10 Things that make your Japan trip easy!

Japan has been a “trendy” destination and very much on travellers radar for a few years now. It gets hyped on social media, with lots of Do’s and Don’t 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 I anticipated, showing me around for 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, smartphone are everywhere, and you can get news, earthquake warnings, translations, even store your public transport ticket on a smartphone. This makes travelling in Japan quite easy, a densely population country with a fairly high level of digitalisation and a lot of online services.

But, even in the pre-smartphone times, I did not find travelling in Japan that hard. The biggest culture shock I experienced upon boarding my flight in London, when I was one of a handful of Westerners on a full Tokyo-bound British Airways flight.

So here are the top things that have made my Japan trips 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 scan Google Flights and Skyscanner regularly, and have booked flights for 900, 850 and sometimes less than 700 Euros (still waiting whether that 630 Euro flight on Etihad I recently bought is still going to happen) . 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 code share 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 busy, but drivers are considerate. I have not really had any sticky situation when driving, cycling or as a pedestrian.

Dangerous animals? You certainly want to look out for bears depending on season and location. Last time in Kyoto, our taxi driver told us a bear had recently been spotted in Maruyama Park (so in the city, basically). I’ve spotted snakes and plenty of hornets (on Shikoku) but never did I feel threatened by them.

Yes, there are earthquakes, typhoons and other natural disasters. You nned stay tuned with national warmings, for example by using a special app called “Safety Tips” aimed at travellers or the “NERV” app. So far, all Safety Tips was giving me was heatstroke warnings. I experienced two very small earthquakes while in Japan, but my warning app never went off.

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 touristy 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 speciality 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 Don Quijote stores but they were so stuffed and noisy, and I didn’t find anything I was looking for, but 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. The 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.

Advertising Time: My favourite stays in Japan

Links to places I have stayed at (or would like to stay at) are the only way I am monetizing this blog, and as you can see, I run no display ads or have bloody annoying popups to third party tour operators. So, anyway, I am sharing some of my favourite accommodations over the years. Mostly Tokyo and Kyoto. Although I am definitely Kansai-biased and my favourite cities of Japan are Kyoto and Nagasaki, although there are many regions I liked, for example, in no particular order, Sendai, Yamagata, Wakayama Prefecture, Fukui Prefecture and I love Kyushu and Shikoku.

Starting in Tokyo, the place I have returned to most times is Annex Katsutaro Ryokan. I first stayed there in 2004 when Yanaka was really not on anyone’s radar, and I still love the place, although Yanaka Ginza has become a bit touristy for my liking. It’s a nice area for walking, it has Yamanote Line access, Underground, a bunch of excellent dessert cafes, and last not least Nippori Fabric Town a short stroll away. The ryokan might be in a modern building, but it’s old school traditional extremely welcoming, and rooms are light and very large for Tokyo. My top recommendation for traditional style accommodation on a moderate budget.

If you prefer Western style rooms, I recommend the Almont Hotel Nippori. You see, I am quite biased on Nippori. I really love the area – it has shops, restaurants, trains… and no crowds. The hotel is mid-size, has mostly tourists as guests, rooms are small, but well appointed and comfortable, and the breakfast blows a five-star out of the water. You can drag your fully stuffed suitcase the 200m to Nippori Station for easy direct Keisei Skyliner access to Narita.

And if you’re really on a budget in Tokyo? Smart Stay Shizuku Ueno Ekimae. My Japanese teacher said, well Ueno is full of cheap accommodations… it feels like this tidy capsule hotel is one of the last of the budget ones. It’s 200m from JR Ueno and 100m from Keisei Ueno, so very convenient for new arrivals. Extremely clean, comes with the usual capsule hotel rules, and… has communal baths and a sauna.

In Kyoto, I stayed in a number of places, and never really had a bad stay. Starting with the budget stays… First Cabin Kyoto Nijojo. Another capsule hotel, with a nice communal bath, lounge, free snacks. You can get some incredible offers here, from something like 15 Euro per night. For a little more, you can stay in a private room in the outer reaches of Gion, perfect for walking up to Kiyomizudera, at RAK Kiyomizu, a small quiet hostel with private single rooms only. This is perfect for solo travellers seeking peace and quiet – I stayed there when I studied at Japanese school and loved it. If you are a couple/family or want to meet other travellers, I would recommend Guesthouse Soi, not far away. From dorms to large family rooms, this family-run guesthouse has it all. The only disadvantage is that the buses stopping here may get crowded, but they rent out really nice bicycles cheaply. I also stayed at Piece Hostel Kyoto twice. The area isn’t that amazing, just south of Kyoto Station, but obviously super convenient for the trains, especially Shinkansen. The hotel is bright, spacious and tidy, multilingual staff, nice kitchen and communal lounge Having stayed in both a dorm and a private room, I can recommend both. My private room was plain and very small, still comfortable – but without a desk, so unsuitable if you have study/work to do.

Moving on to midrange accommodation in Kyoto, I usually try to stay at small tradtitional places. Classic ryokan are out o my budget, so I stay at small inns. Gallery Nozawa in Shimabara is run by a lovely elderly couple who treat you like family. Its large tatami rooms are stylish and comfortable, you close to JR and Kyoto Station, and Shimabara is a really interesting up-and coming area, the former “red light” district of Edo Kyoto. I have a full review here. Another small inn I loved is Higurashi-Sou near Nijo Castle. A lovely converted old townhouse, you can choose between wooden floored Western and tatami floored Japanese rooms. They’ve no interest in cramming in as many guests as possible, so there are two big lounges, plus free bicycles, and… sento basket and tickets to the sento. Absolutely wonderful concept, although its a little more of a trek to the usual sights, but several bus stops are nearby.

For midrange Kyoto hotels, I was extremely pleasantly surprised by a recent stay at Hotel M’s Plus Shijo Omiya. I needed somewhere cheap to stay for one night only, and paid just under 6000JPY (in 2025). The hotel is 100m from Omiya Station, on the direct bus to Kyoto Station, and Downtown and its shops are easily walkable (or a 5min bus ride away). Rooms are small, yes, but well appointed, light and friendly. Several sento are in walking distance. Another hotel I would stay at, just for the views, is Henn na Hotel Kyoto Eki Hachijoguchimae. Henn na Hotel is the chain with the dinosaur Check-in robots, and if that weren’t a reason to stay, some of the rooms have a close-up view of the Shinkansen tracks at Kyoto Station. Rooms are also very large and comfortable.

And, moving up the ladder to splurge stays, the air is a bit thin here, because I have stayed at exactly one of Kyoto’s many luxury hotels. So, nothing for, comparison but I really liked The Gate Hotel Takasegawa. Not only did it revive a dilapidated Taisho.era school building in Pontocho, but it also provides extremely comfy accommodations in the heart of Kyoto’s vibrant Downtown area, often for well under 200 Euro per night per room (I paid around 120Euro in 2026). Find a full review here.

The Small Print

I have visited Japan thirteen 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 in 2023. All trips were paid by myself, no sponsorship.

This post contains some affiliate links to Booking.com. This is the only way this blog, which I run as a hobby besides a regular job, is monetized. If you book using one of these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. This may go towards a bit of upgrading my own travel, Shinkansen, maybe the odd splurge stay. I also regularly donate a percentage of my income on a regular basis.

This post was first published in August 2024 and updated on 20 September 2026