15 Best Things to Know Before Traveling to Japan

Japan has a rich cultural heritage, breathtaking landscapes, and modern cities. Recently on a platform, people have shared some valuable tips and insights on traveling to Japan.

1. Essential Coin Purse for Japan Travel

When heading to Japan, a coin purse is a must-have, according to seasoned travelers. To avoid being caught short of cash, purchasing one before leaving or grabbing one upon arrival is best. Despite Tokyo’s modernity, coins remain a key part of everyday life in Japan.

2. Unplanned Adventure in Japan

As one seasoned traveler discovered during a solo trip, sometimes less planning equals more adventure. Rather than stick to a rigid itinerary, they opted for a more spontaneous approach, canceling and rebooking hotels as they went, getting lost and discovering new places.

Read next: My Top 10 Favorite Things I Did in Japan

3. Unwritten Rules of Japanese Changing Rooms

If shopping for clothes in Japan, remember to slip off your shoes before entering the changing room, advises one experienced traveler. It is a tradition that extends beyond just homes and traditional establishments but applies to temples and restaurants.

Read next: 22 Things That Surprised Me About Japan (as an American)

4. Navigating Japan’s Unique Dining Experience

Another explorer shared that, in Japan, you will only find servers constantly hovering over you at sit-down restaurants. If you need assistance, you’ll need to flag them down or use the call button on your table, which can take some getting used to for visitors used to more attentive service.

Read next: You Can’t Talk AT ALL At This Tokyo Restaurant 

5. Importance of Comfortable Shoes in Japan

An experienced traveler advised that comfortable shoes with excellent insoles are necessary when exploring Japan. With so much walking to be done, your feet will thank you.

6. Tokyo Top Spots to Stay

For those planning to base themselves in Tokyo, seasoned travelers suggest looking for a hotel near Ueno or Shinjuku. These neighborhoods are central and well-connected, making it easy to explore other city areas.

• Click here to see the top tours to take in Japan!

7. Lost in Translation: Japan’s Directions

If you’re new to Japan, beware that exit maps in subway stations and other places sometimes orient north. Instead, they use relative directions, which can be tricky to navigate if you’re used to maps that rely on cardinal directions.

Read next: What It’s Like Going to a Japanese Baseball Game (as a Tourist)

8. Learning the Lingo for Japan

Despite spending a month traveling solo in Japan, one traveler found it challenging to communicate with locals due to the language barrier. It’s worth taking some time to learn basic Japanese phrases before your trip to make the experience more enjoyable.

9. Finding Zen: Slowing Down in Japan

An experienced user warned that feel free to visit only some temples and shrines in Japan. Enjoy each day as it arrives, relish the sights and sounds in your vicinity, and refrain from attempting to pack too much into your schedule.

Read next: Exploring Fushimi Inari Shrine in Kyoto

10. From Sushi to Sake: Dining in Japan

According to one seasoned traveler, dining out in Japan is worth asking the chef for recommendations. This is an excellent way to discover new delicious dishes you might have yet to try.

• Click here to see the top tours to take in Japan!

11. The Serendipity Strategy: Wandering Japan

Sometimes the best way to explore a new city is to wander without a specific destination. One traveler recommends setting aside a day to explore hidden corners and discover unexpected gems.

12. Prepping for Japan’s Walking-Friendly Culture

An individual shared their experience of visiting numerous places in various cities in Japan, emphasizing the importance of walking consistently for around 5 miles a day. They advised that if someone is planning a trip and is not used to walking long distances, they should try to increase their stamina beforehand.

Read next: Walking Through Iwatayama Monkey Park & Arashiyama Bamboo Grove in Kyoto

13. Travel Light: The Art of Packing Wisely for Souvenir Hunters

In the thread, another participant chimed in with a nugget of wisdom: “Less is more when it comes to packing, especially if you’re planning on bringing back a bounty of treasures.” Their sage advice was to approach packing carefully, selecting only the most essential items and leaving behind anything unnecessary.

Read next: Best Travel Dresses for Every Season by a Frequent Traveler

14. Ziploc Hack: Keep Your Surroundings Tidy

Several users advised bringing a Ziploc bag to collect all the small trash accumulating throughout the day. The bag’s purpose is to allow for easy disposal of the collected trash when a trash can is finally encountered.

15. Cool Down with This Summer Travel Tip: Chilled Facial Wipes

For those traveling during the summer, an experienced traveler recommended purchasing facial wipes upon arrival and storing them in a refrigerator if available. This way, when heading out for outdoor activities, the chilled wipes can be brought along to help make the heat and humidity more bearable.”

This article was brought to you by this thread.

• Read next: 22 Things That Surprised Me About Japan (as an American)
• Read next: You Can’t Talk AT ALL At This Tokyo Restaurant 
• Read next: The Best Travel Vests With Pockets for Women & Men + $150 Gift Card Giveaway!
• Click to see all of my Japan blog posts!

Using a VPN When Traveling

VPN is short for “virtual private network.” A VPN (like IPVanish) sets up a private connection between your device and whatever network you are connected to – so, no one can see your browsing data. It is important to use a VPN anytime you are connected to public Wifi (such as at a restaurant, resort, hotel, cafe, airport, etc.). This is because when you connect to a public network no matter where you are, you run the risk of a hacker grabbing your unencrypted data. Trust me, speaking from experience here…this can put a real damper on your trip if your banking, phone or email get hacked while you’re traveling!

VPNs can also help you save on domestic flights, help you watch Netflix shows not available in certain countries, and more! You can read more about using a VPN in my post “Why I Use a VPN When Traveling and at Home (And You Should Too).”

Travel Insurance

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 Squaremouth is the only site that currently lets you filter travel insurance policies for COVID-19 coverage. I, personally, use Squaremouth for finding the best insurance policies for my travels, They’re also recommended by Forbes! You can click here to get your free travel insurance quote.