11 Things To Know Before Visiting Japan

Japan is a country that I believe everyone should visit at least once in their lifetime; that’s how great it is. If you’re planning a trip there or would like to know more about Japan for the sake of curiosity, here are 11 things to know before visiting Japan!
A trip to Japan is always an exciting thing on its own, especially when it is your first time there. That’s why I think knowing a few things before travelling to Japan is essential to avoid some travel mistakes and make the most of your trip.

I am pretty excited about my upcoming trip to Japan; it’ll be my fourth time there and my little brother’s first time there. that’s why I thought about my previous trips and came up with those 11 things you need to know before travelling to Japan! I already have an in-depth Tokyo travel guide if you’d like to read it, but it’s all about facts and customs for now!

Let’s jump right into it!

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11 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE VISITING JAPAN

#1 It’s Best To Carry Cash

We live in a day and age where everybody uses their debit or credit card to pay for what they need and even the tiniest things. I am not going to lie; I am one of those people. I mean, why would I bother to carry tons of cash and coins?

Those 1cts coins are the worst!

But I digress. Especially since we know that using cash in Japan is a big thing, do not worry about carrying cash on you as this is how you’ll pay for most things. It is pretty common to use some money there and not a card.

Also, the chances are that if you don’t have an international option on your card, you’ll pay fees every time you use your card. So, it’s best to change money beforehand or withdraw significantly.

#2 Always Stay On The Left Side Of The Escalator

Yep, that is right. It always stays on the left side when you use the escalator in Japan…except in Osaka!
For some reason, people in Osaka, unlike the rest of Japan, stand on the right side of the escalator.

#3 The JR Pass isn’t always good

Many people will tell you to take the JR Pass if you’re travelling to Japan as it is one of the most efficient and cheapest ways to travel around Japan – and rightfully so.
However, that is not the case for anyone; you must look into your options and itinerary. Especially if you only stay in Tokyo, you can only use it on the JR Line.

I thought my brother and I should take the JR Pass for our upcoming trip as we plan to move around, but it turns out it is cheaper for us to take a night bus to Osaka and proceed from there to the following cities by train and buses.

As well as going to Mt Fuji, if you’re willing to give up on the Shinkansen, it is cheaper, but if you absolutely would like to take the Shinkansen, you have to take the JR Pass.

Buy a JR PASS here.

#4 Public Transportation Is Super Efficient

I live in Paris and am no stranger to transportation issues as I take the Metro daily. I know it can be pretty troublesome sometimes as you’re not sure your train will arrive or arrive on time.

However, that is not an issue in Japan. The transportation is not only super-efficient but also very clean, as this is not the case everywhere.
Think Paris metro or New York subway; you will know what I am talking about if you’ve ever been there.

#5 You Don’t Need Tips in Japan

Tipping has a pretty strong culture in some countries – in the U.S., for example, it is customary to tip for almost anything and everything as it pays people.

That is not the case in Japan; you do not need to tip for anything while travelling there! Even if you enjoyed a good meal and a good service at a restaurant, tipping is unnecessary – it may even be considered rude if you try and do so.

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#6 Don’t Wait For The Waiter – Buzz them!

If you decide to eat in Japan in a restaurant – which, let’s not lie, you most likely will if you’re on holiday there.

While usually, you’d wait for the waiter to come back to you to take your order, you don’t need to do this in Japan! As soon as you are ready to pass your order and eat some yummy food, all you have to do is push the little buzzer that you will find on the side of the table.

They will come to your table a few minutes later, and voila!
Another thing to know is that you’ll find a vending machine outside some restaurants where you can buy a coupon for the meal you’d like to eat. You pay there and bring it inside to be served.

#7 Chain restaurants are good

Chain restaurants do not usually have a good reputation as they are considered cheap and serve low-quality food. However, that is not the case with chain restaurants in Japan.
This means you can still eat on a budget and have good food, so I believe this is a good thing to know before visiting Japan.

Here are some excellent chain restaurants where you can eat in Japan:

-Coco Curry
-Mos Burger
-Freshness Burger
-Sukiya

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READ: 10 THINGS TO LOVE ABOUT TOKYO

#8 Underground Shopping Malls Are A Thing

When I say underground shopping malls, I don’t speak about a small food stall or a little store but a good shopping mall.
Although it is not rare to find many good restaurants hidden underground too!

For example, in Shinjuku, one of the biggest stations in Tokyo, you can find an enormous shopping mall. Tokyo station is also a fantastic place if you’d like to shop for souvenirs to bring home and some particular foods.

#9 Don’t Expect People Speaking English

The country is making some reasonable efforts as they will be hosting the Olympic Games in Tokyo in 2020 and expect to receive even more tourism than they are currently.
You shouldn’t expect to find English signs or menus in small restaurants, for example, in English.
Something else you shouldn’t expect is finding many people speaking good English; however, there will always be someone willing to help you despite the language barrier.

#10 You Don’t Need To Speak Japanese

It is not mandatory to speak Japanese to visit Japan, even though sometimes, especially if you go to a remote area and the countryside, for example, is less touristy. You can’t expect to find many English-friendly places. But you will always find a way to make yourself understand, so no worries!

However, I do recommend you still learn a few essential words to get around. Knowing a few words about the country you visit can go a long way.

If you’d like to learn Japanese, you should check out those resources to learn Japanese by yourself.

#11 Japan is Safe

Last but not least, Japan is a pretty safe country to visit, of course, as anywhere in the world you always need to watch out for yourself, but there’s nothing to fear in Japan.
Anyone who’s been there can approve of this; you will also find many stories about people finding their lost items.

I can also testify that you feel pretty safe there; back in 2012, on my first trip, I went to get some cash and food around 10 pm without my friend, and it made no difference that it was night time I felt just as safe as I thought during day time. It is also one of the safest places for solo travellers, so if you’re thinking about a solo trip to Japan, do not hesitate!

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That’s a wrap on my 11 things to know before you visit Japan! Expect that those fun facts and customs will help you plan your perfect trip to Japan! And I hope you have a blast there.

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11 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE VISITING JAPAN

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✈ Best Travel Ressources To Plan Your Next Trip

✈ How To Find Flights?

– Skyscanner; it is a good comparator for finding the cheapest flights.
– Google Flights is also a good help when comparing flights.

✈ Where To Book Accommodations?

– Booking.com: plenty of options and ways to get discounts the more you book.

✈ Best Sites To Book Activities

– GetYourGuide when I can’t get a ticket directly on the website or if it’s easier to go through them.
– Klook if you need to book more than just activities and would like to get everything from the same website or different day trips—(i.e. transport cards, car rental, hotel…).

✈ Other helpful travel resources

– Radical Storage: If you need a place to keep your luggage for an extended period when you travel, I recommend using them.
– TheTrainline: If you love to travel by train like me, then TheTrainline needs to be your go-to website for train travel in Europe.

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