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Contents📖 ~5 min read
First Time Japan: 30 Things to Know in 2026 — Quick Answer for Foreign Tourists
⚡ Bottom line in 30 seconds: For your first Japan trip, the five things that matter most are (1) Issue a Wise/Revolut card 2 weeks ahead, (2) Add Suica to Apple Wallet, (3) Exchange only ¥5,000-10,000 (≈$33-67) at the airport, (4) Never tip, (5) Run a hybrid of ¥20,000-30,000 (≈$133-200) cash plus card. Cities are 92% card-friendly, but rural areas and street stalls are cash-only. Preparation alone shifts your trip cost by ¥10,000-30,000 (≈$67-200).
Quick reference
Value
Card prep
Wise / Revolut (2 weeks ahead)
Suica
Via Apple Wallet (no ID needed)
Airport exchange amount
Only ¥5,000-10,000 (≈$33-67)
Cash buffer
¥20,000-30,000 (≈$133-200)
Tipping
Don't (it's actually rude)
Last verified
June 2026
Bottom Line in 30 Seconds
Five things you must prep for a first Japan trip:
2 weeks out: Issue a Wise / Revolut card and top it up
1 week out: Online check-in for flights + reconfirm hotels
3 days out: Buy an eSIM (Airalo / Ubigi) and install apps
Day of travel: Add Suica to Apple Wallet (use the airport Wi-Fi)
On arrival: Exchange ¥5,000-10,000 (≈$33-67) at the airport and head to the city
Do this and you dodge 90% of first-trip headaches.
30 Things to Know, by Category
💰 Money (most important)
#
What to know
Details
1
Avoid airport exchange
Mid-rate −2.5% to −4.5%; you lose ¥3,000-5,000 (≈$20-33) on $500
2
Wise / Revolut card
Mid-rate +0.5% flat — 6x better than a 3%-fee card
3
Don't tip
Tipping is seen as rude; cash often gets handed back
4
Refuse DCC (home currency)
If asked "Charge in USD?", always pick JPY
5
Coin lockers ¥400-1,000 (≈$2.70-6.70)
Take both 100-yen coins and IC cards
🚇 Transit
#
What to know
Details
6
Suica = essential iPhone gear
Add via Apple Wallet, no ID required
7
JR Pass doesn't pay off for Tokyo-only
You need 3+ cities to break even
8
Late-night taxi surcharge
+20% from 22:00-05:00; long rides accept cards
9
Last trains run early
24:30-00:30 in central Tokyo, 22:00-23:00 in rural areas
10
Stand left on escalators
Left in Tokyo, right in Kansai — keep the other side open for walkers
🍱 Food & Convenience Stores
#
What to know
Details
11
Konbini food is genuinely good
7-Eleven onigiri and sandwiches are in a different league
12
Many shops use ticket machines
Ramen and gyudon chains take a paper ticket up front
13
Chains are cashless-ready
Visa contactless and Suica work everywhere
14
Street stalls are cash only
Carry 5-10 ¥1,000 notes (≈$6.70 each)
15
Oshibori and tea are free
Both arrive automatically once you sit down
🏨 Lodging
#
What to know
Details
16
Check-in 15:00, check-out 11:00
Early check-in costs extra
17
Onsen and large baths are fully nude
No swimsuits; keep your towel out of the water
18
Many onsen refuse tattoos
Use cover stickers or check tattoo-friendly venues in advance
19
Business hotels are tiny but clean
Full amenities and fast Wi-Fi
20
Hotel exchange is the worst
Mid-rate −4-6%; use only in emergencies
📱 Connectivity & Apps
#
What to know
Details
21
eSIM is the most efficient
Buy Airalo / Ubigi in advance; activates instantly on arrival
22
Use Google Maps + Apple Maps
Switch between them — Google wins for trains
23
DeepL for translation
More accurate for Japanese than Google Translate
24
PayPay is OK for tourists
A dedicated short-stay tourist account exists
25
Wi-Fi at cafes and konbini
Free at Starbucks, Doutor, and 7-Eleven
🎌 Culture & Etiquette
#
What to know
Details
26
Shoes off in many places
Ryokan, shrines, some restaurants — wear easy-on shoes
27
No loud voices in public
No phone calls on trains; restaurants stay quiet too
28
Few public trash cans
Carry your trash; sorted bins sit in front of konbini
29
Toilets are clean and free
Depachika, stations, and konbini are reliable
30
Don't fake the bow
A normal greeting from tourists is fine — don't force it
5 Mistakes Tourists Make
Exchanging a big stack at the airport: You lose ¥3,000-5,000 (≈$20-33) on $500. Head to Shinjuku West Exit instead.
Buying a JR Pass because "all tourists do": Pure loss if you stay in Tokyo only.
Paying in your home currency via DCC: 3-7% loss per transaction; a $1,500 trip wastes ~¥6,000 (≈$40).
Leaving a tip: It reads as rude — staff will chase you down to return the change.
Hiding tattoos to enter onsen: You waste time when they turn you away at the door. Check in advance.
Pre-Departure Checklist
Wise / Revolut card (issue and top up 2 weeks ahead)
eSIM — buy Airalo or Ubigi
Google Maps + Apple Maps installed
Google Translate / DeepL installed
PayPay tourist account considered
JR Pass purchased before entry if you need one (10% cheaper)
Online flight check-in
Hotel confirmations + address notes
Emergency contacts (embassy, insurance)
Travel insurance (medical care for foreigners runs ¥50,000+/day, ≈$333+)
A: Yes in central tourist areas, major chains, and hotels. In rural areas and small shops you need a translation app. Google Translate's camera mode (snap the menu, translate) is the most useful trick.
Q: What percentage of places take credit cards?
A: 80-92% in central cities, 50-60% in rural areas. Konbini, chains, and department stores are 100% card-ready; street stalls and small shops stay cash-only.
Q: Do I need travel insurance?
A: Yes, non-negotiable. Medical care in Japan runs ¥50,000+/day (≈$333+) for foreigners. A single hospital stay can wreck your travel budget.
Q: What can I do at a konbini?
A: ATMs, utility payments, ticket pickup, and parcel collection. Tourists use them daily for food, souvenirs, and ATMs.
Q: Is Japan really that safe?
A: Among the safest in the world. Watch out for the touts in Shinjuku Kabukicho and around Tokyo Station, though. Lost bags and wallets actually come back here at high rates.
About: Yen Finder Editorial / Last verified 2026-06-07. Japan's systems and services change — confirm details with official sources before your trip.
