Connectivity

1. You probably don’t have a tour guide, or else you wouldn’t be reading this page, so having an internet connection is critical to getting around Japan yourself.

2. Don’t count on getting by through public Wi-Fi. It’s not going to work. Don’t even think about it. Many attractions don’t have them. The ones in the train stations are iffy (SSL errors may prevent various sites/apps from loading).

3. Make sure you have an unlimited internet connection for your entire visit. No ifs or buts. You are going to need an always on connection for maps, Translate, and Hyperdia. Surely you are also planning on posting to Instagram, Snapchat, Facebook, <insert your current trendy social media time waster of choice> .

4. If you are stubborn, and refuse to get an unlimited plan, we suggest to ensure you have at least 500MB / 1GB per person per day.

5. For a short trip, a roaming package from your carrier may be enough. If you have more than one device or multiple travelers, make sure your carrier’s plan support tethering. Some unlimited AT&T plans in the US, for example, don’t.

6. Note that most Android/Apple devices by default only backup photos/videos over Wi-Fi. If you go down the roaming (unlimited) route, you may want to change your devices’ settings to ensure media is backed up over a cellular connection (and avoid losing your irreplaceable photos / videos).

7. We suggest however, to rent a pocket wi-fi for the duration of your stay. It is extremely easy and economical to do. There are multiple providers (we use Global Advance Communications). Advantages: Easily provide connectivity for multiple devices/travelers Doesn’t drain your device’s battery like a mobile hot-spot would Unlimited connection (just make sure to get the right package/plan).

8. Once you rent one online, you can pick it up on your arrival at the airport (at the post office or the company’s booth). You can also have it delivered straight to your hotel (where it will be waiting for you).

9. At the end of your visit, simply drop it off at any mailbox (at the airport or otherwise). We like to drop it off at the Narita post office (on the 4th floor) for a receipt. If you just stick it in a mailbox, be sure to peel off the tracking number of the self-addressed, prepaid provided envelope.

10. Be sure to bring a small USB portable charger / power bank with a micro-usb cable in case you need to top off the pocket Wi-Fi. Don’t bother renting one. There is nothing special about it. Any USB external battery will do.

11. If you are only planning to roam outside a few hours each day, the battery on the pocket wi-fi should last without a problem. However, if you are planning on having 12 hour long days like we do (it is extreme itineraries after all!), plan to top off the battery at least once. Note that some pocket Wi-Fi's only charge while off, so plan accordingly (e.g. charge on a train).

12. Note these devices get very hot. You may not want to carry them in your pants or bury them deep inside a bag.

13. If you have multiple devices and travelers, be sure to get a true unlimited pocket-wifi plan (read the fine print).

14. Pro tip: you can change the pocket Wi-Fi SSID name + password to that of your home router so that all devices connect to it automatically without having to reconfigure each device.

15. Your hotel may provide a courtesy mobile phone with internet access. These are good, but would you have it throughout your entire stay? Also, note that they use a proprietary power plug, so don’t count on topping the battery off outside your hotel room.

Getting Around

Metros

1. Do yourself a favor and get yourself an IC (AKA integrated chip) card like Suica, Pasmo etc’. We like Suica. It's one card per customer (so no NYC’s metrocard multiple swiping here…)

2. Then, do yourself an even a bigger favor and load it with lots of cash. Why? Metro stations are busyyyyyyy. You don’t want to have to futz around each station trying to figure out how much a one-way ticket is or stand in a line to get it. Do what the Japanese do and get a card!

3. You can use the card to pay at vending machines in train stations, (Japan is the land of Vending Machines!). It is also good at most food vendors and merchants in train and metro stations. You can even use it to pay in many attractions.

4. A Suica card has an initial deposit of 500 Yen. We suggest to load it with at least 2000-3000 Yen if you are planning to get around Tokyo for a few days.

5. You are probably thinking, “but I don’t want to load it with too much $ and be stuck with it when I leave.” The best part is that prior to your departure from Japan, minus a small fee (of a few dollars), you get the initial deposit for the card back (500 Yen) plus any additional money left on the card. It’s free duty-free money!

6. Getting from one Tokyo attraction to another will generally cost from 160 Yen to 450 Yen one-way depending on the distance.

7. If you are heading 45 mins / 1 hour away in or out of Tokyo, it will cost roughly 800 Yen one way.

8. Pro tip: When you first get the card, you will have the option of putting your name on the card or not (for children there is no choice, their cards must be “named” cards). Choose not to put your name on the card. First, it will be in Japanese anyway (and you don’t read Japanese do you?). Second, when you return the card for a refund, non-named cards do not require a passport and a form to be filled out.

