Below you can click through to read about my experiences of plus-size travel in Japan’s different regions. Plus scroll down for practical information on travelling to Japan, including how to purchase a Japan Rail Pass, luggage storage, how to use the public transport, and more.
Sapporo • Asahikawa • Hakodate • Otaru • Chitose
Akita • Aomori • Fukushima • Iwate • Miyagi • Yamagata
Chiba • Gunma • Kanagawa • Saitama • Tochigi • Tokyo
Ishikawa • Nagano • Nagoya • Niigata • Toyama • Yamanashi
Hyogo • Kyoto • Nara • Osaka • Shiga • Wakayama
Hiroshima • Okayama • Shimane • Tottori • Yamaguchi
Ehime • Kagawa • Kochi • Tokushima
Fukuoka • Kagoshima • Kumamoto • Miyazaki • Nagasaki • Oita • Saga
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Japan Travel Advice
Practical information to plan your trip
Entry Requirements
VISA
As of 11th October 2022, EU and UK citizens are now able to enter Japan without a visa, as they’re eligible for Temporary Visitor status again, enabling them to stay for up to 90 days.
Coronavirus
As of April 29, 2023, passengers arriving in Japan no longer need to present either a negative result certificate of COVID-19 test conducted within 72 hours prior to departure, or a valid COVID-19 vaccination certificate of three doses or equivalent.
It’s not compulsory to wear masks in Japan, however many people still do so when in near proximity to others, or within public transport, a restaurant, or another indoor building.
Japan Weather
These are the average highs and lows of the temperature in Japan throughout the year:
| City | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tokyo | 3° / 9° | 3° / 5° | 6° / 13° | 11° / 18° | 16° / 22° | 20° / 25° |
| Osaka | 2° / 9° | 2° / 10° | 5° / 13° | 10° / 19° | 15° / 24° | 20° / 27° |
| Sapporo | -12° / -2° | -11° / -1° | -5° / 3° | 1° / 11° | 7° / 17° | 12° / 21° |
| City | Jul | Aug | Sept | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tokyo | 23° / 29° | 24° / 30° | 21° / 26° | 15° / 21° | 10° / 16° | 5° / 12° |
| Osaka | 24° / 31° | 25° / 32° | 21° / 28° | 14° / 23° | 9° / 17° | 4° / 11° |
| Sapporo | 16° / 24° | 17° / 25° | 12° / 22° | 5° / 15° | -2° / 7° | -8° / 0° |
When to visit
The best time to visit Japan is in the Spring or Autumn, as it’s very hot and humid in the Summer, with heavy rainfall. However, Spring is normally very busy and accommodation is more expensive, as Cherry Blossom season sees a huge influx of tourists. If you’re looking for a quieter holiday, try visiting in October or November.
Winter can also be a magical time to visit, especially in the northern regions like Hokkaido, where heavy snowfall and Winter festivals give you plenty of activities to see and do.
Getting around in Japan
Travel in Japan is generally free for children under 5, with half-price tickets for children aged between 6-12.
Japan Rail Pass
The Japan Rail Pass, or JR Pass, is available only for tourists. It’s valid for journeys on all JR national trains including the Shinkansen bullet trains (except the Nozomi and Mizuho services) and Narita Express trains, as well as JR bus and ferry services. You can buy a pass for 7, 14, or 21 days, and you can choose a Standard or Green (First Class) pass.
Since October 2023, the price of the pass has increased exponentially, meaning it may not be the value for money it used to be, depending on your journey.
For example, you can expect to pay around €240 for a return journey from Tokyo to Hiroshima, or €300 for a return journey from Tokyo to Hakodate.
So if you’re only using the shinkansen for a single return journey to Tokyo, it may be better value to purchase the ticket of the journey rather than the JR Pass.
| Standard Pass | Green Pass | |
| 7 days | €316 | €444 |
| 14 days | €507 | €698 |
| 21 days | €635 | €889 |
After purchasing the JR Pass online, you will be delivered a physical voucher, which you will need to exchange for the actual Pass at a JR Exchange Office when you arrive in Japan. The vouchers are only valid for 3 months, so don’t order them too far in advance of your trip.
