Itinerary 🌍
Summary 🧐
We just got back from Japan, and honestly, we had an amazing time. Even though this was our second visit, we left feeling like we still need to come back again. The country just has endless depth, and we kind of saw not even half of it even with a super tight schedule. It’s incredibly clean and feels super safe everywhere you go, though there are definitely some cultural rules you need to be aware of and respect.
The locals were super nice and friendly, but keep in mind that English isn’t widely spoken, so having a translator app ready is a requirement. We visited in Autumn/Winter, which turns out to be high season for domestic tourism, and rightfully so, the landscapes were stunning. That, combined with the food, were the absolute highlights. If you’ve been on the fence: go to Japan!
General Tips 👏
- Immigration: You can complete the immigration form online before arriving, that'll save you some queue and headaches (optional).
- Card: Get a SUICA/PASMO card before arrival. You can create one directly in your Apple Wallet (no need to be in Japan). To know the card number (needed for train booking), download the SUICA app, link your card (auto-detected in wallet) and you'll see the number. The digital card works everywhere in Japan for all the tube, but also you can pay with it at vending machine or shops!
- People: Everyone super friendly and helpful, happy to see tourists (even more so in remote area). However they just don't speak english, so take a translator app with you!
- Trains: Use SmartEX to book Shinkansen tickets (note it's a web-app). Easy to use and can change the tickets up to 4 mins before departure. Make sure to get a SUICA card so you can link the tickets in the app. Then when you arrive at the station you can tap your SUICA card to pass seamlessly. If you don't, you'll need to pay the fee to enter the station first. Note that SmartEX covers only a part of the train network, other providers like JREast covers different parts but the system is similar.
- Car Rental: We used Toyota Rent a Car and it was super organized and zero issue out of five rentals with different drop-off (super fast each time). They even give you an ETC card for tolls (you pay the total at the end), and pickup/drop-off is very easy. If you are heading to the mountains, check that they provide snow tires (usually default for snowy regions, but verify). Just make sure you have the correct international driving licence!
- Taxis: In big cities, download the GO app. It’s the local Uber equivalent and makes getting a cab effortless.
- Dining Out: Don’t stress about reservations. Unless it's a specific "must-do," they are 90% unnecessary. There are incredible, high-rated places everywhere. If you do book via sites like Tabelog, you often have to pre-select your meal often in bad English, which is annoying. We used Google Maps for review but Tabelog is more accurate (lower scores overall, more trustworthy).
- Hotel Food (Ryokans): Onsen hotels usually include dinner. It’s authentic (we even had fugu!) but intense. We lovingly called it the "Temple of Doom." It’s a cool experience, but doing it (and the traditional fish breakfast) three days in a row gets exhausting.
- Onsen Rules: They are usually gender-separated and strictly naked. You must wash thoroughly with soap at the shower stations before entering the water and cover your tattoo if any.
- Stamps: Bring a notebook! Almost every train station and attraction has a unique commemorative stamp to collect.
Budget 💸
Japan is generally considered an expensive destination, particularly when it comes to accommodation. If you are looking for hotels with spacious bedrooms and private bathrooms, expect to pay at least £200 per night, even when booking well in advance. However, the quality is consistently excellent, so even standard business hotels are spotless and high-tech.
Transportation costs (whether renting a car, taking the Shinkansen, or flying) are roughly comparable to prices in Europe. However, food is the big surprise: it is very cheap compared to London. You can easily find incredible meals for around £10 per person, which helps balance out the accommodation costs.
When it comes to activities and sightseeing, entrance fees are usually very cheap. A word of warning, though: be careful when booking tickets in advance online. We noticed that third-party websites often charge inflated "tourist prices." Unless it’s a major attraction that sells out (like Shibuya Sky or Ghibli Park), you will save money by simply buying tickets at the gate.
Finally, unlike in many other destinations, tipping is not expected at all. In fact, it is culturally uncommon, so there is no need to budget extra cash for guides, taxis, or restaurant staff.
We also got some JPYs in London via PostOffice before leaving.
Transportation 🚃
Japan offers a fantastic mix of world-class public transport and convenient driving options, depending on where your itinerary takes you.
