During my 13-plus years living in Tokyo, I have been stopped countless times by first-time visitors asking how to get the most out of their trip to Japan. After serving as unofficial tour guide to friends, family, strangers I met in coffee shops the day before (hi, Mike!), and travelers from every corner of the world, I noticed the same questions and concerns coming up again and again. The answers to those questions could, in some cases, have saved people hundreds of dollars and a mountain of avoidable stress. This is the guide I wish I could have handed them on the spot.
By Tokyo Becky | Updated March 2026
Language: Japanese. Learn two key phrases: sumimasen (excuse me / get a waiter’s attention) and arigatou gozaimasu (thank you).
Currency: Japanese Yen (JPY). Japan is still cash-heavy in many places, so always carry some.
IC Card (Suica / Pasmo): Buy at Narita or Haneda airport the moment you land. iPhone users can set up Welcome Suica before departure via Apple Wallet.
JR Rail Pass (2026 price): 7-day Ordinary Pass approx. ¥50,000 (~US$330). Now requires careful route calculation, not always worth it.
Tokyo to Kyoto by Shinkansen: Approx. 2h 20min (Hikari) or 2h 15min (Nozomi, surcharge applies). One-way approx. ¥13,850 without a pass.
ATMs for tourists: 7-Eleven convenience stores and Japan Post Office ATMs accept most international cards.
Must-visit cities: Tokyo, Kyoto (non-negotiable for first-timers), Osaka, Nara.
Onsen (hot spring) etiquette: Wash thoroughly before entering the communal bath. No swimwear; baths are gender-segregated.
Pocket Wi-Fi / eSIM: Book a pocket Wi-Fi or eSIM before departure. Essential for Google Maps and translation apps.
Advance booking: Book hotels 6+ months ahead for cherry blossom (late March to early April) and autumn foliage (November) seasons.
1. Is the JR Rail Pass Worth It for First-Time Visitors to Japan in 2026?
If you are planning to travel outside of Tokyo during your trip, this is the section to read carefully. The Japan Rail Pass (JR Pass) is a 7-, 14-, or 21-day unlimited travel pass for JR-operated trains across Japan, available only to non-Japanese nationals visiting on a Temporary Visitor status. It covers most trains including the famous Shinkansen bullet trains, and for many first-time itineraries it still represents excellent value. However, the cost changed significantly in October 2023, and the JR Pass is no longer the automatic, no-brainer purchase it once was.
JR Pass 2026 Prices
| Pass Type | Duration | Adult (approx.) | Child (6–11) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ordinary Class | 7 days | ¥50,000 (~US$330) | Half price |
| Ordinary Class | 14 days | ¥80,000 (~US$530) | Half price |
| Ordinary Class | 21 days | ¥100,000 (~US$660) | Half price |
| Green Car (First Class) | 7 days | ¥70,000 (~US$465) | Half price |
Children under 6 travel free if not occupying a reserved seat.
When the JR Pass Is Worth It in 2026
The pass works well if your itinerary involves multiple long-distance Shinkansen journeys within the pass window. The classic “Golden Route”: Tokyo to Kyoto, Kyoto to Osaka, Osaka to Hiroshima, and back to Tokyo, which costs more than ¥50,000 in individual tickets, so a 7-day Ordinary Pass can pay for itself on that route alone. Add day trips (Nara from Kyoto, Kamakura from Tokyo) and you will be comfortably ahead.
When the JR Pass Is NOT Worth It
If you are spending most of your trip in one city or region (say, a week in Tokyo with one trip to Kyoto and back), the individual round-trip Shinkansen ticket (approx. ¥27,700 on the Hikari) will almost certainly cost less than the ¥50,000 pass. Always add up your planned journeys before buying.
Important: The Nozomi and Mizuho Shinkansen
The pass covers the Hikari and Kodama Shinkansen bullet trains freely. For the fastest trains, the Nozomi and Mizuho, JR Pass holders can now ride but must purchase a supplement ticket (approximately ¥4,960 for Tokyo to Kyoto). In practice the Hikari takes about 2 hours 20 minutes versus the Nozomi’s 2 hours 15 minutes, barely any difference. Most visitors simply take the Hikari and save the surcharge.
