Essential tips for Japan travel beginners compiled by CNN!

▲ Tokyo street scene (Photo by reporter Xie Tingting)

By Rita

While Japan has become increasingly familiar to many travelers, it's still common to feel unsure about where to start when the trip date approaches. Pre-travel anxiety can be alleviated by adopting the right mindset and insider tips, such as those outlined in"11 Essential Japan Travel Tips & Tricks"—an excellent reference for efficient and timely trip preparation.

1. Rent a pocket Wi-Fi router
Compared to Europe, getting a local SIM card in Japan is more troublesome. It’s recommended to research pocket Wi-Fi routers online before your trip. Once you arrive, you can pick up the device and share the connection on your phone, laptop, or tablet. Ideal for multiple users, providing wireless internet. Pickup locations are usually at airports, hotels, or urban stores—very convenient.

2. Book a Japan Rail Pass in advance
Japan offers train passes exclusively for travelers. Those who frequently use JR lines during their trip are strongly advised to book one. Japan’s dense railway network connects its four main islands.

3. Get a Pasmo or Suica card
For travelers making short train trips, including on subways or JR lines, consider getting a Pasmo or Suica card. Similar to Taiwan’s EasyCard, it saves you time from buying single-journey tickets.

4. Download the Hyperdia app
Taking taxis in Japan is extremely expensive, so having accurate transportation information is crucial. This app helps you navigate Japan’s domestic transit routes, calculate travel times and costs, and recommends the best ways to get around.

5. You can take domestic flights within Japan
Due to fierce competition among domestic airlines in Japan, major carriers like ANA and Japan Airlines often offer very affordable domestic flight tickets. Travelers can plan ahead to snag great deals.

▲ Tokyo Goldfish Exhibition. (Photo by reporter Chen Hanyin)

6. Fly into Haneda Airport if possible
When heading to Tokyo, arriving at Haneda Airport is much more convenient than Narita Airport—cheaper fares and less travel time.

7. Book the Narita Express or Keisei Electric Railway to reach the city
If you land at Narita Airport, you can use the Narita Express (N'EX) or Keisei Electric Railway to get into the city.

8. Download the Google Translate app
Many first-time travelers to Japan are surprised by how difficult it can be to communicate with shop staff. Many travelers find Google Translate very handy, especially its camera translation feature. It’s free to download.

9. Print your hotel address in Japanese
To avoid situations like a dead phone battery that may prevent your hotel from locating you, it’s helpful to have your hotel address printed in Japanese. It also makes it easier for locals to assist you.

10. Research where you can withdraw money in advance
Places like 7-Eleven have ATMs, as do post offices and Citibank branches. If you need to withdraw cash in specific locations, do your homework beforehand to avoid finding it harder than expected to locate an ATM.

11. Know that convenience stores are always your friend
Just like in Taiwan, Japan’s convenience stores meet almost all your needs. If you’re missing something, check there first.