AROUND THE WORLD

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1. Cash and credit card

It is going to sound dreadfully mundane, but a traveler can’t survive without a credit or debit card and cash. Both are equally important. More than a few visitors have discovered to their surprise that you can’t pay for shopping, restaurant bills, etc. with a card all the time – unfortunately, as advanced as Japan is, it still has a cash culture. (Generally, it can be a good idea to have at least 20,000 yen in cash on you.) It would also be recommended to call your credit card company in advance and let them know the dates you will be traveling abroad, so your card isn’t suddenly declined.

2. Reserve a SIM card or portable wifi

If you have just brought your mobile phone from home, then either you can’t use the Internet, or roaming fees may cost a lot if you use your mobile internet to access a map and other apps.
An easy alternative to getting an international phone plan is to order a SIM card or portable wifi so that you can use the Internet wherever you go in Japan.

3. Download useful apps

Another plus point to having access to the internet wherever you go is that you can use a translation app or phrasebook.

It is best to download this before your arrival so that you can get used to using it, ideally before you are desperately trying to communicate with a hotel owner in the middle of nowhere, but you would be really taken aback to see how much these apps have progressed these days. For someone who doesn’t know a single word of Japanese, it is a real lifesaver.

Using an app will also allow you to experience the Japanese language; you might even pick up some easy words to help you on your journey such as:
・Sumimasen (excuse me)
・Arigatou gozaimasu (thank you)
・Onegai shimasu (please)
・...wa doko desu ka? (where is...?)
・Ikura desu ka? (how much is it?)

In addition to a translation app, other useful apps can include:
・Transit maps (e.g. Google Maps or Japan Navitime)
・IC cards and train reservation apps (SuicaEng, EmartEX)
・Ride hailing app (e.g. JapanTaxi)
・Earthquake alert (e.g. Yurekuru Call)
・TripSocket
・Weather app
・Messaging (e.g. Facebook Messenger)
・A visual sushi dictionary

4. Electrical adapter and power bank

Your mobile phone battery will go down pretty quick when you are using internet and apps, never mind any other electrical goods that you might have which you want to use, so an adapter is really an essential thing to pack.
We all have this vision of Japan as a country where you can get any electrical item you want, whenever you want it, but actually you will struggle to find a Japanese adapter that works with a Spanish or British plug – especially in the countryside or at 3 am in Shibuya, Tokyo. It is really something that none of us can live without.

5. Japan Rail Pass

If you are more of a gung-ho traveler who arrives in a country without planning your stay, then you might become a bit unstuck when you realize that a Japan Rail Pass is one of the most cost- and time-efficient ways to travel around the whole country. The reason being the fact that you need to buy the pass before you arrive in Japan.
While it may be possible to buy a Japan Rail Pass at a few stations in Japan, but these are more expensive than buying online before you arrive. (Buying and reserving beforehand really helps make your journey so much simpler – especially if you intend to visit several places around the country and not just stay in the Tokyo area.)

6. Right clothes – and layers – for the weather

It sounds like common sense to say that clothes are essential, but actually, for Japan you have to think quite hard about weather and clothes.
In the summer it is really hot, and in the winter it is quite cold. During the winter there can be heavy snow in the north but mild temperatures in the south. It can even be confusing if you are just staying in one place: for example, if you are in Tokyo when it is cold the obvious thing to do is dress warmly, but then you get on a train and you start to feel uncomfortably warm!

7. Suitcase space

Japan is a culture which is big on gift-giving, especially if you travel on the Shinkansen you are bound to notice the sheer number of gift shops at stations.

So, if you are in Japan to visit friends, and more importantly, if you are going to meet your friend’s relatives, then you need to make room in your suitcase for a few small gifts. Japanese people are very grateful when they receive a gift, and will be quite proud if you give them something unique from your country.

8. Right Footwear for the Occasion

As opposed to many other countries, where shoes are typically worn indoors, you'll find that shoelaces impose something of an inconvenience during your stay in Japan. When going to a traditional Japanese restaurant, you'll probably take off your shoes. When staying at a ryokan, you'll be taking them off as well. Going inside a temple? You get the idea: you'll encounter many other occasions in Japan where having a pair of shoes you can easily slip on or off without worrying over laces is such a convenience.