In April 2023, I journeyed to Japan for two weeks with some friends. Along the way, I jotted down a few things I wished I had known before our arrival. What follows is a somewhat unordered list of useful tips and insights that could help you as you prepare for and embark on your own trip (no sightseeing or food recommendations here). A number of these tips are general travel advice, not specific to Japan; so, bear with me.

Getting ready

• If this is your first visit and you're new here, I highly recommend booking your accommodation near a major transport hub like Shinjuku or Shibuya. Don't worry about these areas being touristy; in my view, that's a bonus, not a drawback. After all, you're a tourist, so you don't want every trip to involve extra walking or multiple train changes. Plus, these neighborhoods are lively and well-equipped for visitors, unlike more remote areas that might be less friendly to tourists. I stayed right next to Shinjuku Station, and it made traveling around a breeze.
• The moment the plane lifts off, adjust all your clocks to Tokyo time. Start acting as though you are already in Tokyo. From this point forward, make yourself sleep (or at least keep your eyes closed) during Japan's nighttime, and stay awake and active during Japan's daytime. It might be the placebo effect, but I discovered this approach to be an effective way to tackle the intense jet lag (there's a 13+ hour difference between New York Time and Tokyo Time).
• Before you board your flight, head over to Visit Japan Web to submit your immigration, customs, and COVID information in advance. This mobile site will generate QR codes for you, which can be scanned by agents at the immigration and customs checkpoints. This process simplifies your entry into the country and eliminates the need to manually complete the declaration forms during your flight.
• For a two-week journey, I carried a small backpack and a large duffel bag with backpack straps. Although it seemed light at first, I soon realized I could have packed even less. My biggest worry was having enough clothes, especially socks, and access to laundry facilities. However, every hotel I stayed at had coin-operated laundry machines, complete with detergent, so it wasn't a problem at all. I also suggest bringing a nylon laundry bag to simplify the laundry process.

Getting in and around

• Right after clearing customs, your first priority should be finding an ATM that accepts international cards, usually indicated by a Visa or MasterCard logo. These ATMs are easy to locate, often available in the small convenience stores at Narita Airport. Make sure your initial withdrawal is substantial — around 20,000 yen — since cash is frequently used in Japan (many places don’t accept cards or Apple Pay). Upon arrival, this method seems more efficient for getting money compared to using the airport currency exchange kiosks, in my opinion.
• Next, find a machine that sells IC cards and purchase one (like Suica) with the cash you just got. The touchscreen menus always offer English as a language option. With an IC card, you can take almost any train in Japan, and you can even use it to make some purchases unrelated to transit. Simply scan the card at the station turnstile, head to your platform, and get on your train. (Without an IC card, navigating the transit system becomes much more complex as you'd have to manually calculate fares by distance, not to mention dealing with the various train systems in operation, etc.).
• Instead of taking a taxi, opt for the train from the airport; it’s more affordable. We rode the Skyliner to Nippori and then switched to a JR train to reach the hotel.
• To ride the shinkansen (“bullet train”), download the SmartEx app on your phone. Once you’ve registered and entered your IC card details, you can use the app to book your shinkansen ride. You have the option to reserve specific seats or just get a general boarding ticket. (Personally, I reserved seats so I could enjoy views like Mt. Fuji.) Link your IC card number to each seat booking and use your IC card to pass through the shinkansen gates. Note: When you scan your IC card for the shinkansen, the turnstile will issue a small boarding ticket at the far end; remember to pick it up.

