Before Your Japan Trip
- Check if you need a visa. ...
- Purchase your Japanese Rail Pass exchange order before you travel to Japan (more on that later).
- Learn some Japanese—numbers are especially useful! ...
- Get an International Driving Permit. ...
- Arrange travel insurance.
Visa Free Travel for U.S. Citizen Tourists Effective as of midnight April 29, 2023 (Japan time), all travelers arriving in Japan will no longer need to present proof of vaccination or a negative Covid-19 test certificate.
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The periods between March to May and October to November have the best weather. These times, which line up with spring and most of autumn, are filled with calm days and comfortable temperatures.
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Take plenty of cash. Japan is largely a cash-based society, so you'll find that some places may not accept your credit card – especially outside of major cities. You'll generally need to use cash in local restaurants, bars, markets, tourist sights and ryokans.
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Currently, there are no COVID-19 testing , proof of vaccination, or quarantine requirements to travel to Japan.
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Cash, credit and debit cards are all accepted, with credit cards and cash the most relevant. Since a credit card is your best choice for a significant amount of your spending, a card that doesn't charge foreign transaction fees like the Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card provides lots of value.
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Ideally, how long for a trip to Japan ? We recommend a minimum of 2 weeks to discover the Japanese archipelago. This is the minimum travel time in Japan to have time to visit Tokyo, Kyoto and their surroundings. For this, we advise you to spend a minimum of 6 nights in Tokyo and 6 nights in the Kyoto region .
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Winter in Japan lasts from late December to mid-March with temperatures from 30 to 45 F (0 to 8 C). Winter is great for frugal travelers – if you avoid the holidays, winter is one of the cheapest times to visit Japan. After the holidays pass, mid-January to mid-March is also the least crowded time to visit.
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Entry & Exit: You must have a valid passport and an onward/return ticket for tourist/business "visa free" stays of up to 90 days. Your passport must be valid for the entire time you are staying in Japan.
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Tipping in Japan is not expected, and attempts to leave a tip will almost certainly be turned down (a potentially awkward moment). In Japan, it's thought that by dining out or drinking at a bar, you are already paying the establishment for good service.
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