How to Buy the JR Pass
The JR Pass must be purchased before arriving in Japan by non-Japanese nationals on a Temporary Visitor entry. You will receive an exchange voucher, which you then swap for the actual pass at designated JR offices on arrival. From April 2026, passes booked through the official website can also be collected directly at self-service reserved-seat ticket machines equipped with passport readers at major Tokyo stations including Tokyo, Shinjuku, Shibuya, Ikebukuro, Shinagawa, and both Narita and Haneda airport terminals, with no more queuing at the manned counter.
Buy your JR Pass before departure; must be purchased outside Japan. Use their route calculator to check if it saves you money before buying.
View JR Pass exchange and pickup locations in Japan
2. How Do Suica and Pasmo Cards Work, and Should I Get One on My iPhone Before I Travel?
This tip alone can save you enormous stress on your first day in Japan. I once helped a group of nine travelers (four of them children) who were stranded in confusion at a Tokyo train station, trying to buy individual tickets for every journey in a station with three different train lines on multiple levels. By the time we sorted it out, they had made four separate transactions and were still facing surcharge adjustments at their destination. None of this needed to happen.
What Is a Suica or Pasmo Card?
A Suica or Pasmo is a prepaid IC (contactless) smart card that lets you tap in and out of almost every train, subway, and bus in Japan without ever buying an individual ticket. Load money onto the card, tap the reader at the ticket gate, and the correct fare is deducted automatically. No figuring out fares. No ticket machines. No adjustment surcharges at the exit. Simply top up when the balance runs low, in amounts of ¥500, ¥1,000, ¥2,000, ¥5,000, or ¥10,000. The cards also work at vending machines, convenience stores, and many restaurants throughout Japan.
Suica and Pasmo are the Tokyo equivalent of Pepsi and Coke: they do exactly the same thing and are interchangeable across all train lines and buses. The mascots differ (a penguin for Suica, a robot for Pasmo), and some people have a preference, but the functional difference is zero.
Suica card, Wikimedia Commons
Getting a Physical Card in 2026: Welcome Suica and Pasmo Passport
After a global chip shortage disrupted IC card availability in 2023, tourist-specific cards are now widely available again. The ones to look for are the Welcome Suica (red card, issued by JR East) and the Pasmo Passport (issued by Tokyo’s private rail operators). Both are available at Narita and Haneda airports and require no deposit, unlike standard resident cards, which carry a ¥500 refundable deposit. Be aware that tourist cards have a validity period (28 days for the Welcome Suica physical card), and any unused balance cannot be refunded, so load only what you expect to use.
Setting Up Suica on Your iPhone Before You Fly
If you have an iPhone 8 or later, this is the best option for 2026 and the one I recommend above all others. JR East launched the Welcome Suica Mobile app in March 2025, designed specifically for international visitors, available in English, and compatible with foreign credit cards through Apple Pay. Set it up before you leave home, load it with yen via Apple Pay, and the moment you walk through the arrival gates at Narita or Haneda, you can tap your phone at the ticket gate and be on your way without stopping at a single machine. The app version is also valid for 180 days, compared to 28 days for the physical tourist card. Android users outside Japan will generally need a physical card, as the mobile apps are designed for Japan-issued handsets.
3. Do I Need Pocket Wi-Fi or an eSIM for Japan?
Yes, and this is one I would sort out before you board your flight. In Japan, you will rely on your phone for everything: Google Maps to navigate Tokyo’s multi-level train stations, Google Translate’s camera mode to read menus in Japanese, booking confirmation QR codes, and looking up the correct pronunciation of sumimasen at 11pm. Trying to do any of this without data is a genuinely painful experience.
