Practical Info A–Z

Japan's Convenience Stores (Konbini) are the secret superpower of traveling. Over 56,000 branches (7-Eleven, Lawson, FamilyMart) offer 24/7 food, cash withdrawal, toilets, tickets, parcel shipping, and more. → Detailed in the chapter "Society & Culture".

Most important travel tip: 7-Eleven ATMs are often the only ones that accept foreign cards. If your card doesn't work at a bank ATM: go to the nearest 7-Eleven!

Despite all its technology, Japan is surprisingly cash-heavy. Many smaller restaurants, temples, buses, vending machines, and local shops only accept cash. Since COVID, card payment has improved, but don't rely on it.

Withdrawing Money

• 7-Eleven ATMs: The most reliable option for foreign cards (Visa, Mastercard). English menu available. Fee: ¥110 + bank fees.
• Post ATMs: In post offices (Yūbinkyoku), also work well with foreign cards.
• Bank ATMs: Often do NOT work with foreign cards — even if they have a Visa/MC logo.

Tips

• Always have at least ¥10,000–20,000 in cash with you
• Coins accumulate quickly — Japan has coins up to ¥500 (3 €!). A coin pouch is helpful
• Exchange rate (as of 2026): approx. 1 € ≈ 160 ¥
• IC cards (Suica/Pasmo) are a good cash alternative for small amounts

The most important do's and don'ts at a glance:

✅ Do's

• Take off shoes when entering houses, temples, Ryokans, some restaurants (watch for the Genkan/raised area)
• Bow when greeting, thanking, apologizing (a slight 15° is enough for tourists)
• Be quiet in trains, temples, Onsen
• Stand in line — always orderly, never cut in line
• Take your trash with you — public trash cans are rare. Japanese people take their trash home (or to the Konbini)
• Use both hands when giving and receiving (money, business cards, gifts)

❌ Don'ts

• Give tips — NEVER! Considered an insult. Service is a given in Japan.
• Eat while walking — considered rude (exception: festival stands and markets)
• Stick chopsticks in rice — reminiscent of funeral rituals. Always place chopsticks on the holder.
• Blow your nose in public — better to sniff discreetly (yes, really)
• Talk loudly on the phone in the train — set phone to Mana Mōdo (manners mode/silent)
• Step on Tatami with shoes — absolute taboo

Your most important everyday tool in Japan. Prepaid card for metro, bus, Konbini, vending machines, and more. → Detailed in the chapter "Arrival & Transport".

Brief summary: Buy at the airport or set up Mobile Suica on iPhone (Apple Wallet). Top up at machines or via app. Works nationwide.

Japan has good mobile internet, but public WiFi is patchy. Three options:

Pocket WiFi (recommended)

A small device that creates a WiFi network — connect multiple devices simultaneously. Rental: ¥500–1,000/day. Pick up and return at the airport. Providers: Japan Wireless, Ninja WiFi, WiFi Rental Store. Pre-order recommended.

SIM Card / eSIM

Often more convenient for solo travelers than Pocket WiFi. eSIM providers like Ubigi, Airalo, or Mobal offer Japan data packages from ¥1,500/week. Physical SIM cards (Visitor SIM, data only, no calls) are also available at the airport.

Free WiFi

• Konbinis: 7-Eleven, Lawson, FamilyMart have free WiFi (limited usage time)
• Stations: Many JR stations have "JR-EAST_FREE_Wi-Fi"
• Starbucks, McDonald's: Free WiFi
• Japan Connected (App): Simplifies access to public WiFi

The Japan Rail Pass is the most important savings tool for long-distance travel. → Detailed in the chapter "Arrival & Transport".

Brief summary: 7/14/21-day pass for unlimited JR trains (including Shinkansen except Nozomi/Mizuho). Worth it from a round trip Tokyo–Kyoto. Pre-order online, activate at the airport.

