Ultimate Japan Travel Tips – Plan Your Perfect Trip

Planning a trip to Japan is exciting, but with so much to see and do, it can also feel overwhelming. Many travelers dive straight into researching beautiful places to visit—and while that’s understandable, setting up your travel conditions first can help avoid frustration later in the process.

This page will guide you with essential travel tips, helping you create a well-balanced itinerary, stay prepared with practical advice, and make the most of your time in Japan. Each week, we’ll add a new concrete tip, so check back regularly for fresh insights!

1. Essential Travel Planning Tips

✅ Set Your Travel Conditions

Before booking anything, determine your budget, available time, and preferred travel dates. Consider peak seasons, weather conditions, and local events.

📌 Planning Tip Saturday – Tip #1: Start Your Journey the Right Way by Setting Your Travel Conditions! Most people start trip planning by diving straight into all the beautiful places they want to visit. And honestly, that makes sense! But before you get lost in the excitement, setting up your travel conditions first can save you a lot of frustration later on.

✅ Budget – How much can you spend on flights, accommodation, activities, and food?
✅ Time – How many days do you have available for travel?
✅ When to Go – Consider weather, peak seasons, and personal availability.
✅ Travel Restrictions – Do you need a visa or any vaccinations?
✅ Personal Interests – Are you looking for adventure, culture, food, or relaxation?
✅ Special Events – Are there festivals or seasonal events you want to experience?

By setting these conditions first, you’ll make smarter choices and create an itinerary that truly fits your needs. Every week, we’ll share more concrete tips to help you build the perfect trip!

2. Tools for Planning

🛠️ Use Helpful Planning Tools

Having the right tools can make trip planning much easier and more efficient. Here are some useful ones:

📊 Excel or Google Sheets – Track your budget, travel dates, and itinerary details in one place.
🗺️ Google Maps – Save locations of attractions, restaurants, and accommodations to create a visual travel plan.
📅 Travel Apps – Use apps like Hyperdia (train schedules), Japan Travel by NAVITIME, or Google Translate for real-time assistance.

These tools will help in all stages of planning, from deciding where to go to optimizing your travel route.

3. How to Build the Perfect Itinerary

📍 Find Places That Match Your Interests

Whether you love history, nature, or modern attractions, research destinations that align with your preferences. Bookmark them on Google Maps.

📍 Plan a Logical Route

Organize your destinations in an efficient travel order, minimizing unnecessary backtracking.

📍 Balance Sightseeing & Free Time

Avoid overloading your schedule. Japan is best enjoyed at a comfortable pace to experience local culture and hidden gems.

📍 Account for Travel Time

Japan has excellent public transport, but always factor in time for transfers, walking, and unexpected delays.

4. Practical Travel Tips for Japan

Here are specific travel tips for Japan, including general advice and more destination-focused insights:

General Travel Tips for Japan

  1. Use Public Transport Apps: Download apps like Google Maps, Navitime, or Hyperdia to easily navigate Japan’s extensive transportation network, including trains, subways, and buses.
  2. Stay Hydrated: Japan can get quite hot and humid in the summer, especially in cities like Tokyo and Osaka. Carry a water bottle, as vending machines are widely available, or stop at convenience stores to hydrate.
  3. Respect Quiet Zones: Japan places great importance on maintaining quiet in public spaces. On trains and buses, keep phone calls to a minimum and lower your voice in public spaces.
  4. Learn Basic Japanese Phrases: While most people in Japan speak at least some English, learning simple phrases like “Arigatou” (Thank you) and “Sumimasen” (Excuse me) will help you interact more smoothly.
  5. Pack Light: Japanese stations often have stairs with no escalators or elevators, so traveling light will make it easier to navigate stations and move around.
  6. Use Luggage Delivery Services: If you’re traveling between cities, you can use Japan’s luggage delivery service, Takuhaibin, to send your luggage directly to your hotel, leaving you free to explore without heavy bags.
  7. Cash Is King: While credit cards are accepted in major cities, Japan still relies heavily on cash, especially in rural areas. Carry some yen with you, and use ATMs at convenience stores like 7-Eleven to withdraw money.

