There’s nowhere on the earth like Japan.
From the second I first stepped foot in Tokyo, I felt I used to be on an entire different planet. The neon, the noise, the sheer variety of individuals: it was overwhelming, for certain, however in an exhilarating, reasonably than a terrifying, method.
I had excessive expectations for my time within the nation. Virtually all people I knew who had been to Japan had come again and introduced it was their favorite place on the earth. I puzzled if it might presumably stay as much as the hype, or if I’d constructed it up a lot in my head that I might solely be disenchanted.
I wished to put in writing this particular publish about Japan, as a result of my largest shock from my journeys right here has been simply how totally different it was to what I’d anticipated.
Everybody says Japan is bonkers, proper? That each avenue nook provides one thing outrageous, each merchandising machine sells one thing you possibly can’t even think about, and that life right here is chaotic and complicated. I used to be bracing myself for sensory overload and utter insanity.
The fact? Japan is type of, simply, regular. There are moments when it feels mind-boggling — particularly these first few days in Tokyo! — and occasions when you have got completely no thought what’s going on, but it surely’s not like that more often than not. In actual fact, outdoors of the cities, I discovered it to be extremely peaceable.
So did I really like Japan? Completely. And each time I’ve returned, I’ve fallen for this nation much more. My most up-to-date journey — exploring the little-visited island of Kyushu over three weeks — was among the finest I’ve ever taken.
At this time, I’m going to share with you what it’s prefer to journey in Japan, so that you will be extra ready than I used to be. These are my favorite sort of weblog posts to put in writing — you possibly can browse my rising assortment of them on my What’s It Like to Travel In? page — as they permit me to mix an in depth journey information with random observations, enjoyable tales, journey suggestions, and missteps to keep away from.
Let’s get began.
It’s Going to Be Overwhelming for the First Few Days
Does my picture of Osaka appear to be the precise reverse of peaceable?
Most individuals kick off their Japan journey in both Tokyo or Osaka, as that’s the place most of Japan’s worldwide flights arrive. These two cities are a few of the most overwhelming within the nation, so that you shouldn’t be shocked in case your first few days hit you with a heft dose of tradition shock.
You’ll be able to anticipate vivid lights, neon indicators, loud noises, unfamiliar smells, and crowds of individuals: that is the chaotic Japan you’ve been dreaming of.
The added downside, nevertheless, is that many travellers to Japan have taken a long-haul flight to get there and the jet lag will be brutal. I personally had the worst jet lag of my life in Tokyo, and felt like I used to be wandering round in a dream your complete time, unable to course of what was occurring round me.
The excellent news is that the sensory overload doesn’t final for lengthy, and also you’ll quickly get used to how Japan works.
Simply possibly see in the event you can add an additional day or two to the beginning of your journey to assist with the jet lag and tradition shock.
Japan Actually Isn’t That Bizarre
Now, I don’t learn about you, however after I first began planning my journey to Japan, I ready myself to see issues. Unusual issues. Unexplainable issues. Extraordinary issues.
And… I didn’t.
I arrived in Tokyo, absolutely anticipating to hit the bottom and begin taking images of a thousand peculiar sights. I deliberate on barely sleeping throughout my journey, as a result of I assumed there’d be a lot unfamiliarity to soak up.
Nope.
I landed in Tokyo and it felt like an enormous metropolis. An everyday metropolis. A well-known metropolis. Most undoubtedly a busy metropolis, however I wasn’t like, Wow! This place is ~*cRaZyYy!!*~.
Which isn’t to say it wasn’t particular — I adored Tokyo — however simply that it felt like a traditional metropolis full of regular individuals. I didn’t run into individuals cosplaying on the streets, I wasn’t served by robots in eating places, I wasn’t surrounded by outlandish vogue selections, I didn’t spot merchandising machines full of used underwear.
Actually, Japan was no extra bizarre than every other nation I’ve been to. It has some quirks, certain, however what nation doesn’t?
The Meals is Going to Blow Your Thoughts
I’m nonetheless speaking about the incredible meals I devoured in Japan!
Whether or not it was the pork rib ramen in Osaka, the crispy takoyaki in Tokyo, or the fresh-as-hell sashimi in Kanazawa, I couldn’t get sufficient of the meals I ate in Japan.
However one of the best a part of all? This nation is without doubt one of the most secure locations to be courageous with meals.
In the event you’re ever going to level at a menu and hope for one of the best, do it right here. Hygiene requirements are excessive, components are recent, and costs are low: in the event you don’t like a dish, you received’t really feel such as you’ve blown your finances on it, and also you’re not going to get meals poisoning from it, both.
I attempted all types of attention-grabbing dishes as I made my method round Japan, from pufferfish jerky to pickled quail eggs to my first kaiseki (a standard multi-course Japanese meal). In Hakone, we even ate a jet-black egg that had been boiled in scorching springs on the base of Mount Fuji.
