A close friend and I are going to Japan for three weeks. We're spending the first week in Shibuya, the second week in Kyoto, and then coming back to Shibuya for the last bit.
I'm a bit of a nervous traveler, though I'm always excited when I'm there. What are your good first-timer tips?
We're staying in AirBNBs while we're there except for the first night where we're staying in a hotel so we can relax a night before we have to find our way.
Thanks for your time!
by wearespaghett
39 comments
Don’t overthink it and enjoy your time. Google maps will be your best friend, especially for navigating public transport.
If you don’t speak any Japanese, have Google Translate ready (translate from camera image is also crazy handy). There’s a decent amount of English service for touristic things. But don’t expect a high level of English proficiency from the general population like you would traveling in Europe etc.
1. Switch to tokyo time the minute you’re in the air so as to blend in with the local time and avoid jet lag as much as possible.
2. Google maps, lens & translate are your friends.
3. “no” and “cancel” in Japanese is accompanied with a large X on the body formed by the arms instead of a headshake. looks emphatic but This is normal even for little things.
4. If you think a place looks interesting then just go. Doesn’t matter if others say it’s over-rated or not worth it, it’s your trip so enjoy and see it for yourself.
5. It will be fine. Have your fun and don’t sweat the small stuff!
Google maps is really good with the train schedule. It will say in English: local, semi-express, and express.. Trust the schedule to get on the right train. The express trains will skip stops, and then all of a sudden, you’re on the other side of the Tama River.
What you should know: The people are friendly, it’s super safe, and most of the country is extremely well organized (and well-staffed too). Do as the Japanese do and you’ll have a wonderful time. The only thing I would advise to make your journey easier is to A. Make sure you have data/internet for your phone and B. To have cash on you (nowadays IC/app payments are a norm, but you’ll run into places that will only accept cash). Have fun ☺️!
Edit: And I forgot to mention a third point: Eat and drink as much as you can and don’t overthink whether a restaurant is good or not. In Japan it’s somewhat hard to find places that serve mediocre food (let alone food that will upset your stomach… unless you order something mentally challenging like shirako 😉)
1 Bring allllll of the over the counter meds you may need (anti nausea, anti diarrhea, pain control) etc because what you can purchase without a prescription in Japan is very different from other countries!
(I’m Canadian and did not bring anti-diarrhea meds- my bf and I had to see a doctor there to get a prescription for it)
2 ALSO say “arigato gozaimas” not just arigato to say thank you. Practice it when you are home as well. People appreciate that!
If you are not sure of what to do, stand back for a moment and watch the Japanese people do. Take it easy on your first day there and be extra aware of people and their behavior. Dont worry too much about doing something wrong, most Japanese people know you are a foreigner and expects issue from you.
Also at some point you will realize that everywhere has an order to things, for example if you go to a resturant, the first thing they will always ask is if you have a reservation followed by how many people. You will at some point learn to just say yes and no at the correct point in the conversation.
Speaking Japanese is not as useful as being able to listen out for phrases and keywords. Rather than worrying too much saying the right stuff beyond yes, no, thank you and sorry, try to listen out for words you hear over and over again.
If the aren’t sure of what you are saying put on a “Japanese accent” rather than say toilet say toilet-to, it sounds really weird and racist to do it. But really some words are just English words with a Japanese pronunciation. It’s very interesting to see word just suddenly click into place and they understand you by pronouncing words in a accent. This isn’t a common trick nor is it useful everywhere but by the end of my 2 weeks in Japan, I was pronouncing words a little weirdly when interacting with Japanese people.
The good news is that Japan is VERY forgiving to tourists. Extremely. As long as you don’t act boorishly, you’ll be fine.
I lived there for years and have gone back almost once a year since (COVID years excepted.) My biggest bits of advice are:
1. Get your Suica set up on your ~~smartphone~~ iPhone (edit: or buy a card when you arrive) before you get there. It’s really useful to be able to pay for things on your ~~phone~~ iPhone/IC Card.
2. ALSO get a small coin purse when you get there. It’s useful to have something to store the inevitable coins you’ll have anyway.
3. If you don’t read/write/speak, get Google Translate and get your data plan set up ahead of time. You’ll want to be able to translate things as you go along.
4. Japan is both an urban giant AND a verdantly green country. Get out to nature and enjoy it a bit! Japan has a ton of great parks, great mountain hikes, great hikes. Go see the countryside too!
5. Install Uber, it’ll help a lot in most cities if you can’t get where you’re going without a taxi. However, also enjoy the transit! Urban Japan has some of the best transit on the planet!
