35 Things To Know Before Visiting Japan For The First Time

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Japan is one of the most popular places to visit in Asia and there are so many reasons why! It’s a great destination to visit with kids, with so many incredible things to see and do, no matter your age. However, there are quite a few things to know before visiting Japan so we have put together the best Japan travel tips to help make you fit in, almost like a local!

A trip to Japan is truly a culture shock but in the best kind of way. The Japanese are a polite nation and if you’re visiting from somewhere like Australia, like us, you will instantly notice quite a few differences that might shock you on your first Japan visit.

Essential Things To Know Before Visiting Japan (To Avoid Travel Blunders)

This guide will help prepare you with Japanese etiquette and a few tips to make your first visit to Japan much easier. They will also help minimise the culture shock if it is your first time in Asia (although often that’s one of the most fun parts of travel).

You might also like to read how much our Japan trip cost to get an idea of what to budget for your Japan trip.

1. Bring Cash

Japan is still largely a cash-based society, especially in smaller towns, at smaller businesses or at traditional establishments. While big cities like Tokyo accept credit cards in many places, it’s wise to carry cash.

ATMs in convenience stores like 7-Eleven and Lawson accept international cards and can offer competitive exchange rates.

Even in the big cities, many of the more traditional attractions such as temples and shrines will only accept cash payments so having both to use will make your time easier.

2. Get An eSIM or Pocket WiFi

Free Wi-Fi isn’t always easy to find, especially outside major cities. Renting a pocket Wi-Fi or purchasing a SIM card upon arrival will ensure you stay connected.

We used Airalo eSims for our Japan itinerary and they were fantastic! Their instructions for set-up are fairly easy to follow and we had coverage everywhere. This was important considering we kicked off our trip at Disneyland and needed to use the app in the park. Best of all, you can set it up before you leave home

If in doubt, make sure you download Google Translate! That app is a huge help with the potential language barrier, especially for reading signs and supermarket labels but also to communicate with locals.

4. Shoes Off Indoors

It’s customary to remove your shoes before entering someone’s home in Japan, including certain traditional Japanese inns (Ryokan), temples, and sometimes even restaurants. If you see a step up at the entrance or a shoe rack, take it as a cue.

Some hotels will provide house shoes for you to wear. We had some especially comfortable rubber house slippers for our stay at a Ryokan in Hakone. Now I want a pair for home!

5. Be Quiet On The Public Transport System

The train system in Japan is awesome! You can get almost anywhere, pretty quickly, but the trains do get busy, especially during rush hour traffic when locals are heading to work.

One thing you might notice while on public transport is how quiet everyone is. While you can speak, keep your voice to a whisper so you don’t disturb other passengers and especially don’t talk on the phone while on public transport.

I know staying completely silent while riding a train with kids is near impossible. Especially when your kids are in awe of what they see. No one is going to get annoyed at a child asking questions, but try to keep the volume down as best as you can.

6. Avoid Public Transport During Peak Hour

If you are travelling between cities with your luggage, avoid the peak-hour trains if you can. This isn’t always possible but it will make your trip much less stressful if you’re not struggling to find space for yourself and your suitcases.

During these times, you might like to consider alternative transport like the limousine bus is a great option from the airport to many popular tourist accommodation areas.

7. Send Your Luggage Ahead

One really cool thing that can make your transit easier is using a luggage delivery service within Japan. This can be organised through many hotels or supermarkets where you fill in the delivery slip and your luggage is delivered to your next hotel for you.

This can sometimes be a next-day delivery so this is something to be mindful of but if you’ve got a carry-on bag with your essentials, this can certainly make it easier to navigate the public transport without lugging suitcases upstairs!

Seriously, Japan is living in the future in so many ways! Genius!

Make sure you don’t forget the essentials – check out our guide for what to pack for Japan!

8. Use Luggage Lockers

If forwarding on your luggage makes you nervous, there’s another alternative that can be really handy. Most train stations and many shopping centres will have lockers that are big enough to fit most suitcases.

This is a great option if you’re in transit and want to stop somewhere along the way. We did this for our visit to Nara, leaving Kyoto and heading to Osaka after.

