Japan has been one of the hottest Asian countries for visitors and lately some of my friends and families have been seeking recommendations from me, so I decided to put together a list of general Japan travel tips inspired by my past visits to Japan. This list is categorized in the sections of Payment, Food-Related Etiquettes, Transportation, and Miscellaneous Tips. and will be periodically updated as things change. I hope the information will be helpful to any first time visitors, and do let me know what else could be helpful to add here! 

💰Payments

Get both cash and an IC card

Cash and the use of a tap card called IC card are widely used in Japan. IC cards are like a tapping, rechargeable debit card without the pin and can be used for most things at almost anywhere: tap into public transportation, pay at convenience stores, or get a drink at the vending machine. Different regions issue different brands of IC card and the most popular two you will see are Suica and ICOCA: Suica is issued by JR East in the Kanto area, ICOCA is issued by JR West in the Kansai area. Most IC cards like Suica and ICOCA are interchangeable across major regions and transportation systems so you can use either at different regions when applicable. For me, I had no issue using either Suica or ICOCA in major cities like Tokyo, Osaka, and Fukuoka. Double check if you're going to smaller towns in Japan.

You can easily get an IC card from ticket machines or in-person counters at subway/train stations. For the physical cards, you will need to top up the cards with cash and I recommend topping up at either popular convenience stores (7-Eleven, Family Mart, Lawson, etc.) or at any subway or train stations. For convenience store, you could ask the staff to add money for you by saying simple words like "charge" or "reload", or you could find a kiosk machine inside to reload yourself. English-friendly!

Mobile IC Card is something quite new and it's available via Apple Wallet, so only iPhones and specifically iPhone 8 and newer models. You can add a Suica, Pasmo, or ICOCA card to your Apple Wallet and top up the mobile card with a linked credit card. However, please do note certain foreign credit cards may not work so double check before you fly out to Japan.

If you don't plan to return to Japan for a long time or ever, perhaps the Welcome Suica card is a better IC card option. Welcome Suica is designed for tourists and doesn't require a 500 yen deposit like regular IC cards. You can easily get the Welcome Suica cards at major airports like Haneda and Narita once you landed. The card will expire after 28 days hence why it's most recommended for short-term visitors. Be sure to carry the reference paper with you that comes with this card at all times.

Why cash?

In addition to needing cash to reload your physical IC card, it's also better to carry some cash as some smaller vendors are likely cash only. If you are into eating ramen, please do yourself a favor and get cash before going because almost every ramen restaurant, if not all, has a ramen vending machine at the front so you can pick and pay your food before sitting down (will talk more about this etiquette in the next section).

Getting cash and smaller bills

It's easy to get cash in Japan as a foreigner. I recommend getting cash via a bank kiosk machine inside 7-Eleven or Lawson for convenience and favorable transaction rates. The small downside of getting cash through these machines is that most of the time you would only get bigger yen bills, which are not taken at some restaurants or small vendors. One way I always do to break up the big bills is using the IC card machines. Let's say I want to break a 10,000 yen bill: I would go to an IC card machine, select maybe 1000 yen to reload, then insert my 10,000 yen bill. The machine will give you back change at the end of the reload...here is how you would break up any big bills easily without asking anyone! Alternatively, you could also ask the front desk staff at hotels but don't expect them to speak fluent English. Google translate would be helpful in these situations. 

No tipping

If you're from America or a culture of tipping, please do note that tipping is not a norm in Japan. The only additional fee you may see on your bill/receipt is something like a credit card processing fee. If you really feel like it's weird to not tip, it's better to just buy more directly instead of forcing a tip to staff.

International credit cards accepted at most touristy areas 

One way I do to balance my usage of payment options is I use my international credit card for bigger purchases at major touristy areas and shopping stores, and get just enough cash to cover cash-only places. Japan is a country that loves using visuals so just check for a sign that shows logos of credit cards when you go to a store or restaurant. Make sure the credit card you are using are exempt from foreign transaction fees!

😋Food-Related Etiquettes

Don't eat/drink and walk

It's a big no-no to eat/drink while walking AND while taking public transportation. If you want to eat what you bought from a convenience store, eat on the premise and dispose your trash there. Only at super touristy places like Dontobori, Osaka where you may see trash piled up on the streets at the end of the night...sadly. Help keep the streets clean and follow what the locals do and you will be fine.

