Japan

Japan’s trains are fast, punctual, and remarkably easy to use once you understand the basics. In Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, and other major cities, load a rechargeable IC card such as Suica, PASMO, or ICOCA for local trains, subways, buses, convenience stores, vending machines, and lockers. Tap in and out, and top up before the balance gets low. For long journeys, reserve a Shinkansen seat rather than assuming an IC card alone will cover the fare; routes such as Tokyo–Kyoto and Tokyo–Hiroshima are much more comfortable when booked ahead. Keep your passport handy when buying certain discounted tickets, and allow extra time in large stations such as Shinjuku or Tokyo. If you are travelling with oversized luggage on applicable Shinkansen routes, reserve the designated luggage space in advance. Add train times, restaurant bookings, and day-by-day routes to Hello’s trip planning tools so your itinerary remains easy to follow. Japan’s rail network rewards preparation, but wandering through a station and discovering a small neighbourhood can be just as memorable.

Japanese food is wonderfully regional, so build meals around the places you visit. Try sushi and monjayaki in Tokyo, takoyaki and okonomiyaki in Osaka, kaiseki or tofu cuisine in Kyoto, and fresh seafood in Hokkaido. A bowl of ramen, a convenience-store onigiri, or a bakery breakfast can be delicious and inexpensive, while an izakaya meal lets you sample several small dishes with drinks. Look for lunchtime set meals, which often provide excellent value and include rice, soup, pickles, and a main dish. In busy restaurants, ordering may be done from a ticket machine, tablet, or picture menu; staff are accustomed to helping visitors, so point, use translation tools, and ask politely when unsure. Tipping is not customary in Japan, including in restaurants, taxis, bars, and hotels. At the table, avoid sticking chopsticks upright in rice, and do not pass food from chopsticks to chopsticks. Track meals and snacks in Hello’s budget tracker using yen, and use expense splitting when travelling with companions.

Japan accepts cards widely in major cities, but cash remains useful for smaller restaurants, rural buses, temple offerings, market stalls, and some ticket machines. Withdraw yen at a convenience-store ATM, carry a little cash each day, and keep coins handy for lockers and vending machines. Paying in local currency makes budgeting clearer, especially when prices vary from a quick ¥500 snack to a special dinner costing ¥10,000 or more. For reliable navigation, translation, reservations, and train updates, arrange Hello eSIM before departure and activate it before landing so you can stay connected without roaming charges. Download key maps and booking details in case reception is weak in mountain areas or on remote islands. Convenience stores are useful for cash withdrawals, breakfast, parcel services, and emergency toiletries. Keep your voice low on trains, switch your phone to silent mode, and never assume every public bin will be nearby—carrying a small rubbish bag is practical. A little preparation makes Japan feel effortless.

Japan’s appeal lies as much in its everyday rhythm as in its famous sights. Visit Fushimi Inari early in the morning, explore Tokyo’s neighbourhood shrines between shopping stops, soak in a traditional onsen, or walk through a cedar forest near Nikko. Remove your shoes when entering many temples, traditional inns, homes, and some restaurants; socks without holes are a surprisingly useful part of any packing list. At an onsen, wash thoroughly before entering the bath, keep towels out of the water, and follow posted rules about tattoos. Queue neatly, wait for passengers to exit trains before boarding, and ask before photographing people, geisha, or private ceremonies. Spring brings cherry blossoms, summer offers festivals and mountain hikes, autumn colours transform Kyoto and Nikko, and winter is ideal for hot springs and snow-country scenery. Avoid cramming too many regions into one trip: two or three bases allow time for neighbourhood walks, unplanned meals, and slower cultural experiences. Hello’s itinerary planner can help balance major landmarks with flexible days.