Haneda Airport to Tokyo is a simple short ride!

The two airports in Tokyo are Haneda Airport and Narita Airport. Haneda is within Tokyo while Narita is outside Tokyo, making the journey a bit farther from Haneda. Below we will discuss 2 different methods of getting into Tokyo from Haneda. The two methods to get from Haneda to Tokyo include the train or taxi. Hopefully, these Japan travel tips will ensure a smooth journey to Tokyo!

Best ways from Haneda to Tokyo - Table of Contents

1. TLDR: Narita to Tokyo Methods

2. Train

3. Bus

4. Taxi

TLDR: Haneda to Tokyo Methods

1. Train

One of the best methods is to use the various trains that Haneda Airport has.

You can use either the Monorail or the Keikyu Line.

The Monorail is only a 15-minute ride from the airport to Hamamatsucho Station. The Keikyu Line is a 20-minute ride from the airport to Shinagawa Station. Both stations are major hubs to transfer onto other lines to help get to your destination.

However, this method is only recommended for those who are light travelers and traveling cheaper.

Keikyu Line Gate

Tokyo Monorail

2. Haneda Airport Limousine

The Haneda Airport Limousine runs from Haneda to major areas in Tokyo and some major hotels. It’s essentially a comfy coach that allows luggage storage options and is an alternative to the trains. You can make advanced reservations, but you can also buy tickets on the day of at the airport counter.

3. Taxi

Taxis are by far the easiest and most convenient options out of the three methods. However, it is a bit pricier than the other two. However, compared to Narita, a taxi ride from Haneda into Tokyo is much cheaper. Depending on where you are in Tokyo, it can cost anywhere from 4000-10,000 Yen. So if you have an extra budget for a taxi, then this is by far the best way to get to where you need to go!

Interested in a Hello! Tokyo Tour? Contact us!

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❓QUESTION❓ While there are so many other types of Japanese food, ramen and sushi are two of the most famous Japanese foods. So, let's settle this debate, are you more of a ramen or sushi kind of person?

Take a look at these two unique photos in Akihabara. When people think of Akihabara, "The Electric Town", most imagine maid cafes, anime, gaming, pop culture, and electronic stores. But what happened to make this town so different? 📚Short history read below 📚 Akihabara is known to pick up trends. In the early 1900s, electricity was new in Tokyo. You'd have to get an electrician to come to your house to install electricity. electric wholesalers would sell motherboards, switches, and wires necessary for construction. On the other hand, in 1925 NHK started radio broadcasting which would rapidly spread as a means of entertainment and news source. Radios, unlike modern radios, were not prebuilt, meaning you'd have to build them yourself. At the time, electric wholesale stores that would help with electricity construction and radio building were located in Akihabara. During World War II the area was converted into making ammunition and radios. Post-war the electronic stores went right back to radios and electronics which were very popular in the 1950s. Along with the radio, the area slowly expanded to household appliances such as TVs, washing machines, microwaves, etc. Then in 1977, Apple released the 8-bit PC and 16-bit microprocessors. So in the 1980s, electronics stores handling computers increased in Akihabara. In the 1990s, the stores selling software for anime and game enthusiasts began to increase to replace sluggish sales of electrical appliances. Originally, PC enthusiasts called “otaku” went to specialty stores to buy PC parts but expanded their interest in games, anime, and figures, so Akihabara responded to that demand. Eventually to cater to the "otaku" Akihabara saw an increase in maid cafes. Today you can see the old electronic shops along with the animes, gaming, and maid cafe cultures. It's a unique place to visit to look for cool electronics, retro games, and pop culture goods! Posted @withregram • @m.ssaa.k @miyan_1980 . #hellofrom Tokyo #japan #tokyo #traveljapan #traveltokyo #tourjapan #tourtokyo #tokyofood #japanese #japaneseculture #Travel #discovertokyo #discover

📸Photo opportunity in Tokyo📸 The Tokyu Plaza entrance in Omotesando features this unique kaleidoscope for an insane photo opportunity. ••• Posted @withregram • @kohki #hellofrom Tokyo, Japan #japan #tokyo #traveljapan #traveltokyo #tourjapan #tourtokyo #tokyofood #japanese #instalike #instagood #japaneseculture #Travel #discovertokyo #discover #traveltheworld #postcardsfromtheworld #wonderfulplaces #instatravel #omotesando

