19 MISTAKES Tourists Always Make in Japan You Can Avoid
Summary
TLDRThis video offers invaluable travel tips for tourists visiting Japan, highlighting common mistakes to avoid. Key advice includes timing your visit to miss peak heat and holidays, dressing appropriately, wearing comfortable shoes due to extensive walking, and avoiding large groups for easier navigation. It also stresses the importance of advance ticket bookings for popular attractions, allowing rest time, and being mindful of hotel room sizes. The video reassures viewers that language barriers are manageable and suggests using a VPN for accessing geo-restricted content. Lastly, it advises on meal planning, accommodating dietary restrictions, and embracing spontaneity in travel planning for a more authentic experience.
Takeaways
- ☀️ Avoid traveling to Japan during the hot and humid summer months (July and August) or major holidays, as it can lead to uncomfortable experiences.
- 👟 Dress appropriately and wear comfortable shoes for walking. Japan involves a lot of walking and stairs, and you’ll often need to remove shoes in traditional settings.
- 🎟️ Book tickets for popular attractions like TeamLab and Ghibli Museum in advance, as they sell out quickly.
- 😴 Don’t overbook your itinerary. Ensure you schedule enough rest time between activities to avoid burnout.
- 🏨 Be prepared for small hotel rooms and beds, especially in Tokyo, which might feel cramped if you have a lot of luggage.
- 🗣️ Don’t worry too much about the language barrier. English is commonly spoken in tourist areas, though learning some basic Japanese can help.
- 👥 Traveling in large groups can be difficult due to Japan's smaller family-focused infrastructure. Making reservations for larger parties is recommended.
- 🌐 Bring a VPN for accessing geoblocked content and ensure internet safety while using public Wi-Fi.
- 🚆 Plan public transportation in advance, especially if traveling to rural areas where trains and buses may be infrequent.
- 🛬 Consider the timing of your flight arrivals and departures, as trains in Japan stop running from midnight to 5 a.m., which may impact your transportation plans.
Q & A
What is the first mistake tourists often make when visiting Japan according to the script?
-The first mistake is visiting Japan at the wrong time, especially during the hot and humid summer months of July and August, or during Japanese holidays when domestic tourists crowd popular spots.
Why is it recommended not to wear athleisure or leggings when visiting Japan?
-Japanese people in cities dress well, and wearing athleisure or leggings can make you stand out. It's advised to dress appropriately and avoid overly casual attire unless it's for specific activities like hiking.
What type of footwear is not recommended for traveling in Japan?
-Dock shoes are not recommended because Japan has many stairs and traditional places where shoes need to be removed. Comfortable shoes that are easy to put on and take off are advised.
Why is it important to book tickets for activities like teamLab and the Ghibli Museum in advance?
-These activities are popular and can sell out quickly, so booking in advance ensures you can secure a spot and avoid disappointment.
What is a common mistake made when planning a daily schedule for a trip to Japan?
-Over-scheduling without enough rest time can lead to exhaustion. It's important to leave some downtime and not plan back-to-back activities without breaks.
Why might hotel rooms in Tokyo be a surprise for some tourists?
-Hotel rooms in Tokyo can be very small, especially for those coming from countries with larger accommodations. It's important to be aware of the size and plan accordingly.
How can the language gap be managed for English speakers visiting Japan?
-While learning basic Japanese can be helpful, many people in tourist areas speak enough English to communicate. Additionally, many products and signs have English translations, so it's manageable.
Why is it challenging to travel in Japan with a large group?
-Japan is catered to small groups and families, so larger groups may find it difficult to get into restaurants without reservations and to coordinate activities for everyone.
What is the benefit of using a VPN like NordVPN while traveling in Japan?
-A VPN helps bypass geo-restrictions on content, allowing access to shows and services that might be blocked in Japan, and also ensures safe internet connections, especially on public Wi-Fi networks.
Why is it crucial to plan public transportation carefully when traveling outside of major Japanese cities?