And You Can Discover Some Really Uncommon Dishes Right here
Questioning what that’s in my picture? That, my buddies, is horse sashimi. Sure, I ate uncooked horse whereas I used to be in Japan, and it was… not good!!!
You’ll be able to even discover hen sashimi on this nation, though I strongly advise in opposition to making an attempt it, because it’s the main reason for meals poisoning in Japan, which feels very leopards ate my face.
One of the vital enjoyable facets of journey in Japan, nevertheless, was attending to pattern plenty of native delicacies, a few of which may solely actually be present in one or two cities. For instance, horse sashimi is the dish of Kumamoto, so I knew that I needed to pattern it whereas I used to be on the town.
On my first morning in Fukuoka, Dave and I wandered right into a local-looking restaurant, pointed at a set menu possibility, and located ourselves unintentionally consuming soft-shelled turtle porridge for breakfast!
The Prepare is the Greatest Technique to See the Nation
Travelling by prepare throughout Japan is such an iconic expertise. The trains are quick and punctual, the rail community is intensive, and it’s altogether a snug and handy approach to get round. It’s an enormous expense in the event you’re going to be travelling in Japan on a finances, however I believe it’s a cultural expertise that’s price splurging for.
Dave and I nonetheless speak concerning the time when our prepare from Hiroshima to Miyajima was delayed by quarter-hour. The station announcer was so apologetic that you simply’d have thought he’d unintentionally killed any individual!
Sadly, Japanese trains are costly. On our 2026 journey to Japan, for instance, I spent $150 to take the Shinkansen from Osaka to Tokyo and that was only one journey! As you may think, prices can rapidly skyrocket.
Japan does have the choice of shopping for a JR pass, which grants you limitless rides throughout the entire nation over a set time interval. For the overwhelming majority of tourists to the nation, it received’t prevent cash compared to shopping for single one-off tickets, however I truly advocate shopping for one if the distinction in value isn’t going to be a lot.
The profit is a a lot larger degree of comfort: with the ability to bounce on any prepare you’re feeling like within the unreserved carriage, not having to fret about lacking your prepare as a result of you possibly can simply take one other one, and with the ability to take a spontaneous day journey in the event you uncover someplace lovely on TikTok on the final minute. It does offer you a lot peace of thoughts, however will doubtless value an additional hundred {dollars} compared to shopping for particular person tickets.
However the Regional Rail Passes Can Save You Cash
In the event you’re not bought on the nationwide JR Move, I’d encourage you to check out the regional passes that you could purchase as an alternative. It’s possible you’ll discover that they’re a greater match to your journey.
For instance, this yr, I spent every week in Kyushu and paid ¥25,000 for a seven-day Kyushu Pass. I used it to journey from Fukuoka to Nagasaki, to Kagoshima, to Kumamoto, to and from Mt. Aso, and again to Fukuoka. The Shinkansen from Nagasaki to Kagoshima alone is priced at ¥18,000, so we simply saved tons of cash with our passes.
I additionally paid for the Kansai-Hiroshima Area Pass ¥17,000 for 5 days of utilization. This one is a no brainer in the event you plan on travelling between Kyoto, Osaka, and Hiroshima, because the Shinkansen from Kyoto to Hiroshima is priced at round ¥12,000, so in the event you’ll be doing a spherical journey, you’ll fortunately lower your expenses. Throw in a visit to Osaka or a aspect journey to Nara or Miyajima Island, and also you’ll save a lot cash!
Make Certain You Choose up an IC Card
In the event you take one piece of sensible recommendation from this whole information, let or not it’s this: get an IC card as quickly as you arrive within the nation.
Severely. The significance of an IC card in Japan can’t be overstated. On my first go to to the nation, I made a decision to not get one and it made for an unhinged Tokyo metro expertise. For instance, in Tokyo, the subway traces are operated by one among three totally different firms, so in the event you swap from one line to a different, out of the blue the only ticket to procure for one firm is now invalid.
I think about myself an skilled traveller, and but, throughout the 15-odd occasions I used Tokyo’s metro on that first journey, I didn’t handle to purchase the right ticket even as soon as. Isn’t that hilarious? As an alternative, each single ticket barrier flashed up an error and I’d must discover a employees member to assist me out, then go and pay the right amount (or typically obtain a refund)!
With an IC card, nevertheless, you possibly can freely use each single line without having to fret about logistics.
And it’s not only for the subway, and it’s not only for Tokyo.
You need to use your IC card throughout your complete nation, in comfort shops, merchandising machines, supermarkets, eating places, buses, trams, ferries, trains, and… By the top of your journey, there’s a very good likelihood your IC card will likely be your most used journey device.
So whilst you can technically journey Japan with out an IC card, I can share from expertise that it’ll make your journey wildly extra sophisticated than it must be.
