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You are traveling for the first time to Japan and you are in a mixture of emotions. Do not know where or how to start? I’m sharing my checklist for Japan travel to help you on preparing for your trip.

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Essential Japan Travel Checklist

• Create an Itinerary
• Budget
• Travel Documents
• Airplane fares
• Reserve accommodations
• Train pass: reserve your JR Pass before travelling
• Internet access
• Cash
• Plan on what to wear
• Create a list of items to take with you

Create an Itinerary

Start by writing down the places you want to visit and how many days are you planning to stay. From here you can create your itinerary by creating daily entries about what cities are you visiting and when you will need to change hotels.

There are places that can be visited as a side trip from another. Specially if you have access to the Shinkansen or express trains by using a pass. In those cases, you don’t not need to change hotels often and will enjoy more time sightseeing.

Basically, use a place as your hotel destination for a cluster of visits. Doing one day side trips to nearby attractions. You will still be able do some sightseeing on the day when needing to move to the next hotel.

At this point you will be able to make decisions on your plane tickets and if you will need train passes.

Budget

You want to enjoy your time sightseeing rather than looking for a nearby ATM every day. A budget will help you to avoid the anxiety of thinking if you have enough money for the day.

For your flight and stay you will have a good idea of how much it will cost. But for your day to day expenditures during the visit can be surprising if you don’t have an amount in mind. The estimate does not need to be a spreadsheet with hundreds of detailed lines, but at least consider a rough amounts for the following during you stay:

• Daily expenses:
  • Transit fares
  • Meals
  • Souvenirs
  • Admission to attractions (museums, temples, etc.)
• Other expenses:
  • Coin lockers
  • Bicycle rental
  • Taxis
  • Coin laundry
  • Train fares not covered by your JR pass or other passes
• Unexpected expenses:
  • Add 10 to 20% to your estimate
• Shopping list:
  • Items that you want to buy during your trip

Daily expenses

Use an average estimate for local public transportation fares: subway, buses, trams, cable cars, ferries; admission fees to attractions, meals, vending machines and souvenirs, there will be days when you spend a little bit more, but also, there will be days when you spend less or nothing. All this will be mostly paid with cash or IC card.

Other expenses

This will be money to pay for coin lockers, rentals like bicycles or scooters, a taxi for a place that cannot be reached by public transportation; coin laundry, if you are travelling light on a long stay; and trains from other companies that are not covered by your pass.

Use google or NAVITIME to help you to estimate what would be the cost of long distance trips not covered by passes.

Unexpected expenses

Things sometimes do not go as planned and you will find situations where you will need to spend some extra money. Situations like: taking a taxi because you will miss a last train (not recommended). Buying a replacement USB cable, or an umbrella because of an unexpected storm. Inviting a new friend a cup of coffee or some beers.

Add a 10 to 20% to the the amount that you already have estimated for this extra expenses that might not occur. If everything goes as planned, this money will stay in your bank account.

Shopping list

You can name it: Pokémon cards, figurines, cosmetic products, toys, origami paper or maybe ninja star replicas. This is the money you need to set aside for that item or items that you are wishing to bring back home.

Here is an example from my last trip:

Daily Expenses	Amount
Fares for subway, buses, trains, trams	2,000 JPY
Meals and vending machines	2,500 JPY
Entrance to attractions	2,000 JPY
Souvenirs	1,500 JPY
Estimated total per day	8,000 JPY

Other expenses	Amount
Coin lockers (150 yen per use – 4 uses)	600 JPY
Bicycle rental (single rental during the trip)	2,000 JPY
Coin laundry (once during the trip)	600 JPY
Train to Narita airport	1,800 JPY
Estimated for the entire trip	5,000 JPY

Shopping	Amount
2 figurines: 2,500 yen each	5,000 JPY
Pokémon cards	3,000 JPY
Shopping total	8,000 JPY

I stayed for 10 days. So my estimate for the entire trip was:

Expense	Amount
Daily stipend multiplied by 10 days	80,000 JPY
Occasional expenses	5,000 JPY
Unexpected expenses (+15%)	12,750 JPY
Shopping	8,000 JPY
Grand Total	105,750 JPY

At the end I did not have to use any money for unexpected situations and saved a little on local transportation that was covered by my JR pass. I did spend about 90,000 JPY.

