General tips for traveling in Japan

Travelling in Japan is straightforward, fun and well worth the time. Obviously the culture is very different to elsewhere but in general it is very hard to go wrong. Just a few important things to remember:

• carry cash - it can sometimes be difficult to pay by card in Japan - but everywhere will accept cash. You should carry a good amount of cash on you (and don’t worry, it’s safe to do so). There are ATMs in most convenience stores - Lawson, Family Mart and 7/11 machines will also have English language options.
• don’t tip - tipping is rare in Japan and will most likely be met with confusion and refused.
• language can sometimes be a barrier - in most places you can get by with English but it can sometimes be tricky, I highly recommend downloading a dictionary app like Aedict3 (Android) or imiwa (iOS) - they can really help out
• wifi access isn’t always guaranteed - thankfully this is getting better but there are loads of wifi spots at convenience stores and cafes that often require log in credentials. The Japan-Free Wifi app helps you find and connect to them - very useful!
• don’t wear shoes on tatami mats - in some restaurants and hotels, you’ll need to take your shoes off before going inside. Often there will be a locker for you to place your shoes while you eat.
• finding good food is straightforward - you can use TripAdvisor but tabelog is an excellent guide for Japanese restaurants and now has some English listings