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Essential tips for travellers to Japan!

Travel Tips

1.TRAVEL PLAN

TRAVEL PLAN

Plan Your Trip!
How long does it take to get to a stadium or restaurant? What trains do I need to take? There can be a lot of worry in traveling. But send that worry packing with the plus marks located next to areas and facility names—these save the destinations just like putting items in an online shopping cart. Once you save your desired locations, click TRAVEL PLAN, and the recommended route will automatically be generated for you.
You can create your own sightseeing course by connecting sightseeing spots that you have favorited.
Click 'ADD MY PLAN' button or plus button to favorite a spot.
and then Please go to Japan Trip Planner. Japan Trip Planner displays sightseeing spots that you have favorited on a map. Click a spot and select 'Add to course' to create your own sightseeing course!

Person Name

Useful tool to travel around the country, especially when you do not understand the languages nor familiar with transportation system. This tool will help you find the most efficient and convenient ways to go around the places!

Kevin Jackson

2.JAPAN RAIL PASS

JAPAN RAIL PASS

The Japan Rail Pass is a cost-effective feature that gives you unlimited use of JR trains for one, two or three weeks. The pass is available in two varieties—Ordinary and Green. The latter allows you to sit in first class seats. The Japan Rail Pass can be purchased outside of Japan, so make sure to get it before you leave for your trip! It’s a bargain for tourists!

Person Name

If you're a tourist in Japan, you should definitely get a Japan Rail Pass! I used one on my first trip to Japan, and it made traveling around so easy and inexpensive.

Alec Jordan

Person Name

I used the Japan Rail Pass several times as a tourist coming from France during summer vacations and visiting friends from Tokyo to Fukuoka. I always appreciated the freedom of jumping on a Shinkansen any time of day, finding a seat, and enjoying the comfort of the train. And for the student I was then, it was great to save so much!

Denis Sigal

3.WI-FI

WI-FI

Having Wi-Fi in Japan is pretty useful. Japan Wireless is a company that provides rental pocket wi-fi devices that deliver high-speed internet at affordable rates. Book before you leave for Japan, as they send the pocket device to you before your trip. You pay to use it for as long as you like, and then just send it back in the provided return envelope after your stay!

Person Name

A great service that keeps you connected even when exploring Japan’s more rural areas!

Leon van Houwelingen

4.ATM

ATM

In Japan people tend to use cash for most transactions. So at some point you will likely need to withdraw money. Most ATMs in Japan only allow you to withdraw cash if the card you are using was issued in Japan. Exceptions are postal ATMs, found mainly at post offices, and Seven Bank ATMs, at some 20,000 7-Eleven convenience stores. Seven Bank ATMs are available 24 hours a day, all year.

Person Name

Before I got my Japanese bank account, I always knew where to go when I needed to withdraw cash: 7-Eleven! With other ATMs, I was never sure whether they would accept an international card, but 7-Eleven ATMs always had me covered.

Alec Jordan

Person Name

This one should not be underestimated. Cash is everything in Japan—do not rely on a credit card to get you through as it may not be accepted at restaurants, shops, or ATMs. The trusty 7-Eleven has never let me down though!

Garreth Stevens

Person Name

Availability of ATMs in Japan is amazing! You can find one at every corner. I remember being in need of some cash while out drinking around midnight in Tokyo, stepping into a convenience store, and immediately withdrawing money to continue enjoying the night!

Denis Sigal

5.TOKYO TOURIST INFORMATION CENTERS

TOKYO TOURIST INFORMATION CENTERS

The Tokyo Metropolitan Government has set up five Tokyo Tourist Information Centers in different locations across the city in an effort to provide information regarding both Tokyo and Japan for travellers both domestic and foreign. The Tokyo Tourist Information Center located in the the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building is a great place for sightseeing information. It is also a great place to experience the Tokyo Metropolitan Government building’s popular observatory room tour provided by the city’s volunteer guide service. The Shinjuku bus terminal Tourist Information Center is always lively and is a great place to start for train and bus trips. If you plan on entering Haneda airport, the Tourist Information Center on the second floor is a MUST SEE! The surrounding area around Ueno’s Tourist Information Center feature’s some of Tokyo’s popular spots like Ueno park and Ameyoko shopping street. For information on the nature-rich Tokyo Tama area, please visit the Tourist Information Center in Tachikawa station.
https://www.gotokyo.org/en/plan/tourist-info-center/

Person Name

Gaining access to information through the website is good, but for travellers looking for more information upon arriving in Tokyo we recommend that you head to the Tourist Information Center. Don’t set a rigid schedule, allow for a little flexibility in your plans, and enjoy your adventure!