9. Forget loading the card with a credit card. Forget going to some website to load it at the end of each day. Did we say forget loading the card with a credit card? Cash only. No iffs or buts. Most machines will only allow you load the card in set denominations of 500, 1000 Yen etc’. Some newer machines let you choose your own amount (but these are not as common).

10. You pay the actual fare when you exit (like London for example, but not NYC). The system will let you enter with a minimal amount on your card (e.g. if the closest stops are 180 Yen), but you will not be able to exit if the price for your exit is higher than your card’s balance.

11. Pro tip: some stations will in fact let you go into the red on your card. There are fare adjustment machines past the turnstiles where you can reload your card the missing amount (though again, it is always worth being “generous” and keep ample balance on your card).

12. While you can only load the cards in the stations, there are apps that would let you read the available balance on your phone. This is useful to check each traveler’s card at the beginning or the end of each day and avoid standing in line just to see the balance.

13. Press the English button for English (duh) as well as other languages. After a while, it is easy to just do in Japanese.

14. You may see signs for entering / paying with apple and google pay. These are for local residents only, so forget about it.

15. Unlike say the London Tube, you can’t use your contactless tap-and-go card to enter/exit, so don’t bother trying.

16. Notice the blue Priority Seats at the end of the train cars. Do not dishonor your family and stand up for the elderly, expecting, etc’ (even if it seems the Japanese themselves don’t).

17. Japanese train doors wait for no one! Be sure your entire party boards at the same time (see security below).

Uber/Taxies

1. Most cities don’t have Uber. In those that do, it just seems to call a regular taxi (and those are abundant) so largely don’t bother with Uber (yet).

2. Some taxis will in fact let you charge the ride to a credit card. Even if the Taxi doesn’t have a visa/mastercard sign on the passenger door, you can still ask the driver and they would still be able to swipe it, though it could be a hit or a miss so plan accordingly.

3. Most taxis don’t seem to mind sitting five (2 adults and up to 3 kids).

4. A taxi will cost around 2000 (+/- 500) Yen for a 20 mins / 30 mins ride. Not bad compared to other countries!

Trains

1. Get a rail pass. Tons of details on the web about it. 2. Don’t activate it too soon. For example, if you are just trying to get from the airport to Tokyo, but are only touring around Japan the following week, pay for the ride and only activate the rail pass the following week.

3. In most cases, it will be more economical to just pay for metro rides around Tokyo (with your Suica card of course) and only get a rail pass for the duration of time you are going around Japan.

4. Of course, if you did activate it already, you can use it to ride for free in JR metro lines. 5. Just show your card when entering and exiting the train stations (in the manned turnstile on the side). You don’t need to buy an actual ticket, you don’t need to sign anything or get anything stamped. Just show your pass and board your train.

6. Note that some super super express bullet trains are excluded, so don’t board a Nozomi or Mizuho trains even though it may be tempting (or be prepared to pay the difference in price, which could be hundreds, if you get caught).

7. Don’t lose it. Once activated, if lost, there is no way to get a replacement.

8. Google maps does a fairly basic / good job in providing train info. However, install the Hyperdia app for better cost, and platform info.

9. The app can take some time getting used to. Install it prior to your trip and preform a few searches. The correct spelling of stations’ names including hyphens is important.

10. Normally, you’ll want to run a preliminary search to first understand your route options. Then, when you get to your station, run a search again. So many different trains are running that your optimal route may change depending on when you get to the actual station.

11. Be sure to scroll past the first result screen. Sometimes you may prefer to take a slower train but with fewer connections.

12. When you get your platform, the name of the train will be displayed on it (e.g. if Hyperdia says to take “Sakura 580”, look for it in English on the side of the train).

13. Android only: At this time, the “rail pass” option in the app which allows you to limit the search results to trains that are rail pass allowed, doesn’t seem to work. Just ignore results for Nozomi and Mizuho trains.

14. Don’t bank on getting food or drinks on the train. Some may have a cart rolling through with limited options. Some may have vending machines, but generally, be sure to stock up in the stations (they are so Ecute 😉). It is perfectly acceptable to eat on bullet trains. Dispose of trash between the cars.

15. Ticket and seat/car types

  • First class cars (a green shamrock like sign) - additional cost above and beyond the rail pass. Tickets can be purchased in the stations, as well as vending machines on the platforms.
  • Reserved cars – If you travel in rush hour, and get to the station early enough, there is no harm in reserving a seat on a train for no additional cost. Just stop at the ticket office. You’ll have to fill a simple form with the train name, departure time, destination, and the number of seats (English on the form is fine)
  • Unreserved cars – First come, first serve. Usually the last few cars on the train.

16. When getting to the platform make sure you stand in the right place.

Each platform obviously serves a few train lines/types. The platform will have signs on the floor as well as railing, which describe how many cars each train has, how many cars are first class (green sign), etc’.

