Things You Need to Know Before Going to Japan
I summarized some of the things you need to know before going to Japan. I hope this guide will be useful in your trip. 😁
1. Trains are always on time. This is very true! Always keep in mind the train time table especially when traveling to distant cities.
When we traveled from Tokyo to Aomori, we arrived at Tokyo Station 5 mins before our train departure so we run as fast as we can to catch our train. Otherwise, we will missed our reserved seats, wait for 1 hour for the next train and queue in the non reserved seats area where seats are not guaranteed. It will be such a hassle.
2. Make a train seat reservation for inter city travel and do this as early as you can if your travel period fall on Japan Holidays. Reserved seats run out faster during Japan Holidays because locals also take time to travel and relax during these times. You do not want to change your itinerary because you have not made a train reservation.
When we traveled to Japan last April 2017, it was Golden Week. We booked our reserved seats from Osaka to Hiroshima, luckily there are still available seats but Ed and I were seated apart from each other. We took the available seats because we do not have any choice.
3. Learn to say "Thank you" and "Excuse me" in Japanese. English is not commonly use in Japan so it is better to equipped yourself with basic Japanese word. "Sumimasen" is commonly use to get attention or to say sorry. "Arigatou gozaimasu" is of course to show gratitude. Rather than saying "Arigato", you can say "Arigatou gozaimasu" which is a more respectful way of saying Thank you. 😁
Arigatou gozaimasu is pronounced as Ah-ri-ga-toe go-zai-mahss
Sumimasen is pronounced as Sue-mi-ma-sen
4. Stockings for ladies. Coming from a tropical country I am not used to the cold weather. 😁 On our first day in Japan, it was pouring and its almost the end of Spring season. I thought it will not be that cold so I still wear my "outfit of the day" which is a knee length dress and jacket. I assumed the jacket will suffice. But when we go outside, it was freaking cold and I cannot stand the cold breeze in my legs. 😁 I need to cover my legs so we bought a pair of stockings which is mostly available in convenient stores like 7/11. It was such a relief!
5. Trash bins. There are minimal number of trash bins in the streets so you may bring some grocery plastic bags when you are going out so you have a place to put your trash. And when you throw your trash, follow the recycling guidelines. As a tourist we must respect the rules and regulations of the country we visit. 😇
6. Bus entrance is in the middle of the bus and exit door is in the driver side. Payment is done before alighting. This tip is exclusive only for Kyoto as this is the only city where we roam around by bus.😅 You may use cash or purchase a 1-day unlimited bus fare which is much cheaper if you are planning to ride the bus 3 times or more. Cost of single bus ride is Y200 while the 1-day unlimited bus fare is Y500 only. Again, this is for Kyoto only. I am not sure if other city follow the same rules.
7. Rent a pocket wifi. This one is very useful especially when searching for directions. Make sure it is fully charged. We get ours at Changi Recommends for S$5/day only. During that time they are on promotion. The wifi signal was great and we did encounter any issues with the connection wherever we go. 😁
8. Install Google maps or Hyperdia or any directional app that is convenient to use. If you are planning to roam around Japan without tour guide it is advisable to download directional apps on your phone and spend some time to understand how to use them. This will be very helpful when your are getting lost. Getting lost is stressful already, do not add some more anxiety by not knowing how to use these directional apps. I prefer Google maps because I can key in my exact location and my destination while in Hyperdia I can only key in the nearby train stations.
Yey! I hope these information will be helpful to you. Enjoy your stay in Japan! Be carefree and curious but don't forget to follow rules and regulations. 😉
1. Trains are always on time. This is very true! Always keep in mind the train time table especially when traveling to distant cities.
When we traveled from Tokyo to Aomori, we arrived at Tokyo Station 5 mins before our train departure so we run as fast as we can to catch our train. Otherwise, we will missed our reserved seats, wait for 1 hour for the next train and queue in the non reserved seats area where seats are not guaranteed. It will be such a hassle.
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| Train going to Nara |
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| Subway Train in Osaka, Japan |
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| Shinkansen going to Kyoto. Look how modern it is! Amazing! |
2. Make a train seat reservation for inter city travel and do this as early as you can if your travel period fall on Japan Holidays. Reserved seats run out faster during Japan Holidays because locals also take time to travel and relax during these times. You do not want to change your itinerary because you have not made a train reservation.
When we traveled to Japan last April 2017, it was Golden Week. We booked our reserved seats from Osaka to Hiroshima, luckily there are still available seats but Ed and I were seated apart from each other. We took the available seats because we do not have any choice.
 |
| Reserved Seat Ticket from Tokyo to Aomori |
3. Learn to say "Thank you" and "Excuse me" in Japanese. English is not commonly use in Japan so it is better to equipped yourself with basic Japanese word. "Sumimasen" is commonly use to get attention or to say sorry. "Arigatou gozaimasu" is of course to show gratitude. Rather than saying "Arigato", you can say "Arigatou gozaimasu" which is a more respectful way of saying Thank you. 😁
Arigatou gozaimasu is pronounced as Ah-ri-ga-toe go-zai-mahss
Sumimasen is pronounced as Sue-mi-ma-sen
4. Stockings for ladies. Coming from a tropical country I am not used to the cold weather. 😁 On our first day in Japan, it was pouring and its almost the end of Spring season. I thought it will not be that cold so I still wear my "outfit of the day" which is a knee length dress and jacket. I assumed the jacket will suffice. But when we go outside, it was freaking cold and I cannot stand the cold breeze in my legs. 😁 I need to cover my legs so we bought a pair of stockings which is mostly available in convenient stores like 7/11. It was such a relief!
5. Trash bins. There are minimal number of trash bins in the streets so you may bring some grocery plastic bags when you are going out so you have a place to put your trash. And when you throw your trash, follow the recycling guidelines. As a tourist we must respect the rules and regulations of the country we visit. 😇
6. Bus entrance is in the middle of the bus and exit door is in the driver side. Payment is done before alighting. This tip is exclusive only for Kyoto as this is the only city where we roam around by bus.😅 You may use cash or purchase a 1-day unlimited bus fare which is much cheaper if you are planning to ride the bus 3 times or more. Cost of single bus ride is Y200 while the 1-day unlimited bus fare is Y500 only. Again, this is for Kyoto only. I am not sure if other city follow the same rules.
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| Kyoto 1-day Bus pass |
7. Rent a pocket wifi. This one is very useful especially when searching for directions. Make sure it is fully charged. We get ours at Changi Recommends for S$5/day only. During that time they are on promotion. The wifi signal was great and we did encounter any issues with the connection wherever we go. 😁
8. Install Google maps or Hyperdia or any directional app that is convenient to use. If you are planning to roam around Japan without tour guide it is advisable to download directional apps on your phone and spend some time to understand how to use them. This will be very helpful when your are getting lost. Getting lost is stressful already, do not add some more anxiety by not knowing how to use these directional apps. I prefer Google maps because I can key in my exact location and my destination while in Hyperdia I can only key in the nearby train stations.
Yey! I hope these information will be helpful to you. Enjoy your stay in Japan! Be carefree and curious but don't forget to follow rules and regulations. 😉
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