Travelling to Japan for the first time can be daunting. Arriving in a country where the Roman alphabet is rarely used, let alone English spoken, is one more hurdle that can make those first few hours confusing and intimidating. But trust me, Japan is one of the most incredible countries in the world, and the kind people you’ll meet are always more than happy to help with any pickle you might find yourself in. After many “first times” in Japan, I’ve gathered my top tips to help your first few hours go as smoothly as possible and set you up for success for the rest of your trip.
For the most part, packing for Japan looks like packing for any other trip. But there are a few items I wished I’d had with me the first time I arrived, and I made sure to pack them the next time I travelled to Japan. So I wanted to share a few of them!
I’m not much of a purse person to begin with. I travel everywhere with a backpack and wallet. But in Japan, you’ll need coins at all times: for vending machines, some restaurants, temple donations, arcade games and more. Fumbling through your wallet or bag to find the exact change can be painful. With a small coin purse, I could easily find the right amount at a moment’s notice.
Pack a good pair of slip-on walking shoes. Many ryokans, along with some restaurants and temples, ask you to remove your shoes when you enter. Anything with complicated laces will slow this process and become quite irritating when you’re still tired from the long flight. And make sure these aren’t cheap shoes. You’ll be walking a lot in Japan, so invest in a very comfortable pair.
Japan never had a legal mask mandate, and its Covid-era mask guidance was relaxed in March 2023, so wearing one is now a personal choice. You’ll still see plenty of people in masks, including outdoors. I always lean on the side of being considerate: follow the locals and do what they’re doing. There are plenty of places to buy masks all over Japan, but you never want to be caught without one, so pack a few and carry them with you at all times.
Downloading offline maps will help you navigate the notoriously complex street systems in Japan. Even if you have wifi or data on your trip, maps often load slowly, and they tend to use a lot of data. Downloading offline maps for the cities you’re visiting before you leave will save you a ton of data and time. Keep in mind that downloaded maps work offline, but transit directions still need an internet connection. Also be sure to download the Japan Travel by NAVITIME app, which gives you transit directions in English for any train and metro journeys you take in Japan.
These days, checking luggage has become a thing of the past for me. Not only can it mean an extra fee, but the number of times airlines have lost my luggage is climbing into the double digits. That has made packing a carry-on more and more important in ensuring everything you brought makes it to your destination.
Depending on where you’re setting off from, you’re most likely looking at a 13-hour flight to Japan. If you don’t have the cash to splurge on first class (and let’s face it, who does?), see if you can upgrade your seats to the exit row. For my last flight, it was an extra $150, and it was some of the best money I ever spent.
The exit row gave me ample legroom and lots of space to get up and stretch. Plus, there was no one in front of me to recline their seat down on top of my head. Mine was a little colder, as I was seated beside the door, so I’d always pack a light scarf. You can always use your coat as a blanket, and some airlines even provide blankets free of charge on long-haul flights, so never be shy to ask for an extra one. Be kind and make friends with the flight staff, and you’ll have all the more enjoyable flight.
If you’re travelling with one other person, here’s another money-saving hack that works every so often: in a three-seat row, book the window and the aisle seat, leaving the middle empty. When other people are booking their seats, they will almost always skip the middle seat between two travellers. So if your flight isn’t completely full, you’ll often find that seat free, and you’ll be able to spread out. And if someone does show up and you want to sit beside your flying partner, they’ll jump at the chance to switch from the middle to the aisle or the window. This won’t work every time, but trying is never harmful.
If you’re planning on getting any sleep on the plane (which hopefully you are), there are a few essential items to bring. Airlines are usually good about turning off the lights when it’s time to readjust your sleep schedule. But if the person next to you is reading with their light on, a good eye mask will shut out the light so you can try to adjust to the new time zone.
Another thing I do to lull myself to sleep is bring a travel-sized bottle of lavender spray. I transferred my Lush Twilight spray to a tiny travel perfume atomizer. Before getting on the flight, I spray a little on my neck pillow and scarf. This soothing scent helps calm me during any turbulence and puts me to sleep once I’m nice and relaxed.
If you need an extra bit of help getting to sleep, you can take a small dose of melatonin. While I don’t recommend it for the long term, it is a great way to help readjust your sleep pattern temporarily. One caution: melatonin is a prescription-only medication in Japan, so check Japan’s rules for bringing medication into the country before you pack it.
