10 Japan Travel Tips
I came back from the best vacation ever visiting Japan this year and I want to go back but next time, I will be better prepared and so will you with these travel tips to help you save money and time while traveling to Japan or even some other countries.
Video Overview:
Public transportation is awesome in Tokyo and in many parts of Japan. Download google maps app and use it to easily navigate the transportation system. I suggest getting a Suica card. This will allow you to easily swipe your card rather than buying individual paper tickets to access the metro system.
There are two types of Suicas:
Welcome Suica (red): expires after 28 days
Regular Suica (green): expires if not used after 10 years (used in Tokyo but able to use in all of Japan)
Icoca is the IC card used in Kansai (includes Osaka and Kyoto but able to use in all of Japan)
I suggest getting the regular Suica as the balance is refundable (including the 500 yen deposit) and does not expire after 28 days. However, there will be a 220 yen service charge when you refund your Suica. The Welcome Suica has no deposit and is not refundable; however, just like the regular Suica, you can spend it at most convenience stores and buy some souvenirs with any leftover money (regular suica cards can be spent at convenience stores as well). The regular Suica can also be added to your Apple Wallet for more convenience and the 500 yen deposit will be added to your available balance. You will be able to reload your balance through card. You may only be able to reload with debit card since my friend had trouble using his credit card to reload. Also make sure your phone doesn’t die. Update: Don’t add Suica to Apple Wallet since: 1) you will only be able to fill it up with Visa 2) it will expire after a year unless you have a Japanese address
I’m not sure if you can get a refund once you add the regular Suica card to your Apple wallet but one reddit user replied: “You can do it on the phone, but you need Suica app and I think you have to be registered. (I just have an unregistered card I made through the app and it doesn't give me the option.) There is a 220 yen fee. I personally wouldn't bother unless you think you will never go to Japan again.”
You can also download an offline map on google maps. You won’t be able to access the public transportation navigation but it will show you the car route and allow you to at least navigate to a station where there will likely be free wifi for you to access public transportation routes.
Alternatively, you can get a mobile hotspot or SIM at the airport or elsewhere.
Cheapest international eSim cards: https://www.airalo.com/
$3 off next sim card when using this referral code to sign up: BAILI2250
Another website you could use is
https://www.klook.com or you could wait until you are in Japan and buy it outside of the airport (might be cheaper). If buying a SIM card, make sure it is compatible with your device first.
Download the offline dictionary for Japanese on Google Translate app. You will even be able to take pictures of text and get a translation. Voice recognition will not be possible without wifi or data.
If you are trying to avoid international cellular charges, make sure to keep your phone in airplane mode or turn off cellular data.
You can also opt to get a new sim card or mobile hotspot for wifi.
You may consider opening a new bank account. The Charles Schwab Bank High Yield Investor Checking account gives unlimited ATM rebates worldwide and no foreign transaction fee.
Schwab brokerage account $101 opening bonus
$101 bonus https://www.schwab.com/investing-starter-kit
I would try to use a no foreign transaction fee credit card when possible as the exchange rate was more favorable than ATM cash withdrawals. However, be wary if your card has foreign transaction fees as that may make your exchange rate worse. My free suggestion is the Alliant Visa Signature credit card with no foreign transaction fees offering 2.5% cash back on all purchases. https://www.alliantcreditunion.org/bank/visa-signature-card
In 2023, I got my first 10,000 yen by using the ATM at the NRT airport. I believe it was in the Family Mart but you can ask the nice staff or google translate where the closest ATM was. Not all places accept credit card, so I got some cash just in case. If you happen to have leftover Japanese cash, you can convert it back to USD at a currency exchange at NRT airport or other Japanese airport. The exchange rate is usually better at the ATM but you most likely can’t deposit yen into your US bank.
Learn some basic Japanese phrases:
https://boutiquejapan.com/essential-japanese-words-phrases-for-travelers-to-japan/
Keep a diary entry of your travels and experiences.
Take a lot of pictures
You can share and collaborate with albums in google photos or Apple photos
If you want, keep track of your expenses or review your credit card statement and ATM withdrawals after the trip ends.
Also make sure there are no fraudulent charges.
Set travel notice by telling bank where you will be so they don’t decline your international charges.
Pay in local currency (rather than USD) if given the option on the credit card terminal.
Use this free itinerary app to plan your travels:
wanderlog.com
Here is an example itinerary I made with some friends for Tokyo, Japan: https://wanderlog.com/view/deixaufjln/trip-to-japan/shared
From 3/1-3/7/23, I spent $486.29 in Japan. This amount excludes the $255.29 USD steak (I bought 2) and and the $865.89 roundtrip flight ticket. However, this amount is an underestimate since some of the trip was paid by an amazing host.
Here is an example itinerary for Osaka, Nara, and Kyoto: https://wanderlog.com/view/cyqsujqdzo/trip-to-osaka-kyoto-oct-2024/shared
Excluding the flight, the cost from 10/22/2024-10/27/2024 was $610 USD or 92,999 yen. This includes the 2 hotels costing $244.27 USD. Excluding flights and hotels, the average daily spend was $61. Most places accepted my American Visa credit card but some places, I could only use cash.
I especially like being able to see places as you add them, allowing you to optimize your route.
You can pay for the premium features if you want.
I would print the trip so that you can have access offline (unless you want to pay for the premium features and get access offline).
If you happen to accidentally click on a place and find that you need to fill it in again, just click the most recent result in the dropdown to get your information returned.
You could search for other alternative apps or use a google sheet if you want for organization.
You can google “Best 4 day itinerary for Tokyo, Japan” as an example to get ideas
Bonus tip: Use LAX as connecting flight for cheaper airfare rather than a direct flight when traveling to some international countries such as Japan
For example, I booked 2 separate tickets: one from FLL to LAX and another from LAX to NRT, saving me $270 rather than if I had booked one roundtrip ticket from FLL to NRT in Japan.
Take a mini vacation in LAX while you at it.
$686+131=$817 vs $1087 ($270 savings)
Account for any luggage fees as well.
More flight hacks here AND
here: https://baili.substack.com/p/visiting-hong-kong-china-and-south
