You’re finally doing it. You’ve booked the flight to Tokyo, and now you’re staring at a map of the Yamanote line like it’s a complex calculus equation. It is. Sorta.
Look, Japan is easy to love but hard to navigate if you’re relying on 2015-era blog posts. Things have changed. Since the borders fully reopened, the country has seen a massive surge in tourism, leading to new rules, digital overhauls, and some quirks that even seasoned travelers find jarring. If you want to avoid being "that tourist" who holds up the line at Shinjuku Station, there are some specific things to know when visiting Japan that go way beyond "bow when you greet people."
Honestly, the biggest shock isn't the food or the temples; it's the sheer amount of walking and the complexity of the trash cans. Or lack thereof.
The Suica Card Drama and Digital Workarounds
For years, the gold standard for getting around was grabbing a physical Suica or Pasmo card at the airport. You’d tap it, hop on a train, and life was good.
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But here’s the thing: global semiconductor shortages actually hit JR East hard. For a long stretch, they stopped selling the standard unregistered Suica cards to locals and tourists alike. While you can sometimes find "Welcome Suica" cards at Haneda or Narita, they expire in 28 days and you can't get your deposit back.
The pro move now? Use your iPhone.
If you have an iPhone, you can add a Suica or Pasmo directly to your Apple Wallet. Go to "Wallet," hit the plus sign, select "Transit Card," and search for Japan. You can top it off with your credit card (though Visa can be finicky—Mastercard and Amex usually sail through) and just tap your phone at the gate. It’s seamless. Android users have it a bit tougher because the mobile Felica chip required for this is usually only on handsets sold in Japan. If you're on a Google Pixel bought in the States, you’ll likely need to hunt down that physical "Welcome Suica" or just buy individual paper tickets like it’s 1994.
Trash, Coins, and the "No Eating While Walking" Rule
You will carry your trash. All day.
Japan is incredibly clean, but you will not find a public trash can on the street. Why? It dates back to the 1995 Sarin gas attacks in the Tokyo subway; the government removed bins for security reasons, and they just never really came back. Locals carry small plastic bags to put their wrappers in, then dispose of them at home or at a convenience store (Konbini).
Speaking of Konbinis, they are the literal glue holding the country together. 7-Eleven, Lawson, and FamilyMart aren't like the ones back home. They have high-quality egg salad sandwiches (the Anthony Bourdain favorite), clean bathrooms, and ATMs that actually accept international cards.
But watch your manners. In many Western cultures, grabbing a snack and eating it as you stroll down the sidewalk is normal. In Japan, it’s "gyogi warui"—bad manners. If you buy a drink at a vending machine, you’re expected to stand there, finish it, and drop the can in the dedicated bin next to the machine. Walking and munching is seen as messy and disrespectful to the space.
Also, get a coin purse. Seriously. 1-yen, 5-yen, 10-yen, 50-yen, 100-yen, and 500-yen coins will pile up in your pocket until you feel like a walking wind chime. You’ll need them for laundry, lockers, and those beautiful vending machines that are on every single corner.
The Reality of the Japan Rail Pass (JR Pass)
This is a big one.
In late 2023, the price of the Japan Rail Pass spiked by about 70%. It used to be a "no-brainer." Now? It’s a math problem. If you’re just doing a round trip between Tokyo and Kyoto, the pass is almost certainly a waste of money. You are better off buying individual Shinkansen tickets via the SmartEX app or at the station.
When is the pass actually worth it?
- You’re traveling from Tokyo to Hiroshima and back within 7 days.
- You plan on hitting five or more cities in a very short window.
- You value the flexibility of just hopping on any (eligible) train without thinking.
Keep in mind that the "Nozomi" and "Mizuho" trains—the fastest ones on the Tokaido line—require an extra surcharge even if you have the pass. Honestly, for most people, the individual tickets are easier. They even allow you to book specific seats with oversized luggage space, which is mandatory now if your suitcase is over a certain size.
Navigating the "Hidden" Restaurant Scene
You’ll see a line of 40 people outside a ramen shop in Shibuya. Don’t join it.
The internet has a way of "over-indexing" certain spots. Places like Ichiran or fluffly pancake cafes get mobbed because of TikTok, but the shop three doors down that’s on the second floor is probably just as good, if not better.