Noise-cancelling earbuds or headphones are a great way to block out any noise so you can simply sink into a good night’s sleep.
When you aren’t sleeping, spend the time reviewing your Japanese phrase book. About a month before your trip, I’d recommend downloading an app like Duolingo to help you learn some key phrases, but a long flight is also a great time for a little crash course in the language.
Japanese is such a beautiful language, and I only grazed the surface. But it’s important to at least try to learn “please,” “thank you,” “hello” and “goodbye.” I was thrilled with how much I could retain, and with how even a few words would bring huge smiles to people’s faces. It was definitely worth the time I put into it.
Before you land, you may be handed a paper arrival card to complete and give to the immigration officer. You can also fill in the same details ahead of time online through Visit Japan Web. It’s a simple form covering how long you’ll be there and where you’ll stay. Make sure you have the addresses of your accommodations written down or screenshotted on your phone, as you won’t have wifi in the air.
Once you land, you’ll most likely be a bit jet-lagged and tired despite your best efforts to get some sleep. But luckily for you, Japanese airports have some of the best signage I’ve seen, making your way to immigration and baggage claim a seamless process. Signage from the plane to immigration is in both Japanese and English.
At the immigration desk, they’ll check your card (make sure you didn’t miss any information), take your picture and scan your index fingers. Don’t worry; this happens to most foreign visitors, so you’re not being singled out. And that’s all. You’re ready to head into the city!
Japan can be pretty daunting for first-time travellers, and having internet access for directions, translations and more can be key to your comfort. But roaming on many home phone plans can get expensive. Luckily, there are other options to put the internet at your fingertips.
My newest favourite option for international travel is an eSIM. Most newer phones have both a physical SIM and what’s called an eSIM. Before eSIMs, most people bought a physical SIM, but this was often time-consuming and much more difficult to set up.
An eSIM, or embedded SIM, is a virtual SIM card stored on your device rather than in physical card form. It allows you to activate and manage your mobile service directly on your device without needing a physical SIM card.
To use a travel eSIM, you’ll need an eSIM-compatible phone that isn’t carrier-locked. I use Nomad as my provider. They make setup super easy, and their rates are excellent: a 20 GB plan runs about $23 USD, which is tons of data, and most likely you won’t need that much. You can use my code, LAUR66NY, to get $3 off your next eSIM purchase. Nomad’s plans are data-only, with no local phone number, so download an app like WhatsApp to keep in touch with your contacts, since it will still work over your eSIM’s data.
Another option is what’s called “pocket wifi.” Pocket wifi devices are portable routers you rent in Japan, just like a mobile hotspot. Ninja Wifi was my favourite provider, as their speed was excellent and a five-day rental runs roughly ¥3,000 to ¥4,000. The longer you rent the device, the cheaper it gets per day. I would never travel to Japan without a data option, since free wifi can be hard to come by there, so definitely don’t rely on it as your main internet access. If you choose the mail-back option, the device comes with a prepaid envelope for returning it to the company, so just place it inside and find the nearest mailbox to drop it into.
If you didn’t go to your bank before leaving to get some local currency, you’ll want to hit up an ATM at the airport, or a 7-Eleven, whose ATMs accept foreign cards. Despite Japan being considered a modern country, there are ways in which it feels much more old-fashioned. One is that many places still only accept cash. Credit cards are widely accepted at hotels, chain restaurants and larger shops, but many small shops, ramen counters and shrines are cash-only.
All those little ramen shops you’re dying to visit may not know what to do with your credit card. Cash is king in Japan, and you always want to ensure you don’t run out! You don’t want to miss out on a unique street snack that’s only available seasonally at this one location and find yourself out of cash. If you’re worried about carrying around so much cash for fear of being robbed, don’t be. Japan is one of the safest countries in the world.
Transportation to and from the airport in Japan is very convenient. Although your first thought might be to grab a taxi, these are generally the most expensive method. In big cities like Tokyo and Osaka, you’ll be able to take the train directly from the airport and get to the city centre with ease.
If you’re looking for a more direct route into the city, my favourite method is the Airport Limousine Bus. It takes passengers from the arrivals terminal to many drop-off points around Tokyo, including hotels and stations. No matter where you’re staying, you’ll likely find a drop-off location close by. I like the bus better than the trains from the airport because it’s a lot less stressful. The train system in Japan can be overwhelming at the best of times, and post-long-haul flight, the Airport Limousine Bus is a breeze! You just go up to one of the orange-signed ticket counters or machines in the arrivals terminal and select your destination. It’s good to research their site in advance, since there are many destination options.
