adminTraveling to Japan might sound like a big challenge. But let me reassure you, it isn’t.
Yes, it’s a long flight. But what you need to know before traveling to Japan is that Japan is an incredibly well-organized country. So much more is possible than what you might be used to in everyday life. For me, the most challenging part of the entire trip was simply making decisions. There’s so much to see and do that it’s impossible to experience everything in one trip. So don’t fall into the trap of trying to cram in as much as possible or ticking off endless checklists. You’d be doing this amazing country a disservice!
That said, there are a few important things you should know before traveling to Japan. You’ll find them all right here in this article.
Not sure what to take with you to Japan? You can download a FREE packing list here!
How to get here
There are many airlines offering flights from Brussels, Amsterdam, or Düsseldorf. Tickets to Japan can be expensive, but if you book early, you can find fares around €700 to €800. We flew from Düsseldorf to Tokyo via Dubai with Emirates for €800. With Emirates, checked baggage is included in the price.
So if you’re planning a trip to Japan next year, definitely keep an eye on Skyscanner for the best flight deals! If you find a good deal, make sure to click through to the airline’s official website via Skyscanner. That way, you’ll get the best service in case your flight gets canceled, for example.
Arrival
Tokyo has two international airports: Narita and Haneda.
Narita International Airport (NRT) is located about 60 kilometers east of central Tokyo and mainly handles international flights. Haneda Airport (HND), closer to the city at just 20 kilometers south of central Tokyo, is Tokyo’s busiest airport and handles both domestic and an increasing number of international flights.
The most convenient options to get from Narita Airport to central Tokyo are:
- Narita Express (N’EX): A comfortable and direct train to major stations like Tokyo Station, Shinjuku, and Shibuya in about 1 to 1.5 hours.
- Keisei Skyliner: A fast train to Ueno or Nippori Station, taking around 40-50 minutes.
- Airport Limousine Bus: Convenient if you have luggage or are going to a specific hotel, but usually slower due to traffic (around 90 minutes or more).
- Taxi: Very expensive (around ¥20,000–30,000), not recommended unless absolutely necessary.
The best options to get from Haneda Airport to central Tokyo are:
- Tokyo Monorail: Connects Haneda to Hamamatsucho Station in about 15–20 minutes, where you can transfer to the JR Yamanote Line.
- Keikyu Line: A direct train to Shinagawa Station and other areas, also about 20 minutes.
- Airport Limousine Bus: A good option for hotel drop-offs or with luggage, travel time is about 30–60 minutes depending on your destination.
- Taxi: More affordable than from Narita (around ¥6,000–¥10,000), but still not cheap.
Documents you need
To enter Japan, you’ll need an international passport.
There’s no need to apply for a visa in advance if you’re traveling as a tourist from most European countries (including Belgium and the Netherlands).
However, it’s very helpful to register on the Visit Japan Web platform before your trip. There, you can enter all your travel details in advance. After completing the process, you’ll receive a QR code that makes it much easier and faster to go through customs at the airport.
Plan your trip
How to get around
Japan is an incredibly well-organized country — and that certainly applies to public transportation. If you’re planning to travel only on the island of Honshu, a combination of train and bus is usually the fastest and most convenient way to get around. Renting a car for a few days can be a great option when exploring areas outside the major cities. Just keep in mind that in Japan, people drive on the left side of the road, and you’ll need an international driver’s license!
Japan Rail Pass
Japan offers a special transportation pass for tourists who want to travel by train: the JR Pass (Japan Rail Pass). This pass can only be purchased outside of Japan and must be activated once you’re in the country. With the JR Pass, you can take unlimited Shinkansen (bullet trains) for 1, 2, or 3 weeks.
For me, however, the pass had more disadvantages than advantages, so I decided not to get one.
Over the last years, the price has increased tremendously. A ticket from Kyoto to Hiroshima for example costs 10.770 yen. So, if you take the classic route Tokyo – Kyoto – Osaka – Hiroshima, it’s cheaper to buy separate tickets. With a JR pass you CAN’T take the fastest Nozomi trains. And that’s a major disadvantage! Tip: upload your itinerary in ChatGPT and ask to calculate the costs with and without a JR pass! If a JR pass is the better option for you, you can get one here.
