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Japan tips – on your way to an unforgettable journey
Corinne Keijzer
Corinne is traveling around the world with Rik for two years and sharing their best tips and experiences. Hopefully, they will help you to be well prepared for your own adventure.
Japan is booming, and you can feel it! Cities like Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka are overflowing with tourists. But fortunately, there’s so much more to discover beyond these cities. Even within them, you can still find plenty of places with few or even no tourists at all.
Rik and I traveled through Japan for eight weeks. From the northernmost tip of Hokkaido, we made our way all the way down to Fukuoka using various types of transportation. We visited 22 locations and accommodations, covering 28,842 kilometers, and were amazed by the incredible diversity of this beautiful country. We tasted Japan’s wonderfully varied and delicious cuisine, explored the world of samurai and geishas, attended a sumo wrestling match, and admired countless historical temples and shrines. Japan is a country built on rules and respect — and filled with breathtaking natural beauty.
What an amazing ride it was…..😍
In this article, I’d love to share our most important tips, experiences, and a few do’s and don’ts. Why? Japan can be quite an exciting country to travel through, as it’s truly different in every possible way. Outside the big cities, most people speak little to no English. That’s why it’s smart to prepare yourself in certain areas, so you’ll have less stress before or during your trip. We also found that it makes your journey much smoother and more enjoyable.
Enjoy reading, and if you’re heading to Japan, have an amazing time! Take your time to soak in all the beauty and enjoy every moment!
Contents of this article:
About Japan
Japan is a large country made up of nearly 7,000 islands. Not all of them are inhabited, and most people live on the four main islands: from north to south, Hokkaido, Honshu (the mainland), Shikoku, and Kyushu. The Japanese are quite traditional, especially the older generations. We found the people everywhere to be incredibly helpful, but above all, very polite and respectful toward one another. The constant bowing, welcoming, and thanking can get on your nerves if you’re not used to it, but it also has a sweet, pleasant, and friendly side to it.
You feel incredibly safe in Japan. It’s one of the few places in the world where, as a woman, I would feel completely comfortable walking home alone at three in the morning. You can leave your belongings anywhere, and no one will touch them. We were amazed, for example, that in the Apple Store you can simply pick up the phones without any security cables, as you can see clearly in my video below — even the newest models. People here genuinely trust one another, and they can, because everyone respects other people’s belongings.
The Japanese are a very reserved people. Unless you are part of their immediate family, they will always remain formal and polite, which can come across as distant, even if you are related by marriage. We met many Japanese people who were incredibly kind, sweet, and funny, but the connection always stayed somewhat on the surface.
Japanese children are taught discipline from a very young age, and school life is no exception. The pressure starts as early as preschool, and everything in this country revolves around rules that everyone follows diligently. Crossing the street while the light is red? We could count on one hand how many times we saw that happen in eight weeks. There’s no button to press to get a green light; you simply wait patiently until it turns green, even if you’re standing there for minutes with no car in sight. We Dutch people are definitely a bit too impatient for that. 😜
The Japanese are expected to behave in a socially acceptable way, something that is taught from a very young age. We noticed that in the metro and on trains, almost everyone is either asleep or looking at their phone. This has everything to do with the little bubble they want to retreat into at that moment, their “me-time.” Many even pretend to be asleep just to avoid interacting with others. I can completely understand that, as it must be exhausting to always feel the need to engage with people around you.
Visa and QR code
Whether you need a visa depends entirely on the country you live in. If you are traveling from the Netherlands, you do not need a visa for stays of up to 90 days. However, it is recommended to apply for a QR code in advance. This way, you can skip filling out forms upon arrival in Japan and pass through much faster.
For the QR code application, I recommend visiting the official website of the Japanese government.
If you plan to stay longer, always check this website or contact the Japanese embassy in your own country.
The Japanese language
Japanese is quite a complex language, especially for Westerners like us. It consists of three writing systems: Kanji, Katakana, and Hiragana. The way you speak to someone often depends on who you are talking to. Some words are not appropriate to use with friends, while others are not suitable for your boss or business contacts. I spent about eight months learning some basic words and phrases with Duolingo, and I highly recommend doing the same. It doesn’t have to be with Duolingo, but try to familiarize yourself with at least a few Japanese words.