Confession: I Was Baffled by Tokyo’s Metro
On our first day in Japan, Dave tweeted: “In the event you assume you’re a reliable traveller and wish to be humbled, can I counsel making an attempt to determine the Tokyo metro?”
I’ve muddled my method round a hell of numerous subway methods all over the world, however Tokyo’s was the primary to depart me properly and actually flummoxed.
To begin with, the stations are huge. Once I was staying near Shibuya station, it might often take me a strong 30-60 minutes to determine the place the best exit was! I discovered it loads simpler to seek out the platforms, as they’re significantly better signposted, particularly when you’re contained in the station.
The stations are extremely busy, too. The highest 20 busiest prepare stations on the earth are all present in Japan. Shinjuku station — the busiest — sees over three million individuals transiting via it each single day. I can’t even comprehend that many individuals passing via a single constructing, not to mention daily.
We used Google Maps to assist us navigate the metro stations, however I’d advocate being attentive to the ground quantity as you achieve this, as there’s typically many basement ranges and strolling round these won’t ever lead you to an exit!
You Should Purchase Bento Packing containers for the Prepare Rides
This was such a spotlight from my journey days in Japan.
Prepare stations throughout the nation promote bento containers to passengers, and I’ve noticed them in small native stations and all through the huge transportation hubs. You’ll be able to consider them as a little bit packed lunch, neatly full of rice, pickles, meat, fish, and seasonal greens.
They’re normally made recent each day and infrequently spotlight native specialties. Some stations even have total retailers devoted to bento containers, making it enjoyable to browse and see what every area provides.
Shopping for a bento is simple. Most shops have photos or shows, so you possibly can simply level at what appears good. Costs are affordable, parts are good for a single meal, and it’s a much more attention-grabbing possibility than the same old comfort retailer sandwich.
On lengthy prepare journeys, a bento field is a part of the expertise, letting you sit again, watch the surroundings, and revel in a style of the area. I’ll confess that these doubtless received’t be a culinary spotlight out of your time in Japan, but it surely’s a cool native expertise, so I like to recommend doing it not less than as soon as.
Attempt to Maintain Your Baggage Compact
In the event you’re going to be travelling round Japan by prepare, it’s going to make issues considerably simpler in the event you’re travelling gentle. Backpacks are additionally going to enhance your expertise in the event you’re glad to hold them, as it may be arduous to seek out elevators in prepare stations and carrying suitcases up many flights of stairs isn’t going to be enjoyable.
Dave and I normally journey with Osprey Farpoint 40l backpacks, and have taken them on all our journeys to Japan.
There are baggage racks on the finish of every automobile on the trains, however they’re truly for reserved baggage, and people seats e-book out nearly instantaneously. As an alternative, you’ll more than likely must preserve your baggage at your ft whilst you’re on the prepare. There’s overhead storage for baggage, but it surely’s a shelf and fairly small, so that you wouldn’t wish to put something huge up there.
If that sounds a bit overwhelming, I wish to reassure you that there’s a considerable quantity of legroom on the Shinkansens in Japan. As you possibly can see from my picture, I used to be greater than comfy with my backpack at my ft. In your reference the size of each mine and Dave’s backpacks are 55cm x 35 cm x 25 cm, with the depth of the bag being 35 cm.
So long as your baggage will likely be of an identical depth, try to be completely positive!
If you’re going to buy, store, store whilst you’re in Japan and couldn’t presumably journey with a carry-on sized bag, there are alternatives! Particularly, you should utilize a baggage forwarding service like Yamato Transport, the place you’ll have your luggage collected out of your present resort and despatched to your subsequent one with out you needing to fret about it.
It’s truly super-common for guests to do that, though I personally am not a fan, as it might probably typically take two days to your baggage to reach, and I do know I’d discover that inconvenient.
Don’t Overlook to Carry Money With You
The primary time I visited Japan, method again in 2018, money was king.
In 2026? Lately, I’d say that money is… prince? Haha.
The excellent news is that cities are extra card-friendly than ever: most accommodations, large eating places, and retailers now take bank cards and contactless funds. I used my card at fancy sushi spots in Tokyo with zero points. Then again, small eating places, temples, rural retailers, markets, and avenue stalls typically nonetheless desire money — or solely settle for money — so carrying some yen saves you stress.
Small payments and cash are helpful, too, as many tiny cafes, meals stalls, and merchandising machines can’t give change for large notes. I’ve awkwardly fumbled 10,000-yen payments at a ramen store earlier than: it’s all a part of the expertise, however having smaller payments avoids that panic.
I usually ensure I’ve round ¥15,000 in money with me always, simply in case, and top-up my stash utilizing the ATMs from 7-Eleven (they’ve one of the best charges and work with overseas playing cards).
There’s No Must Go away a Tip
I’m taking a look at you, American readers!