Option 1: Pocket Wi-Fi Device
A pocket Wi-Fi is a small portable router that you pick up at the airport on arrival and return before departure. It connects multiple devices simultaneously, which makes it ideal for groups and families. The main downside is that you need to keep it charged and carry it with you at all times. Book online before departure and pick it up at Narita or Haneda airport.
Option 2: eSIM (Recommended for Solo Travelers and Couples)
If your phone supports eSIM (most smartphones from 2020 onwards do), buying a Japan travel eSIM before departure is the simpler and increasingly popular option. You activate it on the plane, and by the time you land you already have data. No queue at the airport, no device to lose, no battery to worry about. Japan eSIM plans are available from multiple providers for as little as a few dollars per day for unlimited data.
Compare Japan eSIM plans and book before your flight: activate on the plane and arrive with data already running.
Book a Japan pocket Wi-Fi for airport pickup, ideal for groups and families traveling together.
4. Where Can Tourists Withdraw Cash and Use ATMs in Japan?
This is the question I have answered most often on the street in Japan, including once for a visitor who had followed me into my local Japanese bank, assuming that a foreigner using it must mean it was tourist-friendly. It was not. Most Japanese bank ATMs do not accept international cards.
7-Eleven ATMs
The most reliable option across Japan. 7-Eleven ATMs accept Visa, Mastercard, Maestro, Cirrus, American Express, and most international bank cards. They operate 24 hours, the interface is available in English, and they are found in almost every city and town in Japan. When in doubt, find a 7-Eleven.
Japan Post Office ATMs
The second reliable option, particularly useful if you are outside a major city where 7-Elevens are less common. Look for the red stylised “T” logo. Opening hours vary: major post office ATMs are typically open 07:00 to 23:00, medium-sized offices 08:00 to 20:00, and smaller post offices 09:00 to 16:00. On Sundays, some ATMs may be unavailable. There is also a single-transaction limit of ¥100,000 at Japan Post Office ATMs, so plan withdrawals accordingly.
Is Japan Still a Cash Country in 2026?
Yes and no. Major cities, chain restaurants, and tourist areas are increasingly cashless, and you can pay for almost everything at 7-Eleven, FamilyMart, and Lawson with your Suica card or a credit card. However, many traditional restaurants, small shrines, local temples, and rural areas still operate on cash only. Always carry at least ¥5,000 to ¥10,000 in notes as a backup. Running out of cash in a rural area on a Sunday, far from a 7-Eleven, is a stressful experience you can easily avoid.
5. What Are the Most Useful Japanese Phrases for First-Time Visitors?
Japanese has different levels of formality, much like the difference in English between “cheers,” “thanks,” and “thank you very much.” Here are the three phrases that will serve you in virtually every situation.
Arigatou Gozaimasu (ありがとうございます): Thank You
Pronounced: ah-ree-gah-toe go-zai-moss. This is your standard polite thank you and works in every situation: shops, restaurants, hotels, and when speaking with someone older than you. Saying just arigatou is the equivalent of saying “thanks”: fine between friends, too casual for a shopkeeper. Stick to the full arigatou gozaimasu and you will always be correct.
To say “thank you for what you have done,” change the ending: arigatou gozaimashita (go-zai-mosh-tuh). Adding doumo (doh-mo) in front, doumo arigatou gozaimasu, gives you “thank you very much,” the most formal version. Doumo alone is like saying “cheers”: friendly, but too casual for formal situations.
Sumimasen (すみません): Excuse Me and I’m Sorry
Pronounced: sue-me-moss-sen (the final syllable rhymes with zen). This is the single most useful word you will learn in Japan, so write it down and practice it before you land. In Japan, restaurant and bar staff will not come to your table uninvited. To get a waiter’s attention, you must call out “Sumimasen!” Sometimes, in a noisy izakaya, you will need to project. They will come running. Without this word, getting served in Japan becomes genuinely difficult.
Sumimasen also serves as “excuse me” when you brush past someone in a crowded train station or step into someone’s path. Using it will immediately mark you as a respectful visitor, and locals always appreciate the effort.
For 16 Japanese phrases to help impress the Japanese on your trip, check out my article here.
