FREE Japan Travel Guide
Where to visit
Capital: Tokyo
If you’d like to visit big cities: Tokyo and Osaka
If you want to explore Osaka more, check my Osaka guide
If you’d like to see traditional buildings and culture: Kyoto, Nara, and Kanazawa
Beaches: Okinawa
Skiing and Snowboarding: Hokkaido
Amusement park
Tokyo Disney Resort
Universal Studio Japan
Giburi park
Fujiq highland
World heritage Site in Japan
Horyuji (temple in Nara)
Kyoto city (Kyoto)
Genbaku dome (Hiroshima)
・Nikko temple (Tochigi)
Mt. Fuji (Yamanashi, Shizuoka)
Himeji Castle (Hyogo)
And more.
There are 25 World Heritage Sites in Japan.
Where to stay in Japan: Hotel recommendations
Japanese restaurants
You don't need to spend a lot to try Japanese food. Here are some chain restaurants in Japan. I picked one location for each, but you will find these restaurants in more places.
1. Sushi
2. Gyudon restaurant
"Gyudon" (牛丼) is a popular dish in Japanese fast-food restaurants and eateries. It consists of a bowl of steamed white rice topped with thinly sliced beef and onions that have been simmered in a flavorful soy-based sauce.
3. Udon
4. Izakaya (Japanese informal pub and tavern)
5. Humburger
Mos burger (Japanese burger fast food chains)
6. Japanese curry
7. Ramen
There are many Ramen restaurants in Japan. You should try at least one ramen when you are there! It's affordable in Japan🍜
Ichiran
Coffee chains to try (not Starbucks)
Komeda coffee
Saint Marc Cafe
Hoshino Coffee
Ueshima coffee
3. Shopping
I picked one location for each, but you will find these shops in more places.
Uniqlo
GU - Cheaper than Uniqlo
Daiso
ドンキホーテ/ Don Quijote
Are you an Otaku?
Then Animate is your best friend:)
Cheap second hand shop: BOOK OFF
When should you visit Japan
+ pros and cons of each season (just my opinion)
Spring
Pros
・Sakura season🌸
・Perfect weather
Summer
Pros
・Fireworks festivals
• Local summer festivals
Cons
・Burning hot (over 30℃ everyday, max can be 40℃）
・Very humid
Fall
Pros
・Perfect weather
・Koyo season: visit temples and shrines to see the landscape (mainly in November)
Cons
・ Typhoon season
It's important to be aware that Japan experiences typhoon season (Mainly in August and September). My advice is to ensure your schedule isn't too tight and to have travel insurance that covers flight cancellations and extended hotel stays. Additionally, stay updated on public transportation information, as services might halt before the typhoon arrives. Many establishments may close early or for the entire day.
Winter
Pros
・Good snow for skiing and snowboarding
• Onsen (Japanese hot spring) feels perfect
Cons
・The temperature is really depends on where you go (- 20℃ ~ 15℃)
When am I going to visit Japan if I am a traveler…
I would recommend choosing to come to Japan in either April or October to November. Of course, the decision is entirely up to you and depends on what you want to do in Japan, but I would say these months are the best times to visit.
Transportation
Metro, trains, buses - Use Suica for this.
For iPhone users:
go to wallet →click + on the right corner → Transit card → Search Suica (Any of these cards in the picture work)
The difference is that Suica and PASMO are widely used in Kanto, including Tokyo, and ICOCA is widely used in Kansai, including Osaka.
For Android:
go to the Google wallet app → select “Payment”→Select “Payment method” E-money → Add suica
Taxi
JR Rail pass7 days
LCC airline companies if you wanna use plane domestically.
・Peach
・Jetstar
Currency
¥ | Yen | 円
Check currency rate here👇
General information and tips
Plug
A type: same as the US, Canada, and Mexico
E-sim (Internet)
I recommend you buy ESIM to make your travels easier.
You will find a lot of free wifi in public; however, it's not very stable, and sometimes it just doesn’t work.
Make sure your phone is eSIM-compatible
In case you want to find free WiFi
Download Google Maps and Google Translate.
Google maps: google maps is enough to look for places and see how to get there
Google translator or DeepL: Download translator app to communicate easily
The big city is always very crowded
Avoid taking trains during rush hour (7:30am - 9:00am) (5pm - 7pm) if you don't like packed trains.
