Before Leaving for Japan
Preparing a trip to Japan requires a careful blend of cultural awareness and practical anticipation to ensure your journey is both smooth and deeply respectful. After two decades of guiding travelers to Japan, Shanti Travel has honed expert insight into the nuanced etiquette, essential logistics, and up-to-the-minute requirements that characterize a successful Japanese adventure. Here are our latest, in-depth recommendations for your departure checklist.
What to Pack?
Packing for Japan goes beyond the climate. It's about anticipating the settings and customs that will shape your experience. Here are some tailored tips:
Luggage preparation:
- Travel light whenever possible. Many stations and hotels have steps and limited porterage; using public transport with large cases is cumbersome. Consider splitting luggage and using Japan’s highly efficient "Takuhaibin" (luggage forwarding) service, which for a reasonable fee can send your suitcase to your next hotel or the airport. This enables you to travel hands-free, just like the locals during transfers.
- Slip-on shoes are a game changer, since you’ll be removing your shoes frequently to enter ryokan, homes, some restaurants, temples, and even selected shops. Bring socks in good condition, as holes or worn-out pairs will be noticed and can cause embarrassment.
- Packing list by season:
For Summer in Japan
- A Europe/Japan power adapter. Japan uses type A plugs, which are easy to find locally
- A practical backpack for long walks
- Lightweight, quick-drying clothes, both long and short
- Warm clothes for cooler mountain areas and/or northern Japan
- Plenty of sunscreen and something to cover your head
- Scarves or other light accessories easy to carry for very air-conditioned places and visiting sacred sites
- Comfortable shoes suitable for long walks, visits, and/or sporty treks, plus lightweight open shoes (flip-flops/sandals)
- A raincoat and/or cape in case of rain
- Swimsuit/towel
- Some masks, commonly used locally when having a cold or to protect from dust, beyond pandemic periods
For Winter in Japan
- A Europe/Japan power adapter. Japan uses type A plugs, which are easy to find locally
- A practical backpack for long walks
- A warm coat
- Warm clothes for passing through mountainous and snowy areas
- Useful accessories such as gloves, hat, thick socks, scarves...
- Comfortable shoes suitable for long walks, visits, and/or sporty treks
- A waterproof coat and/or cape in case of rain
- Swimsuit/towel
- Masks are also appreciated during winter
For Spring and Autumn in Japan
- A Europe/Japan power adapter. Japan uses type A plugs, which are easy to find locally
- A practical backpack for long walks
- Lightweight, quick-drying clothes, both long and short
- Mid-season jacket or coat
- Warm clothes for cooler mountain areas and/or northern Japan
- Sunscreen and something to cover your head (especially if visiting the southern part of the country)
- Scarves
- Comfortable shoes suitable for long walks, visits, and/or sporty treks
- A raincoat and/or cape in case of rain
- Swimsuit/towel
- Masks for spring allergies (pollen especially)
Practical tip: Carry small foldable pouches or bags for your garbage—public bins are rare, and it is expected you will take your own rubbish back with you.
Preparation Tips and Mistakes to Avoid
- Book in advance: Seats on the Shinkansen (bullet train), accommodations, high-end restaurants, and museum entries sell out quickly—especially during cherry blossom and autumn foliage periods. Both local and foreign demand spike at these times, so plan meticulously.
- Entry pre-authorization: As of 2025, travelers from visa-exempt countries must secure a Japan Electronic Travel Authorization (JESTA) online before arrival. Registering in advance on the Visit Japan Web platform also saves considerable time on arrival for customs and immigration.
- Passport and documentation: It is a legal requirement to carry your passport on your person at all times in Japan. If you plan to shop tax-free, request a passport stamp on arrival, as it is not always automatic with some digital border systems.
- Medication rules: Standard medicines for up to one month’s personal use can typically be brought without pre-approval, but controlled substances (certain stimulants, narcotics) require formal permission from Japanese authorities before arrival. Always carry medications in original packaging, and prepare a formal list for customs if traveling with prescription drugs.
