【First trip to Japan】Preparations and Things to Know Before Traveling

Japan is a country with a wide variety of attractions, including superb scenic spots that change their appearance with the seasons, exquisite cuisine, and places where you can experience traditional culture and history.

This article explains what you need to prepare before you leave and recommends destinations in Japan so that you can enjoy your first trip to Japan to the fullest.

What kind of country is Japan?

Japan is an island country surrounded by the sea. About 75% of its area is mountainous. Japan has four seasons, and you can enjoy its beautiful nature throughout the year. This wonderful country is also rich in traditional culture and historical heritage such as Kabuki, flower arrangement, calligraphy, etc., which attracts many people from overseas to visit it. It is known as an economic powerhouse, and recently, Japanese culture, such as anime, manga, games, and movies, has been attracting much attention. Japan is a country where nature, history, and technology coexist in harmony.

What you need and need to prepare for your trip to Japan

Here is a list of what you need to bring with you when travelling to Japan.

1. Passport and a copy of your passport

Whenever you travel to a foreign country, a passport is usually required (and sometimes a visa). However once you're in the country, you may not want to carry something so important around. So having a copy of your passport instead can be beneficial for situations where you may need to show identification. Keeping a couple extra copies of your passport in different places may be a good idea as well.

2. Travel Insurance

Travel Insurance is a very good idea because you never know what may happen while traveling abroad. This is especially true if you are staying an extended amount of time in a foreign country.

3. Japan Rail Pass

In Japan, there is a huge subway and train culture, where the majority of the population rely on trains for transportation. Traveling by train in Japan helps you get around the whole country in a relatively shorter amount of time than by car and is convenient.

4. Wi-Fi

Wi-Fi is nice to have for quick access to the internet. You may need to look up pertinent information or figure out where you are, so having Wi-Fi with you at all times is beneficial.

5. Bank Cards

Although cash in the country's currency is important to have, those can be obtained once you make it to your destination. But having a credit or debit card is useful and important for emergency situations. Japan usually accepts Visa and MasterCard, so those are the recommended cards to bring. Be sure to call your bank and let them know you're traveling out of country so your card doesn't get flagged and temporarily frozen.

6. Cash + Coin Purse

Although bank cards are useful to have, it's definitely a must to carry around some cash as well. Japan's main form of currency is cash and in some rural areas, cards are not even accepted! Bank cards are a good backup, but cash is definitely primary. 

7. Various applications

In addition to Google Translate and other translation applications, Google Maps and NAVITIME are also excellent applications for getting around town. Install them on your smartphone in advance.

In addition to the above, do not forget to bring clothes, chargers, etc.

Visa for going to Japan

An important part of planning your first trip to Japan is ensuring you have the proper documentation to enter the country. Foreign nationals wishing to enter Japan must possess a valid passport and, in principle, receive a visa for the purpose of entry at a Japanese embassy or consulate abroad in advance.

＊Whether or not you need a visa depends on the country, so be sure to check in your home country.

The best time to visit Japan

As a first-time traveler to Japan, spring may be the best time to visit. The popular destinations of Tokyo and Hiroshima enjoy temperate climates, so fall and spring are pleasant times to visit.

Cherry blossom season is in April and is a must-see event on many first-time traveler’s bucket lists. Accommodations may be more expensive, but cherry blossom season gives visitors to Japan an authentic glimpse into Japanese tradition and culture.

The season of autumn foliage is also recommended. The season of autumn foliage varies from region to region, but generally late September to early December is the best time to visit every year.

May-August is the best time to visit Japan if you’re traveling on a budget. Temperatures rise in the summer, but hotel prices drop. The natural beauty of the many forests and gardens truly comes to life in the summer months. Be wary of typhoon season, however, if you plan to visit Okinawa during the summer.

The island of Hokkaido is a great destination for winter travelers to Japan. The mountains of Hokkaido enjoy robust amounts of snowfall, attracting local and foreign tourists alike to its mountain resorts and traditional onsen (Japanese hot springs).

