Everything You Need to Know for an Epic Journey to Japan
Japan is a magnificent country where the dichotomy of tradition blends harmoniously with the metropolitan modernity. It has futuristic cityscapes, serene temple & shrines, and some of the most delicious food in the world. Now that the multi year traveled bans have ended, tourism to this enticing destination has resumed in full force. As my favorite country, we’ve taken some extensive notes and are sharing some of the cultural customs we’ve learned from our previous trips so you’ll know exactly what to expect. Here’s everything you need to know about planning a trip to the land of the rising sun!
A Brief Overview of Japan
Japan is an archipelago consisting of a long stretch of mountainous islands such as Hokkaido, Honshu, Shikoku, and Kyushu. Of the 126 million residents, almost 80% live in the central region of Honshu where you’ll find the massive sprawling city of Tokyo. One of the natural symbols of Japan is the sacred Mount Fuji, an active snow capped volcano also in this area. However there are also rural parts of Japan with more traditional atmosphere and Zen temples. Here’s a bit of info to help you decide which regions you’ll want to visit:
- Hokkaido – The northernmost island known for its abundance of natural beauty, alpine skiing, and the main city of Sapporo.
- Honshu – The largest island and most heavily populated area. Popular itineraries for first time visits to Japan will most likely be in this region. Kanto is the sub-region where you’ll find the big cities like Tokyo while the historic Kansai region has Kyoto and Osaka plus the Iconic Mount Fuji. Further south lies the Chugoku region where you can find the Hiroshima Peace Memorial.
- Tohoku – This region just north of Honshu is famous for its ski resorts and hot springs with the central hub being the city of Sendai.
- Shikoku – This is a small region known for its national parks, gardens, and shrines with Takamatsu & Matsuyama as its main cities
- Kyushu – The most southern island region includes the Ryukyu Islands and Okinawa. The climate is subtropical and Fukuoka is the largest city in the region. Okinawa is regarded as a premium beach destination often compared to as the Puerto Rico of Japan
Getting to Japan
Coming from the USA, the flight to Japan is on the complete opposite side of the world so expect an extremely long voyage, usually around 14hrs. Purchasing airline tickets is typically the most expensive part (ranging between $800 – $2000 depending on which season you book). Thanks to a 13hr time difference, the exhaustion from jet lag on your first few days will hit pretty hard so be sure to consider it while planning activities. The primary hub for international flights is Narita airport, which is about an hour from Tokyo. Haneda airport is a bit closer to the city but can sometimes be more expensive. Definitely purchase tickets well in advance to save the most money!
Japan Rail Pass
For travelers who desire to travel throughout the various regions of Japan, I would consider looking into the Japan Rail Pass. The JR pass offers unlimited rides on the super fast Shinkansen (Bullet Train) best used for visiting spread out cities. Multiple packages are available including 7, 14, and 21 day passes with prices ranging from $300 – $650 or $450 – $900 depending if you get reserved seats on the Green car or not. Single rides on the Nozomi Shinkansen can also be purchased (Tokyo to Osaka is about $100 and takes about 2.5hrs). If you’re only staying in the Honshu region and visiting the popular Tokyo-Kyoto-Osaka route, I would advise against the JR pass though. If you’re going from Tokyo to Kansai I would recommend reserving a seat on the right side to get some epic views of Mount Fuji! Buy tickets to your intercity trains here.
Best Time to Visit Japan
Japan is a year-round destination, with something exciting to experience in each season. By far the most popular season is spring, where you can catch the ephemeral cherry blossoms blooming (typically from mid March to early April). It is a beautiful sight to see but can be much more expensive and get extremely crowded. Summer is great for festivals and watching fireworks but can be disgustingly hot and humid. Fall is a good time for exploring the natural landscapes with all the leaves changing color. Winter has the illustrious illuminations around the cities plus skiing and is a more affordable time to visit however it does get pretty cold. Whichever season you decide to make your pilgrimage there’s always something to enjoy.
