Planning a vacation is a big undertaking. However, planning a trip to a different country than your own is an entirely different beast! It can be a lot more challenging to get access to the things you need when you’re in an altogether different country. Luckily, we have a good list of the things you need to plan to do before booking your trip to Japan.
Acquire an International Phone
Before you leave your home country, the most important thing to do is to be sure that your cell phone works at your destination! If your phone doesn’t work in Japan, you’ll be forced to purchase or otherwise use a phone you can find there, which is very inconvenient. Today, smartphones are the cornerstone of our navigation, shopping, and of course, communication. You’ll likely be using your cell phone to translate while you’re in Japan, too, if you need it.
If you have a cell phone that’s not locked to one carrier, you can purchase a SIM card in Japan that’ll enable it to be usable. However, if you don’t, you still have a few other options. Option one is to sign up for an international plan with your native phone carrier, as many of the larger carriers offer such programs.
Option two, on the other hand, is to purchase a cheap international phone exclusively to use in Japan. For those looking to document their trip on social media or use a translation app, this may not be the best idea, but for anyone who just needs a phone for communication purposes, this might be your best bet.
Bring Cash
While bringing a credit card without any international fees is a great idea, the fact of the matter is that most places in Japan do not accept credit cards. As such, you need to have a way to acquire more cash while you’re in Japan, too, whether that’s from making a cash advance on your credit card or having some other option with you.
Also, do note that the Japanese currency works in coins up until 500 yen. As such, you may want to have some sort of pack or purse to keep your coins in during your trip. It’s a pretty good idea to keep all of your foreign money separate from your other belongings anyway.
Your Itinerary
Of course, before you take a tourism trip anywhere, you should plan your itinerary well in advance. Japan has many different areas to see, and if you wanted to see every area of the country, you would probably max out your 90-day travel allowance! Since most travelers won’t be staying for that long, you must do your researchers on the places to go and things to see before you buy tickets or make reservations anywhere.
One thing to keep in mind is that some restaurants in Japan tend to charge cancellation fees if you make a reservation and don’t honor it. So it’s better to be conservative with the bookings you make while visiting, especially in large cities like Tokyo.
Speaking of which, there are many different places to visit in Japan, but Tokyo is the largest and most famous city you’ll likely see. Many of the commercial flights you’ll see will fly into Tokyo, so this is a great place to start or end your trip. If you plan to visit Tokyo, it’s a good idea to devote several days of your journey to exploring there, as the city itself is very large!
While you’re in the city of Tokyo, you won’t have to worry about transportation. The city is supported by an inexpensive subway system that’s very accessible to English speakers, as well as public taxis and buses. However, transportation outside the city may be a bit more complicated. Fortunately, Japan’s Shinkansen (or bullet train) travels between many of the biggest cities on the continent, making long-distance travel without a plane or car easy.
While Tokyo is undoubtedly a tourist favorite, there are many other places in Japan you’ll want to see, too! Some other areas you might want to consider adding to your itinerary include:
- Kyoto
- Hiroshima
- Koyasan
- Osaka
- Sapporo
Time Change
When planning a trip to Japan, keep in mind that you’ll likely be experiencing a considerable time change! This time change will be slightly different depending on where you depart from, but just be aware that you will likely experience some jet lag on your first day or two in the city. You may want to schedule your activities conservatively on the first day, and remember to take the time change into account when planning any reservations, too.
Activity Planning
Japan has all sorts of things to do, ranging from beautifully modern to tastefully traditional. As such, you should be planning your activities accordingly! The most tourist-friendly cities in Japan, Tokyo, and Kyoto are polar opposites of each other: Tokyo is a big, modern city full of shining lights, while Kyoto is more reserved and full of smaller, more traditional buildings.
While these definitely shouldn’t be the only two places you visit in Japan, you should also be sure to schedule your activities based on what it is you’re looking for. Are you looking for an outdoors-focused experience? Perhaps you could plan to hike Mt. Fuji while you’re there. Are you looking to enjoy all of the quirky and modern amenities that Japan has to offer? It might be a good idea to devote an extra day or two to your activities in Tokyo if that’s the case.