-Buses and trains in rural areas are not as frequent, with some only running once every few hours. Planning each leg of the trip in advance prevents getting stranded.
What should be considered regarding flight arrival or departure times in relation to train schedules in Japan?
-Trains in Japan stop running between midnight and 5:00 a.m., so it's important to consider potential flight delays or customs wait times to ensure you can reach your destination or accommodation.
Outlines
🌞 Common Mistakes Tourists Make in Japan
The speaker discusses common mistakes made by tourists in Japan and how they can easily be avoided. The first mistake is visiting Japan during the wrong time of the year, especially in the hot and humid summer months like July and August. Additionally, coming during Japanese holidays, when domestic tourists crowd popular spots, should be avoided. The importance of dressing appropriately is emphasized, with a focus on avoiding athleisure in cities and wearing comfortable shoes due to Japan's high volume of walking and stairs. The speaker also advises bringing socks for certain venues, such as shrines, where shoes need to be removed.
🎫 Booking Tickets and Scheduling Breaks
The speaker addresses the importance of booking tickets in advance for popular attractions like the Ghibli Museum and TeamLab. They also stress the need to factor in rest time during travel itineraries, warning against overloading the schedule with back-to-back reservations. Too much traveling, such as visiting multiple cities within a short timeframe, can be exhausting. Tourists are encouraged to plan chill days after busy ones and to be aware of how small hotel rooms and beds can be in Japan, particularly for American travelers used to larger accommodations.
💬 Language and Group Travel Considerations
The speaker reassures that tourists who speak English should be fine, as many people in tourist areas speak enough English to communicate. However, learning basic Japanese is still beneficial. They also caution against traveling in large groups, as Japan's infrastructure and services cater to smaller groups, making it harder to secure restaurant reservations and hotel accommodations. It's suggested that larger groups split up based on individual interests during the trip to avoid conflicts.
🔐 Bring a VPN for Content Access and Security
The speaker promotes the use of a VPN, specifically NordVPN, to access geoblocked content while in Japan. For instance, Crunchyroll, an anime streaming site, is blocked in Japan despite being the 'land of anime.' A VPN can help bypass this and protect personal data when using public Wi-Fi, which the speaker notes is often insecure in Japan. The use of a VPN also enables tourists to continue accessing content they enjoy from their home country.
🚎 Public Transportation and Flight Timing
The speaker emphasizes the importance of planning transportation in advance when traveling to rural areas in Japan, as buses and trains may run infrequently. Another key point is to consider the timing of flights, particularly if arriving late or departing early, as public transportation shuts down from midnight to 5 a.m. The speaker advises tourists to plan around these hours or consider staying near the airport if necessary.
🛬 Arrival Day and Mount Fuji Expectations
The speaker recommends leaving the arrival day open to adjust to jet lag and fatigue instead of packing in activities. They also caution tourists against setting high expectations for seeing Mount Fuji, as it is often obscured by clouds. It's best to plan other activities when visiting places like Hakone or Kawaguchiko. If traveling between Tokyo and Kyoto by bullet train, booking a window seat on the correct side may allow for a clear view of Mount Fuji, depending on the weather.
🚄 JR Pass and Transportation Cards
Tourists are advised to carefully consider whether the JR Pass is worth it, as the price has nearly doubled. The speaker suggests looking into regional passes or calculating the cost of individual trips. They also recommend getting a transportation card like the Suica, which can be used not only for public transportation but also for purchases at convenience stores, making travel and daily tasks much more convenient.
🍽️ Meal Times and Reservations
The speaker highlights the importance of planning meal times in Japan, as lunch is usually between 12:00 and 2:00 p.m., and dinner is between 5:30 and 9:00 p.m. Many restaurants close between lunch and dinner, and last orders can be surprisingly early. For popular restaurants, reservations are recommended, especially on weekends. Some places don't take reservations, and in such cases, it's common to wait in long lines or write down names on a list at the entrance.
