Japan for first-timers: everything you need to know

tips and tricks for a successful trip to japan

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Thinking of planning a trip to the land of the rising sun? First off- I’m so excited for you! Secondly, I totally understand how overwhelming Japan can seem during the planning phase. Know that you are not alone! When I first decided to kick off my six month long trip in Asia with Japan, I only saw the highlight reel. The temples, markets, and beautifully landscaped gardens. The insane fashion. Then, I started doing research and I realized Japan is saturated with choice and seems like a logistical nightmare. Where to stay, how to get around, and how to pay for things- fear not, my wanderlustful friends. I have curated the answers to all of these questions and more through my own experience during my month long stay in Japan.

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Overview of my Japan Itinerary

I feel it makes sense to give you an idea of how my trip in Japan was structured before diving into specifics. I stayed a total of 26 nights in Japan and covered multiple regions. Here’s how I broke it up:

I do understand that this itinerary is fast travel. I prefer this and would recommend a faster pace for your first trip to Japan. Of course this means tailoring to align with your interests and timeline. If you are someone who prefers slow travel, I would suggest choosing a neighborhood in Tokyo that caters to your interests and do day trips. Alternatively, you might enjoy choosing 2-3 locations and stay for more nights.

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Deciding Your Itinerary

Deciding your itinerary can be extremely overwhelming because Japan offers so much variety and choice. I recently read a theory that resonated with me deeply: “Travel should be considered twice in a lifetime. Go there once as a tourist, and again as a traveler.” I aligned with this perspective so much that I am adopting it for myself and for you. Here are some key things to think about when choosing your perspective route.

• Length of stay. How many days do you have? Is it flexible?
• What interests you? Do you prefer big city lights or the quiet rhythm of nature?
• Pace of travel. Will you be okay with one-night stays, or do you need more than two nights to feel like you’ve seen a place?
• Transportation. Japan is known for having the best public transportation system in the world. Renting a car or even a motorcycle is also an option to consider.

You only have 2 weeks? No Problem.

I’m from the United States. Since the work-life culture for most Americans is abysmal at best- here is an example of a standard two week trip you could take. This itinerary includes some major attractions and some off the classic “golden route” tourist trail items that I really loved.

This itinerary covers some of the major tourist highlights without being, for lack of a better phrase, “too touristy.” I chose Osaka over Kyoto for this list simply because I found it more exciting. It’s a great place to end the trip because it gives you options. Day trips to Kyoto are cheap and easy, and there’s a major airport close by. I only included one single night stay in Nikko. Nikko is a very small town and I found it quite easy to see everything I wanted to see in one day. If you can add another night here, I would recommend trying some of the world-class onsens.

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money & cards

How will you pay for things during your trip to Japan?

The answer is: lots of ways. Though cards are widely accepted, Japan is a country deeply rooted in culture and steeped in tradition. Many places still only accept cash. It’s smart to always carry a bit of Yen in smaller denominations if possible. Entry fees to some temples, historic and cultural sites, and smaller vendors often do not accept card payment. Use the ATMs inside convenience stores such as 7/11 for the lowest transaction fees and a good exchange rate. (7/11 and Family Mart is everywhere!)

Download the digital Suica card to your Apple wallet or get a physical one at the airport. This can be used for multiple types of transportation all over Japan, 7/11 and Family Mart, and lots of other places. Suica was the single most convenient type of payment in Japan and I don’t know why other countries haven’t adopted a system like this. My tips for using Suica: get the green card, not the red “welcome” card. If you have funds left over you can get it refunded at the end of your trip. It also never expires. It isn’t even necessary to open your Apple wallet to use the card. Just tap and go!

I have noticed some confusion about downloading the Suica card to Apple wallet. Do not download the Suica app from the App Store! I have added screen shots of how to do it here.

You can use any of these IC cards. I just used Suica as it is the most widely accepted in the areas I was in. It worked great!

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transportation in japan

Okay, you’ve decided which regions to visit on your very first trip to Japan. How do you get there?
Japan is well known for having the most efficient transportation system in the world. I can attest that this is true, but it can also seem daunting if you are not used to public transportation systems. (Most Americans aren’t.) Trains are usually the most cost effective and fastest way to travel between cities in Japan. There are many different types of trains in use- so let’s sort it out!

