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.

Get a Japan Rail pass

If you’re planning on travelling to multiple locations in Japan (and intend on taking lots of trains) a Japan Rail (JR) pass is totally worth it.

Basically, a JR pass allows unlimited travel on trains operated by Japan Rail. This includes the Shinkansen bullet train, rapid and express trains, local trains, JR operated buses and the Tokyo monorail.

If you’ve done your research, you’ll have noticed that JR passes are kinda pricey, so are they really worth it? This is actually something you can calculate before you commit to buying one. If purchasing single tickets to your intended destinations cost more than a Japan Rail pass, then it’s clearly worth it.

Before travelling to Japan I used Hyderdia to work out my exact route and train costs. For me, the JR pass was a clear winner considering the number of bullet trains my holiday included.

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 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

After years and years of travelling, I have only JUST discovered how helpful Google maps is when it comes to public transport. I must have been living under a rock.

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. 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. Just be prepared for the foreign transaction fees.

Note: Tipping is very uncommon in Japan and is actually considered offensive by Japanese people. By leaving somebody a tip, you’re implying that the person doesn’t earn enough money.

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