Have a smooth landing whether in Tokyo, Osaka, or beyond
Congratulations, you’ve made one of your best travel choices ever, and you are about to arrive in Tokyo! Arriving in Japan can be pretty straightforward. Here are some logistics it’s good to understand before you land.
For starters, relax
Japan is clean and safe, right down to drinkable tap water. Even without knowing Japanese, arriving in Japan can smooth and about as chill an international airport arrival as can be.
Transportation hubs like airports and train stations typically have signage in Japanese and in English, and typically it’s easy to translate Japanese with your phone’s translation app, such as Google Translate.
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Our family of four has been visiting Japan since 2013. In 2025, we even bought a home in the Osaka area.
Along with arriving by ship in Yokohama, we’ve flown in and out of Tokyo’s Narita (NRT) and Haneda (HND) airports, Osaka’s Kansai International Airport (KIX), and Fukuoka Airport (FUK, and yes, it’s okay to giggle).
Arriving in Tokyo: Fly into Haneda instead of Narita whenever possible
If you can, we suggest flying into Haneda airport instead of Narita when arriving in Japan.
Narita Airport is actually pretty far from central Tokyo. Taking the train from Narita to Shinjuku takes about 2 hours.
Just south of Tokyo, Haneda Airport is much closer to town, and you typically can be in central Tokyo in less than an hour.
Haneda can also be more economical and convenient to take an airport bus or arrange a private shuttle.
Personally, we prefer to avoid taxis given their higher cost. If we absolutely have to take a taxi from the airport to get into Tokyo, we’d much rather do so from Haneda than Narita. (Or when, like on our second trip to Japan, we messed up our train and had to call a taxi in the middle of the night to get our jet-lagged tuckuses to our hotel.)
Arrange your airport transfer with Klook
Day 0, the day you arrive (partial day)
For starters, you are most likely arriving in Tokyo after a long, exhausting, trans-Pacific or trans-continental flight. No matter how comfy your flight, you’re going to be tired.
Most flights get into Tokyo between the late morning and late afternoon hours, so final approach has consumed much of your day.
Plus, arriving at your gate is just the beginning of your arrival in Tokyo. You’ll be in the airport alone for at least the next hour, taking care of logistics such as:
Orienting
Most signage will be in both Japanese and English, but you may need more time to understand signs or verbal communication from airport staff.
We use Google Translate, and we know some Japanese, but orienting to Japan and a different language simply requires slowing down and taking a little extra time. You don’t want to feel rushed, especially if you don’t know the language.
Hint: Before you leave home, download Japanese to your translation app. That way, you can translate even if your device is offline or the connection is bad.
eSIM and international data
By the way, most modern smartphones make it possible to have data cell service abroad with an eSIM, or electronic SIM. Instead of needing a physical card, you buy and install a digital SIM, and can have data service where you need it.
We’ve been using eSIMs throughout our international travels, and from Malaysia to Morocco have found them indispensable.
Check with your plan to see what your options are. If you go with an eSIM, Airalo is our preferred (and we’re using their Moshi Moshi packages in Japan as we write this).
Get an Airalo eSIM
Clearing immigration and customs
This is usually speedy nowadays, especially if you complete the digital forms on Visit Japan Web and have the resulting QR code on your phone to scan for officials.
Snagging bags, if you checked bags
Typically not difficult, and you’ll go by the baggage carousels after immigration and on your way to customs.
Getting some yen
We never get yen before arriving in Japan.
We mostly use one of our fave travel rewards credit cards nowadays, but cash is always useful for small shops, street vendors, and some public transit (or if you have kids and IC cards, you’ll need cash to top up their physical IC cards).
When you arrive, here are a few options:
Easiest and best
ATMs at 7-11 or other convenience stores in the airport (we personally find 7-11’s 7Bank ATMS to be the easiest to use). We get out around ¥10,000–15,000 (~US$70–$100).
Japanese bank ATMs don’t always work with foreign debit or ATM cards. Check the machine’s list of partners to make sure your card is compatible.
Avoid if you can, but if you must…
Use the currency exchange counters, but you’ll typically get a better rate from the ATM.
Ahead of time
Get some yen in your home country before you come to Japan. This can be challenging, and beyond the scope of what we can advise you on. You don’t need to get the entire trip’s worth of money, but if you’d feel better knowing you had at least the first day or two’s expenses in cash, you should be able to find some options.
Hint: We primarily use our rewards credit cards in Japan, not cash. You might still find old advice that Japan is a “cash country.” Cash ain’t king in Japan anymore. It’s handy at street vendors, refilling transit cards or some small restaurants. Most places accept foreign credit cards nowadays, especially Visa and Mastercard. A card that has no foreign transaction fees, like these, can save you money.
Freshening up
I don’t know about you, but even a quick face wash and brushing my teeth does wonders for the ole energy levels after a long flight.
Filling water bottles
And yes, Japan has excellent, safe tap water. You don’t need to filter water or buy bottled water in order to have safe drinking water.
Getting some refreshment
Tokyo’s Narita and Haneda airports both have convenience stores and restaurants, and prices may be more reasonable than you’re accustomed to in airports at home.
If you’re hungry or thirsty, take care of it now, instead of adding hanger to your jet lag.
Tip: We usually pick up a Pocari Sweat or Aquarius electrolyte drink. They’re wallet-friendly and restorative after travel.
Finding your transportation
Both Narita and Haneda have train, bus, taxi, and private transfer options available.
We usually take the train, but if need-be we’ll arrange a private transfer directly to our accommodation, especially if we’re staying in a short-term rental such as an Airbnb or we arrive late at night. Going point-to-point can be much easier on us when we’re tired from traveling.
Arriving at your accommodation and dropping off your stuff
However, you might be arriving in Japan earlier than your accommodation check-in-time. You might not be able to check in early, and it’s good to be in communication with your accommodation beforehand to know what your options are.
Most accommodation, including short-term rentals like Airbnb, are flexible about you dropping off your bags.
Hint: We suggest dropping off your stuff and going for a wander. Stations typically have banks of paid storage lockers of varying sizes. You might’ve heard of luggage transportation services (such as Yamato Transport), but often that means your bags arrive the next day, not same day.
Take a stroll, see some nearby sights, people-watch, and enjoy local food
The lovely thing about Tokyo? Everywhere you go, there’ll be intriguing sights, excellent people-watching, and plenty of delicious things to eat and drink.
You can start your Japan adventures in a low-key way. Have a wander around your area. Throughout Tokyo, you can typically find everything from delicious noodle shops to curious small shrines.
Duck into a Family Mart and grab a FamiChiki. If you see a street food vendor, pop by and see what they’ve got. (Your translation app can help you ask questions and understand their answers.)
Get to know the rhythm of Tokyo, how the people and crowds move and flow. Consider it a Tokyo travel tutorial that’ll help you get used to moving around the city and being aware of what’s around you.
That evening, have dinner, chill, and turn in early to start beating jet lag
That evening, especially if you have jet lag, you might alternate between bone-tired exhaustion and revving energy when you least expect it.
Dine in the way that works for you: If there’s a great place you want to go out for, have at it. If you want to snag a ready-to-eat meal that the convenience store warms up for you, then rest assured plenty of local Tokyoites are doing exactly the same thing.
Try to stay up to as close to your normal bedtime as possible, and focus on getting as much rest as you can. If you can, stay up until 9 p.m., but 8 p.m. is a decent minimum.
If kids crash out earlier, try not to stress it, and let them sleep as much as possible. After long travel and arriving in Japan, they’re probably even more tired than you are.
After all, your first full day in Japan awaits.