Trains

Shinkansen

• This is the bullet train. Shooting across Japan at a blistering 200mph, this is the train you’ll want to take if you need to travel long distances. This is the most expensive of all the train types. The seats are spacious and comfy, and reminded me of a luxurious airplane. Purchase tickets at the Shinkansen counter or a kiosk inside the train station. The kind attendants are always so helpful if needed! You cannot use your Suica/IC card for Shinkansen tickets. You can choose a ‘reserved seat’ car or a ‘non-reserved’ car, which is more like the general admission of trains. Non-reserved seats are cheaper but can fill up quickly on popular routes. Riding the Shinkansen is something you should do in Japan at least once!

Limited Express

• This train is faster than a local train but stops at less stations. Usually the interiors have forward facing bucket-style seats and are quite comfortable. They are an affordable, mid-tier train if you have more time to spend traveling. You can cover the base fare by tapping your Suica/IC to ride this train, (passing through the gates) but riding the Limited Express route requires a supplement ticket purchased at a kiosk or counter.

Express and Rapid

• I’m putting these two together because they are basically the same. They are slower than the Limited Express but faster than the Local trains because they do not stop at every station. These two trains have different names because they are owned by different companies. Express and Rapid trains may have either bench-style or forward-facing seats. You can simply tap in and out using Suica/IC. Some have fancy reserved cars with snack and beverage service you can pay extra for if you’re bougie.

Local

• The slowest and cheapest option of the bunch. Again, Suica/IC is the easiest and fastest way to board this type of train. I ended up taking a local train on my way to Mt. Fuji by accident, and it was very slow but super scenic! These trains usually have bench-style seating along the edges with standing room in the middle of the cars.

Subway/Commuter Metro

• Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka all have amazing metro systems under and above ground. Tokyo is the largest city in the world, spanning over 5,000 sq miles and is home to nearly 40 million people. Moving this many people over such a large area demands efficiency and Japanese engineers have delivered. All you need to see the entirety of any of these cities is your trusty Suica card. The metro is extremely affordable and efficient, and once you have conquered the Tokyo metro, you can navigate anywhere!

Train Tips

• Etiquette- No eating or drinking on any train except the Shinkansen or Limited express where they offer food and drink. Do not talk on the phone or have loud conversations with other people. Respect personal space. Wait in line to the side of the doors for passengers to exit before entering a train.
• DO NOT BUY the JR PASS! I repeat- DO. NOT. BUY. Since the price hike a few years ago, it costs and exorbitant amount of money and can only be used on JR lines. Buying individual trips saved me about $400!
• The train will usually read the name of the final stop on the line. For example, if you need to go to Nikko station, your train probably won’t say Nikko on the display. Use Google Maps or check the timetables and maps in the station.
• Google Maps works incredibly well everywhere in Japan. Train and bus schedules were extremely accurate.
• Japanese punctuality is real! 99.9% of the time, trains arrive and depart EXACTLY on schedule. Not a minute sooner or later.
• Shinkansen and Limited Express tickets will be physical pieces of paper. Keep them all until the end of your journey as you will need them to connect and exit the final station. Depending on the leg of the trip, you will need to put 2-3 tickets in the slot together to pass through.
• Tokyo Metro lines are color coded. Stations are lettered and numbered. Station exits are numbered and will always be in yellow.

Other Types of Transportation

After trains, buses are the most commonly used public transportation type. There are city buses that you can use your Suica card to ride and longer haul buses that require pre-booking. City buses follow a specific route and have timed stops. This is a great option and seemed more readily available in Kyoto specifically. Scheduled buses are more like large tour buses and require pre-booking. You should use this option for longer trips or day trips where there is no train. I used both of these options and they were simple and streamlined. Taxis and ride shares exist as well, but I can’t speak to those as I did not need or use them.

Don’t be afraid to ask for help! You WILL make mistakes (such as riding in the wrong direction for 30 minutes on the very first train I boarded at the airport). Train staff are always kind and helpful. I even asked a local man for help when I was on the wrong platform and he was happy to direct me to the correct one.