Kevin Jackson

6.VISA

VISA

Well in advance of your trip to Japan, please make sure your travel documents are all in order. Many people are not required to obtain any special VISA before entering Japan without, however if you have a passport from the following countries that will be participating in the Rugby World Cup 2019, you MUST OBTAIN THE PROPER VISA: Russia, Samoa, South Africa, Namibia, Tonga, Georgia, and Fiji. Please visit your nearest Japanese embassy or consular website to obtain visa information and requirements. If you are unsure if you need a special VISA you can find links to a Japanese consular or Embassy close to you here.
Russia: https://www.ru.emb-japan.go.jp/itpr_ru/visandtourism.html
Samoa: https://www.ws.emb-japan.go.jp/itpr_en/visiting_japan.html
South Africa: https://www.za.emb-japan.go.jp/itpr_en/general_visa_information.html
Namibia: https://www.na.emb-japan.go.jp/itpr_en/visa.html
Tonga: https://www.ton.emb-japan.go.jp/itpr_en/ryoji_e.html
Georgia: https://www.ge.emb-japan.go.jp/itpr_ka/consular_geo_20180221.html
https://www.ge.emb-japan.go.jp/itpr_en/Consular_Top_Page(E)20180220.html
Fiji: https://www.fj.emb-japan.go.jp/itpr_en/visiting_japan.html

Person Name

Japanese immigration are very welcoming to visitors but Japan is extremely strict when it comes to VISAs so this tip should be your first priority and don’t wait until the last minute.

Mark James Hill

7.Suica / PASMO

Suica / PASMO

Although Japans transportation system is very efficient, it can be quite overwhelming for visitors. I recommend using an IC card like Suica or PASMO, is a prepaid / rechargeable e-money card you can use for trains, subways, buses and to purchasing goods at stores and vending machines. You can purchase them at train station ticket vending machines. Prices start from 1000 yen and this includes a 500 yen deposit. To use your IC card just touch on the reader at ticket gates, buses or in shops and other locations that take these cards. More information can be found on the card websites.

Person Name

An IC card is a must have. You don’t want to be that guy staring at the train map making locals wait. These cards are so convenient, just load them up and you always have a way to pay for travel, drinks, and goods at stores. Super convenient! And really a necessity. And you can keep the card as souvenir, or return it to get your deposit back.

Kevin Jackson

8.Japan Visitor Hotline

Japan Visitor Hotline

Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) operates a 24-hour hotline. If you have any problems, questions, or concerns while traveling in Japan please call 050-3816-2787. You can even call from overseas (+81-50-3816-2787). Support is available in English, Chinese, Korean and Japanese. JNTO has been in business since 1964. With the use of statistics and market reports, JNTO provides reliable information in an effort to promote travel to Japan. They also provide support for international events. Their expertise is unquestionable.
https://www.japan.travel/en/plan/hotline/

Person Name

It's nice to know JNTO, the most knowledgeable people about Japan, have got your back and are only one call away in case anything goes wrong while traversing this great country.

Mark James Hill

9.Japan Official Travel App

Japan Official Travel App

Japan National Tourism Organization is offering a Japan Official Travel App. The App features push-notifications for weather, emergency warnings, and in-depth articles and travel tips for Japan. It is intuitively organized into three main categories. Discover- exploration by Category and geographical Area, Route Search- a transit planner, and Spot Search- special interest locations like: restaurants, tax-free stores, ATMs etc. The App is available on Google Play and the Apple App Store, and is available in four languages: English, Korean, Simplified Chinese and Traditional Chinese.
https://www.jnto.go.jp/smartapp/eng/

Person Name

JNTO App has almost everything a traveler or even a local would need for effortless travel in Japan. Having one intuitive app which will help travelers enjoy their trip instead of endlessly searching on their smartphones is very helpful.

Kevin Jackson