Trash bins are not quite accessible

Don't expect to see trash bins on the streets in Japan because they are non-existent or extremely hard to find. What I do is that I bring a disposable plastic bag to hold onto my little trash of the day when I go out and dispose either when I see a trash bin inside a station or dispose once I'm back at the hotel. You're more likely to find trash bins inside train stations, and recycling bins next to most vending machines. Make sure you throw your trash according to their labels (normal trash, bottles, etc.) as their system may be quite different than where you come from.

Ordering food

Many restaurants in the tourist areas usually have English menus ready so it's easier to to order. If you have allergy or dietary concerns, I highly recommend you do some research on where to go for food and drinks in advance to save yourself time and also have a better experience. It's not a norm to omit certain ingredients or change the recipe of food at a restaurant, and it's generally considering disrespectful to request, so please don't feel like you are being mistreated if the restaurant denies your food requests. 

In general, ordering food at sit-down restaurant is similar to back home: Flag down a staff to take your order, tell/show them what you want, and the order will be brought out to you. This will of course change if you go to certain restaurants like a ramen or omakase restaurants, where the chef will cook according to a ticket you paid in advance or by the chef's selections of the day.

How to pay?

Depending on the restaurants, usually you would bring the check/order paper to the front cashier area at the end of your meals to pay. I love this personally as there is no need to flag down a wait staff. If there is no check/order paper on the table, kindly flag down a staff and ask to pay. When paying the cashier up front, you would put your cash/IC card/credit card down on a little flat tray, the cashier would take it, give you change/return your card, then you take it back.

For a restaurant where you order via a machine like ramen restaurants, you would pay via the machine to get a ticket, bring the ticket with you to sit down, then give the ticket to the chef or put it on the table to continue your order. Not all machines have English translations, so I recommend you take a look at some pictures of the menu/machine in advance.

If you are still unsure how to order and pay for things, the best way to combat this is to see what others are doing; this usually works!

Be respectful when taking pictures at restaurants

Japanese respects their privacy and it's considered rude to take pictures of people without consent. Many times when in a restaurant, do expect to see a sign that says something like "no picture of staff, only picture of food." If you are not sure, always ask the staff if photos are okay. It's understandable for privacy concerns and also it doesn't make the staff comfortable while working. This also applies to when you are out and about and taking pictures: Try to refrain from taking pictures on public transit for the same reasons.

🚅Transportation

Tapping to take the trains and buses

It's very convenient to take subways, JR trains, and buses in Japan. Generally for subway and trains, you would tap your IC card (or credit card if the system allows; please double check for signs) at the entry gate and tap again when you exit through the gate. This is a way to deduct the right amount of fare depending on your travel distance. If your balance is low, the gate won't open and you would have to load more money at a kiosk before leaving.

For buses, normally you would enter through the back door and tap in, then tap out at the front of the bus to exit. If the bus fare is fixed no matter how far you go, then you would just need to tap once.

Avoid taxi if you can

If you are staying in bigger cities like the usual Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto, public transit is very accessible and are generally recommended. Taxis are expensive and not necessary when there is a comprehensive transit system. If you want to travel outside the cities where there is no public transit, consider joining a tour group or even rent a car. I have never tried renting nor I can drive, but I have had positive experience joining local tour groups to go outside of the city.

Google Map is usually reliable

I have always used Google Map when navigating my ways in Japan and most of the time they are accurate. There are definitely times when I was directed to a wrong place so be mindful about this, especially for smaller, lesser-known spots and restaurants. My recommendation would be: carefully read the address and see if the streets and numbers are matching what you see in real life vs. Google Map.

Another big thing to note is that Google Map isn't that great with showing pedestrian bridges or underpass walkways. For an example, when I first arrived in Osaka station, it kept telling me I could cross from Osaka station to the other side of the street when there is clearly no lights for pedestrians to cross. That's when I realized that I should just cross by going underground. If you see that you cannot cross a big intersected road, most of the time you could either cross over by taking the pedestrian bridge or just go underground, whichever is available.

Big stations are like a maze

I'm a commuter in New York City, always take public transit when I travel, and I still got quite overwhelmed when I first got to Tokyo Station and Osaka Station...aka I got lost inside. It took me two visits to finally get a hold of these two hectic stations in terms of navigation and finding stores/restaurants in side. My biggest tip for you is to always look at the signs for directions, look at the floor as well as they provide you with direction notes, and pay close attention to the right exit numbers on Google Map. Train stations in big cities in Japan can be huge so account for extra time when traveling.