Tickets cost roughly ¥1,000 to ¥1,600 from Haneda and around ¥3,100 to ¥3,600 from Narita, depending on how far you’re going. The buses have free wifi on board, and I loved getting a good first look at the city as we drove in. The underground trains don’t give you this amazing viewpoint as you enter the city.
While waiting for your bus or train at the airport, pass the time by exploring the Japanese vending machines! I saw them everywhere as soon as I stepped off the plane. It might seem silly, especially to Japanese people, for whom these are ubiquitous, but I’m obsessed with them. Japan is the mecca of vending machines. I’m fascinated by the way they work, the way they look, and especially the unique treats inside. Old, new, big and small, they’re full of all sorts of goodies.
The vending machines we found at the airport were relatively standard compared to those in the city’s hub. Still, seeing drinks I’d never even heard of was exciting. Mostly, you can surmise what kind of drink it is from the images on the packaging, but you’d be amazed at how many different flavours and varieties there are!
The colour of the label beneath each drink tells you whether it’s hot or cold: red for hot, blue for cold. That’s right, hot beverages like tea and coffee come right out of a vending machine! In the autumn and winter months, grab yourself a warm can of coffee and give it a try. You’ll be pleasantly surprised at how delicious it is. Coffee is just the thing to keep you from crashing on your way to your hotel, and staying awake a little longer is key to preventing jet lag. The worst thing you can do is fall asleep as soon as you see that bed and find yourself wide awake at 2 am.
There are multiple options for accommodation in Japan.
Capsule hotels are no doubt one of the trendiest options. They’re inexpensive and a one-of-a-kind experience. Capsule hotels are small, modular structures that contain individual capsules stacked one on top of another. Each capsule is a tiny room that provides just enough space for a person to sleep, typically with a bed, reading light and power outlet. Some capsule hotels also have communal areas such as showers, toilets and lounges. They’re great for solo travellers or anyone wanting to save as much yen as possible.
Ryokans are traditional Japanese-style inns with rooms that offer guests tatami mats, futons for sleeping, and often communal hot springs or onsens. They tend to have a minimalist design and are meant to provide a serene and peaceful environment. Ryokans are known for their hospitality and attention to detail, with staff often going out of their way to make guests feel welcome and comfortable. These often come with luxurious dining experiences, often served in your room. They’re pretty pricey, so a ryokan may be somewhere you want to splurge on for a single night.
My recommendation for first-timers is a hotel. While that might sound a little boring, hotels are often a great place to stay that’s both slightly familiar and a new experience. The staff in many of these hotels don’t speak much English, but in my experience they’re incredibly helpful with a little non-verbal communication.
Prepare yourself in advance for the size of a Japanese hotel room. The rumours are true: many hotel rooms in big cities like Tokyo are shockingly tiny. There’s often not even room for your luggage without it sitting in the middle of the room. When booking, ask for a “western style bed,” since traditional Japanese bedding is a futon on a tatami floor, which I found hard as a rock. Check the bed width before you book, too: a “semi-double” can be as narrow as 120 cm, so it’s always advisable to size up. The best option for the price is to book a room with two singles and push them together, if your hotel allows it.
Despite how comfy your room might look, drop your bags and head out the door right away. Don’t give yourself a chance to get comfy and be lulled into sleep.
One of the best things to wake you up and keep that jet lag at bay is a walk around the bright neon lights and visual sensations that make up Japan. By this time of day, many shops will have closed, but the sidewalks are clamouring with young teens playing arcade games, giggling nervously at the women dressed in maid costumes advertising their maid cafés. Dozens of salarymen in white button-ups and black slacks are just getting their night started, gregariously piling into bars and singing along loudly to whatever K-Pop is blaring on the radio inside.
There is nothing like your first time walking down the streets of Tokyo, especially in a busy neighbourhood. Soak it all in, but don’t worry if you feel overwhelmed. That’s natural, particularly if this is your first time in a huge city. If you’re looking for a break from the crowd, duck down a small side street or alley. You’ll often be met with peace and quiet, as even the loudest Japanese partier tends to be very respectful of their residential neighbours.