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Where to stay during your trip to japan

One of the things I loved the most about Japan was its varied accommodation choices. I stayed at a range of places including Ryokans, hostels, Airbnb, hotels, and a homestay. This trip was my first time staying at a hostel. Though I didn’t love the hostel experience, I have to say they were some of the nicest hostels out there. My decision to use hostels here and there was purely budget driven. I saved on hostels where I splurged on a dreamy Airbnb. Chances are, you can find whatever type of accommodation suits your needs, wants, and budget in most Japanese cities. For this section, I will list where I stayed for examples since the list gives a pretty good variety of choice and price range. I will also rank them based on location, value for price, and comfort.

Tokyo

Ryokan Asakusa Shigetsu $128/night. This is a traditional Ryokan, or Japanese Inn. They offer both traditional tatami style rooms and western rooms. The location was very convenient and quiet, on a side street next to the famous Senso-Ji Temple. I opted for a tatami room to get the full experience here. There is a small but lovely onsen with an amazing view of the Tokyo Skytree. The Ryokan had a feeling of tranquility and calm and was a welcome haven after a day of sightseeing and the staff was incredible. If it’s your first trip to Japan, staying at a Ryokan is a must.

• Location: 10/10. Could not have been better. Easy access to trains, super walkable and interesting. Quiet. Perfect for first trip to Japan.
• Value for Price: 9/10. It was more than I wanted to spend, but Tokyo can be quite expensive. I used my $300 travel credit from Capital One to book this stay so it lessened the sting a bit.
• Comfort: 4/10. I think staying in a tatami room is worth the experience- for 1 night. As someone who sleeps on the softest bed I could order, I should have moved to a western room with a normal bed. I had food poisoning while I was here and the futon bed didn’t make me feel any better.

Nikko

Nikko Station Hotel Nibankan $58/night. This was a one night stay. As with every accommodation I used in Japan, I was able to store my luggage if I arrived before check-in. The hotel is located just a 5 minute walk from the train station, which I was thankful for due to rain. The room was basic, included a kettle, and had a nice view. If you’re looking for a comfortable place to sleep as a sightseeing stop on your trip to Japan, this will work nicely.

• Location: 9/10. Though it was close to the train station, I did walk a long way to get to the main sightseeing area. There is a bus you can take but I decided to get my steps in.
• Value for Price: 7/10. The room was quite basic. There was a free breakfast available so but I did not try it. Perhaps if I did my score would be different.
• Comfort: 7/10. The bed here was pretty firm. Otherwise the room was dark at night and quiet, and did offer a nice view of the mountains.

Nagano

Mash Cafe & Bed Nagano $25/night. This was the first hostel I have ever stayed at. I will say, my expectations for hostels in general was low but as far as hostels go, this one was fantastic. The bed was very comfortable and was situated capsule style which offers a lot of privacy. Each bed had a designated combination locker to use, and plenty of space to store bags underneath or inside the capsule. I stayed in an all female dorm with over 20 beds. When I arrived, I was one of only 3 occupants, however it did not stay that way. The concrete floor inside the dorms made it possible to hear every movement made by my dorm mates, which made for a few sleepless nights. Unfortunately, I don’t think I’m a hostel person! (I’m just too old for that life, let’s be honest.)

• Location: 8/10. It was about a 15 minute walk from the train station. Otherwise, the hostel is very centrally located for sightseeing.
• Value for Price: 10/10. Unless you’re me, you know what you are paying for when you sign up for a hostel dorm bed. The beds, dorms, and bathrooms were extremely clean. The social area was warm and welcoming, and the staff was very helpful.
• Comfort: 6/10. I only score this low out of personal preference. From this experience, I have discovered how much value I place in personal space and ability to sleep well. The bed here was actually quite comfy.

Kanazawa

Kaname Inn Tatemachi $75/night. I absolutely loved this place. Again, I arrived before check-in and was able to store my bags. The woman at the check-in desk gave me a map of the area and went as far as to write specific notes and circle points of interest. I wanted to put her in my pocket and bring her with me as a tour guide! The lobby of the hotel is a gorgeous music bar featuring a life DJ spinning vintage records each night. My room was enormous, easily the largest hotel room I had on my trip to Japan. The bed was very comfortable and large. This hotel definitely felt luxurious!

• Location: 9/10. Based on proximity to several attractions alone, this would be a 10. I only subtract a point because I walked 30 minutes with my bags from the train station. Looking back, there was probably a bus available.
• Value for Price: 11/10. I think I was here during a shoulder season so the price I got was fantastic. And for my money, I was very well taken care of and more.
• Comfort: 10/10. The bed here was so comfortable. Additionally, the bath robe and slippers were nice touches. It’s the little things.