The excellent news is that tipping isn’t a factor in Japan, and making an attempt to take action may even make issues a little bit awkward.
When Dave and I discovered ourselves with a surplus of cash that have been weighing us down, we left them on the desk in a restaurant to eliminate them. A few minutes after leaving, one of many employees members chased us down on the street at hand our a reimbursement to us! I’d thought that was an city delusion after I’d heard of it taking place to different individuals.
In Japan, employees are paid a very good wage. They take satisfaction of their work and see it as a part of the job, so leaving extra cash isn’t anticipated and might result in confusion.
As an alternative of tipping, a easy thanks (arigato gozaimasu!) and a slight bow or tip of your head goes a great distance. You’ll obtain glorious service regardless, however exhibiting appreciation verbally is culturally applicable and warmly acquired.
It’s Price Getting Out of the Primary Cities
Lots of people on their first go to to Japan devise an itinerary that’ll take them to the three large hitters: Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka. And whereas these cities are undoubtedly fashionable for a motive, I discovered myself having fun with the lesser-known spots simply as a lot.
Wandering round the city of Yamanouchi in freshly-fallen snow was a beautiful expertise, Takayama was the right place to find out about conventional Japanese structure, and lovely Miyajima Island was essentially the most enjoyable cease on my first journey to the nation. The fort in Okayama had far fewer vacationers than Osaka Fortress, and biking the bottom of Sakurajima volcano is one of the best factor I’ve finished within the nation.
Even in the event you don’t have an enormous period of time in Japan, I’d nonetheless advocate leaping on a day journey or two to discover outdoors of the large cities. Hit up Nara as a day journey from Kyoto, head to Hakone to see Mount Fuji, or Nikko for historic temples, as a day journey from Tokyo, or set off for Miyajima Island for some respite on a day journey from Hiroshima.
There’s a Lot of Unethical Animal Sights
Japan is the land of animals being handled badly, sadly.
As you journey throughout the nation, you’ll be struck by what number of animal cafes you possibly can go to. There’s hedgehog cafes, otter cafes, owl cafes, capybara cafes, alpaca cafes, ferret cafes, penguin bars, and the overwhelming majority of them should not doing nice issues for the animals’ well being.
In Japan, owl cafes supply the possibility to take a seat beside a tethered owl that’s been forcibly domesticated and can by no means be allowed the chance to fly. A cat cafe in Tokyo was shut down after it was discovered house owners have been preserving 60 cats inside a 30 sq. metre rom. The penguin bar in Tokyo keeps four penguins captive in a tiny enclosure behind a smoky bar.
I went to a hedgehog cafe in Tokyo and got here away feeling conflicted by the ethics of me having finished so, and determined I wouldn’t repeat the expertise.
Even visiting the snow monkeys ended up being a disappointment for me. The animals have been herded in direction of vacationers by employees, fed in an effort to preserve them from leaving the recent springs, and usually gave the impression to be distressed that they couldn’t get away.
Japan has additionally skilled worldwide condemnation for an entire host of animal welfare violations, from whaling to the Taiji dolphin hunt, and in the event you’re an animal-lover, it may be robust to course of.
If doubtful, keep away from any animal-based sights in Japan.
Japan’s Merchandising Machines are Not as Wild as You Count on
Earlier than I stepped foot in Japan, I’d heard about their merchandising machines. I knew that they blanketed the nation and might be discovered on virtually each avenue. In actual fact, there’s over 5 million of them in Japan, which suggests there’s one for each 23 individuals within the nation. Odds are, their presence will likely be one of many first belongings you discover if you first arrive.
Now, the huge, overwhelming majority of those merchandising machines promote drinks, from the delicious-but-gross-sounding electrolyte-filled Pocari Sweat to scorching espresso in a can — they usually’re a enjoyable, straightforward approach to keep refreshed whilst you’re exploring.
Almost definitely, although, you’ve heard that you will discover something in a merchandising machine in Japan. I’ve heard of merchandising machines promoting issues like puppies, stay lobsters and beetles, a Coke that freezes right into a slushy if you open it, umbrellas, surgical masks, thriller containers, pizzas, ties, wigs for canine, origami, and sure, used girls’s underwear.
In actuality, you must work arduous to discover a merchandising machine that sells any of these gadgets, so don’t anticipate to be wowed by the contents of each one you see. Almost definitely, 99% of the merchandising machines you encounter will promote the identical outdated drinks that each one the opposite ones do.
And You’ll In all probability Get Weirdly Excited Over the Bogs
Everyone falls in love with Japanese bogs! When you’ve skilled them, you’ll doubtless get residence and begin researching how a lot it might value to place one in your personal rest room.
So what’s so life-changing about them?
They’ve so many options!