You’ll undoubtedly be excited to dive into Japanese cuisine after a long day and nothing but airline food. My advice for the perfect first-time meal is a bowl of ramen. Ramen shops are all over the place, and in my experience there’s no such thing as a bad bowl of ramen. So you don’t need to worry about researching where to go; just find a shop that catches your eye and head inside.
Many small ramen shops operate with a vending machine kiosk. At the front of the restaurant, you’ll see a huge vending machine with different coloured buttons, each with pictures of ramen and perhaps a few side dishes. The buttons also display the price of the meal. Put your money into the slot at the top and press the button for the item that catches your fancy. Out of a small slot at the base of the machine comes a little paper ticket with your order printed on it, in Japanese, of course, along with any change from the bill you put in. If there is a line, get in the queue to wait your turn to be seated. If there’s no line, head right inside and take a seat.
Then all you need to do is give your ticket to the chef, who will prepare the meal as indicated. This might seem strange, but it’s an ingenious way to cut down on staff and let the chefs, who also act as the waiter and server, get your order without having to handle payment. One of the best parts of a ramen shop is sitting at the counter and watching the cooks at work. They effortlessly perform this dance, filling bowl after bowl with hot broth and whipping around the bar, grabbing stacks of toppings with deft movements to create your food fantasy!
After filling up on food, head to the closest train station to grab a Suica or Pasmo card. These are metro cards that you load with money to use on the train. You simply tap your card when entering and exiting any train station, and your fare is automatically calculated and deducted from your card. This makes travelling by metro so simple, since the Japanese subway system charges different fares for different distances.
If you don’t have a Suica or Pasmo card, you’ll have to figure out which fare you’ll need to pay for every trip based on the distance. Armed with a card, you’ll be ready to hop on the metro the next day without fighting the morning crush of people. Just check the balance frequently to ensure you have enough money on the card. To buy or refill a card, head to a ticket machine in the station. The signage is in English and Japanese, and the machines themselves have English menus, making it easy.
After picking up your Suica card, seek out an arcade! These behemoth arcade buildings are sometimes up to six floors of fun, each offering something different. Taito Station and GiGO (the former Sega arcades) are reliably among the best options. The first floor of most consists of UFO catcher machines, while the upper floors each have different sets of video games to play with friends or on your own. Some levels felt more like casinos, full of smokers playing slot-style medal games. Most games cost about ¥100 a play, with some costing more, and you can pay with coins or, at many arcades, by tapping your Suica card to have the money deducted from there.
In the basement of the arcade we visited, there were dozens of Purikura photo cubicles, each from a different company offering a unique experience. Purikura is where you can get those classic Japanese printed photos, add text and stickers, and give your face the “anime” treatment. The experience costs about ¥400 to ¥500. Once you drop the coins inside the payment machine, the screen will direct you to your starting photo booth. Unlike photo booths in North America, where you step in and just take your picture, these use a green screen. The camera will direct you (often in English and Japanese) to pose and take pictures. The camera moves around, so you get different options from portrait mode to full body and sometimes animated GIFs.
Once you finish your photoshoot, you’ll be directed into another booth where you get to decorate, alter, and add filters and text to all the photos you took. Often this process is timed, so keep an eye on the clock. Afterwards, your photos will be arranged into a collage (often picked by you) and printed out at the station where you initially put your coins. It was great fun trying out different poses and spending as much time as we were allowed decorating the photos into something absolutely ridiculous. Trust me, this will make for an incredible first Instagram of your trip!
Gachapon are little capsule toys sold from vending machines. The word “Gachapon” is onomatopoeia, named for the sound the machine makes when you use it. These devices each contain different sets of toys, and you never know which item from the set you’ll receive. It’s totally random. Most sets include some rare items which become sought-after collector treasures. The toy sets change frequently, so there’s always something new to buy. My inner child (and let’s face it, current adult) was immediately drawn to all the Sailor Moon sets.
I decided to go for the most expensive machine, where you could get one of five different Sailor Scout wands. I got Sailor Jupiter’s, my favourite Sailor Scout, and had a lot of fun back at the hotel putting the wand display together. There were toy sets of little cats sitting on rice cookers, tiny replicas of vintage buckets, Pokémon cookie toys and lots of Japanese characters, often themed to the next holiday. These make for small, cheap souvenirs to bring home for friends and family, as they are wonderfully weird and always unexpected.
