Japanpracticalinformation -

Here you will find everything you need to know for your trip to Japan.

The Japanese authorities are very demanding when it comes to examining tourists’ passports, and they cause problems at the entrance if it is damaged or has separate covers from the booklet. Therefore, if the document is not in perfect condition, it is recommended to renew it before traveling to the country, and in any case, refrain from trying to manipulate it. Likewise, entry into Japan is not allowed with passports that appear as canceled, so it is important not to travel with documents whose loss had been reported and later recovered, since these are considered invalid passports. It is also worth bearing in mind that passport renewals can only be processed through the Consular Section of the Spanish Embassy in Tokyo and that the passports are issued in Spain, so their renewal may be delayed.

During your stay in Japan, at any time the authorities may require you to show your passport or residence card.

Check the embassy website for the countries that need a visa to enter.

https://www.mofa.go.jp/j_info/visit/visa/index.html

It is illegal to work even temporarily or informally in Japan without a visa. Exceeding the maximum stay period can lead to criminal consequences and eventual prohibition of return to the country.

2. Transport

Important: especially in big cities like Tokyo, you have to avoid rush hours that are from 7 to 9 in the morning and from 5 to 7 in the afternoon. Even so, the silence in transport is sepulchral and it is even mandatory to silence the mobile phone before entering. Of course, if you get on a train around 9 at night, you will coincide with many office workers returning home after spending time with colleagues drinking in the izakayas and then you will already be able to hear a brief murmur (in addition to a bit of vinegar smell).

The Japanese are really orderly. To enter the trains you will see them making two perfect lines on the sides of where the door is going to fall and you will see that no one will enter before those inside come out. Once they leave, you will see the human tide going up or down the stairs in perfect order without crossing the lines on the ground that divide both directions. It is spectacular. Another curiosity about the Japanese and transportation is how easy it is to fall asleep. You’ll see them asleep standing up holding on to the bar. Impressive.

Train

Getting around by train is the most effective way. The trains are very punctual and have an incredible frequency, although it is quite expensive unless you have the Japan Rail Pass. The national train company is Japan Rail, although there are many private lines that complete the impressive Japanese train system.

IMPORTANT NOTE: due to the Covid-19 pandemic, we will not be able to travel on the Shinkansen with our large suitcases without reserving a seat in advance. You will also have to reserve a seat for your suitcase. If you book the day before, as is quite usual, you will not be able to take it on board.

The Japan Rail Pass (JR Pass) is a train pass in which you can make unlimited travel on all Japan Rail company trains except the NOZOMI, MIZUHO and HAYABUSA Shinkansen, which are the fastest.

The JR Pass can be purchased for 7, 14 or 21 days and has 2 classes: the Green Class, which is the first; and the standard class.

Class	7 days	14 days	21 days
Standard	¥29.650	¥47.250	¥60.450
Standard (Children)	¥14.820	¥23.620	¥30.220
Green Class	¥39.600	¥64.120	¥93.390
Green Class (Children)	¥19.800	¥32.060	¥41.690

The prices in this table are the official ones of JR but when you buy it, any agency will charge you a commission.

As a recommendation, I would tell you to study well the routes you are going to do to see if it compensates you. But for example, only Tokyo-Kyoto round trip is already ¥27,700 (€212.65).

It can be purchased online and must be purchased within 90 days before activation. When you buy it, they send you a coupon that you will then have to redeem at one of the JR offices in Japan. If you arrive early you can activate it at the airport for the day you want to start using it. For example: you arrive at Narita on July 1 and there you can activate it on the fly but to use it from July 3.

You can activate it at all major stations in the country and at airports. Once we have the pass, to use it is very simple, next to the turnstiles of the stations there is a window where there is an employee who you have to show the back of the pass and let you pass.

As a recommendation, his thing is that before making a long trip, reserve a seat in any office one day before making the trip.

Bus

In some cities the bus is essential, as in Kyoto where there are only two subway lines. One that goes from north to south and another from east to west.

Normally you enter through the back door where there is a machine from which a ticket comes out with the number or name of the stop where you get on. Above the driver you will see a screen or illuminated sign indicating the price to pay from each stop. For example: if you got on at stop number three you will see a box with that number and the price to pay at that time. Depending on which city or line it is, the price will go up. When you arrive at your stop, you insert the ticket and the exact money in coins into a machine next to the driver. If you don’t have loose money, don’t worry, you can change money in another machine that is in the same place.

The entrance is normally indicated with the kanji 入口 and exit by the one with 出口. Look carefully because in some cities it is done the other way around, you enter from the front and leave from behind.

In some cities, like Kyoto, the rate is flat and you always pay the same. In the rest you have to look at the type of tickets. If it is not in English, the kanjis to differentiate between them are: 大人 for adults and 小供 for children. If you find that the panel does not put anything, only the prices, logically the highest is for adults and the other for children. Always remember to ask at the tourist office for possible discount cards.

