Culture
City Trips
Nature
Gastronomy
East Asia
Japan
Best time to travel
Apr - May, Oct - Nov
Current status
Take caution
Safety
Very safe
Japan is one of the safest countries in the world. Visitors should maintain standard precautions against natural disasters like earthquakes and stay alert for rare petty crime in crowded nightlife districts.
Weather
Sunniest
Apr - May, Oct
Rainiest
Jun - Jul
Seasons
The most iconic season, famous for cherry blossoms (sakura) and mild weather.
Tips for this season
- Book months in advance for Sakura season
- Golden Wee (late April/early May) is extremely busy with domestic travelers
- Pack layers as evenings can still be quite cool
Language
While English signage is excellent in transport hubs, communicating with locals in English can be very challenging. It is highly recommended to rely on translation apps for daily interactions, as English proficiency is often low outside of tourist-centric staff.
Official
English language level
Poor
Prices
Accommodation
Transport
Food
Activities
Currency
Japanese Yen
JPY
US Dollar Rate
$1 = ¥158.8
Euro Rate
€1 = ¥184.6
Select currenct...
Useful tips
- Japan is becoming more card-friendly, but cash is still king at small shops, shrines, and traditional eateries.
- ATMs in 7-Eleven stores are the most reliable, always select Withdraw in JPY and decline the machine's conversion to get the real exchange rate without hidden markups.
- 7-Eleven and Aeon Bank typically offer the lowest ATM fees (often 0 to 110 JPY).
- The best rates for physical cash are found at small shops in Shinjuku/Shibuya (like Ninja Money Exchange or Daikokuya), while the worst rates are at airport counters and hotels.
- Avoid changing money at standalone machines in tourist areas, as they often have 5-10% hidden markups.
Transport
Direction
Left side
Public
Punctual and extensive, the rail and subway networks cover most of Spain. Stations are crowded, but frequent service makes rushing unnecessary.
Local Traffic
Driving is polite and law-abiding, but urban intersections require focus, and parking is often expensive.
Taxi & apps
Reliable and clean but pricey, transit options include the GO and S.Ride apps alongside Uber in major cities.
Intercity
The Shinkansen is most efficient, but domestic budget flights can occasionally be cheaper.
Useful tips
- Use Google Maps for live platform numbers, real-time delay updates, and exact carriage recommendations to be closest to your exit or transfer.
- Don't talk on the phone or play loud audio on public transport - it's considered rude.
- Get an IC Card (Suica) at larger stations like Tokyo Central for easy tap-to-pay. It's much faster than buying single tickets.
- Prepare a translated address in Japanese to ensure taxi drivers can guide you accurately.
Entry Information
Citizens of 68+ countries (including US, UK, EU, AU) enjoy visa-free entry for up to 90 days. Most others can now apply via eVisa. Complete your arrival procedures digitally via the Visit Japan Web portal before flying to receive QR codes for Immigration and Customs. Screenshot these codes to bypass long lines though paper forms are still provided on the plane as a backup.
Vaccination
Recommended
Japanese Encephalitis
Hepatitis A/B
Tetanus
