20 tips for visiting Japan for the first time

Japan has become one of the most visited destinations for travelers from all over the world. However, organizing a trip to Japan can be overwhelming: the language, the customs, and the cultural distance make the experience as fascinating as it is challenging. To help you make the most of it and avoid mistakes, in this post you will find 20 tips for visiting Japan for the first time.

Tips for Visiting Japan for the First Time

1. Requirements for traveling to Japan

It is important to check what you need to enter Japan depending on your nationality. Below I leave you the general information, but I always recommend consulting official sources before traveling.

Passport. You must have a valid passport with at least 6 months of validity from the date of entry into the country.
Visa. Japan allows visa-free entry for short-term stays (up to 90 days) for citizens of many countries, including: Canada, United States, United Kingdom, France, Germany, Spain, among others. Check here the requirements for all countries.
Registration on Visit Japan Web. Visit Japan is an online platform where you can pre-register your arrival in Japan. It is not mandatory, but it speeds up entry at the airport and saves you some time in line. A QR code is generated that will be requested at immigration control upon arrival.

2. Best time to travel to Japan

It is also important to define the date of your trip to Japan. Each season has something special and traveling to Japan is always a good idea. In spring you can see the cherry blossoms (sakura), which makes everything magical. The weather is pleasant, but it is also high season and there are more tourists.

In summer, the rainy season begins in Japan, and the heat can be extreme. However, it is also the time of summer festivals in the country. August and September are the months with the highest probability of typhoons.
Autumn is a good season because the autumn foliage (momiji) paints the streets orange and red. In winter you can enjoy cities with fewer people because it is low season, and it is the time to experience the snow lights and ski resorts.

3. Flights to Japan

Once you have decided the date of your trip, it is time to search for flights. I always use skyscanner to compare prices from all airlines and find the best deals.

There are many airlines that fly to Japan such as Emirates, Qatar, Iberia, Air France, Swiss, ANA, Latam, etc. The most common is that international flights arrive in Tokyo, where there are two airports: Haneda (HND) or Narita (NRT), although many flights also arrive in Osaka. I flew from Barcelona to Tokyo with Swiss Airlines (layover in Switzerland) and returned with ANA (All Nippon Airways) for about €800.

4. Buy an eSIM with unlimited data

One of the best tips I can give you for traveling to Japan is to buy an eSIM to have internet connection as soon as you arrive at the airport. This is essential for traveling in Japan since you will use your phone for Google Maps, searching for information, translating signs, finding tickets, etc. I used HolaFly eSIM and it worked perfectly during the entire trip. With my code POSTCARDSFROMIVI” you get a 5% discount.

5. Exchange cash at the airport

Even though you may think Japan is a super modern and technological country, cash is still used a lot. Some small shops or local restaurants do NOT accept card payments. That’s why I recommend exchanging money as soon as you arrive; the exchange rate at the airport is very good, contrary to what usually happens in other countries.

You can also use ATMs that accept foreign cards to withdraw cash, such as those at 7-Eleven.

6. Use the SUICA card to get around

It is very easy to move around cities using Google Maps. Major cities like Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, or Hiroshima have extensive networks of subways, trains, and buses.

The best way to pay for your rides is with an IC card, such as Suica, Pasmo, Icoca, or others. These are reloadable contactless cards that allow you to pay for almost all types of transport.

7. Book accommodation in advance

Once you have defined your itinerary through Japan, I recommend booking your accommodations. Japan is a very touristy destination and in some places capacity is limited. The earlier you book hotels, the better prices you will find. These are the hotels where I stayed during my trip to Japan:

Tokyo: Comfort Hotel Tokyo Higashi-Kanda & Shiba Park Hotel
Kyoto: Henn na Hotel Premier Kyoto Gojo Karasuma
Osaka: HOTEL MYSTAYS Midosuji Honmachi
Hakone: Mount View Hakone
Miyajima: Kikunoya
Kawaguchiko (Fuji): Toyoko Inn Fuji Kawaguchiko Ohashi

8. Buy train tickets separately

To move between cities, the best option is the bullet train (Shinkansen). It connects the entire country, it’s super fast and safe.

One option is to buy the JR Pass, a pass that includes unlimited train rides throughout Japan. It gives you access to JR trains, buses, and ferries. You can choose between a 7, 14, or 21-day pass. However, the pass is expensive and is only worth it if you are going to visit many cities in just a few days.

Train tickets can be purchased individually at the station before departure. A Shinkansen ticket for a non-reserved seat costs €65–€80 depending on the distance. On this website you can calculate whether the JR Pass is worth it or not according to your itinerary.

9. Watch out for card fees

The official currency of Japan is the yen. To avoid fees for currency exchange with your card, there are 3 cards I recommend for traveling. They are virtual accounts, although you can also request the physical card. It is super useful to have at least one of them when traveling abroad:

10. Meal times

Something I recommend when traveling to Japan is keeping in mind the meal schedule.

Lunch is usually between 12–1 pm, and by 2 pm many restaurants are already closed.

