Traveling Japan can be easy and convenient, likewise challenging and lonely, depending on where and for how long you are exploring different parts of Japan's countryside.
As German as I am, I have done quite a lot of research and excel-sheet-pre-creation with must-see places & attractions, also with things to consider & plan ahead.
Although my travel plan for Japan seemed quite solid, a lot of personal expectations and pre-plannings oftentimes occurred differently than expected, leaving me some "ohhh" and "wait, what?!" kind of moments.
In order for you to be best-equipped for your Japan travels, let me consequently share some of what I consider good-to-know travel essentials you might want to take into consideration prior- and also whilst being on-site.
Content Overview:
In need of a taxi? Have "GoTaxi" and "Uber" ready on your phone!
Budget-friendly traveling via Japan's bullet train? I don't think so!
Spontaneous is a foreign word in Japan- book your tickets in advance!
Restaurant visits are for eating purposes only! Recommendations are great but your own experiences matter more!
Pay attention to public transport timetables! Lunch menus are cheaper than dinner offerings!
Traveling via subway with your luggage = carrying all your belongings via a thousand staircases to the surface! Get prepared to carry your trash along all day!
Always carry your passport with you!
Your passport is your best friend when traveling Japan; whether you are purchasing clothes, souvenirs or other articles, your passport is your guarantee for tax-free shopping, e.g. with a minimum purchase of 5500Yen at UniQlo or any kind of purchase at Don Quijote.
Booking online tours or checking into hotels/hostels obviously requires for you to show your passport as well. Most times, the staff will simply take a photo of it and you're good to go.
Download Google Translate!
Some Japanese might be able to speak and understand a little bit of English but please consider that this is not the case for most places outside of Tokyo, Kyoto and other major tourist hot spots. Trying to communicate with locals and/or even ordering anything from the menu might require for you to translate anything written (or verbally spoken) with the help of Google Translate.
Do not expect restaurants to have English menus at-hand, also be warned that most signposts along the way to touristic main attractions might also be written in Japanese only. So you want to make sure to have a translating buddy of any kind at your side always (unless you are able to speak Japanese, of course).
Bring Cash!
I remember speaking to some friends of mine, metioning that I had converted 500€ into cash for my four weeks travels through Japan. They looked at me in surprise stating that there is no need to bring cash, as everything could easily be paid via credit card. "Well", I thought, "that's nice- just like in China". Wrong!
Yes, many things can be paid with your credit card. Though, when it comes to temple entrance fees or even ordering food at restaurants (e.g. via vending machines), cash is the only option of choice given, especially, from my experience, in Kyoto! So please do not be fooled to believe that anything in Japan is cashless. I can guarantee you, it is not!
In need of a taxi? Have "GoTaxi" and "Uber" ready on your phone!
Sometimes taking a taxi might just seem convenient and easy, and also sometimes you might be forced to grab one simply because trains all of a sudden have stopped to operate (usually around 11pm at night).
Taking a taxi in general is a quite expensive undertaking. Depending on the time, e.g. during rush hour, you also might want to consider that you will be stuck in traffic much longer than if you had simply taken the subway.
Anyhow- instead of taking any taxi along the way, the cheaper options are "GoTaxi", an app that is mostly used by Japanese locals, and alternatively also "Uber". Ensure to have these apps ready and set-up prior to coming to Japan. When activating your eSIM, a verification code will not come through onto your phone to verify your number.
Even though it looks close on the map, it is not!
Being on-site in Japan, all sightseeing attractions on Google- or Apple Maps might appear relatively close, making you think: "oh, wow, I can just walk there". These simple "walks" ofentimes turn out to be a 1 - 2 hour march. Indeed, Japan is a huge country, so do not be fooled by the seemingly close distances appearing on the map. Check your travel destinations and distances up front and be prepared to use the- in most cases very convenient- public transport systems (trains, subway, buses). Also ensure to plan your timing when traveling anywhere outside the city, as some buses, also trains, stop running early afternoon/ evening.
Budget-friendly traveling via Japan's bullet train? I don't think so.
Seemingly far away distances can, in most cases, be reached easily via Shinkansen, Japan's fastest bullet train. Quick, easy, convenient and with three different choices of (non-) reserved seating options. If you are traveling with a bigger suitcase, a reservation for luggage storage is highly recommendable, unless you want to sqeeze into a rather narrow seating area together with your belongings.
