Japan trip checklist: IC cards, cash, trains and etiquette for first-timers
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Japan is safe, punctual and easy to travel, but a few habits are different enough to catch out first-time visitors. Here is what to sort out before and during the trip.
Before you go
- Entry: many nationalities enter visa-free for short stays. Fill in Visit Japan Web before you fly; it gives you QR codes for immigration and customs and saves time at the airport.
- eSIM or pocket Wi-Fi: maps and train apps are essential. An eSIM is the cheapest and simplest option.
- Rail Pass? The national Japan Rail Pass rose sharply in price in 2023, so it now pays off mainly for long-distance trips across several regions. Do the maths for your route; regional passes or single tickets are often cheaper.
IC cards: Suica, PASMO, ICOCA
A rechargeable IC card covers trains, subways, buses, many taxis, convenience stores and vending machines. Cards issued by different companies work interchangeably in the major cities.
- On an iPhone, and many Android phones, you can add Suica or PASMO to your phone's wallet and top it up there.
- Physical cards are sold at stations; tourist versions are available at major airports.
- Shinkansen (bullet train) tickets are usually bought separately.
Cash still matters
Cards are accepted much more widely than a few years ago, but small restaurants, shrines, temples, markets and rural areas may be cash only. Convenience store ATMs (7-Eleven and others) take foreign cards reliably.
Etiquette that matters
- No tipping. It can cause confusion; good service is part of the price.
- Quiet on trains. Keep phones on silent and avoid calls.
- Queue in the marked lines on platforms and let people off first.
- Eating while walking is frowned on in many places; eat by the stall or shop where you bought it.
- Shoes off where you see a raised floor or a shoe rack: homes, ryokan, some restaurants and temple halls.
- Rubbish bins are rare in public. Carry a small bag and take your rubbish back to your hotel.
- Onsen: wash thoroughly before getting in, no swimwear, and towels stay out of the water. Some baths do not allow tattoos; check ahead or look for tattoo-friendly or private baths.
Getting around
- Google Maps works well in Japan for train routes, platforms and transfers.
- Trains leave on the second; arrive at the platform a few minutes early.
- Large luggage on the Shinkansen may need a reservation for the oversized-baggage space. Many travellers use luggage-forwarding services (takkyubin) between hotels instead.
Prices, rules and passes change; confirm the details for your dates. Share your itinerary or ask about a route in the comments.