Japan

With this being my first trip to Japan, I visited Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto over two weeks. I always wanted to visit Japan but was intimidated by the language barrier (it didn’t end up being an issue). Having traveled more in recent years, I felt more confident in navigating Tokyo, the biggest city in the world. As a lover of sushi and seafood, I couldn’t wait to try it all in Japan. My favorite aspects of Japan were experiencing such a different culture compared to what I am used to, the delicious food, and the impressive transit system. The yen was also weak in 2025, making the dollar go further and making it a great time to travel. I went off-season in early March, which came with cheaper hotels and fewer tourists. It was cold and rainy for at least half the days I visited, but I still saw everything I wanted to see. Check out our Japan travel guide below!

How we traveled there

I was in Thailand before Japan, so I flew on Thai Airlines to Haneda Airport (HND). I would fly with Thai Airlines again. They provided two meals on a 5-hour international flight plus a pillow and blanket. My partner flew Canada Air through the Narita Airport. 

I recommend taking the limousine bus from the airport instead of the train. After a long flight, it was so convenient to hop on a bus instead of figuring out multiple trains needed to get to my hotel. There was a ticket counter for the limousine bus where the staff set me up with a ticket for 1,400 yen ($9) and gave me directions to the pickup point. The pickup point was clear and right downstairs. The bus left 5 minutes later and took 45 minutes to get to the drop-off point, which was a 10-minute walk from my hotel. The bus used an underground tunnel for most of the ride, which saved us time. This was my first exposure to the city, which was exciting. I felt safe walking by myself to the hotel, and it got me excited for the next two weeks.

When traveling between cities in Japan, I used the Shinkansen Bullet Trains, which travel 200 mph. It took 2.25 hours to travel from Tokyo to Osaka and 2 hours to travel from Kyoto to Tokyo.

• You can’t book seats until 30 days before the date of your train. You can book your ticket 30 days in advance, but you will have an unreserved seat. Book seats D&E both ways for a chance to see Mt. Fuji. 
• Trains leave multiple times per hour. You can book your ticket the same day, but during the busy seasons (Spring and Fall), I recommend booking your ticket at least a few days in advance.
• If you have checked/larger luggage, you need to reserve a space for your luggage. Carry-on luggage can go above the seats.  
• It costs around $95 each way. 
• Two days before, we were able to change the date and time of our train without an additional fee. 
• Although the Shinkansen is a part of the JR line, you can’t use a Suica card to purchase your ticket. Many people use Klook to book because it is known to have a better user interface, but I used the official booking website SmartEx. I thought the user experience on their website was sufficient, and it was a bit cheaper. I recommend downloading the SmartEx app so you don’t have to go to the ticket counter. You scan the QR code at the gates before getting to the train. 
  • The train leaves at the exact time on the ticket so do not be late. I recommend giving yourself at least 30 minutes to figure out where you are supposed to be. The train stations are large and busy, so it can feel overwhelming if you are crunched for time.
  • Here are the train stations where the Shinkansen is located in each city I visited
    • Tokyo = Tokyo Station
    • Osaka = Shin-Osaka Station
    • Kyoto = Kyoto Station (Hachijo side)

I took the Kyo-Train Garaku train, a special sightseeing train from Osaka to Kyoto, also known as the’ zen’ train.

• Each car in this train is uniquely designed. The patterns used on the seats and the layout of the cars were different. One of the train cars even had a small Zen garden in it. Many train cars also have seats facing the window so that passengers can view the scenery.
• It looked like a really cool experience, but because the train was so busy (I took the mid-day 11:32 a.m. train), the unique elements in each car weren’t visible. We also had to stand for the 45-minute ride with our bags because all the seats were taken.
• Since it only runs on weekends and 4 times per day, I don’t see a time when this train would not be busy. I would not take this train again. I would either take a regular train car so I have a seat with more flexibility in the time to leave or the Shinkansen train, which only takes 20 minutes to get from Osaka to Kyoto. If you do want to experience this train, here is some information;
  • No reservation is needed, and the fare is the same as that of a regular train car. It only operates on weekends, 4 times per day. The train times can be found here. 
  • This train runs on the Hankyu-Kyoto Line, which you should look for at the train stations. In Osaka, this Kyo-Train Garaku train is at the Osaka-umeda station, and in Kyoto, the train line is at the Kyoto-kawaramachi station.

