📒 Noah’s Japan Travel Tips 2024

Japan is such a great place to visit! Feels like another world, super clean and safe, I’ve seen round trip tickets as low as $480. And as of writing this the dollar is really strong (150yen vs 100yen per dollar) so it’s also considerably less expensive than the US when there.

Flights to Japan

Use Google Flights to find flight deals. Choose “one way”, enter LA to Japan, click the calendar, and scroll through the dates to find the best deals. Here is a video I recorded about this technique.
Least expensive flights to Japan are out of LA to Tokyo. So start searching dates with those from/to locations. For example the Japanese discount airline ZipAir only flies LA to NYC.
Another option is Seattle. Though most airlines in the US will use a flight to get you to LA, Seattle, or Canada, before the hop over the big blue wet thing.
It’s usually cheaper to buy the flight to Japan (say out of LA) and then the US hop there separately, versus a round trip from your home airport. Check both options.
If you’re flexible on timing, look in October and November for flights in December and January. I’ve seen flights round trip for as little as $480.
Typical when schools are out are higher cost times to travel. If going w kids in school, look for unusual off-school times. Like my kids had a mid-October ‘Fall Break’ when flights cost less.
International flights and airlines (Japan Air, ZipAir, British Airways, etc) are usually more flexible on carry-on luggage restrictions than domestic flights.
They’re LONG flights! Like 12 hrs, so be prepared with lots of books, sleep, meditation time, etc. The long solo time is one of my favorite parts of the trip.

International Travel Tips

Learn a few local words like Thank you, excuse me, yes, no … YouTube is good here
Take photos of passports as a backup
Bring two ways to get cash, such as ATM and credit card with cash advance. Test the methods before leaving.
Use ATMs once there to get cash. It’s considerably less expensive than using a currency exchange.
When flying back at the airport use a currency exchange to convert the rest of your local currency back to USD. You won’t be able to use the local currency anywhere else.
If you’re ever given the option when paying by card to select local currency or dollars, choose local currency. Otherwise you’ll pay more due to a lower conversion rate they’ll charge vs your bank/card’s rate.
Carry a physical passport while shopping for tax-free at some stores
Pace yourself! Energy drain is a real thing. Mix up getting out days with relaxed chill days. City days w country days. Big sights w wandering.
Jet Lag: use the free app “Timeshifter” to help adjust your circadian rhythm. Japan is 14 ahead of US Central. It’s really rough coming back.
Use the “Google Translate” app to communicate w people, and its camera mode to interpret signs, menus, etc.
Trains are a nicer way to travel once in region than flying. Even though they cost more and take longer, it’s such a more comfortable experience. (same goes for Europe)
A US Passport will get you just about anywhere you want to go in the world, but always check Visa requirements beforehand and especially with other passports. Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, and others have options for getting a Visa once landed, but check on that.
Holafly has inexpensive eSIM for cellular access. You can specify an exact number of days from the website, then activate on phone with their mobile app.

Lodgings

Personally I like to stay at a mix of 2-star or 3-star hotels, AirBnB, and hostels.
Hostels: If traveling solo I love hostels bc their super cheap and you meet such cool people. You can still do w a partner or kids, but you need a private room and check that hostel isn’t age restricted. http://hostelworld.com
Hotels: in the cities 2-star hotels have a hostel feel but cater to families and the older (non-20s) crowd. Outside the cities they can be nice traditional resorts. 3-star hotels are “fancy” but fun, expensive. I use cheaptickets.com myself.
AirBnB: My favorites are AirBnB bc you can get a full traditional style apartment for less than a hotel or a hostel private room.
Book lodgings at least 3 wks in advanced if possible. Places fill up fast. If booking further than that, double check bookings closer to travel.
Location: pretty much anywhere in the cities is good bc transit gets easy everywhere

Exploring

Explore the local neighborhoods! Walk the alleys. This is some of my favorite parts of Japan. Locals are proud of their small side streets and alleys, so frequently the really good restaurants are down the small streets. (same w Thailand, France, etc)
Market / Shopping Streets are huge! Tons of shops, restaurants, and street food. Each city has many market districts, some particularly large, some more local to certain neighborhoods. Search Google for “markets” in the cities you’re visiting.
Get out of the big cities. The country side is so beautiful! And rejuvenating compared to the drain of the cities.
Visit a “100 Yen” store, aka a dollar store. It’s impressive what you can get and the quality for about a dollar in a foreign country.

