Travel Tips When You Come to Japan

Here are some important tips:

Bring cash, no credit cards

Japan is a cash-based society. Many places that usually take credit cards do not. When you happen to stop by an ATM, grab the opportunity, for you’ll find it hard to find another ATM on the trip. Another, we highly recommend you to take a card without foreign transaction. Also, bring a coin purse, because, everything from 1 yen to 500 yen (about $5) are coins.

Get used to high tech toilets

Western style toilets in Japan have more electronic options than you ever thought possible– heated seat, bidet, deodorizer, noisemaker. And that’s just to name a few! At some shrines, temples, and older buildings, you may encounter a traditional Asian style squat toilet which is built into the floor. Squatting over it can be a physical challenge for some foreigners to use, but many public restrooms will have both options available.

Trash cans are few and far between

Public trash cans are very few in Japan. It is HIGHLY recommended to bring a plastic bag with you, especially when you plan to eat street foods and stroll around.

Don’t try to tip

You don’t need to tip taxi drivers, waiters, or bartenders. There’s no tipping in Japan. In fact, they may even be insulted if you try to leave extra money. Avoid the confusion by just paying the price as is.

Eigo o hanashimasu ka? / Do you speak English?

Though we strongly recommend that you learn Japanese before visiting Japan, you should at least know just this one phrase. Don’t be fooled by Japanese modesty either—as long as somebody doesn’t say “iie” AKA “no,” they speak well enough. There are places where people are more likely to be good English speakers—train stations, airports, and major tourist attractions especially. Try to save your questions for those places.


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