Why? If only for the huge smiles it brings you everywhere, it’s absolutely worth it. The effort is so deeply appreciated when you try. And since many Japanese people don’t speak English, it’s very useful to learn a few basic words. These were the ones I found most important and used most often:
- Ohayo gozaimasu (you don’t say the u at the end) – Good morning
- Ojama shimasu – greeting when entering a room
- Irasshaimasse – greeting someone who enters a room
- Arrigato gozaimasu – thank you very much
- Kudasai – please (when asking for something)
- Onegaishimasu – please in polite form
- Douzu – alsjeblieft, als je iets geeft aan iemand
- Oishi des – it’s delicious
- Sayonara – goodbye (when you really won’t see the person again)
- Otearai wa aremasuka – do you have a toilet?
- Otearai wa doko des ka – where is the toilet?
- Itadakimas – enjoy your meal
- Kampai – cheers
- Kore wa nandesuka – what is this?
Furthermore, utilize apps such as Google Translate to make yourself understood. This is also greatly appreciated; we have had many enjoyable conversations with our few words of Japanese, their few words of English, gestures, and Google Translate. 😁
Japanese food
The Japanese eat three warm meals a day: asagohan, hirogohan, and bangohan. “Gohan” means “rice,” so you can probably guess — rice in the morning, rice in the afternoon, and rice in the evening. In some hotels, you really won’t get anything other than a traditional Japanese breakfast, which means rice again. If you’re booking hotels with breakfast included and you’re not a fan of salmon and broccoli first thing in the morning, ask if they offer a Western-style option. If that’s not possible, it’s a good idea to check whether there’s a bakery or something similar nearby.
When you go out to eat, making a reservation usually isn’t necessary, but sometimes it’s a good idea since some restaurants are very popular or simply quite small. We especially noticed this at omakase restaurants, where there are often no more than eight seats at the counter and sometimes a few small private rooms for dining.
In general, we could walk into most places without any problem, but if there’s a restaurant you really want to eat at and you don’t want to risk waiting in line or being turned away, it’s best to reserve a table through Tablelog.
The beauty ideal in Japan is slim. Very slim. The thinner you are, the more beautiful you are considered to be. It’s truly surprising how incredibly slender people are, despite the amount of food they eat in a day. The Japanese love to snack, and as you travel through Japan, you’ll be amazed by the huge variety and diversity of food you encounter everywhere.
In addition to traditional dishes like ramen, udon, sushi, and sashimi, you will also find an incredible amount of sweets. There are bakeries everywhere selling the most unusual treats. My favorite is the pistachio bun, a kind of doughnut filled with pistachio cream. Absolutely delicious. And Japan is the undisputed champion of KitKat flavors. Did you know they have around 300 different kinds? From banana to wasabi, and from sake to matcha tea, you name it, they have it.
At bakeries, things work a little differently than in our country. You take a tray and a pair of tongs, which you’ll find near the entrance. Then you walk along the display and pick up the bread or pastries you want using the tongs. At the counter, you hand everything over and pay. In many places, you can even warm up your bread yourself in a small oven that’s free for customers to use.
Some restaurants and bakeries charge a small fee if you want to eat inside. In some cases, they even require that each person orders at least one drink. It doesn’t matter if you already have a hundred pastries; everyone still has to order a drink. You also have to pay for a bag.
Do not eat, drink, or smoke on the street or in public spaces.
In Japan, the streets are spotless, absolutely clean. You will hardly find any trash bins anywhere because everyone takes their waste home. Besides the high fines for littering, eating, smoking (including vaping), and drinking in public, Japanese people also don’t eat or drink on the street or in public spaces like the metro.
For smoking and vaping, there are designated smoking cabins everywhere, both in hotels and on the streets. We even saw someone on a remote highway parking lot get out of their car just to smoke a cigarette inside the smoking cabin there. Rules are rules, after all.
Visit a supermarket sometime.