I left Japan from Narita International Airport (NRT), which is just outside of Tokyo. I flew in and out of Tokyo because the prices and flight times were better than leaving out of Osaka. I took the train from Asakusa to Narita Airport, which was the most confused I had been with their transit system. I took the correct train line going the right way, but it stopped running, so I had to switch trains, which weren’t clearly labeled. I ended up asking the train staff for assistance, which was very helpful. Follow your Google Maps and wait for the right train instead of taking the earlier train. I would also look in advance at the train times because the express train to Narita airport doesn’t come every 5 minutes like you get used to with the local trains. This was the only issue I had with their transit system; every other ride was straightforward and fast. 

• Once I arrived at the Narita Airport, it took 30 minutes to check my bag, go through security, and get through customs. The airport didn’t seem busy on a Saturday evening, but I would expect it to take longer during busier times.

Where we stayed

All hotel check-ins were at 3 p.m., and check-outs were at 11 a.m. I was able to check into a few hotels early. All our hotels provided robes and/or pajama sets, plus slippers. They all had an amenity cart with basic toiletry needs. Every hotel I stayed at had laundry machines for use with detergent. 

Bed sizes for reference

• Semi-double bed in Japan = Full bed in the United States
• Double bed in Japan = Queen bed in the United States
• Queen bed in Japan = King bed in the United States

Tokyo

• Tokyu Stay Shinjuku
  • I loved the location, which was one block to a side entrance of the Shinjuku train station and a 10-minute walk to the main area of Shinjuku with the 3D cat
  • The in-unit dual washer/dryer was very convenient 
  • It was a small room, and I had to climb over my partner to get into bed, but it worked since I was rarely in the room. The blackout curtains were helpful for sleeping after a long flight.
  • I received free breakfast tickets but wouldn’t have paid for it. They had eggs, breads, soup, and some fruit, but it was bland. It was our least favorite breakfast. It is nice that it’s open early since most restaurants don’t open until 10-11 a.m., but I wasn’t impressed with the selection and flavor. 
• OMO3 Asakusa
  • This hotel is in a great location to explore Asakusa. It is a 5-minute walk to the train station, with multiple restaurants and shops within a block. 
  • It is across from the Sensō-ji temple, which is a popular area. Our hotel had a rooftop view of the temple and the Tokyo Skytree, which was cool during the day and at night.
  • The room was modern but small. I had to climb over my partner to get into bed. A lofted seating area above the bed provided more space. 
  • The hotel had a self-serve food and beverage station. There were 2 washers and 2 dryers for the entire hotel to use. They also had bag storage with locks, which I used on our last day since our flight wasn’t until the evening. The bag storage was set up in the lobby right next to the desk where the staff is present. There was room for 50+ bags, and each bag had an individual lock based on the code you inputted. It felt really secure. 

Osaka

• Resol Hotel Trinity Osaka
  • This was our second favorite hotel. I loved using the communal baths. Men and women have separate communal baths, which are open in the morning and evening. You must shower beforehand next to the bath and then go into the bath naked. Tattoos are not permitted. This is a millennium-old Japanese tradition for relaxation, recovery, and purification. The hot water felt lovely after a long day of walking. 
  • I had a modern room where I could enter the bed from both sides. The bed was low to the ground, and they had great blackout curtains. 
  • They provided fresh towels and water at your door each day. They also provided face masks, a great hair mask, and a 4-step skincare face routine packet. 
  • Their breakfast buffet was tasty and had a great variety. 
  • I was only a 5-minute walk from two train lines. 

Kyoto

• Nohga Hotel Kiyomizu Kyoto
  • This was our favorite hotel! It was the most spacious room we had, and they had the best amenities. 
  • They had 5 washers and 5 dryers in the hotel that used credit cards. There was a small fitness room with two bikes, two treadmills, and free weights with a bench.  
  • They have a rooftop bar and restaurant, a full restaurant with a breakfast buffet and dinner, and a bakery. I ate at all of them and enjoyed each meal. The rooftop had a great view of Kyoto, and the staff provided amazing service to make sure the guests were comfortable.
  • They provide facial cleansing packets and let you borrow hair straighteners and curling irons. 
  • They give you 5,000 yen ($33) coupons to use at their property and provide bike rentals for 2,000 yen ($13) per day. 
  • It was a 10-minute walk to the main area of Higashiyama Ward and a 5-minute walk to the nearest train station.

