As a local, there are 10 things I wish tourists knew before visiting Japan

If you only want to see Japan’s biggest highlights, cramming four cities into a 10-day itinerary is technically possible. However, many first-time visitors severely underestimate the friction of travel days.

Once you factor in packing up, navigating labyrinthine train stations (and inevitably taking the wrong exit), and checking into hotels, it’s easy to spend your vacation rushing rather than exploring.

I’ve traveled in Japan that way myself, and I always came away exhausted, feeling like I’d spent more time checking off destinations than actually experiencing them.

Choosing fewer destinations always yields a deeper, more memorable trip.

Japan’s changing seasons influence far more than just cherry blossoms and autumn leaves.

Many beaches, hiking trails, scenic trains, and tourist attractions operate on seasonal schedules, with reduced services or closures during the offseason.

The weather can also affect travel plans. Summer typhoons and heavy winter snowfall often cause transportation delays and cancellations.

That’s why I always recommend purchasing travel insurance and keeping your itinerary flexible. A little adaptability can go a long way when the weather has other plans.

Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka form Japan’s iconic “Golden Route,” and they are world-class cities for a reason. Yet they only represent a fraction of what Japan has to offer.

You do not need to fight the crowds in Kyoto to experience traditional Japan. Beautiful shrines, historic merchant districts, and delicious food exist all over the archipelago.

Some of my favorite memories in Japan took place far from the tourist hot spots: climbing the towering dunes of Tottori, soaking in the thermal waters of Beppu, and island hopping around the Setouchi region.

Even substituting just one major city on your itinerary for a lesser-known regional gem can transform your perspective of the country.

Smaller towns and rural destinations often operate on their own schedules.

I once planned a day trip to the island of Shodoshima on a Wednesday, only to discover that almost every shop and restaurant was closed for its weekly rest day. Many businesses in Japan stay open on weekends but close on Mondays or Tuesdays instead.

Before planning your day around a specific restaurant or attraction, always check its official website or current operating hours.

I also recommend avoiding travel during the New Year holiday period, typically from December 29 to January 3, as many businesses, attractions, and restaurants close for a short seasonal break.

Even travelers who consider themselves highly active are often surprised by the sheer amount of walking involved in exploring Japan.

Between traversing the multi-level train stations, climbing stone temple steps, and burning cash in Japan’s many shopping districts, it is easy to clock 15,000 steps a day.

Leave the stylish but unsupportive footwear at home and invest in a comfortable pair of walking shoes before your trip. Your feet will thank you by the end of the day.

Nobody plans to get sick on vacation, but medications in Japan can be quite different from what many visitors are used to.

Common pain relievers such as Tylenol are often sold in lower dosages, and finding a familiar product isn’t always easy.

Some medications that are widely available overseas, including Adderall and products containing pseudoephedrine, are prohibited or require advance approval to bring into the country.

If you rely on prescription medication or specific over-the-counter products, check Japan’s import regulations before you travel and bring what you need with you.

It’s much easier than trying to navigate a pharmacy when you’re already feeling unwell.

While major cities like Tokyo have English signage, Japan doesn’t have a particularly high level of English proficiency, and many locals have told me they find serving customers in English intimidating.

Learning a few basic phrases such as “arigatou gozaimasu” (thank you), “sumimasen” (excuse me/sorry), and “douzo” (please, go ahead) can make interactions much smoother.

Your pronunciation doesn’t need to be perfect, and you can always use Google Translate as a backup. However, a simple “sumimasen” when squeezing past someone on a crowded train or trying to get a server’s attention will almost always be appreciated.

Before my first trip to Japan, I worried about accidentally breaking etiquette rules. In reality, most locals understand visitors won’t know every nuance of Japanese culture.

Rather than trying to memorize a long list of dos and don’ts, pay attention to the people around you. The social cues are usually quite clear: look at which side of the escalator people are standing on, notice where commuters line up on train platforms, and keep your voice down on public transport.

If you approach Japan with basic situational awareness and consideration for others, it’s unlikely strangers will fault you for the occasional mistake.

In Japan, exceptional service is standard practice, not something that requires an additional financial reward.

As tipping isn’t part of the culture, leaving extra cash behind can confuse staff, who may assume you’ve forgotten your change. Don’t be surprised if a waiter chases you down the street to return your yen.

If you’d like to show your appreciation, a sincere “arigatou gozaimasu” and a glowing online review will usually be far more appreciated than cash.

The Shinkansen (bullet train) is fast and exciting, but it isn’t always the smartest or most affordable choice for shorter journeys.

For example, if you’re going from Kobe to Osaka, the JR Special Rapid Service takes around 20 minutes and costs 420 yen. The Shinkansen costs more than 1,500 yen and gets you there only a few minutes sooner (it takes 12 or 13 minutes).

Once you factor in the time needed to reach the Shinkansen platforms and stations, the actual time savings are often negligible while the price difference is substantial.

Save the bullet train for longer cross-country journeys and use local lines instead. They often take you through parts of Japan most tourists never get to see.