Supermarkets in Japan are truly a treat, especially the larger ones. There are also convenience stores (konbini) like 7/11, Watson, and Family Mart for quick groceries, coffee, restrooms, and internet. But the real supermarkets, such as City, Coöp, or the basement food halls of big department stores, are absolute wonderlands. You’ll be amazed by what you see there.
You will find the most beautiful salads in every possible variety, shape, and combination of ingredients. Fruit baskets and single-portion meals look like works of art. Everything is perfectly presented; you will not find a crooked cucumber anywhere. Some pieces of fruit even cost hundreds of euros. A strawberry for $100, a melon for $200, or a mango for $250 might seem unbelievable, but it is true. These luxury fruits are bought as gifts, and the more expensive the store, the pricier the fruit, and the greater the status it gives to the person who offers it.
And then there’s the sushi in the supermarkets. In the Netherlands, most sushi restaurants can’t even come close to the quality you’ll find here. From fatty tuna to salmon nigiri, sea bass, and octopus, everything is available — and it tastes amazing. You even get free wasabi and chopsticks (tip: buy a small bottle of soy sauce). It’s perfect to take with you and enjoy at a picnic table somewhere, just like we did in this video. 😁
In Japan, many people live alone. They are either single or live by themselves because their partner works in another city and stays there during the week. Homes in the big cities are incredibly small, sometimes as little as 15 square meters. Many don’t even have a kitchen, which is why supermarkets have perfectly adapted by offering a wide range of ready-made meals. And they’re amazingly good. It’s actually more expensive to cook at home than to buy one of those meal boxes.
By the way, the woman is the boss of the household and the finances. The man hands over his salary and receives a kind of allowance. And heaven help him if he doesn’t spend it all, because that will lead to a serious conversation. The idea is that he needs to network and climb the career ladder, and if he has money left over, it means he hasn’t invested enough in that. Much of life in Japan revolves around status.
Paying, tipping, and money matters
In Japan, you can pay easily with a card, but sometimes only cash is accepted. And that doesn’t just apply to markets or food stalls; we noticed it in certain cities on Honshu as well. You can withdraw cash at convenience stores like 7/11, Watson, or Family Mart, and there are ATMs at every train station too. We usually got 10,000 and 5,000 yen bills, and they were accepted everywhere without any problem.
Tipping is not appreciated in Japan. In fact, it can even be seen as an insult if you do it. Many tourists think, “It’s just a way to show appreciation, what’s the harm?” and Americans in particular find it hard not to tip because it’s ingrained in their culture. Trust me, don’t do it. The Japanese are very keen to prevent this “annoying habit” from spreading, and we think that makes perfect sense. We really enjoyed it ourselves, never having to worry about tipping at all.
A credit card, such as VISA, is highly recommended, and I have become a big fan of Revolut. This card, which you can partially design yourself, is from VISA and is accepted everywhere you can pay with plastic. There are four packages available on their website. I chose the premium package, and for less than ten dollars a month, I can withdraw money, transfer funds, and pay in different currencies free of charge. There are countless other advantages to this card, so I would say, be sure to check it out if you travel frequently. No more hassle with currency exchange or high fees charged by other cards, plus lots of extras + insurance on your purchases.
Note: this card is a debit card and cannot be used as a deposit when renting a car, for example. You need to load money onto it yourself. You can do this in different currencies, and the app makes it very easy and quick to transfer funds. Any leftover balance can be easily converted back to euros at no cost, if needed.
Tip: bring a small coin purse for loose change. Some people find it useful to carry a coin holder that lets you see exactly which coin you need. You can buy one, for example, on Amazon.
Washing machines
Doing laundry in Japan isn’t very complicated. Many hotels have a “coin laundry” where you can wash up to about five kilograms of clothes for a few hundred yen, or around three euros. A dryer is usually available as well, and sometimes they are combined washer-dryer machines. In our experience, the laundry doesn’t always come out completely dry, so keep that in mind if you still have travel ahead. In most bathrooms, there is a retractable clothesline, and we often hung our clothes there overnight to finish drying.
If your hotel doesn’t have a washing machine, you will usually find one nearby. These are often fast, large machines. Be careful, as some clothing items — especially cotton and bamboo — can shrink significantly, and you cannot set the temperature yourself.
