Before You Go to Japan

A simple guide to help you prepare for your trip and avoid common mistakes.

Close-up of multiple airplane tickets or boarding passes inside an open folding wallet or document holder.

Entry & Travel Requirements

Passport Validity Your passport must be valid for the entire duration of your stay.

Visa Requirements Most travellers can enter Japan visa‑free for short stays. Check your country’s requirements before flying.

Travel Insurance Highly recommended medical care is excellent but can be expensive without coverage.

Visit Japan Web (Official Entry System)

This is the official government website for immigration, customs, and quarantine forms. You can complete everything online before arrival to speed up entry.

Website:https://services.digital.go.jp/en/visit-japan-web/

Close-up of Japanese currency, including coins and banknotes on a black surface. Coins are silver and gold, with various denominations. Banknote features intricate design and colorful details.

Money & Payments

Cash Is Still Important Japan is modern, but many small shops and restaurants still prefer cash.

ATMs That Work for Foreign Cards

  • 7‑Eleven

  • FamilyMart

  • Japan Post Office

IC Cards (Suica / PASMO) Useful for trains, buses, vending machines, and even some stores.

A train is parked on railway tracks with a mountain, likely a volcano, in the background. The mountain is snow-capped and the sky is clear and blue.

Transportation Basics

Trains Are King Japan’s train system is fast, clean, and extremely reliable.

JR vs Metro JR = above‑ground trains Metro = underground trains They are separate systems, so fares don’t transfer.

Google Maps Is Essential Shows exact platforms, transfer times, and even which carriage to board.

Nighttime street scene with illuminated signs in Japanese, pedestrians, and vehicles with headlights on.

Accommodation Tips

Stay Near a Major Station Shinjuku, Shibuya, Ueno, Tokyo Station — saves time and stress.

Room Size Japanese hotel rooms are smaller than Western ones. Capsule hotels are great for solo travellers.

Assorted Japanese dishes on a round wooden tray, including ramen, rice, soft-boiled eggs, and various side dishes.

Food & Dining Etiquette

No Tipping It’s not expected and can be confusing for staff.

Restaurant Ordering Many places use vending machines or tablets to order.

Konbini Meals 7‑Eleven, Lawson, FamilyMart have surprisingly good food.

People in traditional Japanese kimonos and modern attire gather in front of a large, ornate red temple gate with black and gold accents, decorative lanterns, and intricate architectural details.

Cultural Etiquette

Quiet on Trains Talking loudly or taking phone calls is frowned upon.

Queueing Japan loves orderly lines follow the markers on the ground.

Shoes Off Indoors Homes, temples, and some restaurants require removing shoes.

Sign with message in Japanese and English, stating "Please do not smoke while walking." Contains a no-smoking graphic with a cigarette crossed out and instructions to avoid smoking in the area.

Smoking Rules in Japan

Japan has strict smoking laws, and tourists often get caught out.

Designated Smoking Areas Only You cannot walk and smoke. You cannot smoke on most streets. Look for:

  • Small smoking booths

  • Smoking corners near stations

  • Designated areas in parks

Indoor Smoking Most restaurants and cafés are non‑smoking. Some older izakayas may have smoking rooms.

Fines Certain wards (like Shinjuku and Shibuya) issue fines for street smoking.

Tip: If you don’t see a smoking sign, assume it’s not allowed.

A cluttered trash can overflowing with crumpled paper, food packaging, and discarded items in front of a gray wall, with some trash on the floor including a snack wrapper, a paper bag, and a can of Black Price Days shopping bag.

Trash & Rubbish Bins

Japan has surprisingly few public rubbish bins.

Why? Many bins were removed after past security incidents. People often carry their rubbish until they find a bin.

Where You Can Find Bins:

  • Convenience stores (7‑Eleven, Lawson, FamilyMart)

  • Train stations

  • Shopping malls

  • Some parks

Sorting Rules Japan is strict about recycling. You may see bins for:

  • Burnable

  • Plastic

  • Bottles

  • Cans

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Useful Apps for Japan

These apps make travelling in Japan much easier navigation, transport, translation, payments, and more.

Google Maps

The most accurate app for trains, subways, buses, walking routes, and platform information.

Google Translate

Instant camera translation for menus, signs, and instructions. Essential for non‑Japanese speakers.

Suica / PASMO App

Lets you top up your IC card digitally and use your phone for trains, buses, vending machines, and some stores.

Japan Travel by NAVITIME

Great for detailed train routes, timetables, and alternative travel options.

LINE

Japan’s most common messaging app. Useful if you need to communicate with hotels, hosts, or local services.

JR-EAST Train Info

Real‑time updates for JR trains, delays, and platform changes.