Things To Know When Going To Japan

 Travelling in Japan is wonderful. There are a few things that help to make it easier.

First off have one phone that can receive sms messages in Japan, they do not use What’s app commonly.  So SMS, text messages, are useful, we made do without but wish we had it.  

You can have your bags transferred easily from airport to hotel or hotel to hotel. Yamato transport (black cat) is very efficient check with your accommodation usually 2 days city to city and same day airport to hotel. They are located right when you leave customs in Tokyo and when we left they had our flight info and luggage at kiosk within 100m of Checkin.

There are trains and busses are great for getting around. They have a number of Apps and travel cards that you can load with money which allows you to just tap and ride. You pay on busses when you get off. Suggest loading Suica, with 500 yen, you can top up to go.  Go taxi is used throughout Japan, some spots have limited taxi so the app helps.   Japan rail works with Google Maps so more accurate on train times than Apple Maps.  When doing trains remember the numbers. Platform, and if you have reservations, suggest for long trips, the car and seat.  

Bring a facecloth, not all washrooms have towels and when you go into shrines you need to cleanse your hands. 

Money exchange we found great rates at 7-11, they have a bank, which charged 220 yen for withdrawal, no matter the amount.  You will need cash, as shrines and temples only accept cash as do some small businesses.  If using a credit card always select japan currency as it saves an extra exchange fee.  

I recommend guruwalk for tours in the big city, you can download the app.  They are called “free walking” tours with the idea is you tip the guide at the end what you think the tour was worth, to be fair I look at what prepaid tours cost so I have an idea what we should be paid.  

Our last find is the town of Narita, 10 minutes from the airport by train and has one of my favorite markets and a very different shrine.  If you have an evening flight you can extend your room till 2, we did this and it cost about $25.  I would stop there after landing as well, it would be a great place to get your feet wet in Japan. 

Hope to see you all soon 


Jane & Trent. 

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