Japan practical information

Like every other country, Japan has its own set of unique characteristics, on top of having a different language on its own. Here are 10 things to know about Japan before going to make it more convenient for you in your travels.

1. Language

The most widely spoken language within Japan is Japanese. However, there are a large number of dialects but the Tokyo dialect is considered the standard Japanese. Ryukuan languages, part of the Japonic language, are spoken in Okinawa and parts of Kagoshima in the Ryukyu Islands. There is also the Ainu language, spoken by the Ainu people who are the indigenous people, in Hokkaido. There are also languages such as Orok, Evenki, and Nivkh which are spoken in the formerly controlled southern Sakhalin. These languages are becoming more and more endangered and are even classified as so by UNESCO.

Not many people in Japan can handle conversational English, although many would be willing to help you. Most hotel clerks and tourist centers can have a little bit of knowledge, mostly toward the tourist sector. You can get by going around in Japan with just English, as all the signs in the railways, bus stations and explanatory boards have English available as well. Nevertheless, as long as you aren’t heading to those rural areas, knowing a few standard Japanese phrases will get you through most of your journey through Japan.

Useful phrases:

2. Culture

The Japanese culture was heavily influenced by China in the early years, after which they cultivated a distinct Japanese culture by isolating themselves from the outside world during the Edo era. After the fall of the Edo era, Japan opened its doors and adopted cultural practices from all over the world and mixed them with existing practices. Over the years, almost all aspects of Japanese culture has been influenced by Western culture. The Japanese hold their traditions sacred and many celebrations take place throughout the whole year, including big ones such as New Year’s Day (January 1st) and the Golden Week (4th week of April).

The Japanese practice either Shintoism, a Japanese religion, or Buddhism, mainly from China. Shintoism focuses mainly on ceremonies and rituals and one of the goals is to maintain a connection between humans, nature and kami, which is a deity or spirit that is present throughout nature.

The Japanese traditional clothing is a Kimono. A Kimono literally means “thing to wear” but over the years the traditional costume that is made of silk has come to be used only during ceremonial or formal events such as weddings. You may sometimes see them worn near traditional landmarks for photography by locals and foreigners alike. The Yukata, also known as the Kimono that is worn in summer, is made of a different material, cotton, which is cooler and more breathable. The Yukata can be seen even on streets worn during the Summer by many locals.

3. Currency

The official currency of Japan is the Japanese Yen (円 in Japanese, ¥ symbol in front; JPY currency code and also abbreviated as JP¥). Bills come in 1,000 yen, 2,000 yen, 5,000 yen and 10,000yen denominations and coins come in 1 yen, 5 yen, 10 yen, 50 yen, 100 yen and 500 yen denominations. Foreign currencies are generally not accepted within Japan except for major international airports.

Although cash is still the preferred payment method in Japan, having a reputation of being a cash-based society, credit cards are also widely used in due to gradually changing trends. However, when visiting various tourist sights with entrance fees, smaller restaurants and small shops, cash is usually the only way to make payment. If you’re traveling on buses and trams without a transportation card (Suica/Pasmo/ Icoca), you would need to prepare cash as well, preferably in smaller coin denominations.

Credit cards can be safely used in most big cities in hotels, departmental stores, mid to high-end restaurants, outlet malls and retail shops.

4. Weather & Clothing

There are four different seasons in Japan. Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter. Depending on which area that you might go, the weather differs greatly. The Summers and Winters in Japan are harsh and require special attention to skincare and attire to prevent any discomfort and accidents. In the tables below, are the average temperatures, humidity levels and precipitation levels during the different seasons. Ensure that you prepare accordingly!

5. Time Difference

The time zone that is being observed in Japan is Japan Standard Time or JST, which is 9 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT +9). Japan does not operate Daylight Saving Time (DST) and it stays on Standard time all year round.

6. Electricity

The voltage in Japan is 100 Volt, which is different from North America (120 Volt), Central Europe (230 Volt) and many other regions of the world. The electrical plugs and outlets that are used in Japan resemble the North American ones, two or three plat pins, more commonly known as type A and type B.

7. Public Transport

Public transportation in Japan is very efficient, especially within metropolitan areas and between large cities. Japanese public transportation is known for its punctuality, impeccable service and a massive amount of users. You can travel inter-city via trains or airplanes, and within cities you may use the railways, buses, cars and taxis. Public transportation is clean, reliable, very efficient, and it’s a lot less complicated. The Shinkansen, Japan’s bullet train, runs through many of the major cities in Japan and is a very comfortable and fast means of transport between cities. City buses provide a cheaper mean of transport within big cities, such as Tokyo or Osaka.

Tokyo has two different train cards that can be recharged and used over and over again. These are IC cards and one is called Pasmo while the other is Suica. They can be used on public buses, airport shuttles, intercity and overnight services and trains. They can be used at many convenience stores such as 7-Eleven, Lawson and Ministop, coin lockers and vending machines.

8. Water and Food

The tap water in Japan is drinkable. The national water infrastructure and purification facilities are very well-maintained and reliable, so the tap water is of good quality. Bottled water is also readily available in Japan at convenience stores or vending machines for purchase if you are not comfortable drinking tap water.

