As part of our website, we have an active Facebook community with well over 100,000 members. It’s a place to share your love for Japan, find useful tips for your next trip and ask questions.
To avoid the group from getting the same questions over and over again, I’ve put together this handy FAQ. Having been running the group since the start of 2022, I’ve seen a lot of similar questions and problems travellers struggle with, so hopefully this will give you some clearance.
If the answers below don’t clear everything up, or you have any additional questions, feel free to post your questions in the group. I will get to you as soon as possible, along with thousands of other helpful Japan enthusiasts.
Happy travelling!
Join the Japan Travel Facebook Group here
*The Navigatio uses affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, I will receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you!
FAQ Overview
Generally, Spring (end of March – beginning of May) and Autumn (October – November) are the best times to visit Japan. In Spring, you’ll be able to enjoy the cherry blossoms, while in Autumn, the autumn foliage will be just as beautiful. Autumn does tend to be a bit cheaper and less busy compared to Spring, so that’s worth keeping in mind.
Obviously, if you’re travelling to Japan for other reasons, like going skiing, different months may work better. Keep in mind that Summers in Japan are very hot and humid, and are best avoided.
Japan is a large country, so weather and temperatures vary greatly depending on where you’re planning to visit. To get a good idea of the weather during the month you’re planning to visit, use a website such as Accu Weather. On this site, you can type in the destination and even check the average temperatures, rainfall and sun hours per month.
Before bringing medication to Japan with you, please check if you’re allowed to take your type of medication with you. Some medication is banned in Japan, including some ADHD meds (such as Adderall and Dexedrine).
For most medication, however, you’re allowed to bring a personal supply. Usually, this is a one-month supply for prescription medicine and a two-month supply for non-prescription medicine. If you want to bring more, you have to apply for a Yunyu Kakunin-sho – you may need to show this certificate at customs.
For more information on how to apply for a Yunyu Kakunin-sho or to check what medications you’re allowed to bring (and how much), check the following websites (https://en.japantravel.com/guide/bringing-medicines-into-japan/ & https://www.mhlw.go.jp/english/policy/health-medical/pharmaceuticals/01.html) AND/OR check with your embassy.
The best way to get started planning a trip to Japan is to figure out your list of absolute must-do’s while you’re there. You can start by checking out our list of the best things to do in Japan and our Japan itineraries. You can copy our itineraries for free.
We also have guides for the big cities on accommodation that take into account options for different types of travellers (solo, couple, family), budget, and also location to public transport.
Once you’re at the point where you know what cities you want to visit and how long you want to spend in each one, the rest of it pretty much takes care of itself! But feel free to always ask anything in our Facebook Group you might be worried about! We’re here to help.
We highly recommend planning your own trip and using our group and website as a resource to make it happen! It might feel a bit scary at first, but you will save so much money (or be able to spend a bit more on the things you’d REALLY love to do to make it special) by booking everything yourself. We’ve seen people save thousands of pounds by avoiding travel agencies!
To start, I suggest taking a look at our itineraries and “things to do in Japan” guide as inspiration. You can compare it to the list you’ve already made of things you’d like to do. You can use and copy our itineraries for free and use our accommodation guides to book the right hotels for your trip without overpaying.
We’re always happy to take a look at your planned itinerary if you post it in our Facebook Group. However, please have a rough plan when you post it. To get started, take a look at our pre-planned itineraries for first-time visitors – they’re free to copy and include day-to-day plans, walking routes, accommodation recommendations and more.
The Japan Rail Pass (JR Pass) can be a great money saver, as it allows you to take unlimited train rides on the JR lines in Japan. However, the prices of these passes have increased significantly in October 2023. Since the price increase, most people travelling to Japan will be better off buying individual train tickets or regional passes instead of the JR Pass.
The best way to figure out whether or not the pass is worth it for your trip is by using a JR Pass Calculator. Simply add your itinerary to this calculator and it will add up the prices of individual tickets to show you whether or not the pass could save you money.
If the JR Pass isn’t a good idea for your trip, you could buy individual tickets for the Shinkansen instead. The easiest way to do so is to buy them from the train station in Japan on the day of your journey. If you want to pre-book tickets, however, you can use websites like Klook to buy your tickets in advance.
Yes, you can take most luggage on the Shinkansen with you. However, oversized bags may require a reservation.
Bags that are between 161 and 250 cm (when adding up the length, width and height) require a reservation, which you can do at the station, the JR office or online. Simply let the member of staff know you’d like to bring a large bag with you, or select the “seat with an oversized baggage area” when booking online.