Once I was in Japan over winter, I cherished that the bogs got here with a seat hotter! On high of that, there’s a built-in bidet and blow-dryer. You’ll be able to regulate the place the water sprays, the temperature of it, and the quantity of strain it applies. You’ll be able to even play music from the bathroom in the event you don’t need anyone to listen to what you’re doing in there, and a few function a deodoriser, too.
The buttons on the bathroom are pretty self-explanatory, however each single one I used had a barely totally different design and set of options, which stored issues enjoyable. Thriller rest room!
And The Bogs are All over the place
I’m an enormous fan of this side of Japan.
To my absolute delight, I rapidly found that public bogs are all over the place on this nation. Whether or not you’re visiting a vacationer attraction, strolling via a small park, and even strolling via the center of a metropolis, you’re by no means various hundred metres from a bathroom.
However greater than that, you’re by no means various hundred metres from a clear rest room. I couldn’t consider it: by no means have I been to a rustic the place the general public bogs are uniformly immaculate!
All that to say, you by no means want to fret about getting caught quick in Japan. There’s bogs everywhere in the nation.
You’ll See a Lot of Stocky Automobiles in Japan
Why are the vehicles in Japan so squished and blocky?! I should have requested Dave this query a dozen occasions as we made our method across the nation.
You’ll doubtless discover them instantly. So most of the vehicles on this nation appear to be they’ve been dropped in a automobile crusher for a second, eliminated, then positioned on the streets!
It seems, there’s a motive for it. Japan’s cities are crowded, the streets are slim, and parking areas are at a completely premium. Automobile producers subsequently design Japanese autos to maximise their inside area whereas preserving the footprint tiny.
Practicality over aesthetics, however they’re nonetheless type of humorous to see.
It’s Not as Costly as You Assume
I postpone travelling to Japan for years as a consequence of one easy motive: I didn’t assume I might afford it.
To my nice shock, it ended up being way more inexpensive than I anticipated! In whole, I averaged $100 a day whereas travelling as a part of a pair on a mid-range finances. That included transportation, lodging in accommodations and guesthouses, entrance tickets to temples and sights, food and drinks, and journey insurance coverage. I’ve undoubtedly visited dearer nations on the earth.
For extra data on my bills, try my detailed information on how much it costs to travel in Japan.
There Are So Many Completely different Sorts of Lodging
One side I cherished about Japan journey is what number of various kinds of lodging there are to remain in. I attempted to take a look at as lots of them as potential.
I stayed in a capsule resort, spent an evening in a ryokan, slept on a tatami mat flooring, frolicked in family-run guesthouses, and checked out some fairly hipster hostels.
My largest shock was studying that sleeping on a tatami mat was so comfy! I typically opted for the tatami mat rooms over Western-style bedrooms, as they’re normally a few {dollars} cheaper, they usually labored out to be simply as comfy. I truly discovered it tremendous cool to be staying in a minimalist room with none furnishings! My solely grievance was the odor of the tatami mats — most individuals find it irresistible, however to me, it smelt like I used to be sleeping in a barn.
Staying in a ryokan was one other thrilling lodging expertise. These Japanese inns are usually identified for being super-expensive, providing you with the chance to expertise a standard native way of life. You’ll keep in a tatami mat room, bathe in a communal onsen, and tuck right into a kaiseki with the opposite visitors throughout dinner and breakfast. It was one of many coolest experiences I had within the nation.
My ultimate lodging standout was a capsule resort. I stayed right here extra for the novelty than the consolation ranges, but it surely ended up being surprisingly cosy. My room had round 20 beds in small pods, all packed in collectively, however you continue to had numerous privateness. I had my very own little gentle in my capsule, my very own energy sockets, temperature management, and a curtain to shut to maintain individuals from peering in. These are a good way to economize in Japan, so I’d advocate making an attempt them out in the event you’re going to be visiting on a finances.
I Felt Tremendous-Protected in Japan
Japan has a popularity for being one of many most secure nations on the earth, and I actually by no means felt in any hazard whereas I used to be there. I felt completely protected exploring the nation alone, strolling round at evening alone, sleeping on the prepare with my luggage at my ft, and carrying my costly digicam within the open. I felt safer in Japan than anyplace else I’ve been on the earth.
Nonetheless, that doesn’t imply that it is best to develop complacent and let your guard down. As with all nation on the earth, it is best to nonetheless preserve watch over your belongings, be cautious of full strangers which might be taking a sudden curiosity in you, and watch out together with your alcohol consumption. All that good things.
My fellow feminine travellers on the market might wish to utilise the women-only prepare carriages throughout peak journey occasions to make sure you’re away from any wandering fingers — that is doubtless the one security concern you’ll encounter within the nation, though the chances of really encountering it is vitally uncommon.
Maintain your wits about you, take frequent sense security measures, and also you’ll have a beautiful time.
Yeah, You’ll In all probability Get Shrined Out
As arduous as it’s to consider, there’ll come a time in your Japan journey the place you merely received’t be capable of have a look at one other shrine.