Alternatives to Hyperdia

Hyperdia was a web/application that exactly indicated timetables, prices, platforms, etc… It was a truly complete and essential application until April 1, 2022, when it ceased to be functional.

Google Maps

As in almost all countries, Google maps is a good alternative. It is quite complete and in Japan it even tells you the prices of the journey.

The disadvantage is that it does not clearly indicate the company that makes the journey. For example, if we want to go from Tokyo Station to Narita Airport:

This second option we can take the Ueno-Tokyo Line that does not indicate that it is from the JR company with what the JR PASS would be worth, but we must transfer to the Skyliner, which is from the KEISEI company and is not included in the pass.

Japan Travel by Navitime

It is the best and most complete option. You can exclude some types of transportation and you can choose between JR Pass and other passes. In addition to covering train and flight connections, Navitime is particularly strong with bus connections throughout Japan and also covers driving routes, taxi fares, and expressway tolls.

The service is free and comes as a website and app.

Web: https://japantravel.navitime.com/en/area/jp/route/

Japan Transit Planner (Jorudan)

Jorudan has been involved in publishing and developing video games since 1991. Today it offers a website and an app, both of which come with free basic search features and some paid features. The free options available differ between the web and the app, with the app version being much higher than the website version.

Luckily, the free app offers the option to select JR company trains. It also indicates platform details and stations along the way. But only the app, not the web.

Web: https://world.jorudan.co.jp/mln/en/

Find your ideal hotel at the best price in Japan with Agoda:

Security in Japan

Japan is a safe country, in fact it has the two safest cities in the world. Wherever you go, no matter how dark it is, you will never feel insecure.

You will be surprised how the stores close in the malls. In 2016 we «lost» the camera in Tokyo and it appeared. In 2018, while we were on the train platform, we bought some soft drinks from a machine and after a while we realized that my bag had fallen to the ground and people were avoiding it.

It also shocks how parked bikes are in cities like Tokyo without chains or clamps.

However, as in any part of the world, and although they are very infrequent, there can be some cases of theft of documentation, cards and cash, especially in certain bars in some nightlife neighborhoods of Tokyo (Roppongi, Kabukicho, Ikebukuro, Shibuya …). In the event of any difficulties, and before going to the embassy, it is advisable to go to a ‘koban’ (easily identifiable community police posts in cities) to report any of these events. The agents will be able to provide the tourist with the assistance that he may need or direct him to other types of public services, as the case may be. The police telephone number is 110 and the fire and ambulance telephone number is 119.

4. Health care

To travel to Japan it is highly recommended to have medical insurance with the widest coverage possible, since health care can be really expensive. For the same reason, it is recommended that the insurance that is contracted does not imply that the insured must advance the expenses.

Sanitary conditions in Japan are good, and Japanese doctors and hospitals have a good reputation. One of the problems that foreigners often encounter is that of language, since few doctors and nurses speak English. Let’s hope we don’t have to use it.

Here you have a good specialist travel insurance, IATI. Also for being our reader you will have a 5% discount on all insurance.

Another thing to watch out for are mosquitoes. In Japan they are as big as sparrows and stings are horrible. We recommend bringing repellents or clothing patches.

5. Electricity

The electric current throughout Japan is 100 volts, but there are two possible frequencies: 50 or 60 hertz. The plugs are two flat pins type A. Sometimes a current transformer is necessary. If your chargers put 110-220 you will not need a transformer. Yours is to buy an adapter. We always carry a universal adapter and a power strip to charge the two mobiles and the tablet or the camera battery.

6. Money

As we all know, the currency of Japan is the Yen. The yen is a currency that fluctuates on the stock market so its exchange rate varies. What is worth €2 today may be worth €1.80 or €2.20 tomorrow.

In Japan, what is most used is cash. The use of the card is not widespread and in most small places such as restaurants and shops they do not charge with it. In any case, from the first time we were in 2016 to the next in 2018, we discovered that it is becoming more and more accepted. Still, make sure you always have plenty of cash in your pocket.

To get money the best option is the combinis. In most there are ATMs although in some they only accept Japanese cards. In many post offices too. In bank ATMs it is more complicated since they only accept Japanese cards.

Another thing is that in Japan there are no tips, never leave more money because they will return it to you.

When you go to pay, they will bring you a tray with both hands in which you must deposit the money, in which they will then return what is left over. Physical contact should always be avoided. Also, whenever you are going to give something remember to give it with both hands, using only one is not well seen.

Find the best activities and tours in Japan with Civitatis:

Diaries of our travels

Japan. Practical Guide

Contents:

1. Documents and visa