Asia · Destination guide
Japan
Capital: Tokyo
🛂Visa requirements
💳Money & payments
Cards: Cards accepted in major hotels and department stores, but many restaurants, taxis, and smaller shops are cash only. Never assume card payment is available.
ATMs: 7-Eleven, Japan Post, and FamilyMart ATMs reliably accept foreign Visa/Mastercard. Bank ATMs often do not.
Tipping
No tipping. Anywhere. Attempting to tip can cause confusion or offence.
💬Language
Japanese
Limited outside Tokyo, Kyoto, and major tourist areas. Download Google Translate with Japanese offline pack before arrival.
Useful phrases
- ·Arigatou gozaimasu — Thank you
- ·Sumimasen — Excuse me / Sorry
- ·Eigo ga hanasemasu ka? — Do you speak English?
Language preparation
15 min/day for 8 weeks ≈ 672 useful words and phrases
Learn some Japanese before you go
Limited outside Tokyo, Kyoto, and major tourist areas. Download Google Translate with Japanese offline pack before arrival. — even basic phrases open doors and locals appreciate the effort.
Start with these
- 1.Arigatou gozaimasu — Thank you
- 2.Sumimasen — Excuse me
- 3.Eigo ga hanasemasu ka? — Do you speak English?
- 4.Ikura desu ka? — How much?
💡 Japanese uses three scripts (hiragana, katakana, kanji) — learning to read hiragana (46 characters) takes 1–2 weeks and helps enormously.
Not a native English speaker?
English is the international travel language — building confidence before your trip makes every interaction easier.
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🔌Electricity & plugs
100V is lower than most countries. Most modern devices (phones, laptops) handle 100–240V — check your charger label. Hair dryers and shavers may need a transformer.
🤝Local customs & etiquette
- 1.Remove shoes before entering homes, many traditional restaurants, and some temples — look for shoe lockers near the entrance.
- 2.No eating or drinking while walking. Eat standing at food stalls or sitting down.
- 3.On public transport: no phone calls, quiet voices, and phones on silent. Priority seating is for elderly and disabled — do not use it.
- 4.Rubbish bins are rare in public — carry a small bag for your litter.
- 5.Queuing is strict and orderly. Never cut a queue.
- 6.Onsen (hot spring) etiquette: shower thoroughly before entering, no swimwear, tattoos prohibited in most public baths.
📶SIM cards & connectivity
Local SIM: Pocket WiFi routers or SIM cards available at Narita/Haneda airport on arrival. SIM cards are data-only (no local calls) for tourists. IIJmio and NTT Docomo Tourist SIMs are reliable.
WiFi: Good free WiFi in convenience stores, Starbucks, and major stations. Many traditional ryokans have no WiFi.
🛡️Safety
Extremely safe. Japan has one of the lowest crime rates in the world. Natural hazard awareness is important: earthquakes occur regularly — know the emergency procedure at your hotel.
💉Health
No vaccinations required. Tap water is safe to drink throughout Japan. Medical care is excellent.
🚨Emergency numbers
police
110
ambulance
119
fire
119
coastguard
118
🚗Driving
Explore Japan