KNOW BEFORE YOU GO
A practical, source-led guide to staying connected, moving around, shopping responsibly and handling the unexpected.
THE WHOLE ARRIVAL
Immigration, baggage and customs
Tickets, assistance and the right platform
Train or bus to a useful hub
Final transfer, walking and check-in
Planning sequence, not a timed promise. Allow for queues and the last service before choosing a connection.
Choose for your device and group, not just the lowest price.
Best for an unlocked, compatible phone and instant setup.
Useful when your phone supports no eSIM; install after landing.
Good for groups and several devices; one more battery to charge.
Check coverage outside cities, hotspot limits, fair-use throttling and whether voice/SMS is included.
SOURCE CHECK · JNTO connectivity guide ↗
Most trips use more than one kind of ticket.
Tap for many city trains, subways, buses and small purchases.
Often best when your long-distance journeys are limited.
Compare the pass price with every planned long-distance fare first.
Most useful for rural coastlines, mountains and groups.
Do not assume one national pass is automatically cheaper. Price the exact route and allow time for station transfers.
SOURCE CHECK · JNTO transport overview ↗
Hands-free travel is one of Japan’s most useful systems.
Available from major gateways including Narita, Haneda and Kansai.
Ask reception before checkout; allow at least a day on many routes.
Coin lockers fill early at busy stations and on event days.
Carrier limits differ. Large, heavy, fragile, valuable or perishable items may not be accepted, so confirm dimensions and delivery date.
SOURCE CHECK · JNTO luggage and storage ↗
Japan’s inbound tax-free system is changing in 2026.
Eligible visitors generally receive exemption at participating stores after presenting a passport and meeting conditions.
A refund-based system is scheduled: pay consumption tax first, then complete departure procedures for a refund.
Items sent home by international parcel have not qualified since April 1, 2025.
Rules, eligibility and minimum spend can change. Carry your original passport and verify the official guidance immediately before shopping.
SOURCE CHECK · JNTO 2026 tax-free update ↗
Words like “vegetarian” may be interpreted differently.
Ask about dashi, bonito, fish sauce, meat extracts and cooking stock.
Certification and ingredient practice vary; contact the restaurant in advance.
Carry a Japanese allergy card and confirm cross-contact risk directly.
Share requirements when booking, not when you arrive.
A translated card should list every ingredient you cannot eat. No guide can guarantee a kitchen is free from cross-contact.
SOURCE CHECK · JNTO vegetarian and vegan guide ↗
Most etiquette is simply about not inconveniencing others.
Queue, let riders exit first, keep calls off and voices low.
Remove them when indicated; never step on the raised floor in outdoor shoes.
Do not stick chopsticks upright in rice; tipping is not customary.
Carry your rubbish when no bin is available and follow local photography signs.
Observe the people around you. If a venue has a specific rule, that local instruction matters more than a general guide.
SOURCE CHECK · JNTO customs and etiquette ↗
YOUR 24-HOUR ARRIVAL KIT
Install on Wi-Fi, keep data roaming off until arrival, and save the provider’s manual offline.
Use Visit Japan Web if applicable to your arrival and save any required QR codes offline.
Keep your hotel name, address and phone number in both English and Japanese.
Bring a card with international use enabled plus some yen for small operators and rural transport.
Know the train or bus name, final stop and last departure before the flight lands.
Police 110, fire/ambulance 119 and JNTO Visitor Hotline 050-3816-2787.
SHOW, DO NOT GUESS
Replace the blank with the ingredient. These phrases help start a conversation but do not guarantee allergy-safe preparation.
I am allergic to ___.
Does this dish contain ___?
I do not eat meat, fish or dashi stock.
Do you use the same cooking utensils?
07 · SAFETY & HEAT
Japan is generally safe, but earthquakes, typhoons, volcanic activity and severe summer heat require preparation.
JNTO Visitor Hotline: 050-3816-2787 inside Japan, available 24/7.
Save your hotel address, identify evacuation routes and keep your phone charged.
Carry water, use shade, move strenuous sightseeing to morning or evening, and check heat-illness guidance.
Reviewed July 21, 2026. This is planning guidance, not legal, medical or safety advice. Official rules and live conditions take priority.