Japan Cherry blossom-lined streets, tranquil gardens, mountain retreats and high speed cities

The Japanese Yen (JPY) is the currency, and despite Japan’s reputation for advanced technology, cash remains genuinely essential for many everyday transactions. Convenience store ATMs, found everywhere, are the most reliable way to withdraw Yen with a foreign card, often more so than bank ATMs.

Yes, and this surprises many first-time visitors given Japan’s high-tech reputation, since smaller restaurants, traditional inns, temples and rural shops frequently remain cash-only. Carrying enough Yen for daily incidentals, rather than assuming cards will work everywhere, avoids an awkward moment at a till that doesn’t accept them.

Japanese is the national language, and while English signage has improved considerably in Tokyo and Kyoto’s major stations and tourist sites, spoken English becomes noticeably less common once you’re in smaller towns or traditional ryokan. A translation app is genuinely useful here in a way it isn’t in most destinations on a typical itinerary.

Japan operates on Japan Standard Time (JST, UTC+9) year-round, with no daylight saving changes. Given how punctual and schedule-driven Japan’s trains and reservations are, adjusting to local time promptly on arrival matters more here than in more relaxed destinations.

Yes, tap water throughout Japan is safe to drink directly, including in Tokyo, Kyoto and rural areas, thanks to consistently high water treatment standards nationwide. This is one of the few places on a longer Asia itinerary where bottled water is entirely a matter of preference rather than necessity.

No, tipping isn’t part of Japanese service culture and can genuinely cause confusion or mild discomfort if offered, since excellent service is considered a standard part of the price rather than something requiring an extra reward. Leaving money on a table or trying to tip a taxi driver is more likely to prompt them to chase you down to return it than to be graciously accepted.

Japan uses Type A and Type B sockets, the same two-flat-pin design as North America, but runs at 100V, notably lower than the 220-240V standard used across most of the world. Some higher-wattage appliances, like hairdryers, may run less powerfully as a result, so checking your device’s voltage compatibility is worth doing before you travel.

Pocket wifi rental or an eSIM arranged before arrival are both straightforward and reliable options, with pocket wifi units collected at the airport being a popular choice for group or family trips sharing one connection. Coverage across Japan, including on high-speed trains, is excellent virtually everywhere.

Yes, Japan’s takkyubin courier services allow you to send luggage ahead to your next hotel, typically arriving the following day, which is genuinely worth using given how narrow and crowded train platforms and connections can be with full suitcases in tow. Most hotels and even convenience stores can arrange this, and it transforms multi-city train travel considerably.

Traditional onsen require full nudity, gender-separated bathing, and thorough washing at the provided stations before entering the shared water, none of which is optional or something to work around. Many traditional onsens still prohibit visible tattoos, though a growing number of tattoo-friendly options exist, so checking in advance with your specialist saves a wasted trip if this applies to you.

Public bins are genuinely scarce in Japan, a legacy of increased security measures decades ago, so carrying rubbish with you until you find a convenience store or return to your hotel is standard practice rather than an oversight in city planning. Eating while walking is also considered somewhat inconsiderate in most everyday settings, though it’s relaxed at festivals and specific street food areas where it’s clearly expected.

Spring, from March to May, brings cherry blossom and the mildest temperatures of the year, though it also covers Golden Week in late April and early May, when the country’s own residents are travelling too and hotel rooms book out furthest in advance. Autumn, from September to November, brings the clearest weather and the country’s autumn foliage, once an early-autumn spell of typhoon-driven rain has passed. 

Winter suits skiing in Hokkaido and the Japanese Alps, and stays quieter almost everywhere else. Generally the shoulder weeks either side of Golden Week and Obon buy the same weather without the domestic crowds.