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Social norms
Let’s start off our Japan travel tips by discussing some of their social norms. Politeness and being considerate of others is highly emphasized in the culture. Do not eat while walking around or taking the subway. People will eat meals on the longer train rides between cities where you have a tray table in front of you. Avoid being loud in public spaces. Even though quiet behavior tends to be the norm, slurping your noodles is a way to show your appreciation of the food.
Trains
Trains also tend to be very quiet. People are not loudly talking to each other or talking on their phone. I saw a few people on longer train rides take their cell phone with them outside of the passenger car to take their call. People are very space conscious on crowded trains, holding backpacks in front of them or on their laps. Japan was one of the first places where I did not see any “manspreading” on the train. The trains offer women only cars that are clearly marked. You are not required to them as a woman, but they are there as a courtesy to avoid any unwanted sexual harassment or groping. I always bought my shinkansen tickets at the station instead of online ahead of time and never had an issue.
Trash Cans
The one thing you will notice about Japan is the lack of trash cans in public spaces. Trash cans were removed in the 1990s after a series of chemical weapons attacks. Despite the lack of trash cans, Japan still stays extremely clean, with people feeling a personal responsibility to take care of their own trash. Be prepared to carry your trash around with you in your bag until you can find one.
Public Restrooms
I found many public restrooms throughout Japan and most of them were free to use. You will see some squat toilets in restrooms, but I never went to one where that was the only option. Most public restrooms do not have paper towels or hand dryers. Many people will carry a small hand towel with them in their bag.
Pocket WiFi or eSim?
Pocket WiFi or eSims are a great way to stay connected while travelling throughout Japan. ESims are really convenient and do not take up physical space like the pocket WiFi. However, your phone does need to be unlocked to use an eSim. This means that you have to have it fully paid off and have it unlocked by your carrier. You could also use an old device that’s already unlocked to use an eSim. If you are looking for a reliable and affordable eSim, I highly recommend checking out Airalo here. I used them in Italy and was really happy with their service and convenience.
I used a pocket WiFi in Japan which was easy to pick up from the airport upon arrival. They give you a prepaid envelope to mail back your device at the end of the trip. I just dropped off the device at a mailbox near my hotel. The airport also has mailboxes for you to drop off your pocket WiFi before you leave. Pocket WiFi worked well the entire time and it fit in my crossbody purse. You do have to charge it when the battery is running low.
Japan Rail Pass, is it worth it?
Check out the JR Pass and see if it can save you money while traveling. In order to calculate whether the pass will save you money or not, use the Japan-Guide.com Rail Pass Calculator. You can input all of your destinations and the calculator will let you know if the 7 day, 14 day, or 21 day pass costs less than buying individual tickets.
Onsens
You are not allowed to enter public onsens with tattoos since they are traditionally associated with organized crime. If you are traveling to Japan, I recommend renting a room with a private onsen whether you have tattoos or not. Honestly, this was one of my all-time favorite travel experiences. I stayed at Shibu Onsen Kokuya and also visited the nearby Snow Monkey Park while I was there. You also have access to larger onsens in the ryokan as well as the town’s public onsens. It included dinner and breakfast which were both delicious and I experienced some of the best hospitality I’ve ever had anywhere. You’re also given traditional yukata robes and geta sandals to wear around town.
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