Tip: start saving your 100 yen coins from the beginning of your trip. You will need them for laundry. Some machines only accept 500 yen coins or 1000 yen bills, and change machines may not always give you the coins you need.
Bathrooms
The Japanese take hygiene very seriously. No matter how small your hotel room is, the bathroom is always fully equipped and sometimes even larger than the room itself. They fit everything in, no matter how compact: a bathtub, a shower, and a toilet with numerous buttons. Amenities are always provided, including a toothbrush, comb, cotton swabs, washcloths, shower caps, and sometimes even facial care products. There is always a hairdryer, and shampoo, conditioner, and body wash are included. On one occasion, we even received facial masks.
If you’ve never been to an onsen, you’ll be surprised by the bathrooms that feature a separate area with both a bathtub and a separate shower, complete with a mirror, a small stool, and a washbasin. This setup allows people to take their time washing thoroughly from head to toe. You’ll mainly see this in the more spacious hotels, while others make do with a shower over the bathtub with a curtain. But these showers are excellent! A powerful stream — no water-saving showerheads here 😜.
Onsens
Onsens are natural hot spring baths. Japan is full of volcanoes, and from these volcanoes flows hot, literally boiling water. In hotels and sometimes in public areas, you can often use these onsens for free. With a few exceptions, they are always enjoyed nude, but men and women are separated.
Tattoos are generally not allowed in onsens. You will often see a sign at the entrance stating that people with tattoos may be refused entry. This tradition is linked to the yakuza, the Japanese mafia, whose members often have distinctive tattoos. They have historically recruited young people in onsens for illegal activities, and since there is no supervision, management decided to ban all guests with tattoos to prevent any issues. At some locations, they allow you to cover your tattoos with large plasters, which you can usually get at the reception. Whether you do this is up to you. In our experience, we used the onsens with our tattoos and were never questioned about them. Honestly, I don’t think they assumed we were part of the yakuza.
In some towns, especially in Hokkaido, you can also find public spots where you can just soak your feet in a hot spring bath. This is a great alternative if the full experience feels a bit too much.
Japanese toilets
And then the toilets. There is so much to say about them. Wherever you need to go, toilets are everywhere in Japan. They are free, clean, and well-maintained, and people leave them that way for the next person. Almost all toilets have buttons that allow you to wash yourself with water after using them, and some even have a built-in dryer. Spare rolls of toilet paper are often provided, left in place, and are not stolen. People are expected to use up the current roll before opening a new one, and you’ll see reminders of this on every toilet.
Japanese toilets often have clever features, such as a small shelf to place your bag or phone on, which often doubles as the lock. Almost always, there is a child seat attached to the wall where you can safely place your little one — super handy and very child-friendly. The toilets are also covered with stickers and signs outlining the do’s and especially the don’ts.
Take off your shoes and put on slippers.
One of the customs you will encounter in Japan is taking off your shoes before entering certain spaces. This can include restaurants, public facilities, and of course temples, as well as your own hotel room. On rare occasions, shoes are not allowed anywhere in the accommodation. Slippers are almost always provided, and sometimes you are even expected to swap your slippers for a different pair when using the toilet, both in your hotel room and in other locations.
Tip: wear easy-to-remove shoes when going somewhere you know you’ll need to take them off. Many restaurants provide slippers, but not everywhere. Sometimes you even need to put your shoes back on to go to the toilet, for example.
Wifi and E-sim
We had Wi-Fi in almost every hotel, and you can often use free Wi-Fi at train stations, on trains, and sometimes even on the street. The speed is decent, depending on your location. There is an app called Japan Wi-Fi Auto Connect that notifies you when free Wi-Fi is available nearby. In my experience, it didn’t work very well yet, but maybe it will when you go to Japan.
Our tip: use an eSIM card for times when you need internet and there’s no Wi-Fi available. It’s very easy to switch on your phone and can save you a lot compared to Dutch providers, who often charge huge amounts. You buy a data bundle with a set number of GBs, depending on your usage. If you’re traveling for a long time or use apps like Google Maps a lot, go for a larger bundle. Check your typical usage in your own country to get a guideline, and add a little extra if you rely heavily on online apps.
