Traveling to Japan FAQ
Traveling to Japan FAQ
Here are the traveling to Japan FAQ!
Do I need a visa to travel to Japan?
Here is a list of countries who can travel visa-free to Japan. If you come from a country whose citizens need a visa to travel to Japan, because we are a network of freelance guides and not a travel agency, Tokiotours cannot arrange your visa for you. In that case, you need to look for a full-service travel agency.
How do I use internet in Japan?
While there are free WiFi hotspots throughout most large cities in Japan, the connection tends to be extremely slow and unreliable. Using data by roaming through your home country’s phone internet provider is often very expensive. The cheapest solution is often to rent a pocket WiFi or get a travel SIM where you can be connected to the internet through your phone or laptop for as little as 329 JPY/day.
How do I find my way in Japan?
Googlemaps works perfectly fine in Japan, and it also does a very good job of planning your route by public transportation. For this reason, it is also handy to rent a pocket WiFi or buy a travel SIM.
How do I attend a sumo morning training?
Book a tour to attend a sumo morning training through this link. It will certainly be an unforgettable experience to get so close to these magnificent wrestlers! Please note that this experience can only be booked when the wrestlers are in their stable. The dates they are not there will not be bookable.
How do I book a tea ceremony in Japan?
Attending a tea ceremony gives a deeper insight into the traditional culture of Japan. Book a tea ceremony in Tokyo through this link, or a tea ceremony in Kyoto through this link.
Can I ride a go-kart in the streets of Tokyo?
This is certainly possible, go-karting through Tokyo’s popular district of Akihabara is a very fun activity for those who like a bit of a thrill. Note that you will need to bring a valid international driver’s license to be able to drive.
Where can I get cash in Japan?
If you have an international card (non-Japanese debit card or credit card), you can only use the ATMs managed by Seven Bank (7/11 convenience stores and other locations) or JP bank (Japan Postbank, Family Mart convenience stores, and other locations). The good news is that these ATMs are ubiquitous throughout Japan, especially in the cities. Please do note that in many shops and restaurants cash is still the preferred (and sometimes only) payment method.
Should I get a JR Pass?
A JR pass allows you to travel with almost no limitations on the whole JR train network that connects almost all destinations within Japan. You can buy a JR pass with a validity of 7 days, 14 days, or 21 days. It is a great way to cover long distances in Japan without breaking the bank with Japan’s famously swift, comfortable, and efficient train system.
Until October 2023*, the price of a JR pass for 7 days is roughly the same price as a round-trip ticket for Tokyo-Kyoto, so if you are planning to take that trip getting a JR pass already pays off. If you are only staying in Japan for a few days, however, and/or will only stay in and around one city, getting a JR pass is not necessary. Most tourists will travel long distances though, and in that case getting the pass saves a lot of money. You can buy your JR pass online before you travel to Japan.
*please note that there has been a significant price increase for JR passes since October 2023 and that you will need to take at least 2 long-distance round-trips to get your money’s worth
How does luggage forwarding in Japan work?
Luggage forwarding service is called ‘takkyubin’ in Japan, and it is very handy for anyone traveling with heavy luggage, a shortage of time, or both. You can have your luggage shipped to your next destination on the same day, freeing up your hands to enjoy your day luggage-free. Many larger and mid-sized hotel work with Yamato to facilitate fast and easy luggage pick-up and drop-off. Here is an explanation of how the luggage forwarding service works.
How do I choose a hotel in Japan?
While our network cannot make hotel bookings for you, we can recommend some hotels based on the experience of previous customers.
