Matt Fuji

Short Answer: Of course! It’s pretty common: Japan receives tens of millions of tourists every year; most do not speak a word of Japanese.

Long Answer: Japan has built up a ton of resources to help international tourists, especially in major cities. Most public transportation includes multiple foreign languages such as English, Mandarin, or Korean. Restaurant chains and shops in tourist-friendly areas will also have English signage. Major train stations also have Information Centers with staff that speak foreign languages.

In fact, the Japanese government and various businesses have made sustained, years-long efforts to improve employees’ English proficiency. While nobody will be perfect, you can get by without much hassle.

I would recommend carrying between 5,000-10,000 yen at any given time. Small shops and food stands are often cash-only. Chains and large businesses, on the other hand, usually can accept payments by credit or IC cards.

You have options! While you can always buy an international data plan from your cellphone carrier, it is often cheaper and easier to get an eSIM, buy a SIM card once in Japan, or rent a Pocket WiFi.

All times of year are amazing experiences! Each season is different and offers unique opportunities:

1. Winter is popular for snow sports as well as special attractions like the Sapporo Snow Festival, in February.
2. Spring is most notable for cherry blossom season, which peaks in Tokyo around late March / early April in most years. However, there are many other nature opportunities, such as plum blossom season in late February and shibazakura in April/May.
3. Summer includes the official climbing season at Mt. Fuji, which runs from mid-July to early September. Many famous festivals occur in summer, including Gion Matsuri in July and the Nebuta Festival in August.
4. Fall is home to foliage season, when leaves turn colors and paint beautiful landscapes across the country. It is, after Spring, the most popular time for international and domestic tourism.

This will vary based on which country you’re from / which passport you hold. But to summarize for most developed nations:

1. Japan allows visa-free travel for citizens from over 60 countries. Just make sure your passport is valid for 6 months and has a couple blank pages.
2. Vaccinations: No special requirements, but it’s wise to make sure your routine vaccinations are up-to-date.
   • Japanese Encephalitis vaccine? If you’re sticking to major cities and touristy areas, you will be fine. However, if you’re planning to explore caves or visit other off-the-beaten-path areas, consult your doctor.
3. When in doubt, contact your local Japanese consulate or embassy for current requirements.

No, but it doesn’t hurt.

If you’re traveling at a peak time, such as cherry blossom season, booking earlier will make it easier to get hotels you want, seats on bullet trains at desired times, and tickets for popular attractions. For example, bullet trains can sell out – during a trip in March, I couldn’t move to an earlier train because it was already full.

That said, it’s doable to book a last-minute trip. I planned a trip to northern Japan during fall foliage season with two weeks’ notice, booking some hotels the day before I arrived, and had no issues.

2 months in advance: Some popular attractions, ranging from the Studio Ghibli Museum to the Imperial Palace in Tokyo, have fixed schedules for releasing tickets in batches. Studio Ghibli, for example, releases tickets on the 10th for the following calendar month. These need to be planned in advance and are difficult to get spur-of-the-moment. Double-check whether you need a visa, and that your passport is valid for at least 6 months.

2 weeks in advance: Buy your Japan Rail Pass or other tickets for traveling between cities

2 days in advance: Hotel reservations, how to get from the airport to the hotel,

Trains, planes, and buses 🙂

Within each city, there are a few public transit networks comprised of subways, above-ground trains, trams, and buses. Fares are typically paid by IC card. For example, Tokyo has a multitude of subway and train lines; Hiroshima has a mix of trams and trains; Fukuoka has a number of bus routes.

Between cities, Japan Rail, which also operates the bullet trains, is the fastest method of transportation. However, buses can present a cheaper option, and planes may be appropriate for long distances (e.g. Tokyo to Sapporo)

Ridesharing apps do not operate in Japan. If you need to call a cab, there are apps, such as GO, to call bona fide taxis. A hotel receptionist or tourist info center employee can also help with calling a taxi for you.

The Japan Rail Pass, in short, lets you ride Japan Rail, including bullet trains and local lines, across the country for free. It can be valid for 7, 14, or 21 days, and there are national and regional versions, all for different prices.

However, in 2023, Japan Rail significantly hiked up prices for the pass. While it used to be amazing value, for many visitors it may be cheaper to buy individual tickets than get the pass.

From Narita airport: The Narita Express is the simplest way to get to downtown Tokyo and takes about 30-45 minutes. You will need to book a ticket with a seat reservation at the airport before boarding; this is free for Japan Rail Pass holders.

From Haneda airport: An Airport Limousine Bus runs between Shinjuku Station (the busiest train station in Japan) and Haneda Airport. Several train lines, including the Tokyo Monorail and Keikyu Main Line, also run to Haneda Airport.