While you should plan a good portion of your activities before you leave, make sure to leave ample open spots in your schedule, too. You’ll want to have time to pencil things in as you run into them. These extra time slots are great for returning to your hotel and getting some much-needed rest, too.
Purchase a Rail Pass
If you plan to visit more than just one city in Japan, you might want to consider buying a Japanese rail pass. The rail pass will let you board the Shinkansen, which connects numerous towns all along the island of Japan.
The rail pass is none too cheap – it starts at about $270 for one adult for seven days, but you can buy a pass for up to 21 days for $550 – but it’ll make traveling between your various destinations a piece of cake. The rail pass can be used an unlimited number of times within the time it’s active, and you don’t need to activate it right away, either. You can purchase the rail pass early and enable it whenever you’re ready for the seven-day timer to start counting down.
If you don’t plan to leave the city of Tokyo, or even if you only plan to visit one or two Japanese cities, you might not need to purchase a rail pass. However, if you’re a tourist who’s determined to see everything Japan has to offer, it’s an excellent advantage to have!
Driving Permits
If you have any plans to rent a vehicle and drive while in Japan, you’ll need to get an International Driving Permit before your trip date. Not only will a driving permit let you drive if you’d rather not take the bullet train, but it’ll let you try Japan’s unique character-themed on-road go-karting experience.
Getting a driving permit is definitely not required in Japan. There’s plenty of public transportation to take advantage of, and walking to your destination in Japanese’s most significant cities is very common. However, there are some advantages to doing so – just make sure you get your driving permit ahead of time if you plan to!
Practice Your Japanese
Even if you’ve never studied a word of Japanese, it’s a good idea to learn some basic words if you’re going to visit the country. Many people in Japan speak English (especially in Tokyo), so you may not end up needing to use it, but it’s an incredibly useful tool to have in your arsenal if you do get in a jam.
You don’t need to learn anything fancy in Janapese to give yourself an advantage. Just a few key words and phrases can be enough to really save your hide if you get in a bind. Some vocabulary words to use and memorize include:
- Numbers and times
- Days
- Cities
- Common words, such as bathroom, hotel, food
- Question phrases, such as “What is ___?” or “Where is ___?” or “Do you speak English?”
- Greetings and gestures
Travel Insurance
It’s a good idea to purchase travel insurance before going anywhere, and this case is no different for Japan. Japan isn’t a cheap place to vacation, and if you end up getting injured or otherwise inconvenienced (perhaps you went go-karting and wiped out a bit too hard), travel insurance will help absorb that cost.
While travel insurance definitely isn’t required for going to Japan (especially if you’re looking to save as much money as possible), it’s risky to go without it. If you end up getting sick in Japan, for example, you could end up with a hefty international hospital bill to pay.
Dress Accordingly
While you don’t need to dress any differently in Japan, you’ll want to bring enough clothes that you have enough for any weather that might approach. Since Japan is an island, it’s prone to crazy storms, hurricanes, strange fluctuations in weather, and much more!
Nights in Japan also tend to get a bit cold, so don’t pack only warm weather gear – make sure to pack a few layers of different things that you can use to keep yourself warm (and dry). It’s always a good idea to check the season in Japan before you go and pack accordingly, too.
On that note, since you’ll be exploring much of Japan on foot, make sure you bring proper footwear! Comfortable shoes that won’t blister your feet are a must here, and make sure to bring some that are appropriate for rainy days, too. If you can get slip-on shoes, this is a nice bonus, since you’ll likely be taking them on and putting them on frequently.
Keep a Creative Pallet
One of the most distinctive aspects of Japan is its varied and exotic cuisine. If you don’t try some of the food while you’re in Japan, you’re missing out on half the fun! We don’t just mean restaurants, either; there are strange places to eat all over Japan that you might not have known about, such as vending machines with exotic foods and street food vendors with traditional and modern favorites.
Don’t limit yourself to the foods you already know, either! Everyone’s had ramen before in their life, and while authentic Japanese ramen is definitely something to get excited about, don’t stick to ramen for every meal you eat out, either!