We especially recommend the following hotels in Tokyo (chosen based on great location and/or good design or good cost-performance):
Capsule/budget hotels: The Global Hotel Tokyo / The Hotel Shinbashi Tokyo / Ryokan Sansuiso
3-star hotels: Candeo Hotels Tokyo Shinbashi / Tokyo Grand Hotel / Hotel 1899 Tokyo
4-star hotels: Park Hotel Tokyo / Niwa Hotel / Mercure Hotel Ginza Tokyo
5-star hotels: The Tokyo Station Hotel / Hotel Chinzanso Tokyo
We especially recommend the following hotels in Kyoto (chosen based on great location and/or good design or good cost-performance):
Budget hotels: The Pocket Hotel Kyoto Shijokarasuma / Kyoto Utano Youth Hostel / Guesthouse Sakura Komachi Hostel Kyoto
3-star hotels: Sotetsu Fresa Inn Kyoto-Kiyomizu Gojo / Oriental Hotel Kyoto Rokujo / Hotel Tavinos Kyoto
4-star hotels: Ace Hotel Kyoto / Hotel Nikko Princess Kyoto / Hotel Granvia Kyoto / The Thousand Kyoto
5-star hotels: Aman Kyoto / Park Hyatt Kyoto / Four Seasons Kyoto
We especially recommend the following hotels in Osaka (chosen based on great location and/or good design or cost-performance):
Budget hotels: Imano Osaka Shinsaibashi Hostel / The Stay Osaka Shinsaibashi
3-star hotels: The Bridge Hotel Shinsaibashi / Hotel Intergate Osaka Umeda / The Lively Osaka Honmachi
4-star hotels: Hotel Nikko Osaka / The Royal Park Hotel Iconic Osaka-Midosuji / Hiyori Hotel Osaka Namba
5-star hotels: Osaka Marriott Miyako Hotel / Imperial Hotel Osaka / The Ritz-Carlton Osaka
Deciding on an area is a bit more challenging, but here are some points to consider that will make it a bit easier to pick a good area:
-> for convenience, it is good to pick a hotel near the city’s most major train station such as Tokyo Station, Kyoto Station, and Shin-Osaka Station
-> you can make your selection smaller by going for either western-style hotels or ryokan (traditional Japanese hotels). Many tourists prefer to stay in a western-style for most of their stay, and book 1 or 2 nights in a traditional hotel. Cities like Kyoto, Hakone, and Takayama are good places to stay in a ryokan while cities like Tokyo and Osaka are good for western-style hotels
-> it is sometimes better to avoid staying in the most bustling areas of Tokyo (Shibuya/Shinjuku) and Osaka (Namba/Dotonbori) but instead stay in a neighborhood right next to it for easy access but better prices. Here you can read more about neighborhoods we especially recommend in Tokyo
How do I make restaurant reservations in Japan?
For many restaurants making a reservation is not necessary, especially for restaurants in the cheaper segment. Especially in Japan’s larger cities, there is a great abundance of excellent restaurants that are not expensive and don’t require reservations. If you book a private tour through our network, the guide is happy to give you suggestions for a restaurant for dinner in their city. If a reservation would be needed, your hotel receptionist or hotel concierge can make the reservation for you, but most restaurants they recommend won’t require one.
If you would need a reservation for a top-tier restaurant or for a large group, you will need a concierge to make the reservation on your behalf. You can also have a look at byFood who can make reservations for you at hundreds of restaurants in Tokyo and elsewhere.
How do I find fun and interesting activities to do in Japan?
Of course, booking one of our day tours is a guaranteed way to have a great day in Japan. But if you are staying for more than a few days you may want to mix it up a bit and do other kinds of activities such as workshops, sporty activities in nature, visiting exhibitions, ticketed activities, etc.
Here are a few nice ideas:
-> Aqua Park Shinagawa Aquarium
-> A Tokyo Kimono experience with hair styling
-> Meet a geisha in Tokyo (group experience)
-> A cruise in Tokyo with tea-time
-> Go see the snow monkeys in Nagano (day trip from Tokyo, seasonal)
-> Visiting the manga museum in Kyoto
-> Going to the onsen in Kyoto
-> Seeing the teamLab botanical garden in Osaka
There are also a few excellent blogs that we recommend to gain inspiration for your trip to Japan:
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