More Japan Info
- Accommodations and reservations
Unless you are a resident of Japan, when checking in to any accommodation, by law, they are required to make a copy of your passport. A useful tip, especially if you are traveling in groups, is to present the staff a photocopy of your passport to speed up check-in. Please bring 4 photocopies of your passport (one for each hotel).
- Cash, not credit cards
Japan runs mostly on cash! While most big department stores and hotels accept credit cards, the most common method of payment in Japan is cash.
Many businesses like bars, shops, restaurants, supermarkets, and cafés do not accept credit cards and even lack the technology to do so. Other businesses, while they may accept credit cards, will apply a minimum charge to accept payment with this method.
Japan is an extremely safe place, where it is possible to carry around large quantities of Yen in one’s wallet. You can easily find a 7-eleven to use the ATM in bigger cities. However, this could be almost impossible in smaller towns or more isolated areas. So always make sure to carry around plenty of money especially when traveling outside major cities.
- Avoid tipping
The Japanese are well known for their remarkable service. However, unlike in the U.S., tipping is not customary in Japan. In fact, it does not exist and may be regarded as an insult. For example, if you leave a tip in a restaurant, the staff will probably run after you to return your money. The way they see it, they require no extra incentive to do their job properly. However, some restaurants may add a 10% service charge
- Emergency numbers
In case of emergency here are all the important numbers you need to know. You can call using a mobile, landline or payphone, and they are toll-free.
- 119 – Medical emergency/ Ambulance / Fire
- 110 – Police
- 118- Coast Guard (Sea Rescue)
- 03 3501 0110 – Tokyo English-speaking Police (weekdays 08:30-17:15)
- 03 5276 0995 – Tokyo Emergency First Aid Association
The Tokyo Metropolitan Medical Institution Information Service provides an emergency translation service over the telephone – 03 5285 8185.
- Tattoos in Japan are banned in some places
Tattoos in Japan are considered taboo in many places. Although it is perfectly acceptable to walk in the street and visit attractions in the major cities, many Japanese people still associate tattoos with the Yakuza criminal gang.
Tattoos are outright banned in most public onsen baths. As no swimwear or clothing is permitted in these natural hot springs, covering up any ink is hard, but bandages are an acceptable option and it is also possible to visit a private onsen instead.
Tattoos are also expected to be covered up if visiting swimming pools and gyms, and most water parks and beaches. Covering up is also advised if visiting any temples, shrines, or ryokans (Japanese inns).
- Removing shoes is a common courtesy
In Japan, as in many Asian countries, keeping shoes on when entering certain buildings is a sign of disrespect and should be avoided.
This custom initially arose because Japanese homes were traditionally fitted with ‘tatami’ flooring, which can be incredibly hard to clean. Additionally, Japanese people use flooring for much more than just walking on and both typically eat and sleep close to the floor.
Taking shoes off when entering someone’s home is essential, and may also be expected in certain restaurants and the dressing rooms of clothing stores. In public places, it’s a good idea to check for signs or a ‘shoe box’ to indicate whether this is necessary and to follow the lead of others in the vicinity.
- Public transportation is incredibly reliable
With a wide variety of services available including Shinkansen bullet trains, buses, and extensive rail networks (including 150 lines and 2,000 stations of underground and overground rail in Toyko alone), Japan is well served by public transport.
Besides being widely available, Japanese public transportation has an excellent reputation for being efficient, clean, punctual, and extremely comfortable.
Getting around Tokyo by subway is incredibly easy, safe and convenient, and you can also download the Toyko Metro phone app to help you navigate the city.
For covering long distances, a JR Pass for traveling on Shinkansen is a must for getting around Japan cheaply, comfortably, and conveniently. The JR Pass can be used on a number of lines throughout the country, including Kyoto-Tokyo, Tokyo-Hiroshima, and Tokyo-Kanazawa.
- Japanese wear surgical masks as a preventative measure
Travelers from the West who visit Japan for the first time are often surprised, and even alarmed, by the common sight of a busy street filled with pedestrians wearing surgical masks.
However, the sight of face masks in Japan does not necessarily mean a viral outbreak is underway. In fact, Japanese use of surgical masks is widespread on a day-to-day basis as a measure to protect from allergies and pollution, as well as to prevent the infection of others during the flu season.
Do not blow your nose while in a public place and try to avoid sniffling or sneezing. If you are sick, purchase and wear a surgical mask to avoid spreading germs to others.
Surgical masks are also increasingly being used as a fashion accessory, and the sight of brightly colored or branded face protection has become common in major cities. Face masks are also considered a good additional measure for keeping the cold off the cheeks in the winter months.
- Disposing of garbage in Japan may be a mission
Although Japan is an immaculately clean country, you may be surprised to see that the streets are virtually empty of trash cans. In fact, on many occasions may find yourself carrying a piece of garbage around for some time before you can find a place to put it.
