Japan Info

When traveling abroad, what you must have is access to the internet. Even if you have a phone, it won’t be much use as most apps on your phone won’t be able to function without it. Especially if you don’t speak the language, an internet connection is essential when you want to know information about good restaurants and scenic spots close by and, most importantly, communicate with the locals.

Check with your phone provider what options you have. Find out what rates they offer for their coverage in Japan. More times then not, it will probably be the most expensive of your options but it doesn't hurt to check.

HOWEVER

if this is the case, you may want to choose one or more of the following options:

Obviously, you can use international roaming, but that is usually the most expensive option. This is why most people either rent a Pocket WiFi or purchase a Japan SIM or eSIM. But a common question that most people would have is, “Should I Use SIM Card, eSIM Card, or Pocket WiFi in Japan?” 

Pocket Wifi - a small device roughly the size of a mobile phone or power bank. Provides a wifi hotspot for you everywhere you travel in Japan. Useful if you have wifi only devices you want to keep connected on your trip (for example, an iPad), or if you want the convenience/security of having a private wifi connection instead of using hotel wifi. Good for a group but must stay together.

If you choose to go this route, Japan Wireless is one of many suggested companies. Search for a promo code online to save a few bucks. You can reserve/pay for a pocket wifi before you leave for your trip, and pick it up at the airport when you arrive. You’ll need to show your passport to pickup, then they also give you a prepaid envelope to return everything before you fly home after your trip; you just need to put the pocket wifi and cables etc. in the envelope, then drop in a mailbox at the airport (they send an email to tell you where the mailboxes are located). Good idea to have extra power bank.

Physical Sim Card - The main reason for this option is if you need a Japan phone # or your phone is not compatible with eSim (usually an older phone) otherwise eSim is suggested.

If you choose to go this route, there are a few options:

• Mobal or Japan Wireless - You can order & have it send to you or pick up upon arrival.
• Amazon - Order & have it send to you.
• Upon Arrival in Japan - there are many vending machines or stores. If needed, Bic Camera stores offer installation of the sim card for a fee.

eSim - This is the suggested choice if you decide to go the Sim route. With both Sim options, phone has to be unlocked. 

If your phone is compatible with an eSIM, You can do this anywhere there is Wifi, even on your flight (if it has wifi). Just like the others, there are many options, but Ubigi is suggested. Here is the website but it's simple & quick to do it on the APP. You can track how much data you’ve used while you’re travelling, and quickly add more data if/when needed along the way.

Tip: NTTBP is an app that will help with data usage as it connects you automatically to (most) available WiFi! The phone application automatically connects your devices to secure, trustworthy free WiFi networks nationwide. Important: Refrain from inputting sensitive personal information, including credit card details, while connected to free WiFi.

How much Cash should I bring?

Will they accept my Credit Cards?

What's an IC Card & why should I get one?

CASH

The majority of places now accept Credit Cards & IC Cards. However, there are still some places such as small shops/restaurants, Temples/Shrines & the food stalls & fortunes nearby, Gachapon machines, etc. that still only accept cash. With that said, you will still need cash but not as much as before. Also, if you need cash, you can withdraw from many locations such as post offices, major banks & 7-Elevens.

• Areas you will need cash are:
  • Shrines which can have admission fees of about 500-1000+ yen per person
  • Street Vendors which are usually outside of temples
  • Small food stands
  • Some Vending Machines
  • Tips: so in Japan, it is not customary to tip but in some cases it is ok. ie. Tour guides (1000-2000yen pp), Drivers (500-1000yen), Buddhist & Shinto Priests (500yen pp).
  • Food & other miscellaneous expenses (of course this can vary) can be about 5500yen per person per day. Again, please remember to take into account how much of this you will be using your credit cards.

VISA Credit Card Limitations with Some Japanese Companies

There are a few limitations with VISA payments at a VERY small number of Japanese companies (both a physical VISA card, or VISA card linked to Apple Pay). AMEX & Mastercard seem to be accepted much more. However, again, it really only appears to be impacting a small number of sites/services.

Suica (IC) Card (non-refundable)

The Suica is a prepaid e-money card for moving around and shopping. There is no more need to buy a ticket from a vending machine. Just touch your Suica to the ticket gate and the fare is automatically deducted from your Suica. The Suica can also be used to pay for things with e-money. Buy soft drinks and coffee from vending machines and on the train, to rent coin lockers and for spending at convenience stores and restaurants. Even buy a newspaper at the station kiosk without fiddling for coins. For traveling in Japan, the Suica makes a more pleasant trip.

The Suica can be used wherever these logos are displayed.

