Planning a trip to any country is exciting, but it’s important to be well-prepared before traveling to a new place especially when that country is as distinctive and rich in culture as Japan. From understanding Japan’s unique travel restrictions to considering the best time to visit, there are essential things you need to know. Keep these 9 tips top of mind before traveling to Japan:
1. When is the Best Time to Travel to Japan?
In our opinion, the best time to travel to Japan is 365 days out of the year! What time of year you want to visit Japan largely depends on your preferences and what you’re looking to get out of the trip. Each season in Japan provides its own unique charm:
- Spring (March-May): Mild weather and cherry blossom season
- Fall (September-November): Cooler weather with vibrant fall foliage
- Winter (December-February): Cold weather for skiing and enjoying hot springs with less tourists
- Summer (June-August): Warm weather with summer festivals
Consider your interests and desired activities when deciding the best time to travel. You won’t be disappointed no matter what time of year you decide to visit.
2. How Much Does it Cost to Travel to Japan?
The cost of traveling to Japan varies depending on what you’re looking to do and where you want to go. Factors like accommodation, transportation, food, and activities can vary from person to person. While its common belief Japan is expensive, there are a lot of ways to manage costs. Researching and planning your itinerary in advance will give you a better idea on where to save. Here are some tips to keep costs down:
- Consider budget-friendly accommodations: Staying in a hostel or capsule hotel can save you a lot of money to put towards other things
- Explore street food: Exploring local eateries vs more formal restaurants can really keep costs down while still enabling you to enjoy the delicious food
- Turn on flight alerts: Keep an eye out on flights, sometimes you can find flights for as low as $600~$700 roundtrip! We like to use Google Flights to stay up to date on pricing.
- Set a budget: Setting a travel budget and being mindful of expenses can help you enjoy Japan without breaking the bank.
While we do love to splurge here and there, there are lots of activities in Japan that are free of charge. You just need to get there first!
Our personal experience budget breakdown (per person) for a non-stop flight to Tokyo, for 2 weeks, stopping in Kyoto, Hakone, and Tokyo:
- Flight: $1,600 (from Chicago)
- Accommodations: $750
- Transportation: $500
- Food: $800
- TOTAL: $3,750/pp
3. Do I need a SIM card or portable Wi-Fi?
Having access to internet is a must on your trip to make sure you have access to things like navigation, translation apps for communication, and overall being able to research while you’re on the go. Nowadays, most phone providers (like AT&T) have travel packages where you can use your phone as-is in Japan without another SIM card. It can be a bit pricier than some other options, but for the convenience you can’t beat it. Some other options are:
- Digital SIM (eSIM): An eSIM is an industry-standard digital SIM that allows you to activate a cellular plan from your carrier without having to use a physical SIM.
- Physical SIM: As soon as you land, there are a lot of places you can purchase a physical SIM card at the airport. Like a normal SIM card, you pop this into your phone and, voila! You have access to the internet.
- Portable Wi-fi: Portable pocket Wi-Fi device you can connect to (like a hotspot) when you’re on the go. Just make sure it’s always charged so you can connect to it.
All options provide convenient and reliable internet access throughout your trip, just make sure you get at least one of them.
4. Do I need a Japan Rail Pass or Suica/Pasmo Card?
If you’re traveling across the country (ex. Kyoto to Tokyo), then the Japan Rail Pass is worth it. It offers unlimited travel on JR trains, including the Shinkansen (bullet train), and can be the most cost-effective if you’re visiting multiple cities at a time. If you’re in Tokyo and plan to explore the vast city, we highly recommend getting a Suica/Pasmo. If you don’t, you’ll be constantly going to the kiosks to purchase a ticket every time you use the train. Just make sure you research where you’re going because each card is used for different train lines. Here are some helpful resources:
- JR Fare Calculator
- Japan Rail Pass Calculator (this one is a great resource to help you figure out if you need a JR pass or not!)