Taking the shinkansen/bullet train

Shinkansen bullet trains are very convenient to go across different Japanese cities but they can be hectic for first timers (or should I say always hectic?). The reason why I say that is because their ticket system can be quite confusing, especially if you need to get a transfer, peak vs. off-peak times, and take express train, etc. The good thing is that all kiosk machines have an English option. In general, here are some personal tips from my past experiences:

• Plan in advance

I highly suggest you take a look at Google Map on your shinkansen travel in advance to get yourself familiar with the time you want for the train, all the trains involved, stops to pay attention to, and which type of train it would be. That way you will have a better idea when you are buying your ticket. You can also buy the tickets in advance if you are sure of your itinerary so you will be a bit stress-free on the day of travel.

• Look for the right machine to buy tickets

You can only buy shinkansen tickets at  JR stations and look for the green kiosk machines that specifically said "Shinkansen". You may have to wait in line if it's a busy time like morning rush hour, so wait accordingly with others. In addition, JR stations are usually huge like a maze so you should either take a look at where the machines are located in advance or allot for additional time the day of travel.

• Buy the right tickets

Once you have located a machine, pay attention to what Google Map tells you about your ride and buy the tickets accordingly. For an example, pick the right departure and arriving stations and see whether the ride is an express or local ride. If you are still very confused, sometimes you would see staff next to the machines and they could help you buy the right tickets. I've had positive experiences when I needed help but don't expect staff's English to be perfect.

• Be on time (like be early)

Japanese people and trains are known for punctuality and the trains will really leave on the dot. Being on time in Japan really means arrive BEFORE the agreed upon time. Be sure to arrive before the departure time so you don't miss your train.

• Seats and luggage

Some trains have reserved seat system and you cannot sit at the reserved seats area with a non-reserved seat ticket. There will be staff to really come check so don't try to cheat (also you shouldn't anyway!). If you are bringing bigger baggage like a suitcase that's more than 160cm, you would likely need to buy a reserve seat to put away your suitcase. Check the shinkansen line you will be taking for more information.

• Hold onto your tickets and read them

Don't lose your ticket and keep both the ticket and receipt at all times because they contain vital information of your train ride, such as train time, car number, etc. You need the tickets to get in and get out: You put in all the tickets you got for your ride into a designated slot at the entry/exit gate when you enter and leave. In addition, pay attention to your ticket and check the boarding screens to find the right area on the platform to wait. Once you get the right platform, always look down on the platform floor to make sure you are waiting at the right spot: you don't want to enter the wrong area of the train when you are not supposed to!

• You can eat and drink during your ride BUT...

It's a great experience to eat freshly made bento while enjoying a pleasant ride on the shinkansen, but do know you would have to discard your trash on your own after. Keep your area clean and don't leave your trash behind.

General transportation etiquette 

• Same thing with taking photos at restaurants, please refrain from taking photos or videos on the public transit of other people. 

• Be as quiet as possible: It's disrespectful to be loud, talk on the phone, and play music on the trains and buses, and unfortunately those who usually do so are notably foreigners. If you must talk to your friends or family, lower your voice and keep the conversation concise. 

• Don't hold the train door: Don't try to run into a train or bus when the door is closing: It's not safe and unnecessary. The next one will arrive soon.

• Rush hour is hectic: If you do take the trains or buses at rush hours, be prepared to get close with the local Japanese workers and students...I mean really close. However, there is always order within the chaos of rush hour: People line up in order and there is basically no excessive pushing or issues for me whenever I take the trains in morning and evening rush hours. You may just have to wait for the next one if you cannot get on.

👀Miscellaneous Tips

Where to stand on the escalator?

There is indeed a regional difference when it comes to where to stand while riding the escalator. In most Japanese cities, people tend to stand on the left side of the escalator, whereas in Kansai, people tend to stand on the right side. If you are unsure or don't remember, just observe and follow what the locals would do.

Smoking areas

Smoking is prohibited in public areas and there are designated smoking rooms or smoking corners. It's simply refreshing to walk outside without fear of inhaling secondhand smoke. 

When to be shoes off?

Tax-free shopping

Your purchase will be tax-free as long as it's more than 5000 yen. Always bring your passport with you for identity and tax-free purpose. Some stores will also check your Visit Japan Web QR code to handle tax-free process. Your tax-free items will be bagged and sealed and you are not supposed to open the bag until you exit the country.

Google Translate is your best friend

Google Translate has been improving in terms of general translation and image text translation. Make sure you download and update the app before you fly out to Japan.

The language

It's always appreciated if you could learn some simple phrases in the language of the country you are going. If it's your first time in Japan, you will be fine in bigger metro Japanese cities as you will see more tourists and places are usually ready for tourists. Japanese staff are not 100% English-fluent and usually they won't speak English to you at all even if they may understand English --- that's just their way.