Bags that exceed 250 cm (when adding up the length, width and height), are not allowed to be brought on the Shinkansen with you. You can find more information about this on the official JR website.
These are virtually the same, just with a different name. The name will differ depending on where you buy the pass – in Tokyo, you’ll find Suica and Pasmo, for example. It doesn’t matter which one you get, as you’ll be able to use them throughout Japan (apart from Okinawa).
We have comprehensive guides on the best areas in most major Japanese cities, along with our favourite hotel and ryokan picks. Before asking the Facebook Group, take a look at the guides below (we regularly update them!):
If you’re booking your own trip (without a travel agency), you can use the following sites to safely book your hotels:
There are other trustworthy websites, of course, but the ones mentioned above are the ones I use. You can also consider checking out an Airbnb in Japan, which could be a good option if you’re staying somewhere for a longer period.
It’s important to book your hotels in advance. However, keep in mind that some hotels in Japan don’t open up reservations until 3–6 months before the dates.
No, public WiFi isn’t widely available in Japan. But even when it is available, you should always be wary when using free public WiFi without a proper VPN. Getting a Pocket WiFi or eSIM when travelling in Japan is a cheap solution to having access to the Internet at all times – it’s a MUST, especially when using Google Maps and Google Translate to make your way around Japan.
Both Pocket WiFi and eSIMs are great solutions to gain Internet access in Japan. Which one is better depends on your personal preferences. Personally, I’m a big fan of Pocket WiFi, as I can connect multiple devices to it, which makes it perfect for travelling around with my fiance.
We do! You can use the following codes for a discount on Pocket WiFi:
Downloading Google Maps and adding your Suica card to your phone wallet is essential. Check out our full guide with the best apps for travelling in Japan for some more useful downloads.
To avoid the group from getting the same questions over and over again, I’ve put together this handy FAQ. Having been running the group since the start of 2022, I’ve seen a lot of similar questions and problems travellers struggle with, so hopefully this will give you some clearance.
If the answers below don’t clear everything up, or you have any additional questions, feel free to post your questions in the group. I will get to you as soon as possible, along with thousands of other helpful Japan enthusiasts.
Happy travelling!
Join the Japan Travel Facebook Group here
*The Navigatio uses affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, I will receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you!
FAQ Overview
General Japan Travel Questions
What’s the best time to visit Japan?
Generally, Spring (end of March – beginning of May) and Autumn (October – November) are the best times to visit Japan. In Spring, you’ll be able to enjoy the cherry blossoms, while in Autumn, the autumn foliage will be just as beautiful. Autumn does tend to be a bit cheaper and less busy compared to Spring, so that’s worth keeping in mind.
Obviously, if you’re travelling to Japan for other reasons, like going skiing, different months may work better. Keep in mind that Summers in Japan are very hot and humid, and are best avoided.
What’s the weather like in X month?
Japan is a large country, so weather and temperatures vary greatly depending on where you’re planning to visit. To get a good idea of the weather during the month you’re planning to visit, use a website such as Accu Weather. On this site, you can type in the destination and even check the average temperatures, rainfall and sun hours per month.
Can I bring X medication to Japan with me?
Before bringing medication to Japan with you, please check if you’re allowed to take your type of medication with you. Some medication is banned in Japan, including some ADHD meds (such as Adderall and Dexedrine).
For most medication, however, you’re allowed to bring a personal supply. Usually, this is a one-month supply for prescription medicine and a two-month supply for non-prescription medicine. If you want to bring more, you have to apply for a Yunyu Kakunin-sho – you may need to show this certificate at customs.
For more information on how to apply for a Yunyu Kakunin-sho or to check what medications you’re allowed to bring (and how much), check the following websites (https://en.japantravel.com/guide/bringing-medicines-into-japan/ & https://www.mhlw.go.jp/english/policy/health-medical/pharmaceuticals/01.html) AND/OR check with your embassy.
Planning Your Trip & Japan Itinerary
How do I start planning a trip to Japan?
The best way to get started planning a trip to Japan is to figure out your list of absolute must-do’s while you’re there. You can start by checking out our list of the best things to do in Japan and our Japan itineraries. You can copy our itineraries for free.
We also have guides for the big cities on accommodation that take into account options for different types of travellers (solo, couple, family), budget, and also location to public transport.
Once you’re at the point where you know what cities you want to visit and how long you want to spend in each one, the rest of it pretty much takes care of itself! But feel free to always ask anything in our Facebook Group you might be worried about! We’re here to help.
Should I use a travel agency or plan my own Japan trip?
