10 Helpful Things to Know for First-Time Travelers to Japan

Planning your first trip to Japan can be both exciting and overwhelming. From navigating a new culture and language to understanding local customs, there’s a lot to consider for first-time travelers to Japan. Here are 5 helpful things to know that we learned from our travels to Japan, so hopefully you can have a smoother and more enjoyable first-time experience in Japan. We’ll cover everything from cultural etiquette and transportation tips to practical tips on how to navigate the language barrier, helping you prepare for an unforgettable Japanese adventure.

1. Follow Japanese Etiquette

Manners are very important in Japan. Many Japanese customs are different than Western customs. But to be courteous travelers, we follow their traditions when visiting their country. For first-time travelers to Japan, there are a few key customs to keep in mind. Not only will locals be more likely to help a lost tourist if they’re respectful, but they’ll also appreciate that you made an effort to follow local customs. Full disclaimer, I am not an expert on Japanese etiquette. But it was important to us to follow these simple gestures. Simply because practicing basic etiquette is a thoughtful way to show respect.

• Bowing is a common greeting, and handshakes aren’t as typical. The deeper the bow, the greater the respect. The Japanese don’t expect foreigners to know all the details about the degree of bowing required for each social situation. But they do appreciate when you make an effort to be polite following their customs. A slight bow is usually perfectly fine for first-time travelers to Japan.
• Shoes off indoors! Like most Asian cultures, the Japanese remove shoes when going indoors. This includes entering homes, traditional accommodations, and certain temples. There will usually be a designated area to leave shoes outside. And don’t worry, nobody will steal your shoes. When walking into accommodations, there may be indoor slippers for you to use. Don’t use the indoor slippers outside! Knowing that you will probably be removing your shoes a lot in public while sightseeing, keep in mind to wear the good socks and probably leave the sandals at home.
• Use your quiet voice in public. You’ll notice that Japanese trains and restaurants are generally very quiet. Speaking quietly in public and avoiding phone calls on trains or buses is appreciated. Not disturbing others in public spaces is a cultural priority.
• No tipping. The Japanese do not tip because they take great pride in the work that they do and excellent service is considered a standard part of professionalism. In fact, tipping can be considered rude and tips are usually declined. I loved this aspect of eating out in Japan – no more doing mental math to calculate tips!
• Learn some polite phrases in Japanese. Being polite goes a long way no matter where you are. You wouldn’t go up to a stranger at home and just start asking questions and demanding answers without catching their attention with a polite “excuse me” first. In Japan, if asking a stranger anything, start with “sumimasen,” which means “excuse me.” And always finish with “arigatou gozaimasu,” which means “thank you.” Remembering these simple phrases will go a long way for first-time travelers to Japan.
• Practice dining etiquette. Don’t eat while walking. This one was a hard one for me to follow because I’m used to trying to be as efficient as possible, and that means saving time by eating while walking on my way somewhere. Especially when enjoying my 7-Eleven food haul. However, it is considered rude and messy to eat while walking in Japan. So savor your snack while standing still. Also, don’t forget about chopsticks etiquette. Pointing with chopsticks, sticking them upright in rice, or passing food directly between chopsticks are all considered the height of rudeness.

2. English Is Not Widely Spoken

Unlike traveling to European countries, don’t expect to get many responses in Japan in English. The English language is very different than Japanese. Because of this, not everyone in Japan will have learned English well enough to feel comfortable speaking it to a stranger. This is perfectly reasonable – you are visiting their country, and they are not obligated to learn your language just to make your trip more convenient. Luckily, since the recent tourist boom, there are many more English signs, directions, and menus now compared to 10 years ago when I first visited.

The language barrier is one of the reasons why I prefer to stay in hotels rather than rentals when visiting Japan. Having front desk staff who do speak English is so helpful for assisting with making reservations or helping with directions. Check out my posts on where to stay in Tokyo, Hakone, and Kanazawa and where to stay in Hiroshima and Kyoto for our top picks for hotel recommendations in each city!

The other incredibly helpful tool is technology. Google Translate is your friend! Although some restaurants in tourist areas will have an English menu with the popular items they think foreign tourists will eat, many authentic menus will be in Japanese only. But don’t let that stop you from experiencing Japan’s unique foods or you’ll regret it when you get home! You can use the camera on Google Translate to take a photo of the menu and get a rough translation of the text. Hopefully that is enough to help you get by with ordering off the Japanese menu by pointing. Or you will get to try a delicious new surprise dish. I also recommend joining local food tours in each city if you’re not comfortable ordering food on your own and want a local’s help to figure out the food customs.

Another helpful Google Translate tool is the conversation button. I have used the conversation button on Google Translate to speak with shop owners. I have also had a street vendor just use a calculator to show me the amount I needed to pay. Despite the language barrier, it is possible to communicate and get by in Japan without speaking Japanese as long as you have some creativity and humility.

3. Street Signs are Hard to Find

Unlike Western countries that prominently display street signs on every corner, street signs in Japan seem to be very well hidden from the casual tourist. The other difficulty is that all the street names are (obviously) in Japanese characters, so it’s really hard for Westerners to decipher. More than anywhere else, we relied on Google maps to help us navigate the subways and trains and walk to our destinations.

Because technology is so helpful for navigation and communication, you are definitely going to need internet during your trip to Japan. We love using e-sims from Airalo. Or you can rent a pocket wifi or get a physical sim card.

