Japan

Japanese is the official language, and while English signage is common in major stations and tourist areas, spoken English is limited outside big cities. Japanese uses three scripts together - kanji, hiragana, and katakana - with no Latin alternative, so reading menus or signs independently is genuinely difficult; translation apps are widely used by visitors for this reason.

Prepaid tourist SIM cards and eSIMs are sold at airports and electronics stores, and pocket Wi-Fi routers can be rented on arrival or reserved online in advance - a popular option for groups sharing one connection. As of 2026, buying a SIM or eSIM, including tourist and data-only plans, requires showing a passport for registration.

Tap water is safe to drink throughout the country. Pharmacies are widespread, though staff may have limited English and many common Western medications (including some cold and allergy remedies) are restricted, so travelers who rely on specific prescriptions should bring enough for the trip along with a copy of the prescription.

Many nationalities, including the EU, the UK, the US, Canada, and Australia, can enter visa-free for stays of up to 90 days for tourism. Travelers from other countries typically need to apply for a visa in advance through a Japanese embassy or consulate.

Visa and entry requirements change frequently. Verify current requirements with the official immigration authority or your country's embassy before travel.

• Remove shoes when entering homes, temples, ryokan, and some restaurants with tatami flooring; indoor slippers are usually provided.
• Bowing is the standard greeting; a slight nod is fine for visitors, and handshakes are also accepted in business settings.
• Eating or drinking while walking on the street is uncommon and can draw attention; most people eat standing at a stall or find a seat.
• Keep phone calls off public transport and set phones to silent mode; trains are generally quiet.
• If visiting an onsen (hot spring bath), know that many still refuse entry to visitors with tattoos - check policies in advance if this applies.
• Business cards, gifts, and money are exchanged and received with both hands as a sign of respect.

Golden Week (late April to early May) and Obon (mid-August) are the two busiest domestic travel periods, when trains, flights, and hotels fill up and prices rise nationwide - avoid traveling long distances during these weeks if possible.

Most shops and restaurants open daily, including Sundays, though some smaller family-run restaurants close one weekday. Convenience stores are open 24 hours in most cities, though a growing number, especially in rural areas, now close overnight due to staff shortages.

• By train: An extensive, highly punctual rail network connects the whole country, led by the Shinkansen bullet trains between major cities, run by several regional JR companies rather than one national operator. Japan Rail Pass options can offer savings for multi-city itineraries; buy IC cards like Suica for local trains, subways, and buses.
• By air: Domestic flights are worth considering for reaching Hokkaido or Okinawa from Tokyo, since both are a long way from the rest of the country by train.
• By bus: Overnight and inter-city coaches are a cheaper, slower alternative to the Shinkansen on longer routes.
• Driving is on the left - most travelers skip renting a car entirely given how reliable the trains are, though a car can be useful in rural areas like Shimane with limited rail service.

Meals in Japan follow a rhythm of small, balanced dishes rather than one large plate - rice, miso soup, and pickles accompany most meals, including breakfast in many traditional settings. Sushi and sashimi are internationally famous, but everyday eating out is more likely to mean ramen, a bowl of rice with toppings (donburi), or grilled skewers (yakitori) at an izakaya, a casual pub-style restaurant.

Convenience stores sell surprisingly good, freshly made food, from rice balls (onigiri) to sandwiches, and are a normal lunch option for locals, not just a last resort. Tempura, udon and soba noodles, and okonomiyaki (a savory pancake) are all worth trying regionally. Green tea is the everyday drink, while sake (rice wine) and Japanese whisky are the notable alcoholic options; beer is also widely drunk, especially at izakaya.

Tokyo, the capital, is most travelers' starting point, mixing historic temples with futuristic districts. Kyoto and Nara, a short Shinkansen ride away, hold the country's greatest concentration of temples, shrines, and traditional streets, and Osaka nearby is known for street food and a livelier, informal atmosphere. Hiroshima, further west, draws visitors for its Peace Memorial Park and nearby Miyajima island.

Hokkaido, in the north, offers mountains, skiing, and cooler summers, a different pace from the rest of the country. Okinawa, far to the south, is a subtropical island chain with beaches and a culture distinct from the mainland. The southern main island of Kyushu has hot springs and Fukuoka's food scene, while Shikoku is known for its 88-temple pilgrimage route. Chiba and Ibaraki, near Tokyo, and Shimane, on the western coast, reward travelers who venture beyond the main circuit.