VISITING JAPAN FOR THE FIRST TIME - TIPS
Before you land, I’d recommend downloading the following apps:
Google translate
Klook for train tickets
Download Holafly to use for you esim
Some general tips/notes
Taxis
Taxis in Japan are expensive. They’re more like hired cars, so I’d only recommend taking them if you’re in a hurry or are exhausted from traveling and just want something easy. You’ll want to have an address ready and a map to show the driver. The addresses can be confusing, even to local drivers so having the map as a reference for them is helpful. There are lights on top of the cars to signal if it’s in use; red means it’s free, green means it’s taken. Also, they’ll open the doors for you, so don’t open them yourself.
Trains/subway
The trains are awesome in Japan! You can tap into the stations with a Suica card, something you’ll want to add to your phone. You just tap your phone to the reader, you don’t even need to unlock your phone. The cost will vary depending on the type of train you take/how far you take it but it’s very cheap. Use Google Maps for directions as CityMapper doesn’t work great in Japan.
If you’re traveling city to city, you will need to purchase train tickets on Klook or another app. If you’re taking the Shinkasen, paying extra for first-class seats it recommended since they’re a bit more comfortable for longer journeys.
renting a car
Driving in Japan is fairly easy, but a few things to note. They drive on the left side of the road (this also means the windshield wiper and blinker are switched ;) and have different traffic signs that the US. Rental cars will come with pamphlets explaining the different signs, so take a look at what the stop sign looks like before you start driving, LOL. Also, they’ll give you the option to rent a toll pass. Choose the option to pay as you go, rather than prepaying in case you don’t hit tolls.
Note: If you’re driving from Sapporo to Niseko, you don’t pass any tolls. It’s a scenic drive, about 2 hours. FWD cars are fine on the roads.
food courts
In America, food courts are where all the cheap, fast food chains are (not super desirable as a tourist). We found in Japan that that’s where a lot of the locals go for a quick bite, especially if a lot of the surrounding restaurants are busy. It’s a great option to explore if the lines are super long elsewhere.