Preparing for our trip to Japan was pretty intimidating. The language is more foreign and intimidating than the romance/germanic languages in Europe. The cities are big and crowded. I was worried we would get to Tokyo and just not be able to get around. However, that was 100% not the case! I actually found Japan very easy to traverse, and I look forward to going back for additional exploration! Here are my three big logistical tips to take into consideration as you plan your trip to Japan.
IC Cards (Metro Cards)
One of my number one recommendations for traveling in Japan is to get an IC card! You will need one per person. You’re able to load money onto it and then use it like a ticket at almost all local transportation options (trains, subways, and busses).
While Japan’s transportation system is relatively simple, it can be a bit complicated if you don’t know the area well. That’s because when you buy your local train tickets, you have to specify beforehand which “zone” you’re getting off in, and pay that particular fare. You then scan your ticket before getting on the train, and then again when you get off. If you traveled too far, you need to pay extra before leaving.
If you don’t want to do that math before every trip (and believe me, you don’t), get an IC card! It’s a rechargeable card that you load money on to and scan instead of a specific ticket. I recommend you check out the JapanGuide page on IC Cards to get all the details on how to purchase and use this handy card throughout your trip!
Portable Wifi Device
Unlike the United States, where cellular data is virtually always available in major cities, you will not always have access to the internet while traveling in Japan. If you want to be able to look things up on your phone, I highly recommend renting a portable wifi device. We rented ours through Japan Wireless.
To be totally honest, I was a little anxious about this process. We ordered online ahead of time and scheduled to pick up our device at the Narita Airport as we arrived in Japan. We were able to specify Terminal 1, and the date/time. At the end of our trip, we dropped the device back off at the post office. It all went really smoothly.
We set up the device that night after checking into our hotel. It was easy to use and worked well throughout our trip; we never were at a loss for data! We did have a small issue with our charger, but contacted Japan Wireless, and they shipped a new charger to our hotel within a day or so.
JapanGuide.com
Japan has the single best tourism website I have ever visited. It’s seriously fantastic. If you have any questions about literally any destination in Japan, check JapanGuide. They have maps, hours of operation, recommendations, and exceptions on pretty much every major destination in Japan. In addition, they have overviews of general topics like the ones mentioned in this post. I could never replicate or compete with all of their content, so just go check it out. Just google “Japan Guide [insert-topic-here]”.
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