Each family will have different styles of travels. Each season of life requires a different style of travel! Each person will definitely have different travelling personality, as well.
As you can see, my travelling preferences is to fill the day up with many sights to see HAHA. I love walking around, old and new cities alike. I love getting touristy, not necessarily to shop a lot, and I do gravitate towards food. I don't have bottomless wallet, and I'm rather shy - so any activity that requires you to talk to strangers or be in a massive crowd of people, I tend to avoid.
Also, I do plan my trip quite thoroughly, and well in advance! This allows me to 'flow' with the day: by knowing the 'touchpoints' of the day, I can flow through more purposefully. I can condense or stretch the schedule in between, or even scrap it entirely, but at least I'm not completely lost.
I like discovering things on the fly, but when it gets overwhelming with too many options, sometimes having a plan in your back pocket is a plus point. Another benefit of planning is actually getting to know what the place has to offer - otherwise, I might not know what to do (nor get motivated to do anything) in each city I visit.
OK so that's the background of this list!
And that's why, #1 in my book: research!
Japan has well-defined culture, etiquette, and systems. So, I think it's rather imperative for us to know (and let our travelling party know, too!) basic informations about Japan, to not get lost, overwhelmed, nor to come across as rude or disrespectful. To better enjoy the trip!
So, here goes some tips & tricks around the research, preps, and the actual trip.
OVERALL
* Klook is a great tool to get tickets for transport & sightseeing - with a great price, too! Anytime you come across any 'experiences' (for example: Umeda Sky Building) it's worth checking if you can pre-purchase the tix on Klook!
* Cash is still somewhat king - prepare some! Or, find 7-11 whose conversion rate was quite awesome.
* learn your coins HAHA and bring a little coin purse. Prepare your cash before going up to the counter and paying!
* learn your hellos & thank yous!
* download Google maps and Translate (and download the Japanese language) just to be safe.
* The easiest way to get around: IC card. Should work on most Japanese public transport - no matter which & who the provider is! The IC Card I got in Osaka is called 'Icoca'. If you go to Tokyo, it will most likely be called the 'Suica' card. They can be used cross-city, too! Easy.
* If you can, try to time your Japan trip in the low or mid season. It would be such a game changer! If you can't, I'm sure you will still definitely enjoy the trip. However, going on a lower season gives you a chance to 'immerse' yourself a little bit more; taste what it's like to live like a local on a somewhat normal day.
* There is fewer trash bin in Japan than expected! I think it's because Japanese people have a waste-sorting system at home, and so they carry most of their trash home to process. So for tourists - just be patient. Do NOT litter! Just hold on. A little bit longer.
* Double-check opening & closing times, & 'last entry' or 'last order' notices.
WALKING
* Yep, all the rumors are proven to be true: there will be a lot of walking. You'd want to! There is just so much to do and see! So, wear your comfiest walking or running shoes. And do a little stretch before walking out each morning.
IMMIGRATION
* So, if you have Indonesian passport and travelling for less than 15 days, you don't need to apply for a visa. HOWEVER, you still need to apply for the visa-waiver!
Visit here: https://www.evisa.mofa.go.jp/personal/logintoko
* Then, from 10-days before your arrival date, go to the Visit Japan website to put in all your trip's information
Visit here: https://www.vjw.digital.go.jp/main
This way, it will make the immigration & customs process so much quicker!
TRANSPORT
* Unless you've been to Japan before - don't wing it. Do your research beforehand. Pay particular attention to the train system: Japan has many companies offering different train routes. Make sure you know which train to take, from which station, and how to pay for them!
* Also, know which airport you are flying in and out of - and plan your way to & from get there. The train might not always be the best option for you - you might prefer the bus, car service, uber, etc.
* The best way to research: YouTube hihi. Have fun!
* Make your own Google maps of each city you will visit. Fill it with food, coffee, matcha, shopping, and sightseeing reccos. Also, put in your accommodation & important landmarks (like: airports; and if you will be travelling to a different city by train, mark the station you will be leaving from!)
The way to use this map: when you are planning what to do that day, you can see what can be done in similar location, or what order to do it best. Or, if you find yourself somewhere and want to improvise from the itinerary, you have recommended options available! Of course, the joy of any vacation is the unexpected hidden gems - but having something 'safe' in your back pocket is also a luxury you should enjoy.
