A First-Timer’s Set of Tips and Tricks for a Successful Japan Trip

By Kaelie Piscitello

It did not matter to me that I arrived in Haneda airport close to 8 pm. I wanted to find a bowl of ramen as soon as possible.

Japan was a country on my bucket list for a while, and from moment one of my trip, it did not disappoint. While my flight from Boston was incredibly long (a 24-hour-long trip that included a layover in Hawaii), I knew the journey was worth it as I finally dropped off my bags and edged into line for my first ramen restaurant.

I’d had ramen many times in the United States, but it was usually Tokotsu and way overpriced at $20-$30 per bowl.

I was surprised to learn that Japan considers ramen noodles to be fast food like we would McDonald’s and that each bowl would cost at most $10 USD.

At this eatery, I tried fish broth ramen, which was very different from the ones I’d had in the States, but just as delicious.

My first night stop at this ramen place set the precedent that this trip would be full of new, exciting experiences that would give me lasting memories.

Make a Plan for Tokyo

I knew that Tokyo was a priority of mine to visit before I even fully began planning my trip, and when I started the research, I became overwhelmed by all there was to do. I discovered quickly that I would need at least a week to hit the main sites, but I could have easily spent more time there.

My first step was to determine the best district to stay in. I knew a central part of the city would be ideal, so I reserved Cozy Vibes, an Airbnb in Shinjuku. The accommodation was in the perfect location, close to the subway and all of the main attractions in Shinjuku, but also on a quiet side street where I could get some shut-eye.

After deciding where to stay, I looked into the most popular districts to visit, including Shibuya and Asakusa, and determined the ones I wanted to see.

I also researched specific attractions I wanted to see, such as Tokyo Sky Tree and TeamLAB Planets, and made a point to explore their neighborhoods as well.

During the Tokyo leg of my trip, I looked around Shinjuku, Shibuya, Asakusa, Odaiba-the man-made island, and Sumida. Shinjuku and Shibuya reminded me of Times Square, but each had its unique flare.

Shinjuku offered a cinematic experience complete with a life-sized Godzilla peaking out over some buildings and, of course, the adorable Shinjuku Cat who rolled around and flaunted his different costumes throughout the day.

Meanwhile, I loved Shibuya’s popping bars and hip Shibuya Sky observation deck. However, I would argue that I enjoyed Sumida’s Tokyo Sky Tree more because it was indoors, so I didn’t have to experience the same rainy atmosphere I did on top of Shibuya Sky.

Asakusa’s striking Senso-ji Temple drew me right in on my first day and was the perfect introduction to Tokyo.

I’m glad this was the first temple I saw because it had so many fun activities, including some stations where you could draw your own fortune and either keep it or tie it to a pole depending on whether it was good or bad. There was also a beautiful pagoda and a bustling shopping street with many food stalls and bars.

My visit to the man-made island was a highlight, thanks to the interactive and immersive experience at TeamLAB Planets. More than just a museum, it felt like a playground for adults.

I loved the completely immersive opportunities it provided throughout the museum. I truly felt like I was part of the artwork. Outside of TeamLAB, I also wandered upon a free boy band concert next to the Unicorn Gundam Statue and sat through a few numbers. While I don’t usually listen to boy bands, they certainly could dance!

Buy Train Tickets at the Station

Unfortunately, I did not have a successful pre-booking purchase for train tickets. I realized I wouldn’t need the J-Pass because I wouldn’t need enough tickets to break even on that cost.

So, I booked the trains separately, thinking it would save me money. However, it caused me more problems because the websites were all in Japanese, and the AI translation was not fantastic.

In the end, I booked the ticket for the wrong date of my train between Tokyo and Hakone and purchased another one to Kyoto from a scam website that did not work.

Luckily, the site that sold me the Kyoto ticket wasn’t too sketchy because they did refund me, but it was still a pain. My ticket to Osaka should have worked, but I missed the train because I slept through my alarm.