Book restaurants or go early (before 12pm for lunch, before 6pm for dinner) You can book restaurants from Google, by phone, or tabelog
Avoid National holidays if you can (National holidays in Japan in 2023 & 2024)
Osaka amazing pass
I recommend this ticket if you are staying in Osaka for more than 2 days and want to explore everything.
If your phone is out of charge, rent a mobile charger
165 (about $1 ) yen for 30 min ~
You can find it at convenience stores and many other places.
Carry your passport with you
You need your passport to get tax-free when you buy something. You can use tax free if you buy something over ¥5,500. I recommend buying everything at once in order to use this.
Use as ID in case you need it
Useful Apps (Summery)
Googel Maps: This covers most of things you need. If you don’t want to download any apps, download Google Maps and you’re ready!
Taxi: Go Taxi, S ride
Tabelog
Google Translate or DeepL
Airalo: Esim
Japan Travel - Route, Map Guide
LINE
Thatch: Download this app and keep my travel guide ready to use
Airports
Which airport should you arrive at?
Emergency Call
Emergency Call for Fire, Ambulance or Emergency Rescue: 119
Call them if you are in emergency, it’s FREE
Emergency Call to Police: 110
Police Consultation in English:
☎️ 03-3503-8484
🗓️ 8:30-17:15, Mon-Fr
More Info↓
General Questions
1. Is Japan really safe?
I always felt secure, even when exploring alone at night. Nonetheless, staying vigilant about your surroundings is essential. Remember not to leave your belongings unattended, and avoid excessive drinking. With these precautions, you should have a worry-free journey!
2. How common is English in Japan?
Many people speak English nowadays, especially in tourist areas. However, it's better to have Google Translate handy, just in case.
3. Is a trip to Japan budget-friendly?
Definitely, depending on your travel style, but there are reasons why Japan is budget-friendly:
・The Japanese yen had significantly depreciated.
・Numerous ways exist to save money. Skip convenience stores; supermarkets are more cost-effective. Plus, tap water is safe to drink if you want to save money by not buying water every day.
・Night buses offer budget- friendly travel if you want to travel far. (Shinkansen, bullet train, is usually the most expensive option to move around.)
FREE Japan Travel Guide
Where to visit
Capital: Tokyo
If you’d like to visit big cities: Tokyo and Osaka
If you want to explore Osaka more, check my Osaka guide
If you’d like to see traditional buildings and culture: Kyoto, Nara, and Kanazawa
Beaches: Okinawa
Skiing and Snowboarding: Hokkaido
Amusement park
Tokyo Disney Resort
Universal Studio Japan
Giburi park
Fujiq highland
World heritage Site in Japan
Horyuji (temple in Nara)
Kyoto city (Kyoto)
Genbaku dome (Hiroshima)
・Nikko temple (Tochigi)
Mt. Fuji (Yamanashi, Shizuoka)
Himeji Castle (Hyogo)
And more.
There are 25 World Heritage Sites in Japan.
Where to stay in Japan: Hotel recommendations
Japanese restaurants
You don't need to spend a lot to try Japanese food. Here are some chain restaurants in Japan. I picked one location for each, but you will find these restaurants in more places.
1. Sushi
2. Gyudon restaurant
"Gyudon" (牛丼) is a popular dish in Japanese fast-food restaurants and eateries. It consists of a bowl of steamed white rice topped with thinly sliced beef and onions that have been simmered in a flavorful soy-based sauce.
3. Udon
4. Izakaya (Japanese informal pub and tavern)
5. Humburger
Mos burger (Japanese burger fast food chains)
6. Japanese curry
7. Ramen
There are many Ramen restaurants in Japan. You should try at least one ramen when you are there! It's affordable in Japan🍜
Ichiran
Coffee chains to try (not Starbucks)
Komeda coffee
Saint Marc Cafe
Hoshino Coffee
Ueshima coffee
3. Shopping
I picked one location for each, but you will find these shops in more places.
Uniqlo
GU - Cheaper than Uniqlo
Daiso
ドンキホーテ/ Don Quijote
Are you an Otaku?
