10 things to know before visiting Japan — honest advice from a local.

Despite being one of the world's most technologically advanced countries, Japan relies on cash to a degree that surprises most visitors. Many restaurants, temples, local shops, and vending machines only accept cash. Even some convenience stores in rural areas are cash-only. Before you arrive, withdraw yen at the airport or at a 7-Eleven ATM — they reliably accept foreign cards where many other ATMs do not.

Suica (Tokyo) or Pasmo — these rechargeable cards work on virtually every train, subway, and bus in Japan, and in many cities beyond Tokyo too. You simply tap in and tap out. No buying individual tickets, no fumbling with change, no missed trains. You can also use them at convenience stores, vending machines, and some restaurants. Pick one up at any major station as soon as you land.

You will remove your shoes more often than you expect — at traditional ryokans, many temples, some restaurants, and the occasional museum. Shoes with complicated laces or buckles become genuinely annoying by day two. Comfortable, slip-on footwear makes the experience much smoother. Also worth noting: your socks will be visible, so bring ones without holes.

Japan is famously clean — but the reason isn't what you might expect. There are virtually no public bins anywhere. Locals carry their rubbish home with them, or dispose of it at convenience stores (which have small bins). Bring a small bag to carry any packaging, wrappers, or drinks you finish while walking. It becomes second nature very quickly.

Phone calls on trains are considered poor manners in Japan. Most carriages have a sign asking passengers to set phones to silent and avoid calls. Music should be kept to headphones at a volume that doesn't leak. Conversations between friends are fine, but at a lower volume than you might use elsewhere. Priority seating areas near doors are especially quiet zones — some people even switch their phones to flight mode there.

Tipping in Japan is not just unnecessary — it can genuinely confuse or even offend. Service in Japan is considered a professional standard, not something that warrants extra payment. At restaurants, ryokans, taxis, and hotels, simply saying thank you sincerely is the appropriate response to good service. If you leave money on the table, a server may chase you down the street to return it.

7-Eleven, Lawson, and FamilyMart in Japan are nothing like their equivalents elsewhere. The food is fresh, varied, and good — onigiri, sandwiches, hot foods, quality desserts. Beyond food, you can pay utility bills, print documents, buy concert tickets, withdraw cash from reliable ATMs, send luggage to your next hotel, and buy almost anything you might have forgotten to pack. When in doubt, find a convenience store.

Japan has one of the highest concentrations of vending machines in the world — roughly one for every 23 people. Hot and cold drinks, snacks, and sometimes even more unexpected items are available at almost every street corner, train station, and mountain trail. They are reliable, affordable, and genuinely useful. In summer heat or winter cold, a vending machine drink is often a lifesaver.

Traditional onsen (hot spring baths) in Japan often have a blanket ban on tattoos, regardless of size or placement. This stems from historical associations with organised crime, and while attitudes are gradually changing, many facilities — particularly traditional ryokan and public bath houses — still enforce the rule strictly. If you have tattoos and plan to visit onsen, research tattoo-friendly facilities in advance, or look for private baths (kashikiri-buro) which you can book exclusively.

Japan has several peak travel periods when popular destinations become genuinely overwhelming and prices spike significantly. Cherry blossom season (late March to early April) and autumn foliage (mid-November) attract enormous crowds to temples and parks. Golden Week (late April to early May) and Obon (mid-August) are major domestic holiday periods when trains and accommodation book out weeks in advance. If your dates overlap with any of these, either plan meticulously ahead — or consider less-visited destinations where the crowds are far thinner.