Japan isn’t an etiquette minefield, but avoiding these travel mistakes makes for an easier vacation
Japan mistakes for travelers? They happen. Most are avoidable. Others are rarely a big deal.
It’s more important to relax. Remember that anyone, anywhere appreciates visitors who are clearly respectful and making an earnest effort. That includes the Japanese.Â
We get it, though. Do you find your Japan travel dreams are followed by nightmares about etiquette, language, and more? Fear not. Japan isn’t a country of knuckle-rapping schoolmarms, waiting to exact punishment for the teeniest infraction. It’s easy to avoid most potential slip-ups.
And the thing is? Most Japan travel mistakes have to do with planning and over-thinking, not culture or etiquette.
Check out more in our Japan mistakes video
Jodie and Anthony have been visiting Japan with kids since 2013. In this video, we go over some common mistakes, what we’ve learned from our own mistakes, and what is and is not worth worrying about when you visit Japan.
More: These 8 Japan mistakes are easy to avoid
When you visit Japan, you will probably make mistakes, especially if the culture and language are unfamiliar. That’s okay. No one expects a visitor to know the ins and outs of their culture, and the Japanese understand that just as well as anyone else.
Think of it another way: If you saw someone make a mistake about how things are done in your country, and you realized they were visiting from abroad, would you expect them to know everything? The same goes for the Japanese.
Most Japan mistakes come down to planning, not etiquette. Here are 8 of the most common—and easiest to prevent.
Immigration website: Not completing arrival procedures at Visit Japan Web before you leave for Japan
A few days before the date you leave to go to Japan, fill out the form at Visit Japan Web. This arrival form is free, and it’s from the Japanese government. It can make your arrival in Japan, including clearing immigration and customs, much easier.
Here’s the link:
The official Japanese government site above is the only one that’s valid. A notice on the site points out that there are sites that try to convince visitors that they have to pay a fee or use some other service to complete the arrival form. All of those are junk.
There’s no official specified time in advance that you have to complete this by. A good rule of thumb? Complete it at least three days before you enter Japan.
Head straight to Visit Japan Web.
Stop stressing about etiquette
We totally get it: Japanese culture can seem very formal. And Japanese culture can indeed be very formal.
Day-to-day street-level culture is far more casual than you might think, though.
When you’re visiting Japan, you do not need to concern yourself with trying to learn nuances of etiquette (unless there’s some aspect of Japanese etiquette that applies to your visit, of course).
In our experience, being a respectful, courteous traveler is more about reading the room and the moment, then acting accordingly. For example, we travel with children. If kids around us are quiet, we check that our kids know to do the same. If other kids are bopping around, talking loudly, and playing, our kids know they can too.
When you are visiting from abroad, the Japanese do not expect you to know all their customs and etiquette. They expect you to be generally respectful.
Here are few things we’ve found helpful for us:
- Always keep a “sumimasen” (excuse me, or a low-grade “sorry”) handy. It’s your go-to phrase for anything from apologizing for bumping someone on the train to getting a server’s attention at a restaurant.
- If we make a mistake (such as not having the right train ticket), we’ll include a slightly deep bow or two, and add a “sumimasen” or, to be more formal, “gomenasai.”
- Please and thank-you, just like Grandma would’ve insisted. “Onegaishimasu” can be more all-purpose and polite than “kudasai.” If it’s hard to remember which to use, default to “onegaishimasu.” For thank you, “arigato gozaimasu” is more formal than “arigato.”
Otherwise, don’t stress. Observe what others are doing. Follow suit as best you can. Show interest, humility, and consideration, and you’ll be just fine.
It’s easy to overthink trash
Odds are you’ve seen some videos or other content where people go on and on about separating trash and recycling in Japan. It can differ from what you might be used to.
However, it’s far more relevant to people who are in Japan longer term or have any sort of home. For example, in our Osaka condo, yes, we sort our rubbish into three bins. Each type of trash has its own pickup day. But odds are that’s different from what you’ll deal with as a visitor.
Don’t overthink trash. Here’s what to do instead:
Follow the setup your accommodation asks you to use.
There is no one-size-fits-all rule. Every locality and stay is different. Come to think of it, we’ve stayed in Japan from Tokyo to Kumamoto, and every place has had different trash rules.
Whatever process your host or lodging supplies, follow it.
Public trash bins are a rarity, but that doesn’t mean you should stuff all your rubbish every time you find a rubbish bin at a convenience store.
Yes, it’s true: If you’re accustomed to public waste bins throughout your area at home, it will be different in Japan. That’s not to say public areas are totally devoid of rubbish collection areas. Public parks, shopping center food courts, and train stations often have some rubbish bins.
However, those bins aren’t there so you can dump in a bunch of trash from your stay. They’re meant for rubbish related to that space, and they’ll usually have some directions for sorting. Please follow it as best you can.
Carry a plastic bag or two to collect rubbish during the day.
Want to do as the Japanese do? Easy: carry a plastic bag or two in your pocket or bag. That’s what locals do. It’s what we’ve learned to do in Japan as well.
Bags from convenience stores or grocery stores (especially single-use produce bags) are perfect for this. We even keep a “bag of bags” in the entryway at our condo, so it’s easy to grab one on the way out the door.
