Resources for Your Trip
First time to Japan and looking for ideas for your trip? Find some resources below!
General advice.
Download the Google Translate app (Android, iOS) onto your phone before going! Besides helping you with basic phrases, you can use it to translate Japanese signs and menus using your phone’s camera.
Be sure to bring comfortable shoes that are easy to take off and put back on. We recommend laceless walking shoes.
Weather should be around 60 Fahrenheit during the day and upper 40s at night, and will likely be mostly-sunny. We recommend wearing layers to accommodate the swings in temperature.
The Japanese tend to focus on their appearance and being fashionable. Your top priority should definitely be comfort, but this is a good opportunity to dress up a bit. (But only if you’d like to!)
If you’re traveling to Tokyo before Kyoto, try to fly into Haneda Airport rather than Narita, as it’s much closer to central Tokyo.
Don’t bring US dollars to exchange! These services provide an exchange rate and fees that are undesirable. It’s generally much better to directly withdraw yen from ATMs, which you’ll find everywhere.
Most US cell carriers offer international data passes, so a Japanese SIM card or pocket WiFi device is probably unnecessary.
Japan Rail Pass.
If you’re planning to see both Tokyo and Kyoto, the best way to travel between the two cities is by the Shinkansen (bullet train). Not only will you see more of Japanese cities and the countryside on the Shinkansen versus a domestic flight, you may even get to see Mt. Fuji if the weather is clear. Tickets on the Shinkansen can be expensive: a roundtrip ticket between Tokyo and Kyoto is currently (July 2023) approximately $200. A 7-day Japan Rail Pass is currently $215, which will give you unlimited free Shinkansen travel for one week, as well as on JR local trains and subway lines. We think it’s a good value, especially if you want to take any day trips to other cities like Nara and Osaka.
You can find more info on the Japan Rail Pass here. There are many sites that sell the pass, including this one.
Japanese etiquette.
“The foreigner pass”: Japan has a lot of social rules, but don’t sweat it too much! As long as you show respect, visitors are given some leeway by locals.
Shoes come on and off at Airbnbs, at some restaurants and when entering indoor spaces at temples. Socks should be worn at all times, as going barefoot is considered unclean.
Speak quietly while on mass transit. The Japanese are very self-conscious about making noise that will disturb others. In particular, they don’t speak on the phone while on the subway.
Keep your distance from strangers and no touching, please! Japanese people prefer to keep a large ‘personal bubble’ around themselves. They also typically don’t shake hands or hug, unless interacting with Westerners.
Avoid eating while walking. The Japanese take great care of their surroundings and believe that eating while walking will cause spills on the sidewalk.