What activities we did

Tokyo

• Shibuya Area
  • Shibuya Sky
    • This is on the 40th floor of the Shibuya Scramble Square Mall, which overlooks the famous Shibuya crosswalk. Go to the 14th floor to find the reception area, then go up to the 40th floor. 
    • If you want to go for sunset, you must book it right when it goes on sale 30 days prior. It took me two tries to get a sunset time. Tickets were $16 USD. 
    • When I went, it was rainy and cloudy, so the rooftop was closed. However, the 40th floor still had huge windows to see the view (which was cloudy). It is better to book this when you know it will be a clear day, but then you could miss out on the sunset view. On a clear day, you might be able to see Mt. Fuji. 
    • If you want a free view of the Shibuya crossing, go to the 12th floor. There is a seating area with large windows from which to view it.
  • Shibuya Crossing
    • Right off the main Shibuya train station is the crossing. If you are heading to the Shibuya area from the train, you will walk right into it. See above for places to view the crossing from higher up. 
  • Harajuku District
    • I walked the short street (Takeshita Street), which is filled with eccentric clothing, vintage shops, and sweets. I bought dried fruit that I loved here. There are also some used clothing stores on this street. 
    • The sneaker street is one street over from Takeshita Street, and it features Adidas, Hoka, Nike, Asics, Onitsuka Tiger, and others. 
  • Meiji Jingu Shrine
    • This Shinto Shrine is in a beautiful park with tall trees and is close to the Harajuku District. Although it is free to enter the shrine area, tourists aren’t allowed inside (the same goes for most shrines in Japan). 
    • On your way to the shrine, make sure to walk by the sake barrels wrapped in straw. Each year, a unique design is added. There are 75+ sake barrels on display. 
• Imperial Palace
  • I didn’t go into the palace, but I walked close enough to see it. I caught the emperor leaving the palace (in a car), which he visits every day.  
  • It is close to Ginza if you plan to shop there.  
• Ginza Area
  • For car enthusiasts, check out Nissan Crossing and Honda Welcome Plaza. Nissan has 5 cars on display, while Honda has 2 cars and 4 bikes.  
  • Tokyo Kyukyodo is a stationery store where I bought a blank notebook to collect stamps, which is a thing in Japan. I saw notebooks for $25 at other stores, but this notebook was $7. 
  • The Uniqlo flagship store, with 12 floors, was pretty busy and overwhelming. Many of the clothes repeated on the floors. The entrance display was cool, but I wouldn’t go out of my way to see the flagship store. There are Uniqlo stores all over Japan. 
  • Yurakucho Sanchoku Inshokugai is a small farm-to-table dining alley under a train with Japanese food vendors
• Shinjuku Area
  • 3D Billboard Cat Crossing is a must-see in the main area of Shinjuku
  • I also did a lot of shopping in Shinjuku. I bought the most at Uniqlo for warmer clothes, Step Sports for walking/running shoes, and ABC-Mart for affordable rain boots (they also have affordable sneakers). 
• Kanda Myoujin Shrine is similar to other shrines you will see. I wouldn’t go out of my way to see it, but it’s close to Akihabara if you are in the area. 
• Akihabara Electric Town is for anime, manga, gaming, and car lovers
• Our Mt. Fuji day trip was one of my favorite days in Japan!
  • I booked the tour the day before through Get Your Guide, which ended up being 50% off ($30 USD). It was a 10-hour trip starting at 8 a.m. and arriving back in Tokyo at 5:30 p.m. 
  • I picked this tour because I liked the four stops it made, which were all different views of Mt. Fuji. Other tours take you to onsens, clock shops, malls, etc. 
  • The 4 stopping points
    • We walked around a quaint Japanese traditional village
    • We walked by Lake Kawaguchiko at Oishi Park. This was my favorite stop because we were on the water. The shop is famous for its ice cream. 
    • We spent time in the town of Oshino, where the Oshino Hakki UNESCO heritage site is located. There, you can taste the water from Mt. Fuji. There is also a small museum with a rooftop on the second floor, which is a perfect place for photographers with professional cameras to get their shots of Mt. Fuji without people in the photo. 
    • Our last stop was Arakura Sengen Park, which has the famous shot of Mt. Fuji behind the Chureito Pagoda. To get to the pagoda, you have to walk up 300 steps, which takes 7 minutes, or walk a winding road, which takes 12 minutes. Both are doable and worth the view. 
  • I saw Mt. Fuji at every stop, but sometimes, clouds covered the top. Mt. Fuji is not always visible and is more likely to be seen in cooler months. I recommend waiting to book your Mt. Fuji tour until you know there is a likelihood of seeing it. You can check the viewing forecast here. I booked the day prior, and there were plenty of tours to choose from (I wasn’t there in peak season, though). 
• Sensō-ji Temple
  • This is a big temple and shrine area in Asakusa, the oldest of which is in Tokyo. I went in the afternoon, and it was the busiest place I visited in my two weeks in Japan. There is a view of the temple from my hotel, OMO3 Akakusa, and it looked much less busy in the morning. 
  • There was a lot to explore and many stores and street vendors to check out
• Don Quijote is the biggest discount store in Japan. You will find them everywhere. Before leaving Japan, I went to the one in Asakusa to purchase my tax-free products (skincare, haircare, medications, chocolate, etc.). It has multiple floors and 1,000s of products, which can be overwhelming. Research what you want to buy before you go. I used TikTok to put a list together based on recent travelers to Japan.
• Ueno Park is a massive park with walking paths, museums, and a zoo. In mid-March, there were also early blooms of sakura (cherry blossoms). I liked the area of Ueno because there was a lot to do, with multiple restaurants, stores, street vendors, and the park. I wish I had more time to explore the Ueno area. I would consider staying in Ueno during my next visit. 
• Maruzen Marunouchi is a bookstore on the fourth floor right by Tokyo Station. It has a huge English selection. 