These luggage lockers are also great if you are checking out of a hotel early in the day but aren’t leaving the city immediately, or on the day you fly out and have some spare hours to sightsee.

9. Don’t Walk And Eat

It is considered rude to eat while walking in Japan. For us here in Australia, it’s not uncommon to grab a bite to eat and continue on our way, food in hand. But that’s not the norm in Japan.

In most places where you can buy food, there will be some chairs or a small area to stand nearby while you eat your food. Alternatively, you might like to take your food back to your hotel if you are nearby.

10. Where’s The Trash Can?

And that brings us to the next one which is possibly one of the things we found most strange in Japan – you will struggle to find a trash can!

Japan is such a clean and tidy country which is incredible, yet also surprising when they don’t have trash cans on every corner like many other countries do. Instead, it is expected that you will take your rubbish with you until you get back to your hotel or until you do find a trash can somewhere such as 7-Eleven.

We took nappy disposable bags with us for this purpose. We use them at home for the kitty litter and they are great size to keep in your day bag and fill with your litter while out and about until you can dispose of everything.

When you do find a trash can, you will often notice that Japan has strict trash separation rules (combustible/burnable, recyclable, etc.). Follow the labelling carefully when disposing of your waste.

11. Transport Cards

While you can purchase individual tickets for each public transport trip you take, having an IC card will make your life easier! An IC card is a rechargeable transport card but they can also be used to make purchases in a lot of other places too, much like a pre-loaded debit card.

The most common types of transport cards in Japan are Suica and Pasmo. You can get one at the airport when you arrive or at major train stations. There is a ‘Welcome Suica‘ card available for tourists, however, it isn’t refundable so be careful not to load more than you plan to use.

There are also Suica cards for kids that have the discounted transport rates (typically half the price of an adult ticket).

Alternatively, if you have an Apple phone, you can install a Suica card onto your device and tap and go with your phone instead, topping up with Apple Pay. Do this before you leave home and you will be ready to go.

12. Don’t Sit On The Ground

Another thing that is considered impolite in most situations is sitting on the ground. This is something we had to remind our kids of, since they can get very impatient when waiting in line and often sit down, much to our horror sometimes…

There are exceptions. Often people will bring blankets or picnic rugs to sit on while waiting in huge queues at places such as Tokyo Disneyland or Universal Studios Osaka. But as a general rule of thumb, find a chair or ledge instead of plonking down on the ground.

13. Cover Up

There are always exceptions to every recommendation, however when visiting another country whose local culture differs from yours, it is best to dress similar to them. In this case, most Japanese people tend to dress more modestly than we might in Western countries.

For example, sleeves rather than tank tops. Long skirts or pants rather than short shorts, and certainly no cleavage. This is especially important if you are visiting shrines and temples.

In saying that, it does get very hot so make sure you’re bringing fabrics that will help you stay cool in the heat while still being modest.

14. Respect the Rituals at Temples and Shrines

When visiting religious sites, it’s important to follow the proper etiquette, such as bowing before entering a shrine, washing your hands at purification fountains, and not taking photos where it’s forbidden.

15. Public Baths (Onsen/Sento)

Public baths are an important part of Japanese culture, and visiting an onsen or sento can be a unique and relaxing experience. However, proper etiquette is essential.

Always wash thoroughly before entering the communal baths, as cleanliness is highly valued. In many onsens, bathers are expected to be completely nude, though some places offer private baths if you’re not comfortable with the public setting.

If you have visible tattoos, you may be restricted from entering, so check in advance or inquire about tattoo-friendly options.

Some hotels will offer you a type of stick on patch to cover smaller tattoos at their discretion, but it is worthwhile to check ahead of time if the onsen experience is important to you.

We had no hope of covering up Simon’s tattoos so we accepted this ahead of time and booked a ryokan in Hakone with a private onsen.

16. Comfortable Footwear Is A Must

Even if you don’t think you’re going to walk a lot in Japan, chances are you’re going to get more than your typical daily step count during your trip. Sure, cute footwear is fun but it has no place when you’re walking 20k steps or more a day!