Takayama

K’s House Takayama Oasis $42/night. This was another hostel, but I actually ended up liking this one. It had a very “homey” vibe with a shared living room and kitchen area, games as well as an area for sitting with friends or reading. It was well located, less than 5 minutes from the train station and a short walk to the old town area. There are plenty of shops and restaurants close by. I stayed in a 6 bed mixed dorm. Again, the beds were capsule style and quite comfy.

• Location: 10/10. Centrally located between attractions and train station, making arrival and departure a breeze.
• Value for Price: 10/10. There was a very well equipped kitchen with free water, tea, and fresh coffee each morning.
• Comfort: 9/10. I think I would actually stay here again. My only comment is the bathrooms are small for the number of guests using them. Otherwise, it was clean, quiet, and cozy.

Matsumoto

Matsumoto Hotel Kagetsu $135/night. I opted for a one night stay here as a base to visit and photograph Matsumoto Castle, one of twelve original remaining castles in Japan. I chose this hotel based on price and proximity to the castle alone, so I will rank it based on what my goal was here. While I didn’t get a photo of the room, I did take this photo of the cute pajamas they provided!

• Location: 10/10. Just a 5 minute walk to the castle which allowed me to photograph it multiple times.
• Value for Price: 7/10. I do think it was a bit overpriced. The entire hotel seemed very dated and tired. The staff was excellent, and there was a breakfast included. I only got a coffee which was okay.
• Comfort: 7/10. The bed was not very soft, and the bathroom could have been cleaner. It did the job for a single night, however.

Kyoto

Kefu Stay & Lounge $91/night. This place had a casual hostel vibe but with a hotel feel. My room was compact but comfortable, and the bathrooms were located outside the room. There were separate rooms for toilets and showers, making the hotel very efficient for everyone. The floor I stayed on also had a very nice shared kitchen with plenty of natural light from skylights.

• Location: 5/10. Though the hotel was tucked back onto a quiet side street, it was VERY far to walk to any attractions. I ended up taking the city buses a lot.
• Value for Price: 6/10. It sort of felt like I was staying in a hostel for hotel money. I did appreciate the extra privacy of having my own room, but it still cost too much in my opinion.
• Comfort: 8/10. Thankfully this room was comfortable, because it didn’t have much in the other two categories going for it.

Piece Hostel Sanjo $38/night. I found this hostel when I was searching in Kyoto and I was initially so excited to stay here. It had amazing reviews and the location was fantastic. Unfortunately, again this was an enormous dorm room with people coming in and out all night long. I was hardly able to sleep at all. I did try the paid breakfast buffet which was very underwhelming and overpriced.

Sanuki

R-Villa, AirBnb $252/night. This was my one big splurge for my trip to Japan. Where to start? This villa was an absolute DREAM. I was so overwhelmed by how nice it was, I actually cried when I saw the second floor view. It was one of those “pinch me” moments where I ask myself if my life is real or not. I’ll let the photos do the rest of the talking here.

• Location: 100/10. The view made up for the villa being a bit difficult to reach using public transport tenfold.
• Value for Price: 10/10. I rented a villa that sleeps 10 people for just myself. It was pricey but that was kind of the point. It was luxury on luxury and my soul needed this place more than I knew it.
• Comfort: 10/10. Waking up with the sun and sipping my coffee in front of an unobstructed view of Osaka Bay while watching the fish jump was relaxation like I’ve never experienced.

Miyajima

Oyado Tsukiusagi $107/night. This was a home stay on Miyajima Island. Once I came to learn about the island, I knew I wanted to stay overnight to experience it after the tourists leave. I was given a large tatami room with separate bathroom and balcony overlooking the street and ferry terminal. The lady running the Inn was extremely kind and even made sure I grabbed an umbrella to take on my morning walk- just in case.

• Location: 10/10. Located just across the street from the ferry terminal, this could not have been easier to find. It made for a great base to explore the island.
• Value for Price: 10/10. The room was very large and there was a coffee station with snacks available. The host took my bags before check-in and looked after me during my stay as she knew I was alone. (Be my grandma?)
• Comfort: 10/10. I slept quite well in my futon bed. It seemed fluffier than the first one, and regardless of the proximity to the ferry terminal was quiet at night.

