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Visiting Japan in 2024 was one of the most memorable experiences so far. In fact, for us, Japan was the most wonderful destination we visited, after Bali. As opposed to other countries, because of its unique culture, Japan requires some special preparation before visiting it. And because we want to help you, through our experiences, we put together what we think, are the most key tips and advice you must know before travelling to Japan.
Here are the key travel tips and advice, you need to know before visiting Japan in 2024
Visa and Entry Requirements
Depending on your nationality, you may not need a visa for short stays (up to 90 days) for tourism. Check the latest visa requirements on Japan's immigration website or with your local embassy before visiting Japan.
Which cities to visit
This depends a lot on the time frame you will have for your holidays in Japan. We had two weeks and it was enough for visiting the main cities. Enough, to make us realize that we do want to come back and explore Japan even in more detail than we did on our first time. Therefore, in our opinion, the following cities MUST be on your list, no matter how many days you spend in Japan. Even if you are there for one week, you still have time to briefly visit the following:
Tokyo (東京)
Why visit: As Japan's capital, Tokyo is a bustling metropolis that combines cutting-edge technology with rich tradition. It's a must-visit for those who want to experience a vibrant urban culture.
Highlights:
Shibuya Crossing: The iconic, busiest pedestrian crossing in the world.
Asakusa: Home to the famous Senso-ji Temple and traditional shopping streets.
Harajuku: Known for its quirky street fashion and youthful energy.
Meiji Shrine: A peaceful retreat in the heart of Tokyo.
Tokyo Disneyland & DisneySea: Popular theme parks for families.
Odaiba: A futuristic entertainment and shopping hub located on a man-made island.
2. Kyoto (京都)
Why visit: Known as the cultural capital of Japan, Kyoto is rich in history, temples, shrines, and beautiful gardens. It's the place to experience traditional Japan.
Highlights:
Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion): A stunning Zen Buddhist temple.
Fushimi Inari Shrine: Famous for its thousands of red torii gates.
Gion District: The traditional geisha district where you can witness Kyoto's ancient culture.
Arashiyama Bamboo Grove: A beautiful bamboo forest near the city.
Kyoto Imperial Palace: The former residence of the Imperial family.
3. Osaka (大阪)
Why visit: Known for its modern architecture, vibrant nightlife, and food scene, Osaka is a lively city that's also steeped in history.
Highlights:
Osaka Castle: A historical landmark surrounded by beautiful gardens.
Dotonbori: Famous for its neon lights, street food (like takoyaki and okonomiyaki), and entertainment.
Umeda Sky Building: An observation deck offering panoramic views of the city.
Universal Studios Japan: A popular theme park with rides and attractions.
Travelling by public transport in Japan
Public transportation is definitely the fastest and most efficient way of travelling in Japan. It is relatively cheap and generally easy to navigate, even for non-Japanese speakers.
Here are our key travel tips and advice using the public transportation, gathered by us when visiting Japan in 2024:
It’s not common to talk on the phone or speak loudly on trains. In fact, many commuters avoid conversation altogether.
Consider setting your phone on the “silent mode” to avoid disturbing others.
Always give up your seat to elderly, people with disabilities or pregnant women.
Eating and drinking are generally NOT acceptable on local trains and subways
Now you might find this awkward, but people tend to line up in an orderly fashion for trains and buses. When waiting for a subway, line up on the platform behind the marked waiting lines.
Trains and subways have cars dedicated for women (woman only!), so pay attention to this when entering the car, if you are a man.
Travelling with big lugagges in the trains and subways is not allowed during rush hours.
These are the easiest way to pay for most public transport is with the IC Cards. You just tap the card on the reader at the station entrance and exit gates. See below the IC Card which we used and we recommend!
Ticket Machines: For trains and subways, you can buy tickets from machines in most stations. You’ll typically see English-language options, or there are maps showing fare zones in the stations to help you choose your destination.
KEY TRAVEL TIP! To plan our trip from A to B, we used the following apps, available on both iPhone and Android: Google Maps (we were amazed how perfect it worked), Japan Travel and Tokio Subway.
KEY TRAVEL TIP! During rush hours, particularly in Tokyo, trains can be EXTREMELY crowded. Be prepared for packed trains, and remember that people will queue in an orderly fashion for space.
Shinkansen (Bullet Train)
One of the fastest trains in the world, travelling with approx. 320 km/h, the Shinkansen is definitely the most efficient way to travel between the cities in Japan. You can reserve your seat (if you like) or use non-reserved seating (for a lower price). We bought our tickets in advance from their website Shinkansen
Be aware that there are specific luggage areas on Shinkansen trains, and larger bags will need to be stored in designated spaces. Alternatively, you can use luggage forwarding services to send your bags ahead if you're traveling between cities. --> see detailed info below
KEY TRAVEL TIP! Buying tickets for the Shinkansen can be tricky as there is no ONE official app where you can do this... there are more, because... the Shinkansen is owned by a different company, depending on the area you are travelling to.
Luggage forwarding services
This services are something we have not seen anywhere else. This services are extremely popular and allow sending your bags between hotels, or from the airport to your hotel. You can arrange such services:
simply by asking the receptionist at your hotel as this services are available at almost all hotels in Japan
at the major train stations
at all 7-Eleven or Lawson stores
The prices for this services depend on the size and weight of your luggage and the distance it's being sent. For example, sending a standard suitcase (around 20-25 kg) between major cities like Tokyo to Osaka can cost about ¥1,500-¥2,500 (depending on size and weight).
Regarding the delivery time, luggages typically arrives the next day (or within 2-3 days for longer distances).
KEY TRAVEL TIP! We encourage you to use this services as this will give you the opportunity to explore Japan even more, by travelling light and with no worries! This services are very safe and you should make yourself no thoughts that your luggage could get lost or whatsoever.