6. Should First-Time Visitors to Japan Try the Food, Even If They Are Picky Eaters?
The first time my mother visited me in Japan, she requested McDonald’s for breakfast, Wendy’s for lunch, and KFC for dinner on day one. I understand the impulse. Unfamiliar food is intimidating, and if you have a genuine allergy (particularly to seafood), Japan’s cuisine will trigger it just as reliably as anywhere else. That is a real and legitimate concern.
But if you are simply a picky eater who has always avoided raw fish, I am asking you to try sushi in Japan just once. Not because you should eat things you dislike, but because sushi in Japan is categorically different from sushi anywhere else in the world. The freshness of the fish, the obsessive attention to ingredient quality, and the care taken in preparation is at a level that most Western sushi restaurants simply cannot match. The flavour is clean, not fishy. The texture is soft. Japanese food is also, for the most part, mild in terms of spice, so you will not be ambushed by heat. The main hazard is wasabi, which does not taste like guacamole, no matter how much it resembles it on the plate. I learned this the hard way.
A note on ikura (salmon roe, fish eggs): the texture is unusual and not everyone loves it. But you will have a great story for back home either way.
7. Why Do I Need to Think About Socks Before Visiting Japan?
This sounds trivial until day two of your trip, when you are standing at the entrance of a traditional Japanese restaurant, required to remove your shoes, and suddenly very aware that you packed your oldest, greyest socks from the back of the drawer.
Many traditional restaurants in Japan require you to remove your shoes at the door. Your socks then become very much part of the dining experience, on full display as you sit cross-legged at a low table. Pack at least a few pairs of clean, preferably fun socks before leaving home. Alternatively, Japan is an extraordinary place to buy socks: Don Quijote (the kanji sign is the thing that looks like it might say “Don Quijote,” and it does) is a sprawling discount store found in most cities and stocks every variety of Japanese-character, animal, and novelty sock imaginable. A friend once described a specialist Japanese sock shop as “sock lingerie,” and I cannot entirely disagree.
8. Are Japanese Convenience Stores Really Worth the Hype?
Yes, and the hype does not even come close to capturing the reality. Japan has taken the concept of a convenience store and rebuilt it from the ground up. Whatever you imagined a convenience store could be, Japanese konbini are further ahead.
The major chains (7-Eleven, FamilyMart, and Lawson) are open 24 hours and packed with things you will not expect. ATMs (more on those below), copy and printing machines, basic postal services, domestic parcel delivery, ticket machines for concerts and sporting events, and a food section that would embarrass many Western restaurants. Try a nikuman (steamed bun, rhymes with “bond”) in pork, curry, vegetable, or pizza flavour. Browse the onigiri section for rice balls with fillings you will not find anywhere else. Go through the ice cream section at least once. I cannot be held responsible for how often you end up back in a convenience store during your trip to Japan.
7 Eleven – Get Your Japanese Yen Here!
9. Should First-Time Visitors to Japan Go to Kyoto?
Yes. Absolutely yes. I have met travelers who planned to see only Tokyo, or who came purely for skiing in Nagano, and while both are excellent choices, skipping Kyoto on your first visit to Japan is something you will regret. Kyoto is Japan’s cultural soul: former imperial capital, home to over 1,600 Buddhist temples and 400 Shinto shrines, and the best place in Japan to spot a geisha or maiko (an apprentice geisha) walking gracefully through the old streets of Gion.
Kyoto is spectacular in every season. The cherry blossoms along the Philosopher’s Path in late March to early April and the fiery autumn maples in November are genuinely breathtaking, but summer brings lush greenery and winter brings a serene quiet to the temple gardens. Do not miss Kiyomizudera temple, perched high on a hillside with sweeping views of the city. Walk the stone-paved lanes of Nishiki Market. Stay one night in a traditional ryokan (Japanese inn) if your budget allows: breakfast included, futon on tatami mats, and a private or shared onsen on site.
