10 Practical Tips for Traveling in Japan
Practical Tips
2026-10-02
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From saving money to avoiding pitfalls, these details can directly enhance your travel experience in Japan.
- Book accommodations in advance: Popular hotels fill up 2–3 months ahead during cherry blossom and autumn foliage seasons.
- Cash + IC card: Most small shops only accept cash, while IC cards are great for everyday small payments.
- Use Google Maps: It’s the most accurate tool for navigating Japan’s public transport, better for travelers than local apps.
- Avoid Golden Week: Late April to early May, mid-August (Obon Festival), and the year-end/new year period are the busiest times.
- Convenience stores are all-purpose supply stations: You can withdraw cash, buy rice balls, umbrellas, and even send packages there.
- Tax refund: Get a refund on purchases over 5,000 yen per store, but bring your passport and take the goods out of Japan within 30 days.
- Wi-Fi: Rent a pocket Wi-Fi or buy an eSIM at the airport; public Wi-Fi coverage in Japan is generally limited.
- Litter: Bring small garbage bags, as convenience store entrances and train stations have sorted trash bins.
- Umbrella: Essential during the rainy season and typhoon season—transparent 500-yen umbrellas are widely available at convenience stores.
- Phone calls: When dialing a domestic Japanese number, drop the leading 0 after the +81 country code.