The Shinkansen is the quickest option to take you from one destination to another and if your purchase a so-called "JR Pass", you can use your ticket for several parts of the country. However, depending on your planned budget, pay attention to rather pricey fares! The Shinkansen is far away from being cheap or budget-friendly.
In general, transportation fares in Japan prove to be rather expensive. Taking the buses (consider that you might be stuck in traffic, especially during peak hours!) and/or subway are the cheapest options.
Spontaneous is a foreign word in Japan- book your tickets in advance!
You might think traveling off-season is a guarant to flexibly book tickets whilst being on-site. And sometimes, depending on the different locations you are aiming to go for, this might also work. For the main sightseeing attractions, such as visiting the Pokemon Cafe in Tokyo, reserving a spot in one of the viral Capybara Cafe's, a ticket to Universal Studios in Osaka to discover Nintendo Land or the well-known Ghibli Park, you certainly need to make a reservation in a timely manner. And with this being said, I mean at least 1 month ahead. Even some temples, such as the moss temple in Arashiyama, require an up front booking of at least one day. So be prepared and always check up front which locations require an early booking to not be disappointed upon arrival.
Restaurant visits are for eating purposes only!
If you are from Europe like I am, eating out usually is connected to spending time with family and friends over a lovely meal, paired with some good drinks, maybe even shared platters, aperitifs, desserts and most of all long and good talks. Japan is a little bit different in this sense. Most restaurants offer only little space to eat, either directly at the counter or on set tables. Some places offer space for no more than 6 to 8 people in total. Consequently, people not yet having a seat to enjoy lunch or will will queue up in front of the stores, waiting for people inside to finish eating. It all goes very fast. People entering are served directly in a matter of no time, eating, making room for the next ones in line. Wait, eat, leave, repeat.
The waiters usually assist, keeping track on whoever comes next and in which order. To make the process more convenient and efficient, everyone in line will sometimes be asked to place their order prior to entering the restaurant. This might mean you need to tell the waiter your order whilst waiting in line (he will hand-out the menu whilst waiting), or you will be asked to order our food via an installed vending machine (choose your dishes and side dishes, also drinks and press to pay to receive your order ticket, get back in line).
If you are looking for a more relaxed atmosphere, bars usually offer a more relaxed environment to enjoy some fingerfoods and snacks whilst being able to talk and have a beer. Sometimes, people are even allowed to smoke inside, dependend on the location owner.
Recommendations are great but your own experiences matter more!
In nowadays world, we get a lot of inspiration from social media on where to go and what to see. I am no different. I have saved many many videos of viral food spots, secret locations to hike and explore and hidden sightseeing attractions. The problem with social media is the following: once its on social media, the entire world knows. And let me ensure you that most places you see on social media are far away from being tourist-empty. Rather, the contrary falls into place. Surely, I had to try the viral "Carbonara Udon" in Tokyo (waiting time 4 hours, as you need to withdraw a ticket at the entrance), which, to be fair, was nice but took a lot of time. I also had the viral "Matcha Creme Brulee" Pancakes at the Panel Cafe in Kyoto, which I also would not have missed out on. But the truth is: also other places do offer exactly the same things, maybe with a twist of different approaches, however, the exact same. So my advise is to take social media as an impulse giverwhilst trying to discover and explore places on your own that are not on social media. Restaurants and street food stands are to be found everywhere and these offer delicious options to pick and choose from. Find your own hidden spots and create your own story rather than running after "must do's" of other people you do not even know.
Not every sightseeing attraction is worth seeing!
When getting prprepared for your travels, there are many top things to do and see, which are to be found on the internet via Google, Tripadvisor, Klook, GetYourGuide and many more platforms one can take into consideration. I have experienced that quite a few of these "attractions" were not really appealing to me, which on the other hand, made me question, why I had planned them into my iterinary first hand: was it to take some photos to prove to people back home that I've been there? Was it to "just do it", as it was stated to be important of of great cultural heritage? What I am trying to say is: think about your actual intentions when visiting a place first before running around stressed, trying to see all the different sightseeing attractions all at once just for the sake of an instagram reel or photo.
To give you an example, the "Ayashiyama Bamboo Forest" to me was nothing more than an alley of bamboo trees (I have seen many before, walked through several forests in Hawaii and even have a big plant in our garden), yet costing me a lot of time and money that I could have spent otherwise. Therefore my advise: plan according to your desires and preferences!
Detach from the desire to see- and taste it all!