Osaka

• Osaka Castle was cool to see and different from the shrines and temples. It was free unless you wanted to go inside, which cost $4 USD. It is up on a hill surrounded by water, which is pretty, but there is not much to do nearby. 
• The Dotonbori area was my favorite part of Osaka because it was so lively at night. I came down here for dinner to try the various foods that the street vendors were selling. There are many shops selling goods like shoes and clothes. This is also where the sign for the famous Glico Man is located. 
• Shinsekai Market had more sit-down restaurants and fewer street vendors than Dotonbori. We tried Takoyaki here. I went during the day; it might be more lively at night. 
• Shitennō-ji Buddhist Temple costs 500 yen ($3) to enter. The main temple is tall, and visitors can take the stairs to the top, which offers a view of Osaka. It is a 20-minute train ride away, but I thought it was worth the trip. 
• Namba Yasaka Shrine has a massive stone lion’s head, which is cool to see. It is a smaller shrine that I would only visit if you are already in the area. 
• Katsuoji Buddist Temple is worth a visit if you have at least 5 hours because it is an hour away. You need to take a train to the town and then take a 20-minute bus up into the mountain area where the temple is located. View the bus schedule here, which has more buses on weekends. The bus costs 800 yen ($5) each way, and you can pay with your Suica card (explained in the ‘what we recommend knowing’ section below). The bus also takes cash, but no bills of 5,000 yen or higher.
  • It costs 500 yen ($3) to enter the temple. They give you a postcard that you add 6 stamps to throughout the temple to complete a Daruma doll picture. 
  • The temple is filled with 1,000’s of Daruma dolls. These dolls symbolize perseverance, good luck, and the ability to overcome adversity, acting as a reminder to stay focused and resilient in the face of challenges.
  • This is a large property with beautiful landscapes and views. I spent just under 2 hours here. Autumn is a beautiful time to visit, when the trees are changing colors.