🥗 Dietary Restrictions and Allergies
The speaker addresses the challenge of managing dietary restrictions and allergies in Japan. Many restaurants, especially chains, may be unwilling to make modifications to menu items. However, if a reservation is made, especially at high-end restaurants, accommodations are more likely. Vegetarians will usually find something to eat, but vegans may struggle, and it's best to research in advance. Allergy cards written in Japanese are recommended for better communication.
💸 Ordering and Paying for Food
In Japan, wait staff don't hover, so customers need to signal them by making eye contact or calling out. To pay, customers often go to a cash register rather than paying at the table, bringing a bill from the table. Japan is still largely a cash-based society, so it's important to always have cash on hand. Though some places now accept cards, especially after COVID-19, it's better to be prepared. Lastly, tipping is not customary in Japan.
🛍️ Packing for Shopping
Tourists are encouraged to pack light, leaving extra space in their luggage for shopping, as Japan is known for its excellent shopping opportunities. Many tourists end up buying additional suitcases to accommodate their purchases, so it's better to come with a half-full suitcase if you plan to shop.
🛫 Avoid Overplanning
The speaker wraps up the tips by advising against overplanning the trip. While having reservations and a loose itinerary is important, it's equally necessary to leave pockets of free time. The most memorable experiences often come from spontaneous activities and wandering through unfamiliar areas. Finally, the speaker reminds viewers that making mistakes is natural when traveling, and Japanese people are generally understanding and kind toward tourists who make an effort to be considerate.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Tourists' Mistakes
💡Athleisure
💡TeamLab
💡JR Pass
💡Public Transportation
💡Cultural Sensitivity
💡Dietary Restrictions
💡Travel Planning
💡Geoblocking
💡Accommodation
💡Language Barrier
Highlights
Avoid visiting Japan in summer due to the extreme heat and humidity.
Plan to avoid Japanese holidays to steer clear of crowded tourist spots.
Dress appropriately to fit in with local styles and ensure comfort for extensive walking.
Choose proper footwear that is both comfortable and easy to slip on and off for various Japanese venues.
Book tickets for popular attractions like teamLab and the Ghibli Museum in advance to avoid disappointment.
Schedule ample rest time to prevent burnout from an overly packed itinerary.
Be mindful of the small size of hotel rooms and beds in Tokyo when making reservations.
Don't stress too much about the language gap; English is spoken in many tourist areas.
When traveling in a large group, consider splitting up to accommodate different interests and ease reservations.
A VPN is essential for accessing geoblocked content and ensuring internet safety on public Wi-Fi.
Plan public transportation meticulously, especially in rural areas with infrequent service.
Consider the timing of your flight arrivals and departures in relation to train schedules.
Leave your arrival day open to adjust to the time zone and avoid over-scheduling.
Visiting Mount Fuji is popular, but be prepared for cloudy conditions that may obstruct views.
Carefully consider the value of purchasing a JR Pass due to recent price increases.
Get a Suica or similar transportation card for convenience on public transport and at stores.
Plan meal times around typical Japanese dining hours to avoid restaurant closures.
Be prepared to address dietary restrictions and allergies in advance with restaurants.
Learn the local customs for ordering and paying at restaurants to avoid awkward situations.
Come with a half-empty suitcase to make room for shopping sprees in Japan.
Avoid over-planning; leave room for spontaneous activities and cultural experiences.