- Japan IC Cards
**IMPORTANT: If you choose to load Suica/Pasmo on your phone, you can only use MasterCard!
5. Can I Take My Luggage on the Shinkansen?
Yes, you can definitely take luggage onto the Shinkansen in Japan! In fact, there are designated spaces for luggage on board, both overhead compartments and larger storage areas near the ends of the carriages.
Size and weight restrictions:
- You are allowed to bring two pieces of luggage for free, as long as:
- The total dimensions of each piece (length + width + height) do not exceed 250 cm.
- The weight of each piece does not exceed 30 kg.
- If your luggage exceeds these limits, you will need to pay a fee and possibly store it in a designated area.
6. Is There a Better Way to Travel with Suitcases Across Japan?
While the Shinkansen allows luggage, it’s not always the smoothest experience. Our preferred method is to send our luggage/suitcases from the hotel when we’re planning on traveling on the Shinkansen. For example, when we traveled from Kyoto to Tokyo, we didn’t take our big suitcases with us.
Yamato Transport’s Takkyubin service lets you send your luggage directly from your hotel or any convenience store to your next destination.
7. How Should I Pack for Japan?
2 words: pack light. There are a lot of things you’ll want to bring back with you after your trip, and if you forget anything you can always buy it while you’re there. Keep it simple and comfy with your wardrobe essentials. Pack your favorite pair of jeans, tees and tanks, and versatile tops that you can mix and match effortlessly. Japan’s weather can be kinda unpredictable, so definitely pack layers. You’ll want to be prepared for chilly mornings, warm afternoons, and cool evenings. Check out our other blog for tips on what to pack for your trip to Japan.
8. Do I Need to Learn Japanese?
While knowing Japanese is not a requirement for visiting Japan, we recommend learning some basic Japanese phrases to enhance your interactions and show cultural respect. English signage is common in populate tourist areas, major transportation hubs, and well-populated areas, but it isn’t everywhere. For instance, not every restaurant (especially some of the hole-in-the-wall place) are going to have an English menu. Learning some key phrases (even just from Duolingo) can be helpful throughout your trip.
9. Do I Need to Carry Cash?
While a lot of the cities now accept credit cards, Japan is a predominantly cash-based society. It’s advisable to carry cash for smaller purchases, local shops, and in rural areas. There are ATMs in the convenience stores (like 7-11 and FamilyMart) where you can take cash out if you ever need any.
10. What Do I Have to do Before My Flight?
Japan is open for travel and as of October 11, 2022 tourists with U.S. passports no longer need a visa to stay up to three months. To complete immigration and customs procedures in advance (although you can do this at the airport when you arrive) we recommend downloading the Visit Japan Web app. This will allow for a stress-free, smooth arrival.
11. Do You Have to be Vaccinated to Travel to Japan?
Additionally effective as of midnight April 29, 2023, all travelers arriving in Japan no longer need to present proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test certificate. Again, to complete immigration and customs procedures in advance (although you can do this at the airport when you arrive) we recommend downloading the Visit Japan Web app.
12. How Much Cash Should I Bring to Japan?
Japan, while incredibly modern, still has a strong cash-based culture (although it gets better every time we go back). While you can rely on credit and debit cards at many hotels, major retailers, and some restaurants, having cash on hand is wise. Smaller shops, traditional eateries, market stalls, and certain attractions often operate exclusively on cash transactions.
So, how much cash should you carry? It depends on your spending habits and where you see yourself visiting on your trip. We personally carried around ~$75 USD with us at all times and would re-up at an ATM at 7-Eleven If we founded we needed more.
By keeping these important tips in mind, you’ll be better equipped to navigate Japan’s unique cultural landscape and make the most of your trip. Safe travels!
Check out our blog post “What to Pack for Your First Trip to Japan”! It provides some great tips to ensure you have everything you need for a comfortable and enjoyable adventure.