When buying an eSIM, pay attention to the validity period of the data bundle, which is sometimes very short, for example, one month. If you’re traveling for a longer period, look for an eSIM that lasts longer so you don’t lose your GBs and have to buy a new bundle.
You can easily and reliably arrange an e-SIM via the Klook app. Search for ‘esim Japan’.
Cars and public transportation
There are many ways to travel around Japan. As car enthusiasts, we would have loved to rent a car for our entire trip, but trust me, you don’t want to do that. Driving in the big cities is a nightmare. Even if you manage to get through the traffic, finding a parking spot is extremely difficult, not to mention expensive. On the northern island of Hokkaido, we did have a car because public transportation is limited there, and it’s easy to drive and park everywhere. In Japan, they drive on the left, and you need an International Driving Permit. Always ask for an ETC card when renting a car, as it allows you to pay tolls automatically.
No, on the main island of Honshu, public transportation is by far the fastest and easiest way to get from point A to B — and even to C, D, and E. As people who don’t usually use public transport, we were a bit worried when we started this trip. But trust me, it exceeded our expectations 1000 percent. We handled some of the busiest stations in the world, like Tokyo Shinjuku, very well. Shinjuku has no less than 200 entrances and exits and handles 3.5 million passengers every day!
Daarnaast is het openbaar vervoer erg goedkoop in Japan. Voor nog geen 3 euro reis je zomaar een half uur tot een uur met de metro naar plaats van bestemming.
Suica-card
If you plan to travel by subway or train in Japan, do yourself a favor and get a Suica Card. Or, even easier if you have an iPhone, add it to your E-wallet. Unfortunately, the latter is not (yet) possible for Samsung. Hopefully that will happen, it’s much more convenient. With this card, or e-card, you can travel very easily and you don’t have to keep buying separate tickets. Tap your card or phone against the screen at the gates and you can walk straight through. You can always see your balance and how much you’ve spent on the ride.
Believe me, I initially worked with tickets (I have a Samsung and thought a physical card would be a hassle), but I quickly changed my mind.
You can purchase the Suica Card for a specific period (up to 4 weeks for tourists) at ticket machines in larger stations. Make sure you see “Suica Card” on the display. All machines are in Japanese, but fortunately everything is also translated into English when you press the translation button. Once you have selected your card, you can load it with credit.
You pay a deposit of 500 yen (about 3 euros) and then have to choose an amount that comes in increments of 1000 yen. Don’t put too much on it, because you won’t get any money back if you have any left over; you need a Japanese bank account for that. This was also the reason why I didn’t want it at first.
I used the money left on the card to buy a cup of coffee at the airport. You can even use up the entire amount on your card and pay the difference in cash or with a card if you don’t have quite enough. At the end of your trip in Japan, you can return the card to the help desk at the station and get your 500 yen back.
Please note: The card can be used throughout Honshu, but not all stations offer the recharge option. So make sure you always have enough credit on your card when traveling outside the city. There are other brands of cards, but Suica is accepted almost everywhere in major cities and beyond.
Subway
The entire subway system in Japan is fantastically organized. Once you understand it, it all makes perfect sense. There are a number of different lines running through a city, and each line has its own color. You can see these lines on Google Maps, or you can find plenty of maps at the station showing you which line to take from A to B. Sometimes you have to change trains, but that’s no problem at all. The trains come and go frequently, and sometimes you only have to wait a few minutes for the next one. Everyone stands neatly in line, in the designated areas, waiting their turn to board.
You cannot reserve seats on the subway. It can sometimes be very crowded, with people still pushing their way in even when there is no room left. Sometimes it is better to wait for the next one.
Tip: You can buy a 72-hour pass for 1,500 yen.
Tickets can be easily purchased from the ticket machines located at all entrances. Above these machines, there is a map of the subway system and all the colored lines with their station names (often in Japanese and English). Find your destination and station, and you will see the fare displayed. For example, if it says 300, select 300 yen on the ticket machine, the number of people, and whether you are an adult or a child. So you don’t have to choose a destination. You pay in cash or contactless (note that this is not possible for every machine) and you will receive your ticket with a receipt if you have indicated that you want one.