Bring comfortable footwear that you’ve already broken in back home. This isn’t the place to try new shoes.

We each had our comfiest pair of sneakers and the kids also had their Crocs. Considering our first full day was spent at Tokyo Disneyland, we knew we needed to be ready!

Travel Tip: Plan activities that are in the same area (there are 23 wards of Tokyo). It takes time to get between them so one big activity a day or exploring a single ward is a good rule of thumb!

18. Family Accommodation Is Not What You Might Expect

Finding family accommodation in Japan can be a little trickier than what you might be used to. A hotel might state that it is suitable for two adults and two children, but when you look closer you notice that in many of these situations, it is on a bed-share arrangement.

Japan hotel rooms often have twin beds which are smaller than the double beds we are used to back home and certainly not a comfortable choice for two adults our size. Make sure you look carefully at pictures and read reviews before you book so you don’t end up with an unpleasant surprise and tiny beds.

You will also find that Japanese hotel rooms are generally much smaller than those in Western countries so if you have a lot of luggage, this can get very squishy!

19. Put Money In The Tray

When you’re paying a cashier, don’t hand the money directly to the person. Instead, there will be a small tray on the counter where you can place the cash. They will then usually put your change in there for you to pick up as well.

I forgot this so many times during our Japan trip. Many of the cashiers will put your money in the tray first if you hand it to them, confirm you are ready to pay, then take the cash.

20. Tipping is Not a Thing

Tipping is not customary in Japan, and in some cases, it might be seen as rude. Don’t be surprised if your gesture is refused or if they chase you down to return your money.

21. Left Or Right?

In Tokyo, people stand on the left side of the escalator and walk on the right. In Osaka, the opposite is true — they stand on the right and walk on the left. confusing, I know!

Pay attention to what locals are doing and even then they sometimes seem to switch depending on where they are.

22. Avoid Pointing

Pointing at people or objects is considered rude in Japan. Instead, gesture with your whole hand if you need to indicate something.

In Japan, it’s important to be mindful of personal space and public manners. Avoid loud conversations, especially in places like restaurants and public transport. Also, blowing your nose in public is considered impolite, so try to step away if necessary.

23. Be Aware of Earthquakes

Japan is an earthquake-prone country. It’s worth familiarising yourself with basic earthquake safety, such as staying calm, moving away from windows, and taking cover under sturdy furniture if indoors.

The country has adapted well to managing earthquakes so you will find information in many places and the key is not to panic but to do what you can to stay safe.

24. Always Carry Your Passport

Carrying your passport on you at all times is a legal requirement in Japan. Copies or photos do not count so invest in a passport cover to keep it well protected during your daily travels.

25. Prepare for Smoking Rules

Japan has somewhat strict smoking regulations in public. Smoking in most public spaces, such as on the streets or in parks, is often prohibited unless you’re in designated smoking areas. However, some restaurants and bars still allow smoking indoors, so it’s worth checking.

Thankfully, this isn’t something we had to worry about and coming from a country that has strict smoking rules here in Australia, we appreciated that it was similar in Japan.

26. Convenience Stores are a Lifesaver

Japan’s konbini (convenience stores) like 7-Eleven, FamilyMart, and Lawson are incredibly useful. They offer a wide variety of fresh, tasty, and affordable food options – a few of our konbini meals were better than some of our restaurant meals.

You can also pay bills, buy tickets, and withdraw cash. Pack a reusable grocery bag to use. Most places charge for a single-use plastic bag.

Bonus Tip: If you have a load of loose change, use the 7-Eleven self-checkout machines and drop your handful of coins into the slot. It counts them for you and offloads some of those heavy coins!

27. Do You Really Need A JR Pass?

If you plan to travel around the country by train, a Japan Rail Pass (JR Pass) can save you money if you are doing quite a few longer trips. However, it must be purchased before arriving in Japan.

Additionally, if you’re staying within a certain region, look into regional passes, which might be a better deal depending on your travel plans.

