Tips for Your First Trip to Japan

With the Tokyo Marathon just over a month away, we thought some of you might be planning a trip to the Land of the Rising Sun. It might feel a bit daunting to visit somewhere so different from home. But we did it and we have some great tips for your first trip to Japan.

Before You Go

Order Pocket WiFi

Pocket WiFi unit for Japan travel. It’s a small, black, plastic box, about the size of a deck of cards. On the front of it are colorful symbols and a bar code. — Smaller than a deck of cards and able to keep you connected all day!

In Japan, you may not always have cellular service. Rather than sweating it, or remembering to download maps to your phone, get a pocket WiFi unit. You can rent them for as little as $5.40 USD per day. The company will have it delivered to your hotel prior to your arrival AND you can return it in at any postal box.

Think About Jet Lag

Man with eyes wide, holding up a canvas bag that reads “FlyKitt” on the front of it. — No more jet lag for this guy!

The 13 hour time difference didn’t hit me too hard but Stephen was too excited to sleep on the plane. And once we got to our room, he was too wound up to sleep at all. Instead he went for a 2am run around Tokyo. It was very productive but by 4pm, he was done. So, if you’re at all worried about the time change, check out FlyKitt. It’s an affordable regimen of vitamins, caffeine, blue light blockers and melatonin designed specifically for your trip. It was a game changer for our trips to London and Sydney.

Download Google Translate

Narrow street in Tokyo with brightly lit signs in Japanese on either side — So. Many. Signs!

We get it. We don’t speak or read Japanese either but you’ll be happy to know that many people in Tokyo speak English, especially those who work in the hospitality industry. Many of the signs are in Japanese AND in English, so we were able to use public transportation with very little trouble. And Google Translate was a HUGE HELP!! This free app can read a menu and translate it to English, while keeping the background graphics in tact. It also allows you to speak into the microphone and translate your words to text in any language.

Google Translate app — Bring a translator in your pocket

About The Hotels

View of a small hotel room in Tokyo from the bed. There is a cream colored comforter and at the end of the bed are suitcases on a desk. — The Tokyo Crevice

If you stay at a Western branded hotel, like the Mariott, this won’t apply. But you should know that you’ll pay A LOT for the comforts of home and the local hotels are really nice and affordable. Our stay at the Sotetsu Fresa Inn only cost us $800 USD for nearly 3 weeks’ stay. But you should know…the room was small. How small? Well we called it the crevice and it did cause some challenges for Stephen before the marathon.

But They Have Some Great Perks

Free Jammies

Man and woman standing in the doorway of their hotel, wearing matching pajamas — Sotetsu Lounge Wear

Apparently free pajamas for the duration of your stay is a standard perk at local hotels. At the Sotetsu, these were our jammies. When we stayed up near Nagano, we got to lounge in kimonos instead.

Everywhere…High-Tech Toilets

Control panel for a high tech toilet in Japan — Ready for blast off

This was the control panel for the toilet in our room. Before we used Google Translate to see what all the buttons did, Stephen thought it might be fun to just push one or two. I think he described the experience as an uncontrollable fountain. And it’s important to note, he wasn’t sitting on the toilet at the time so the fountain christened our entire bathroom. But since that room was about the size of phone booth, the deluge was rather contained.

Great Breakfast Buffet Included…but Not What You’d Expect

Wooden table, with plates showing salad, fish, and rice, with chop sticks, resting on top. — The Typical Tokyo Breakfast

Each morning we would head down to the restaurant to enjoy the breakfast buffet that was included with our room rate. However, the food was not Western. Instead we had fresh salads, fish, and rice. And we must say, it was GREAT!

Culture and Etiquette

How Not to Be “Those People”

Man and woman on a Tokyo train, wearing masks — Taking the Train in Tokyo

Even though we traveled well after the pandemic ended, people in public places still wear masks. It’s considered polite as is refraining from loud speaking on public transportation. Since we were guests in their country, we felt it was considerate to follow their norms.

Bring a Little Hand Towel

Selection of small hand towels in different colors and patterns. — Little Hand Towels

The toilets in Japan are AMAZING. They are heated and some even play music to add a little privacy. But it’s interesting to note that the restrooms have neither hand towels nor hand dryers. So you’ll want to pack a small towel to dry your hands when you’re using public facilities.

Be Prepared to Take Your Trash With You

A unit of three trash bins, that are glass, with a black frame and a stainless steel top — Tokyo Trash Bins

Because of a law passed in the 1990s, Japan and especially Tokyo, limits the number of trash cans in public spaces. They aren’t impossible to find, but you should be prepared to take carry your trash with you until you find a container. They are often located in train stations, near vending machines and at convenience stores like 7-11. (And by the way, the 7-11s there are AMAZING!!)

Lastly…Be Prepared to Have Fun

Man and woman, standing on street in Tokyo, looking scared because Godzilla is behind them. — Oh no!! Godzilla!!!

Woman standing on a mirrored floor, surrounded by large, purple orbs — Oh no!! Godzilla!!!

Man and woman sitting, each with an owl on their arm. — Hanging with the Owls

Japan is like no where else we’ve ever traveled and we just had a blast. From the owl cafe to Godzilla spitting fire on a random street, we had so much fun. The people were welcoming and the food was fantastic! We’re hoping to go back again some day, but we have a few other places we want to get to first.

We hope you enjoy your journey to Japan. Please feel free to reach out with any questions you might have. We’d love to help you on your journey. And be sure to follow us on Facebook for our latest articles or see what we’re up to in real time on Instagram.

Happy Travels!!