Transcripts
I have seen countless of taist in Japan
make the same mistakes that could have
been easily avoided if they had just
done a little bit more research in
advance so today let's go over some of
the most common mistakes I've seen
tourists make over the past 6 years I've
been living here in Japan because I
promis they're really easily fixable and
thinking about these things in advance
will make your trip go a lot smoother
number one just coming to Japan at the
wrong time especially summer right now
it is miserably hot and humid and it's
not fun I have a whole video on summer
but but if you can I would really avoid
July and August especially but also
coming during a Japanese holiday there
are a few times a year where Japanese
domestic tourists just crowd everywhere
and everything and if possible you don't
really want to be here during that time
please see my separate video on that
number two not dressing properly now
Japanese people in cities dress very
well usually and honestly if you show up
in leggings you're going to kind of
stand out I'm not saying you need to
follow Japanese styling Like rules schs
or anything like that you don't need to
dress like Japanese people but I would
caution against wearing athleisure if
you're not like hiking or something I
don't know think about how European
people dress if you're a European you're
probably fine but more than the fashion
I see a lot of people here with the
wrong shoes in Japan if you're here on a
trip you're probably going to be walking
a lot probably like 20,000 steps a day
not only that Japan has tons of stairs
and Metro stations just everywhere so
not only do you need to make sure that
your shoes are comfortable you need to
make make sure that they aren't really
hard to lace up in Japanese homes it's
common to not wear shoes in the house
but beyond that even at like traditional
style restaurants or hotels if you visit
a shrine some museums even if it's like
an old castle if there's like tatami
especially you're going to have to take
off your shoes leave the docks at home
guys this is really not a good docks
country for travel an extra note of
caution if you are wearing sandals
that's fine or any kind of Footwear
where you don't have socks on I would
always keep an extra pair of socks in
your bag if you can this is kind of
Niche but there are like some museums
and shrines especially in Kyoto where
it's like the Tommy or you just you have
to take off your shoes to go in and a
lot of these places also do not allow
bare feet like they want you to have
socks on this may never happen to you
during your trip but it's easy to put in
your bag number three not booking your
tickets for things in advance there are
a few activities namely like team lab
and the jibli museum where you really
need to book these in advance because
they do sell out very quickly number
four not factoring in enough rest time
into your schedule don't do too much in
one day Reserve things but don't have
your whole day be plan down to the
minute with back-to-back reservations
you're going to get really tired but
let's say you do have like a really
packed day that's fine but make sure the
next day is kind of more chill or you're
going to burn out same goes for
traveling too much I see a lot of people
who want to fit a lot into their
schedule and it's too much if you're
here for a week you don't want to go
from Tokyo to Nagano to kadu zawa to
kanazawa to Kyoto to Osaka back to Tokyo
it's too much traveling you can do it
but just be prepared for what you're
getting yourself into five not realizing
how small hotel rooms can be in Tokyo
same goes for beds hotel rooms here can
be very tiny especially for my American
viewers the hotel rooms that you
experience here are probably going to be
some of the smallest hotel rooms you've
ever stayed in but they're very
efficiently designed really the main
negative is if you have a bunch of
luggage but it's just something to keep
in mind and then also the bed size I've
seen a lot of people who accidentally
reserve a bed that's really only meant
for one person like even if it says it
can fit two people online it probably
means like a child and like a mother
that kind of thing just be careful about
the bed size six worrying too much about
the language Gap if you speak English
well you're watching this video so
probably you do then honestly you're
going to be fine many people nowadays in
the tourist areas especially do speak
enough English to communicate with you
about you know whatever you might need
help with it's certainly not everyone
it's not everyone but you're going to be
fine you're going to get by also a lot
of like products here a lot of items
also have English on them now it's good
to learn basic Japanese if you can cuz a
little bit will go a long way but don't
stress about it too much seven trying to
plan things or even coming as a really
large group Japan is aimed for very
small families hence the low birth rate
maybe ah no but seriously if you're more
than four people you're going to find it
a lot more difficult to get into
restaurants without making a reservation
you're going to find it kind of
difficult to do a lot of things and
inevitably if you do come as a bigger
group say like a friend group people are
going to have different interests some
people might want to do shopping some
people don't care about shopping so keep
that in mind you don't all have to stay
together all the time during your trip
maybe unless you're a family then but
also I'd caution against trying to find
a hotel room that can fit everyone there