We highly recommend planning your own trip and using our group and website as a resource to make it happen! It might feel a bit scary at first, but you will save so much money (or be able to spend a bit more on the things you’d REALLY love to do to make it special) by booking everything yourself. We’ve seen people save thousands of pounds by avoiding travel agencies!
To start, I suggest taking a look at our itineraries and “things to do in Japan” guide as inspiration. You can compare it to the list you’ve already made of things you’d like to do. You can use and copy our itineraries for free and use our accommodation guides to book the right hotels for your trip without overpaying.
I need help with my itinerary
We’re always happy to take a look at your planned itinerary if you post it in our Facebook Group. However, please have a rough plan when you post it. To get started, take a look at our pre-planned itineraries for first-time visitors – they’re free to copy and include day-to-day plans, walking routes, accommodation recommendations and more.
Transportation in Japan
Do I need a Japan Rail Pass? Is it worth it for my trip?
The Japan Rail Pass (JR Pass) can be a great money saver, as it allows you to take unlimited train rides on the JR lines in Japan. However, the prices of these passes have increased significantly in October 2023. Since the price increase, most people travelling to Japan will be better off buying individual train tickets or regional passes instead of the JR Pass.
The best way to figure out whether or not the pass is worth it for your trip is by using a JR Pass Calculator. Simply add your itinerary to this calculator and it will add up the prices of individual tickets to show you whether or not the pass could save you money.
How to book Shinkansen (Bullet Train) tickets?
If the JR Pass isn’t a good idea for your trip, you could buy individual tickets for the Shinkansen instead. The easiest way to do so is to buy them from the train station in Japan on the day of your journey. If you want to pre-book tickets, however, you can use websites like Klook to buy your tickets in advance.
Can I take my luggage with me on the Shinkansen?
Yes, you can take most luggage on the Shinkansen with you. However, oversized bags may require a reservation.
Bags that are between 161 and 250 cm (when adding up the length, width and height) require a reservation, which you can do at the station, the JR office or online. Simply let the member of staff know you’d like to bring a large bag with you, or select the “seat with an oversized baggage area” when booking online.
Bags that exceed 250 cm (when adding up the length, width and height), are not allowed to be brought on the Shinkansen with you. You can find more information about this on the official JR website.
Which IC card is better? Suica, Pasmo or Icoca?
These are virtually the same, just with a different name. The name will differ depending on where you buy the pass – in Tokyo, you’ll find Suica and Pasmo, for example. It doesn’t matter which one you get, as you’ll be able to use them throughout Japan (apart from Okinawa).
Accommodation/Hotels in Japan
I’m looking for hotels in x city, any recommendations?
We have comprehensive guides on the best areas in most major Japanese cities, along with our favourite hotel and ryokan picks. Before asking the Facebook Group, take a look at the guides below (we regularly update them!):
- Where to stay in Tokyo
- Where to stay in Kyoto
- Where to stay in Osaka
- Where to stay in Hakone
- Best Mount Fuji hotels (with private onsen)
- Best ryokans in Nikko
- Best ryokans in Tokyo.
What websites are legit/safe for booking hotels in Japan?
If you’re booking your own trip (without a travel agency), you can use the following sites to safely book your hotels:
- Booking.com
- Hotels.com
- Agoda.com
- Expedia.com.
There are other trustworthy websites, of course, but the ones mentioned above are the ones I use. You can also consider checking out an Airbnb in Japan, which could be a good option if you’re staying somewhere for a longer period.
How far in advance should I book my hotels?
It’s important to book your hotels in advance. However, keep in mind that some hotels in Japan don’t open up reservations until 3–6 months before the dates.
Phone and Internet Access in Japan
Can you rely on public WiFi in Japan?
No, public WiFi isn’t widely available in Japan. But even when it is available, you should always be wary when using free public WiFi without a proper VPN. Getting a Pocket WiFi or eSIM when travelling in Japan is a cheap solution to having access to the Internet at all times – it’s a MUST, especially when using Google Maps and Google Translate to make your way around Japan.
Is Pocket WiFi or an eSIM better in Japan?
Both Pocket WiFi and eSIMs are great solutions to gain Internet access in Japan. Which one is better depends on your personal preferences. Personally, I’m a big fan of Pocket WiFi, as I can connect multiple devices to it, which makes it perfect for travelling around with my fiance.
Do you have a discount for Pocket WiFi or eSIM?
We do! You can use the following codes for a discount on Pocket WiFi:
What essential apps do I need to download before travelling to Japan?
Downloading Google Maps and adding your Suica card to your phone wallet is essential. Check out our full guide with the best apps for travelling in Japan for some more useful downloads.