First Trip to Japan: What You Really Need to Know
So, you’re planning your first trip to Japan. Maybe it’s been on your bucket list for years. Or maybe a friend came back raving about sushi trains, super-clean trains, and vending machines that sell hot soup in a can, and now you're curious. Either way, welcome. We’re glad you’re here.
This guide isn’t going to give you a list of the "Top 10 Places to Visit in Japan." You've probably seen a hundred of those already. This is about helping you actually do the trip—without the overwhelm, the second-guessing, or the common pitfalls that first-time travelers run into.
Here’s what you really need to know.
1. Japan Is Safe, Clean & Efficient Because Of Its Unspoken Rules
Japan is one of the safest and most efficient countries to travel in. It’s also super clean.
These are common observations from people going to Japan for the first time.
How is Japan this way, you might be asking?
Well, Japan runs on a lot of invisible social norms. If you accidentally break one, no one will yell at you… but you may get a few awkward stares.
A few basics for Japan travel etiquette:
Don’t talk loudly on trains. Like, really. Don’t. This is also true in a lot of public spaces, so do your best to read the room.
Take your shoes off indoors when it’s expected. Many traditional lodgings, temples and even some restaurants will ask you to remove shoes.
Don’t eat while walking. It’s considered impolite in most settings. Pretty much same goes for drinking (like walking down the street sipping a Starbucks or Strong Zero)
Trash bins are hard to find. That’s normal. Carry your trash with you (in a small plastic bag, then deposit it at your hotel, at a station or at a branch of the same shop (e.g. konbini) where you bought it.
You don’t need to memorize every rule of Japanese culture, but it helps to start with the mindset of observing and adjusting as you go… aka Read the Room.
2. Don’t Try to See Everything. Seriously.
Japan has a lot to offer. It’s tempting to squeeze in Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, Hiroshima, Hakone, Nara and a day trip to Mt. Fuji into a 10-day trip. Please don’t (and you’ll thank us later).
First-timers often make the mistake of trying to do too much. They end up spending most of their time in transit, barely scratching the surface and getting superficial snapshot views rather than more in-depth Japan travel experiences. Instead:
Pick a few base cities for a 10-14 day trip.
Build in downtime.
Assume things will take longer than you think (because often they will).
Traveling slower in Japan doesn’t mean you see less. It means you actually get to experience the places you’re in.
3. Train Travel in Japan Is Great – But Not Always the Best Option
The trains in Japan are amazing. They run on time, they're clean, and the Shinkansen (bullet train) is a marvel.
But that doesn’t mean they’re always the best option. Depending on your route, flying or renting a car for a day might save you time or money.
And just because you can get a Japan Rail Pass doesn’t mean you should. The pass is no longer the automatic money-saver it used to be.
Tips:
Use a fare calculator (like Navitime or Google Maps with Japan Transit) to compare costs before buying a pass.
Look into flying between Tokyo and Hokkaido or Kyushu.
Don’t be afraid of regional buses or ferries – they can be fun, too.
4. Booking Hotels in Japan Isn’t the Hard Part; Picking the Right Ones Is
Japan has every kind of lodging you can imagine: capsule hotels, Western chains, tiny inns, five-star ryokan, Airbnb apartments & more.
But here’s what tends to trip people up:
Booking a hotel in an inconvenient neighborhood
Choosing a hotel that’s beautiful but far from transit
Getting a room that looks traditional but doesn’t work for your sleep style
Luxury needn’t be your top priority. You need the right fit for your travel style, pace and energy levels. And if you’re moving around a lot, pay attention to check-in/check-out times. They’re not as flexible as you might be used to.
5. Cash Is Still a Thing in Japan (But This Is Slowly Starting to Change)
This country is slowly catching up with contactless payments, but cash still has a strong presence in Japan.
You’ll want to:
Bring a debit card that works with Japanese ATMs (Seven Bank (at the 7-Eleven konbini) and Japan Post ATMs are the most foreigner-friendly).
Have enough yen for trains, temples, small restaurants & street markets (but avoid touristy “markets” like Tsukiji, Nishiki & Kuromon – they might take credit cards, but they’re charging exorbitant prices for inferior goods that locals have long since abandoned).