JR Train
JR (Japanese Railway) trains have reserved seats and non-reserved seats. The latter always occupy the first and last carriages, the number of which depends on the total number of carriages. You will find the carriage numbers on the floor in colors, indicating where you should board. Please note that the signs indicate how many carriages the train has. So look for the colored sticker that indicates the same number of carriages, otherwise you may end up waiting at the wrong entrance.
Be sure to reserve your seat on busy routes. We had unreserved seats from Kiso Valley, and that train was packed. If you’re unlucky, you’ll have to stand for the entire journey (sometimes an hour, sometimes an hour and a half).
Also pay attention to which train you take. You have:
- Slow (local) trains that stop at every station, the “Futsu”
- Fast rapid trains, the “Kaisoku,” stop slightly less frequently than the Futsu.
- Very fast trains that stop at a few (popular) major stations. These are the Limited Express trains, “Tokkyu.”
It saves you a lot of time if you can catch a fast train. Just make sure it stops at your station too.
Signs for JR trains are always clearly marked at stations. Every train has toilets on board.
Tip: Do you travel a lot? Then it may be advantageous to apply for a JR pass, which allows you to travel throughout the country for 7 or 14 days for a certain period of time on both trains and the Shinkansen (see further on in this article). You can reserve seats free of charge.
Extra tip: for longer journeys, buy a bento box at the station where you depart from for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Every place has its own filled bento box, often consisting of local products.
Shinkansen
A great way to travel long distances in Japan quickly and comfortably is by Shinkansen, or Bullet Train, which is also part of the JR Group. With speeds of up to 320 kilometers per hour, this train races across Honshu and even under the water to Hokkaido. This train is more expensive than the regular train, but you save a lot of time. It is sometimes even more expensive than flying from city to city, but you arrive right in the center of the city. You save a lot of time on check-in and such, but also on other costs such as taxis or the metro. In addition, the train is much more comfortable.
There are several lines running throughout the country, such as Mizuho, Hayabusa, and Nozomi. These lines are listed on the signs with numbers and are also printed on your ticket. You can purchase tickets online, for example via the Klook app or the official website.
Just like JR trains, Shinkansen trains have car numbers that you can also find on the platform. There are reserved and non-reserved seats on these high-speed trains. As with JR trains, the same applies to all unreserved seats: make sure you get in line on time. Otherwise, you’ll have to stand the whole way, which is really not very pleasant on these kinds of journeys.
There is plenty of space for your luggage, both above your head and in the aisles. Some people even put their suitcase or bag at their feet, that’s how much space there is. Every Shinkansen has several toilets on board, there is often free Wi-Fi, you have charging points at your seat, and there are trash cans.
At the stations, signs for the Shinkansen are clearly marked everywhere.
Check out our own experience in the video below, where we show you:
- How to follow the signs marked “SHINKANSEN” to the correct gate
- What to do at the gates (and why you should keep your ticket safe)
- How to find your platform, car number, and seat
- What the stickers on the floor mean
- Safety rules and Japanese train etiquette
- Where to store your luggage and what to expect on board — from toilets to Wi-Fi.
We are sharing this because we have experienced it ourselves and know how useful it is to know what to expect. So if you are going to Japan soon or have plans to travel by Shinkansen, this video is definitely for you!
Tip: if you have multiple tickets because you need to change trains, insert all tickets into the machine at the entrance gate. Depending on your journey, you will get your ticket(s) back to use at the next gate. If you do not get your ticket back, your journey is over.
Extra tip: Do you travel a lot? Then it may be advantageous to apply for a JR pass, which allows you to travel throughout the country for 7 or 14 days for a certain period of time on both trains and trains (see earlier in this article). You can reserve seats for free.
Busses and streetcars
If you are traveling by bus or streetcar, you usually board at the rear. You do not need to do anything yet; only when you exit do you walk to the front and pay the driver. You can pay with cash or card. The prices are fixed, so you always pay the same amount, regardless of whether you travel one stop or three.
Taxi/Cab
Taxis are widely available in Japan and are sometimes a better option than public transport, especially if you are traveling with several people. The difference in cost is often negligible. They operate with fixed starting rates and the meter stops when the taxi is stationary, such as at traffic lights.