Peak Bloom: Cherry Blossom Season in Japan
Many tourists flock to Japan in the spring time specifically to catch a glimpse of the cherry blossom trees illuminating the country. And for good reason since watching the graceful pink & white gale of the sakura petals is a magical experience. It reminds us of the transient nature of life and how things don’t have to last a long time to leave a lasting impression. Unfortunately, the peak bloom is difficult to predict and only lasts over a 2 week period. But with some preparation and a little bit of luck it is definitely possible to see the snowy spectacle. Here’s some tips for maximizing your chances:
- Normally, the sakura are predicted to fall during the middle of March until the beginning of April in the Honshu area, but other regions can have it significantly earlier or later
- First bloom refers to 5 or 6 of the first flowers on the observational trees have bloomed, while peak bloom is the point when 80% of the tree’s flowers have bloomed which on average occurs 1 week after the first bloom
- Weekly Forecasts for peak bloom begin in January, with daily reports being updated in March as they get more of an idea on exact temperatures. Check out the official Cherry Blossom Forecast here
- Peak bloom is highly dependent on weather; the colder the climate is the later they may peak. They peaked an entire week late in 2024 due to colder than usual weather (March 30th – April 8 in Tokyo)
- Buy your tickets very far in advance! Plane tickets will be especially pricey so be prepared to book at least 6-8 months in advance (ours were $1,350 roundtrip each)
- Have a flexible itinerary and add in as many scenic viewing spots as possible. Of course we know everyone’s vacation days are limited but the longer you extend your trip in Japan the greater your chances are of seeing this ephemeral serenity
- Be sure to look up the best viewing spots for each of the cities on your itinerary. A few of the best locations for seeing the most cherry trees in Tokyo are Ueno Park, Shinjuku Gyoen National Park, and Meguro River. Also Osaka Castle in Osaka and the Philosopher’s Path in Kyoto are great vantage points
- Embrace the local tradition of hanami (flower viewing) as you enjoy a bento box lunch beneath the cherry blossom trees (if you can find a decent spot away from the crowds)
- It gets extremely busy with the influx of tourists, so be sure to wake up early if you plan to visit the most popular gardens
Transportation
Japan has some of the best methods of public transportation in the world, with the trains being particularly efficient. Despite the confusing labyrinthine of the train station can being difficult to escape, taking the train between destinations is simple, affordable, and relatively easy. Individual tickets can be purchased at the machine or with a prepaid Suica or Pasmo card at certain stations (like Tokyo Station for instance). Unfortunately the metro stops running around midnight until 5am so keep that in mind before you get too far away from your hotel.
For inter city traveling, You can take the high speed rails or the ultra fast shinkansen to save some time. Buses are also a viable option, especially in cities like Kyoto where the subway system isn’t as developed. Using the Uber app will directly call a taxi to pick you up but be warned, they are extremely expensive! And of course you’re in Japan so expect to walk A LOT!
Accommodations
There’s no shortage of sleeping accommodations options; from budget to luxurious or traditional lodging Japan has it all. At the low end of the spectrum, Capsule hotels are an incredibly cheap and innovative way to save money (as long as you’re not claustrophobic). It’s just a small bed in a coffin-like space with a public bathroom but only $45 a night to be in the heart of the city. Many high quality 4-star hotels can be found at great prices too (around $90/night). For a more authentic stay, try out a ryokan (traditional Japanese-style Inn). This includes a pretty big space with mattresses on the tatami mats, private bathroom, a public onsen (hot spring bath house), and kaiseki-ryori (an authentic Japanese multi-course meal). It is a cool experience but very expensive, we spent around $240 a night.
Expected Budget & Money Saving Tips
Overall the costs for a trip to the land of the rising Sun can be quite expensive. A 2 week stay can range between $2,700 to $4,000 per person. Fortunately it’s easy to find ways to save money and be as frugal or as extravagant as you choose. Depending on the departure point, airfare will most likely be a huge part of the budget but avoiding peak season and booking in advance can cut costs. Staying at hostels, capsule hotels, or away from the popular area can also save tons of money. Transportation costs can be managed by utilizing the public transportation system, walking more, and avoiding taxis.
Thanks to the favorable conversion rate, once you land in Japan your currency is likely to stretch much further. As of May 2024, The US Dollar to Japanese Yen exchange rate is $1 to 155 respectively so you’ll get a bang for your buck. Generally hotels and food are much cheaper while maintaining higher quality. As long as you avoid eating at too many expensive sushi restaurants, you can find extremely cheap and delicious food like rice balls at the Konbinis (convenience stores like 711). Even a giant bowl of ramen will only set you back around $3 USD!
