Things to know before visiting Japan

Eating and drinking on the move is an unwritten social rule most Japanese follow instinctively, even if they wouldn't cite it as a formal rule. Creators note that designated eating zones exist at markets and festivals precisely because standing still to eat is the expected norm.

Sticking chopsticks upright into rice or passing food chopstick-to-chopstick mimics Japanese funeral rites and is considered deeply offensive. Creators flag stabbing food with chopsticks as equally rude in any dining setting.

When a host or restaurant asks how a meal was, giving a lukewarm answer is considered rude. Creators advise saying it was delicious regardless, as this aligns with Japanese social norms around not embarrassing whoever prepared or recommended the food.

Talking on the phone on trains and in quiet public spaces is a well-known social taboo in Japan. Multiple creators cite this as one of the unspoken rules that most visibly marks someone as an inconsiderate tourist.

Tipping is not practiced in Japan and can cause confusion. However, bars and some restaurants charge a 'table charge' (sometimes called otoshi) that covers a small snack or seat fee — this replaces the tipping dynamic tourists expect.

Multiple creators stress that Japan uses cash far more than most Western countries, and many smaller restaurants, temples, and local shops are cash-only. Arriving without yen causes real problems.

Creators note that the yen has been at a multi-decade low, making Japan more affordable for foreign visitors in general. However, this doesn't apply uniformly — tourist-facing businesses at major sightseeing spots practice 'inbound pricing' that can negate the currency advantage.

An IC card (Suica, ICOCA, PASMO) is the single most useful item for getting around Japan — it works on almost all trains, subways, and buses. Creators universally recommend loading it as a digital card on your iPhone via Apple Wallet, so you never need to top up at a machine or open your wallet at the gate.

The JR Pass price hike means it no longer automatically saves money unless you're doing multiple long shinkansen journeys. Creators recommend calculating your actual planned routes first, and defaulting to IC card top-ups and point-to-point tickets for city travel.

Creators who guide tourists repeatedly warn that underestimating walking distances between sightseeing areas is a top rookie mistake. Booking a hotel near a major JR station keeps all transit options open and avoids expensive or slow transfers between neighbourhoods.

Osaka's subway and train network is described as 'never-ending flights of stairs.' For anyone with mobility concerns, heavy luggage, or a pushchair, switching Google Maps to wheelchair-accessible mode reveals the escalator and elevator exits — a tip most tourists never discover.

At heavily trafficked markets like Tsukiji, prices for uni and tuna can run double or triple what you'd pay at a mid-range Tokyo restaurant. Creators advise checking what things typically cost before visiting these spots so you're not shocked into overpaying.

Shinjuku's Kabukicho entertainment district has touts who may steer tourists toward bars with hidden charges or overpriced drinks. Creators document the 'scams and secrets' dynamic of these areas firsthand.

Multiple creators warn that arriving without data means fumbling with airport queues, broken Wi-Fi, and a Google Maps that won't load right when you need it. An eSIM downloaded before departure means you're connected the moment the plane lands.

Japanese people primarily use domestic apps and review systems, not Google Maps ratings. A restaurant with 5 Google stars may be popular only with tourists, have inflated prices, and longer queues — while a local favourite nearby has 3.9 stars and no wait.

Unlike in Europe or the US, Japanese restaurant staff do not return to tables to ask how things are going. This is considered respectful of your space, not inattentive. Creators advise tourists to use table call buttons or raise a hand rather than waiting to be approached.

In Tokyo ramen shops, customers are generally expected to place their finished bowl on the counter when done, as part of the fast-turnover culture. In Osaka, this is less expected due to the city's strong merchant-culture tradition of not making customers do extra work.

Tabelog is to Japanese dining what Yelp or OpenTable is in the West, with a more trusted and Japan-native rating system. It now has an English interface and reservation function, and creators cite it as the go-to platform for finding and booking quality restaurants.

At Kyoto's most photographed locations like Kiyomizudera and the famous pagoda at Yasaka, even 7:30 a.m. arrivals find crowds during cherry blossom and autumn leaf seasons. Taxis can drop you right at the entrance before 8 a.m., after which the approach roads get too congested.

At izakayas and bars in Japan, ordering beer first when a group arrives is a widely observed custom rather than a personal preference. Creators frame this as part of the social rhythm of Japanese dining-out culture that visitors should know to follow naturally.

Michelin-starred and high-demand restaurants, tea ceremonies, and popular passes like the Hakone Freepass can book out weeks or months ahead. Creators specifically flag that walking in to upscale spots is increasingly impossible and that services like Tabelog have English reservation systems.

The Japanese public holiday cluster in late April to early May causes mass domestic travel, sold-out accommodation, and significantly higher prices nationwide. Creators consistently flag this as the single worst time to visit for first-timers on a budget.

Japan's reliable luggage forwarding service lets you send suitcases from hotel to hotel (or to the airport) for around 2,000–4,000 yen per bag. This means you can travel between cities with just a day bag, avoiding the nightmare of dragging large luggage up and down station staircases.

Laundromats are found in nearly every neighbourhood and most hotels, typically costing just a few hundred yen per load. Creators say this makes over-packing unnecessary and that most visitors bring far more clothing than they actually need.