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This translation was generated by AI and may contain wording that differs from the facts. Please check the Japanese original or official sources for anything important. Japanese original
Key points
- Lock in popular tickets and experiences — 1–2 months before
- Book your hotels — 1–3 months before (3–6 months for cherry blossom, autumn leaves and holidays)
- Sort out mobile data (eSIM is easiest) — A few days before you fly
- Plan transport (shinkansen and the Japan Rail Pass) — Once your route is set
- Money — Before you go
- Insurance and emergencies — Before you go
- Final check: packing and manners — The day before
1. Lock in popular tickets and experiences
- Ghibli Museum tickets go on sale on the 10th for the following month and sell out fast. teamLab, Universal Studios Japan and Tokyo Disney Resort all use dated tickets.
- English-friendly experiences such as kimono rental, sushi-making, tea ceremony and sumo morning practice fill up from the weekends first.
- Japanese booking sites sometimes reject foreign cards, so an international booking platform is the safer route.
2. Book your hotels
- Kyoto's cherry blossom (late March–early April) and autumn leaves (November), Golden Week, Obon and New Year push prices up two to three times and sell out early.
- Stay within a five-minute walk of a station to make luggage easy. Japanese rooms are small: with two suitcases, choose a twin or a larger room rather than a double.
- One night in a ryokan with dinner and breakfast lifts the whole trip.
Where to stay: best areas in major cities
Tokyo
| Area | Good for |
|---|---|
| Shinjuku | First-timers and nightlife; unbeatable train and airport-bus links |
| Asakusa / Ueno | Old-Tokyo atmosphere, good prices, direct trains from Narita |
| Ginza / Tokyo Station | Shinkansen day trips, shopping and upscale hotels |
| Shibuya | Youth culture, cafés and shopping |
Kyoto
| Area | Good for |
|---|---|
| Around Kyoto Station | Easy shinkansen and day trips to Nara and Osaka; lots of luggage |
| Shijo / Kawaramachi / Gion | Dining and evening walks; temples of Higashiyama within walking distance |
Osaka
| Area | Good for |
|---|---|
| Namba / Shinsaibashi | Food, Dotonbori and direct trains to Kansai Airport |
| Umeda / Osaka Station | Hub for Kyoto, Kobe and the shinkansen |
3. Sort out mobile data (eSIM is easiest)
- With an eSIM-capable phone, scan a QR code before you leave and you're online the moment you land — nothing to pick up or return.
- Pocket Wi-Fi is cheaper if several people share one, but it must be collected and returned at the airport.
- Maps, translation and transit apps use about 1–2 GB a day.
4. Plan transport (shinkansen and the Japan Rail Pass)
- The Japan Rail Pass (¥50,000 for 7 days) pays off if you ride three or more long legs, such as Tokyo → Kyoto → Hiroshima → Tokyo. For a single Tokyo–Kyoto return, regular tickets are cheaper.
- Inside cities, one IC card (Suica, PASMO, ICOCA) covers subways, buses and convenience-store payments. iPhone users can add one in the Wallet app.
- Send suitcases between hotels by courier (takkyubin) for about ¥2,000–3,000 each. Oversized luggage on the shinkansen needs a seat reservation.
5. Money
- Cards and IC cards cover most things in cities, but temples, stalls and small shops in the countryside are often cash-only. Carry ¥10,000–20,000 per person.
- Seven Bank (in 7-Eleven) and Japan Post Bank ATMs accept foreign cards.
- Tax-free shopping starts at ¥5,000 per store per day — carry your passport. No tipping.
6. Insurance and emergencies
- Healthcare is excellent but visitors pay in full; an ambulance and hospital stay can run to millions of yen. Get travel insurance, and check what your credit card already covers.
- Police 110, ambulance and fire 119. Japan Visitor Hotline 050-3816-2787 (24 h, multilingual).
- Get earthquake and typhoon alerts in your language with the official 'Safety tips' app.
7. Final check: packing and manners
- Seasonal packing lists, Japanese manners and phrases by scene are covered on the other pages of this site.
- Power sockets are Type A (two flat pins) at 100 V — bring an adapter.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Japan Rail Pass worth it?
It costs ¥50,000 for 7 days. A Tokyo–Kyoto return (about ¥28,000) alone does not pay it off; it pays when you cover three or more cities by shinkansen, such as Tokyo → Kyoto → Hiroshima → Tokyo. For one-way trips an IC card such as Suica is enough.
Do I need cash in Japan, or can I pay by card?
In cities, credit cards and IC cards (Suica, PASMO) work almost everywhere. Small shops in the countryside, temple admissions and festival stalls are often cash-only, so carry ¥10,000–20,000. Convenience-store ATMs accept foreign cards.
What are the emergency numbers in Japan?
Police 110, ambulance and fire 119, with English available. The Japan Visitor Hotline on 050-3816-2787 is 24 hours and multilingual for emergencies, illness and disasters.
Can I use an onsen if I have tattoos?
It depends on the facility. Many onsen still ban tattoos, but more allow them with a cover sticker or do not mind at all. The safe choice is a ryokan with a private bath (kashikiri).
eSIM or pocket Wi-Fi for Japan — which is better?
If your phone supports eSIM, it's the easiest choice: set it up with a QR code before you fly and you're online on landing, with nothing to collect or return. Pocket Wi-Fi is cheaper only if three or more people share one.
Where should I stay in Tokyo on my first visit?
Shinjuku is the safest pick: JR, subways and airport buses all meet there and it's lively at night. Asakusa or Ueno offer old-Tokyo charm and lower prices; Tokyo Station or Ginza suit shinkansen day trips.
How far ahead should I book hotels in Japan?
One to three months ahead is usually fine, but book three to six months ahead for Kyoto's cherry blossom (late March–early April) and autumn leaves (November), Golden Week, Obon and New Year, when prices double or triple and hotels near stations go first.
How do I get tickets for the Ghibli Museum or teamLab?
Both require dated tickets bought in advance. Ghibli Museum tickets for the following month go on sale on the 10th and sell out quickly; buy early through a platform that accepts foreign cards.