In order to collect the JR Pass, you must show the stamp you received in your passport when you entered the country. The rules are very strict about this, and you won’t be able to obtain the Pass without it.
Welcome Suica Card
The Welcome Suica Card is a prepaid rechargeable card that can be used to pay for not only public transport, but things like vending machine drinks, coin lockers, and kiosk purchases. You can purchase one as a foreign visitor to Japan from the following places:
- JR-EAST Travel Service Center or Ticket Vending Machine at Narita Airport Terminal 1, 2 or 3
- Tokyo Monorail Haneda Airport Line Service Counter at Haneda Airport Terminal 3
- Vending machine at Tokyo Monorail Haneda Airport Line at Haneda Airport Terminal 2 or 3
The card can be used for 28 days from the date of purchase (either ¥1,000/€6.25 or ¥2,000/€12.50), and is usable straight away. You can then load the card as many times as you want to a maximum of ¥20,000 at ticket vending machines, but note that it can only be loaded in cash, and not by card. Refunds are not available, so try to ensure you only load what you need.
You can also use the card outside of Tokyo, for certain public transport systems in Hokkaido, Sendai, Niigata, Tokai, West Japan and Kyushu.
Anywhere that this logo is displayed, on railways and buses, means that you can use your Welcome Card on the line.
You can also use the card for many other things, like vending machines or storage lockers.
Trains
A convenient way to plan your train travel around Japan is by using Japan Travel by Navitime, which offers the route and fare information for the start to the end point of your journey. You can also filter by which transport you want to use.
There are many different types of train in Japan, including the Shinkansen (bullet train), Limited Express, Express, Rapid, Local, and Special train.
You can pay for individual train tickets at the ticket machines in stations, use your prepaid IC Card, or your JR Pass.
The Shinkansen is the fastest mode of transportation in Japan, with very few stops. The Limited Express trains only go to major Japanese stations with limited stops inbetween.
Many of the Express trains have been upgraded to Limited Express or downgraded to Rapid, but those that remain visit more stops than the Limited Express.
The Rapid visits even more, and the Local stops at all stations, making it the slowest train.
Special trains are designed for tourists, many featuring colourful and unique character designs, and tend to run on more scenic lines or run only on weekends, holidays, or in the Summer.
The JR Pass will cover your travel on the Shinkansen (excluding the privately owned Nozomi and Mizuho), Express, Rapid and Local trains, and some of the Limited Express services. You are also entitled to reserve a seat on the train, which you can do at any JR Ticket Office or ticket machine. You will need your JR Pass and Passport in order to reserve a seat.
Be aware that the Shinkansen bullet trains now require a luggage reservation if your bag is larger than 160cm x 250cm. It is free, but must be done in advance and only with a reserved ticket. This only applies to the Tokyo-Osaka, Hakata-Kagoshima, and Shin-Osaka-Fukuoka routes.
How to book a seat on a Shinkansen at the ticket machine:
- Firstly, select ‘English’ from the top right of the touch screen
- Select ‘Japan Rail Pass’ from the bottom left of the touch screen
- Select the option of reserving a seat on a train now
- Select how many reservations you need to make (1-6)
- Hold up the QR code on your JR Pass to the scanner
- Enter your passport number and confirm it (or scan the passport if the ticket machine has a passport scanner)
- Repeat per JR Pass/passport if you’ve selected more than 1 reservation
- Specify your departure and arrival stations, the date, and time, then search
- Select your train – note that a green circle means there are many seats available, while an orange triangle means there aren’t many left. The left column is for the ordinary car, and the middle column is for the green car.