Unique Experiences to Try
Onsen (Hot Springs): Japan is known for its hot spring baths, or onsen, especially in areas like Hakone, Beppu, and Ibusuki. Be sure to follow proper onsen etiquette: wash and rinse thoroughly before entering the hot spring.
KEY TRAVEL TIP! There are a lot of hotels which have their own Onsen. Read my article What to know about Japanese culture to find our more on this topic and to get the link the hotel with the most amazing onsen at the 50th floor!
Traditional Ryokan Stay: Consider spending at least one night in a ryokan, a traditional Japanese inn, to experience tatami rooms, futon beds, and multi-course kaiseki meals.
Dress in a traditional clothing such as the kimono and yukata in Kyoto and wander trough Gion, the old town of Kioto. The traditional attire associated with Kyoto, a city known for its rich cultural heritage and historical significance in Japan, is generally tied to Kyoto's cultural refinement and its preservation of classical Japanese traditions. The city has long been considered the cultural heart of Japan and is famous for its kimono craftsmanship. Wandering the streets of Gion, known for its historic tea houses and geisha culture, dressed in a kimono, was a unique experience for us and made us fall in love even more with the japanese culture. If you get lucky, you might even spot a Geisha taking its usual walk at mid-night.
TIP! Me and my husband rented our kimonos from Karen Kioto and we were more than happy with the whole experience. Their service was impecable. We visited them a day before the actual day of rental, chose what we would like to wear and the next day we got there and it took approx. 30 min to dress us up fully. They even make the makeup for the ladies and style your hair. Because we were in a hurry to a tea ceremony, the owner even drove us until there. So yes, we trully want to recommend his rental kimono shop.
Temples and Shrines: Japan is home to thousands of temples, shrines, and UNESCO World Heritage sites. Don’t miss iconic places like Kyoto’s Fushimi Inari Shrine or Tokyo’s Senso-ji Temple.
Unique Attractions: Explore quirky spots like teamLab Borderless (the most wonderful digital art museum we ever visited!!!) or the Robot Restaurant in Shinjuku for something truly unique.
Phone communications. Internet. Speaking with the Japanese
Even though we knew Japanese is the primary language spoken in Japan, we did not expect so few people to speak English. English seems to be still an "exotic" language, even beween most younger and in big cities. While signs in train stations, airports, and some public places are often in English, many menus and information may only be in Japanese. Nevertheless, many people working in the tourism industry DO have basic English skills.
KEY TRAVEL TIP! Translation apps are very popular in Japan and people are used to them. Download translation apps like Google Translate or the Waygo app for menus and signs to help bridge the language gap. We also used Voice Tra
KEY TRAVEL TIP! Read my article What to know about Japanese culture, to find out which are the basic Japanese phrases you need to know before visiting Japan!
KEY TRAVEL TIP! In order to have Internet and/or network on your phone, the best way is to buy an e-sim online. We used UBIGI and we could not have been happier with our decision. The internet connection worked perfectly for all our stay, everywhere, even several levels below ground, in the subways stations and it was also very affordable. It costed us approx. 30 euros for 20GB.
Money and Paying in Japan
Japan’s official currency is the yen (¥). You can exchange your home currency for yen at airports or local exchange offices.
Cash is king. Even though you would probably expect this, but there are still many places in Japan that do not accept card payments. Such places are: Entrance fees for Temples and Shrines, Entrance fees for different tourist attractions, few traditional small shops, shops at the market etc. There we definitely recommend having cash money with you!
KEY TRAVEL TIP! Best way to withdraw money in Japan, are the ATMs in 7-ELEVEN stores, which can be found almost everywhere!
Another important aspect regarding payments is that a lot of places, shops, restaurants, attractions, do not accept credit cards or the typical european/american cards. What they do accept, is the Japanese IC Card, which you can get by installing an app to your phone. It is very important to have an IC Card in Japan, if you want to ease you journey.
KEY TRAVEL TIP!!! We recommend using PASMO IC Card. It is free, installation takes under 5 minutes, it is supported by both iPhone and Android phones and it is probably THE MOST USED way of paying in Japan! Install PASMO , add your virtual card to your wallet, add money from your normal card in less than 3 seconds and you are ready to go! It is this easy!
KEY TRAVEL TIP! Japan has a strict regulatory policy about prices, so you won't have to run from a place to another trying to find the cheapest services. The prices are fair and aligned in all industries no matter the service.
KEY TRAVEL TIP! Tipping is not customary in Japan and could even be considered rude.
Safety and Health
Japan is one of the safest countries for travelers, with very low crime rates. You can walk around most places at any hour of the day or night with little concern. However, we recommend remainaining aware of your surroundings and taking care of your belongings, as you know what they say: Better safe, than sorry!
Emergency Numbers: The emergency number for police is 110, and for fire or medical emergencies, it’s 119.
KEY TRAVEL TIP! Because healthcare can be expensive for tourists without insurance, we recommend to make yourself a travel insurance.
Final Thoughts on visiting Japan in 2024 and the key travel tips
Japan is an incredibly welcoming and fascinating country to visit. By being mindful of its cultural norms, understanding practical travel tips, and respecting local customs, you’ll have a truly enriching experience. From the neon-lit streets of Tokyo to the tranquil temples of Kyoto, there’s so much to explore, and the country’s efficient public transport system will help you get there easily. Enjoy your travels!
Visit my Instagram account and check the Highlights to find out more about places to visit, restaurant tips, extra information and much more MMTRAVEL TIPS instagram
Before jumping on the booking your trip, ready my article about What to know about the japanese culture before travelling to Japan. This contains useful tips about the japanese culture which are a must know element of your trip.
Safe travels, dear traveller!
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