Street vendors, in particular, are great to get exotic food without waiting too long or breaking the bank. Street food vendors can be found all over Japan, and they carry some of the fastest, most delicious, most iconic Japanese foods you’ll see across the country.
Once you’ve tried all the hot food you can find in Japan, don’t forget to try the snacks! Japan has a thriving snack food scene, and something as simple as a quick trip to a 7-11 in Japan will net you all sorts of fun candies, snacks, and treats that you won’t be able to find anywhere else in the world.
Take It Easy
There are a lot of things to do in Japan, and far more things to see than any one person could experience in one 90-day trip. As such, don’t rush through the experience. It’s good to make a relatively conservative list of what you’ll be doing every day. Just one significant activity per day (and potentially one or more smaller ones, if you’re feeling ambitious) is enough to occupy a single day nicely, especially if you plan to travel a long way.
Mix Modern with Traditional
Japan has one of the most exciting mixes of traditional and modern culture that you’ll see the world over. Tokyo and its surrounding areas tend to be modern and flourishing, while Kyoto and more isolated towns still hold onto a simpler, more traditional lifestyle. If you only pick one side of their culture to see while you’re in Japan, you’re missing out on half of the experience.
Japan To-Do List
Once you have all of your more significant reservations taken care of, it’s time to start thinking of all the little things you want to do while in Japan! In this section, you’ll find examples of the best and most popular activities for tourists to experience while visiting the country.
Visit an Onsen
An onsen is a Japanese hot spring, and these luxurious baths are located all over Japan! Onsens are often touted as a great health elixir, so if you’re a fan of hot, relaxing spas, you don’t want to miss the opportunity to visit an onsen while you’re in the country.
Do keep in mind that onsens are essentially public baths, and you’re expected to bathe in the nude! If this bothers you, it may not be the most excellent idea to visit an onsen. Alternatively, you can always come at non-peak hours of the day to try and minimize your chances of meeting other guests.
Sometimes, onsens can be connected to hotels, and this makes a great combination experience if you don’t mind booking your spot a bit further in advance (or, alternatively, booking at a facility further from the main cities). Predictably, these places sell out of rooms fast!
Sleep in a Capsule Hotel
Capsule hotel rooms are a relatively new, modern concept, but one that’s taken off with great success in Japan. A capsule hotel is essentially a hotel with many small, capsule-shaped rooms. In the US, you might have heard this concept called a pod hotel before, but the idea is functionally the same.
Essentially, in a capsule hotel, you can rent a small, person-sized space for a very low price for the night. Inside the capsule hotel, you might have access to amenities such as:
- A small TV
- Air conditioning
- Lights
- Electrical outlets to charge your phone
Since you’ll already be exhausted from exploring everything that Japan has to offer, a capsule hotel provides an excellent place to relax and unwind for the day. Do be aware that some capsule hotels can be loud, though, as would be expected when sleeping in close quarters with so many people. It’s a good idea to bring earplugs for the night you’re planning to stay here!
Additionally, keep in mind that capsule hotels are generally designed for one occupant each. If you’re traveling as a couple, you would need to buy two capsules for both of you to stay the night, which will affect your net cost.
The 100-Yen Store
You have most likely been to a dollar store in the US before. Well, believe it or not, Japan has its own version of the same thing! This is called the 100-yen store, and available in it are all sorts of knickknacks, small gifts, and fun items. 100-yen stores are great places to buy unique, fun, and inexpensive souvenirs for friends and family.
Watch a Sumo Match
Sumo is an ancient Japanese sport that has been practiced for hundreds of years. Sumo is an iconic sport, and Japan is the only place where you can see it done professionally! If you’re lucky enough to be in an area where one’s going on, make sure you don’t miss it.
Essentially, Sumo is an ancient type of wrestling. The object is for one wrestler to force the other to lose in one of several ways. These include:
- Forcing the other wrestler out of the wring
- Forcing the other to touch the ground with any part of his body (not including his feet, of course)
A sumo wrestler can also win a match if the other wrestler does either of the following:
- Has his mawashi, or belt, come undone
- Perform an illegal action
Sumo matches are deeply steeped in tradition and have strong ties to Shintoism. As such, watching a Sumo match is more than just going to observe a sport in action; it’s its own unique and magical experience.