Trash cans are not common in Japan because of the cultural aversion to littering: Japanese do not typically eat or smoke while they are walking, and locals commonly carry pieces of rubbish with them until they can dispose of it at home.
If you do find a spot to get rid of trash in Japanese cities, you’ll find a group of different bins crowded together in which carefully separated bits and pieces have to be placed.
Oftentimes, the nearest place to dispose of plastic or paper quickly may be in the trash in the closest convenience store.
- Getting around and understanding Japanese addresses
In Japan, it can be challenging to find streets and houses based solely on the address. Japanese addresses are completely different from anything you have ever seen. They are long and confusing, and if you don’t know how to read one correctly, you may find yourself lost and unable to reach your destination.
The Japanese address system is based on areas. These areas are divided from big to small. Contrary to most address systems in the Western World, which usually start with the most specific area and proceed to the largest, the Japanese system is the other way around. Japanese addresses start with the biggest geographical area and move to the smallest. They begin with the postal code, followed by the prefecture, city, and subarea(s), and end with the recipient’s name.
Except for major roads, Japanese streets are not named. Instead, cities and towns are subdivided into areas, subareas, and blocks. Houses within each subarea were formerly not numbered in geographical sequence but in the temporal order in which they were constructed.
Our tip for not getting lost? While in Japan, online maps are your friends!
- Public restrooms
Finding public restrooms in Japan’s metropolitan areas is easy. You can always find bathrooms inside train stations, department stores, and all the main tourist attractions.
There are three types of toilets in Japan: the familiar Western-style sitting toilets, the older Japanese-style squatting toilets, and the high-tech toilets.
The Japanese-style toilets have a sort of porcelain hole in the ground, and you must stand over them and squat. The most important thing to remember is the correct way to squat, usually with your back facing the door. This type of toilet can still be found throughout Japan, especially in remote areas and public parks.
The Western-style toilets are the most common style toilet, as found in the Western-world. You sit on them as if it was a chair. The washlet or high-tech toilets have a control panel so you can wash and dry yourself after doing your business.
Most bathrooms provide baby changing tables in both women’s and men’s toilets. Large multipurpose-bathrooms almost always provide a changing station and can be used by families with small children. There are also special rooms with private booths for nursing mothers.
Do not throw used the toilet paper into the trash can. Please flush it. However, do not flush anything other than toilette paper. Please throw used sanitary products in the garbage bin. In Japan, restrooms are usually spotless, so do your best to leave them the same way you found them.
- Using chopsticks
If you’ve already gotten the hang of eating with chopsticks, that’s good. Remember, though, that your mother told you not to play with your food – similarly, in Japan there are certain actions that are considered ‘playing’ with your chopsticks.
Avoid using them to scratch an itch, signal to a waiter in a restaurant, point at someone, spear a piece of food, or drum on the table.
Also, don’t cross the chopsticks, leave them standing up in your bowl, and don’t use your chopsticks to ‘hand’ a piece of food to someone else’s waiting chopsticks. The latter are related to funeral rituals and are therefore not appropriate for mealtimes. If taking food from a communal serving dish, use the ‘wrong’ end of the chopsticks, opposite the end you put in your mouth.
- Religious rituals
Most shrines require ceremonial washing before entering. Use a ladle to pour water over your hands. Catch some of the water in your hand and rinse your mouth – spit the water onto the ground, never back into the water basin.
- Mobile devices
Talking on your cell phone in the confined spaces of a train or bus is considered rude. If you must use your phone to text message, turn the ringer to silent mode. Also, speak quietly to your travel companions.
- Queues and lines
In busy train stations, bus stations, and airports, you will be expected to form an orderly line. Don’t push ahead and pay attention to directional lines painted on the floors.
- Are there any cultural faux pas I should avoid in Japan?
When visiting Japan, it’s also important to be aware of certain cultural faux pas to avoid offending locals or embarrassing yourself. Here are some key points to keep in mind:
- Using toilet slippers
Many places provide special slippers for use in the bathroom. Be sure to switch to these slippers when entering the bathroom, and remember to switch back to your regular slippers or shoes when you leave[
- Eating and drinking while walking
It is generally considered sloppy to eat or drink while walking. Instead, find a place to sit and enjoy your food or drink to avoid making a mess.
- Handling business cards
When receiving a business card, accept it with both hands and take a moment to look at it before putting it away. Avoid stuffing it into your pocket or leaving it behind, as this is seen as disrespectful.
- Blocking the escalator
In Japan, it’s customary to stand on one side of the escalator to allow others to pass. In Tokyo, for example, people stand on the left and walk on the right.
- Taking photos without permission
Always ask for permission before taking photos of people, especially strangers. Respect “no photography” signs when you see them.
- Public displays of affection
Avoid PDAs such as hugging or kissing, as these are generally frowned upon in Japanese culture.
- Jaywalking
Always use designated crosswalks and wait for the signal to cross. Jaywalking is not only problematic but can also result in fines.