If You Don’t Know, You’re in Trouble: 7 Essential Tips for Traveling in Japan

Travelers to Japan, South Korea’s Neighboring Country ↑
Tips for travelers

Over a million travelers are anticipated to make the most of the six-day Thanksgiving holiday weekend by embarking on trips abroad.

In particular, the number of visitors to Japan, closest to Korea, is rapidly increasing.

However, it’s a big mistake to think that you can go without preparation just because Japan is close to our country and has a similar culture. Today, we will introduce some essential tips when traveling to Japan.

1. For a quick meal, head to a supermarket

Japanese people tend to favor ‘Japanese Mart lunch boxes’ over convenience store lunch boxes. These supermarket lunches are freshly prepared daily and are often more cost-effective than convenience stores. Retailers like ‘Aeon Mall’ and ‘Seiyu’ offer these options, and it’s convenient to locate nearby large marts using Google Maps. Additionally, the range of choices at these marts is considerably more diverse than what you’d find at convenience stores, making the selection process enjoyable.

2. Purchase a transportation pass

Transportation costs in Japan are more expensive than in Korea. Unlike Korea, which has a convenient transfer system, in Japan, you must pay an additional amount for each railway company. However, to reduce this inconvenience, Japanese railway companies have jointly issued a temporary pass called the ‘Integrated Pass.’ It’s a good idea to check this in advance.

It is usually available in 1-day, 2-day, and 3-day passes, and you can use it freely as many times as you want during the applicable period. You can acquire this transportation pass at local airports or subway stations in Japan.

3. Actively use prepaid charge cards

Japan, a country famous for its heavy use of coins, has recently seen a significant increase in card usage, making card payments possible in most places. As a result, many travelers are using prepaid check cards.

The two most frequently used cards are the Travel Wallet and the Travel Log. The Travel Wallet is a rechargeable travel card that enables currency exchange, ATM withdrawals, and local payments overseas without incurring fees. It has a maximum charge limit of approximately $1,500, and you can load up to 15 foreign currencies onto a single card.

4. Learn how to ride the bus in advance

The method of boarding buses and paying fares can differ based on the region and bus company, so it’s essential to be attentive. In many areas, boarding from the back door is required, so please remember. Fares are generally categorized into two types: general fares and section fares. General fares remain the same regardless of the distance traveled, while section fares vary based on the distance covered.

An illustrative example of a general fare system is in Kyoto, where passengers board from the back door and pay 200 yen (approximately $1.80) when alighting from the front door.

In contrast, a section fare system, like the one in Fukuoka, involves passengers obtaining a ticket when boarding from the back door and paying the fare indicated on the electronic signboard by matching the number on their ticket when disembarking.

Additionally, remember a few manners and tips when using the bus. Firstly, you should only stand up after the bus has completely stopped and not talk to the driver while the bus is moving. Also, they do not give change. You can use the coin exchange machine to change your money into coins to pay the fare.

5. Express gratitude like this

In Japan, a more suitable expression of gratitude is ‘Sumimasen Arigatogozaimasu’ rather than ‘Arigatogozaimasu.’ This phrase is frequently used when you receive a favor or assistance from someone you meet for the first time in Japan. Adding ‘Sumimasen’ conveys a sense of gratitude and expresses politeness and humility. It can make the listener feel appreciated, and the speaker can better understand appreciation, rendering the phrase more meaningful and respectful.

6. Consider the consumption tax

There are cases where you pay more than expected after shopping at a 100 yen shop or drugstore. This is because you only trust the amount indicated on the price tag. However, an 8% consumption tax is imposed in Japan, so this should be considered. Many price tags show tax-free (免稅) or tax (稅) prices in parentheses, so be careful. Checking Japan’s tax refund regulations is also a way to save on shopping.

7. Be aware of the precautions

Japan has closed many smoking booths. You should not smoke on the street and must find a smoking booth. Smoking is not allowed in all restaurants in Osaka. Also, except for Starbucks, which is directly managed, you may be labeled an electricity thief if you use electricity, such as charging your cell phone, without permission.

In addition, Japan generally follows left-hand traffic. In Japan, where there are many escalators, standing with a friend or violating left-hand traffic can be considered rude, so be careful. Taxis also follow left-hand traffic.