If I was asked to describe Japan in one word, it would be themostamazingcountryihaveeverbeento. Okay so that is definitely more than one word, but you get my point. Travelling to Japan was the best decision of my life.

As a destination that had been on my bucket list for many years, I did endless amounts of research before heading overseas. There was a lot about Japan that the internet didn’t tell me.

It wasn’t until I was actually in Japan that I realised what I wished I knew before heading abroad. This is why I’ve compiled a list of things you should know before travelling to Japan.

Do some research before getting a Japan Rail pass

The Japan Rail Pass can still be a fantastic value for travellers, but whether it’s worth it depends largely on your itinerary. If you plan to journey extensively across Japan, hopping from city to city or exploring multiple regions, the pass provides unlimited travel on Japan Railways (JR) trains and most Shinkansen (bullet trains) for a set period, making it a cost-effective choice. The pass is available in 7, 14, or 21-day options, it can save you a significant amount compared to buying individual tickets.

However, the pass may not be the best option for everyone. The pass does not cover certain high-speed trains like Nozomi and Mizuho Shinkansen, which could be a consideration if you plan to use these services frequently. For shorter stays or if you’re focusing on a specific region, such as Kansai or Hokkaido, regional JR passes might offer better value.

Additionally, with recent price increases (an increase of 70% compared to 2023), it’s wise to compare the cost of the Japan Rail Pass with the price of individual tickets for your specific travel plans. By carefully planning your route and calculating costs, you can determine whether the Japan Rail Pass is worth the money.

Hire a Portable Wifi Device

A common theme amongst travellers to Japan is the decision to hire a pocket wifi device. You can find free wifi in most places around Japan, however generally it is slow, difficult to connect to and requires you to create an account in order to use the wifi.

Pocket wifi saves you from having to constantly search for wifi and log into a different network at every place you go. Portable wifi devices are often easier to set up than a SIM card and are also more cost effective and convenient if you are travelling in a group or have multiple devices that require a wifi connection.

During my trip my partner and I used a device from a company named iVideo. We made an order for the device a few days before we left for our trip, picked it up when we arrived at the airport and posted it back in the mail before leaving Japan. iVideo provided a pre-paid postage bag so all you need to do is find a red post box. The device cost around AUD $40 for a month of unlimited data.

Totally worth it in my opinion.

Use Google Maps to make Public Transport easier

Google maps is an absolute L I F E S A V E R for navigating your way around public transport in foreign countries. The train system in Japan can get a little bit (very) confusing, especially at smaller stations that don’t have a lot of information written in English.

If you type your location and destination into google maps, it will tell you the recommended route for getting to your destination. It also tells you the exact time that the train departs, what platform the train leaves from and the name/numbers that will appear on the train.

For those using a Japan Rail pass, google maps tells you which train lines are JR lines. This means you can just show your pass to the attendant at the gate and won’t have to worry about purchasing a ticket.

If you don’t have a JR pass, don’t worry, Google maps will tell you exactly how much your train trip will cost. This is so so helpful as the fare charts in train stations can be extremely confusing. I used Google maps for ticket prices multiple times during my trip and never had an issue.

Take your passport if you intend on doing some shopping

If you’re planning on doing a bit of retail therapy whilst in Japan, make sure you take your passport with you! Visitors to Japan are eligible for tax-free shopping for purchases over 5000 yen. In order to make tax-free purchases you are required to show your passport when buying your items (this must be your actual passport, not a photocopy).

The consumption tax in Japan is 8%, meaning you receive an 8% discount on all purchases over 5,000 yen. If you’re a shopaholic like me, this is a dream come true.

Be aware that there are certain conditions around these tax free purchases that not everyone is aware of. Consumable items, such as food, alcohol, cosmetics and tobacco will be placed in special packaging and must not be consumed or used until you leave the country. As for general items such as clothing, shoes, handbags and electronics, this rule does not apply. You can definitely walk around Harajuku showing off your new Louis Vuitton handbag.

Always bring cash

Japan is a very cash-dominated economy and not a lot of places take card payments. It is completely acceptable to make purchases using large notes (except in smaller stores and markets of course).

The proper etiquette to make payments for items in Japan is to place your money on the tray at the store counter (making sure the notes aren’t folder). Your change is usually returned to you in the same way.

One thing that really surprised me is that most ATMs in Japan don’t accept foreign bank cards. If you do find you’re short on cash during your trip, convenience stores such as 7/11, Lawson and Family Mart are the easiest place to find an ATM that will accept foreign cards. If you plan on using ATMs a lot, make sure to use a card that doesn’t charge international ATM fees. I personally use Up Bank and have found it to be one of the best bank cards when travelling abroad.

If you have travelled to Japan before let me know your travel tips in the comments below! For those who have never been to Japan, what else would you like to know? I’d love to share more stories from my travels with you.

Until the next adventure,
Jetsetter Soph