On my first trip I spent about 50% extra of the amount that I estimated. This was because I did not take on account money for shopping, souvenirs and unexpected expenses. I had to buy an umbrella and take two taxis not planned.

Travel documents

Make sure your passport will not expire within six months after your arrival. Tourists usually get permission to stay a maximum of 90 days stamped on their passport. However, because it can be extended for another 90 days, entry could be denied by the immigration officer if the passport will expire in the next 180 days.

Check for visa and restrictions

Apart from the common rules and regulations for overseas travel. There might be extra steps that you might need to meet before traveling:

Check if you need apply for a visa to enter Japan. Japan allows visa free entry to about 68 countries, including the US, most of Europe and Australia. If your country is not in the list of visa-free countries, contact your local Japanese embassy or consulate to apply for a visa and verify if other restrictions apply before paying anything for your trip.

Japan was closed to visitors for about two years because of the COVID-19 pandemic. It is now open back to visitors but with health requirements that the must be met prior to entry. Airlines usually verify this before allowing boarding. Japanese airlines JAL and ANA have pages with more information.

Airplane fares

It is preferable to buy your plane tickets with some time in advance. Google is a good tool to compare prices and can send you alerts for price changes. Some websites advise you to check on Tuesdays. I do prefer to check daily.

Just don’t wait to the last two weeks before your planned dates or you might end paying much more or not finding a flight at all.

Reserve accommodations

If you are set on the dates that you want to travel. Start also scouting for your type of stay. There are plenty of options: Hostel, Hotel (also known as western style hotel), Ryokan (Japanese style hotel) or rent an apartment or house. It will depend on your budget and preferences.

Do not wait to be too close to your travel dates or you might not find accommodations. Specially if you travel on a peak season.

Look for reservations that can be cancelled without penalty. This will give the flexibility to change into a different hotel location or in case you find a better rate.

The more practical for a first time traveler is to reserve into a hotel. There is staff is available to communicate in English. Japanese brand business hotels have usually lower prices compared to international named brand hotels.

Transportation passes

If travelling between cities you can use trains, buses or airplanes.

By train. Shinkansen, express trains and local trains cover most of the destinations and is the preferred way to move around Japan. The most know pass is the JR Pass, but there are also passes from other rail companies.

Reserve your JR Pass before travelling

Reserve a Japan Rail Pass or regional Japan Rail pass before traveling. Although it can be bought inside Japan it will cost you more. Reserve with plenty time in advance to have your exchange voucher at hand prior to departure.

By bus. Overnight buses are convenient on a budget as they serve both transportation and a place to sleep. You will save a hotel night this way.

By airplane. Local airlines are convenient for trips that will take more than 4 or 5 hours by shinkansen or express trains. Like from Tokyo to Nagasaki or Osaka to Sapporo. Also prices are low because of competition. JAL or ANA sometimes offer discounted fares that cost you about $100 USD per local flight when booking your overseas flight with them.

Internet access

Verify with your cell phone carrier about their rules for international data roaming services. Pay-per-use service is expensive and it is basically for low use or emergencies. Some carriers offer international per-day fixed rate that are comparable or cheaper than renting a WiFi pocket router or a SIMM card.

Consider that you will need to purchase insurance when renting a WiFi pocket router, in case it is damaged or lost. In most cases, insurance is not included in the price advertised. Rental companies have kiosks at airports and major train stations for pick up and drop off. Some companies offer reservations in advance and delivery to your hotel.

If you are in a budget and don’t mind being offline for some hours. You still have access to free WiFi hotspots at train stations, restaurants, hotels and some tourist attractions.

Cash

Japan is still a cash oriented culture and although credit cards are now more widely accepted. You might find situations where you will need some cash. If you did an estimate of daily expenditures you will have an idea of how much you need to have available. This is the money you will spend on things like transit fares, vending machines, entrance to attractions, paying at the ramen shop or going to the convenience store. Some money will go into IC card and some you will need as cash.