Use this info to stand in the correct location/queue on the platform. For example, the signs will show which car numbers are non-reserved, non-first class cars so queue accordingly. Don’t assume you can get a seat on the train anywhere you hop on it (unless you want to walk inside the train and most probably end up without a seat).

17. The various tunnels along the way can make for a frustrating and spotty mobile signal (so don’t count on streaming a movie unless you pre-download it).

18. There is no wi-fi on the trains (though each row will most likely have a 100V power outlet).

Paying for stuff

So you probably already know that Japan is largely a cash based society. Quite surprising for such technologically advanced country. The trend is slowly changing though so it is not as bad as you may think. As a general rule (and as mentioned above):

1. Metro IC cards (i.e. Suica) can only be loaded with cash. Always make sure you have at least 1000 Yen on your card and then refill. You don’t want to get stuck in the system, or look for half an hour for an ATM in the station (assuming it has one) or outside. As mentioned, you can use your card at vending machines, food vendors and resturants in stations, and even some attractions.

2. Most restaurants and shops will accept credit cards though there are many that still don’t. If you have a trendy Sapphire or platinum card that doesn't have the visa/MC/Amex logo and numbers on the front, you may get an odd look as it may not be immediately clear to them what you handed them (so you may want to say Visa/MC/Amex as you are handing it)..

3. Many taxis will accept a credit card even if it is not immediately apparent (but be prepared they don’t).

4. Department stores, high end shops, and hotels will accept a credit card.

5. Don’t plan on using a credit card in markets, attractions, or transportation (including ferries, etc’).

6. Not all ATMs will accept international credit cards. Unfortunately, some train station ATMs don’t as well. Don’t stress. Keep going until you find one that does. Sometimes it does mean hunting for one two or three until you find one that does.

7. How much cash do I need? This is obviously very subjective, but we suggest to bring / take out a few hundred dollars worth of Yen and take it from there.

Security

Crime has been eliminated from Japanese culture many generations ago 😉. We haven’t checked the official stats but surely it doesn’t exist!

Having said that,

1. Prepare for the eventuality that someone will separate from your group including a young child (including on a train) – don’t ask us how we know.

2. To the extent possible, ensure everyone in your group knows the station you are heading to. Naturally one or a few will lead the way so make sure they communicate the target station before running to the platform.

3. Slide a piece of paper with a phone number into each child’s pocket and if they can, have them remember it. Ideally this would be a local number (a relative?, an hotel?). Even if you are roaming, people on the street may have hard time dialing internationally.
4. Agree on a “re-grouping procedure.” For example:

  • If train doors separate you from the rest of the group, get off in the immediate next station and wait exactly where you got off the train on the platform.
  • Continue as planned to the target station and meet there on the platform at the exit point from the train.
  • Meet at the entrance to the market/attraction, etc’.

Adapt for travelers age...

5. Do all travelers have a phone and can they enable roaming if all else fail?

Food

1. Since we have been generalizing so far, we’ll venture to say that Japan doesn't have a big variety of non-Japanese/non-Asian restaurants (of course 100Yen sushimi makes up for it). If you need a break from bento boxes, look for the amazing bakeries most train stations have (a recent trend).

2. There are tons of starbucks in Japan! They are all over. Most stations have them. Some have more than one.
You can't use your non-Japanese starbucks card. No earning/redeeming rewards.
You can't obtain a Japanese Starbucks card (residents only)

3. Unless you are going high end or to a well known place, do not bother looking up places on Google maps. The menus online generally don't seems to match to those in the restaurant. As a whole, the description of the place will likely not match up what you see online. Our suggestion? If you see something you like - make a stop there. Go to an area with a concentration of restaurants and walk around.

4. Don't dare leaving Japan without trying a tayake, opnimiyakee, and bubble waffles!

Number 1 and number 2

1. Specifically for the 2020 olympics, a lot of the stations are being renovated and so are the bathrooms. However if you happen to stumble on an older station and more so in rural areas, you may comes across a traditional Japanese toilet. Note they you suppose to squat facing the toilet and not the other way around.

2. Some stations will have a mix of traditional and western toilets and some will have a sign on the entrance showing the type.

3. Many public restrooms don't have soap and most would not have anything to dry your hands with (short perhaps of one not very effective air dryer) . Japanese people carry a handkerchief with them and you may want to bring Antibacterial wipes or spray with you.

4. On the flip side, we challenge you to find a non-bidet toilet in Japan

5. You may come across a weird contraption in homes and restaurants. A small faucet on top of the toilet. Yes, you meant to wash your hands in it after you flush (and the waste water help refill the toilet)

Sure Japan can sound complex, but don’t let it intimidate you. Have fun!

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