Kyoto

• The Kimono Tea Ceremony was one of my favorite activities in Japan. It was very special to learn about the tradition and the significance behind each aspect and then perform the tea ceremony together.
  • You need at least 2 hours because they dress men and women in kimonos, which takes 30 minutes and is located one block away. The tea ceremony takes 45 minutes, and then they give you access to their garden to take pictures. You are also allowed to stay in your kimono to walk around the city for pictures as long as you return it by 6 p.m. 
  • There were 12 people in our tea ceremony class, but you can also book a private class. They offer other experiences, including Geisha shows and a Samurai sword experience.  
  • They have 3 Kyoto locations and 1 Tokyo location. Their site has a lot of offerings, which can be overwhelming. I did the Kimono Tea Ceremony Gion Kiyomizu at the Registered Cultural Property because it was a 5-minute walk from my hotel. Use code ‘smile’ for 10% off online bookings!
• Higashiyama Ward is an area with many temples, shrines, and famous streets.
  • Yasaka Shinto Shrine is a large area with beautiful gates and buildings. The middle building has many lanterns that light up at night. In the evening, there were also many food vendors. I went to this area twice to see it at both day and night. 
  • Hōkan-ji Temple (Yasaka Pagoda) is a 5-story Buddhist pagoda. Go up the Sannen-Zaka path to get a better view of the temple for pictures. 
  • I was at the Ninen Zaka Path (famous street) around 2 p.m., and it wasn’t overly crowded
    • I purchased chopsticks here with prices ranging from 600 to 2,000 yen ($4-$13)
    • I made a custom ring at Glanta. I picked the shape, width, design, size, and finish, and then they made it for me. I chose brass, which was only $9 USD, but they also have silver and gold options. It was busy, so it took an hour, but most of that time was spent waiting for my turn in line. Creating the ring takes 15 minutes. You can take it back to any of their shops if it needs to be refurbished. 
  • Ryōzen Kannon Temple has a big Buddha statue and areas to walk around. It costs 300 yen ($2). The unique part was the big Buddha statue, which you can also see from the outside. 
• Kyoto Gyoen National Garden is a large garden around the Kyoto Imperial Palace. There are many walking paths, and it feels like a park (they even have tennis courts). I wanted to visit the sand beach, but it is closed on Mondays. 
• Nijō Castle was a favorite for me. This was where the Tokugawa Shogunate started and ended in the Edo Period. I was able to walk inside the massive castle, with signs explaining the significance of each of the shogun’s rooms. There were shogun samurai displays in the rooms, too. The garden was also very pretty, and there is a cherry blossom area that will be stunning when it blooms. I recommend paying extra to go inside the castle, which is 1,300 yen ($9). 
• JINS is an eyeglass store located all over Japan. They provided a free eye exam, and the glasses were only $50. It was much more affordable than in the United States. It was busy, so I was there for 1.5 hours. They had an amazing selection of frames. Standard glasses only take 1 hour if the frames and lenses are in stock. If you want blue blockers or UV protection, the store I visited took 1 week to produce the glasses. Tackle your eye exam early in your trip so you have time to get the glasses you want!
• Fushimi Inari Taisha is a Shinto shrine that has 1,000s of red gates. The train station is across the street, making it convenient to get here since it is 20 minutes away from where I stayed in Kyoto. I arrived at 8 a.m., and there were people, but it wasn’t super crowded like it was when I left at 10 am. The entry has a shrine, bathrooms, and food to purchase. There is no cost to walk through the gates. It took us an hour to get to the top, where there were only 10 other people. Keep climbing the steps if you want a more serene experience. If you don’t want to go all the way to the top, there are plenty of places to stop along the way and turn around. I stopped to eat breakfast on our way down at Vermillion Cafe, which has outside seating viewing the pond (they take credit cards). You could hear kids playing at school. Give yourself 2-3 hours at Fushimi. 
• Arashiyama was a cool town one-hour train ride away. It had many shops, restaurants, and food vendors. This was a busy tourist area, but I enjoyed experiencing it.
  • Arashiyama Bamboo Forest was crowded at midday, but there was still room to walk. It was free to explore, and I even saw a monkey high in the bamboo! The bamboo is really tall, and the walk is short. I wouldn’t go out of my way just to see this bamboo forest. 
  • Arashiyama Park Nakanoshima Area was a beautiful spot. I sat on one of the benches that overlooked the Togetsukyō Bridge and the mountains, which were so pretty. 
  • I didn’t do this, but you can rent a row boat on an area of the Katsura River, which would have been pretty in the fall with all the leaves changing. 
• Used and vintage clothing stores are all over the Teramachi shopping street. There were 10+ stores to explore, with a lot of jean jackets and pants, army-style jackets, flannels, old-school sweatshirts, vintage dresses, and more. I noticed these stores had more male clothing than female clothing. JAM Kyoto and Harajuku Chicago Kyoto Store are worth checking out.

