Google Maps Navigation & Reviews
Unlike some other Asian countries, Google Maps works flawlessly in Japan. It’s highly accurate for walking directions, live train schedules, and finding restaurant operating hours.
2026 Updated Guide
2026 Japan Travel Guide:
Essential Prep, Apps & Cultural Etiquette
Planning a trip to Japan? We've compiled the ultimate guide covering the latest Visit Japan Web entry rules, must-have digital tools, transit tips, and the unwritten cultural rules you absolutely need to know.
1. 2026 Entry Requirements
Visit Japan Web
Digital Customs
Japan highly encourages digital immigration clearance. Register your info on the VJW website before departure to generate QR codes for Immigration and Customs. Take a screenshot of the codes to breeze through the lines at the airport.
Visa Exemption
90-Day Tourist Visa
Citizens of the US, Canada, UK, Australia, and most EU countries enjoy a 90-day visa-free stay. No pre-arrival electronic visa (like an ESTA) is currently required for these passport holders.
Family Setup
Group Declarations
Traveling with kids or elderly parents? You can register them as "Family Members" under one Visit Japan Web account. You'll only need to show one Customs QR code for the entire family.
2. Must-Have Apps & Digital Tools
Japan's transit networks are notoriously complex. Save time and avoid getting lost by downloading these essentials before you fly:
Interactive Guide
Okinawa Pass
Self-driving tips, hidden beaches, and Kokusai Dori food guides.
Interactive Guide
Osaka Pass
Universal Studios, Shinsaibashi eats, and Kansai rail maps.
Interactive Guide
Fukuoka Pass
Yatai street food, Dazaifu, and Kyushu regional passes.
Japan Transit Planner (Navitime) The Ultimate Train Tool
Tokyo's subways can be a maze. This app not only tells you which platform to go to, but it also tells you which specific train car to board to be closest to your exit or transfer stairs.
Uber / GO Taxi Ride-Hailing
Taxis in Japan are pristine but expensive. Your standard Uber app works in Japan (it summons a local taxi), or you can use "GO", Japan’s #1 local taxi app. Both allow credit card payments within the app.
Google Translate Camera Translation
An absolute lifesaver. Use the camera feature to live-translate restaurant menus, supermarket labels, and complicated washing machine buttons in your Airbnb.
Tabelog Local Food Ratings
Japan's equivalent to Yelp. Japanese reviewers are notoriously strict. Anything over 3.5 stars is excellent, and anything above 3.8 is considered world-class dining. Use it to find hidden local gems.
3. Practical Prep & Transit
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Connectivity & Airport Transfers
Book an eSIM online before you fly so you have data the moment you land. We also highly recommend pre-booking your airport express train tickets (like the Narita Skyliner or Kansai Haruka) via travel platforms to skip the long ticket counter lines.
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Digital IC Cards (Suica / ICOCA)
While credit cards are widely accepted, you still need an "IC Card" for transit and vending machines. If you have an iPhone, open Apple Wallet, add a Digital Suica or ICOCA, and load it using your foreign credit card. You can simply tap your phone at train turnstiles and convenience stores without waking the screen!
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Voltage & Power Adapters
Japan operates on 100V and uses Type A (2 flat pins) sockets.
• US/Canada: Your standard 2-prong chargers will work fine. However, if you have a 3-prong (grounded) plug, you will need a 3-to-2 prong adapter.
• UK/EU/AUS: You must bring a travel adapter, as your plugs will not physically fit into Japanese sockets.
4. Traveling with Kids
Strollers & Multi-Purpose Toilets
Older train stations often require a long walk to find the single elevator. Use Navitime to locate elevator-friendly exits. On the bright side, Japanese malls and stations feature massive, pristine "Multi-Purpose Toilets" (誰でもトイレ) that easily fit a stroller, luggage, and have diaper changing stations.
Dining Age Restrictions
Many traditional Izakayas (pubs) still allow indoor smoking and may politely turn away families with minors. High-end Omakase sushi counters also often have "No Kids" policies. For stress-free dining, look for "Family Restaurants" (like Gusto or Denny's) or department store food floors.
Climate & Medications
If visiting in winter, be prepared for freezing outdoor temperatures but intensely hot indoor heating on trains and in malls. Dress your kids in "onion layers" (easy to peel off) so they don't sweat inside and catch a cold outside. The air is also very dry, so bring heavy moisturizers. Always pack your child's preferred fever/stomach meds from home, as Japanese drugstores can be overwhelming to navigate.
5. Crucial Culture & Etiquette
2026 Tax-Free System
Japan has revamped its tax-free system! Under the new "Pay First, Refund Later" policy, you must pay the full 10% tax at the store. The store logs your purchase digitally. Before your departing flight, scan your passport at the airport's tax kiosk, and the tax amount will be refunded directly to your credit card. Do not pack these items in your checked luggage until you've cleared the kiosk!
City & Onsen Taxes
Even if you pre-paid your hotel online, major cities (Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, Fukuoka) require the front desk to collect a municipal Accommodation Tax (usually ¥100-¥500 per person/night) at check-in. If staying at a hot spring (Ryokan), you'll also pay an Onsen Tax. Most hotels require this small fee to be paid in cash only.
No Tipping & The Cash Tray
Japan has absolutely NO tipping culture. If you leave money on the table, the waiter will chase you down the street thinking you forgot your change. Furthermore, never hand cash or credit cards directly to a cashier's hands. Always place your payment into the small plastic or wooden tray provided at the counter.
No Trash Cans & No Eating While Walking
Public trash cans are virtually non-existent in Japan. You are expected to carry your trash with you until you return to your hotel (bring a ziplock bag!). Also, eating or drinking while walking is considered very rude. If you buy street food or a drink from a vending machine, stand off to the side, finish it there, and dispose of the wrapper in the vendor's bin before moving on.
Toilet Etiquette
Unlike some parts of the world, Japanese plumbing is highly advanced. You must flush your toilet paper down the toilet, never put it in the small bin next to the toilet (which is strictly for sanitary products). Also, don't be alarmed by the electronic control panels—almost all public toilets feature heated seats and bidets!