One practical note: if you are visiting during cherry blossom or autumn foliage season, book your hotel in Kyoto at least six months in advance. The city fills up faster than almost anywhere else in Japan during those weeks.
Browse Kyoto guided tours and day trips: skip the queues at major temples and get insider commentary from a local guide.
Compare Kyoto hotels and ryokan on Booking.com; filter by free cancellation for flexibility.
One of Kyoto’s many hidden places – can you find it?
10. Should I Visit a Japanese Onsen (Hot Spring)?
I listed this at number ten, but if you are comfortable with the experience, I would personally move it much higher. A Japanese onsen is one of the most genuinely unique cultural experiences available to a first-time visitor to Japan: nothing quite prepares you for the sense of relaxation after a long day of sightseeing or a day on the ski slopes.
Here is how it works: you wash yourself thoroughly at individual shower stations before entering the communal baths. The baths are gender-segregated, and swimwear is not worn. This can feel shocking at first, especially if you are visiting with friends, but the Japanese treat this as entirely normal, the way anyone treats the concept of having a bath. Most hot springs offer both indoor and outdoor baths, often at different temperatures, some enriched with minerals that the spring operators swear will leave your skin glowing. They are usually right.
Hot springs are found throughout Japan. If you are heading to a mountain resort in Nagano or Hokkaido for skiing, there is almost certainly an onsen waiting for you at the end of the slope.
Check out my article on Tokyo’s largest hot spring next to Golden Gai
A casual hot spring experience – this one is bigger than average
Bonus: How Far in Advance Should I Book Attractions and Hotels for Japan?
Japan has become one of the most visited countries in the world, and overtourism is a real consideration at some of the most iconic sites. Here is what to book well ahead of arrival.
Hotels in Kyoto During Peak Season
For cherry blossom season (late March to early April) and autumn foliage season (mid to late November), book Kyoto hotels at least six months in advance. This is not an exaggeration. Good hotels sell out faster than most people expect.
Popular Temples and Experiences
Several high-demand experiences now require or strongly recommend advance booking, including tea ceremony experiences in Kyoto, the teamLab digital art installations in Tokyo and Osaka, and some ryokan (traditional inn) stays. Always check the official website of any attraction you plan to visit for current booking requirements, as policies change year to year.
Is Japan Worth Visiting as a First-Timer in 2026?
Emphatically yes. Japan consistently ranks among the top travel destinations in the world, and for good reason: the infrastructure is extraordinary, the food is among the best on the planet, the culture is endlessly fascinating, and the people are genuinely welcoming to visitors who make even a small effort to be respectful. Armed with a Suica card on your iPhone, the right ATM knowledge, a checked calculation on whether the JR Pass suits your itinerary, a few basic Japanese phrases, and the courage to try the sushi, you will have a trip that stays with you for years.
Japan is not just worth visiting in 2026: it is one of the best trips you will ever take.
Frequently Asked Questions: First-Time Visitors to Japan (2026)
What should first-time visitors to Japan know before they go?
First-time visitors to Japan should set up a Suica card on their iPhone or buy a Welcome Suica at the airport on arrival, always carry Japanese yen cash for traditional restaurants and rural areas, learn two key phrases (sumimasen and arigatou gozaimasu), book a pocket Wi-Fi or eSIM before departure, and check whether a JR Rail Pass saves money for their specific itinerary before buying. Hotel and attraction bookings during cherry blossom season (late March to early April) and autumn foliage season (November) should be made at least six months in advance.
Is the JR Rail Pass worth buying in 2026?
After a 70% price increase in October 2023, the JR Rail Pass is no longer an automatic purchase. A 7-day Ordinary Pass costs approximately ¥50,000 (~US$330) in 2026. It is worth buying if your itinerary includes multiple long-distance Shinkansen journeys, for example, the Golden Route from Tokyo to Kyoto, Osaka, and Hiroshima. It is not worth buying if you plan to stay mostly in one city or make only one return Shinkansen journey. Always add up your planned JR train fares before purchasing.