Where we ate

For many of our meals, I stumbled upon a place that had availability instead of pre-booking restaurants. Many restaurant names were in Japanese, but they usually had pictures of the dishes they served. Most spoke English or had English menus you could use. They provide towels to wipe your hands and water with your meal. There wasn’t a single meal I didn’t enjoy while in Japan. 

Most restaurants don’t open until 10 a.m. or 11 a.m. Many hotels provide breakfast packages, or you can grab snacks, smoothies, coffee, and sandwiches at convenience stores like 7-Eleven, FamilyMart, and Lawson.

Tokyo

• Sushi Edomaru Asakusa has delicious sushi and accepts credit cards
• Ramen Hayashida Asakusa Shop has tasty ramen and accepts credit cards
• Shogun Burger has great Wagyu beef patties. It accepts credit cards and has locations all around Tokyo. 
• The Little Bakery Tokyo in Shibuya serves baked goods and warmed sandwiches. There was a 15-minute wait to order. The food was good, but I would only recommend it if you are in the Shibuya or Harajuku area. 
• Omoide Yokocho is a small alley in Shinjuku with restaurants with seating for less than 10 people. Most restaurants have menus or pictures of their food outside to help you decide which places to try. Check it out at night since many restaurants don’t open until 4 pm. 
• Roast Beef Ōno Akihabara was a 30-minute wait but well worth it. The basement restaurant seats 3 tables and 10 single bar chairs. I loved the miso soup and roast beef on rice. It is cash only. 

Osaka

• I liked walking around the main Dotonbori strip and trying different vendors. They have Kobe beef steak, rice balls, candied strawberries, noodles, and more. Pablo had amazing cheese tart desserts. 
• Daiki-suisan kaitenzushi Dotonbori was a sushi-belt restaurant.The sushi comes around on a conveyor belt, and you pick up what you want to eat. It was a fun experience, but I have had better sushi. 
• Shinsekai Market had more restaurants than street vendors. They also had food you could buy to cook yourself. I preferred Dotonbori to Shinsekai because there were more vendor options, and it was more lively. 

Kyoto

• Kyozaka is a delicious udon noodle restaurant on the first floor of a home. You sit on pillows on the floor to eat. It is in the Higashiyama Ward, where many temples and shrines are located.
• Nishiki Market has vendor stalls, restaurants, and food shops. Go in the afternoon, as many places start to close at 6 p.m. I found rice spices and sauces that I brought home from this market. 
• Cafe Bibliotic Hello! is a cool cash-only cafe with a book and record wall. The chicken and vegetable curry was good. It is close to the Kyoto Gyoen National Garden. 
• Our hotel had great food at Cicon. The bakery is located in the lobby and offers breads, baked goods, and panini sandwiches that can be warmed. The rooftop has great cocktails, burgers, and tacos with a casual vibe. They provide heaters and blankets on cold days. The restaurant has fancier seating and meals. I enjoyed their pasta. Keep in mind that their selection didn’t have much Japanese cuisine. 

