The first time in Japan

Overview

1. The first time in Japan – What awaits you
2. Best travel time & duration
3. Tokyo – The Mega City
4. Honshū Round Trip – The best choice
5. Preperation
   • Traveling by train & bus
   • Traveling by car
   • Payment
   • Booking hotels
   • Internet
6. Entry – What you should consider
7. Insider Tips

The first time in Japan – What awaits you

I can tell you already, it won’t be your last time in Japan, because once you’ve traveled to Japan, you’ll come back again. It’s probably also due to the hospitality you will experience. It is often expressed with the term “Omotenashi” (おもてなし). Omotenashi goes beyond mere politeness and service. It embodies the sincere desire to anticipate and fulfill the needs of others, often before they are even spoken. And as a tourist, you feel this every day. Japanese people greet you everywhere with politeness and respect, place great importance on attention to detail, and always respect your personal space.

The fascinating clash between tradition and high-tech will also inspire you. While on one side, deep roots in centuries-old traditions and customs can be found, on the other side, modern Japan is reflected in vending machines, robots, and skyscrapers.

Here you will find the most important information to make your first time in Japan unforgettable.

Tokyo – The Mega City

Tokyo (東京市) is a must-see on your trip. From traditional temples and historic shrines to modern shopping districts and exciting entertainment options, there is something for every taste to discover. You will be surprised at how orderly this metropolis of 38 million people operates and you will experience the clash between tradition and high-tech.

It’s best to start your trip directly after arriving at one of the two airports, Haneda or Narita, in the mega city.

For more about Tokyo and the top 5 must-see attractions, click here: Top 5 Must See in Tokyo

See also: Day trip to Hakone from Tokyo

Honshū Round Trip – The best choice

Honshū (本州) is the largest of Japan’s four main islands and offers picturesque hiking trails in the Japanese Alps as well as the most important cities such as Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, and Hiroshima.

The perfectly developed Shinkansen rail network allows you to travel quickly and comfortably between the different regions of Honshu. It only takes about 2.5 hours to travel from Tokyo to Kyoto (about 500 km). This allows you to explore entire regions in just a few days. It’s best to take full-day trips from individual cities. This way, you can avoid traveling with all your luggage. More on the topic of day trips can be found here.

The typical Honshu round trip goes from Tokyo to Kyoto, then Osaka and back to Tokyo. Many also take a day trip from Kyoto or Osaka to Nara. If you have a little more time, you can visit additional destinations after Kyoto and Osaka. Here’s how much time you should plan for each:

• Hiroshima: min. 2 days
• Kanazawa: min. 3 days
• Kyoto: min. 4 days
• Nara: 1 day
• Osaka: min. 2 days

Preparation

Traveling by train & bus

Consider whether you want to travel entirely by public transportation or if you’d prefer to drive a car. For your first time in Japan, I recommend taking trains and buses (see also Taking the bus in Japan and Traveling through Japan with the Shinkansen). Getting around in Japan is super easy and, above all, punctual. Consider whether you need a Japan Rail Pass. I would recommend it for a Honshu round trip. You can find all the information about the Rail Pass here: Japan Rail Pass

You can also travel partially without luggage. More information Luggage service in Japan

Traveling by car

If you opt for a car, you’ll definitely need an international driver’s license. Note: If you’re from France, Switzerland, Germany, Belgium, or Taiwan, an international driver’s license won’t be sufficient. You’ll need a translation of your national driver’s license. This translation costs approximately €70. The following places offer translation services:

• ADAC (Germany): On-site or by mail, takes about 10 days
• JAF, Japan Automobile Federation (JAF), conducted by Japan Experience: By mail, takes about 6 weeks
• Driving Japan: Pickup in Japan or by mail, takes about 5 weeks

Payment

Start thinking ahead about how you’ll pay in Japan. I recommend getting a Japanese prepaid card and paying the rest in cash or with a credit card. For more information, see Pay in Japan

Booking hotels

Make sure to pay attention to the size of the rooms when booking hotels. Some rooms are so small that there’s no space for your luggage. Recommendation: Minimum 18 sqm for a double room.

Also, double beds often have a width of only 140 cm. Look for Queen-size beds, which are between 150 – 180 cm wide.

If you book your hotel with breakfast, make sure the hotel offers a buffet. Otherwise, you’ll only get a sandwich every morning.

Internet

I recommend getting a SIM card or eSIM for your trip. This way, you can translate Japanese Hiragana, Katakana, and Kanji characters and navigate more easily without public Wi-Fi. For more information, see Internet in Japan – SIM card or eSIM?

Entry – What you should consider

Valid Passport / Visa

For entry into Japan, you need a valid passport. If you plan to travel through Japan for longer than 90 days, you can extend your stay up to a maximum of 180 days at the Immigration Office. For stays exceeding 180 days or if you are a national of China, Russia, Vietnam, or the Philippines, you also need a visa.

Entry without QR Code

Alternatively, you can also fill out everything manually on paper. For this, you will receive a white sheet (entry form) and a yellow sheet (customs declaration) on the plane. Upon arrival at the airport, you will be encouraged to fill out everything electronically at the terminal anyway, to expedite the entry process. I would strongly advise completing the registration as described above before departure.