Japan

I have traveled to Japan 8x and it is a country I will never get tired of. I especially have a soft spot for Kyoto as there is so much culture, history, and yet, a modern mix to the city. I love visiting the countryside, less touristy areas, cafes, bars/breweries, cute shops, and local eats so I will be sharing these with you here!

psst…I also went to Japanese language school in Kyoto.

Need to know before traveling to Japan:

  • Mannerisms: Many Japanese people do not speak English so please learn a few basic Japanese words and learn the culture.

    • If restaurants turn you away, please do not take it personally. Many restaurants want to provide the best service and don’t feel that they can if there is a language barrier.

    • It is very quiet everywhere you go so please do not speak loudly or talk on the phone at temples, trains/buses, some restaurants. Loud conversations at Izakayas are more accepted (casual bars offering small bites and alcohol - please note smoking is usually allowed in izakayas).

    • Please respect all temples and shintos by following the rules and the signs (i.e. no taking pictures, take off your shoes)

  • Currency: Japanese Yen - many places in the big cities accept credit cards but please bring cash especially for small shops and at the countryside. There are ATMs at the convenience stores (Family Mart, Seven Eleven, Lawsons, etc.) and ATMs at the train stations.

  • Safety: It is very safe in Japan but staying vigilant is key everywhere you go. Please share your travel plans with your family/friends or better yet, your location (i.e. find my friends) with them

  • Recommended Time to Visit: All year round! It really depends which cities you are planning to go to. For example, summer (June-September) is very humid and unbearable in Tokyo and Kyoto . However, you can visit Central (i.e. Nagano) and Northern Japan (i.e. Hokkaido, Sendai, etc.) during this time as the temperature would be cool. While it may be extremely cold in Northern Japan in the Fall-Spring, it is the perfect weather to visit other cities that aren’t mountainous (i.e. Fukuoka, Osaka, Tokyo, Kyoto, etc.).

  • When to NOT go: Avoid traveling during the holidays in Japan especially Golden week (typically first week of May) because every single person in Japan has that week off and will be traveling. Not only will it be extremely crowded, but it will be more expensive.

  • Over-tourism: I understand Japan has hit an all time high for the number of visitors in a year. To combat over-tourism, I hope sharing places that are less crowded can help while supporting local businesses.

  • Public Transportation: Japan's public transportation system is arguably the best in the world, but it can be intimidating for first-timers. Google Maps is an invaluable resource for navigating the complex network of trains, subways, and buses. The app provides accurate schedules, platform numbers, and fare information in English.

    • For payment, the IC card system (Pasmo, Suica, ICOCA, etc.) is much more convenient than buying individual tickets. Better yet, you can add these cards directly to your Apple Wallet for a truly seamless experience. Simply hold your phone near the card reader when entering and exiting station gates. Remember, you must tap both when entering AND exiting the gates, as fares are calculated based on distance traveled.

    • Buses operate differently depending on where you are. In cities like Kyoto, city buses typically charge a flat fare, so you only need to tap your IC card when exiting the bus (or pay the driver when exiting). However, buses in remote areas or longer-distance routes use distance-based fares similar to trains, requiring you to tap both when boarding and when exiting the bus. If you're unsure, simply watch what locals do when boarding.

    • This tap-in/tap-out system eliminates the need to purchase individual tickets for each journey, which can be complicated as you'd need to calculate the exact fare to your destination. With an IC card (physical or digital), the correct fare is automatically deducted, and you can even use the same card for convenience stores, vending machines, and many restaurants.

  • Sim Cards: Airalo is a eSIM company that has plans ranging from 7 to 30 days. Holafly is another eSIM company that has plans ranging from 5 days to 90 days for unlimited data. For phones not compatible with eSIM, Klook is an option to order a physical eSIM.

Cities in Japan