Dinner is around 7 pm, and restaurants usually open from about 5 pm–10 pm. Obviously, there are exceptions and in tourist areas you will always find some places open longer, but as a general rule, people eat earlier than in Argentina or Spain, where we usually have dinner at 10 pm or lunch at 2 pm.

Izakayas are bars where you can have drinks and order different dishes (like Japanese tapas), and they usually stay open later.

11. Try the typical food

Since we’re talking about food, something you can’t miss in Japan is enjoying its gastronomy. There are plenty of dishes to try, here are some of the most typical ones:

Tonkatsu: breaded pork, very typical throughout Japan.
Sushi: obviously you can’t leave Japan without trying good sushi. There are options for all tastes and budgets!
Ramen: one of my favorite dishes without a doubt. It’s a noodle soup usually made with pork broth, although there are also chicken and other flavors.
Curry: Japanese curry is very popular, less spicy than Indian curry and with many varieties.
Okonomiyaki: a kind of pancake with noodles, vegetables, and egg. It is very typical of the Hiroshima area.
Kobe beef
Takoyaki: octopus balls, very typical of the Osaka area.

12. Get travel insurance

It is not mandatory to purchase travel insurance to travel to Japan, but it is highly recommended. It’s always good to have medical assistance in case you feel unwell or have any problems. The basic Iati insurance costs about €50 for a 15-day trip to Japan, and if you buy it through this link you get a 5% discount.

13. Book activities and tours in advance

Just as it is recommended to book accommodations in advance, it is also necessary to buy tickets for attractions or reserve tours ahead of time. Some activities are so popular that they require months of advance booking. Below, I leave you some of the most popular ones:

Universal Studios Japan ➡️ Entrance to Universal Studios Japan
Tea ceremony in Kyoto ➡️ Book Tea Ceremony experience
Nintendo Museum ➡️ Tickets for Nintendo Museum
Disneyland Tokyo ➡️ Entrance to Disneyland Tokyo
teamLab Planets ➡️ Buy tickets for teamLab Planets
teamLab Borderless ➡️ Buy tickets for teamLab Borderless
Shibuya Sky ➡️ Shibuya Sky admission tickets
Tokyo Skytree ➡️ Tokyo Skytree admission tickets

14. Driving in Japan

If you are planning to rent a car in Japan, you need to have an International Driving Permit. This permit must be accompanied by your national license and your passport. Without this permit, you will not be able to drive, so make sure to process it in advance.

15. Tax free shopping

In Japan, foreign tourists can purchase tax-free products in many stores. This applies if you spend more than ¥5,000 in a single purchase. So bring your passport when you go shopping because they will ask for it at the time of payment. In some stores, they refund the 10% in cash, and in others it is already applied directly to the final price.

⚠️ Important: starting November 1, 2026, the Tax Free system in Japan will change completely. You will no longer receive the tax discount in-store; instead, you will need to pay the full price including tax and request a refund when leaving the country at the airport. This means keeping your receipts and allowing extra time before your flight to process the refund.

16. Useful apps for traveling in Japan

There are some apps that are essential for traveling in Japan:

Google Maps
Google Translate
Uber

17. Luggage delivery between cities or use of lockers

The best tip I can give you for traveling in Japan is: travel light. First, because it is much more comfortable to move between cities, and second, because you will want to buy things. Traveling with large suitcases can be uncomfortable, especially if you are going to take many trains.

Takkyubin (or Ta-Q-Bin): this is a service that allows you to send your suitcases from one city to another. You simply leave it at the hotel (or at a delivery point) and they send it to your next accommodation. This way you can travel light and worry-free. You can ask about this service at the hotel reception.
Train station lockers: you can leave your luggage for hours or for the whole day. It is a good option if you make a stopover or spend just a few hours in a city. For example, I left my luggage at Hiroshima station for a full day to visit Miyajima.

18. Bring a universal adapter

Bringing a universal adapter on your trips is the best option. It is much simpler than buying an adapter in every place, and you can get one for only about $15 on Amazon. In Japan, the voltage is 100V and plugs are type A and B (the two flat prongs, like in the U.S.).

19. Respect the culture

It is essential to respect the local culture and customs. In Japan, people speak quietly in public places and do not answer the phone on trains. In addition, it is not well seen to eat while walking, and there are no trash bins on the streets, so you have to keep your garbage until you find one (in general, you will find them inside convenience stores).

Leaving tips is not well seen in Japan, so keep that in mind when you go to restaurants.

It is also good to learn some basic Japanese words to be able to interact with the locals.

The Japanese are incredibly respectful and polite, and as tourists it is essential to adapt to their customs.

20. Enjoy without trying to do it all

Japan has endless things to see and do, and it is impossible to cover everything in a single trip. Don’t get frustrated about what you miss. Live each experience calmly and let the country surprise you.

Traveling to Japan for the first time is an unforgettable experience. With a bit of preparation and an open mind, you’ll be able to enjoy its traditions, modern cities, and unique culture without stress.

Need more tips for visiting Asia? Check out these posts:

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Tips for visiting Japan for the first time