Hiroshima

Akicafe Inn Guesthouse $87/night. Though I did not get any photos of this place, there wasn’t much to report. The hostel dorm was female only. It was clean, quiet enough, and the bed was comfortable. I only stayed one night here to see the A-bomb dome and surrounding area.

• Location: 8/10. Hiroshima is actually quite large. I opted to stay near the train station which I think was the right choice even though I was further from the A-bomb dome.
• Value for Price: 5/10. For a very basic hostel this was way overpriced.
• Comfort: 5/10. The dorms were cramped and hot. The common area, though clean and set up well, oddly had nothing going on the entire time I was there.

Osaka

Meander Osaka $89/night. This is your typical shoebox sized Japanese budget hotel room. Perfect for a solo traveler, but not much more. It was well-located for a first time trip to Japan, near the Dotonbori area of Osaka. Even though it was close to things, it was far enough away from the chaos to remain quiet at night.

• Location: 9/10. Knowing what I know now, I wouldn’t stay in this area again. But, for someone new to Japan it was great.
• Value for Price: 8/10. I still feel like I got good value regardless of the size of the room. It was perfect for just me, there were plenty of amenities, and the staff was very kind and welcoming.
• Comfort: 8/10. Japan loves a firm bed, don’t they. Must be why they’re so punctual.

The takeaway on accommodation for planning your first trip to Japan? Location will usually dictate how your travel days go. Always opt for a place to stay that is close to a train or bus station. Trust me, you’ll want the convenience after hustling around for a while!

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what to pack for your trip to japan

Deciding what to bring depends on a number of things. You can start to form a plan by asking yourself a few simple questions and being honest with yourself about the answers. What time of year will you be traveling? Japan has all four seasons, but if you are traveling to several parts of the country you may need clothing for several seasons. What will you pack your things in? Are you a roller suitcase person or a backpacker like me? How much do you plan to shop? You might want to save room for unique souvenirs. Let’s start with the vessel- your home for your stay away from home.

Backpack or Suitcase?

I have been living out of my 40 liter Osprey Fairview with its matching little brother, the 15 liter day pack. They clip together if needed, or you can wear them front and back like I do. This is what works for me, but I know not everyone wants to carry everything on their back.

I was in Japan through mid-September and most of October. The weather was mild, but it did rain often. I packed for every weather event that could happen and still managed to fit everything into 55 liters (including my laptop, toiletries, and other electronic stuff!). How? by packing intentionally and using compression packing cubes. I found them from Amazon by Tripped Travel Gear which I LOVE. They have held up so well and you can fit a shocking amount of clothing inside.

Pack neutral colored clothing in layers. Think your favorite pair of khaki trousers with a simple black t-shirt that can be layered with a loose button up for some extra coverage. Whites, nudes, grays, blacks, and earthy tones are all good color palettes that can mix and match. If you’re planning your trip to Japan in the summer months, opt for linen fabrics as they dry quickly and keep you cool.

Japanese people dress very conservatively. I always air on the side of “do as the locals do” when traveling as to not offend anyone and try to stay respectful to local culture. This is especially true in places of worship. You should have knees and shoulders covered when entering temples and shrines. Remove shoes when it is apparent to do so. (If you wear sandals, bring a pair of clean socks in your day bag.)

Shoes. This is the single most important item you will bring on your trip to Japan. I can’t stress enough how vital it is to spend the time, effort, and money on a good quality pair of walking shoes. In my month long trip, I covered 174 miles and 414 flights of stairs! I got custom fitted for walking shoes at a running store, which is something I didn’t know I needed.

I will probably do another whole post on packing for a trip to Japan and include what to pack for every season. For now, remember these key rules: pack light, pack in layers, and pack conservatively. And shoes. Wear good shoes!

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Final thoughts

I hope you have picked up a few tips and tricks from my overview and can feel more confident planning your very first trip to Japan! It is truly a country I will return to again and again and think about long after I’m gone. There is certainly no place like it and that’s exactly why you should just book the flight! After all- you can’t go a second time as a traveler if you never go the first time as a tourist!

Let me know if I can answer any Japan related questions!
Today, 12/24/2025, I am three months into a 6 month long trip in Asia and Southeast Asia. If you would like to follow along, check out my Daily-ish Journal to see where I am and what I’m up to!