At first, each torii gate feels magical. You’ll pause to admire the lanterns, cleanse your fingers on the temizuya with nice seriousness, be sure you bow and clap the right variety of occasions (two bows, two claps, one bow) and take roughly 571 images of the wood plaques upon which guests have written their hopes and goals.
A number of days later, you’ll enter a shrine and assume to your self, yep, that’s undoubtedly a shrine, and ponder whether or not you will be bothered taking a photograph of it.
Sadly, you’ve simply grow to be shrined out.
Now, I really like the shrines in Japan, and each time I go to a brand new vacation spot within the nation, I ensure to go to the 2 or three which might be most beloved, however if you try this day after day after day… it might probably all get a bit samey.
Really feel no disgrace if this ultimately finally ends up taking place to you; it occurs to most of us ultimately!
Winter is Going to Be Chilly
Japan will get freezing within the winter and scorching in the summertime, and the autumn months carry the typhoons.
I visited in December and was so chilly. A lot colder than I assumed I’d be. Though I confess to having little tolerance to the chilly, so most individuals wouldn’t battle as a lot as I did. Temperatures hovered across the freezing mark, and it snowed in Hiroshima and Yamanouchi. I often wore 5 layers of clothes and nonetheless spent most of my time shivering.
Visiting throughout summer season takes you to the opposite finish of the temperature spectrum. It will get super-hot in the summertime months, with temperatures hitting as a lot 40 levels (100°F) some years.
It is a vacation spot that’s greatest visited within the spring or autumn.
Don’t Concern the Onsens
One of many enormous bonuses to visiting within the winter is attending to dive into Japan’s onsen tradition.
Onsen is the Japanese phrase for warm spring, and also you’ll discover them scattered throughout this volcanic nation. Some are outdoor, some are inside, some are present in guesthouses, ryokans, and accommodations, some are in public bathhouses, some are public, some are personal, some are identical intercourse, some are combined gender.
The one rule is that you must be bare.
Eeek! I do know that numerous guests to Japan — myself included — may really feel a little bit uncomfortable on the thought of leaping into a huge bathtub with a bunch of bare strangers. I strongly advocate pushing your self a little bit out of your consolation zone, nevertheless, as a result of it’s so liberating to take action.
Have any physique picture insecurities? This is without doubt one of the greatest methods to recover from them, as a result of right here you’re in a room with individuals of each conceivable form and measurement, and completely no one is taking note of you or anybody else. They’re simply our bodies, in any case.
I jumped in an onsen nearly each evening of my journey and it was so enjoyable and comforting to take action. I additionally advocate searching for lodging with on-site onsens, because it permits you a little bit extra privateness. At my hostel in Hakone and my ryokan in Yamanouchi, I received to leap within the personal {couples} onsen with my boyfriend, which was a lot enjoyable!
In idea, you’re not supposed to make use of the onsens in Japan you probably have tattoos, though the principles have relaxed in recent times. In case you have one that may’t be coated up with a bandaid, I’d advocate trying out Tattoo Friendly, which lists tons of of Japanese onsens you possibly can go to in the event you’re inked.
Put together for the Earth to Shake, Rattle, and Roll
Japan is without doubt one of the shakiest nations within the planet, enjoying host to as many as 2,000 earthquakes per yr. That’s a mean of 4 earthquakes a day.
To not fear: the huge, overwhelming majority of the tremors are completely undetectable, and I’ve but to really feel an earthquake whereas within the nation.
On the identical time, that doesn’t imply that try to be complacent to the dangers. For instance, I visited town of Kumamoto in Might 2026 and it was then struck by a magnitude 7.1 earthquake in July 2026 that killed 40 individuals and injured 350. It actually introduced the hazard residence to me as a result of I might have simply been within the metropolis when it struck.
This doesn’t imply that I believe it is best to do something dramatic like cancel your journey or spend your total trip bracing your self for potential shakes, however I do assume it’s vital to be ready.
I’m talking from expertise right here: I grew up in a rustic that doesn’t get earthquakes so I used to be by no means taught what to do if you end up in a single. Once I then received caught up in my first ever earthquake in Taiwan, I had no thought easy methods to react, to the extent that I needed to open my laptop computer and google “what to do in an earthquake” whereas my mattress was rocking forwards and backwards. Not realizing easy methods to reply made the expertise a lot extra unsettling. So! What to do?
In the event you’re in your resort room: Defend your head and conceal beneath a sturdy desk, if obtainable. If there isn’t a desk, squat low subsequent to an inside wall (not an exterior one with home windows), and away from something that might fall on you, like a TV or portray. You possibly can maintain a cushion over your head for added safety. If the mattress is low sufficient, you would crawl beneath that as an alternative. Staying indoors is normally the most secure possibility, as you would be hit by falling particles in the event you’re outdoors and the buildings in Japan are constructed to face up to sturdy earthquakes.
