5 am.

Know the Rules of the Subway

Japanese culture is known for being polite and it shows in their subway etiquette. If you are traveling to Japan, odds are you will find yourself on the subway, bus or bullet train, so you should know what’s expected!  Trains are typically crowded, especially during rush hour, so it’s common courtesy not to talk (including on the phone).  It’s honestly a good idea to just leave your phone on silent for the ride.  Also be aware of priority seating and train cars, as there are specific train cars for females only.  You’ll also notice seats with a different color fabric, that are marked with a sign for pregnant women, people with disabilities, the elderly and young children. With that said, if the train isn’t crowded, it’s perfectly fine to sit there.  Offering up your seat to anyone who might need would be good subway etiquette!

Japanese Addresses & Navigating Japan

Japanese addresses are complicated, making it extremely difficult for travelers to find buildings solely based on an address.  The address system in Japan is based on areas, starting from largest to smallest.  For example, they begin with the postal code, then the prefecture, city and subarea and end with a company or name.

The next fun part.  Only major roads in Japan are named.  They have instead subdivided cities and towns into other areas or blocks and the areas are given numbers not based on their location but based on the order they were constructed.  It’s very complicated and I wouldn’t recommend a tourist using this method to get around. Instead, download the Japan Navitime app before traveling to Japan. It’s incredibly helpful when it comes to getting around!

Unique Toilets: High Tech & Squatty-Potties

Japanese toilets are quite the experience themselves! There are 3 toilet types you might encounter while traveling to Japan: a standard Western-style toilet, a Japanese-style squatting toilet and a high-tech toilet (my favorite).

The Western-style toilet is simple, where you sit on it like a chair. The high-tech toilet is like this, but with more functionality.

The squatting toilet is essentially a porcelain hole in the ground, which you’ll find in more remote areas and public parks.  I actually encountered one while grabbing some dinner in Omoide Yokocho (Piss Alley) in Shinjuku.

The high-tech toilets have a control panel on the side that control functions like, washing and drying yourself, heating the toilet seat, and even playing music while you go to the bathroom so others can’t hear you! 

In addition, you’ll find that the majority of restrooms provide a baby’s changing station in both men and women’s restrooms.

Issues with Tattoos

The Japanese associate tattoos with the Yakuza, an organized, criminal gang.  Because of this, tattoos have been banned in most public onsens and are sometimes expected to be covered up at swimming pools, gyms, water parks and beaches! You should also cover your tattoos if you are visiting shrines, temples or even ryokans.

When it comes to onsens, swimwear isn’t permitted so covering up can be difficult.  One option is to bandage up the tattoo or visit a private or tattoo friendly onsen instead.

Removing Your Shoes

Before traveling to Japan, you should know that you may come across certain situations which require you to take your shoes off.  You may be asked to do this at some restaurants, changing rooms in clothing stores, and ryokans (traditional Japanese inns).

This Japanese custom comes from traditionally eating and sleeping close to the floor, as you might experience in a ryokan!  Homes also used to have tatami flooring, which can be hard to keep clean.  If you stay in a ryokan or happen to visit a Japanese home, you’ll notice a specific area for keeping shoes in the entryway, as well as slippers made for walking around the house.

A good rule of thumb is to look for a “shoe box” or watch to see what others are doing and follow suit.  

Surgical Mask Use is a Common Practice

This is an interesting topic, as right now we are in the middle of a pandemic, but the Japanese (among other Asian countries) have used surgical masks long before COVID-19.  I think it comes as a surprise to many travelers from the West, but surgical masks have been used in Japan to protect against allergies, pollution, and diseases.  There is obviously an increase in mask-wearing in Japan and across the globe, but outside of a pandemic, this is completely normal to see.

Traveling with Children

Japan is very safe and given the vast number of things to do in the country, it’s an easy destination for parents to travel with children. There has actually been an increase in family travel to Japan in recent years!

Here are some family-friendly activities to consider:

• Tokyo Disney & Disney Sea
• Sanrio Puroland (Hello Kitty)  there is also a Hello Kitty themed Shinkansen!
• Visiting the deer in Nara
• Teamlab Borderless Museum in Tokyo
• Himeji Castle
• Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan
• Miraikan Museum in Tokyo (great for kids interested in robots and technology!)

There’s so many kid friendly attractions and most of them offer discounted prices for children under the age of 12.  Children younger than 6 often get in for free.