Japan Travel Essentials

Credit card not working in Japan? First, check whether the shop actually accepts your card. If it does, try inserting the physical card instead of tapping, or use a second payment method. If your card fails at several different places, contact your card issuer through its official app or the number on the card. Keep some Japanese yen available so you can continue your trip while you solve the problem. Quick answer: What to do right now Ask which payments the shop accepts. A cash-only business cannot process a card, even if your card works perfectly. Try a different supported …

Finding ATMs in Japan for tourists is easier than many visitors expect. Convenience stores, post offices and airports have ATMs that accept debit and credit cards issued overseas, but not every ATM in Japan does. This guide shows which ATMs to look for, how to withdraw yen step by step, what the fees and limits are, and what to do if your card does not work. This guide is part of our Money in Japan guide for travelers. ATM details below were checked against each operator’s official website on 2026-10-15. Quick Answer Yes, tourists can withdraw yen from ATMs in …

Do you tip in Japan? In most situations, no. Tipping in Japan is not customary at restaurants, cafes, bars, hotels, or in taxis. You do not need to add 10–20% to a bill, round up a fare, or leave coins on a restaurant table. Simply pay the stated charge and thank the staff. A few special situations, such as certain private guides or traditional kokorozuke gifts, are exceptions rather than everyday rules. Tipping in Japan: the quick answer Restaurants, cafes and izakaya: no tip needed. Taxis and regular hotel services: no tip needed. Ryokan: no tip expected; an optional, traditional …

Cash or card in Japan? For most first-time visitors, the best answer is both. Credit and debit cards work in many hotels, chain stores, restaurants, and major attractions, but some smaller businesses, rural accommodations, and local services still require Japanese yen in cash. Bring a card for larger purchases and keep a modest cash reserve so a declined payment never disrupts your day. Quick answer: Which should you use? Card: hotels, department stores, convenience stores, and many city restaurants. Cash: smaller eateries, some temples and shrines, rural businesses, and places displaying “cash only.” IC card: trains, subways, buses, and selected …

How much cash to bring to Japan? For a first-time visitor who pays for hotels, Shinkansen tickets and major purchases by card, a useful planning estimate is ¥15,000–¥25,000 for 3 days, ¥30,000–¥50,000 for 7 days, or ¥50,000–¥80,000 for 14 days per person in cash spending money. These are flexible estimates, not official minimums. You do not have to carry the full amount at once: keep a smaller yen reserve and withdraw more when needed. Quick answer: how much yen should you have? In your wallet: around ¥5,000–¥10,000 is a practical starting cash buffer for a card-friendly city day. 3-day trip: …

This guide shows you how to use trains in Japan from the moment you walk into a station to the moment you walk out at your destination. Japanese trains are punctual and well signed, but the system has its own logic. Learn it in this order: check your route, pay, pass the ticket gate, find the platform, pick the right train, transfer, and exit. Rules differ by railway company Train names, extra fees and IC card rules differ between railway companies. This guide explains the common patterns. If a sign or station staff tell you something different, follow them. On …

Getting from Kansai Airport (KIX) to central Osaka typically takes roughly 35 to 80 minutes by rail, with budget train fares starting at ¥970. No single train is best for everyone. The right choice depends on where your hotel is. Staying near Namba? Take Nankai. Staying near Tennoji, Osaka Station (Umeda) or Shin-Osaka? Take JR. Quick answer Cheapest: the Nankai Airport Express to Namba (¥970), or the JR Kansai-Airport Rapid to Tennoji (¥1,060) or Osaka Station (¥1,180). Fastest to Namba: the Nankai Rapi:t, from 34 minutes with a reserved seat. Fast, direct service to Tennoji, Osaka Station and Shin-Osaka: the …

Suica and PASMO are rechargeable IC cards for trains, subways and buses in Japan. Instead of buying a paper ticket for every ride, you touch the card (or your phone) on the reader at the ticket gate when you enter, touch it again when you leave, and the fare is taken from your balance automatically. This guide shows you exactly how to do that: which card to get in 2026, how to get through the gates, how to recharge, how buses work, and what to do when the gate beeps and closes. Quick answer On an iPhone: add Suica or …

Japan has one of the best public transportation networks in the world, but it can feel confusing on a first visit. There are dozens of railway companies, several kinds of tickets, rail passes, and IC cards — and they don’t all work together the way you might expect. The good news: most first-time visitors only need a simple setup. Inside cities, you’ll mostly ride trains and subways. Between cities, you’ll usually take the Shinkansen (bullet train) or a limited express train. Buses, domestic flights, and taxis fill the gaps — for budget trips, remote islands, rural areas, or late-night rides. …

Quick guide: Rinse before soaking, no swimsuits, keep towels out of the water, and enjoy quietly. Japanese onsens are for relaxation, not swimming. Tip: Stay connected for maps & translations → Get a Japan eSIM This article contains affiliate links. Start here: Onsen Etiquette in Japan (Basic Manners & Bathing Rules) If tattoos are a concern: Onsen Tattoo Japan (Can You Bathe With Tattoos?) Private Onsen in Japan (Safest Option) Before You Enter Wash thoroughly: Use the shower area before entering the bath. No swimsuits: Onsen are nude bathing areas. Hair up: Keep long hair out of the water. Inside …