Quick facts
Budget breakdown
| Category | Budget | Midrange |
|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | ¥2,500–4,000 | ¥8,000–15,000 |
| Food | ¥2,000–3,000 | ¥5,000–8,000 |
| Transport | ¥500–1,000 | ¥1,500–2,500 |
| Activities | ¥500–1,500 | ¥2,000–5,000 |
| Drinks | ¥300–800 | ¥1,500–3,000 |
| Daily Total | ¥5,800–10,300 | ¥18,000–33,500 |
Daily per-person estimates. Costs vary by season and travel style.
Practical info
Getting Around
- Get a Suica or Pasmo IC card at any station — tap-and-go on all trains, buses, and vending machines. Refill at any station
- Tokyo Metro + Toei Subway cover the city. JR Yamanote Line loops through major stations. Google Maps is extremely accurate for transit
- Taxis are expensive (¥420 base fare + ¥80/400m). Use only for late-night travel when trains stop at midnight
Connectivity
- Rent a pocket WiFi at the airport (¥500–900/day) — most reliable option. Available at Narita and Haneda arrivals
- eSIMs from Ubigi or Airalo work well. Physical SIM from Bic Camera (¥3,000–5,000 for 30 days)
- Free WiFi is patchy. Convenience stores and stations have it, but it's slow. Pocket WiFi is worth the investment
Money
- Japan is still cash-heavy, especially small restaurants and markets. Carry ¥10,000–20,000 in cash at all times
- 7-Eleven and Japan Post ATMs accept foreign cards. Avoid Mizuho/SMBC ATMs — they often reject overseas cards
- IC cards reduce the need for coins. Tipping is not expected and can cause confusion — don't do it
Visa & Entry
- Most Western nationalities get 90-day visa-free entry. Visit Japan Web registration speeds up immigration
- Fill out the Visit Japan Web form before arrival for faster customs and immigration processing
- Passport must be valid for the duration of stay. No minimum validity requirement beyond your trip dates
Health & Safety
- Japan is extremely safe — lost wallets are returned, crime is negligible. Solo travel is very comfortable
- No vaccinations required. Tap water is safe and excellent quality throughout the country
- Pharmacies (drugstores) are everywhere. Bring any specific medications — Japanese equivalents may differ in dosage
Packing Tips
- Pack light — coin lockers at stations (¥300–700) store bags while you explore. Luggage forwarding services (takkyubin) ship bags between cities
- Comfortable walking shoes are essential — you'll walk 15,000–25,000 steps daily. Slip-on shoes help for temple visits
- Bring a small towel (tenugui) — Japanese restrooms rarely have hand dryers or paper towels
Cultural tips
Chopstick Etiquette
Never stick chopsticks upright in rice (funeral ritual). Don't pass food chopstick-to-chopstick (another funeral association). Rest them on the hashioki (chopstick rest) between bites.
Train Manners
No phone calls on trains. Keep conversations quiet. Don't eat on local trains (okay on shinkansen). Give up priority seats. Step aside to let passengers off before boarding.
Bowing & Greetings
A slight bow is appreciated but not required from tourists. "Sumimasen" (excuse me) is the most useful word in Japan — use it to get attention, apologize, and thank.
Shoes Off
Remove shoes when entering homes, some restaurants (look for raised floors), temples, and ryokans. Slippers are usually provided. Never wear toilet slippers outside the bathroom.
Onsen & Sento Rules
Wash thoroughly before entering the bath. No swimsuits allowed. Tattoos may bar entry at some places — look for tattoo-friendly onsen. Keep towels out of the water.
Trash & Cleanliness
Public trash cans are rare. Carry a small bag for your rubbish. Eating while walking is frowned upon — eat at the shop or find a bench. Streets are spotless because everyone takes trash home.