Use IC cards (like Suica or Pasmo) for convenience, not only for transportation but at many stores that don’t take credit cards but do take these prepaid/reloadable cards..
Also: your credit card might not work at every hotel or restaurant, even if it’s a major chain. Double-check before you travel.
6. Japan’s Restaurant Culture Is Different – And Great
Japan has a tremendous dining culture, but it works differently than in North America or Europe.
Tipping isn’t a thing. Don’t try.
You most often pay at the register, not the table.
Solo dining is totally normal. So is silence at the table.
Reservations can be tough. Some places don’t want to deal with tourists (thank those who came before you for causing some, ah, incidents). Others book out months in advance.
If food is a big part of why you're traveling to Japan, and you want help with how to book, dietary accommodations or avoiding the tourist traps, that's something we can assist with.
7. Don’t Rely Solely on Google Maps to Get Around Japan
Google Maps works well in Japan…up to a point. But:
It doesn’t always show platform numbers or exits.
Some stations have multiple levels and maze-like passages.
Walking directions can be misleading in rural or older areas.
When in doubt, follow signs (they’re often in English), look around, and don’t be afraid to ask station staff.
Also worth downloading: Japan Travel by Navitime, and Hyperdia (for train schedules). And the Go Taxi app (train/bus isn’t always the best way, and taxis here are relatively inexpensive especially when traveling with 2 or 3 people).
8. Bring the Right Stuff (Not Too Much of It)
You don’t need to pack your entire life. But there are a few things that make Japan travel easier:
Essentials:
A small daypack
Slip-on shoes
A coin purse (yes, really)
Travel-size toiletries (not all Airbnbs or small hotels provide them)
A pocket-sized reusable shopping bag (you’ll need it)
An umbrella (always a good idea)
Pocket Wi-Fi or eSIM if you need reliable data
What not to bring:
Huge suitcases (they’re a pain on trains)
Too many clothes (Japan has laundry options everywhere)
9. Your Itinerary Will Change—and That’s Okay
Even the best-planned trips hit speed bumps:
Trains get delayed (yes, even in Japan)
You’ll want to spend longer somewhere than you thought
Weather might affect your plans
Give yourself buffer time. Don’t stack your schedule so tightly that a missed connection or a long meal throws everything off.
And if you're working with Japan Travel Pros as your travel collaboration partner, this is where our Japan travel itinerary planning expertise pays off for you in droves.
10. Japan Travel: You Don’t Have to Do It All Yourself
There’s so much information out there. Some of it’s great. Some of it’s outdated or written for an entirely different kind of traveler than you.
If you’re:
Not a spreadsheet-lover
Traveling with family or a partner with different energy levels
Feeling overwhelmed by all the options
Worried about making a mistake that costs you time or money
...then you might want to work with someone who lives and breathes this stuff. Someone who can not only design an itinerary that fits you, but also help you avoid pitfalls and make the most of your Japan travel experience.
That’s what we do here at Japan Travel Pros. We plan, yes. But we also listen, adjust and support you through the planning & preparation process. It’s not a cookie-cutter tour. It’s your trip, done right.
If that sounds like something you’d want, feel free to reach out. We start with a no-pressure conversation to see if it’s a fit.
Bonus: Common Mistakes First-Timers Make (So You Don’t Have To)
Booking too late. Japan isn’t the kind of place where you want to wing it, especially in peak seasons.
Underestimating travel time. That 2-hour train ride might mean 4 hours door to door.
Thinking JR Pass covers everything. It doesn’t.
Skipping over logistics. Getting from a train station to your rural inn might involve a bus you didn’t know existed.
FOMO. Trying to do too much and burning out.
Your first trip to Japan doesn’t have to be a blur of temples and train rides and half-eaten convenience store snacks on a station platform. It can be thoughtful, joyful and low-stress.
You don’t need to see every castle or shrine. You don’t need to speak Japanese fluently. You just need to know what matters to you and plan around that.
And if you want help with that? You know where to find us.