Traveling to Japan. Tips and Life Hacks

Hello! We have prepared 7 tips for those planning a trip to Japan and for everyone who wants to but is afraid of getting lost from the very first step.

About Japan in Brief

Japan is still like another planet, and all its inhabitants are Martians. Such comparisons came to my mind when I, a “recent graduate,” first flew to Tokyo in 2003 for training under the Japanese Center program in Russia. Everything was amazing at every turn – from the cleanest toilets to the crazy piles of cosmetics in stores, and the complete absence of any information in English added a spicy-panic note to the navigation around the city.

Indeed, back then we couldn’t even imagine how, in just 5-10 years, the borders between countries (for tourists, of course) would begin to blur, how we would easily “Google” the way from the airport to the hotel with a simple swipe on our smartphones, pre-“book” a Wi-Fi router, or use our phones to scan Japanese labels and see auto-translation of what was written in our native language.

Here is useful information for those planning a trip to Japan. Based on personal experience!

1. Map Application

An app that will prevent you from getting lost in a huge city. Personally, I use Google Maps. This app will create any routes, has bus schedules, and immediately shows the cost of trips. Google Maps will always suggest where you can satisfy your hunger, as well as your shopping and entertainment cravings. Internet access is required to use it.

Most modern smartphones come with Google Maps pre-installed and available right after purchase. If you don’t have it, you can easily download it from the Play Market or App Store.

2. Translator

I prefer Google Translate. It helps translate text and even conversations from Japanese. There is a photo translation feature, which makes our lives much easier. It translates more accurately from Japanese to English. Google Translate works both online and offline. For offline translation, you need to download the necessary languages to your smartphone in advance.

3. Transportation

How to get from Narita Airport to Tokyo? The cheapest option is by bus. From the airport to Tokyo Station, it costs 1000 yen ~ 610 rubles, and the travel time is 1 hour. Buses leave from the airport every hour. After exiting the airport, look for platform No. 19 (Terminal 2) or No. 31 (Terminal 1), pay for your ride directly to the station staff on the platform, and they will attach a tag to your luggage. Wait for the bus.

If you plan to visit several cities in Japan, consider the JR Pass. It must be ordered 7 days before the trip and is beneficial if you plan to visit 2 or more cities.

You can learn about and order the JR Pass at the link: https://japanrailpass.net/en/

4. Internet

There are quite a few places in Japan where free Wi-Fi is available (Starbucks, McDonald’s, in some shopping centers, at stations, in most hotels), but it’s better to have your internet with you at all times.

At the airport, you can rent either a Wi-Fi router or a SIM card. Look for a counter with this name in the airport:

5. Hotel

Finding a hotel at a good price can be helped by the app Trivago, Booking, Agoda. Check out the APA Hotel chain, which has locations in many areas of Tokyo and beyond.

Their rooms are small, but some hotels (for example: APA Hotel Shinagawa Sengakuji Eki-Mae) have onsens ♨ (baths with hot springs), and access is included in the room rate. After long hours of walking, this is quite a pleasant bonus.

There is also another 3-star hotel with an onsen, Hotel MONday TOYOSU, which opened in the fall of 2018, still new and clean. Next to the hotel is a huge shopping center, LaLaPort, which has the beloved KidZania. Prices in these hotels start from 4500 yen per night for two people. The rooms in these hotels are small, but you won’t be sitting in them all day. You come in, drop down, get up, and leave.

6. Tax Free

Always carry your passport with you, don’t forget it in the hotel! Firstly, foreigners may be asked for it anywhere. Secondly, to get a tax refund on purchases of 10% and 8%. To avoid paying tax, you need to make a purchase over 5000 yen ~ 3050 rubles. In some shopping centers (UNIQLO, GU, etc.), as well as in almost all pharmacies, the tax amount will be deducted immediately from each of your purchases.

In other shopping centers, such as Mitsukoshi, Daimaru, etc., you must first pay for your purchase in full with tax, then go to the Tax refund counter, show your receipts, and you will get your money back.

In stores where you can get a tax refund, you will see this emblem at the entrance or at the cash registers:

7. Money.

It’s best to take cash with you. Firstly, not everywhere accepts cashless payments. Secondly, it’s more profitable to buy currency in Russia at a bank.

We wish you pleasant travels! A trip to Japan will be enjoyable for a beginner traveler, and you will return there more than once.

Continue reading our blog, there is much more interesting content ahead! If you have any questions, feel free to ask them in the comments below.