Overall, Japan is travel on easy mode. Enjoy it!
I visited Japan for the first time last year, and also stayed in Shibuya. Honestly, it’s natural to be a nervous wreck leading up to your trip, but trust this random guy on the internet when he tells you that you’ll be fine. I was so anxious on the day of my flight that my family even asked if I wanted to cancel the trip, and I couldn’t shake the nerves until I spoke with my Mum on the drive to the airport. Now, my trip is one of my most treasured memories.
One bit of advice I’d give, is that if you find yourself up early in the morning, take a leisurely stroll to Meiji Shrine. Jet lag had me up on my first day, and it was the perfect way to start my trip. From my hotel, it was only about a 30 minute walk. Meiji Shrine is so tranquil, and awe inspiring at the same time.
Shibuya Station can feel like a maze at times, but there are different entrances depending on which line you need, so plan your journey ahead of arriving at the station. Once inside the correct entrance, however, it’s clearly sign-posted.
If you are unsure about something, watch what the locals are doing. If they’re all keeping to a certain side, do that too. If they bow when entering and leaving a shrine, do so too. Etc.
One lesson I learned the hard way is to not keep your money and cards in the same place. Have a second wallet or something stashed in your room or luggage – I did with cash, but sadly not with cards. You will most likely be absolutely fine, as long as you’re not a dingbat like me who loses his wallet, but having a spare emergency credit card or decent amount of cash will be a lifesaver.
There’s nothing to be worried about. The internet makes it seem more scary than it is. It’s in fact easier than most anywhere I’ve been. Relax and enjoy! Plan little, explore much.
Shibuya was very crowded when I went, so just be prepared for crowds. Give yourself plenty of time to get places to account for the possibility of getting lost (google maps doesn’t always work well in very crowded places). Those are the two major things that I wasn’t prepared for when I took my trip lol.
Don’t overthink too much on your itinerary. You’re bound not to get to do 100% of what you planned, and that is okay. Don’t stress if you become lost. People are super helpful even if you don’t have Google Translate to assist to the T. You’re there to have fun and relax, and that will still happen regardless of how you plan the day-to-day!
Have a fun and safe trip!
1. Pasmo or Suica
2. Arigato gozaimas and sumimasen
3. Google maps, translate
4. Some cash
5. Politeness
And you will be fine wherever you go and whatever you do.
Super jealous! Love love love Japan.
Don’t worry or be nervous, just enjoy because it’s amazing!
Explore as much as you can! Don’t just let Tiktok guide you eat, talk, explore, and respect the laws and culture.
Japan is probably one of the best and safest places to travel to especially for a nervous traveller. However, there are some downsides to it. The biggest thing to be cautious of are touts. In places like shinjuku, shibuya and roppongi in tokyo, there are loads. Always always always ignore them or say no.
Thanks everyone for tips, kindness, and sharing in the excitement!
Google maps is excellent for getting around especially on the local trains, Shibuya is super busy but safe
Learn a few basics for please and thank you as others have said
Kyoto is a little more relaxed, would recommend Nishiki Market if you like street food but maybe avoid the grilled sparrow
Do some research on food if your not familiar with Japanese food. Will same you some confusion and blank stares looking at the menus in restaurants
Add the Suica card to the Wallet app if you’re on iPhone. You can recharge it using a credit card.
use google maps and translate as much as you can. it’s your 3rd friend you’re traveling with.
I’m here now for the first time and agree with what everyone has said. I would just add that paying for stuff here is more complicated than I thought it would be. Make sure to have some cash as certain places/machines only take cash. Set up Suica in your phone wallet to use touch to pay (Apple Pay with your existing CC only works in major stores, sometimes they want the physical card)
Transit system is a bit overwhelming but you’ll get the hang of it in a couple of days. Google maps and Apple Maps are your friends. Of the 2 Google seems to give better search results.
I don’t speak a lick of Japanese but have been getting by fine. Relax and enjoy!
Would suggest checking out different neighborhoods aside from just Shibuya and Shinjuku. We spent 24 hours at the end of our trip in Taito City and loved it.
You will have a great time.
May I suggest eating egg sandwiches at convenience stores, the Mario Kart ride around Tokyo Tower, Disney Tokyo, eating lots of ramen (don’t forget to take Insta pictures of yourself), Shibuya crossing, Donki (don’t forget to bring a huge suitcase for all those lovely souvenirs) and maybe also getting a tattoo?
