Travel Basics

Essential first-trip notes for money, connectivity, etiquette, weather, and packing.

Basics pages cover the small practical details that make Japan trips easier on arrival.

Guides in this category

Narita Airport Late Arrival Recovery Plan Tokyo IC Card Practical Guide Japan Rail Pass Basics: What It Covers and When to Check Okinawa Island Planning Guide Kyoto Responsible First-Visit Route Japan Emergency Preparedness for Tourists Japan Mobile Data and Translation Toolkit Japan Souvenir Shopping Route Planner Japan Vegetarian and Allergy Food Planning Okinawa Useful Information and Safety Guide Japan Luggage Storage and Station Lockers Guide Japan Hotel Location Decision Guide Japan Travel Budget Category Planner Okinawa Typhoon Season Flexible Itinerary Okinawa Reef-Safe Snorkeling Basics Okinawa Car Rental vs Bus Planning Northern Kyushu Family Itinerary Shikoku Pilgrimage and Nature Guide Yakushima Rain and Hiking Prep Guide Beppu Onsen First-Visit Guide Tohoku Slow Travel First Guide Shikoku Pilgrimage Sampler Route Central Japan Rainy-Day Backup Plan Fukui Dinosaur Museum Family Route Mount Fuji Weather Window Planning Tohoku Snow Country Travel Basics Hokkaido Driving and Weather Buffer Guide Shiretoko Nature Season Basics Hokkaido First-Timer Distance Reality Check Osaka Theme Park Rest Day Strategy Kansai Airport Late Arrival Checklist Kyoto Cafe Rain Plan for First Trips Kyoto Responsible Photo Etiquette Guide Kyoto Family Temple Day With Breaks Kyoto Garden Season Planning Guide Kyoto Bus vs Train Planning Basics Tokyo Airport Transfer Choice Guide Tokyo Museum Weather Buffer Guide Tokyo With Kids Stroller-Friendly Day Asakusa and Ueno Old Tokyo Walk Ginza and Marunouchi Rain-Friendly Day Ueno Museum and Park Morning Plan Shinjuku Station Arrival Checklist Haneda Arrival First Night Plan Kyoto Early Morning Temple Strategy Kyoto Night Streets and Quiet Hours Guide Kyoto Rainy Day Temples and Cafes Shin-Osaka Shinkansen Transfer Guide Kansai Airport Arrival to Osaka or Kyoto Nara Deer Park Responsible Visit Universal Studios Japan Planning Basics Hokkaido Winter Road Trip Safety Hokkaido Onsen Town Base Guide Okinawa Rain and Typhoon Season Planning Okinawa Family Snorkeling Safety Basics Japan Shinkansen Seat Reservation Basics IC Cards and Cash Travel Checklist JR Pass Value Check for First Trips Luggage Forwarding and Hotel Transfer Plan Japan Cherry Blossom Timing Planner Onsen Etiquette for First-Time Visitors Convenience Store Food Survival Guide Tax-Free Shopping and Souvenir Packing Japan Earthquake and Weather Alert Basics A First Timer's Guide to Tokyo Neighborhoods Three Days in Kyoto