Ultimately, I learned that all of the major Japanese city train stations sell train tickets right there that have comparable, and sometimes cheaper, prices than the tickets I booked online. You can even do this for the Shinkansen bullet trains!

In the future, I would arrive at the station early on the day I want to travel, research what train to take ahead of time, and buy my ticket the day of. In my experience, the trains had a few open seats at some point in the day, so booking tickets in person makes the most sense for those traveling to Japan for the first time.

Always Depart Early

Unlike in the United States and even Europe, the train stations in Japan are massive!

There were a few times when I got lost in one and had to find my way out or to the next platform. I think it’s inevitable that outsiders will most likely get lost in one and cause inconvenience when you need to make a train or reservation.

I found that I always needed to arrive at the necessary train station at least 15 minutes earlier than I thought I’d need to.

Even if I didn’t get lost, it could still take a while to get to the necessary gate for a particular subway line, depending on the entrance I came in from.

Embrace Convenience Stores

Anyone on “travel Instagram” has seen Seven Eleven trending as a must-visit place in Japan due to its delicious snacks. I agree that they have yummy food, but all of the convenience stores across Japan, including Family Mart and Lawson, are also the best places to withdraw cash.

As a rule, I always needed yen because so many restaurants have cash-only policies. When I ran out, I used the convenience ATMs instead of the banks because they had little to no exchange fees.

Many Family Marts and Seven-Elevens have seating spaces, so I sometimes ate snacks inside to avoid Japan’s no eating on the street rule. I also found that they usually allowed the general public to use their restrooms. 

Give Yourself Multiple Opportunities to See Mount Fuji

Like any tourist, I knew seeing Mount Fuji was a priority. With July’s hot temperatures, I didn’t necessarily want to hike it, but I was okay with viewing it from afar.

I read that sometimes you can see Mount Fuji, but more often than not, it’s blocked by fog and clouds, so I gave myself a few opportunities to see it. I stayed in Hakone, a small hot spring town that offers a skyropeway complete with views of Fuji.

I managed to glimpse Fuji on the way to the volcano and lake, but it was too cloudy to see it back to my hotel.

I also booked my train to Kyoto from Hakone on the Fuji side, but it was too foggy to see it on the train. I’m glad I had a few chances to see Mount Fuji because if I only gave myself one, I might not have seen it at all.

In addition to the fleeting views, this hanging contraption also stopped at the active volcano Owakudani and Lake Ashi.

Translation Apps Are Your Best Friend

I found that the chance of someone knowing English in Japan was a 50/50 shot. Sometimes the people knew what I was saying, and sometimes they did not. Most restaurants had English menus, but a few didn’t, so I often used Papago’s photo translation features and Google Translate.

As a general rule, I think it’s good to have translation apps on hand when traveling in a foreign country, just in case, but they were very helpful to me in Japan.

Pay Attention to the Forecast and Prepare Accordingly

Many travel websites will tell you that the best times to travel to Japan are spring and fall due to optimal weather.

I agree, but if you’re in the position where you could only go in the hot dead of summer like me, then you need to make some preparations.
I burn quickly, so I packed two travel-sized sunblocks and wore them daily. Japan also sells UV umbrellas and hand-held fans that help beat the heat, so I recommend buying those once you get there.

They make a huge difference, especially since temperatures can reach the 100s. Also, make sure you have some change on you because Japan’s vending machines posted everywhere provide convenience at all times, and you will purchase cold water from them often.

At some point in my trip, I was sick of the heat and started planning around it. I would get up early and leave the hotel by 8 am to visit some daytime attractions.

I would return to my hotel after lunch around 1-1:30 pm and then stay there until the evening when the temperature had cooled off and it was time for dinner and nighttime activities. This worked well for me, and I still did everything I wanted to.

Regardless, the heat should not stop you from having a great time in Japan because you can always enjoy a refreshing matcha ice cream.

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