The railway network is incredible. Trains are super fast, punctual, and very well organized. In big cities like Tokyo and Osaka, the metro systems are surprisingly simple to navigate, despite their size.
The best part is the convenience: the transit system is fully compatible with digital IC cards (like Suica or Pasmo). You can add these directly to your smartphone wallet and simply tap in and out of stations without ever needing a paper ticket. You can even top up your balance directly from your phone in seconds, meaning you never have to queue at a ticket machine. Just be mindful that while the metro is efficient, it gets incredibly crowded during morning and evening peak times, so try to travel off-peak if you are carrying luggage.
Note that for booking trains you can use either directly the provider like SmartEX or a 3rd party like Klook. We preferred booking directly with the provider because they let you choose your seats and changing the ticket is super easy (note that their website is down during the night for maintenance).
While you won't need a vehicle in the major cities, renting a car is very easy and is perfect for exploring remote areas or the countryside. The rental process is generally smooth, and having a car gives you the flexibility to visit hidden spots that the train lines don't reach. It unlocks a completely different side of Japan away from the main tourist trail.
Apps 💾
- Netflix: To relax after long days, download content before.
- Booking.com: To book all your hotels ahead of time.
- XCurrency: Offline and up-to-date currency rates.
- Maps.me: Mandatory! Free offline map of the world, including trail paths.
- GO app: The local Uber, perfect to save yourself while walking in big cities.
- Nerv: Get notified in case of emergency alerts (tsunami, earthquake..)
- Klook: Handy to book lots of experiences, but mostly overpriced.
- Google Translate: Download Japanese offline, life saver.
Consider also bringing a Kindle or other offline devices, while internet is good it's not everywhere!
Food 🍗
The food in Japan was amazing from start to finish, easily one of the highlights of the trip! The variety is huge, and despite the high quality, dining out is fairly cheap with incredibly fast service.
You really need to try everything. Make sure to tick off the classics like ramen, udon, tonkatsu, katsu curry, okonomiyaki, gyoza, and sushi.
For the best atmosphere, you have to visit an Izakaya. Think of it as a Japanese gastropub where you order drinks and share lots of small plates (tapas-style). It’s super nice, very casual, intimate, and the perfect way to try a wide variety of dishes in one sitting without committing to a single main course.
While we loved the freedom of ordering à la carte, be aware that some restaurants operate on an Omakase basis ("I leave it up to you"), where the chef decides the entire menu. Similarly, traditional Ryokan dinners and breakfasts are often pre-set. For us, these were a bit experimental. While it's a cool cultural experience to do a few times, it can be tricky if you don't eat everything. Since you have no control over what arrives on your plate, it wasn't always our favourite way to eat compared to just grabbing a bowl of ramen we knew we'd love.
A heads-up for vegetarians or those with allergies: Japan is not the easiest place for dietary restrictions, as dashi (fish stock) is in almost everything and menus are often meat-heavy. We brought a small printed card written in Japanese explaining our restrictions to show to waiters, which was a lifesaver.
Finally, try not to over-order. Leaving food on your plate is generally frowned upon in Japan (it’s considered wasteful and disrespectful to the ingredients), so order modest amounts to start, you can always get more!
And if you loved the meal? A simple "Oishikatta desu" (it was delicious!) said to the chef or staff as you leave goes a long way (pronounced "o-ishi-kata-des")
Telecom 📞
For internet, we used a Ubigi eSIM for the whole trip and it worked perfectly. We bought the 30-day unlimited data plan and the setup was super easy, you just download the app and install the profile before your flight.
The speed was excellent (mostly 5G in cities), which was essential for navigating the complex train systems and translating menus on the fly. We did notice the signal drop a little in very rural areas or deep in the mountains, but that is to be expected and didn't really affect us.
As for local communication, we didn't really need to message hosts or guides directly as everything was booked online. However, if you do make local friends or need to contact a business, just know that LINE is the main messaging app in Japan (their version of WhatsApp). You probably won't need it, but it’s good to know just in case!
Visas 🛂
First things first: double-check if you need a visa based on your nationality. For many travelers, it's visa-free, but it’s always best to verify before booking.
To make your arrival much smoother, we highly recommend completing your immigration and customs forms online via Visit Japan Web before you fly. This generates a QR code that you simply scan upon arrival, allowing you to skip the hassle of filling out paper cards while jet-lagged and generally speeds up the queue.
