JAPAN (2024)

Good To Know

These are just a few of my travel tips. I have no affiliation with any of the services or resources for which I provide links—it is simply to share what I learned when I was planning my trip.

Communicating

Google Translate was essential. Make sure you download the Japanese language in advance so that you can use it even when you don’t have a cellular connection or WiFi. I often needed it in restaurants because english translations of the menus were either non-existent or very bad. And on one frantic occasion, when I had missed a train connection, I was able to use it to have a conversation with a Japan Rail worker who did not speak English.

All of the train and metro systems I used on my trip also had signage with English translations, which was huge relief.

Staying Connected

I used an Airalo eSim on this trip. This allowed me to access a local cellular network for data, such as using Google maps while out and about. It was inexpensive, easy to top up when I needed more data, and worked perfectly. All my hotels had good WiFi.

Money

Aside from a credit card or Apple Pay, you will almost certainly want an IC card. It is used to pay for many things in many places, including trains and metros. There were a few places I encountered where only IC cards were accepted for payment. Although you can purchase a physical IC card, there is a digital version available for iPhone users, which is what I used. You can top-up both the physical and digital forms, but one huge advantage of the digital form is that it can be topped up wherever you happen to be when you need more money on it, whereas the physical version needs to be topped up at a machine (usually in a train station).

You will also need local currency. I encountered a number of restaurants which were cash only, as well as some taxis. I ordered some yen from my bank before leaving, and used ATMs in 7-Eleven stores when I needed more. And the magic of 7-Elevens in Japan could be the subject of an entire article.

Transportation

The public transportation in Japan is fantastic. I loved not having to rent a car. Trains, metros, and the occasional bus, taxi, or ferry took me everywhere I wanted to go. As for the major stations themselves—as I experienced them in Tokyo, Kanazawa, Kyoto, and Fukuoka—they are bursting with shops, restaurants, conveniences (such as a grocery store), and even places to sleep.

Navigating

Google Maps did an amazing job of routing me on public transportation. It told me when the next train would be, what platform to go to, and what transfers I would need to make. I also used JapanTravel—the service has a website and an app (link is for Apple users, they also have a version for Android users).

Luggage Forwarding

Another wonderful thing about traveling in Japan is their efficient and inexpensive luggage forwarding system. It was hard for me to trust it at first, but I got over that immediately. I travel light, usually only a carry-on suitcase and small backpack, but it was still a joy to have my carry-on bag forwarded and to have only my small backpack to deal with as I navigated my way to my next destination.

Fall Colors

Although I prefer to travel in off seasons to try to avoid crowds, I did time my trip so that I would hopefully see fall colors. Which (as I learned once I started planning) is second only to the springtime sakura (cherry blossom) season as a popular time to travel in Japan. There are websites that track and forecast the changing colors, this is one I looked at for the fall of 2024.