Japan’s most famous foods are Sushi and Japanese Ramen, but there are a great variety of dishes to try, here are some examples:

• Somen - Boiled, thin white noodles lightly dipped in a sauce served cold is a very refreshing and relaxing dish that is usually eaten during the Summer season. Another version of this is the Nagashi Somen, which is slid down a bamboo shoot with running cold water, usually an activity found in areas not in the main cities.

• Watermelon - These are known to be a lot more juicy and delicious. You can find them being sold in abundance in many places. Beware, it’s not just a fruit that is grown and sold in the masses, but as a pricey delicacy.

• Hiyashi Chuka - A popular Japanese summer dish to have on a hot humid day. It consists of cold ramen noodles, eggs, ham, shrimp, carrot ,cucumber, tomato, sesame sauce and etc. It literally means Chilled Chinese and is the perfect cold ramen noodles.

• Kakigori - Shaved ice served with different toppings such as red bean and a variety of syrup flavors.

• Grilled Eel - Unagi, or freshwater eel, is a perfect dish for a lunch in Japan during summer. It is known to give a lot of stamina to weather through the heat.

• Yakitori - A bite-sized chicken skewer on a wooden stick usually enjoyed with alcoholic beverages. It’s one of the most eaten summer festival foods in Japan.

• Ramune - A very renowned carbonated soft drink in Japan, from children to adults, many Japanese people enjoy drinking this during the summer. It comes in a variety of flavors such as lemon, banana, bubble gum, blueberry, apple, melon, mango and so on.

• Shabu Shabu - a hearty winter dish consisting of meat and vegetables cooked in a broth with seaweed, the name comes from the movement of dipping the meat and “swishing” it around.

• Oden - fish cakes served in broth, a very popular winter snack.

• Nabe - a traditional hot pot dish, one of the oldest japanese comfort foods.

9. WIFI Access

Wifi is relatively common in Japan; all hotels and most ryokan will have wifi provided with the rooms and it is usually free. A few places may charge for Wifi or may only have LAN cable internet access points. When you’re out,some restaurants, cafes, bars and public spaces do provide Wifi. Many cities in Japan are also adding public Wifi in major downtown areas. Wifi in Japan is also almost always super-fast and very reliable in connection.

Other than that, you can buy data-only SIM cards from airports, convenience stores, electronic stores or from third-party providers. No ID is required to purchase them but some cards do require a brief registration process which you can do on your phone with the instructions provided. The cost of a SIM card starts at 10 USD and varies depending on the amount of data and days it will be used. Having data SIM cards would mean you can use data to make calls via Skype, FaceTime or WhatsApp without incurring any roaming charges.

You can also rent pocket Wifi routers (also known as portable Wifi router) which are preferable to families and groups as everyone can log onto the same unit. They usually offer more data than a SIM card and you can rent them from various companies in Japan over the counter at arrival halls of major airports, have them delivered to your first night’s accommodation. Pocket wifi routers cost around 5 USD for each day used, with discounts for long term trips. It is recommended to book a pocket wifi in advance to ensure availability. Both mayor airports in Japan, Haneda and Narita, have various pocket wifi pick up booths at their arrivals terminals, when pre-booked, the company will send a confirmation email with the pick up location specified. Some companies, like travelwifi.com can deliver the pocket wifi to your home before the trip, but they need to be booked with at least 3 days in advanced.

10. Useful Apps

Even though Google Maps and translate work, there are some apps designed to cater to every need specifically inside Japan:

- Public Transport

HyperDia: The most comprehensive Japanese transport app available, will find the fastest and cheapest way from one station to another. It also has the option to exclude Nozomi and Mizuho trains from the results, which is very useful for Japan Rail Pass holders.

NaviTime: This app combines transport routes with all the information about each station, like wifi hotspots, toilets, exit locations and even which wagon to get for faster transfers.

- Food

GuruNavi: The best restaurant search engine in Japan. Just include the area you are and the type of food you want, and it will give you an extensive list with all the restaurants available.

HappyCow: For everyone who has dietary requirements, specially vegans and vegetarians. This app contains a filtering list with all the restaurants in the country, and organizes the restaurants in an interactive map.

- Daily Life

Yurekuru Call:  This app sends users earthquake early warnings via push notifications, and gives real time information on a map. This map can be customized with the magnitude or strength of the earthquake you want to be notified, to avoid constant notifications.

MyMizu: Very useful specifically during the summer months, this app will tell you all the available places to refill your water bottle, keeping you hydrated and reducing plastic waste.

Line: Europeans use Whatsapp, Americans use iMessage and Japanese use Line. If you want to keep in contact with your Japanese friends, this would be the easiest app to use. Is also famous for is variety of stickers and as the best method to receive information and discounts of events.

Dig Japan: When you think you have seen everything japan has to offer, click your area in this app’s map and discover all the locations that are worth knowing and discovering. From the most famous to the most secret interesting places, this app recommends places to visit based on season and even includes coupons to help you stay on budget.

11. Emergency Numbers ☎

Emergency telephone numbers can be called from public phones, mobile phones and home phones. Neither money nor pre-paid telephone cards are required when making an emergency call. If you’re calling from anywhere outside of Tokyo, there is no guarantee that English will be spoken on any of these emergency and helpline numbers.

• 9 Ambulance / Fire

• 110 Police

• 118 Coast Guard

• 03-3501-0110 Tokyo Police English-speaking

• 03-5276-0995 Tokyo Emergency First Aid Association

Some useful Japanese words to know in case of an emergency: