10 Things that make your Japan trip easy!

Japan is very much on travellers radar right now. It gets hyped on social media, with lots of Do’s and Don’ts lists and what not to miss, lots of videos and reels and posts. Here are my personal tips on how to make your Japan trip easy. Take a step away from social media and read some no-nonsense advice from someone who visited several times. Yes, I am a tourist, too (I would not count my six weeks of university in Kyushu as “living in Japan”) and while am on the fence about promoting Japan as a holiday destination when there are so many reports of overtourism, Japan for me is one of the most safe, culturally exciting and wonderful travel destinations.

I first visited in 2004 when smartphones and Google Translate didn’t exist, armed with a phrasebook and maps. A friend of a friend who is Japanese, kindly took me under her wing and helped alleviate the culture shock, showing me round on two days, then helping me buy discounted Shinkansen tickets. I felt welcome then as I do now, taking my time not to rush from one place to another, observing the local customs, not expecting people to speak English. I also like to visit places a bit off the “Golden Route” of Tokyo-Osaka-Kyoto although I admit I really love Kyoto.

Now travelling has become easier in so many ways, the smartphone und ubiquitous perhaps being the trailblazer to make travel so easy, at least in Japan, a high population country with a generally high level of digitalisation.

So here are the top things that have made my Japan trips very easy-breezy and make me want to return again and again, as travelling in Japan is so safe, comfortable and rewarding. Please travel responsibly, mix highlights (yes, they are crowded) with some off the beaten track sights, watch and learn, have a wonderful trip!

Feel free to read How to prepare for your Japan Trip for some more in-depth practical information.

1. Convenient flights

So, the first things to make your Japan trip easy is the availability of lots and lots of good flights. I can only speak for travelling from Europe, but we get great flights to Japan. Right now, we seem to get a lot of really good flight offers on decent airlines with just one stopover. I san Google Flights regularly, and have booked flights for 900, 850 and now less than 700 Euros. This excludes cherry blossom season, which appears the most popular season.

Going by the photo, you can guess I am quite a big fan of Finnair. While the experience can be a bit spartan, their comfortable A350 aircraft and reassuring crews make the experience a smooth one. I have flown other airlines, with Japan Airlines being my all-time favourite, but they tend to codeshare with Finnair, at least from my home airport. I have also flown one of the big gulf carriers, Etihad, who get high ratings both for safety and flight experience, and while some people like to break up their journey in Arabia, I don’t. Other than that, you get a lot of choice, especially when flying from a major European city: KLM Air France, British Airways and Lufthansa fly directly to the major hubs of Tokyo and Osaka at least once a day.

2. It’s the safest country I have visited

There’s a lot to be said for peace of mind when you know you don’t need to watch your back constantly. In everyday life, it is generally okay for men and women to walk alone, including after dark, including big cities.

Pickpocketing? Extremely unlikely. I have, on occasion, left my shopping in my bicycle basket when sightseeing, once I accidentally left my mobile phone there, too. It was all there when I returned.

Scams? Haven’t seen any in over three months in Japan, including some pretty touristy areas of Kyoto. I have heard reports of touts for bars in some of the entertainment districts, and as someone who’s usually tucked up in bed by 22.00, I haven’t really been there.

Travelling alone as a female? No issues whatsoever. I have seen signs with “careful of up skirt photography” in some train stations, but honestly, even travelling on really full trains sometimes, walking home in the dark, staying in cabin hotels and basically just being by myself has not been a problem. I have come across such really nice helpful people, so I think help would be at hand should an emergency arise.

Traffic may look a bit mental, but drivers are considerate. I have not really had any sticky situation when driving, cycling or as a pedestrian.

Yes, there are earthquakes, typhoons and other natural disasters. But you can stay tuned with national warmings by downloading a special app called “Safety Tips” aimed at travellers, and more recently, the “NERV” app since all SAfety Tips was giving me was heatstroke warnings even after the recent earth quake.

3. Excellent public transport

Be it trains, buses, or other modes of transport – Japan public transport delivers. In big cities, you can completely rely on the fast, clean and efficient public transport. Of course, like you would at home, you probably cannot reach a remote mountain resort on public transport.

But I would say that for 90% of destinations relevant to tourists, you can use public transport. To entice tourists further to public transport, a number of passes and discounted tickets are available. The Japan Rail Pass covering the entirety of Japan may not be such a good deal any more since the prices were increased last year, but the best deals are regional passes, saving you lots of money while allowing you to use Shinkansen trains and fast Limited Express trains. Here are the deals on JR West and JR Kyushu.

In addition to that, there are many private railways and local companies offering special tickets.

If travelling only on local or rapid trains, an IC card is the best way to pay for travel. You buy it in a train station. Get a proper one, not the tourist one, as the balance doesn’t expire for at least ten years. Then you just tap in and out at the barrier and in most buses, saving you having to buy a ticket. No change at the vending machines or the convenience store? Use the IC card.

4. Everything is clean. Super clean

It is so clean, you could probably eat from the floor. Another level of clean for my Central European taste. And Germany is fairly clean to begin with.

Starting at public transport, which gets very heavily used in Japan. Even local trains are spick-and span clean and bright, it’s a pleasure to sit on public transport. Yes, carriage interior may be a little worn, but never dirty. I saw when I travelled on the Haruka Airport Train that the train gets cleaned (vacuumed, surfaces wiped, toilets cleaned) after every run. Amazing.

Hotels, even the most basic ones, are clean. My cheapest accommodation to date, a cabin hotel in Wakayama, was one of the most spotless. I stayed at a cheap-ish guest house in Kyoto in May, which may have looked a little cramped, but the owner spent several hours every morning cleaning the communal areas.

Food hygiene also looks good. Given the amount of fresh fish for sale, I never have smelled anything fishy. There are no spills in supermarkets, and baskets are spotless.

Need to visit a toilet while out and about? Not a problem. Each train station has a toilet, there are public toilets all over, often shops and cafes will let you use their restrooms even if you are not a guest – just ask politely. Bring a small towel as these are often lacking in Japanese public toilets.

5. Superb accommodation – but pre-book

Japan has a wide range of accommodations, from the exclusive ryokan with impeccable service and meals included, to super cheap hostels and capsule hotels. There is something for every budget. Right now, accommodation prices are cheaper than in most of Europe fur sure.

For example, when I travel for work, I pay 60 to 100 Euro for a decent but not very special business hotel. In Japan, well, outside the peak season, I get a very lovely cabin room for 25 Euro, a nice guesthouse private room for 30-40 and something really quite luxurious for 80-100 Euro.

My accommodations tend to be mid range and I prefer smaller guesthouses with a bit of character. I have stayed in such nice traditional Japanese houses for less than 50 Euros a night, where I had a huge private room, and sometimes the use of a huge lounge or the downstairs cafe which the owners often run during the daytime.

Business hotels are another great Japanese thing – cost conscious, comfortable, originally designed for travelling salesmen, but now beloved by everyone who loves to sleep in a private room on a budget.

You do need to be aware of the main travel seasons (local festivals, Golden Week and Obon for Japanese, Cherry Blossom and Autumn Foliage season for international arrivals) and book accommodation well, well ahead – sometimes six months. At all other times, I found good deals online, even in touristy destinations like Kyoto a few days in advance.

6. Centuries-old Culture and Modern Innovation

You see the headlines on social media “Japan is living in 2050” with a non-stick yoghurt lid, but I probably spend too much time on social media.

What struck me first in Japan was how intuitive a lot of things are and how easy it is to travel. Multilingual all-singing vending machines were omnipresent when I first visited Japan in 2004, the Shinkansen was running as fast as no train elsewhere. Shinkansen seats swivelled so you always faced the direction of travel. The wrapping of supermarket rice balls. You take off shoes in the genkan because you didn’t want to mess up someone’s floor.

And yet, Japanese culture is so rich, from what’s known as the”Golden Age” of the Heian Period which established Kyoto as a capital, through the years of isolation to the Industrial Revolution of the Meiji era. I feel like I get to learn so much from it, as a Western scientist who likes evidence. At the same time, many great innovations and discoveries such as digital imaging, home appliances, isolation of adrenaline… the list goes on, and although I have not read much about medical and scientific breakthroughs from Japan (the Europeans and North Americans certainly excel at that), thee Japanese seem to great at innovations that make everyone’s daily life easier.

7. It is relatively reasonably priced – right now

The Japanese Yen has been losing value against the US-Dollar and Euros for the past three years, which is advantageous for Western tourists. I don’t know about the US< but always found the US way more expensive than Europe, but Japan feels definitely a lot cheaper for travel than Central and Western Europe at present.

On my first few Japan trips, in 2004 and 2005, I felt that prices for toursity services like food, accommodation and shopping were on par with Germany or the United Kingdom. When I studied in Nagasaki in 2023 I got 140 JPY for a Euro, which seemed a lot, and I stayed what I perceive as relatively cheaply in a few nice hotels and shopped a lot.

Back in July 2024, I got over 170 JPY for a Euro, and I didn’t have to think twice about buying something or having my second restaurant meal of the day.

And even though the Japanese Yen might rise against the US-Dollars – in a way, I hope it, as it will make life more affordable for the Japanese- it will still be quite reasonably priced in terms of solid mid-range hotels, public transport and food.

8. The Shopping is… amazing

Because of the favourable exchange rate for us Western tourists, shopping comes at relatively reasonable prices, and the shops in Japan do deliver! From huge malls to specialty stores and the ever-present convenience stores, Japan offers a lot of shopping opportunities.

What you shop depends on your lifestyle and budget, but for many travellers it’s clothes, electronics, cosmetics, skincare, food and souvenirs.

While I did buy a camera lens about 15 years ago, I was never sure of its warranty rules, but that lens lasted me over 15 years and was about half price compared to home back then, so I would probably buy one again. Apart from that, my purchases are relatively low priced: books, fabric, some skincare. And loads of food that either isn’t available in Europe or at a huge mark-up. Half my bag is filled with rice crackers when I check in for my return flight.

I wouldn’t even know where to start giving shopping tips here, but my favourite shops are book stores, fabric shops, Muji, Loft, supermarkets and drug stores. I’ve been to the DonQuijote stores but they were so stuffed and noisy, and I didn’t find anything I was looking for, byt some of my friends swear by them.

As a tourist you can get a tax refund of just 10% if you purchase goods over 5500 JPY in a single transaction and take them out of the country. Often, stores in touristic areas will offer tax-free shopping and advertise it accordingly. You will need to show your passport and often have to go to a special desk within the store to have the tax refund credited. Some smaller shops, like Nomura Tailor and Jikko Cutlery in Kyoto, deduct it from the invoice.

Anything that’s consumable will be placed in a sealed bag that you can only open once you’ve left the country. It’s fine to place those sealed bags in the checked luggage. Then, as you leave the country, you are asked to scan your passport and have the receipts for inspection.

It’s mandatory to carry your passport with you at all times, by the way.

 

9. Despite the overtourism – Japanese are welcoming

On my recent trips, I have visited Kyoto several times, which has some tourist attractions that are crowded pretty much any time.

Despite this, people in Kyoto were friendly – even in big, crowded shopping streets. It does not take much to adhere to what locals take for granted – and to a certain extend,they expect foreigners to stick to a few courtesy rules.

You can find them all over Kyoto on posters. They include pretty basic decent behaviour such as not trespassing on peoples property, not littering, not walking in a huge crowd and blocking walkways. Then, other behaviour recommendations are a bit reflecting the conservative society – no public displays of affection (rather smiled than frowned upon), and being quiet on public transport. Not having phones on loud.

I think the best we can do to stay welcome would be to learn from the Japanese, observe how they behave in public and follow suit. Visit somewhat less hyped destinations in addition to some of the highlights on the way. Support local and national businesses.

10. The food is wonderful

And last not least, there is a lot to be said about Japanese food. It’s seasonal, relatively light, convenient, often healthy.

Up until the Meiji Industrial Revolution, most Japanese lived a vegetarian lifestyle on a staple of rice, beans and vegetables, with the occasional meal of fish and very rarely meat. However, that’s completely changed now!

There are lots and lots of places to eat in Japan, from the relatively nice offerings at convenience stores to fine dining. I stick to small-ish neighbourhood restaurants and sometimes a chain (Komeda’s Coffee) and rarely have I eaten so well on a relatively small budget.

The supermarket shelves are bulging with fresh produce from fish via tofu, fruit and vegetables. Fruit and vegetables aren’t cheap (we’re spoiled her ein Europe for fresh produce) but of exceptional quality.

So, visit Japan!

Has that convinced you? You may also want to consult my post on how to prepare for your Japan trip, with lots of practical advice.

I also have some posts up on Nagasaki, including a three-day Nagasaki itinerary and a post on visiting the “Temple Street” of Nagasaki. Last not least, my roundup of the onsen I visited in and around Nagasaki.

This year, I visited Sakai, Sasayama and Kyoto on my first trip and Kumano Kodo and Kyoto again on my second trip. I have a couple post on roaming Kyoto on a bicycle and how to visit Kyoto with limited mobility, too.

Please feel free to contact me or comment if you have any specific questions, and I will do my best to help.

The Small Print

I have visited Japan six times now, starting in 2004, and there has never been a bad trip. I have done the touristy route years back but find myself spending more and more time in somewhat less touristy destinations, but I love to return to Kyoto, one of my favourite cities. I also attended university in Nagasaki. All trips were paid by myself, no sponsorship.