Japan Traveler Essentials
- Capital
- Tokyo
- Currency
- JPY (Yen)
- Best time to visit
- March–May (cherry blossoms) and October–November (autumn foliage).
Visa requirements
Most Western passport holders can enter Japan visa-free for up to 90 days.
Getting around
Japan's famous Shinkansen bullet trains and dense rail network connect cities with extraordinary speed and punctuality, making domestic flights necessary mainly for the farthest islands. Cities have superb metro and rail systems paid via IC cards (Suica, Pasmo) or contactless; taxis are excellent but pricey, and ride-hailing is limited.
Safety
Japan is one of the safest countries in the world with extremely low crime rates.
Tipping customs
Tipping is not part of Japanese culture and can cause confusion or even offence—excellent service is standard and included. Don't tip in restaurants, taxis or hotels; high-end ryokan or private guides may accept a gratuity, but it should be presented discreetly in an envelope.
Travel tips
Get a Suica/Pasmo IC card for public transport. Carry cash — many places don't accept cards.