* Pre-book your tickets on Klook - and check if you need to redeem your ticket via the machine or in office.
* To recharge your IC Card, you most probably still need cash. So, prepare some!
* Study the exits of the stations to get to major destination. I skipped this part - so sometimes, we don't know which exit to take from the station to the hotel. And when carrying large luggage, you want the shortest exit. BUT ALSO - check if that exist has an elevator if you need it!
* Give yourself plenty plenty plenty of travel time. I know, sometimes we want to be at a certain place, to catch an attraction that starts at a particular time. While most Japanese train will depart & arrive right on time, the user (us) might require a little navigating. Or sometimes, detours just happen! And very very rarely, but it does happen, the train runs a little late. So, give plenty of room. Don't get yourself too stressed out!
LUGGAGE & TRANSFER SERVICE
* Is the luggage transfer worth it? Only you can answer that. My recco: look at where you are staying and how accessible it is from your points of transfer (station/airports).
In my case, we used this service 2x:
The first time: we were travelling through a different city, doing a day-trip there, before arriving in our destination city. So, we just want the peace of mind and not having to hassle with the luggage.
Second: we didn't plan to use this service the 2nd time - but after finding out that our hotel was quite a walk away from the station, and the sidewalk was a bit rough for our suitcase wheels, we decided to send out our luggage again.
* As far as I know, pricing is based on size and destination. Check on their website! There is a maximum weight & size, so beware.
* You can access luggage transfer service in the hotel you are staying - which is so handy. But still do ask ahead (at least a day before).
* Have your destination-hotel information handy: Hotel name, address, phone number, and booking name, both the English and JAPANESE!
* Prepare the cash to pay for this service.
* Don't forget to keep the overnight needs with you.
* If you opt for lockers instead of the luggage transfer: most station should have plenty of these lockers. As always: prepare coins!
* When bringing larger suitcases in the trains (esp express trains), ask if you can use the oversized luggage area. It might be available to anyone: a storage right next to the train door; or, it might be reserved for the people sitting on the last rows.
FOOD
* Best tip: Find a friend who's lived or has been to Japan - and ask for their recco! Especially for budget or 'everyday' food - not the touristy ones.
* Lunch specials will be your best friend. If you are eyeing a nicer place, instead of going for dinner, see if they have lunch menu with special (aka cheaper) prices!
* most Japanese sit-down establishment will require you to order at least 1 item per person. Respect this rule, please! But also, plan ahead.
* sometimes restaurants have English menu that you can request, and sometimes they don't.
If they don't offer English menu, Google translate may or may not help. So, beware but also have fun!
* I find food in markets are more expensive - maybe because they are of better quality.
* There are endless food options. Be as flexible as you can be with whatever's available - or plan ahead. Choose your game and stick to it! Being stuck in the limbo can cost time.
* 7-11 for breakfast is AMAZING. For lunch or dinner - they are descent - does the job, but not the best. Their snacks, however, GAME CHANGER! Their chocolate-covered grape gummies - so good. Ice cream, cakes, etc - all amazing.
* Chain restaurants are always safe - a safety blanket to come back to, but also do try some of the local establishments. Have fun!
* About matcha: Yes, Japanese matcha is GREAT, especially tasting it in its source. But don't forget about other Japanese teas! They ALL taste incredible :")
* People don't walk and eat in Japan! So, make sure you find a place where you can sit/stand to eat your food before moving around the city!
SHOPPING
* Bring your passport! Register your passport in the Visit Japan website and state that you will do some duty-free shopping.
* Japan is definitely a country where craft is highly valued. So, do make sure you get something that is crafted in Japan! From stationeries, cooking utensils or knives, clothing/shoes, etc. You do you doing Japan!
* Check store's opening & closing time, and what time does the duty-free counter closes!
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Hehe. It's a lot of tips.
But just take time to read it several times, and watch the people of YouTube who are frequent travelers - I found these to be very very helpful.
For example: Kensho Quest on YT
amongst other incredible videos & channels.
They've done the research, so you can just choose the best things for you!
I hope I'm travelling to Japan again very soon.
And I hope you will get to experience the beauty and wonder of Japan, too, soon.
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