Plan on what to wear

If you like to hike a good pair of shoes is the clear option. But also consider the weather as a factor when packing your clothes for the trip. This specially applies on the early spring or in autumn when there are notable differences in temperature by location and elevation.

When I visit Japan in March. I plan my clothing for rain, cold and mild weather. I use a light jacket with an additional light weight coat that I can use under the jacket if the weather is too cold. I use a pair of leather shoes that don’t allow water to get into my feet but at the same time are comfortable for long hikes. I pack an extra of sport shoes for dry and mild days.

In March, April, September and October. If you are in Osaka (sea level), you will need a light coat or jacket. If during your trip you visit Nagano (high elevation) you might need a heavier coat, a hat and a scarf. While in Okinawa you can be perfectly fine in short sleeves.

In May and June weather is mild and dry most of the time with some rainy days.

In July and August. It is hot an humid, but more fresh in high elevations and in Hokkaido.

From November to February. It is cold and rainy at sea level cities while it snows on the mountains and northern regions. Tokyo and Osaka might have an occasional snow day.

Create a list of items to take with you

You might think on bringing some essentials like your toothbrush, a camera and your clothes. But still you might need some extra items to make your trip more comfortable. You don’t want to spend your time looking for a shop that sells that thing you missed instead of sightseeing.

Here is the list that you will need to check when getting ready for packing.

Travel Documents

• Passport (and visa if needed)
• Japan Rail Pass exchange voucher
• Contact information of your accommodation
• Car rental and local airport reservations
• International driving permit if you rent a car
• A color photocopy of your passport and visa

Travel accessories

• Electric outlet adapter if needed
• Power bank for your phone and camera
• Your camera to take plenty of photographs and videos
• Charger for your phone and camera
• Extra USB cables
• Memory cards for your camera (or film)
• A wallet with coin purse or a coin purse for the pocket change

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Toiletries

• Toothpaste and toothbrush
• Hairbrush
• Razor
• Deodorant
• Sunscreen
• Basic makeup

Cash and bank cards

Japanese yen enough for two or three days in case your cards are not accepted or no ATM is at sight upon arrival.

It will be a good idea to check with your bank about your international travel. Some banks require to be informed about your trip to prevent having your cards locked because of unusual activity.

If possible, bring a secondary card. A backup card that you will not carry in your wallet, this is in case your cards get lost or destroyed. Make a photocopy of your cards to be able to report them if they get lost.

Personal care

Prescription medications in the original packaging and do not forget to bring the prescription for them.

You might want to bring your own feminine hygiene items.

Special shampoos, conditioners, sunscreen or lotions. Check that they are allowed to bring into Japan. Use travel sized containers when possible.

Other useful things

Handkerchief. Restrooms also do not offer hand dryers in most places.

Travel size containers. For your special shampoos or lotions.

Waterproof document holder or plastics bags. This to protect your passport and documents in case your baggage or backpack gets wet by the rain or snow.

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Extra storage for souvenirs. An extra collapsible bag or backpack will do. If you are good at packaging, you could bring your clothes on a carry-on tucked inside a medium sized luggage. At the end leg of your trip, pull it out and fill it with your souvenirs.

Travel Insurance

Some purchases made with your credit card will include travel disruption insurance like cancelled flights, hotels closed by emergencies or lost baggage. Check if you have the coverage of your likeness.

Consider insurance for medical emergencies. Specially if you go to places far from cities or to places where you could get hurt. If you go to ski on hiking on the mountains, you are at higher risk to get hurt. Also, in case that you have a medical condition that could require hospitalization.

If you already have medical insurance in your country. Check about their coverage for other countries and their contact information for emergencies.

For the Unexpected

Share your itinerary with someone for emergencies. Specially if travelling alone.

Create a card with emergency contact information to keep with you all the time. Must be water proof or protected from water damage and easy to find in your pockets or belongings.

Write down your contact and/or emergency information on your baggage in case it gets lost. Japan has a strong culture of returning lost items to their rightful owners.

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Please let me know your thoughts. It will help me to improve this list.