What we recommend knowing/preparing

Japan

• I brought $150 in yen with me and didn’t need to take out more cash during my two-week visit. People say you need a lot of cash in Japan, but many of the restaurants and stores I visited accepted credit cards. There is usually a sign on the door or register if they take credit cards. Smaller restaurants, food vendors, and small shops are usually cash only, but they also usually have lower-priced items. 
• Using the Train System
  • Download the Suica card on your phone and load up funds digitally. Go to your ‘settings’, then ‘Wallet & Apple Pay’ then ‘Add Card’, then ‘Transit Card’, then search for ‘Suica Card ’. The funds were added immediately. I used their public transit daily and only spent $60 in my two weeks in Japan. The Suica card is convenient because you can use it for the JR line and the metro. You tap the card when you enter and leave the gates. You are only charged when you leave. I have an iPhone, which worked great with Suica. I have heard Android is not as easy, but they are working on it. 
  • There are two main train systems. The above-ground train system is the JR Line, and the below-ground subway is the Metro Line. We used the metro more than the JR line. 
  • The train system can seem overwhelming at first, but Google Maps and the signage in the station make it easy if you just slow yourself down and pay attention. Google Maps will tell you the line you are taking, and there is clear signage to direct you to the right train (it can be a long walk, but there is clear direction).
    • For example, if you are traveling from Shinjuku to Ginza, Google Maps will recommend the red ‘Marunouchi Line’, and the symbol is an M with a red circle around it. Follow signs for the ‘Marunouchi Line’ at the station.
    • Google Maps will usually tell you which platform (1 or 2) to board the train on so you are going in the correct direction. 
    • Each train line and stop is numbered. Google Maps will tell you the numbers, which will help you know which side of the tracks to be on. The station also has signs. For example, the Shinkuju station is ‘M-09’. The Ginza station is ’M-16’, so you know to take the train that is going up in numbers, which are announced at each train stop and shown on a monitor above the train doors. 
    • The stops on the monitor inside the train and when they are announced are in Japanese and English. 
    • Google Maps usually tells you which exit is closest to your destination, so you have to walk less. For example, in yellow on Google Maps, it might say ‘take exit 2B,’ so you follow the marked exit signs for ‘2B’ once you leave the train. The monitors in the train cars also show you which train car you are in and if the best exit is left or right when you get off the train. 
    • The trains are very clean, and I felt very safe. Everyone is quiet on trains, and I didn’t encounter any people in the train systems who weren’t meant to be there. 
• Most Japanese people I interacted with also spoke English. Most restaurants had English menus or pictures on their menus, which made ordering easy. I also used the Google Lens app to translate when something wasn’t English. Download English and Japanese languages in the Google app so you can use it when your phone is offline.
  • Although many Japanese people speak English, they are appreciative when you attempt to speak their language. Learn a few phrases before your trip;
    • Konnichiwa – Hello
    • Arigatou Gozaimasu – Thank you
    • Sumimasen – Excuse me
• Japan is very orderly. For example, the train station will have arrows to show you which side you should walk on. Most of the time, everyone walks on the left side. If you are on an escalator, the left side is for standing, and the right side is for walking up the escalator. It is illegal to jaywalk in Japan. You must wait for the traffic signal. People do not talk loudly on trains, in the streets, or in restaurants. I rarely saw someone talking on their phone loudly. There are not many trash cans in the streets. Everyone carries their trash with them. We found trash cans at convenience stores when we stopped in. 
• It is not common for Japanese people to hug, shake hands, or wave. Instead, they bow when greeting or leaving to show gratitude and respect. 
• Here are some recommendations for following proper etiquette when visiting a shrine. Don’t walk up the middle to a shrine because the middle is reserved for the gods. Instead, walk to either side. Bow once before entering the Torii gate. You should also purify your hands and mouth before approaching the main shrine. Here is more information on etiquette for shrines and temples. 
• It is considered rude to tip in Japan.  
• I suggest using Japan’s site to fill out your entry requirements before landing in Japan to speed up the customs process. A QR code will be provided, which you scan on a machine to receive a ticket that is shown to the customs agent. My partner went through customs in 20 minutes, while it took me 1 hour due to landing at a busy time. 
• Most places don’t open until 10-11 a.m. If you want breakfast, you should get the breakfast packages with your hotel or grab snacks at 7/11, Lawsons, or FamilyMart. If you want something to do in the morning, visit the shrines and parks. 
• S.RIDE is a popular taxi app service. Uber is also available in Japan. I took Uber twice in Kyoto, and each ride cost less than $10. 
• All the plugs I used in Japan were Type A, which works with 2-prong cords. I never used my convertor. If your cord has 3 prongs, you should bring a converter. Japan runs on a lower voltage than the United States, so you might need a voltage converter for some appliances. I did not need a voltage converter, and I used the plugs to charge our phones, watches, toothbrushes, and sound machines. Every hotel had a hair dryer, and Nhoga let me borrow a curling iron. 
• You might have prepaid for your hotel through a booking website, but you still have to pay the tax, which was around 400 yen ($3) per day for my hotels. 
• To save space in your suitcase, don’t bring laundry detergent. Every hotel has laundry machines with detergent available. 
• Eki stamps (station stamps) are a big thing at train stations
  • Stamps are usually located next to the ticket counter or office. Each station has a unique stamp. Since many Tokyo stations are so busy with multiple entrances, I didn’t have as much luck finding them. I found a lot more stamps in Osaka and Kyoto. 
  • Make sure you bring a stamp book because most stations do not have paper available. 
• If you want the goshuin (stamps) from shrines and temples, you need a goshuincho, which is a specific type of book with thicker accordion paper. You can purchase them at shrines, temples, and bookstores. The shrines and temples won’t put a goshuin stamp in a regular notebook. You usually have to pay 300-500 yen ($2-$3) for a goshuin. Each shrine and temple has a unique design that is beautiful and a great memento to bring home with you. More info here. 
• Japan is a great place to buy nice running shoes because they are usually 30% less than in the United States (especially if you purchase Japanese brands like Asics, Mizuno, and Onitsuka Tiger). Most stores also offer tax-free purchases. My partner and I brought home a total of 6 pairs of shoes. 
• Since we bought so many shoes, our two carry-on bags would no longer fit everything. We found an affordable checked luggage bag in Asakusa at D.Kelly for 6,000 yen ($40). The handle on the bag broke once we were back in the United States, so we only used it for the flight back to the US. If you want a cheap bag like we did, just Google ‘cheap luggage store’ and a few options will pop up in each city.  There are a lot of luggage stores in every city that have more durable options.
• Some stores offer tax-free shopping, which helps you save more. Your purchase must exceed 5,500 yen ($37), and you must have your passport with you. When you are at customs to leave Japan, you have to scan your passport, and they may stop you to check that you are bringing the purchased items back to your country instead of selling them in Japan. I was never stopped for questioning. If you make a big purchase at Don Quijote, they will seal the bag, and you are not allowed to open it until you leave Japan.
• Many onsens and public bathhouses don’t allow tattoos. Make sure to check beforehand. 
• There is no dress code for shrines and temples like there is in other Asian countries; however, Japanese people tend to dress modestly at all times.
• The tap water is safe to drink. I used it to brush my teeth and always drank the water provided at restaurants.  
• I purchased a 30-day international plan through Verizon for $100, which worked the entire time. The speed never slowed down, either. My partner had issues twice using T-Mobile (it could have been his phone). 
• Decide what season you want to visit Japan! Summer is hot, and Sakura season (the end of March to April) is busy. Autumn looks beautiful with the leaves changing colors. The end of Winter (the first two weeks of March) was cold and rainy for us, but I liked that the accommodations were cheaper and that it was less crowded. 
• Create a Google Map list of all the places you want to see. You can view the list in order of what is closest to where you are to make sure you see everything you wanted to in each area while also limiting the amount of walking you are doing. 

