Japan Travel Tips for First-Timers ✈️

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Don’t visit Japan without watching this first! Here are all THE tips and must-knows for first time Japan visitors to save money, eliminate overwhelm, and have the most magical Japan vacation.

0:00 INTRODUCTION
0:49 JAPAN TRAVEL PLANNING TIPS
10:17 JAPAN TIPS FOR TRANSPORT AND GETTING AROUND
15:47 JAPAN FOOD & DRINK TIPS
24:06 JAPAN TIPS FOR ATTRACTIONS
28:09 JAPAN ETIQUETTE TIPS
32:55 JAPAN TIPS FOR ONCE YOU ARRIVE

Watch next:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RfD3oGZH8lM

Written guide with more tips: https://happytowander.com/japan-travel-tips/

LINKS MENTIONED

ANA Free Domestic Flights: https://www.ana.co.jp/en/kh/plan-book/promotions/domestic-add-on-free-flights/

JAL Explorer Pass (new program to replace their previous domestic flight promo): https://www.jal.co.jp/world/en/world/japan_explorer_pass/lp/

Payke app for scanning barcodes: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/payke-making-shopping/id1040452788

Travel Japan Phrase app: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/travel-japan-phrase/id6739940739

Aoniyoshi Sightseeing Limited Express: https://www.kintetsu.co.jp/foreign/english/aoniyoshi/

Sagano Romantic Train: https://www.sagano-kanko.co.jp/en/?

Pikachu Train: https://www.jreast.co.jp/multi/en/joyful/pokemon.html

Tabelog for reviews and reservations: https://tabelog.com/en/

Duty free shopping pre-order for Haneda: https://duty-free-japan.jp/haneda/en/

Duty free shopping pre-order for Narita: https://duty-free-japan.jp/narita/en/index.aspx

Official tax-free shopping guide: https://www.mlit.go.jp/kankocho/tax-free/page01_000113.html

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Note - many of the links below are affiliate links which means I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon associate I earn from qualifying purchases. For more info on what this means, check out my website privacy policy and disclosure: https://happytowander.com/privacy/
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HOTELS WE STAYED AT

Tokyo - Hotel Indigo Shibuya w/ epic view: https://www.booking.com/hotel/jp/indigo-tokyo-shibuya-an-ihg.html?aid=1180711

Tokyo - Cute small hotel in Ueno with a great location and decent price: https://www.booking.com/hotel/jp/open-sale-ueno-lang-201-5-minutes-to-sta-dong-jing-du.html?aid=1180711

Kyoto - Cool, modern hotel in downtown Kyoto: https://www.booking.com/hotel/jp/ace-hotel-kyoto.en-gb.html?aid=1180711

Kyoto - Great value hotel near the main tourist sights near Higashiyama - we booked the triple room and it was huge with a beautiful view:
https://www.booking.com/hotel/jp/ethnography-kiyomizu-gojo-kyoto.html?aid=1180711

CHRISTINA'S TRAVEL GEAR
➡️ My Camera {Paid Link}: https://amzn.to/3MhZ0VQ
➡️ My Favourite Regular Packing Cubes {Paid Link}: https://amzn.to/45OdSlI
➡️ My Favourite Compression Packing Cubes {Paid Link}: https://amzn.to/3MbIiYs
➡️ My Favourite Noise Cancelling Headphones {Paid Link}: https://amzn.to/46J6cTg
➡️ My White, More Elegant Carry-On {Paid Link}: https://amzn.to/3uS6lpU
➡️ My Pretty Re-Usable Toiletry Bottles {Paid Link}: https://amzn.to/3SeqaAJ
➡️ My Amazing E-Reader That Links to the Library for FREE Books {Paid Link}: https://amzn.to/3Mgfca2

OTHER TRAVEL RESOURCES

➡️ My favourite travel credit card - Wise: {Referral Link} https://happytowander.com/Wise
➡️ My go-to eSIM {Affiliate Link} - Use the code CHRIST99027 for $3 off: https://happytowander.com/Airalo
➡️ Where I search hotels {Paid Link}: https://www.booking.com/index.html?aid=1180711
➡️ Where I search flights: https://www.google.com/travel/flights
➡️ My go-to travel insurance {Paid Link}: https://happytowander.com/WorldNomads
➡️ Where I book activities/tours {Paid Link}: https://happytowander.com/GetYourGuide
➡️ Where I find rental cars {Paid Link}: https://happytowander.com/DiscoverCars

Wondering what not to do in Japan? This Japan travel tips video summarizes all the important must-knows before visiting Japan for the first time, from how to avoid crowds and secure tickets and reservations to helpful Japan apps and etiquette to be a respectful Japan visitor.