Specific Travel Tips for Japan

  1. Use the Japan Rail Pass for Long-Distance Travel: If you plan on traveling between multiple cities, the Japan Rail Pass (JR Pass) can save you a lot of money. It gives unlimited access to the Shinkansen (bullet train), local JR trains, and buses. Make sure to plan your trips to maximize its value.
  2. Be Prepared for Limited English: While Japan is tourist-friendly, many signs, especially in rural areas, may not be in English. Have a translation app like Google Translate or Papago handy to help with communication.
  3. Stay in a Ryokan for a Traditional Experience: If you want an authentic Japanese experience, stay in a ryokan (a traditional Japanese inn). Experience sleeping on tatami mats and futons, bathing in an onsen (hot spring), and enjoying a kaiseki (multi-course) dinner.
  4. Take Advantage of the Convenience Store: Japanese convenience stores (konbini like 7-Eleven, FamilyMart, and Lawson) offer a wide variety of affordable, high-quality meals and snacks. Don’t miss out on ready-to-eat bento boxes, onigiri (rice balls), and unique desserts.
  5. Avoid Rush Hour: The trains in Tokyo and other large cities can be incredibly crowded during rush hours (7:30–9:00 AM and 5:00–7:00 PM). If possible, try to avoid traveling during these peak times.
  6. Respect Onsen Etiquette: Before entering an onsen (hot spring), be sure to thoroughly wash and rinse your body at the shower stations. Swimwear is not allowed, and tattoos may be prohibited in some onsens, so check the rules beforehand.
  7. Don’t Tip: Tipping is not customary in Japan, and in fact, it may be seen as rude. Simply saying “Thank you” with a smile is enough to show appreciation for good service.
  8. Explore Japan’s Hidden Gems: While cities like Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka are well-known, don’t miss out on hidden gems like Nara, Kanazawa, or the rural town of Shirakawa-go. Each offers unique experiences without the tourist crowds.
  9. Watch Out for Street Crossings: Japan’s pedestrian traffic rules are strictly enforced. Always wait for the light to turn green before crossing at intersections, even if no cars are around.
  10. Learn Train Station Etiquette: In Japan, people line up neatly on the platform and wait for passengers to exit the train before entering. Make sure to stand in line when waiting for a train, and always give priority to those exiting the train.
  11. Do Not Point: Japanese people find pointing impolite. Instead, gesture subtly with your whole hand or use your finger to point to an object in a non-obtrusive way.
  12. Tap Your IC Card to Enter and Exit: If you’re using an IC card (Suica, Pasmo, ICOCA), make sure to tap your card at both the entrance and exit gates at train stations, subways, and buses. Keep your card accessible for quick entry and exit.
  13. Carry a Pocket Wi-Fi or SIM Card: If you’re relying on your phone for navigation and communication, having a pocket Wi-Fi device or a SIM card will ensure you stay connected throughout your trip.

Things to Remember About Japanese Customs

  1. Shoes Off Indoors: In many traditional spaces, such as ryokan and some restaurants, you’ll need to take your shoes off before entering. Be prepared to wear socks, as you’ll likely walk on tatami mats.
  2. Queueing Is Important: Japan is known for its orderly queues, whether it’s waiting for a train or lining up at a restaurant. Always stand in line and wait your turn.
  3. Don’t Talk on the Phone in Public: Talking on the phone in public spaces like trains, buses, and restaurants is considered rude. Keep phone conversations brief and quiet or head to designated phone booths if needed.
  4. No Public Displays of Affection: Public displays of affection (PDA) are uncommon in Japan, and couples are usually more reserved in public. Keep that in mind when visiting public places.

Final Tips

  • Dress Modestly: While Japan is a very safe country, dressing modestly can help you blend in and be respectful, especially when visiting religious sites.
  • Stay Alert for Fireworks Festivals: During summer, you’ll likely encounter many hanabi (fireworks festivals). They’re extremely popular, and it’s a great experience to attend. Just be sure to arrive early to find a good spot.
  • Take Advantage of the Train Timetables: The JR trains in Japan are always on time. Always check the timetable before planning your day, and try to be punctual.

These tips will help you navigate Japan with ease, making your trip stress-free and enjoyable.