Also feel free to speak to locals. They love hearing “arigato gozaimasu “ loudly almost anytime.
Enjoy!
Get cash from 7/11 atms. Have a credit card with no foreign transaction fees to save money everytime you use your card or pull money out of atm.
I came back from my first trip about a week and a half ago:
My only tip is to go easy on the pressure of the bidet. I just wanted to see what the buttons did
Get plastered in golden gai, become friends with a local or two to show you less-known places
Most advices like forming an x on the body to say no, saying arigato-gozaimasu or putting on a japanese accent are useless. You‘re a tourist and they know it.
Just behave like you normally would, but be respectful. Everyone will understand if you ask „shinjuku?“ at the train station or ask „toilet?“. They cannot speak english very well but they understand simple phrases.
it’s gonna be hot
As many mentioned, Google maps is great, especially for the subway. It tells you which entrance, times, price and even which car to get in to be closest to stairs/escalators. Suica on your phone makes transit a breeze as well as convenience store purchases. You will need some cash, especially for smaller restaurants. Do not take AMEX as your credit card. It’s hard to use in other than taxi and hotels. I travel to Asia monthly and when people ask where to go first in Asia, I always say Japan. Enjoy!
Look forward to reading about your experience on return, I am going in mid September and this will be my first time out of the US so I understand how you’re feeling I’m right there with you!
Please always be on time. People marvel at how trains are on time in Japan. Well that’s basically a reflection of how things generally run to schedule here. If you’re late you’re inconveniencing others who have their day/work planned out.
The number of times guests have arrived late to cultural workshops/restaurant reservations is bad enough but then failing to apologies to the staff/other guests they’ve kept waiting is mind boggling. So please be on time by checking travel times in advance. Heads up Japan currently has a shortage of taxi drivers so always expect a wait to catch one and a relatively long wait to catch one in a busy area or on a weekend/natl’ holiday.
Enjoy your vacation. You’ll love it here 🙂
They’re subhumans. Just go and do whatever the fuck you want.
You’re helping their failed economy – so if anything they should cradle your balls , suck your dick and swallow the gravy with an ariagato gozaimasssssss at the end.
-Gaijin
Know and expect to get lost. Their public transport can be intimidating at first. So expect mistakes and stay kind to yourself. You’ll get there on the next train!
Looks like you will be arriving in Kyoto, right on the week where students start their summer vacation (most break from the fourth week in July this year) so expect to see students EVERYWHERE, adding to the crazy amount of tourists there already. Anything you can book in advance now (which you haven’t yet, and still has available bookings) book it NOW (e.g. your shinkaisen tickets to/from Kyoto from Tokyo). Will also be crazy hot, so make sure to take plenty of summer clothing, and purchase suncreen/hats/insect repellent, at the first convenience store you visit as you will need them (also an umbrella, as July is the rainiest month of the year).
Japanese people are just people, just like anywhere else. People vary. Everybody is not magically king, so don’t expect that. On the other hand, they don’t bite (unless you are paying for that).
Most people you interact with will be service industry workers with low pay and very often shitty working conditions. The chance of you doing something that “offends their culture” is basically 0%.
Omg I am going the same trip too!!! Much luck!
1. Ensure your phone provider sold you the correct plan so that you can use apps and Google maps. Triple ask, this is key.
2. Use chapGPT to map your vacation. If not, have a plan and a back up for each event.
3. Take an e-bike guided tour first. You will learn a lot and see places you will want to explore.
4. Get a translator app. Know the dollar exchange (yen x 0.0062)
5. Pack a luggage and a back pack. Stuff in the backpack with 2 days worth of clothes (in case the airline loses your luggage) and stomach, flue, drowsiness medication; oh and a small bag you carry with you while walking around. Put the medications, Kleenex and ids in it.
6. Must see fish market, imperial palace, Tokio tower, skytree, Dome City, zoo, Mount Fuji, ashy lake and the bullet train.
Don’t stop in the middle of the train stations if you get lost. Go to the walls to stand and figure out which train you need to take. When going up escalators or stairs walk up the left side so people who want to go up faster can from the right.
if you have iphone, add the suica card to your digital wallet. Careful on commuter trains. They have different carriages on the same train representing different classes. If you are paying for regular metro ticket and get into a carriage with cushioned seats, you are mostly likely in the wrong cabin.
when paying, don’t hand cash directly to cashier. There is usually a basket for you to put your money in.
Don’t tip. Japanese people will be bewildered.
Don’t touch taxi doors. They are automatic.