TO MAKE YOUR TRIP RUN SMOOTHLY

BRING CASH

A lot of places in Japan will not accept credit cards, so always have cash on you. 7-Eleven convenience stores will accept almost any international card to get cash out

WEAR COMFORTABLE SHOES

You will be doing a lot of walking on your trip, so bring the most comfortable walking shoes you own!

WIFI EGG VS SIM CARD

Make sure to get a data SIM card or wifi "egg" on arrival to Japan (any option available at the airport will be good enough). Note that Wifi eggs (basically portable routers) are great for multiple people to use but are slower and require charging daily.

DOWNLOAD GOOGLE CHROME

If you come across a website entirely in Japanese, open it on Google Chrome, and it will automatically translate it to your chosen language.

RENT A CAR IF POSSIBLE

Renting a car will make your travels in Japan a lot easier and faster, especially when going to countryside areas. If you're from an eligible country, obtain an international driver's permit before travelling to Japan.

TATTOOS IN ONSENS

Visible tattoos on your body should not cause you any problems in your regular travels in Japan, unless you are visiting an onsen. You can always cover any small tattoos with a bandage or tape, however, if you have a large tattoo that you cannot conceal, you may not be allowed in. You can still book a private onsen in your Japanese hotel or look for places that specifically state they are "tattoo-friendly" if you'd still like to experience it.

BUY A TAP-&-GO CARD

To make catching trains and buses easier, get a tap&go public transport card like Suica, Icoca or Pasmo. The ¥500 deposit fee is refundable if you return the card to an information centre.

AVOID TAXIS

Taxis are very expensive in Japan so I suggest avoiding them as much as possible. Rideshare apps like Uber and Lyft aren't really a thing in Japan and will only assist you in hailing a taxi at normal taxi rates.

DRINK THE TAP WATER

Tap water is safe to drink in Japan so no need to constantly buy bottled water

AVOID PUBLIC HOLIDAYS

Avoid public holiday weeks like "Golden Week" (usually early May) and "Obon" (mid August) as tourist attractions will be packed with people on holiday. The dates change every year so double check before you book your flights.

EASY TRIP PLANNING

There are many apps that can assist you in planning your train rides through Japan but personally I've found that Google Maps is the most reliable and accurate of them all. It will often tell you departure time, duration, cost and even which train carriage to get on for the fastest transfer.

HAVE LUNCH ONTIME

Many restaurants in Japan will close between 3-6pm so try to have lunch on time to avoid disappointment.