Travel advice for Japan
From travel safety to visa requirements, discover the best tips for traveling to Japan
Book your individual trip, stress-free with local travel experts
written by Freya Godfrey
updated 27.06.2019
With its glittering royal palaces, ancient temples and sacred shrines as well as sandy beaches, some of the world’s best skiing and beautiful national parks, Japan is a country you'll want to return to again and again.
It's also a very traditional place with a strict etiquette; if you're visiting for the first time, follow our tips to make sure you don't get caught out, with more insights in our round-up of fascinating facts about Japan.
13 days / from3535 USD
Small Group Tour: Splendours of Japan
Discover the allure of Japan on our small group tour (max 16 guests). Unveil Tokyo, Kanazawa, Kyoto, Osaka, and Okayama through guided explorations. Immerse in tea ceremonies and relish in the captivating beauty of these iconic destinations. Regular departures ensure an unforgettable journey.
customize ⤍14 days / from4070 USD
Small Group Tour: Secrets of Japan
Embark on an exceptional small-group tour, available monthly, unveiling Tokyo, Hakone, Hiroshima, Osaka, Kyoto, and beyond. Uncover Japan's hidden gems, from serene shrines to bustling cities, and immerse in enchanting forests.
customize ⤍10 days / from2795 USD
Small Group Tour: Highlights of Japan
Exciting small-group tour with monthly departures. Immerse in Japanese culture, challenge a pro in a sumo suit, wander Arashiyama's bamboo groves in Kyoto, and relish a kaiseki feast with Maiko entertainment - all included in this fascinating small group tour.
customize ⤍7 days / from4000 USD
Japan highlights: Tokyo to Osaka
From Tokyo to Osaka, this Japan trip features fantastic experiences. View a sumo session, visit ancient temples, and climb the Tokyo Skytree tower. Explore the resort town of Hakone in Mt Fuji’s shadow, savor a tea ceremony in Kyoto, and see cherry blossoms, in season, to complete a wonderful trip.
customize ⤍10 days / from3000 USD
Self-Guided Adventure Tour in Japan
Immerse yourself in the breathtaking natural beauty, history, enchanting culture and warmhearted people of Japan, with our self-guided tour of Japan. Walk-through a bamboo forest, see how sake is made, join Samurai lesson, go bar-hopping in Tokyo and Osaka and extend your journey to Hiroshima
customize ⤍10 days / from6000 USD
Culinary tour across Japan
This trip takes you from Tokyo to Kyoto, where you will experience authentic Japanese foods, visit morning markets in the local cities, learn how to make Japanese food and enjoy a unique stay at a monastery. A once in a lifetime experience.
customize ⤍Always ensure that you take off your “outdoor” shoes before entering a temple or someone's house, where you'll find “indoor” shoes to change into.
You'll need to take these off, though, to walk on tatami mats (often in temples and traditional houses).
And, if you go to the toilet in a temple, restaurant or home, make sure you switch into the toilet slippers.
Geta sandals © ZulAzri Zainal/Shutterstock
You might be surprised to learn that the glorious cherry blossom, seen adorning postcards and tourist brochures from across Japan, actually only blooms in the country during sakura (cherry blossom) season.
Running roughly from the end of March to early May, it can be the most expensive time to visit, but it’s also when Japan is at its most enchanting and vibrant.
Sakura is so prized that there’s even a word for enjoying looking at it (and other flowers): hanami. Walking through parks, you’ll notice crowds gathered for hanami parties, picnicking under trees.
In fact, it can be seen as rude, and if you do tip, you may find yourself being chased by a waiter, thinking you've left your change by mistake. An alternative, if you take a guided tour or cookery class for example, is to bring a small present from your country as a token of your appreciation.
Foreigners have a reputation for being noisy in Japan, especially on public transport, so be respectful; it’s impolite to answer your phone, and, if you’re listening to music, turn the volume down low. It’s ruder in Japan to blow your nose in public than sniff, and avoid eating on the go.
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Japan’s bullet trains are an experience in their own right. They glide smoothly through the country and, incredibly fast and always perfectly on time, they’re the best way to get around.
Organise a JR Pass before you go, which can be used on all Japan railways. Be aware that, while most people will be racing through the ticket barriers on prepaid cards, you’ll need to wait at ticket barriers for someone in the station to check your pass.
These prepaid cards are similar to London’s Oyster card, and can be used on most metros and bus services and topped up in stations. You’ll have to pay a small deposit, but you’ll get most of it back if you hand your card in at the end of your trip.
The cards can prove cheaper than paper tickets, particularly on journeys involving a change of lines. Not to mention, with a card you won’t have to stop and queue to print a ticket every time you board a train.
Japanese people often wear paper face masks, and while this might look odd to you, it’s perfectly logical. It’s to keep them, and you, healthy. During cherry blossom season they’re also worn to keep allergies away.
If you need to take medication on your travels, you may also be required to take your prescription, a letter from your doctor, or even an import certificate (Yakkan Shoumei). To avoid getting caught out without your medication, check uk.emb-japan.go.jp.
It’s likely to work out easier and cheaper to reach central Tokyo and your accommodation from Haneda airport than Narita airport.
Make sure you have any addresses you’ll need to locate written in Japanese. This will make it far easier for people to point you in the right direction, or for a taxi driver to understand where you want to go (although, be aware that taxis can be expensive).
Indeed, you may also want to download a map app that you can use offline, or buy a Japanese-English map.
© taffpixture/Shutterstock
It can prove fairly difficult to find ATMs in Japan, so it’s a good idea to exchange money before you go, or to take reasonably large amounts out at a time. When you do need to take more out, head to a post office, or to a 7-Eleven or Citibank ATM.
Konbinis, or convenience stores, tend to have many of the things that visitors will need, as well as delicious steamed buns. Familymart, 7-Eleven and Lawson are the big names, and you’ll find them everywhere you go.
From gadgets and gizmos for things you didn’t even realise you needed (a chopstick-held fan for your noodles, anyone?) to the bright, brash lights of Osaka and Tokyo, plus some of the most awe-inspiring architecture and peaceful temples you’ll find in the world – Japan will have you hooked.
Explore more of Japan with The Rough Guide to Japan. Compare flights, find tours, book hostels and hotels for your trip, and don’t forget to buy travel insurance before you go.
written by Freya Godfrey
updated 27.06.2019
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