Tokyo

• If you take the Keisei Skyliner express train to the Narita Airport (it saves at least 20 minutes), you need a separate ticket that you purchase at the train station. Your Suica card won’t work. The machine wouldn’t take the 3 cards I tried (debit and credit), so I had to take the slower train. I am glad I gave myself extra time to get to the airport.
• Give yourself 4-6 days in Tokyo

Osaka

• A lot of people bike as their mode of transportation here
• Give yourself 2-3 days in Osaka

Kyoto

• I took the bus just as much as the train based on the location of our hotel. Suica cards work on buses, too. You pay when you are leaving the bus in the front. Press the stop button if you want to get off at a stop. 
• Give yourself 3-4 days in Kyoto

What we didn’t do but looked into

Tokyo

• Custom Uniqlo embroidered bag. I previously heard it could take 1 hour, but when I went, they said it would take 1 day to create it. Make sure you do it at the beginning of your trip. You get to choose from hundreds of embroidered designs, including many Japanese designs, to remember your trip. Not all Uniqlo stores offer customization. 

Osaka

• Shinsaibash, which is a shopping area
• Nara Park is known for its free-roaming deer and world-famous temples

Kyoto

• A lot of people rent kimonos and get their hair done for pictures around Higashiyama Ward. There were kimono rental shops on every block. I wore a kimono for our tea ceremony, so I didn’t feel the need to rent one again. 
• I didn’t get a chance to bike the Kamo River, but I heard many people sit by it around sunset. Many people bike and run it because there are no cars.

What we packed

I went the first two weeks of March, which was cold most days and rainy for half of our trip. I wore a puffy coat, hat, and gloves most days. I recommend bringing layers. Due to the amount of rain Japan had, I bought waterproof shoes. Bring comfortable walking shoes. I walked 20,000+ steps every day. Most hotels provide face wash and lotion packets to use daily if you need to save space in your bag. 

Check out our recommendations for travel clothing and essentials.

We hope you enjoyed our Japan travel guide. If you have any questions, contact us. If you’re looking for other places to go in Asia, check out our post on Thailand.

~Elyse