Then Animate is your best friend:)
Cheap second hand shop: BOOK OFF
When should you visit Japan
+ pros and cons of each season (just my opinion)
Spring
Pros
・Sakura season🌸
・Perfect weather
Summer
Pros
・Fireworks festivals
• Local summer festivals
Cons
・Burning hot (over 30℃ everyday, max can be 40℃）
・Very humid
Fall
Pros
・Perfect weather
・Koyo season: visit temples and shrines to see the landscape (mainly in November)
Cons
・ Typhoon season
It's important to be aware that Japan experiences typhoon season (Mainly in August and September). My advice is to ensure your schedule isn't too tight and to have travel insurance that covers flight cancellations and extended hotel stays. Additionally, stay updated on public transportation information, as services might halt before the typhoon arrives. Many establishments may close early or for the entire day.
Winter
Pros
・Good snow for skiing and snowboarding
• Onsen (Japanese hot spring) feels perfect
Cons
・The temperature is really depends on where you go (- 20℃ ~ 15℃)
When am I going to visit Japan if I am a traveler…
I would recommend choosing to come to Japan in either April or October to November. Of course, the decision is entirely up to you and depends on what you want to do in Japan, but I would say these months are the best times to visit.
Transportation
Metro, trains, buses - Use Suica for this.
For iPhone users:
go to wallet →click + on the right corner → Transit card → Search Suica (Any of these cards in the picture work)
The difference is that Suica and PASMO are widely used in Kanto, including Tokyo, and ICOCA is widely used in Kansai, including Osaka.
For Android:
go to the Google wallet app → select “Payment”→Select “Payment method” E-money → Add suica
Taxi
JR Rail pass7 days
LCC airline companies if you wanna use plane domestically.
・Peach
・Jetstar
Currency
¥ | Yen | 円
Check currency rate here👇
General information and tips
Plug
A type: same as the US, Canada, and Mexico
E-sim (Internet)
I recommend you buy ESIM to make your travels easier.
You will find a lot of free wifi in public; however, it's not very stable, and sometimes it just doesn’t work.
Make sure your phone is eSIM-compatible
In case you want to find free WiFi
Download Google Maps and Google Translate.
Google maps: google maps is enough to look for places and see how to get there
Google translator or DeepL: Download translator app to communicate easily
The big city is always very crowded
Avoid taking trains during rush hour (7:30am - 9:00am) (5pm - 7pm) if you don't like packed trains.
Book restaurants or go early (before 12pm for lunch, before 6pm for dinner) You can book restaurants from Google, by phone, or tabelog
Avoid National holidays if you can (National holidays in Japan in 2023 & 2024)
Osaka amazing pass
I recommend this ticket if you are staying in Osaka for more than 2 days and want to explore everything.
If your phone is out of charge, rent a mobile charger
165 (about $1 ) yen for 30 min ~
You can find it at convenience stores and many other places.
Carry your passport with you
You need your passport to get tax-free when you buy something. You can use tax free if you buy something over ¥5,500. I recommend buying everything at once in order to use this.
Use as ID in case you need it
Useful Apps (Summery)
Googel Maps: This covers most of things you need. If you don’t want to download any apps, download Google Maps and you’re ready!
Taxi: Go Taxi, S ride
Tabelog
Google Translate or DeepL
Airalo: Esim
Japan Travel - Route, Map Guide
LINE
Thatch: Download this app and keep my travel guide ready to use
Airports
Which airport should you arrive at?
Emergency Call
Emergency Call for Fire, Ambulance or Emergency Rescue: 119
Call them if you are in emergency, it’s FREE
Emergency Call to Police: 110
Police Consultation in English:
☎️ 03-3503-8484
🗓️ 8:30-17:15, Mon-Fr
More Info↓
General Questions
1. Is Japan really safe?
I always felt secure, even when exploring alone at night. Nonetheless, staying vigilant about your surroundings is essential. Remember not to leave your belongings unattended, and avoid excessive drinking. With these precautions, you should have a worry-free journey!
2. How common is English in Japan?
Many people speak English nowadays, especially in tourist areas. However, it's better to have Google Translate handy, just in case.
3. Is a trip to Japan budget-friendly?
Definitely, depending on your travel style, but there are reasons why Japan is budget-friendly:
・The Japanese yen had significantly depreciated.
・Numerous ways exist to save money. Skip convenience stores; supermarkets are more cost-effective. Plus, tap water is safe to drink if you want to save money by not buying water every day.
・Night buses offer budget- friendly travel if you want to travel far. (Shinkansen, bullet train, is usually the most expensive option to move around.)