Japan Travel Checklist

A comprehensive checklist for visiting Japan, covering transport passes, cash logistics, cultural etiquette, and insider tips for making the most of your trip.

travel, productivity

by Morris

Pre-Trip Planning

Research, book, and budget before anything else.

• Decide your travel style: fast-paced city hopping vs. slow-travel base with day trips, then build your itinerary accordingly
• Set a daily budget per person - Japan is more affordable than its reputation suggests if you eat at convenience stores, ramen shops, and set-lunch specials
• Book accommodation at least 3-4 months ahead for cherry blossom season (late March - early April) and autumn foliage (mid-November)
• Research which areas to base yourself in for each city - central Tokyo neighborhoods (Shinjuku, Shibuya, Asakusa) vs. outer areas differ significantly in price and convenience
• Check the Japanese national holiday calendar - Golden Week (late April to early May) and Obon (mid-August) cause major domestic travel spikes and price surges
• Download the Hyperdia or Japan Official Travel app for train route planning before you arrive
• Join the r/JapanTravel subreddit and read the wiki - it has current, reliable answers to most logistics questions

Visa and Entry

Confirm your visa status and prepare entry documentation.

• Confirm whether your nationality qualifies for visa-free entry to Japan (90 days for US, UK, EU, Australian, Canadian, and many other passport holders)
• Complete the Japan Visit Web immigration pre-registration to speed up border processing
• Book your return or onward flight before departing - immigration may ask for proof at the border
• Check current entry requirements on your government's Japan travel advisory page - requirements can change

Transport Setup

Decide on a JR Pass, get an IC card, and plan your rail strategy.

• Calculate whether a JR Pass is worth buying by pricing your planned Shinkansen journeys individually first
• If not getting a JR Pass, book individual Shinkansen tickets on the JR Kyushu or Smart EX app to reserve seats in advance
• Get a Suica or Pasmo IC card immediately on arrival at the airport - it works on virtually all local trains, subways, buses, and at convenience stores
• Research airport express options for your arrival airport - Narita and Haneda have different rail options at very different price points
• Download the Google Maps app and confirm it works for Japanese transit routing - it does, and is the easiest tool for navigating local buses and trains
• Familiarize yourself with the shinkansen seat classes: unreserved (Jiyuseki) is fine for most journeys; reserved (Shiteiseki) is worth it on busy routes and peak times

Connectivity

Stay connected without overpaying.

• Choose between a pocket WiFi rental and a local SIM or eSIM before departure
• Confirm your phone is carrier-unlocked before departure if planning to use a local SIM or eSIM
• Note that many rural areas and older train tunnels have spotty data coverage - download offline maps before leaving your accommodation each day

Money and Cash

Japan is still heavily cash-based - plan accordingly.

• Obtain Japanese Yen before or immediately on arrival - Japan is significantly more cash-dependent than other developed countries
• Withdraw a larger sum at once (20,000-30,000 JPY) to minimize ATM transaction fees - 7-Eleven ATMs charge ~220 JPY per withdrawal
• Carry your cash organized in a small wallet - Japan uses a tray system for payments: place cash/card on the tray at the counter rather than handing directly to the cashier
• Bring a no-foreign-transaction-fee credit card as a backup and for larger purchases (department stores, hotels, larger restaurants usually accept cards)
• Budget roughly 1,000-2,000 JPY per day in coins for vending machines, coin lockers, small purchases, and shrine/temple donations
• Note that tipping is not customary in Japan and can cause confusion or embarrassment - never tip in restaurants, taxis, or hotels

Cultural Preparation

Learn the key etiquette rules to avoid faux pas and show respect.

• Learn the onsen (hot spring bath) rules before your first visit
• Learn basic temple and shrine etiquette before visiting
• Memorize the key public behavior rules: no eating while walking, no phone calls on trains, queue in designated spots on train platforms
• Learn to read the basics of Japanese dining: how to order at ticket machine restaurants, how to use izakaya ordering tablets
• Download a basic Japanese phrase list for greetings, ordering food, and asking for directions - even minimal Japanese effort is appreciated

Packing for Japan

Pack with Japan's specific context in mind.

• Pack slip-on shoes or shoes with easy laces - you will remove shoes frequently at temples, traditional restaurants, and some homes
• Bring a small portable handkerchief or quick-dry towel - public restrooms often have no hand dryers or paper towels
• Pack a small day bag or lightweight backpack for sightseeing - a crossbody or daypack under 15L is ideal
• Pack layers and moisture-wicking clothing - summers are extremely hot and humid (35-40C with high humidity in July-August)
• Bring a compact umbrella - rain showers are common year round and convenience stores sell cheap ones but they add up
• Pack enough prescription medication for your whole trip plus a buffer week - specific foreign medications can be difficult to replace in Japan
• Bring a power bank - long days of navigation, Google Translate camera, and photography will drain your battery

At-Destination Routines

Smart daily habits that make your time in Japan smoother.

• Use coin lockers at train stations to store your main luggage on arrival day or during day trips - lockers accept IC cards or coins and are everywhere
• Use takkyubin (luggage forwarding) between hotels to avoid dragging suitcases on the Shinkansen
• Stock up on snacks, drinks, and breakfast items at 7-Eleven, Lawson, or FamilyMart - Japanese convenience store food is genuinely excellent and very cheap
• Pick up a free city map from your hotel or the nearest tourist information office - paper maps are still widely provided and useful in areas with poor signal
• Charge your devices and IC card fully each night before the next day's travel
• Check the weather forecast each evening and adjust the next day's plan if needed - outdoor attraction visits are best moved ahead of forecasted rain when possible

Day Trip Planning

Plan efficient day trips from your base cities.

• From Tokyo: Plan day trips to Nikko, Kamakura, Hakone, or Yokohama - all reachable in 1-2 hours by train
• From Kyoto/Osaka: Plan day trips to Nara, Hiroshima + Miyajima, Himeji, and Kobe
• Book day-trip accommodation or plan exact return train times in advance during peak seasons to avoid being stuck without a seat
• Start popular day trips (Hakone, Nikko, Arashiyama) early to beat tour bus crowds - aim to arrive by 9am
• Check if any specific attractions on your day trip require advance reservations (many gardens, tea ceremonies, and rural ryokan fill up quickly)

Returning Home

Final steps before and after your flight home.

• Ship heavy or fragile souvenirs home via Japan Post SAL or EMS from any post office before your departure day
• Return your pocket WiFi device at the airport before checking in if renting one - there is usually a return box at the rental company's airport counter
• Refund your Suica or Pasmo card balance at a station ticket machine or customer service window before leaving if you have a physical card
• Use up remaining JPY cash at airport shops or exchange leftover notes at the airport - coins cannot be exchanged internationally so spend them before your flight
• Arrive at the international departure terminal at least 2.5-3 hours before your flight - Narita and Kansai airports are large and security queues can be long
• Declare any items over your home country's customs allowance limit, including gifts and electronics purchased in Japan