- Select your car
- You can book a seat with oversized luggage, if you’re travelling on the Tōkaidō Shinkansen, the San’yō Shinkansen, or the Kyūshū/Nishi-Kyūshū Shinkansen
- Select your seat from either the seat map, or let the machine choose for you. If you’re booking for multiple people, you can select all of your seats at once.
- Collect your ticket from the printer – this is just your seat reservation ticket, you will still need to use the JR Pass to pass through the actual ticket gates
Buses
To travel by bus in Japan, start by entering through the back door and taking a ticket from the small machine next to the door. This ticket will determine your fare when you exit. If you want to pay with an IC Card, touch your card against the reader.
The display above the driver shows the next stops, and the fares for that stop in yen. To work out your fare, match the number on your ticket with the number and fare on the display.
Leave the bus via the front door, and put your ticket and the exact fare (you can use the changing machine to get small coins) into the box next to the driver. If you’re using your IC Card, touch it against the reader near the driver.
In some cities, like Kyoto, a flat fare applies, meaning you don’t have to take a ticket or work out your fare. In Tokyo, you need to enter the bus through the front door, pay a flat fare, then exit through the rear door.
Metros
Most of the major cities like Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, Sapporo and Hiroshima have metro systems. You can purchase single trip tickets for the metro, but it’s not very convenient – it’s a lot easier to tap in and out of the metro with an IC Card.
Taxis
Taxis are quite expensive in Japan, and it’s worth trying to use public transport instead unless you’re really desperate, like you’ve been caught out after midnight when the trains stop running.
Japanese taxis are very clean and the drivers provide a high level of service. They’re very trustworthy, so you don’t need to worry about being taken advantage of. To hail a taxi, you can flag one down in the street (a red light means it’s vacant), phone a taxi company, or order one via an app.
Most taxis in Japan have an electric door on the left-rear side that opens remotely, so wait for the driver to open it before trying to open it yourself. Make sure you have your destination written down for the driver, or a map ready, as most of them won’t speak English.
You can pay the taxi driver in cash, or many now accept card payments. Don’t forget that tipping is not the norm in Japan, so just pay the exact fare shown on the meter.
| Rough price guide | Tokyo | Kyoto | Osaka | Nagoya | Fukuoka | Yokohama | Okinawa |
| Start Fare | ¥470 (€3) | ¥485 (€3.10) | ¥680 (€4.30) | ¥475 (€3) | ¥575 (€3.70) | ¥575 (€3.70) | ¥560 (€3.60) |
| 1km Fare | ¥415 (€2.60) | ¥320 (€2) | ¥400 (€2.50) | ¥450 (€2.80) | ¥250 (€1.60) | ¥400 (€2.50) | ¥210 (€1.30) |
Bikes
Renting a bike in Japan is a fun way to see the country, and it’s becoming easier and easier to do. You can check with tourist information centres to see if they offer bike rental, or use a bike-share service. A lot of hotels and ryokans offer bikes for guest use as well.
Luggage storage
Luggage Storage Counters
Luggage storage counters are found at airports and typically charge between ¥500-1,000 per piece and day. Some of the larger train stations have storage counters as well, but these normally require same-day pick-up.
Narita Airport
There are a variety of companies that offer luggage storage at Narita Airport, charging around €3.50 per day for a standard suitcase. GPA can be found in the arrivals hall in T1, T2 and T3, and are open from 6:30am-10pm. JAL can be found in both the arrival and departure halls in T1 and T2, and are open from 6am-last flight.
Haneda Airport
The airport luggage desk at Haneda Airport can keep items for up to two weeks, and charge between €3-7 per item per day. There are desks in all three terminals, which are open from 6am – 10:30pm.
Coin Lockers
Pretty much every airport and train station in Japan has walls of coin lockers for use in storing luggage, and they’re a pretty convenient option. You can pay by cash and sometimes by IC card, and they cost anywhere between €2-€6 per day depending on the size of the locker.