In the event you’re on a prepare: These will brake robotically as quickly as they detect an earthquake so no want to fret there. Maintain on to a handrail or the seat in entrance of you in case of sharp braking.
In the event you’re outdoors: Cowl your head, transfer away from any buildings and glass, and as soon as the shaking stops, transfer to a transparent, open space with everybody else.
In the event you’re anyplace coastal: Assume there’s a danger of tsunami and deal with it with the urgency it requires. Head to larger floor, following the route indicated by tsunami evacuation indicators (these are all over the place alongside the coast).
Odds are, you’ll be utterly positive! Most individuals journey to Japan and don’t really feel the earth shaking whereas they’re there. It’s simply at all times higher to know precisely what to do within the worst-case situation
And Put together Your Ft for Strolling
I don’t know the way it occurs.
Each single time I am going to Japan, I common 25,000 steps a day. Even after I plan for a neater day. Even after I get round utilizing public transport. There’s one thing about this nation that appears to land each customer with aching soles and blisters.
On my most up-to-date journey to Japan, my highest step day was 35,000 and my lowest was 10,000 (and that’s as a result of I used to be sitting on the Shinkansen for many of the day). When it comes to distances, you possibly can anticipate to cowl 10-25 km a day of strolling (6-16 miles).
In different phrases, in the event you’re not tremendous lively in your on a regular basis life, you may wish to begin coaching to your Japan journey! Ensure you’ve received some comfy strolling footwear, to start out with, and take the time to totally break them in so that they’re not going to provide you blisters in your first day.
Strive getting out and about earlier than your journey to construct up the muscle mass you’ll be utilizing to stroll. Steadily work to extend the quantity of floor you possibly can cowl earlier than your ft get sore. The very last thing you need is to be in an excessive amount of ache to go try that shrine you’ve at all times dreamed of visiting!
Sure, the Comfort Shops are the Greatest
It’s the one factor that everybody is aware of to be true about Japan: the comfort shops are superb.
Not solely are they residence to some completely scrumptious treats (I really like the chocolate mint wheat puffs in my picture above!), however in addition they present low-cost and simple eats on the go (just like the kelp onigiri in my picture; a staple of my journey days), whereas additionally promoting baffling gadgets that you simply’re not fairly satisfied anyone genuinely eats and enjoys (squid cartilage?!).
Sure, visiting a comfort retailer in Japan is a cultural expertise, and also you’ll doubtless find yourself visiting a number of daily of your journey. The three most important choices within the nation are Lawson, FamilyMart, and 7-Eleven, and also you’ll doubtless discover one among them on each metropolis block. To my delight, all three chains promote totally different snacks to the others! My favorite was Lawson and my least favorite was 7-Eleven, however all three nonetheless have loads of offbeat, tasty gadgets to attempt.
Annoyingly, You In all probability Must Plan in Advance
Wish to eat a few of the greatest Kobe beef in Kobe? Pose for images at one of many many TeamLabs exhibitions? See Tokyo at sundown from Shibuya Sky? Go to the Nintendo Museum? Watch a sumo match? Eat at a Pokemon-themed cafe? You higher have a reservation!
This actually wasn’t a factor after I first visited Japan, so it was fairly a shock to move again this yr and realise that you simply actually can’t get away with simply spontaneously selecting what to do every day. And there was nothing I might do about it — I used to be already in Japan and most of the cool actions I used to be studying about have been already bought out.
Actually, it’s not the top of the world in the event you don’t do that, as a result of there are such a lot of superb sights in Japan that don’t require advance reservations, and I undoubtedly don’t really feel like my journey was made worse by not with the ability to do any of those hyper-popular actions. Nonetheless, if there are particular belongings you undoubtedly wish to see or do, you’re more than likely going to have to take a seat there and refresh a gross sales web page a month prematurely to make sure you get your fingers on a ticket.
I’d advocate doing all of your analysis a number of months (as some tickets go on sale 4 months prematurely!) earlier than your journey, if in any respect potential, to particularly give you an inventory of actions that require you to make a reservation prematurely. Generally, these are going to be the theme parks, themed eating places, TeamLabs or something Instagram-y, and sporting occasions.
Be Cautious With Your Treatment
There’s an entire bunch of medicine in Japan that’s unlawful, and making an attempt to carry it into the nation with out permission might end in deportation or jail time if found.
Sigh.
I’ve ADHD and travelling with my medicine makes me a legal in lots of (most?) nations all over the world. Sadly, Japan brings extra of the identical. If you wish to take ADHD medicine into the nation, that you must apply a number of weeks earlier than your departure date, and the entire course of is a gigantic ache within the ass. (I used to be flying into Fukuoka, which is a much less fashionable airport, so my utility was accredited in simply 48 hours; it might probably take longer in the event you’re flying to Tokyo or Osaka). You’ll be able to carry a most of 30 days’ price into the nation with you.