are hotel rooms that can accommodate
large groups but there's not that many
at all compared to the number of rooms
that can fit like four people eight not
bringing a VPN if you want to keep up
with your shows while you are traveling
so this is where I'd like to think to
sponsor of today's video nordvpn because
a lot more content is geoblock than you
think so if you're coming to Japan and
you're thinking like oh I can't wait to
much anime in the land of anime well
think again because sites like crunchy
roll are actually totally blocked here
you cannot access them so not only does
a VPN like nordvpn help you get around
this by changing your IP address so it
looks like you're physically like in a
different country it also protects your
private and personal information so that
you can connect to the internet safely
which is really important because
honestly Japan is is not that up to date
with Internet safety anything especially
public Wi-Fi networks they are iffy I
mean look I've been a loyal nordvpn user
for years and it's really been a
lifesaver so if you're interested in
being able to browse the internet safely
while also being able to access all the
same sites all the same content to that
you can back home while you're traveling
then try nordvpn out for yourself
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thank you nordvpn and now number nine
not planning out your public
transportation if you're traveling
outside of the major cities so if you're
going somewhere more rural I really
really recommend you plan out every
single leg of your trip in advance
because buses and trains are really not
that frequent depending on where you're
going in many rural places there is only
going to be one every like 2 hours
sometimes even less just keep it in mind
if you're going somewhere rural 10 not
considering what time your flight
arrives or leaves from the airport in
Japan so I say this in a lot of videos
but really important to note and really
easy to overlook is that the trains in
Japan even in Tokyo stop running from
between about midnight to 5:00 a.m. so
Tokyo has two airports Narita and Hana
for example and Hana I'd say you could
get the last train into the city at
about 1130 to midnight but narut the
express trains stop at around 10:00 p.m.
so you need to think what if your flight
gets a bit delayed what if you need to
wait in a really long line at customs
and also if you're planning on like
sending your luggage out through a
delivery service which I really
recommend you won't be able to do that
cuz the counters Clos at night it's just
something to think about you may have to
get a hotel nearby for the night and
this goes for early morning flights as
well 11 very similarly to that not
planning a chill Arrival Day depending
on where you're coming from you may be
really sleep deprived like I always am
when I arrive at the airport and if you
try to plan to do something like let's
say your flight arrives in the morning
and you want a reservation in the
afternoon for like team lab you're going
to be probably really tired and not have
that much fun but I see people who
really try to pack their schedules
really tightly like this and I just
don't recommend it if possible I just
leave your arrival day totally open so
you can just kind of vibe and see how it
goes 12 a bit specific but a lot of
people travel to Mount Fuji just to see
Mount Fuji but honestly it's actually
cloudy quite a lot and you may not be
able to see it it's great to go but just
don't make that your only activity if
you're going to hakone or kawaguchiko
try to plan something else cuz the
weather is so unpredictable and the best
time to see Mount Fuji is in the really
early morning but a side note if you do
want to see Mount Fuji and you're going
to be traveling between Tokyo and kyotto
at some point on the bullet train then
try to book your window seat in advance
on the correct side cuz you can actually
see Mount Fuji quite clearly depending
on the day and weather so if you're
going from Tokyo to Kyoto this is going
to be on the right side of the train and
then on the left side if you're coming
from Kyoto to Tokyo 13 just buying the
Jr pass without really putting too much
thought into it you used to be able to
just buy the Jr pass and it' probably
pay for itself but nowadays that's not
the case I have a whole another video on
this but they did almost double the
price of the Jr pass last year and
because of that it's not as good of a
value at all so Alternatives there are a
lot there's actually a lot of regional
passes by Jr as well please look them up
I have a link in the description down
below too or you may not even need a
pass it just kind of depends where
you're going I would add up the
expensive legs of your trip and just see
if it's worth it 14 not getting a sua
card or well any transportation card
this is a sua it's the most popular
transportation card in Tokyo and you can
either get the physical version or you
can just get it on your cell phone you
can download it in advance before even
coming to Japan it just goes right into
your wallet look it up it's really easy
I recommend it do one of the two you can
just buy this at like any station almost
get one not only do you just tap on to
public transportation Like Trains Etc
with it but you can even use it to buy
things like at the convenience store so
you don't need to worry about you know
getting all the cash out and stuff it's
really convenient 15 not planning out
your meal times so lunch in Japan is
usually between 12:00 and 2:00 p.m. and
then dinner is probably about 5:30 p.m.