4. Cash is King

I use credit cards almost everywhere when I’m at home, and usually do the same while traveling. Japan is the one place where we actually needed to withdraw cash multiple times during the trip. Many smaller restaurants, stores, and street vendors prefer and may only accept cash. You don’t want to miss out on a delicious treat or a cute souvenir because you can’t pay for it! One of the easiest ways to withdraw cash in Japan is at a 7-Eleven. The ATMs in the 7-Elevens accept international debit cards and are open all the time. And you can pick up some snacks while you’re at it! Always choose to withdraw cash in Yen for the best exchange rate!

Saving tip: to avoid ATM fees (from the foreign bank and your bank), look for a checking account that offers ATM fee reimbursements. I can personally recommend the Schwab investors checking account and the Betterment checking account for this purpose.

5. Carry a Trash Bag and Napkins

One of the reasons why I love Japan is because it is super clean. And that cleanliness is a national effort. All of the people prioritize cleanliness so they don’t make a mess outside! This is why I was so surprised at how difficult it was to find public trash cans or napkins while traveling around Japan. However, I learned that the lack of public trash cans and napkins reflects the Japanese value of taking personal responsibility for your waste.

If you don’t want to be holding an empty snack wrapper all day, then stick a plastic bag in your bag to use for your daily trash collection and dispose of it in your accommodations at night. And be like the locals and carry your own small towel or napkins in your bag so you don’t have to walk around with wet or dirty hands.

6. Travel Light

Japan is very well connected by public transportation, and it is often the fastest and easiest way to get around. However, because everyone else in Japan is also using public transportation, it can be very crowded. Lugging around a large suitcase on a busy train platform while you’re trying to figure out where you’re going will only slow you down. So either pack light or take advantage of luggage forwarding services. Unlike European trains, there is not a lot of luggage storage space in Japanese trains. Using luggage forwarding services to ship your luggage to your next hotel allows you to travel lighter on the trains.

Another thing to keep in mind is that because the trains can be so crowded, rolling suitcases are much preferred over backpacks. Backpacks on your back take up extra standing room, and you can inadvertently hit people as you walk by.

7. Expect Many Lines

If you have ever seen a photo of the entrance to Tokyo Disneyland before opening time, then you know that the Japanese are masters at lining up. Everyone waits patiently, with appropriate space between parties so nobody feels crowded. From ramen shops to sushi restaurants, tourist attractions to popular photo spots, expect to wait in some orderly lines for some part of your day. The lines are very efficient and move quickly. There is no need to cut in line or edge in front of someone else. If you see a line though, chances are whatever it is, it’s good. So I usually stop and check it out.

8. Things Open Late

If you have a toddler or jetlag, then you will be awake at the crack of dawn. But guess what is not open? Almost everything else! Many stores, museums, and tourist attractions don’t open until 10am or 11am, so you will find yourself with some free time if you’re up early in the mornings. These may be good times for a peaceful stroll around a park, or enjoying a leisurely hotel breakfast. You can also use this to your advantage by showing up to attractions early to line up since you’re already awake. Also keep in mind that many places are closed on Mondays as their regular day off, so make sure to check the hours and days of operation when planning your itinerary.

9. Preventing Constipation

I know constipation is not the most glamorous topic. But we need to talk about it because traveler’s constipation can be a serious downer on your trip. Many of the Japanese foods we love are high in carbs (think noodles, rice, and bread). These are not the highest in fiber. Maybe it was because of the types of foods that we gravitated towards in Japan, but we did not have a lot of green leafy vegetables for fiber in our diet while in Japan. We had to make a conscious effort to look for more fiber when picking restaurants and foods. So if constipation is an old friend, then keep that in mind when deciding what to eat as first-time travelers to Japan.

10. Helpful Apps

Besides Google Maps and Google Translate, there are some other apps that first-time travelers to Japan can install before traveling to help with planning your trip or getting around more easily.

• Navitime (Japan Travel by Navitime): for planning train routes. Includes a special search function specifically for JR Pass holders.
• Safety Tips: for earthquake warnings, tsunami warnings, and other weather warnings.
• Tabelog: for restaurant recommendations, like Japan’s equivalent of Yelp.
• mymizu: for finding locations to fill your water bottle for free.
• Ecbo Cloak: for finding luggage storage options.
• Welcome Suica Mobile: for mobile Suica card (only available for iPhones).
• Wanderlog: not specific to Japan, but Wanderlog is a trip planning app that integrates with Google Maps. You can consolidate all your itinerary information, like accommodations, tickets, and day to day activities, all in one place. Since it integrates with Google Maps, you can also visually see where your activities are located on a map This helps you arrange the best route for the day. It also includes suggestions for popular restaurants or activities near whatever area you are in, if you find yourself with some extra time to fill.
• Tokyo Disney Resort App: necessary if visiting the Tokyo Disney resorts. Allows you to make advance bookings, get standby passes, and check wait times.
• Payke: for translating product information on packages. This app allows you to scan the barcode of an item, and it will translate what the product contains. SO helpful if looking for over the counter meds, or for figuring out what those interesting snacks or skincare products actually contain.
• Get Your Guide: for booking activities, experiences, entrance fees, and local guides.

Now that you know what to expect, you’re all set for your Japan trip! Check out our Japan itinerary to visit some off-the-beaten path gems!