To be able to apply, I needed to write to the Japanese Narcotics Management Division and ship them a filled-in import type, export type, a letter from my physician to verify I’ve ADHD and want the medicine (and inform the NCD that my physician signed the letter electronically), and ship images of my medicine bottle from each angle, and ship a replica of my prescription. In the event you’re flying into Tokyo, you typically have to ship a photograph of your driving license to show your deal with. Oh, and it is best to ship the recordsdata individually after which e-mail the NCD on the identical time to ask for affirmation they’ve acquired mentioned emails.
Let me inform you, as any individual with ADHD… that felt like a hell of numerous hoops to leap via!
So what else can’t you simply carry into the nation? Here’s the extremely long list of controlled medications on the official authorities web site in Japan, and here’s the official application guidance with a hyperlink to the kinds to fill in. Issues that that you must get permission for embody: lisdexamfetamine, pseudoephedrine (watch out of chilly/flu medication!), codeine, and oxycodone. Be aware that you could’t carry Adderall into the nation in any respect.
The arrival course of at Fukuoka Airport was type of daunting. I needed to hand my import type to the man at immigration, who then referred to as safety to escort me right into a room, the place employees requested me about my ADHD, wished to see the medicine in my baggage, and consulted one another with critical expressions for 20 minutes whereas I attempted my greatest appear to be the alternative of a drug smuggler. Nerve-wracking, regardless that I knew I wasn’t doing something fallacious!
Carry a Bag for Your Trash!
The streets of Japan are by some means each the cleanest and essentially the most missing in bins that I’ve ever encountered. Seems, this nation hates a bin, and odds are, you’ll by no means discover one in public!
It’s fairly annoying, as you’ll typically cease off on the many merchandising machines to seize a drink, however every time you do, you’ll then end up strolling round with a bottle for the remainder of the day.
In Japan, then, I’d at all times advocate carry a tote bag with you so that you’ve someplace to retailer your garbage till you get again to your resort or discover an elusive bin. You’ll be able to typically discover small bins beside merchandising machines (uncommon), outdoors of a comfort retailer (sometimes), or inside a prepare station (commonest however not assured).
There are a number of causes for the nation’s distinct lack of bins. Japan eliminated the overwhelming majority of its trash cans again within the 90s following a sarin fuel assault on the Tokyo metro. Eradicating bins additionally cuts down on staffing and cleansing prices for whoever is chargeable for that area. And Japan’s rubbish-sorting guidelines are notoriously strict, requiring individuals to separate waste into plenty of totally different classes (burnable, non-burnable, PET bottles, and cans will all be separate, for instance) so public bins will increase the danger of individuals dumping their waste willy-nilly.
Japanese tradition is all about private duty. On this nation, residents are taught to care about shared areas from the second they begin college, with kids as younger as six cleansing their very own lecture rooms, hallways, and even bogs. That very same mindset carries into maturity: reasonably than anticipating a bin to be offered for you, you’re anticipated to easily take your garbage residence and take care of it your self.
All that to say, yeah, it’s type of a ache, however you probably have a bag with you, it’s no large deal.
Meet Kumamon
The most important shock from my most up-to-date journey to Japan was my newfound love of all issues Kumamon. As I write this text proper now, I’m certainly sporting a Kumamon baseball cap with a Kumamon mug beside me.
However what’s a Kumamon?
To clarify the phenomena, I’ve to inform you about yuru-chara, a.ok.a. Japan’s obsession with all issues mascot. Enjoyable characters will be discovered all over the place on this nation. Virtually each single one of many 1,700 municipalities has its personal mascot. So do some police departments, railway firms, authorities places of work, libraries, jails, eating places, and extra. Town of Osaka as soon as had a whopping 45 totally different mascots till the governor determined that was far too many and a few must be culled.
The explanation for this sheer variety of mascots is as a result of success of Kumamon.
Kumamon is the official mascot of town of Kumamoto: a bumbling again bear that causes havoc wherever he goes, and he’s completely pleasant. For some motive, this explicit character developed such a cult following that he’s now a full-on movie star in Japan. He received the Yuru-Kyara Grand Prix (sure, that is a contest the place residents to vote on their favorite mascot) in 2011 and his reputation has solely skyrocketed from there. Consider any potential product and odds are, there’s a Kumamon model you should buy.
Kumamon, in reality, has generated an estimated 2 trillion Yen in merch gross sales since his delivery. That’s 13 billion U.S. {Dollars}! After seeing that success, it appears like each single firm in Japan is now making an attempt to duplicate it. However after all, there’s just one Kumamon.
Odds are, you’ll spot dozens of various mascots throughout your time in Japan. It’s type of foolish, type of enjoyable, and type of dangerous to your journey finances in the event you resolve you want to commemorate your newfound love by shopping for some merch.
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