Visiting Japan

Before the Trip

1. U.S. citizens with a passport do not need a visa if visiting for 90 days or less.
2. Bringing cash is a good idea — you only have to declare amounts over 1 million ¥.
3. Pack light. Japan has bountiful laundromats and we had free laundry at every hotel and Airbnb. You will not want to schlep heavy luggage around, and you'll have more room for souvenirs.
4. Save time by filling out your customs declarations online at Visit Japan Web. This generates a QR code — fill one out per person in your party (kids included). Skipping it means waiting in extra lines for paper forms.
5. Expect a few lines at customs. Japan takes pictures and fingerprints on top of the normal passport checks.

Money & Payments

Cash

Cash is (mostly) still king in Japan. Many small restaurants, street markets, shrines, and vending machines are cash-only. ATMs that accept foreign cards are commonly found at 7-Eleven, other convenience stores, and train stations. With a couple of days' notice, most U.S. banks can let you withdraw JPY directly — this avoids ATM fees and gives you a good exchange rate.

Credit Cards

Not Japan-specific, but notify your bank and credit card company before you travel. Some store kiosks only accept Japanese cards, but Visa and Mastercard are the most widely accepted foreign cards.

IC Cards

IC cards are Japan's reloadable transit cards, accepted at train stations, buses, vending machines, and convenience stores — often where foreign credit cards aren't. Get one per person at the airport or a major train station. The max balance is ¥20,000, so they're best for transit and occasional snacks.

Suica

If you land in Tokyo, get a Suica — it works across all of Japan. Adult cards expire 10 years after last use. Kids 6–12 pay half-price and can get a "Welcome Suica" (expires 28 days after activation). Children under 6 ride free and don't need a card.

Transportation

1. Standard trains should be your primary way to get around. Google Maps and Apple Maps work extremely well for public transit directions in Japan.
2. The Shinkansen (bullet train) is the fastest way to travel between major cities. Buy tickets at the Shinkansen ticket office — you can't just tap your IC card. They cost more than regular trains (sometimes more than flights) but deliver you city-center to city-center, which is a huge advantage.
3. Buses are available but we rarely used them — major attractions tended to be walkable from train stations.
4. Local taxis and Uber are the priciest option. We only used them to move luggage to and from the airport.

Etiquette & Unwritten Rules

1. People are very quiet in public. Talking on the train is considered rude.
2. Stand on the left side of escalators in Tokyo, right in Osaka. Generally keep left when walking.
3. Remove shoes when entering homes, hotels, some traditional restaurants, cat cafés, and dressing rooms. Slippers are provided.
4. People don't eat or drink while walking. Street markets are a loose exception, but in general, wait until you have somewhere to sit.

Connectivity

• Common advice is to rent a pocket Wi-Fi or buy a prepaid SIM/eSIM. I personally just used my U.S. Verizon plan with an international add-on for the month — it worked fine and was one less thing to carry.

Other Hints

• No trash cans. One of the most surprising things about Japan: public trash receptacles are nearly nonexistent. You're expected to carry your trash — sometimes all the way back to your hotel. A dispenser of dog-waste bags was my go-to. Some cafés and larger train stations have bins, and you'll often find recycling near vending machines. It's also customary to eat near the food vendor and hand back your trash when you're done.
• Trash sorting. Japan takes recycling seriously. When you do find a bin, expect it divided into combustibles (paper, food), non-combustibles (plastics), cans, and bottles.