Now that you’re in…

• Folks stroll on the left.
• Vehicles travel on the left side of the road.
• Everyone patiently waits for the walk signal before crossing the street, regardless of whether there are any cars or if it's just a narrow road. (As a New Yorker, this cultural difference was quite surprising to me since all New Yorkers are notoriously bold and unapologetic jaywalkers!) I personally decided to adopt the Japanese way, as I didn't want to stand out as "that foreigner" ignoring the rules.
• A significant 95% of individuals, regardless of age or gender, continue to don medical face masks outdoors and in public spaces like grocery stores. Personally, I opted out of this practice since I had received three vaccinations and had a negative test result right before entering. Interestingly, it seemed that most of the foreigners I encountered weren't wearing masks.
• You won't find any trash cans or garbage bins around – they're practically nonexistent. I ended up carrying my small bits of trash in my backpack until I could throw them away at my hotel. Interestingly, some vending machines have nearby receptacles specifically for plastic bottles. It appears to be a common practice in Japan for people to buy a drink, consume it right by the machine, and then promptly toss the bottle in the designated bin. This contrasts with how I and many other Americans tend to carry our drinks around while sipping.
• Benches are incredibly scarce: you won't find them at train stations, bus stops, or even along the sidewalks. They’re even a rare sight in public parks. If you’ve been on your feet for hours and are banking on that nearby park to give you a place to rest… I’m sorry to disappoint you. Your best bet is to head to a café and enjoy a delicious cup of pourover.
• Bathrooms here rarely have paper towels, and you'll often find there's not even an air dryer. Most folks seem to let their hands air dry, or perhaps they subtly wipe them on their pants. It's a bit puzzling. You might consider carrying a small towel when exploring the city. I regretted not doing this despite numerous guides recommending it.
• Restaurants don't provide napkins. (While you're always handed an oshibori at the start of a meal, it's intended for cleaning your hands before eating, not for wiping your fingers or mouth/face afterward.)
• There aren't any water fountains available. However, there are plenty of vending machines around. Therefore, it's a good idea to have a few hundred yen in coins with you. This way, you can sample a variety of Japanese drinks, like the popular Pocari Sweat.
• That brings to mind—you might want to consider carrying a small coin pouch for all the Japanese coins you'll gather. Every hotel I stayed at was able to exchange my loose change into larger bills when I found myself with an amusing collection of 1-yen, 5-yen, and 10-yen coins.
• Surprisingly, there are numerous public restrooms available in places like parks and train stations. All of them are accessible, clean, and free from the unsanitary conditions often found in New York's public bathrooms. Although squat toilets exist in some parts of Japan, I personally never came across one.

Using English

• Even though only a limited number of people speak English fluently, you will still manage quite well. In tourist hotspots, you’ll find that almost all transit signs and many restaurant menus come with English translations. If you don't appear to be ethnically Japanese, locals will generally assume you don't know the language. Usually, they’re more than happy to assist you, especially if you make an effort to be courteous.
• A lot of Japanese individuals have a basic understanding of English, sufficient for simple interactions. Nonetheless, employees in the service sector typically don't possess advanced English proficiency. They usually know some routine expressions and basic words for transactions. Using hand gestures can often help fill in any communication gaps.
• Soon, you'll become accustomed to the crossed index fingers hand gesture as it conveys messages like “no,” “don't have,” “not allowed,” “do not enter,” “cancel that,” and more.
• However, I suggest using straightforward language when speaking English until you gauge their comprehension. For instance:— “card ok?” (can I use credit card here?) or “cash ok?”— “Shibuya?” (does the train arriving at this platform go to Shibuya?)— “one more, please” [while using finger to indicate “one”].
• The farther you venture from central Tokyo, the scarcer English signage and information become. Kyoto, for instance, had significantly less English available once you step away from the main tourist areas. This leads us to...

Using the Japanese language

My journey to Japan became the perfect reason to immerse myself in learning "as much Japanese as possible." This goal translated to dedicating 1-2 hours each day over roughly three months. I experimented with a variety of methods and eventually focused on these:.

• Sure, could you please provide the text or some excerpts from "the entirety of Pimsleur Japanese Level 1" that you want rewritten?
• a workbook designed specifically for JLPT-N5 vocabulary practice.
• and a simple flashcard app I created to practice kanji.

Whether I was riding the subway, strolling through the neighborhood, or relaxing in a cafe before the trip, you’d likely catch me immersed in one of these study methods.