to 9:00 p.m. and a lot of restaurants
close in between lunch and dinner but
not only that last order for restaurants
can be surprisingly early depends on the
restaurant and where you are but it is
not rare to have a restaurant with a
last order time of like 8:00 p.m. or
even earlier so just be careful also if
you're planning to go out to eat on the
weekend I would see if you could reserve
a place maybe because restaurants do get
booked up here and sometimes you can
just book it through Google Maps
directly or you could use like table
check for English but if you don't want
to do that that's fine some restaurants
don't even take reservations and in
these cases if the restaurant's popular
if it's really good if it has a good
rating on Google Maps you're probably
going to have to line up Japanese people
love to line up for everything so
sometimes you're just going to like
literally just wait in a line for maybe
an hour even if it's like really popular
or other places will have like a piece
of paper out front where you write down
your name and how many people are in
your party be prepared to wait 16 not
being prepared for how you're going to
address dietary restrictions and
allergies so in Japan many restaurants
are not going to change anything on the
menu to accommodate you local
restaurants may it kind of just depends
on the restaurant but like chain
restaurants especially can usually be
notoriously unwilling to even like
remove a tomato or anything from like a
hamburger but places are generally more
willing to like work with you if you
tell them about it in advance if you're
making a reservation especially for more
expensive like coar restaurants and
things a lot of these will have some
kind of option when you book it or you
can just leave a comment whatever
allergies will be taken very seriously
but I really recommend like getting a
card in advance that lists your allergy
in Japanese clearly but still the
restaurant may not be able to
accommodate you it kind of just depends
also vegetarianism and veganism are
really not that popular among Japanese
people at all still here if you are a
vegetarian most places will have
something you can eat but veganism is
much more difficult like I would really
research everywhere you're going to be
eating in advance 17 not knowing how to
order or pay for food at a restaurant so
just a note that weight staff here
generally do not like hover you need to
make eye contact with them or like
vocally call out to them or there may be
a button on the table you can press and
then to pay the bill well you've
probably already heard that Japan is a
Cash country this is true you definitely
should always have cash on you even in
Tokyo because some local restaurants and
shops even will not accept anything but
cash but a lot do take things other than
cash now especially since Co but still
so at restaurants some places you do pay
at your table but what's most common is
you're going to have to like walk over
to a cash register once you're done with
your meal there's probably going to be
like a piece of paper on your table that
you take up with you not always but
usually look for it first and then when
you go to pay you need to put your money
if it's cash into a like a tray they'll
almost always will have a tray it's
considered rude to like accept the cash
directly even if you have a card
sometimes you need to put in the tray it
kind of depends on the restaurant also
no tipping stop it unless there's a tip
jar then you can do it but don't leave
it at the table 18 coming with a full
suitcase Japan is like amazing for
shopping and I frequently see people
buying extra suitcases to fit all of the
stuff they buy so try to come with a
suitcase half full I'd say if you're
planning on doing any shopping at all 19
perhaps the most important one is is
over planning your trip so of course as
I've said you should reserve and plan
out your trip to some extent right but
you also need to prioritize having
pockets of downtime where you don't have
any plans because usually the things you
do in these like last minute decisions
where you're just wandering around town
are probably some of the most like
impactful Memories or you'll meet people
or something it's just it's very
important to have especially in Japan
also it is great to watch videos like
these but it's also natural to make
mistakes especially cultural ones when
you're visiting a foreign country
Japanese people are very kind and
they're very understanding and as long
as you're trying your best to be
considerate that's all you really need
to do cuz people get it you know look
I've been here for years and every now
and then there will still be something
that surprises me so that's all the tips
for this video let me know down below if
you have any other tips or if you'd like
to see another video with more cuz
there's a lot more so thank you so much
for watching make sure you like the
video subscribe to my channel for more
content about traveling in Japan and
I'll see you guys back here again soon
bye
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