Look out for the green license plates, which indicate official taxis. Uber also operates in Japan, but is generally more expensive than a regular taxi. At stations and similar locations, you will find them indicated on signs, and there is often a queue where everyone waits their turn.
Cycling or scootering
Een hele leuke manier om meer van een stad te zien, is door te gaan fietsen. Of met een elektrische step op pad te gaan. In iedere stad in Japan zie je op aangegeven vaste plekken deelfietsen en -stepjes staan. Je huurt deze met een app.
The best app for tourists is Luup . This app does not require a Japanese phone number; you can simply register with your own country code and details. You can then use the QR code on the bicycle or scooter to start the rental period. You can find the locations for scooters and bicycles in the app. When you return the bike or scooter, or drop it off at one of the designated locations, you can end the rental using the app by clicking on ‘End’. In between, if you temporarily stop your vehicle, you can put it on ‘pause’, which means you still pay costs, but indicate that you are not driving at that moment.
Please note: you must take an exam test and answer 15 questions correctly.
Hotels
Hotels in Japan come in all shapes, sizes, and types. We stayed in 22 of them, ranging from very small, simple rooms to very traditional Japanese rooms to half-ballrooms, from cheap to somewhat more expensive. Nothing crazy, no hostels with bunk beds, but also no royal suites. I will say something about it, but of course, everything depends entirely on your wishes and preferences and what your budget is.
What struck us in the hotels was that:
- Virtually no hotel had a balcony;
- Windows could hardly ever be opened;
- In traditional Japanese rooms, your bed is stored in a closet (futon) and you have to move the furniture aside yourself and make your bed on the floor.
- Every hotel offers amenities such as a hairbrush, toothbrush, shower cap, cotton swabs, razor, and other such items. Some hotels even provided all kinds of facial care products, including face masks.
- Every hotel provides ample shampoo, conditioner, and shower/bath gel.
- Every hotel had a bathtub. Sometimes not even big enough for one person, sometimes spacious enough for two people;
- Every hotel provided sets of clothing. These are often used for onsens, but we also stayed at many hotels, particularly in Hokkaido, where guests wore these loungewear outfits during breakfast and dinner as well.
- The showers do not have water savers and therefore have a wonderfully powerful jet;
- Sometimes you shower in a cubicle that also contains a bathtub, mirrors, a stool, and a bowl. The Japanese love their cleansing ritual.
- Usually you shower in the bathtub with a curtain.
- None of our hotels had a gym;
- You can hear piano music in every hotel. In the corridors, in the breakfast room, and at dinner;
- They are very strict about times when it comes to breakfast or dinner. You have to be there by a certain time and, more importantly, you have to leave by a certain time. Someone even comes by your table to tell you how much time you have left.
- Check-in was always 2 or 3 hours. It was rare that we were allowed in earlier. Check-out was 10 or 11 hours, respectively.
- The service is top-notch. The staff will do everything they can to ensure you have a pleasant stay at their hotel.
Apps and websites that make your trip to Japan even more enjoyable
When traveling through Japan, apps and websites can help make your trip more enjoyable. I have already mentioned a few above, but here is a list of them again. The following apps were extremely useful to us during our trip:
- Luup – since you (probably) don’t have a Japanese phone number, it’s virtually impossible to use Japanese apps for renting shared bikes and scooters. With one exception: Luup. Registration is fairly straightforward. When using electric scooters, we had to complete a 15-question traffic test, but otherwise it worked perfectly with the QR code.
- XE – valuta converter – if you don’t have a currency converter app yet, this one is very simple and free.
- ATM Fee saver – if you want to know where you can withdraw cash nearby, preferably for free or at the lowest possible cost, then you need this app.
- Get Your Guide or Klook – These apps allow you to quickly and easily find and book excursions, train tickets, bus tickets, etc. But beware: these apps are often quite pricey, especially for excursions organised by locals. What is more desirable for the locals: book directly through their own website or ask your accommodation what the direct prices are and book excursions through them if necessary. This means that organizations do not have to pay high commissions, and both they and you often get a better price.
