There are a few important things to keep in mind before you visit Japan if you want to have an amazing trip with few mistakes. Artur Widak/NurPhoto via Getty Images I've spent the past three years living in Japan and traveling extensively around the country. Understanding Japan's transportation network and customs can help you avoid common tourist mistakes. Some of my favorite experiences have happened far beyond Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka. Japan's blend of ancient traditions, modern cities, world-class food, and stunning seasonal scenery has made it one of the most sought-after travel destinations in the world. I was born in Aotearoa, New Zealand, but I've been visiting Japan since 2015 and have called this country home for nearly three years. It is generally an easy place to travel, but there are still a few things that I wish more tourists knew before visiting. Don't overschedule your itinerary. Tomohiro Ohsumi/Getty Images If you only want to see Japan's biggest highlights, cramming four cities into a 10-day itinerary is technically possible. However, many first-time visitors severely underestimate the friction of travel days. Once you factor in packing up, navigating labyrinthine train stations (and inevitably taking the wrong exit), and checking into hotels, it's easy to spend your vacation rushing rather than exploring. I've traveled in Japan that way myself, and I always came away exhausted, feeling like I'd spent more time checking off destinations than actually experiencing them. Choosing fewer destinations always yields a deeper, more memorable trip. Prepare for seasonal disruptions. Each season in Japan can bring different weather-related events that could be worth planning for. Artur Widak/NurPhoto via Getty Images Japan's changing seasons influence far more than just cherry blossoms and autumn leaves. Many beaches, hiking trails, scenic trains, and tourist attractions operate on seasonal schedules, with reduced services or closures during the offseason. The weather can also affect travel plans. Summer typhoons and heavy winter snowfall often cause transportation delays and cancellations. That's why I always recommend purchasing travel insurance and keeping your itinerary flexible. A little adaptability can go a long way when the weather has other plans. Venture off the "Golden Route." Japan has many islands and towns worth visiting. Keisuke Fujiwara/Getty Images Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka form Japan's iconic "Golden Route," and they are world-class cities for a reason. Yet they only represent a fraction of what Japan has to offer. You do not need to fight the crowds in Kyoto to experience traditional Japan. Beautiful shrines, historic merchant districts, and delicious food exist all over the archipelago. Some of my favorite memories in Japan took place far from the tourist hot spots: climbing the towering dunes of Tottori, soaking in the thermal waters of Beppu, and island hopping around the Setouchi region. Even substituting just one major city on your itinerary for a lesser-known regional gem can transform your perspective of the country. Double-check local business hours. Check the hours of businesses you hope to visit during your trip. Francesco Riccardo Iacomino/Getty Images Smaller towns and rural destinations often operate on their own schedules. I once planned a day trip to the island of Shodoshima on a Wednesday, only to discover that almost every shop and restaurant was closed for its weekly rest day. Many businesses in Japan stay open on weekends but close on Mondays or Tuesdays instead. Before planning your day around a specific restaurant or attraction, always check its official website or current operating hours. I also recommend avoiding travel during the New Year holiday period, typically from December 29 to January 3, as many businesses, attractions, and restaurants close for a short seasonal break. Be prepared to walk more than you expect. You'll want to pack good walking shoes when you come to Japan. Bloomberg/Getty Images Even travelers who consider themselves highly active are often surprised by the sheer amount of walking involved in exploring Japan. Between traversing the multi-level train stations, climbing stone temple steps, and burning cash in Japan's many shopping districts, it is easy to clock 15,000 steps a day. Leave the stylish but unsupportive footwear at home and invest in a comfortable pair of walking shoes before your trip. Your feet will thank you by the end of the day. Bring essential medication with you. It may be worth it to pack medications from home. Elena Katkova/Getty Images Nobody plans to get sick on vacation, but medications in Japan can be quite different from what many visitors are used to. Common pain relievers such as Tylenol are often sold in lower dosages, and finding a familiar product isn't always easy. Some medications that are widely available overseas, including Adderall and products containing pseudoephedrine, are prohibited or require advance approval to bring into the country. If you rely on prescription medication or specific over-the-counter products, check Japan's import regulations before you travel and bring what you need with you. It's much easier than trying to navigate a pharmacy when you're already feeling unwell. Learn a few Japanese phrases. A few key phrases can go a long way. Andrew CABALLERO-REYNOLDS / AFP via Getty Images While major cities like Tokyo have English signage, Japan