Finally, if you plan to drive, do not forget your International Driving Permit (IDP). Japan is extremely strict about this: if you don’t have the physical paper booklet with you at the rental counter, they will not give you the car, no exceptions.
Hotels 🏠
We booked all our accommodation well in advance using Booking.com. Since we prioritized comfort, we specifically filtered for rooms with a private bathroom. Keep in mind that in Japan, especially in traditional Ryokans or budget hotels, shared bathrooms and communal onsens (baths) are very common (and often the default), so you need to double-check the room details if you want your own facilities.
A quick tip on pricing: we often noticed that rates were slightly lower if we looked at the hotels' websites directly. However, the interfaces were often confusing or entirely in Japanese.
In the end, we mostly stuck with Booking.com because it was much easier to manage (when the price difference was minimal). Having a centralized place for all our reservations made rescheduling simple, and taking advantage of free cancellation options gave us peace of mind while finalizing our route, something you don't always get when booking directly with smaller local establishments.
Tourism 🏄🏽♀️
One of the most relaxing things about traveling in Japan is just how super safe it is. It is one of the few countries where you can walk around late at night or leave your belongings unattended for a moment without a second thought. This sense of security makes moving around the country stress-free and very easy.
People in Japan are incredibly friendly, polite, and approachable. However, be prepared for a significant language barrier, very few people speak English fluently, even in service roles. We highly recommend learning a few basic Japanese phrases (like sumimasen for excuse me/sorry, and arigato gozaimasu for thank you). Locals really appreciate the effort, and it smooths out interactions significantly.
This warmth is even more noticeable when you leave the big cities. In rural areas, we found people to be even friendlier and more open. They seemed genuinely happy to see international tourists exploring their towns and were incredibly proud to share their local culture. Don't let the language barrier stop you from visiting the countryside, smiles and translation apps go a long way!
Packing List 📦
We traveled during autumn, and the weather was definitely colder than we expected! Here is what we would recommend bringing to stay comfortable:
- Warm Layers: Don't underestimate the chill. Japan in autumn can get quite cold, especially in the evenings or in the mountains, so bring quality coats, thermals, and sweaters. You can always buy technical layers at any convenience shop for little money!
- Ski Accessories (Goggles & Gloves): If you plan to hit the slopes, bring your own goggles and gloves. While ski resorts are great at renting out the big equipment (skis, boards, helmets, clothing), they often don't rent out these smaller personal accessories, and buying them there is expensive.
- Waterproof Footwear: Pack a couple of pairs of shoes that can handle the elements. You will likely encounter rain or even snow, and having wet feet while sightseeing is the worst.
- Outin Nano Portable Espresso Machine: This was a game-changer for us. While Japan has amazing coffee shops, hotel rooms rarely have proper coffee machines (usually just tea or instant packets). If you need a quality caffeine fix first thing in the morning, this portable gadget is a lifesaver. Also great for long car ride.
- Universal Power Adapter: Japan uses Type A plugs (two flat pins, like the US), but often without the third grounding pin. A decent universal adapter is essential.
- Handkerchief or Small Towel: You will notice locals carry these everywhere. Many public restrooms in Japan don’t have paper towels or hand dryers, so having your own small cloth is very practical.
Overall Experience 🤓
Japan was a trip that lived up to the hype in every way. It was the perfect mix of futuristic efficiency and deep, beautiful tradition. From navigating the neon streets of the big cities to driving through the quiet, snow-dusted mountains of the countryside, the contrast was incredible.
The food was easily a highlight, consistently amazing and surprisingly affordable, while the higher cost of accommodation was balanced by the amazing quality of service and cleanliness everywhere we went! Despite the language barrier, we found the locals to be incredibly polite and welcoming, especially in rural areas where they were genuinely proud to see us exploring their towns.
It is a destination that feels incredibly distinct, safe, organized, yet full of surprises. It feels like stepping into a completely different world, and we couldn’t recommend it more. We will definitely be back!
Hope this was helpful, you can ask us any questions on Instagram.
About Pierre and Barbara
Couple of travellers, working in IT as good geeks, always ready to grab a cab.