Some are operated by key, but the majority use an electronic ticket system, which has English guidance.
| Coin Locker Sizes | Coin Locker Dimensions |
|---|---|
| Small | 35cm x 34cm x 57cm |
| Medium | 57cm x 34cm x 57cm |
| Large | 117cm x 34cm x 57cm |
Luggage Delivery
Japan operates a very useful luggage delivery service from airports, hotels, train stations and convenience stories. Delivery times range from same-day to up to three days, depending on the range, and you can also specify the date and time frame for delivery. Since bullet trains don’t have much space for storing large items, it might be a good idea to send your luggage on ahead if you’re travelling further afield.
Narita Airport
You can send luggage to almost anywhere in Japan from Narita airport using various providers. GPA/Yamato can be found in both the arrival and departure halls in T1 and T2, and in the arrival hall in T3. They’re open from 6:30am-last flight. JAL/ABC can be found also in both the arrival and departure halls in T1 and T2, and are open from 6am-last flight.
Haneda Airport
JAL offer same-day delivery from Haneda Airport for luggage in the Odaiba, Maihama and Urayasu areas, or to Tokyo Station. It costs around €7 per bag and the service is open from 8:30am – 8pm. If you’re travelling outside of Tokyo, you can also have your luggage delivered to another JAL desk anywhere in Japan.
Tokyo Station
You can find the Sagawa luggage counter near the Nihonbashi exit at Tokyo Station, who offer same-day delivery of luggage to hotels across Tokyo. Depending on the size and weight, the cost is around €12 per bag.
Kyoto Station
Same-day delivery is available from the luggage counter at Kyoto station to hotels across Kyoto, for around €7 per suitcase. There is one counter on the Kyoto Tower side of the station on Floor B1, below the Central Exit, and another near the Shinkansen Hachijo West Gate.
Further practical information for travelling in Japan
What language is mainly spoken in Japan?
Japanese is the official language of Japan. Around 30% of people speak some English, and less than 10% fluently.
What is the main currency of Japan?
The currency of Japan is the Yen (¥).
What is the emergency number in Japan?
If you need emergency services in Japan, you can dial 110 to speak to the police call centre, 118 for the Coast Guard, or call 119 to report a fire and ask for an ambulance or rescue service.
What kind of plug adapter do I need in Japan?
You will need a Type A and/or Type B adapter for plugs in Japan. Japan operates on a 100V supply voltage & 50/60Hz.
Is the tap water safe to drink in Japan?
Yes, the tap water is perfectly safe to drink in Japan.
Are public toilets free in Japan?
Generally, public toilets are free to use in Japan, and are widely available. Convenience stores, department stores and train stations all have toilets available for public use.
Is there free public wi-fi in Japan?
Major cities like Tokyo and Kyoto provide a lot of free wifi hotspots, but coverage can be limited when you travel to more remote areas. Airports and JR stations reliably offer free public wifi, as do some cafés like Starbucks and McDonalds. Many hotels offer free wifi for your stay, but always check before booking as it’s not always a given. Consider renting a mobile wifi router if you’re worried about wifi availability in Japan.
Is tipping expected in Japan?
Tipping is not customary in Japan, and can actually be taken as an insult in some situations. Don’t leave any money on the table when you leave, as waiters have been known to chase people down the street to return their change!
What is the drinking age in Japan?
The legal age for drinking in Japan is 20.
Are there are venomous or dangerous animals in Japan?
There is some dangerous wildlife in Japan, including insects such as the giant hornet and the giant Mukade centipede, snakes like the Mamushi, Habu, and Keelback, the Redback Spider, the viper box jellyfish off the coast of Okinawa, and bigger animals such as bears and boars. Always research the area you’re travelling to, to see if there’s anything there that might pose a threat to you.
Updated 13/06/2024
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Alternatively, Expedia and Hotels.com also offer hotels comparisons, with handy apps which offer exclusive discounts on thousands of hotels, and other rewards when you book.
Check out where else I’ve travelled in Asia!