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- Skip tourist traps.
- Learn the etiquette of Japan before travelling, such as public transport etiquette etc to avoid any embarrassment
- Have some basic words memorised for those regular interactions like “can I have this please” “thank you” “excuse me”
- Carry cash. Japan is still very much a cash society.
- Japan unfortunately isn’t super baby friendly for public transport, so be prepared to carry your kid around on a harness or a very compact stroller. Try avoid rush hours on weekdays if you’re in Tokyo as it will be horrible.
- prepare for a lot of walking. Lots.
- There are no garbage bins on the street. Take some extra disposal bags with you to avoid filling your pockets with garbage or filling your luggage. Dispose when you can!
- Don’t be afraid to just eat and walk. Super popular places will require reservations, but food standard in Japan is pretty high across the board.
- Main attraction parks can get full very soon due to popularity and some places you need to book from months before… to avoid disappointment, look in to whether you need to book in advance. I know Gibli Park for instance needs reservations way in advance. Even disneynland needs a booking.
- if you don’t know what to do, there are local tour guides you can hire which are nice for local authentic trips.
- Please take a trip on the bullet train. It’s nice! Also buy yourself an eki-ben (station bento) to eat on the shinkan sen. it’s an experience to have.
- If you get a chance go to a ryokan with a private onsen hot spring attached to the room. Lowers the barriers down for people who are not used to public bathing.
- Japanese bread 🍞
- if you’re going to be travelling by train a lot, maybe consider getting a tourist JR pass which is for foreigners only. It’s usually a decent deal, just DYOR.
- Not all restaurants are kid friendly, so might need to plot your spots.
- not all restaurants will accommodate dietary needs, especially traditional places where they provide their signature dish. (This is slowly changing)
- If you sweat a lot, bring your own western dioderrant. Japanese one sucks at stopping perspiration. They do have these awesome sweat wipes though that cool the body and wipe away sweat.
- Japanese countryside driving is awesome. I suggest the drive between Beppu and Yufuin in Kyushu prefecture.
Not sure what your travel plot is, but happy to share more tips if needed. 0 reply
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