First time in Japan? The essential tips

Before you fly

1. Register on Visit Japan Web. The official online service lets you complete immigration and customs information before arrival and show QR codes at the airport, which speeds things up.
2. Check your passport and entry rules. Visitors from the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand can currently enter Japan visa-free for short tourist stays; confirm the latest rules before you travel.
3. Book the special things early. Ryokan, popular sushi counters, kaiseki restaurants, the Ghibli Museum and peak-season hotels can fill weeks or months ahead.
4. Think about the rail pass carefully. The national Japan Rail Pass rose sharply in price in October 2023. For a typical Tokyo–Kyoto–Hiroshima trip, individual shinkansen tickets are now often cheaper. Add up your journeys before buying.

Money

5. Carry some cash. Cards are widely accepted in cities, but small restaurants, shrines, temples and markets may be cash-only. ATMs at convenience stores (7-Eleven in particular) and post offices accept most foreign cards.
6. Do not tip. Tipping is not customary in Japan and can cause confusion. Excellent service is simply expected.
7. Use an IC card. Suica, PASMO or ICOCA cards pay for trains, subways, buses and convenience stores. On iPhone, you can add Suica to Apple Wallet in minutes. Physical cards are sold at airports and major stations.

Getting around

8. Forward your luggage. Luggage forwarding services, known as takkyubin, send suitcases from hotel to hotel, usually by the next day. Ask at your hotel reception. It makes shinkansen days far easier.
9. Reserve shinkansen seats in busy periods. Large suitcases on the Tokaido Shinkansen need a seat with an oversized-luggage area, booked in advance.
10. Allow time for big stations. Tokyo, Shinjuku, Kyoto and Osaka stations are vast. Choosing the right exit can save twenty minutes.

Etiquette

11. Shoes off. Remove shoes when you see a raised entrance, a shoe rack or slippers: in ryokan, homes, some restaurants, temple halls and castle keeps. Never wear slippers on tatami.
12. Quiet on trains. Avoid phone calls and keep conversations low. Priority seats are for older passengers, pregnant women and people with disabilities.
13. At shrines and temples. Bow at the gate, rinse your hands at the water basin if you wish, and follow posted photography rules, especially inside halls.
14. Carry your trash. Public bins are rare. Keep a small bag and dispose of rubbish at your hotel or a convenience store.
15. Respect neighborhoods. In Kyoto’s Gion, some private lanes ban photography. Do not photograph geiko and maiko without permission.

Food

Japan is a superb place to eat. Some useful habits: say “itadakimasu” before you eat; do not stick chopsticks upright in rice or pass food chopstick to chopstick; eating while walking is frowned upon in some places, so stand near the stall. Many top restaurants seat few guests and take reservations far in advance, often only in Japanese. If you have allergies or dietary needs, have them written in Japanese or ask someone to call ahead.

Health and safety

Japan is one of the safest countries in the world. Tap water is drinkable, pharmacies are everywhere, and lost items are often returned. Earthquakes happen: follow your hotel’s guidance and any alerts on your phone. In summer, heat is the main risk; drink water and plan indoor afternoons.

How a guide helps on a first visit

A guided first day is the fastest way to feel at home. Mario sets up your IC cards, shows you how trains, exits and transfers work, explains etiquette as it comes up, and reserves restaurants and experiences in Japanese for the rest of your trip. Having married into a Japanese family and made his home in Kansai, he explains everyday customs from the inside. Half day ¥45,600, full day ¥69,600, per private party.