- Learn basic Japanese etiquette phrases: "Arigato gozaimasu" (thank you), "sumimasen" (excuse me), and modest bowing will offer you warm welcomes. When accepting business cards or gifts, use both hands and show gratitude, even for small gestures.
- Footwear etiquette: You’ll often encounter slippers for toilets and for general indoors—never wear toilet slippers outside the washroom. Keep your socks tidy, and avoid bare feet in formal interiors.
- Bathing customs: At onsens (hot springs) or ryokans, wash and rinse thoroughly before entering shared baths, and never submerge towels in the water. Bathing is a serene, communal ritual, so keep conversations quiet and respectful.
- Chopsticks etiquette: Don’t pass food directly from chopstick to chopstick (this echoes funeral rites), never stick chopsticks vertically in rice, and do not gesture with them. Place them gently on the chopstick rest.
Health Considerations
- Insurance: Medical care in Japan is efficient but costly for out-of-pocket patients. Arrange international travel health insurance before departure.
- Medications: As noted, check the Japanese import restrictions for all prescription and over-the-counter drugs. Carry a translated medication list if needed for customs.
- Vaccines: No mandatory vaccines for most travelers (unless arriving from yellow fever zones). For rural or extended countryside stays, discuss Japanese encephalitis vaccination with your physician.
- First-aid kit: Include your regular medications, standard first-aid materials, and—especially for humid summers—mosquito repellant. Many Japanese pharmacies stock high-quality over-the-counter products as backup.
Electricity
Japan uses type A electrical outlets (flat two-pin), so European travelers require adapters. Power banks must be packed in carry-on luggage and under 160 Wh. Many hotels and electronics stores offer adapters for sale or sometimes loan.
Internet
- Stay connected: Most travelers opt for a pocket Wi-Fi router or prepaid SIM card. Pocket Wi-Fi is especially useful for families or groups and works throughout the country, including rural areas where public Wi-Fi is patchy.
- Useful apps: Download Japan Connected Free Wi-Fi to access hotspots (over 80,000 across the country), railway apps for navigation, and translation tools to ease daily interactions.
Phone
- Unlocked phones only: Ensure your device is unlocked before departure so you can use local SIMs or data plans without hassle. Many airports and city centers have booths for SIM or pocket Wi-Fi rental; passport required.
Money
Japan remains profoundly cash-based, so always carry cash for day-to-day transactions. ATMs accepting foreign cards are reliably found in 7-Elevens, Japan Post branches, and airports, but may have service restrictions on weekends and holidays. Tipping is not customary and may even be refused—good service is standard and included in pricing. For tax-free shopping, always have your passport ready, and ensure you have an entry stamp.
Time Difference
The Japan/France time difference is +8 hours in winter and +7 in summer (Japan is ahead). Japan does not observe daylight saving time. The official time zone is JST (Japan Standard Time, UTC+9).
Passport and Visa
For French and most European citizens, no visa is required for stays up to 90 days. Ensure your passport is valid for the duration of your intended stay. IMPORTANT: Beginning in 2025, all visa-exempt visitors must complete the JESTA electronic pre-authorization before travel. Registration on the Visit Japan Web platform remains essential for seamless entry procedures and faster processing.
Medication and Customs Callout
Important: If you need to travel with controlled or prescription medication, check the Japanese Ministry of Health’s current import rules at least one month before departure. Carry prescriptions and, if necessary, import approvals with you. Unexpected denials at customs can disrupt your journey.
Japan offers both dazzling malls and charming artisanal boutiques, with unique souvenirs such as washi paper, yukata robes, lacquerware, matcha green tea, and limited regional items. Expect your purchases to be immaculately gift-wrapped, a nod to the culture’s appreciation for thoughtful presentation. Gift-giving and receipt etiquette is also a detail worth mastering—offer and receive with both hands and a modest bow. Remember, customer service is discrete and attentive; a sincere smile or nod of thanks suffices.
Preparing well for your trip to Japan means anticipating, respecting, and opening yourself to a culture as refined as it is attentive to others. At Shanti Travel, our advisors keep you up-to-date with all the subtleties, from digital immigration to the quiet wisdom of bowing, that transform an ordinary trip into an unforgettable experience.