How do I get a Suica card as a tourist in Japan in 2026?
iPhone users (iPhone 8 or later) can download the Welcome Suica Mobile app before departure, load it with yen via Apple Pay using a foreign credit card, and use it immediately on landing. Physical tourist cards (the Welcome Suica (red) and and Pasmo Passport) are available at Narita and Haneda airports and require no deposit. Welcome Suica physical cards are valid for 28 days with no refund on unused balance. The Welcome Suica Mobile app version is valid for 180 days and is the best option for most visitors in 2026.
Where can tourists withdraw cash from ATMs in Japan?
The two most reliable ATM options for tourists in Japan are 7-Eleven convenience store ATMs (available 24 hours, English interface, accept most international cards including Visa, Mastercard, and American Express) and Japan Post Office ATMs (look for the red T logo). Most Japanese bank ATMs do not accept international cards. Japan Post Office ATMs have a single-transaction withdrawal limit of ¥100,000 and may be unavailable on Sundays at smaller branches.
Is Japan still a cash-only country?
Japan is no longer strictly cash-only but remains significantly more cash-dependent than most Western countries. Major chain convenience stores, hotels, and tourist-area restaurants accept card and IC card payments. However, many traditional restaurants, rural businesses, small temples, and local shrines still operate on cash only in 2026. First-time visitors should always carry ¥5,000 to ¥10,000 in cash as a backup, particularly when traveling outside major cities.
Do I need pocket Wi-Fi or an eSIM for Japan?
Yes. Mobile data is essential in Japan for Google Maps navigation in complex train stations, Google Translate’s camera mode for Japanese menus, and booking confirmations. Solo travelers and couples should consider a Japan travel eSIM (activated before departure, no airport queuing), while groups and families may prefer a pocket Wi-Fi device that connects multiple phones simultaneously. Both can be arranged before leaving home.
Should first-time visitors to Japan go to Kyoto?
Yes. Kyoto is the cultural capital of Japan and an essential destination for any first-time visitor. It is home to over 1,600 Buddhist temples and 400 Shinto shrines, including Kiyomizudera and the famous Fushimi Inari torii gates. It is the best place in Japan to see geisha and maiko in the Gion district and to stay in a traditional ryokan (Japanese inn). Kyoto is accessible from Tokyo by Shinkansen in approximately 2 hours 20 minutes on the Hikari bullet train. Book hotels at least six months in advance for cherry blossom and autumn foliage season.
What is onsen etiquette for first-time visitors to Japan?
At a Japanese onsen (hot spring), the key rule is to wash thoroughly at the individual shower stations before entering the communal bath. Swimwear is not worn, as baths are gender-segregated. Tattoos are prohibited at many traditional onsen, though this policy is gradually loosening. Most onsen provide small towels that bathers fold and place on their heads in the hot water. The experience is considered entirely normal in Japan, comparable to any shared bathing culture.
What are the most useful Japanese phrases for tourists?
The two most useful Japanese phrases for first-time visitors are: sumimasen (sue-me-moss-sen), meaning “excuse me” and used to get a waiter’s attention in restaurants or to apologise when bumping into someone; and arigatou gozaimasu (ah-ree-gah-toe go-zai-moss), meaning “thank you,” which is polite and works in all situations including shops, restaurants, and with older people. Just sumimasen and arigatou gozaimasu will take you remarkably far throughout Japan.
Is Japan worth visiting for the first time in 2026?
Yes, Japan is absolutely worth visiting in 2026. It consistently ranks among the best travel destinations in the world for safety, food quality, cultural depth, and efficiency of transport. First-time visitors can navigate the country with confidence using a Suica card on their iPhone, 7-Eleven ATMs for cash, a checked JR Pass calculation for intercity travel, and a basic understanding of two Japanese phrases. The food, particularly sushi and ramen in Japan, is genuinely unlike anything available elsewhere, and the country rewards curious, respectful travelers enormously.
I’m about to go to Japan for the first time. This is very helpful!! Thank you… or should I say Doumo arigatou gozaimasu!!