- Japan-guide.com – Here you will find all the information you need about Japan, from beautiful places to visit to attractions, from sights to useful facts.
- Revolut – I mentioned it briefly earlier, but it really is a great VISA debit card that saves you a lot of money on payments and cash withdrawals. The app offers many useful features for traveling, such as a currency calculator, free access to various paid apps, and insurance, but you can also easily open all kinds of accounts in the currency you need at that moment. Free of charge.
- Suica card – I also mentioned this in the chapter on public transport. This card is a must if you plan to travel a lot by subway and train. You pay a one-time deposit of 500 yen, which you can get back at the help desk at the station after you’re done. If you have an iPhone, you can add it to your e-wallet immediately, free of charge.
- Google Translate – the language barrier suddenly disappears with this app. Speak or type your text and you can communicate with almost anyone in any language. Download the languages you need offline, so you can use this app even without an internet connection.
- Duolingo – if you are traveling through Japan for a longer period of time, this is a useful app for learning some basic words and phrases.
- Google lens – every menu, text on a package, bag, or jar, a signpost, or anything else in another language suddenly becomes readable with this app. Hold your phone over the text, and voilà… you suddenly speak dozens of languages. Here too, download the languages you need for offline use, so you can use this app even without an internet connection. This option is also available in the Google Translate app.
- Google Maps – Yes, where would we be without this folder? It navigates you throughout the country, on foot, by car, or by public transport. It shows you which bus, train, or subway line you need to take and shows you the best restaurants in your area.
- Japan WIFI connect – This app didn’t always work 100% flawlessly for me, but it did at first, so I would give it a try. It indicates with a notification when free Wi-Fi is available. And that happens very often in Japan.
- Talk360 – Calling someone from your own country is expensive if it is a landline. Even from a hotel room. Our experience with this app has been very good. You put some money on it and then you can make calls to landlines at very low rates. To call mobile numbers, you can of course use WhatsApp or something similar.
Finally, a few extra tips
If you are going to Japan, our advice is:
- Look beyond Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka. Japan has so much more to offer than just those cities. Consider visiting Hokkaido, Matsumoto (we loved this town!!!), Kakunodate, Nikko, Nagoya, or Aomori, for example.
- Don’t plan too much; take the time to do things spontaneously. This is very easy in this country.
- Put your phone away every now and then and just walk through a city or village on a whim. The best things happen spontaneously.
- Engage in conversation with people. Do not be afraid to use an app to overcome the language barrier. Japanese people greatly appreciate it when you make an effort.
- Consider carefully what time of year you are going. The cherry blossoms in May/April are beautiful, but it is also extremely busy. In the summer months, temperatures in Tokyo can be tropical and exceed 40 degrees Celsius. Typhoons also pass through regularly during this time. We went in the fall, when it can sometimes be a bit chilly in the north, but we loved it and the colors in nature are beautiful!
- Japanese people have many rules and are often bothered by loud noises, blowing your nose in public, talking on the phone in public, or eating/drinking/smoking on the street. It is their country, they are very hospitable, don’t abuse it.
- Make sure you’re fit, because you’ll be walking a lot, a whole lot. Good shoes are therefore a must.
- There are almost no trash cans in Japan. Do not throw trash on the street; if necessary, bring a bag or pouch for your trash and dispose of it at your hotel.
- Don’t stress, everyone is willing to help you. Are you standing at a station and don’t know what to do? No problem, ask someone around you, if they’re not in a hurry, and they’ll put you on the right track.
- Don’t be fooled by all those loud “influencers” on social media. They are often paid to promote something, with all the consequences (lots of crowds and queues) that entails. There are often better alternatives, so read up carefully before going on an excursion, for example.
- Make sure you have the right apps installed, especially Google Maps and Google Translate, and get a good e-SIM bundle. The internet is your best friend.
- Learn some basic words and phrases in Japanese, you’ll be amazed at how happy it makes Japanese people.
- Take a bike or electric scooter instead of the subway.
- Save this website in your browser so that if you ever want to look something up or read something again, you can find it easily.
- Would you like to know more about what we did in Japan? Then be sure to read my travel reports from our trip in Polarsteps.
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