When you’re out and about, tuck your rubbish into your bag. If you’ve got a good grip on how your accommodation wants rubbish sorted, even consider carrying multiple bags that correspond with how the rubbish needs to be sorted.
It takes a little adjustment and a little practice, but it’s less of a big deal than you might think. Sorting your rubbish properly, though, is definitely one of those little things that shows you are being respectful of local cultures and rules.
And yes, the Japanese notice. We’ve even had vacation rental hosts note in reviews of us that we did a good job sorting the trash.
In Japan, that’s high praise.
Wear sensible walking shoes that you already rely on
An average sightseeing day in Japan can easily push past 15,000 steps—that’s over 6 miles, or over 10 km.
When you’re walking that much, especially if you’re not used to it, you want to wear sensible shoes that you can rely on.
Your first day in Japan is not the day to break in a new pair of shoes. Walking around Japan is the epitome of wearing shoes that you already know work well for you. If you do plan to bring a new pair of shoes, use them for walking around at least a week or two before you leave.
Understand your bank’s policies for ATM withdrawals, but you don’t need to get yen before you leave for Japan
The Japanese yen is a beautiful currency. Yen notes are elegant and carry a weight of dignity that belies the lightness of the paper. The 100-yen coin is numismatic perfection.
And you need absolutely none of it until you get to Japan.
Unless there is a particular reason in your country or currency otherwise, most folks visiting Japan do just fine waiting until they arrive to get out some yen. Japan is increasingly cashless, too, so you probably need fewer yen than you might think.
A good rule of thumb: Convenience store ATMs are consistently reliable for foreign banks.
Many bank ATMs can be tricky, and may only work with Japanese cards or accounts (I’m looking at you, Mizuho Bank, whose ATMs were on the same major network as my card).
7-Eleven Seven Bank ATMs are the easiest to use for foreigners
The Seven Bank ATMs inside 7-Eleven stores are the best, most convenient, and easiest to use for foreigners. (Plus, these ATMs play a song as your money comes out, so it’s like you’re winning a prize of your own money.)
Get a better rate by declining the currency conversion.
ATMs always ask if you want the withdrawal in yen or your home currency. Converting to your home currency (or accepting the conversion, as the screen might say) is always a worse deal for you. Decline the conversion, and you’ll get a more favorable rate.
How much to withdraw?
Another tip? ATMs usually dispense in 5,000 or 10,000 yen amounts, but that usually means you get hard-to-use 5,000- or 10,000-yen notes. When the ATM allows (and Seven Bank ones do this), get out, say, 12,000 or 18,000 yen. That way you’ll get some 1,000-yen notes.
If you end up with big bills, a convenience store purchase is fine to break them. Or, if you’re buying train tickets with cash or topping up a transit card at the ticket machines in the nearby train station, use the big note, add what you need, and you’ll get back change.
As travelers from the USA, we usually withdraw around 15,000-19,000 yen, which is about US$100, depending on the exchange rate. If we’re at a 7 Seven Bank ATM, odds are we’re getting out 19,000 yen, then using any large notes at the ticket machine to top up the children’s transit cards.
Don’t assume you need a pocket Wi-Fi… or that your phone takes an eSIM
Pocket Wi-Fi
Pretty much any first-time trip to Japan advice will mention a pocket Wi-Fi. These little wireless routers can be a great way to maintain your internet connectivity while on the go in Japan, but don’t assume you need one.
Many travelers can add an international package from their mobile carrier, or they can add an eSIM for data while in Japan. Check those options first. If they’re not a fit, then look at pocket Wi-Fi.
eSIM
Don’t assume your phone takes an eSIM either. In order to get an eSIM, say from Airalo (who we use), your smartphone has to be unlocked (or jailbreaked) from your carrier, and it has to be technically capable of running an eSIM.
Most modern smartphones can handle the technical part fine. Where travelers often get tripped up is not verifying first that their mobile carrier contract allows them to use one on that device.
You don’t need to weigh yourself down with a big stash of snacks and drinks
And yes, fellow parents, we are especially looking at you.
When traveling with kids or during the hot summer, it’s so, so easy to think that you have to carry a big stash of snacks and drinks all day. That stuff is heavy, though, and it’s going to tire you out.
Japan is a land of convenience. We realized early in our travels that we do not have to carry a personal stash of refreshments. Convenience stores, vending machines, drugstores, and grocery stores are all better ways to handle your snacks and hydration on the go.
Plus side? If you read this and thought about how usually the Japanese don’t go for eating and drinking while on the go, you’re right. But there’s a little carve-out for foods you got at, say, the train station or the convenience store. It’s okay to enjoy your snack or drink right there. Even better, then you can throw out your rubbish at the store’s bins.
Stop stressing about Japan mistakes
It’s okay to feel concerned about how familiar you are with Japan’s culture and etiquette. However, an attitude of general respectfulness is one of the best things you can pack when you visit Japan.
The Japanese do not expect you to know all their rules and customs. They do expect you to be a good guest. And since that’s what you want to be, you’re already more prepared than you thought.
Use the tips above to stop stressing about Japan mistakes. Instead, focus on making some effort, showing your interest and respect, and enjoying your time in Japan. In fact, if you can show that you are curious about Japan, care about its traditions and culture, and use your actions to demonstrate that you are trying to be a good guest, then you’re already getting so much right about visiting Japan.
