Tips for First-Time Travelers in Japan

Daily purchases and driving

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Convenience Stores

Money

Driving in Japan

CONVENIENCE STORES

There are a large number of convenience stores, combinis, all over Japan. These stores are open around the clock 7 days a week. Combinis sell an incredible variety of food, snacks, and drinks, and the selection differs based on the season and locale. You can find for example sandwiches, lunch boxes (obento), rice balls (onigiri), instant ramen, fried chicken, and microwave meals that can be heated in the store.

Other everyday items, such as cosmetics, body care products, newspapers, manga, umbrellas, and even clothes can be found. Convenience stores also offer various services, such as ATMs, bill payment service, Wi-Fi, delivery services (drop-off and pick up), and multi-purpose terminals (tickets for events, theme parks, and some transportation services). Some combinis also have a toilet for the customers to use. The major operators are Family Mart, Lawson and Seven-Eleven, which compete against each other to deliver the best service and selection.

Travel tip: If you are ever in need of something, run into a combini and chances are they will carry it.

MONEY

Japan is a cash-based economy - if you’re unsure about whether a restaurant or bar accepts cards, ask first. Some places now accept PayPay, ApplePay (mobile payment systems), and Suica/PASMO (the prepaid fare cards used for trains and buses), but we always recommend carrying cash, especially if you are exploring more traditional old town areas.

Tipping

Tipping is not customary in Japan, and commercial settings do not generally require tips. However, in high-end restaurants and ryokan (traditional Japanese hotels), there is a similar custom known as chadai (茶代）or kokorozuke (心付け). Contrary to tipping in Western countries, chadai or kokorozuke has to be “wrapped” in paper or enclosed in “tipping bags” called shugibukuro (祝儀袋). Handing out bills or coins without envelopes is considered to be very rude. Another different aspect is the timing: kokorozuke is given before receiving service, as it is part of the greeting or requesting ritual.

These customs can feel quite confusing and daunting when first coming to Japan, so please feel free to ask us or your guide when you are unsure of the necessary formalities.

Gift-giving is also a major part of Japanese customs. If you are going to an artisan’s atelier for a private lesson or experience, you are essentially entering their “home”. It is customary to bring a gift to express gratitude.

Currency Exchange

Exchanging money at the airport is an obvious disaster, but you may not have much of a choice unless you have come prepared with traveler’s cheques or cash in hand. You may be better off withdrawing cash from an ATM at the airport if your bank waives international transaction fees. There are a couple from the exit at Terminal 1 South Wing in Narita - as you face the exits to the road outside, take a 5 minute walk leftwards and you’ll see a bank of ATMs.

It’s harder to find dedicated currency exchange stores like Travelex, so you’re better off going to a bank, like Mitsubishi UFJ or Mitsui-Sumitomo (SMBC). Some places will have a dedicated ground-floor space for foreign currency exchange. They’ll usually levy a 2% fee. Be sure to check with your credit card and debit card providers to see if they’ll dock you for using your card overseas. Charles Schwab Visa and Capital One don’t charge fees.

ATMs

Most convenience stores have an ATM, however, not all convenience store ATMs accept foreign credit cards, so we recommend you head into a convenience store early on in your trip to check the options. Also, withdrawing money from an ATM, even at a 24-hour convenience store, may be restricted by bank access hours. Try not to find yourself stuck without cash.

Purchasing online

You can purchase things on Amazon.co.jp and pay to have them delivered to you at a convenience store, which can be convenient if you’re in need of something quick. Amazon also does same-day delivery in Japan.

driving in japan

You cannot drive in Japan with only a US driver’s license. International Driver’s permits obtained outside of Japan can be used, but not for extended periods of time. In order to complicate things even further, International Driver’s permits from some countries (France for instance) are not valid in Japan. Driving is on the left side, with the driver’s wheel on the right. No right turns on red are allowed. If you are heading out into the rural parts of Japan for a nature trip, contact us and we are more than happy to provide hired transportation or prepare a rental car for your use.

See Also

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