Japan spans several climate zones:

• Hokkaido (North): Cold winters (-10 to 0 °C), mild summers (20–25 °C). Lots of snow.
• Tokyo/Kanto: Warm-temperate. Summers hot and humid (30–35 °C), winters mild (2–10 °C).
• Kansai (Kyoto/Osaka): Similar to Tokyo, slightly warmer. Summers brutally humid.
• Okinawa: Subtropical. Warm all year round (20–32 °C), typhoons in summer.

Rainy season (Tsuyu): Mid-June to mid-July (except Hokkaido). Rainy, but not constant — an umbrella is enough. Typhoon season: August to October.

→ Detailed in the chapter "Society & Culture" (Onsen Etiquette).

Brief summary: Bathe naked (swimwear prohibited). Thoroughly shower before entering the pool. Do not put the towel in the water. Be quiet. Tattoos can be problematic — use private Onsen or cover-up patches.

Japan is one of the safest countries in the world. The crime rate is extremely low — lost wallets are regularly returned with all contents to the lost and found (Koban/police box).

• Theft/robbery: Extremely rare. Still, exercise normal caution.
• Out at night: Even late at night, Japanese cities are safe — even solo female travelers report a very high sense of security.
• Natural hazards: Earthquakes (early warning system, "Safety Tips" app), typhoons (August–October), volcanoes (rare direct danger to tourists)
• Koban: Japan's mini-police stations on almost every corner. Always staffed, extremely helpful — even for directions.

Emergency call: 110 (police) / 119 (fire department & ambulance)

Japan uses Type-A outlets (two flat pins, like in North America) with 100 volts / 50 Hz (East Japan including Tokyo) or 60 Hz (West Japan including Osaka/Kyoto).

• Adapter: You need an adapter from Type C/F (European) to Type A. Available cheaply at Konbini or electronics stores (¥200–500).
• Devices: Most modern chargers (smartphone, laptop) handle 100–240V and work without issues — only the adapter is missing.
• Hairdryer/straightener: May run weaker at 100V. Better to borrow at the hotel/Ryokan.

In Japan, you do NOT tip. Never. Nowhere. Not in the restaurant, not in the taxi, not in the hotel. It is considered rude — the message would be: "You need my pity." Excellent service is standard in Japan, not to be paid extra.

If you try to tip, it will be politely declined. If you insist, it becomes an awkward situation. Save the money and show your appreciation with a smile and a sincere "Arigatō gozaimasu!" (Thank you very much!).

Only exception: In traditional Ryokans, you can give the room attendant (Nakai-san) a small cash gift in an envelope (not loose bills!) — ¥1,000–3,000. But even this is optional and not expected.

Germans, Austrians, and Swiss do not need a visa for Japan for stays up to 90 days (tourism). Upon entry, you receive a sticker in your passport and are photographed/fingerprinted (biometric capture).

Entry Checklist

• Passport: Valid for at least 6 months, machine-readable
• Visit Japan Web: Online form for customs and immigration — fill out before the trip (vjw-lp.digital.go.jp), saves time at the airport
• Return ticket: May be requested upon entry (rare, but possible)
• Sufficient financial means: Theoretically to be proven, rarely asked in practice

Extend stay: The 90 days can be extended by another 90 days — apply at the Immigration Bureau before expiration. Not guaranteed, but usually unproblematic for tourists.

Japanese toilets are a technological revolution — and one of the most discussed topics among Japan travelers. The "Washlets" (by TOTO) have heated seats, bidet function, dryer, sound masking (Oto-Hime — "Sound Princess"), and sometimes air fresheners.

The Buttons

The control panel looks intimidating, but the key functions:

• おしり / Rear: Bidet (water spray rear) — the main function
• ビデ / Front: Bidet (water spray front)
• 止 / Stop: Stop water spray
• 水勢 / Water Pressure: Adjust water pressure
• 乾燥 / Dry: Warm air dryer
• 流す / Flush: Flush (often automatic when standing up)

In some older buildings or rural areas, there are still squat toilets — you squat over an elongated bowl. The front side (with splash guard) faces the wall.

Public toilets are everywhere in Japan, free and almost always clean — in stations, Konbinis, parks, department stores. Toilet paper is almost always available, but have a tissue pack for emergencies.