Recommended Destinations and Sights in Japan

For first-time travelers to Japan, here are some of the most popular tourist destinations to visit.

1. Tokyo

Tokyo is located in the southern part of the Kanto region, close to the center of Honshu.

It is the capital of Japan and has a population of approximately 14 million. It is the center of Japan where companies, various institutions, and various commercial facilities gather.

Because of the large number of people who gather here, it is a place where diverse cultures are formed and where the latest trends born from these cultures are disseminated.

There is also a downtown area that has become Japan's fashion center, where shopping and dining can be enjoyed to the fullest.

On the other hand, there are also areas of downtown Tokyo where traditional Japanese culture remains strong, and where you can experience both the present and the past of Japan at the same time.

2. Kyoto

Kyoto is located in the Kansai region, slightly west of central Honshu.

Because of its history as the former capital of Japan, there are many historical buildings, many of which are designated as World Heritage sites or national important cultural properties.

The beautiful natural scenery, which changes its appearance with the seasons, and the streetscapes full of Japanese flavor and emotion are also part of the charm of this area.

Kyoto ryori, or Kyoto-style cuisine, was born out of Kyoto's long history. Japanese cuisine is based on dashi (Japanese soup stock) and uses seasonal ingredients, allowing diners to fully enjoy the unique Japanese taste sensation.

3. Osaka

Osaka is located in the western part of Honshu, in the Kansai region.

Osaka is the largest city in the Kansai region and the second largest after Tokyo.

Osaka is famous as a gourmet city, and visitors can enjoy takoyaki, okonomiyaki, kushikatsu, and other attractive gourmet foods born from Osaka's unique food culture.

In addition to gourmet food, Osaka also offers a variety of sightseeing spots, including theme parks such as Universal Studios Japan and aquariums, and places where visitors can experience history and culture, such as Osaka Castle.

4. Fukuoka

Fukuoka is located in the northern part of the Kyushu region.

Fukuoka Airport, the gateway to Kyushu, offers outstanding convenience by air.

It also has international flights, making it a popular destination for travelers from Taiwan, Korea, and other foreign countries.

Gourmet foods such as ramen, motsunabe (hot pot with vegetables), and mentaiko (cod roe) are the main attractions of Fukuoka.

Not only that, but in addition to tourist attractions such as "Fukuoka Tower" and the aquarium, Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples such as "Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine" are among the highlights of the city.

Blessed with both sea and mountains, visitors can also enjoy the rich natural environment.

5. Hokkaido

Hokkaido is the northernmost island of the Japanese archipelago, with a vast area of land.

Hokkaido's large scale flower fields, drift ice, and sea of clouds are natural landscapes that can only be experienced in Hokkaido.

There are endless sightseeing spots such as zoos, shrines, temples, and parks where you can feel the nature, but the biggest attraction of Hokkaido is its gourmet food.

Fresh seafood, Ishikari nabe, Genghis Khan and other gourmet specialties are all exquisite.

When you visit Hokkaido, be sure to enjoy not only the sightseeing spots but also the gourmet food!

6. Okinawa

Located southwest of Honshu, Okinawa is formed by about 150 islands and is an attractive resort area with clear waters.

It is also a place with a tropical atmosphere due to its mild climate throughout the year.

Visitors can enjoy numerous marine sports in the beautiful blue ocean, which is Okinawa's greatest attraction.

Okinawa has a history as the Ryukyu Kingdom, which was an independent country separate from Japan.

There are abundant spots where visitors can catch a glimpse of Okinawa's unique history and culture, including Shurijo Castle, the symbol of Okinawa.

Get ready for your trip to Japan now!

how did you like it? If you are traveling to Japan for the first time, please refer to this article.

We also recommend that you plan your trip to Japan as early as possible. It is advisable to make reservations for airline tickets and hotels to stay roughly one to six months in advance.

If this is your first trip to Japan and you are not sure how to plan an itinerary, why not take advantage of ASA's custom tours?

ASA offers tours that allow you to enjoy the sights and sounds of Japan, as well as experiences in deep places known only to Japanese people.

Please feel free to contact us at the following link.