There are 2 ways to get the Suica Card. You can choose to either get the Physical Card or Download to your Apple Wallet. If using Physical Card, you can only load with cash (YEN). However, if you download to your Apple Wallet, you will be able to load your Card with a Credit Card.

Physical Card - You could get one at Haneda or Narita, as well as from JR East ticket machines at train stations — just look for the machines displaying the Suica symbol. You can also buy them at JR East Travel Service Centers. (with chip shortages, this may not always be an option)

Digital - download the Suica Card to your Apple Wallet. Make sure to have “Express Transit” on. Here are the directions:

1. In the Apple wallet: select the Suica card
2. tap the circle with little dots in the top right corner
3. select card details
4. scroll down to Express Transit/Express Transit Settings, and “turn on” the Suica card

JR Passes - This has been very popular with tourists; however, due to the JR Pass increase, the popular Golden Route (Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka & Hiroshima) is no longer a good deal. The JR Pass value comes with the longer travel routes in using the Shinkansen. You can determine if it makes sense for you to buy a JR Pass with this Calculator.

JR Pass allows you to take unlimited JR transportation for a fixed price (you can buy either a 7, 14 or 21 day pass). The JR pass can only be used on JR trains, ferries, etc., so it will help to determine if it makes sense financially to buy a JR pass, or just to pay for individual tickets as you travel.

Navitime - finds the best routes, especially if you have Railpasses, Tokyo subway ticket etc. it'll show you routes that use those passes. Also shows you which exits to use to get to your destination.

Train stations. They're huge. If you zoom in on googlemaps, most times it shows you the exit names. Helped us navigating a lot!

Luggage - Japan is a destination that usually requires quite a bit of "travelling"; therefore, I suggest to pack light. However, it is also a destination that attracts alot of shopping so sometimes this cannot be acheived. Here are a few tips:

• If you have large suitcases, you can ship your luggage; however, this usually needs to be done a day in advance to get it to your next location. Many hotels can help with this. Can be about $15 per luggage.
• Packing cubes: This can definitely help with keeping things organized especially if you are moving from place to place.
• Pack small. Wash on the go in the sink or laundromat. Moving around a lot is tough so the lighter you pack the better. Also, more space for Souvenirs 😉
• Clothing: smart casual, showing legs seems fine (if combined with a loose top), midriff or cleavage not so much. Tokyo is a bit less conservative. Leggings seem to be only worn for exercise.
• Bringing medication to Japan: some over-the-counter meds are banned (ie. Nyquil, Sudafed, etc.) so you can not take it. Click HERE for a link to an article & Click HERE for an official site.

There are 3 options when booking a ticket on a shinkansen:

• reserved seat (green car)
• reserved seat (regular)
• no reservation (regular)

*There is also an option to purchase a place for oversized luggage (large suitcases)

Medium suitcases, don't require this option (as you can simply place your medium/small sized suitcases on the rack above your seat). For large pieces of luggage, there are designated areas to store near the doors entering each train car (bags could be locked using a mechanism in this area), or at the end of each row of seats.

When booking seats Tokyo to Osaka/Kyoto, reserve seats on the right side (or Osaka/Kyoto to Tokyo, reserve seats on the left side) of the train to see Fuji (if it is visible)

By default all seats face the same direction, but you can push a pedal on the floor near the aisle next to each row of seats to swivel them completely around to face the row of seats behind you (just remember to rotate the seats back before you get 

off the train).

Also, if you want the seats with reserved luggage space behind your seat, remember to click on the drop down arrow in the Seat Type field, and then select With (Inside cabin) Oversized Baggage Area.

To make a Shinkansen reservation, you can download the SmartEX app, or can use the SmartEX website:

Purchase up to 6 on 1 account. Can get discount for 2+ (This is for Shinkansen Tokyo & South)

• SmartEX App
• SmartEX Website

Making shinkansen reservations on the train station machines is also an option, if you don't want to stand in line for the ticket booth.

You could purchase items at a discount (tax free) at many stores. You can save a good amount of money doing this; just ensure you have your passport with you when making these purchases, as this is required (tourists are required by law to have their passports on them at all times). Additionally, stores are required to pack and seal the items you purchase tax free, so don’t open these packages until you get home.

A few items that people love to purchase in Japan includes personalized shoes at White Atelier by Converse in Tokyo, some personalized chopsticks in Tokyo/Kyoto, personalized rings in Osaka/Kyoto, and personalized chef knives in Tokyo/Osaka. Also Michelin recommended ramen (7-eleven Premium sticker), a sake set, some good whisky (the best are now difficult to find and extremely expensive due to low availability and high demand), and a bunch of snacks at 7-eleven, FamilyMart and Lawsons.

- TIP: Extra suitcase for the extra souvenirs.