And as long as you’re not an otaku, the temptations to buy all the random anime merch and eccentric gashapons won’t consume you. Searching for economic souvenirs at the Daiso or Don Quijote stores will also help save some cash. Some retailers offer tax free shopping so be sure to bring your passport with you! Keep in mind cash is heavily used around the country although you can still use credit cards at many shops and restaurants. I recommend withdrawing money from an ATM in the city only as you need it to avoid losing money on the exchange rates. Pack a coin purse to hold the massive amounts of coins you’ll likely accrue.
Best Tips for Avoiding Culture Shock
Japan is a nation that has been closed off to foreign influences for centuries which explains why so many of their societal norms remain intact. Here are some things to keep in mind and not do while you’re traveling around Japan to avoid sticking out as a gaijin.
- Japan is super safe, even walking around the Yakuza operated streets of Kabukicho at night felt okay
- Almost all the toilets are futuristic don’t be intimidated
- Japan has some of the cleanest cities in the world and you won’t find many trash cans so don’t litter and just hold onto trash until you spot one
- Convenience stores like 7/11, Lawsons, and Family Mart are everywhere and operate 24/7. You can find anything you need from snacks to clothes and more
- No eating while walking in the streets
- Don’t talk on the cellphone in public places like the train
- Don’t have loud conversations in public transportations
- Do not tip for anything
- When recieving something, be sure to grab with two hands
- Don’t forget to bow upon greeting someone to show gratitude
- Vending machines are everywhere and have hot & cold drinks plus other random items
- Don’t be afraid to slurp your ramen and don’t let any food go to waste
- No tattoos in public bath houses, hot springs, or onsens
- Don’t wear too much powerful cologne for going to a sushi restaurant. Also eating sushi with the hands is OK
- Japanese people are some of the kindest and polite people in the world so be as friendly as possible
- Don’t be shy to shout “sumimasen” at restaurants to get the waiter’s attention
- Bring comfortable shoes since there is a ton of walking and stairs
- Some establishments don’t allow shoes to be worn inside so remember to take them off by the door
- Don’t be late! Everything is extremely punctual so be sure to stay on time
- Trains can get very congested and be prepared for long queues at restaurants and famous landmarks which can get crowded
Useful Japanese Phrases
While a majority of citizens understand English, I was surprised at how many people weren’t completely fluent. Most signs and the subway announcements will be in English, but it always helps to know a few phrases to impress the locals. Many people in Tokyo can converse in English no problem, but in Kyoto there were much less people who spoke any English at all. Here’s just a few survival basics we were using constantly during our trip:
- Arigatou Gozaimasu – Thank you very much
- Sumimasen – Excuse me, Sorry, and to get someone’s attention
- Ohayou Gozaimasu – Good Morning
- Konnichiwa – Good afternoon
- Konbanwa – Good Evening
- Kore Kudasai – This please
- Hai – Yes
- iie (eee -eh) – No
- eigo o hanasemasu ka – Do you speak English?
- Nihongo ga wakarimasen – I don’t understand Japansese
- Itadakimasu – I humbly receive (said as a thanks before eating a meal)
- Sugoii – Amazing, wow
- Oishii – Delicious
Japan is an incredible destination where the duality of the serene Zen temples and the ever-vibrant neon lights will leave you breathless. There are so many unique customs to learn and this guide should be a good overview of the basics to display respect for their culture. Even 10 years after my initial visit I can still say it’s one of my favorite countries. There’s a lot more adventures from Japan (like our experience at Super Nintendo World or learning to use a samurai sword) coming so stay tuned! For the top 25 best things to do in Tokyo, check out our Tokyo Bucket List! For more of the most amazing meals in the world, check out this epic food tour! Thanks for reading and keep leveling up!
Check out our full Japan travel vlog for all the essential tips you’ll need before your trip!
And check out some of the best cherry blossom viewing spots from our 2024 experience!
Here’s a look inside the immersive digital art experience of Teamlab Planets Tokyo!
Check out our Digital Travel Guide: How to Save Money & Travel More! For our best tips on booking cheap flights, hotels, and the best travel hacks for saving money on your trips!
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