IMPORTANT: The JR Pass might not be the best option for you, especially if you are doing a similar Japan itinerary to our first visit, with Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka with just a few day trips.

The JR Pass was not good value for our trip (the price has increased substantially in recent years), so we purchased individual tickets for each trip, with one bullet train journey between Hakone and Kyoto.

Many big cities also have daily metro passes that can be a great option if you’re hopping on and off the trains.

28. Download Useful Apps

Navigating Japan can be made much easier with the right apps. Google Maps will become your best friend! It is excellent for public transport directions and can you plan train routes – right down to which carriage to get on for the quickest exit or transfer.

Our other must-have apps were Google Translate, Airalo (eSim), Klook for attraction tickets and Wise for tap-and-go card payments.

Travel Tip: During our trip, I was using Google Maps and Simon used Apple Maps. Often they would give us different routes to reach a destination. Google Maps seemed more reliable most of the time, so this is worth noting if you are an Apple user.

29. Be Prepared for Early Closing Hours

Unlike many Western countries, shops and restaurants in Japan tend to close earlier, especially in smaller towns. Many restaurants may stop taking customers by 9 or 10 PM, so plan your meals accordingly.

They also open later than we are used to at home. Many shops don’t open until 10:30 or 11 am.

30. Vending Machines Are Everywhere

You will see vending machines on almost every corner in Japan. They offer a wide variety of drinks, snacks, and sometimes even small meals. It’s a great way to stay hydrated and grab a quick snack while exploring.

We were obsessed with the Coca-Cola white peach water. So refreshing on a hot day and it tastes just like a real peach. I already miss my daily peach water fix!

31. Politeness and Bowing

Bowing is a key aspect of Japanese etiquette. You don’t need to bow as deeply as locals, but a slight bow when greeting, thanking, or saying goodbye is appreciated. If someone bows to you, it’s polite to return the gesture.

32. Hot, Humid Summers and Rainy Season

Japan can be extremely hot and humid during Summer, particularly in cities like Tokyo and Osaka.

What we didn’t expect was the weather to be so hot still in September.

The rainy season (usually June to July) brings heavy showers, so pack accordingly. If you’re visiting during Summer, stay hydrated and carry an umbrella or raincoat just in case.

It’s also worth noting that certain times of the year are extra busy – Golden Week (a series of 4 national holidays at the end of April/beginning of May) and cherry blossom season.

The best time to visit Japan is between March and May (outside of Golden Week) and October to November.

33. Safety in Japan

Japan is one of the safest countries in the world. However, like anywhere, it’s always smart to stay aware of your surroundings, especially in crowded areas. You will likely find that crime rates are very low, and it’s common for people to leave their belongings unattended without worry.

For example, the night we arrived at Narita Airport, we booked a private transfer to our hotel as it was fairly late. He left his van completely unlocked with doors and boot all wide open while waiting inside the terminal for us.

34. Japanese Time is Punctual Time

The Japanese are known for their punctuality, and it’s something travellers should take seriously. Trains, buses, and other forms of transportation leave exactly on time, so be sure to arrive early.

35. Japanese Toilets

Japan is famous for its high-tech toilets, with features like heated seats, bidets, and even music to mask sounds. However, you might also come across traditional squat toilets, especially in older or rural areas. (We didn’t but it’s good to be prepared).

It’s helpful to know how to use both styles, and many public restrooms provide both options. Don’t be alarmed if you’re unsure of which button to press—some toilets have English labels or icons, but when in doubt, there’s usually a “flush” symbol!

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Japan is a captivating destination that blends ancient traditions with cutting-edge technology, offering a unique and unforgettable travel experience. It’s somewhere we can’t wait to visit again (and likely have more first-time Japan tips to add to this list).

If you’re planning your first trip to Japan and want help organising the perfect itinerary, check out our 2-Week First-Time Japan Itinerary! We’ve put together a detailed (family-friendly) guide that covers all the must-see spots, from Tokyo to serene Osaka that covers a lot of the essential highlights in between. And don’t forget to check out our Japan packing list too!

Which of these Japan travel tips most surprised you? Let me know in the comments.