The "Second Floor Rule" is real. In cities like Tokyo and Osaka, real estate is at such a premium that many of the best bars and eateries aren't at street level. Look up. Look at the vertical signs. A tiny elevator might lead you to a six-seat jazz bar or a Michelin-star tempura spot.
A note on Table Charges (Otoshi)
Don't be surprised when you get your bill at an Izakaya (Japanese pub) and see a charge for 300 to 500 yen per person that you didn't order. This is the otoshi. It’s a compulsory appetizer—usually something small like seaweed salad or a bit of tuna—that serves as a seating fee. It’s standard. Don’t fight it. It’s just how the ecosystem works.
Luggage is Your Enemy (Use Takkyubin)
Dragging a massive hardshell suitcase through Shinjuku Station at 8:30 AM is a special kind of hell. The stations are crowded, the stairs are endless, and you will be in everyone’s way.
Japan has an incredible service called Takkyubin (luggage forwarding). Companies like Yamato Transport (look for the logo with the black cat carrying a kitten) will take your bags from your hotel in Tokyo and deliver them to your hotel in Kyoto for about $15-$25 per bag.
It usually arrives the next day. You can travel "hands-free" on the bullet train with just a small backpack. Most hotel front desks will handle the paperwork for you. It’s easily the best $20 you’ll spend on your entire trip.
Etiquette: Beyond the Bow
You don't need to be an expert in Japanese linguistics, but "Sumimasen" (Excuse me/I'm sorry) is your Swiss Army Knife. Use it when you want to order food, when you bump into someone, or when you’re trying to get off a crowded train.
Silence is golden on public transit.
Japanese trains are eerie. No one talks on their phone. No one plays music without headphones. If you’re chatting loudly with your travel partner, people will notice, and not in a good way. Keep your voice at a "library whisper."
Tattoos are still a bit of a "thing."
While Japan is getting more relaxed, many onsen (hot springs) and public gyms still ban tattoos due to the historical association with the Yakuza. If you have ink, check the website of the onsen beforehand. Some will give you waterproof stickers to cover small tattoos; others will just politely turn you away. Private "family baths" (kashikiri) are a great workaround if you want the hot spring experience without the awkwardness.
Connectivity and Power
Don't rely on "free city Wi-Fi." It’s spotty and usually requires a frustrating login process.
Get a pocket Wi-Fi or an eSIM (like Ubigi or Airalo). An eSIM is usually cheaper and means you don't have to carry an extra device that needs charging. Having Google Maps is non-negotiable because Japanese addresses are not based on street names, but on block numbers, which makes zero sense to the uninitiated.
As for power, Japan uses the same two-prong plugs as the US and Canada (Type A), but they don’t usually have the third "grounding" prong hole. If your laptop charger has three prongs, you’ll need a cheap adapter. Also, the voltage is 100V, slightly lower than the 120V in North America. Most modern electronics (phones, cameras) handle this fine, but high-heat tools like hair straighteners might not get as hot or could act funky.
Seasonality Matters More Than You Think
Everyone wants to see the cherry blossoms (Sakura) in late March/early April. Just know that it will be crowded. Like, "can't see the ground" crowded.
If you want the beauty without the chaos, consider:
- Late Autumn (November): The maples turn a deep red that rivals the pink of the Sakura, and the weather is crisp and dry.
- The "Shoulder" Season (May/June): It’s green, lush, and cheaper, though you might hit the "Tsuyu" (rainy season) in June.
- Winter: Hokkaido has some of the best powder snow in the world, and soaking in an outdoor onsen while it snows is a top-tier life experience.
Actionable Steps for Your Arrival
To hit the ground running, do these three things as soon as you land:
- Sort your transit: Download the Suica card to your Apple Wallet or buy the "Welcome Suica" at the airport machines.
- Get Cash: Even though Japan is becoming more "cashless," many small temples and rural shops are cash-only. Withdraw 20,000–30,000 yen at the airport 7-Bank ATM.
- Visit a Tourist Information Center: Grab a physical map. Even with GPS, having a bird's-eye view of districts like Gion in Kyoto or Dotonbori in Osaka helps you understand the layout in a way a 6-inch screen can't.
Understanding these things to know when visiting Japan will save you hours of frustration. It’s a country that rewards those who pay attention to the small details. Take it slow, keep your voice down on the train, and don't be afraid to walk into a basement restaurant that has no English on the sign. That’s usually where the best memories are made.