Trains and buses
Other trains than Shinkansen trains and buses are also comfortable to take. You buy tickets for the highway buses at the bus stop or online. Train tickets can be bought in the train station where you’ll depart.
You don’t need to buy tickets far in advance. We often purchased ours just before departure and always found a seat. This way, you can travel flexibly and adjust your route according to your needs.
Rental cars
If you want to rent a car in Japan, you can use Rentalcars.com to find the most affordable option.
You don’t have to rent a car from the airport. You could also rent one just for a specific part of your trip, like exploring the Japanese Alps or the area around Mount Fuji.
Another option is to rent a campervan. This way of traveling allows you to discover some of the lesser-known and less touristy parts of the country. That said, if it’s your first time visiting Japan, sticking to the cities along the Tokyo–Hiroshima route is often the most straightforward and popular choice.
Language
What you really need to know before traveling to Japan is that the language in Japan can be quite a challenge!
The characters are beautiful and elegant, and the spoken language often sounds more like singing. But let’s be honest, you won’t understand a word of it. In the most touristy areas, many Japanese people do speak some basic English, but it’s usually limited to short answers to common questions.
That’s why apps like Google Translate or Google Lens are essential! We had some of the best meals at small, local restaurants. Being able to translate the menu quickly with your phone makes all the difference.
At train stations and bus stops, all signs and information are available in both Japanese and English. We also had no trouble navigating the metro system; everything is clearly marked.
Tour guides for local tours are often international students who speak excellent English. So don’t let the language barrier stop you from joining a free walking tour or getting off the beaten track. It’s all part of the adventure!
What you need to know before traveling to Japan concerning health
Always consult your doctor if you have any health-related questions or concerns about vaccinations before traveling. Japan is malaria-free, but mosquito-borne diseases such as dengue and Japanese encephalitis are still present. So protecting yourself from mosquito bites remains essential.
It’s also important to bring a basic first aid kit. If you experience serious injuries or illness, seek medical assistance from a local doctor or contact the Belgian embassy for further support. For any long-distance trip, having good travel insurance is highly recommended!
What about the money?
In Japan, the local currency is the Japanese Yen.
At the moment, one euro is worth about 165 yen, but make sure to check the current exchange rate before you leave! Credit cards are widely accepted. Visa, Mastercard, and American Express all work well in most places.
However, you’ll be surprised how many shops, restaurants, and even train stations still only accept cash. So always carry some cash with you, just to be safe!
Stay connected
Since so many things can be booked online in Japan, from train tickets to activities – it’s very useful to stay connected. Your mobile provider will likely offer an international roaming package, but these are usually expensive and provide very little data.
There are two better options:
- Buying a local SIM card upon arrival at the airport. You can buy the card in both Tokyo airports. The SIM card is installed on your phone, and you don’t have to worry about anything else.
- Using an eSIM, which you purchase before departure and activate via the airport WiFi upon arrival.
Personally, I always opt for an eSIM. It’s incredibly easy and saves a lot of hassle. In Japan, I used a Holafly eSIM. This eSIM gave me unlimited data during my trip and kept me connected – definitely a great option! But Ruben can’t install an eSIM on his mobile phone. So I bought a local SIM card upon arrival. For a card with unlimited data for 30 days I payed around €45.
Want to learn more about eSIMs? Read this article.
Electricity
In Japan, plug types A and B are used, the same as in the United States and Canada.
Here’s what you need to know:
- Type A: Two flat parallel pins (no grounding)
- Type B: Two flat pins + one round grounding pin (less common)
- Voltage: 100 volts
- Frequency: 50/60 Hz (depending on the region)
If you’re coming from Europe (e.g. Belgium or the Netherlands):
You don’t need a voltage converter as long as your devices support 100–240V (which most chargers for phones, laptops, and cameras do, check the label on your power adapter to be sure)
You’ll need a universal travel adapter or a plug adapter from type C/E/F to type A
If you make it till here in the article than you know everything what you need to know before traveling to Japan! Don’t forget to enjoy your trip to this amazing country, it’s one in a kind!