By this time of night, if you’ve managed to stay awake, it’s time to head back to the hotel. But before you do, stop into a “conbini” (Japanese convenience store) to grab a few items for breakfast. 7-Eleven, Lawson and FamilyMart are the most common stores you’ll find on corners all over Japan. Many cafés and restaurants open later in the morning, so picking up some items for a little in-hotel picnic is a great way to take it easy on your first morning.
My favourite treats to buy for the morning are an egg salad sandwich (honestly one of the best things you can eat in Japan, sounds weird, but TRUST ME), a baked sweet treat filled with matcha, a can of coffee or latte to crack open in the morning for instant caffeine, and a ball of onigiri. This array of treats is sure to give you a reason to get up in the morning, no matter how tired you feel.
And with that, your first day in Japan comes to a close. Below, I’ve listed a few important customs to keep in mind that might surprise you as you experience Japan for the first time. Culture shock is part of travel, but don’t let it overtake you. Embrace it, and see if you can follow along with the culture and customs while visiting this incredible country.
Tipping isn’t part of Japan’s consumer culture. Good service is something you should always be provided, not something earned through money. If you leave money on the table, don’t be surprised if the waiter politely tries to hand it back, thinking you left it behind by accident. A great way to show your appreciation for excellent service is to learn a few Japanese phrases to tell your waiter, chef or receptionist how much you appreciate it.
Bowing is a sign of respect in Japan, so don’t be surprised to have people bow to you at your hotel, coming onto the bus or even just on the street if you’ve had a particularly lovely interaction. Can foreigners bow, you ask? Most Japanese people don’t expect foreigners to bow, but whenever I mimicked exactly what their bow was like, they seemed to respond very positively and loved that I made an effort.
Garbage cans are one of the most challenging things to find in Japan. Convenience stores often have them for items bought there, though some have removed them. But don’t let that make you think there’ll be garbage all over the place. No, Japan is the cleanest country I’ve ever visited. Locals carry their trash with them until they find a bin, or often until they get home, so they can sort it properly. Do as the locals do, and make sure you have a plastic bag to carry your garbage so you’re not ruining their clean streets.
Lineups in Japan are a way the city manages its deluge of people. Everyone is very respectful of the line. I never saw any budging or large random groups, because everyone takes lining up seriously, and you should too. Large masses of people taking the subway daily are efficiently organized into two or three lines, making even the busiest commute very coordinated. Keep your eye out for lines, as they often signify something popular that you’ll want to jump into. Most often, it’s related to food, and I’ve never been disappointed.
In North America, slurping might sound rude or low-class, but in Japan, slurping noodles is perfectly acceptable and often seen as a sign you’re enjoying your food. So don’t hold back at the ramen counter.
During certain times of day, usually weekday rush hours, some lines have designated cars for women, to keep them safe in crowded trains. The cars are marked with pink on the platform floor and with pink stickers on the train itself, so keep your eye out if you’re a male traveller and don’t want to get on one by accident, an embarrassing affair we might have experienced once or twice.
Japan is one of the only places I’ve visited where you often pay your bus fare when you get off, not when you get on. In many cities, including Kyoto and Osaka, you board through the back doors and exit through the front, where you pay the cash fare or tap your Suica or Pasmo card. Tokyo’s city buses are the opposite: you board at the front and pay as you board. Watch what the locals do and follow along.
If you see people wearing face masks, don’t be alarmed. They’re not a sign of anything scary, and they’re not just for hypochondriacs. Masks are worn to keep a cold or flu from spreading, or to ease allergies. Even if they’re the slightest bit under the weather, many Japanese people put one on, as much out of respect for others as for their own protection. They sell these everywhere, so if you feel like you’re getting sick, you should don one too.
Arriving in a country where you can’t read the signs or speak the language will always be a little daunting. But with a coin purse in your pocket, a plan for the airport and a hot can of vending machine coffee in your hand, those first few hours can turn into some of the best of your trip. Trust me, the kind people you’ll meet will be happy to help with any pickle you find yourself in. Hopefully, with all these tips, you’ll have an incredible first few hours with minimal jet lag, and you’ll be set up for success for the rest of your time in Japan.
Have you travelled to Japan before? How did you manage your first few hours in the country? Did jet lag get the better of you? Leave your experiences in the comments, or let me know if you’re planning to visit Japan and what other tips and tricks you’d like to learn!
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