Visit Mt. Fuji
We’ve already mentioned visiting Mt. Fuji once so far in this article, but can you really say you visited Japan without playing the iconic mountain a visit? Mt. Fuji is a must-stop spot on your way through Japan, and fortunately, there are many different ways you can go about visiting or seeing it.
If you’re looking for a more intimate visit with the mountain, there are guided hiking trips across the ridge that tourists can take. However, if you’re just looking for some attractive pictures, the splendor of Mt. Fuji can be clearly seen for miles around it (unless you’re unlucky enough to visit on a cloudy day, of course).
If you’re looking for an uninterrupted look at Mt. Fuji, you may have to go exploring the surrounding lands a bit. The easy-access destinations tend to be full of tourists, so if you want a clear, tourist-free photo, you might need to get a bit creative!
Visit the Bamboo Forests
Japan’s Sagano Bamboo Forest in Kyoto contains hundreds of acres of bamboo, and the sound of the bamboo rustling in the wind is one of Japan’s most beautiful and peaceful sounds. To top it off, hundreds of different shrines and temples are located within the forests, and you can visit these, as well. It’s thought that the bamboo forest can ward away demons and evil spirits.
See the Cherry Blossoms
A yearly festival in Japan hails the blossoming of the Sakura (or cherry blossom trees). The cherry blossoms bloom from April to May, and if you’re lucky enough to plan your visit to Japan for this time, you can’t miss the blossoming of the cherry blossoms.
There are many good places to see the Sakura trees bloom during the cherry blossom season. Some of the best places to visit (though keep in mind, these will likely be full of tourists this time of year) include:
- Yoshino
- Himeji Castle
- Hirosaki Castle
- Maruyama Park
- Ueno Park
Overnight in a Ryokan
We said earlier that experiencing both the traditional and the modern aspects of Japan is extremely important if you want to get the most out of your trip, and an excellent way to do so is to stay the night in a Ryokan. A Ryokan is a traditional inn in Japan complete with tatami mats, minimalist furniture, and often, beautiful views of the surrounding countryside.
One of the most significant benefits of staying in a Ryokan is the food you receive! Breakfast and dinner are served to you in your room, and the meals are enormous, multi-course endeavors that will appeal to both the most adventurous and the pickiest eaters. They tend to be a bit more expensive than a standard hotel because of the mealtime fare, but the stay is worth it!
Eat Fresh Sushi
If you’re looking for real-deal fresh sushi, you can’t get anything better than what’s available in Japan. If you like your sushi with fish, the meat you get is as fresh as can be, and many places have vegetarian and vegan options, too.
Visit the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum
If you feel like diving into a bit of history, another great place to visit is the Hiroshima Peace Museum in the city of Hiroshima. While this might be the most solemn moment of your trip, there is still plenty to see at the memorial museum. It’s full of photographs, mementos, and all sorts of information about the Hiroshima nuclear disaster.
Visit a Shrine or Temple
Ancient shrines and temples are located throughout Japan, and many of them have been standing for hundreds of years. Shrines are monuments to the Shinto religion, and they often represent local deities or guardians that watch over the people who live in the area. Temples, on the other hand, have to do with Buddhism, and many of them still house active monks.
At many shrines, you can get your fortune told or leave a note to the gods on an ema.
Visit a Cat Cafe
Cat Cafes were first popularized in Japan, and as the name suggests, it’s a cafe dining experience, just with the addition of cats! While a cat cafe visit isn’t for everyone – especially if you’re allergic to cats – it’s a great way to unwind and pamper some kitties while you have some delicious coffee.
However, if you’re feeling adventurous, don’t just limit yourself to a cat cafe. Japan has all sorts of other themed cafes available for dining, too! Some examples of these include:
- Flower cafes
- Kawaii (or “cute”) cafes
- Pokemon cafes
- Vampire cafes
- Maid cafes
If you’re intent on visiting an animal cafe, it may be best to stick to a classic cat or dog cafe, though. While Japan has animal cafes housing anything from foxes to owls, any cafe with non-domesticated animals runs the risk of being more chaotic and less ethical.