Japan: How to get ready for Japan

There are many Youtube channels to help you prepare for your future trip to Japan.

I personally used Louis San and Tev's channels a lot, not to mention travel blogs like this one.

Thanks to this minimum of preparation, I was able to better understand the new environment in which I was moving and lessen the impact of culture shock.

So I'll do my best to help you as much as I can and share with you what I've learned.

1. Do you need a Visa?

You may be wondering whether you need a visa for Japan. Please consult your residency country diplomatic website to dispel any doubts and get the official version. But you should know that, as a European national visiting Japan as a tourist, all you need is your passport.

However, you will need to complete a number of administrative formalities once you arrive.

To save you time, don't hesitate to fill in the forms on the Internet: https://services.digital.go.jp/en/visit-japan-web/

This will provide you with a QR code that only needs to be scanned by the Japanese authorities. This will cut your time at customs (including the queue) to 20 minutes.

2. Trashbins

One of Japan's visible culture shocks is the lack of public garbage cans. (Even if you're from Marseille). To alleviate this problem, you need to carry a plastic bag with you at all times, so as not to burden yourself with the garbage you produce during the day.

Another alternative is to go to konbinis, where you can dispose of your garbage and packaging.

As a last resort, you can always make friends with a small local vendor or yatai to dispose of your empty water bottles or packaging for you.

N.B.: the garbage cans at street vending machines are for consumed products only.

It is also forbidden to throw your garbage into a private waste garbage can on the sidewalk. This can be quite confusing for a European, let alone a Frenchman.

3. Internet

You can rent "WiFi pockets", a kind of internet box that connects to the 4/5G network and generates WiFi. If you're traveling with several people, this saves you having to pay for individual internet passes.

They work all over Japan. After that, the quality of your "pocket wifi" will depend on the package you choose.

N.B.: If you want to stream, make sure you choose the right box. Mine wasn't made for streaming. So I had to use a foreign pass.

Please remember to book them in advance, before you arrive in Japan. That way, everything will run smoothly when you arrive at the airport.

These "wifi pockets" can be picked up directly from the airport where you arrive. They're easy to use.

Then, to return them, simply mail them in the envelope provided when you pick them up.

4. Google will be your best friend

That's right, especially if you have the Google applications on your smartphone, which are very accurate in Japan.

Google Maps will show you the routes, timetables and subway and train station platforms you need to take on your journey.

GPS guidance is far more precise than in France, and you can even use augmented reality to find out which floor the place you want to access is on.

As you'll see below, Google Translate will also help you when you need to communicate or read a sign or menu.

5. The language barrier

Unless you're going to big cities and frequenting touristy places with young people, finding a Japanese person who speaks decent English isn't that easy.

Many cab drivers don't have the ability to speak English. This is frustrating both for them and for you. And if you think that everyone should be able to speak French, you're in for an even bigger disappointment.

So it's a good idea to have a basic knowledge of Japanese before you set off. Nowadays, a lot of material is available on the Internet through applications, websites and/or Youtube videos.

Personally, with my three months' practice on Duolingo and my willingness to interact with locals, I've managed to converse. However, don't expect miracles.

So I'd advise you again to get hold of G'Palemo when you set out to visit Japan.

N.B.: if you haven't already done it, have a glance at the dedicated article, trust me, it is useful.

And, as mentioned earlier, Google is at the cutting edge in Japan. Its translation services have proved very useful, notably augmented reality and the ability to translate spoken conversation. So it's "relatively" possible to communicate by speaking (yourself and the person you're speaking to) through the Google Translate application on your smartphone, or simply to decipher the menu.

Google can help you communicate by conversing in both languages

6. Transportation means

If it's been said that at the SNCF, anything is possible, then in Japan, railway companies are achieving the impossible. You'll be blown away by the efficiency and precision of the subway lines and trains. Here's a little figure to illustrate: on average, during the year, the Shinkansen is 30s late!

Whether it's high-speed or traditional trains, it's an experience!

N.B.: When you take the train for the first time, don't forget to buy yourself an Ekiben (train bento). These are often customized according to the station from which you will be travelling.

Imagine being able to travel to Hiroshima from Osaka in less than 1h15, even though the two cities are more than 330km apart, and still feel like you're on a subway.

Don't hesitate to use and abuse these trains to visit all of Japan. The trick for foreigners is to use the JR Pass, which gives you free access to all trains, provided you have a JR Pass when you arrive in Japan. You need to buy it and make your reservations online, then go down to a JR station to collect the pass, which you must never lose.

Once you've got the pass, you can use all the trains on the JR lines that are available, and get into the seats or carriages without reservations.

N.B.: Please note that when the LED on a seat is green, the seat is reserved (which is counterintuitive at first glance, and earned me a little interaction with an annoyed old Japanese man).

RER and Métro use IC Cards (see dedicated paragraph in this article). So you've got nothing to worry about.

7. IC Card

There are several names: PASMO, SUIKA, etc.

They can be used to pay for travel. They can be used in konbinis, and can be found and recharged in stations.

This was one of the first things I did when I arrived in Japan: go down to the station below Narita and buy and credit (with yen) PASMO cards!

The card you buy is valid throughout Japan, from Hokkaido to Okinawa.

8. Why will you want to carry your luggage with you ?

Yamato allows you to ship your luggage in less than 24 hours on the main island of Honshu and almost 48 hours on the more remote secondary islands, such as Okinawa.

All you have to do is go to your hotel counter and ask the receptionists for help in filling out the packing slips that will be attached to your luggage. You'll then be able to travel with peace of mind, or

If you use AirBnB or other rental accommodation, then please contact your landlord, as I don't know how to use Yamato's services in this case.

9. How to walk well in metro and train stations

In Japan, we drive on the left, while in France we drive on the right.

If in France, when you have to stand in escalators, you stay static on the right (even if many don't understand this concept...) in Japan it's different, but not necessarily for the same reasons.

In escalators, subways and stations, you have to stand on the left, except when you have to stand on the right. And yes, it depends on the prefecture, the city or even the station.

Fortunately, markings on the floor or ceiling provide information. But when in doubt, observe and adapt to what the locals are doing. Don't be a tourist.

10. Tradition et barefoot

Japan insists on preserving its heritage and respecting its traditions. It is therefore important that you respect them, not only for their sake, but also so as not to tarnish your country's international reputation.

In some temples, palaces, Ryokan or restaurants, you will be asked to remove your shoes. So bring an extra pair of socks (or oversocks) for temples, palaces and traditional restaurants, if no socks are offered.

Besides, if you don't have any, you can always treat yourself to these little Japanese or Korean socks that are so kawaii.

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Bonus : Forbidden Products

Admittedly, I'm not an expert on Japan, but it's important to know that there are a few products banned from entering the country. Here are the ones that stood out for me the most, and which I think it's important to know a minimum about.

If you don't want to pay huge fines, I advise you not to bring meat products (such as French sausages). It's not worth paying $10,000 in fines just to have a Justin Bridou aperitif along a canal or in a park.

Similarly, some cold medicines are prohibited. Be careful.