Japan

I have traveled to Japan 8x and it is a country I will never get tired of. I especially have a soft spot for Kyoto as there is so much culture, history, and yet, a modern mix to the city. I love visiting the countryside, less touristy areas, cafes, bars/breweries, cute shops, and local eats so I will be sharing these with you here!

psst…I also went to Japanese language school in Kyoto.

Need to know before traveling to Japan:

  • Mannerisms: Many Japanese people do not speak English so please learn a few basic Japanese words and learn the culture.

    • If restaurants turn you away, please do not take it personally. Many restaurants want to provide the best service and don’t feel that they can if there is a language barrier.

    • It is very quiet everywhere you go so please do not speak loudly or talk on the phone at temples, trains/buses, some restaurants. Loud conversations at Izakayas are more accepted (casual bars offering small bites and alcohol - please note smoking is usually allowed in izakayas).

    • Please respect all temples and shintos by following the rules and the signs (i.e. no taking pictures, take off your shoes)

  • Currency: Japanese Yen - many places in the big cities accept credit cards but please bring cash especially for small shops and at the countryside. There are ATMs at the convenience stores (Family Mart, Seven Eleven, Lawsons, etc.) and ATMs at the train stations.

  • Safety: It is very safe in Japan but staying vigilant is key everywhere you go. Please share your travel plans with your family/friends or better yet, your location (i.e. find my friends) with them

  • Recommended Time to Visit: All year round! It really depends which cities you are planning to go to. For example, summer (June-September) is very humid and unbearable in Tokyo and Kyoto . However, you can visit Central (i.e. Nagano) and Northern Japan (i.e. Hokkaido, Sendai, etc.) during this time as the temperature would be cool. While it may be extremely cold in Northern Japan in the Fall-Spring, it is the perfect weather to visit other cities that aren’t mountainous (i.e. Fukuoka, Osaka, Tokyo, Kyoto, etc.).

  • When to NOT go: Avoid traveling during the holidays in Japan especially Golden week (typically first week of May) because every single person in Japan has that week off and will be traveling. Not only will it be extremely crowded, but it will be more expensive.

  • Over-tourism: I understand Japan has hit an all time high for the number of visitors in a year. To combat over-tourism, I hope sharing places that are less crowded can help while supporting local businesses.

  • Sim Cards: Airalo is a eSIM company that has plans ranging from 7 to 30 days. Holafly is another eSIM company that has plans ranging from 5 days to 90 days for unlimited data. For phones not compatible with eSIM, Klook is an option to order a physical eSIM.

Cities in Japan