Public Baths (Onsen + Sento)

Public baths are a big part of Japanese culture bc homes used to not have their own baths so the community came together in central bath houses. They’re very safe. Men and women have different areas. No swimsuits (naked only). Some have a hot pool open to the outside air. Cold plunge. Sitting showers. Usually 3-6 hot tubs. And a steam room and dry sauna. People of all ages are together, including young children. Children are usually 1/2 to 1/5 price of an adult.
Sentō use public water and tend to be smaller in the city common everyday places. Some as little 500 yen.
Onsen uses natural hot springs water and tend to be fancier or larger. If inside a big city they’re on the outskirts and well worth a visit. Expect 2400 yen or more. Some also have optional mixed-gender sauna rooms for an extra fee (like 800 yen) and supply spa clothes.
Use Google Maps to find them in your cities or near where you’re staying. If they’re open they’re probably good.
My favorites are the non-fancy small local spots. There are fancy once, but I tend to avoid those. The ones outside of town are usually in a hotel and you can get a ‘day pass’ to and are really lovely.
Some hotels have their own bath house. I usually like to stay in hotels that do.
Frequently onsens have lovely hiking nature trails around them. Ask or look for them.

Navigation

Use Google Maps app to find public transit routes! the way to get around
Note that there are many train companies with their own lines. Be aware in stations to find the right ticket areas.
The information offices next to ticket stalls have real friendly officers that’ll point you in the right direction.
The bullet trains between big cities are the JR lines (‘Japanese Rail’). JR also runs local subway lines in big cities like Tokyo. And there are like 6 different JR companies.
Get a transit card, such as a ICOCA card from a “Commuter” ticket machine in subway, or just on your iPhone… Wallet app > + > Transit Card > Japan > ICOCA … and you can add funds right from your phone. Just tap the phone on gates (don’t need to authenticate to phone). And in Japan they’re also accepted more widely than credit cards at stores.
HK = Hayku Line, any subway that starts w a J in Tokyo is a JR train. So JG = JR G Line.
Some trains require both a normal ticket and a special assigned seating ticket, such as “Vista Car”.
If you miss getting the right ticket, get on the train anyway and an attendant will come by where you can buy the right ticket from them on the train.
The platform numbers are very helpful to finding the right train/bus. Also the final destination stop on a subway line is how you know what direction a train is going in.
For smaller subway stops you may need to exit to street level, cross a crosswalk, and go back down to the right platform for the right train direction. Other subway stops will connect underground between direction platforms.
Personally I avoid taxis. There are no Uber/lyft/grab shared ride options. But if needed, you can use an app like “GO” to get a taxi.
Plan an extra 20min to stand in ticket lines to get tickets to trains, such as to/from airport, bullet trains, etc
Recommend adding sights to a Google Map list so it’s easy to see where you’d like to visit.

JR Pass / Long Distance Trains

Only available to foreign travelers and must be purchased before arriving in Japan up to 30 days prior. Used for some of the big trains across Japan (not local trains and subways). Order online and then pickup in Japan at a JR ticket office. https://www.jrpass.com/
There are 5 different JR companies opperating Shinkansen (“New Rail”) bullet trains. JR Central operates trains Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka area. See train map.
The “Shinkansen” is the most famous bullet train that operates between largest cities.
If only going between the largest major cities, such as Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka it may cost less to buy those tickets separately vs use a JR Pass.
Once you have a JR pass it’s not a train ticket! You must still use your pass at a ticket office to request a ticket.
You can get quotes, times, and buy tickets from JR East online or with the “smartEX” app. https://www.jreast.co.jp/multi/en/
It’s popular and fun to get a meal for the train. In the train stations there are bento box meal stalls you can get meals ready to go. It’s expected to eat on longer trains (but not subway trains).

Etiquette in Japan

Don’t eat or drink while walking
Generally walk on left side of streets and stairs unless signs show otherwise
Keep quiet on public transit. Real quite.
Only use headphones for sound.
Be really respectful of people and places.
Pack your trash with you as you go. There aren’t public trash cans. I like to carry a little grocery bag to put trash cleanly into my backpack.
Always stops at crosswalks for the walk sign.
If someone ‘lets you got first’, stop, say “no you go”, then they’ll say “no, you go”, then you go. Otherwise if you take them at first offer it’s rude.
The Japanese are really big on social rules. Like big time. But they’re also very accommodating for foreigners.

