🇯🇵 Japan vs 🇩🇪 Germany

Buy a Suica or Pasmo IC card at any major station. It works on all trains, subways, and most buses nationwide.

⛔Some rural buses and regional lines only accept cash. Always carry some yen as backup.

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Germany has excellent trains, trams, and buses. Buy a day pass (Tageskarte) for city travel. Deutsche Bahn runs intercity trains — book in advance for discounts.

⛔Fare dodging (Schwarzfahren) is taken seriously — inspectors check regularly. A first offense results in a €60 fine. Always have a valid ticket.

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Japan has excellent hospitals but they are expensive for uninsured tourists. Always bring travel insurance. Many hospitals do not speak English.

⛔Some common medications (e.g. certain cold medicines containing pseudoephedrine, codeine, or stimulants) are illegal in Japan even with a prescription from another country. Check the Ministry of Foreign Affairs list before traveling.

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Japan has strict drug laws, zero tolerance for drunk driving, and laws against jaywalking in some areas. Ignorance is not a defense.

⛔Japan has very limited legal support in English. If arrested, immediately request to contact your embassy. You can be held for up to 23 days without charge.

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Jaywalking is a minor offense. Nazi symbols and Holocaust denial are criminal offenses. Cycling without a light at night is illegal. Noise rules are strict.

⛔Displaying Nazi symbols or making Hitler salutes, even as a joke, is a criminal offense in Germany with penalties including imprisonment. This applies to tourists.

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Japan is generally relaxed about clothing, but remove shoes when entering homes and many temples. Dress modestly at religious sites.

⛔Many traditional onsen (hot spring baths) refuse entry to guests with visible tattoos. Check the policy before visiting.

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Drinking age is 20. Alcohol is sold in convenience stores 24/7. Drinking in public is legal. Drunk driving has zero tolerance.

⛔Zero tolerance drunk driving: 0.03% BAC limit. Even a small amount can result in arrest, heavy fines, and deportation for tourists.

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Photography is generally free in public. Avoid photographing people without permission, and check rules inside temples and museums.

⛔Photographing geisha or maiko in Kyoto's Gion district without permission has resulted in local photography ordinances. Violations can result in fines.

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Photography is generally free in public. Privacy laws are strict — do not photograph individuals without consent and do not publish photos of people without their permission.

⛔Germany's privacy laws (GDPR and Recht am eigenen Bild) are strictly enforced. Publishing a photo of a private individual without their consent can lead to legal action even if taken in a public place.

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Most shops, restaurants, and convenience stores are open 7 days a week. Convenience stores never close. Banks close on weekends.

⛔During Golden Week and Obon (mid-August), Japan is packed with domestic travelers. Prices spike and reservations fill months in advance.

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Shops are closed on Sundays by law. Restaurants and cafés are open. Supermarkets close Sunday. Plan your grocery shopping for Saturday.

⛔Supermarkets are completely closed on Sundays in Germany. Do not plan your grocery run for Sunday morning — you will find locked doors.

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Taxis are metered, honest, and widely available, but expensive — use the Japan Taxi, S.RIDE, or Uber app to book.

⛔Taxis in Japan are very expensive compared to most countries. For long distances, trains or expressway buses are far more economical.

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Japan is heavily cash-based — always carry yen. 7-Eleven (Seven Bank) ATMs are the most reliable for foreign cards.

⛔Many restaurants, shrines, local markets, and rural businesses are strictly cash-only. Never assume card payment is accepted outside major tourist spots.

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Germany is more cash-dependent than most Western European countries — always carry euros as many restaurants and smaller shops are cash-only.

⛔Euronet ATMs in tourist areas charge dynamic currency conversion fees that can add 5–10% to your withdrawal. Always choose to be charged in euros, not your home currency.

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Buy a tourist SIM or eSIM at the airport on arrival — data coverage is excellent nationwide.

⛔Data-only SIMs cannot make or receive calls. If you need a Japanese phone number for hotel bookings or emergencies, confirm the SIM plan includes voice.

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Japan uses Type A plugs (flat 2-pin) at 100V — the lowest voltage in the world. Check your device labels before use.

⛔Using incompatible appliances at Japan's 100V can damage them or cause them to overheat. Always check the voltage rating on your device before plugging in.

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Germany has very low scam activity — fixed prices are universal and tourists are rarely targeted, though a few low-level schemes exist in major city centres.

⛔Pickpocketing is the primary tourist risk in Germany, concentrated at Oktoberfest, Christmas markets, and busy train stations. Keep valuables in front pockets or a concealed money belt.

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Japan is one of the safest countries in the world for tourists — violent crime is essentially zero.

⛔Natural disasters pose a genuine risk in Japan. Familiarize yourself with evacuation routes at your accommodation and keep travel insurance that covers emergency evacuation.

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Germany is very safe for tourists — violent crime targeting visitors is extremely rare, though a few urban areas have localised issues worth knowing about.

⛔Drink spiking and opportunistic theft are the main risks at Oktoberfest — stay with your group, watch your drink, and keep valuables secure in the large festival tent crowds.

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Okinawa has world-class tropical beaches; mainland beaches are popular in summer but water is cold on the Sea of Japan side.

⛔Habu sea snakes inhabit Okinawa waters and are venomous. Box jellyfish appear in late summer. Seek medical attention immediately if stung or bitten.

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Drive on the left. An International Driving Permit (IDP) plus your original license is required. Traffic laws are strictly enforced.

⛔Driving in central Tokyo and Osaka is strongly discouraged — parking is extremely expensive, one-way systems are complex, and public transport is far faster.

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Drive on the right; parts of the Autobahn have no speed limit, but strict enforcement applies everywhere else and drink-driving laws are among Europe's toughest.

⛔Germany has zero tolerance for drink driving for new drivers and under-21s (0.00% BAC). For all other drivers, the 0.05% limit is strictly enforced with heavy fines and licence suspension.

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Spring (March–May) for cherry blossoms and autumn (September–November) for fall foliage are the most popular and beautiful seasons.

⛔Typhoon season runs from June to October, with August and September being peak risk months. Check weather forecasts and have travel insurance that covers typhoon-related cancellations.

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