doesn't have a particularly high level of English proficiency, and many locals have told me they find serving customers in English intimidating. Learning a few basic phrases such as "arigatou gozaimasu" (thank you), "sumimasen" (excuse me/sorry), and "douzo" (please, go ahead) can make interactions much smoother. Your pronunciation doesn't need to be perfect, and you can always use Google Translate as a backup. However, a simple "sumimasen" when squeezing past someone on a crowded train or trying to get a server's attention will almost always be appreciated. Respect matters more than perfection. Try to pay attention to your surroundings if you're unsure what to do or which rules to follow. Feifei Cui-Paoluzzo/Getty Images Before my first trip to Japan, I worried about accidentally breaking etiquette rules. In reality, most locals understand visitors won't know every nuance of Japanese culture. Rather than trying to memorize a long list of dos and don'ts, pay attention to the people around you. The social cues are usually quite clear: look at which side of the escalator people are standing on, notice where commuters line up on train platforms, and keep your voice down on public transport. If you approach Japan with basic situational awareness and consideration for others, it's unlikely strangers will fault you for the occasional mistake. Skip the tip, leave a review instead. Pranithan Chorruangsak/Getty Images In Japan, exceptional service is standard practice, not something that requires an additional financial reward. As tipping isn't part of the culture, leaving extra cash behind can confuse staff, who may assume you've forgotten your change. Don't be surprised if a waiter chases you down the street to return your yen. If you'd like to show your appreciation, a sincere "arigatou gozaimasu" and a glowing online review will usually be far more appreciated than cash. Take local trains over the Shinkansen Shinkansen isn't always the best choice. Artur Widak/NurPhoto via Getty Images The Shinkansen (bullet train) is fast and exciting, but it isn't always the smartest or most affordable choice for shorter journeys. For example, if you're going from Kobe to Osaka, the JR Special Rapid Service takes around 20 minutes and costs 420 yen. The Shinkansen costs more than 1,500 yen and gets you there only a few minutes sooner (it takes 12 or 13 minutes). Once you factor in the time needed to reach the Shinkansen platforms and stations, the actual time savings are often negligible while the price difference is substantial. Save the bullet train for longer cross-country journeys and use local lines instead. They often take you through parts of Japan most tourists never get to see. Read the original article on Business Insider
There are a few important things to keep in mind before you visit Japan if you want to have an amazing trip with few mistakes.Artur Widak/NurPhoto via Getty Images I've spent the past three years living in Japan and traveling extensively around the country. Understanding Japan's transportation network and customs can help you avoid common tourist mistakes. Some of my favorite experiences have happened far beyond Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka. Japan's blend of ancient traditions, modern cities, world-class food, and stunning seasonal scenery has made it one of the most sought-after travel destinations in the world. I was born in Aotearoa, New Zealand, but I've been visiting Japan since 2015 and have called this country home for nearly three years. It is generally an easy place to travel, but there are still a few things that I wish more tourists knew before visiting. Don't overschedule your itinerary. Tomohiro Ohsumi/Getty Images If you only want to see Japan's biggest highlights, cramming four cities into a 10-day itinerary is technically possible. However, many first-time visitors severely underestimate the friction of travel days. Once you factor in packing up, navigating labyrinthine train stations (and inevitably taking the wrong exit), and checking into hotels, it's easy to spend your vacation rushing rather than exploring. I've traveled in Japan that way myself, and I always came away exhausted, feeling like I'd spent more time checking off destinations than actually experiencing them. Choosing fewer destinations always yields a deeper, more memorable trip. Prepare for seasonal disruptions. Each season in Japan can bring different weather-related events that could be worth planning for.Artur Widak/NurPhoto via Getty Images Japan's changing seasons influence far more than just cherry blossoms and autumn leaves. Many beaches, hiking trails, scenic trains, and tourist attractions operate on seasonal schedules, with reduced services or closures during the offseason. The weather can also affect travel plans. Summer typhoons and heavy winter snowfall often cause transportation delays and cancellations. That's why I always recommend purchasing travel insurance and keeping your itinerary flexible. A little adaptability can go a long way when the weather has other plans. Venture off the "Golden Route." Japan has many islands and towns worth visiting.Keisuke Fujiwara/Getty Images Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka form Japan's iconic "Golden Route," and they are world-class cities for a reason. Yet they only represent a fraction of what Japan has to offer. You do not need to fight the crowds in Kyoto to experience traditional Japan. Beautiful shrines, historic merchant