Japan Travel Guide
Late March–early April (cherry blossom) and late October–November (autumn colour) are the classic windows. June is the rainy season; July–August is hot and humid.
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Japan at a glance
Best time to visit Japan
Late March–early April (cherry blossom) and late October–November (autumn colour) are the classic windows. June is the rainy season; July–August is hot and humid.
Peak: Cherry-blossom weeks, Golden Week (29 Apr–5 May), Obon (mid-August) and New Year — domestic travel and prices spike.
Shoulder season: Late May–early June and September–early October: mild weather, thinner crowds, easier bookings.
Visa and entry
Many nationalities receive 90-day visa-free entry. Verify your passport's eligibility at the Japanese embassy.
Entry rules depend on your nationality and change frequently. Always confirm with an official embassy or consulate source before booking.
Money and tipping
Japan uses the JPY (¥).
Not customary. Tipping can be considered rude in restaurants and taxis.
Getting around
A Suica or PASMO IC card works on nearly every train, bus and convenience store. Single Tokyo metro rides run about ¥180–¥330; Tokyo Metro also sells 24/48/72-hour tourist passes (roughly ¥800/¥1,200/¥1,500).
When a pass pays off: A 24-hour Tokyo Metro pass beats singles from about 4 rides in a day — under that, tap the IC card.
Local etiquette
Do
- Bow slightly when greeting, thanking or apologising.
- Carry your rubbish with you — public bins are genuinely rare.
- Stand on one side of escalators (left in Tokyo, right in Osaka) and let people pass.
Avoid
- Don't tip — it causes confusion and is sometimes refused.
- Don't take phone calls on trains; keep the handset on silent (“manner mode”).
- Don't stand chopsticks upright in rice or pass food chopstick-to-chopstick.
Common scams and tourist traps
- Bar touts in Kabukichō and Roppongi lead to venues with padded bills — walk in somewhere you chose yourself.
- Many izakaya add a small unavoidable cover charge (ōtōshi/seki-ryō); ask before sitting if the menu doesn't state it.
Health
No special vaccinations are needed beyond routine immunizations for most travelers to Japan, as food and water are generally safe throughout the country. This is general information, not medical advice — consult a doctor or travel clinic before your trip.
When locals eat
Meal windows shift by country, and eating on the local clock is the difference between a full restaurant and a closed kitchen.
| Meal | Early riser | Typical | Night owl |
|---|---|---|---|
| breakfast | 7:00 AM | 7:30 AM | 10:00 AM |
| lunch | 11:30 AM | 12:00 PM | 2:00 PM |
| dinner | 6:00 PM | 6:30 PM | 9:00 PM |
Useful Japanese phrases
Station signage and big-city menus are widely bilingual, but conversational English is limited outside tourist areas.
- Hello
- こんにちは(kon-nichi-wa)
- Thank you
- ありがとうございます(a-ri-ga-tou go-zai-mas)
- Excuse me / sorry
- すみません(su-mi-ma-sen)
- How much is this?
- いくらですか(i-ku-ra des-ka)
Staying connected
eSIM providers that cover Japan: Airalo, Ubigi, Holafly. Buying an eSIM before you fly avoids airport queues and roaming charges.
Japan travel FAQ
- When is the best time to visit Japan?
- Late March–early April (cherry blossom) and late October–November (autumn colour) are the classic windows. June is the rainy season; July–August is hot and humid.
- Do I need a visa to visit Japan?
- Many nationalities receive 90-day visa-free entry. Verify your passport's eligibility at the Japanese embassy. Entry rules depend on your nationality and change often — confirm with an official consulate or embassy source before booking.
- Do you tip in Japan?
- Not customary. Tipping can be considered rude in restaurants and taxis.
- What currency is used in Japan?
- Japan uses the JPY (¥).
- What power plug and voltage does Japan use?
- Japan uses Type A and Type B (rare) sockets at 100V / 50–60 Hz. Check your device's rated input before travelling; most modern laptop and phone chargers handle both 110V and 220V.
- What is the emergency number in Japan?
- In Japan, call 110 (police) / 119 (fire & ambulance).
- What time zone is Japan in?
- Japan is in the Asia/Tokyo time zone (UTC+09:00).
- What language is spoken in Japan?
- The main language is Japanese. Station signage and big-city menus are widely bilingual, but conversational English is limited outside tourist areas.
- Is public transport worth buying a pass for in Japan?
- A Suica or PASMO IC card works on nearly every train, bus and convenience store. Single Tokyo metro rides run about ¥180–¥330; Tokyo Metro also sells 24/48/72-hour tourist passes (roughly ¥800/¥1,200/¥1,500). A 24-hour Tokyo Metro pass beats singles from about 4 rides in a day — under that, tap the IC card.
- What health precautions should I take in Japan?
- No special vaccinations are needed beyond routine immunizations for most travelers to Japan, as food and water are generally safe throughout the country. This is general information, not medical advice — consult a doctor or travel clinic before your trip.
Ready-made Japan itineraries
Plan a Japan trip around how you actually travel
Travaio builds a day-by-day plan from your travel style, with verified places, real opening hours, and local meal times already accounted for.
Plan my Japan tripThis guide is general travel information, not legal, medical, or financial advice. Visa, health, and safety requirements change — verify anything time-sensitive with an official source before you travel.