Japan Travel Guide for First-Time Visitors

Japan is where ultra-modern cities meet temples, onsen towns, and centuries-old traditions. You can spend the morning at a Shinto shrine, eat Michelin-level ramen at lunch, shop in Shibuya in the afternoon, and sleep in a tatami ryokan that night. For first-time visitors, Japan is exciting but can feel a little intimidating—signage, etiquette, trains, and cashless payments all work slightly differently. The good news is that Japan is one of the world’s most organized, safe, and visitor-friendly destinations, with outstanding public transport, reliable timetables, and locals who will often go out of their way to help. This guide gives you the practical information you need to plan a smart route, budget realistically, get connected, and avoid common mistakes so you can enjoy Japan’s food, culture, and landscapes.

Cities, Towns & Attractions Popular with Tourists

• Tokyo: Shibuya Crossing, Shinjuku nightlife, Asakusa/Sensō-ji, Akihabara, Ginza, Odaiba, teamLab, day trips to Nikko/Kamakura/Yokohama.
• Kyoto: Fushimi Inari’s torii gates, Kiyomizu-dera, Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion), Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, Gion geisha district.
• Osaka: Dotonbori neon & street food, Osaka Castle, Universal Studios Japan; often paired with Kyoto/Nara.
• Nara: Todai-ji Great Buddha, deer park—easy day trip from Kyoto or Osaka.
• Hakone / Fuji Five Lakes: Mt. Fuji views, onsen ryokans, lake cruises, ropeways.
• Hiroshima & Miyajima: Peace Memorial Park & Museum, Itsukushima Shrine (floating torii); important for history-focused trips.
• Kanazawa & Takayama: Historic districts, samurai and geisha quarters, alpine scenery, Shirakawa-go village.
• Hokkaido (Sapporo, Furano, Niseko): Powder snow in winter, flowers and hiking in summer, seafood year-round.
• Okinawa: Subtropical beaches, snorkeling/diving, and Ryukyuan culture—great warm-weather add-on.

Good to Know

• Best time to visit: March–April for cherry blossoms (very popular, book early), October–November for autumn colors. Summer (June–Sept) can be hot/humid and has a rainy season/typhoons in some areas; winter is fantastic for skiing (Nagano, Hokkaido).
• IC cards & cashless: Suica/PASMO/ICOCA cards make trains and convenience stores easy. Many places now accept major credit cards and mobile payments, but small shops and countryside still like cash.
• Convenience stores (konbini): 7-Eleven, Lawson, and FamilyMart are your best friends—for ATMs, snacks, quick meals, transit top-ups, and even ticketing.
• Etiquette: Queue for trains, speak quietly, remove shoes where required, and be respectful around shrines/temples.
• Public holidays: Golden Week (late April–early May), Obon (Aug), and New Year (late Dec–early Jan) are busy and can raise prices.

Currency & Budget

Currency: Japanese Yen (JPY, ¥).

Exchange rate: In 2025, the yen has been weaker than in some previous years, which is good for many visitors, but rates move—check a live rate just before your trip.

Average daily budget (approx.):

• Backpacker: 50–80 USD/day – hostel, cheap ramen/curry, IC card for metro, fewer paid attractions.
• Midrange: 110–190 USD/day – business hotel or small ryokan, JR intercity trains, good izakaya dinners, museum/temple entries.
• Luxury: 220–400+ USD/day – high-end hotels in Tokyo/Kyoto, full ryokan experience with kaiseki dinner, Nozomi-class trains or internal flights.

Tipping: Tipping is generally not expected in Japan and can even be refused. Excellent service is standard.

Credit card acceptance: Very good in cities, malls, major hotels, and chain restaurants. Smaller family-run places, countryside ryokans, and stalls may be cash-only—carry some yen.

ATMs: 7-Eleven ATMs and post office ATMs usually accept foreign cards and have English menus. Withdraw here to avoid issues.

Best way to get cash: Bring at least one Visa/Mastercard and withdraw from 7-Eleven or post office ATMs on arrival; keep some small bills/coins for lockers, shrines, and buses.

Language & Communication

• Official language: Japanese.
• English: Signage is good in major transport hubs, and staff in tourist areas often have basic English, but not everyone speaks fluently—be patient.
• Useful tip: Have your hotel name/address written in Japanese for taxis; use Google Translate or similar for menus.

SIM cards / eSIM

• Where to get: Airports (Narita, Haneda, Kansai), major train stations, electronics stores (Bic Camera, Yodobashi), and convenience stores sell tourist SIM/data packages.
• eSIM: Widely available and very easy—buy online before you land and activate on arrival.
• Major networks: NTT Docomo, SoftBank, au (KDDI); many tourist SIMs use these networks.
• Coverage: Excellent in cities; good in most rural areas; a bit weaker in remote mountains/islands—download offline maps.

Power Plugs & Voltage

• Voltage: 100V, 50/60 Hz (lower than many countries, but most modern electronics/chargers handle it).
• Plugs: Type A and B (two flat pins, sometimes with a ground pin), same as the U.S./Canada. Travelers from North America usually do not need an adapter; Europeans/Australians/U.K. travelers will need a simple adapter.

Getting Around

• Trains: Japan’s rail network is world-class. Shinkansen (bullet trains) connect Tokyo with Osaka/Kyoto, Hiroshima, Kanazawa, and northern Japan. Reserve in advance in peak seasons.
• Rail passes: A Japan Rail Pass or regional JR pass can be cost-effective if you are doing multiple long-distance journeys in 1–2 weeks—compare the price with individual tickets.
• IC cards (Suica/PASMO/ICOCA): Tap in and out on metros, local trains, and many buses; also pay in konbini and vending machines.
• Subways & buses: Clean, safe, punctual—follow signs and platform markings.
• Taxis: Very safe, but more expensive than public transport. Doors often open automatically—do not slam them.
• Domestic flights: Useful for Hokkaido, Okinawa, and very long north–south routes.

Safety

• Overall: Japan is one of the safest countries in the world for tourists, including solo and female travelers.
• Lost property: If you lose something, there is a good chance it will be turned in—ask station staff or the police box (koban).
• Natural events: Japan is seismically active and can have typhoons—follow local alerts and transport updates.
• Health: Tap water is safe to drink; food hygiene is excellent.

Common Tourist Scams & Annoyances

• Bar/club overcharging (certain nightlife districts): Check prices before entering smaller bars in touristy nightlife areas.
• Fake “cover” or “seat” charges: Izakaya and bars sometimes add an otōshi/cover charge—this is normal, but if unsure, ask first.
• Taxi confusion: Rare, but airport/long-distance rides can be expensive—confirm the rate or use public transport.
• Temple/shrine etiquette slips: Not a scam, but watch others and follow the purification/visiting steps to avoid awkwardness.

Book your key trains and accommodations early, load an IC card, keep some yen on you, and Japan will feel surprisingly easy—leaving you to focus on sushi, shrines, and onsens.