districts, and delicious food exist all over the archipelago. Some of my favorite memories in Japan took place far from the tourist hot spots: climbing the towering dunes of Tottori, soaking in the thermal waters of Beppu, and island hopping around the Setouchi region. Even substituting just one major city on your itinerary for a lesser-known regional gem can transform your perspective of the country. Double-check local business hours. Check the hours of businesses you hope to visit during your trip.Francesco Riccardo Iacomino/Getty Images Smaller towns and rural destinations often operate on their own schedules. I once planned a day trip to the island of Shodoshima on a Wednesday, only to discover that almost every shop and restaurant was closed for its weekly rest day. Many businesses in Japan stay open on weekends but close on Mondays or Tuesdays instead. Before planning your day around a specific restaurant or attraction, always check its official website or current operating hours. I also recommend avoiding travel during the New Year holiday period, typically from December 29 to January 3, as many businesses, attractions, and restaurants close for a short seasonal break. Be prepared to walk more than you expect. You'll want to pack good walking shoes when you come to Japan.Bloomberg/Getty Images Even travelers who consider themselves highly active are often surprised by the sheer amount of walking involved in exploring Japan. Between traversing the multi-level train stations, climbing stone temple steps, and burning cash in Japan's many shopping districts, it is easy to clock 15,000 steps a day. Leave the stylish but unsupportive footwear at home and invest in a comfortable pair of walking shoes before your trip. Your feet will thank you by the end of the day. Bring essential medication with you. It may be worth it to pack medications from home.Elena Katkova/Getty Images Nobody plans to get sick on vacation, but medications in Japan can be quite different from what many visitors are used to. Common pain relievers such as Tylenol are often sold in lower dosages, and finding a familiar product isn't always easy. Some medications that are widely available overseas, including Adderall and products containing pseudoephedrine, are prohibited or require advance approval to bring into the country. If you rely on prescription medication or specific over-the-counter products, check Japan's import regulations before you travel and bring what you need with you. It's much easier than trying to navigate a pharmacy when you're already feeling unwell. Learn a few Japanese phrases. A few key phrases can go a long way.Andrew CABALLERO-REYNOLDS / AFP via Getty Images While major cities like Tokyo have English signage, Japan doesn't have a particularly high level of English proficiency, and many locals have told me they find serving customers in English intimidating. Learning a few basic phrases such as "arigatou gozaimasu" (thank you), "sumimasen" (excuse me/sorry), and "douzo" (please, go ahead) can make interactions much smoother. Your pronunciation doesn't need to be perfect, and you can always use Google Translate as a backup. However, a simple "sumimasen" when squeezing past someone on a crowded train or trying to get a server's attention will almost always be appreciated. Respect matters more than perfection. Try to pay attention to your surroundings if you're unsure what to do or which rules to follow.Feifei Cui-Paoluzzo/Getty Images Before my first trip to Japan, I worried about accidentally breaking etiquette rules. In reality, most locals understand visitors won't know every nuance of Japanese culture. Rather than trying to memorize a long list of dos and don'ts, pay attention to the people around you. The social cues are usually quite clear: look at which side of the escalator people are standing on, notice where commuters line up on train platforms, and keep your voice down on public transport. If you approach Japan with basic situational awareness and consideration for others, it's unlikely strangers will fault you for the occasional mistake. Skip the tip, leave a review instead. Pranithan Chorruangsak/Getty Images In Japan, exceptional service is standard practice, not something that requires an additional financial reward. As tipping isn't part of the culture, leaving extra cash behind can confuse staff, who may assume you've forgotten your change. Don't be surprised if a waiter chases you down the street to return your yen. If you'd like to show your appreciation, a sincere "arigatou gozaimasu" and a glowing online review will usually be far more appreciated than cash. Take local trains over the Shinkansen Shinkansen isn't always the best choice.Artur Widak/NurPhoto via Getty Images The Shinkansen (bullet train) is fast and exciting, but it isn't always the smartest or most affordable choice for shorter journeys. For example, if you're going from Kobe to Osaka, the JR Special Rapid Service takes around 20 minutes and costs 420 yen. The Shinkansen costs more than 1,500 yen and gets you there only a few minutes sooner (it takes 12 or 13 minutes). Once you factor in the time needed to reach the Shinkansen platforms and stations, the actual time savings are often negligible while the price difference is substantial. Save the bullet train for longer cross-country journeys and use local lines instead. They often take you through parts of Japan most tourists never get to see. Read the original article on Business Insider