I am aware that traveling to a country you have not yet explored is very exciting and that one wants to discover, explore and taste everything possible. Maybe you have also read, seen or heard about many exciting and cool places & attractions to visit. But since Japan is a huuuuge country, my advise to you is: do not stress. You simply cannot see and do it all. The more pressure you put on yourself, the more hectic your travel iterinary becomes. And at last, we all want to enjoy our travels to the most, right? So take your pick, have some plans at hand but also plan some leisure time for simply walking and exploring the area you are moving in. I promise, you will find something surprising behind one or the other corner you weren't expecting.
Pay attention to public transport timetables!
When I was in Tokyo, I remembered one night where I wanted to go to Shinjuku with some people from my hostel to try out some local bars and immerse into the colourful nightlife. What I did not know at this point was that the subway stops running at 11pm. So, unless you are willing to grab a cab taking you back to your hotel or ensuring up front to live in a lively main area, please pay attention to the timetables of public transport, as this might also effect your arrival- and departure dates. If your plane, for example, is leaving around 6 or 7am in the morning, you will not have the chance to take any kind of subway, as these solely start running from 6am onwards.
Lunch menus are cheaper than dinner offerings!
There's nothing more than enjoying an excellent dinner at the end of a day fully packed with lots of walking, sightseeing and new encounters, I am fully with you. Paired with a glass of good wine, japanese whisky or some sake and you upgrade an already seemingly perfect day to the next level. Of course, there is nothing against having a proper dinner, such as a fantastic Okonomyaki, tender Wagyu, some hearty Ramen, Miso-Udon or other delicious foods. These foods can be budget-friendly, oftentimes though prove to be a bit more pricey.
When it comes to lunch offerings, you will notice that most placed offer great and cheap combo deals that are far away from actual dining prices at night. For instance, instead of solely enjoying a warm-hearted soup of Tantan Ramen, you will additionally be served with fermented veggies, tea and a lovely tempura mix on the side. Hence, if you are looking for a cheaper options of enjoying some great Wagyu or sushi platter, check out different lunch combo options and take your pick!
Do not leave the main paths and trail-ways when hiking!
If you are a geographical wonder, such as I am, my biggest advise to you is to not leave any main trail when walking or hiking in any kind of area, as I promise you that you will get lost 100%! How many times have I found myself in the middle of a forest without any internet connection and no human being anywhere close to me whilst dawn was already approaching, leaving me with even more anxiety and slight panic attacks. And no, these happenings did not occurein some bizarre and/or people abandonned places but in actual touriat areas, such as Fushimi Inari (Kyoto) or the Gifu Castle area.
Yes, you will be able to find certain signposts along the trails, if lucky. These, however, will have no English translation and due to the fact that your internet might not be working properly- well, guess what? Your Google Translate won't either. So in this case, you will need to figure out how to find your way out of the maze you created by your own means and best assumptions. If you're smarter than I am, at least make sure to start your hike in the early morning or midday, so that you do not have to rush once the sunset starts to approach slowly. Good luck, Indiana Jones!
Traveling via subway with your luggage = carrying all your belongings via a thousand staircases to the surface!
You have decided to take the subway from e.g. Osaka to Kyoto or from the Shinkansen railway to your ho(s)tel. That's great! One thing you might find surprising is that in a lot of cases no elevators are at-hand at respective stations you need to get on- or off at. What does that mean to you? Correct, you will need to carry your luggage all the way up. And sometimes, the amount of staircases is tough! Mostly, you are not alone. A lot of locals and other travellers are to be found heavily breathing and sweating whilst mastering their challenge of trying to find the surface.
Get prepared to carry your trash along all day!
Japan proved to be a very neat and clean country. You will barely find trash on the ground and that has its reason. If you litter on the street, or even in public bathroms which are solely dedicated for hygiene articles, you might be confronted with a fine. Funnily enough, you will barely find any public trash cans to get rid of your garbage. What does this mean? Correct, you will need to carry your garbage around all day until you find a proper space to get rid of it. The easiest and most convenient way is to stop by a convenience store, as they usually have trah cans right below the coffee machines. Otherwise, you will most likely carry everything collectively until you reach your hostel/hotel at the end of the day for some plastic relief. A useful advise from my side: take the plastic bags offered to you when purchasing any item, keep them in your bag and seal your collected trash inside, so that you won't have to deal with dirty or smelly residues in your backpack.
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