How Things Work in Japan
Everything Tourists Need to Know
Do not tip in Japan. Tipping is considered rude and may cause embarrassment.
Updated 2025-01
Buy a Suica or Pasmo IC card at any major station. It works on all trains, subways, and most buses nationwide.
Updated 2025-01
Japan has excellent hospitals but they are expensive for uninsured tourists. Always bring travel insurance. Many hospitals do not speak English.
Updated 2025-01
Japan has strict drug laws, zero tolerance for drunk driving, and laws against jaywalking in some areas. Ignorance is not a defense.
Updated 2025-01
Police: 110. Ambulance & Fire: 119. Tourist helpline (English): 050-3816-2787.
Updated 2025-01
Japan is generally relaxed about clothing, but remove shoes when entering homes and many temples. Dress modestly at religious sites.
Updated 2025-01
Drinking age is 20. Alcohol is sold in convenience stores 24/7. Drinking in public is legal. Drunk driving has zero tolerance.
Updated 2025-01
Do not bargain in Japan. Prices are fixed everywhere. Attempting to haggle is considered rude and unusual.
Updated 2025-01
Photography is generally free in public. Avoid photographing people without permission, and check rules inside temples and museums.
Updated 2025-01
Most shops, restaurants, and convenience stores are open 7 days a week. Convenience stores never close. Banks close on weekends.
Updated 2025-01
Taxis are metered, honest, and widely available, but expensive — use the Japan Taxi, S.RIDE, or Uber app to book.
Updated 2025-06
Tap water in Japan is completely safe to drink throughout the entire country.
Updated 2025-06
Japan is heavily cash-based — always carry yen. 7-Eleven (Seven Bank) ATMs are the most reliable for foreign cards.
Updated 2025-06
Buy a tourist SIM or eSIM at the airport on arrival — data coverage is excellent nationwide.
Updated 2025-06
Japan uses Type A plugs (flat 2-pin) at 100V — the lowest voltage in the world. Check your device labels before use.
Updated 2025-06
Japan is one of the world's most honest countries — scams are virtually nonexistent and all prices are fixed.
Updated 2025-06
Japan is one of the safest countries in the world for tourists — violent crime is essentially zero.
Updated 2025-06
Remove shoes at the entrance to homes and traditional restaurants, bow as a greeting, and stay quiet on public transport.
Updated 2025-06
English is limited outside major tourist areas — download Google Translate with Japanese offline before you arrive.
Updated 2025-06
Okinawa has world-class tropical beaches; mainland beaches are popular in summer but water is cold on the Sea of Japan side.
Updated 2025-06
Drive on the left. An International Driving Permit (IDP) plus your original license is required. Traffic laws are strictly enforced.
Updated 2025-06
Do not tip, water is always free, and set lunch meals (teishoku) at ¥800–1,500 offer outstanding value.
Updated 2025-06
Remove shoes before entering temple interiors, bow at shrine torii gates, and keep voices low throughout.
Updated 2025-06
Spring (March–May) for cherry blossoms and autumn (September–November) for fall foliage are the most popular and beautiful seasons.
Updated 2025-06
Eat at convenience stores and lunch sets, travel by overnight bus, and use a Wise card to avoid foreign exchange fees.
Updated 2025-06