Shelley and I spent two weeks in Japan this winter. She had been before, I had not. Here’s a list of some random things that popped into mind what I’d suggest you keep in mind if you ever visit too:
- Winter in Japan is cold. Pack accordingly. We brought many layers of clothes (of particular note, Uniqlo’s Heattech innerwear), our warmest coats, snow boots, and gloves. If you follow our lead on destinations, know that there isn’t much latitudinal difference between Tokyo and Hiroshima, so unless you’re heading to Okinawa, plan on bundling up the entire trip.
- Translator apps are your friend. It’s a good idea to have Google Translate handy, especially when you’re at home. Shelley and I shivered through our first night because we couldn’t figure out how to read, and therefore operate, the wall-mounted heater in our room. The next morning, we called her mother to help translate. She kindly reminded us that we could have done it ourselves with the cameras on our phones.
- Find a mobile Wi-Fi hotspot. Some Airbnb hosts will give you one as an amenity. They are really convenient to carry around with you during the day, especially if you are getting spotty service or don’t have a global mobile data plan. You can stick it in your purse or backpack and use it everywhere you go. Just be sure to bring an extra battery or turn it off when not in use.
- Convenience stores, or konbini, are a sight. Go to them often. Lawsons is one of the most popular ones. We liked to visit them on our way home each night to pick up snacks or breakfast for the following morning. Don’t worry too much about utility of your purchases; the point of a tourist pit stop at a konbini is to buy weird things and hope they turn out to be awesome weird things. (Some of the 7/11s have ATMs, though.)
- Department stores are a wonder too. Every floor is different than the ones that came before, so you never know what you might find on the next. Don Quijote, a chain of famous discount stores, is maybe the most bizarre of them all, so much so that you just need to go on your own.
- And don’t forget the arcades. Children, but more so young(-ish) adults, in Japan fill these up from about dinner time on into the night. Even if you don’t want to play games, walk through a few in hopes of catching a glimpse of some of the more engaged plays. It’s not uncommon to find someone clearing out a claw machine or breaking the record on a rhythm game.
- Take the Shinkansen. This is an absolute must. The Shinkansen is the major high-speed rail system in Japan, and it runs like clockwork. We had a good time buying some bento boxes ahead of each ride and eating along the way between cities. The views of the countryside, especially in the snowy winter, are great.
- Get the JR Rail Pass. Shinkansen tickets will cost you extra, but if you plan on spending time crisscrossing a city like Tokyo for a week-plus long trip, the JR Rail Pass may be an economical decision. The pass will get you in and out of the major subway systems in most metros without any additional cost beyond the upfront price tag. Just flash a laminated card you receive upon arrival at the airport to the attendants at any subway turnstile and they’ll kindly let you pass.
- There’s more to Japanese cuisine than sushi. I love food, and Shelley and I plan most of our vacations around it, so this one is touch to fit in a single bullet. Just make sure you take full advantage of your time in Japan by eating as many different kinds of food as you can. Here’s just a small list of some common dishes to give you some ideas: bento, curry, cutlet sandwiches, gyoza, katsudon, melonpan, miso soup, nattō 🙊, okonomiyaki, onigiri, ramen, soba, sukiyaki, tempura, udon, yakitori.
- Mind your manners. Hopefully this one comes naturally for most, but the best way to stick out in Japanese public is to make a scene. People will actively help you save face if you make a mistake (they’d be severely second-hand embarrassed if they didn’t), so just be flexible and courteous and you’ll have a great time.