Sight Seeing

Every city has its castles, palaces, and big temples, so I won’t call those out. Just open a Google Map and they’ll light up the map.
There are dozens of other websites out there with sight recommendations. Personally I prefer plenty of time to wander while targeting a sight or two.
Highly recommend doing Free Walking Tours in each city. You learn SO much on the tours! Just google “Free walking tour ” for where you’re going and book at least the day before.
There are like 1600 of Buddhist and Shinto shrines in Japan. See tiny ones on street corners to the massive ones you can walk around.
Shinto shrines are usually unmanned, have a central spot with a rope to ring a bell. You walk up, toss a coin into the box, ring the bell, clap twice, say a little prayer to yourself, give a bow, and walk away.

Tokyo

Akihabara “Electric Town” (map)is full of arcades w an eight-story book store, “maid cafes” themed ice cream shops, lots of tech and lights
There’s SO much in Tokyo, so check out other guides on Tokyo =). Imperial Palace, etc Personally I spend less time in Tokyo myself.

Kyoto

Kyoto was capital of Japan before Tokyo. “Ky” means capital, “oto” city. Notice the similarities in the names. It’s a more traditional vibe.
The free walking tour of the Gion district is super helpful and informative. https://kyotofreewalkingtour.com
Get out to Nara Dear Park (map) where there dear are so tame you can feed and pet them. .. also in Nara is a 4.5 story Buddha inside one of the (possible the) largest wood structures in the world at Todaiji Daibutsuden (Great Buddha Hall) (map), … can take a train or bus ~1 hr to get there.
Starbucks Coffee - Kyoto Nineizaka Yasaka Chaya, explore the old style Japanese home vibes in this unique Starbucks (map) designed like a classic old Japanese tea house.

Osaka

Sky Building — a massive tower with an incredible observation deck you can see clear across the city
Markets — oh so many amazing markets from small to large … plug into Google Maps and see it light up … there are markets with a dozen streets or more as far as the eye can see
Like to get out of the big city for a lovely hike and/or Onsen? Ooedo Onsen Monogatari Minoh Kankō Hotel (map), is beautiful.

Other Specific Sights

Mt Fuji: Go to Fujikawaguchiko, a town at the foot of Mt Fuji w a preserved old Japanese village (map) w amazing views of Mt Fuji.
Skiing: Best in the northern area of Japan (Aomori, Morioka, Akita) Dec to April timeframe. Appi Kōgen Ski Area (map)is a classic resort and skiing area I’d recommend.
Cherry Blossom Season: is generally late March to early April and an extremely busy time of the year!
Japan has more vending machines per capita than any other country! Almost one vending machine for every two people. Many are drink machines with both cold and hot drinks. Enjoy! And remember don’t drink and walk. Okay to drink by the machine or sitting somewhere.

Bonus Pro Tips

I really enjoyed reading this book before arriving in Japan. “Japan Through the Looking Glass” by Alan McFarlane. Written by a British anthropologist that gives a great cultural perspective of what’s happening behind what you can see. It adds a whole new depth to trip. Taking it from 2D surface level perspective to add a 3D depth to Japanese culture.
Smile in airports.🙂 Keep a smile in your voice. Being in transit is just as much a part of the overall traveling experience, so may as well as enjoy it. There are enough grumpy complaining people out there. =)
There is a board game called “Let’s Go to Japan” that’s all about planning a trip to Tokyo and Kyoto. It’s cute, fun, and gives a real sense of how to balance a trip.
Japan is a super safe country. Personally I like training my kids so they do the transit navigation using Google Maps and stations. I let them walk around on their own. And get them familiar with hostels, so that when they turn 17/18 I can just put them on a plane on their own for their own adventures.
Personally I like traveling really light with just a backpack for everything, and only half-full on the way there. Just the shoes I’m wearing, places have house slippers, don’t need swimsuits at bath houses, only phone/kindle for tech, umbrellas are cheap, and there are laundry facilities everywhere you stay. Feels easiest to explore, take trains, get around, and has that “world traveler goes anywhere” vibe.

Hope this helps! I’ve loved my trips to Japan. Next trip I want to spend most my time out in the countryside. Enjoy exploring the world! 🌍

noahcoad/📒 Japan Travel Tips.md