Strawberry season is almost coming to an end 😨. Did you make sure to eat strawberries this year? Strawberry season typically starts somewhere around January (some places as early as December) until May. They've become quite popular internationally due to some boxes of strawberries being placed at around 50-60 USD. Are they really worth it? Well that's up to you! On our private customized tours, you can request your Tokyo tour guide to take you to eat strawberry daifuku pictured above. They are essentially mochi filled with red beans and topped with a strawberry. It's one of the most popular desserts in Japan! Expensive ones can get anywhere from 8-20 USD 😭 #japan #tokyo #traveljapan #traveltokyo #tourjapan #tourtokyo #tokyofood #japanese #instalike #instagood #japaneseculture #Travel #discovertokyo #discover #traveltheworld #postcardsfromtheworld #wonderfulplaces #instatravel

Visiting a shrine or temple is one of the biggest events to attend to in Japan on New Years

New Year's, or Omisoka, is a special time in Japan and is celebrated with many traditional customs and activities. Because it’s the biggest holiday of the year for Japan, many shops and attractions shut down around Jan 1 - 3. If you're wondering what to do in Japan on New Year, here are four things to do in Japan on New Years!

4 things to do in Japan on New Year - Table of Contents

1. Visit a shrine or temple

2. Shopping “Fukubukuro”

3. Watch the sunrise

4. Countdown parties

Visit a Shrine or Temple

One of the most popular New Year's traditions in Japan is visiting a temple or shrine to pray for good luck in the coming year. Many temples and shrines are open late on New Year's Eve and offer special services, such as bell ringing ceremonies, to mark the occasion. Popular ones such as the Meiji Shrine, Sensoji Temple, and Zojoji Temple will be packed with a lot of people!

Meiji Shrine during New Years

1. Shopping Fukubukuro

Fukubukuro, or "lucky bags," are a popular tradition in Japan during the New Year holiday season. These bags are filled with a variety of items and are sold at a discounted price, with the contents of the bag usually a surprise until it is purchased.

Fukubukuro can vary in price and contents, with some bags costing a few hundred yen and others costing several thousand yen. The contents of the bags can include a variety of items, such as clothes, accessories, beauty products, and household goods. Some fukubukuro are themed, with the contents of the bag related to a particular brand or product line.

While the contents of fukubukuro are generally a surprise, many retailers provide a general idea of the types of items that will be included in the bags. Some retailers also offer fukubukuro with a specific theme or focus, such as beauty products or home goods.

Popular department stores such as Mitsukoshi or Takashimaya will begin selling on Jan. 2!

2. Watch the Sunrise

In Japan, it is believed that the first sunrise of the new year brings good luck. As a result, many people stay up all night to watch the sunrise and greet the new year with a special prayer or ritual. If you're planning to be in Japan on New Year's Eve and would like to experience this tradition, here are a few things to consider:

1. Choose a good location: There are many beautiful spots in Japan where you can watch the sunrise on New Year's Eve. Some popular options include mountain peaks, seaside cliffs, and observation decks. Do some research beforehand to find a location that will offer a clear view of the sunrise on the day you plan to visit.

2. Dress warmly: New Year's Eve in Japan can be quite cold, so be sure to dress warmly to stay comfortable during your sunrise-watching adventure.

3. Arrive early: If you want to get a good spot to watch the sunrise, be sure to arrive at your chosen location early. Many people visit popular sunrise-watching spots on New Year's Eve, so you'll want to get there ahead of time to secure a good spot.

Sunrise from a plane on New Years

3. Countdown Parties

There are many countdown events hosted by clubs, lounges, and restaurants throughout Tokyo during New Years. While some have been cancelled for a 3 years due to COVID (such as the popular Shibuya Crossing Countdown), many have opened up again such as the countdown event at the Womb and Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse. Event hotel loungers will host a countdown event! Make sure to look it up in advanced as many of them can be ticket based that needs reservations.

Interested in a Hello! Tokyo Tour? Contact us!

Private Customised Walking Tour

Small Group Food Tour

Connect with us for fun content!

❓QUESTION❓ While there are so many other types of Japanese food, ramen and sushi are two of the most famous Japanese foods. So, let's settle this debate, are you more of a ramen or sushi kind of person?

Take a look at these two unique photos in Akihabara. When people think of Akihabara, "The Electric Town", most imagine maid cafes, anime, gaming, pop culture, and electronic stores. But what happened to make this town so different? 📚Short history read below 📚 Akihabara is known to pick up trends. In the early 1900s, electricity was new in Tokyo. You'd have to get an electrician to come to your house to install electricity. electric wholesalers would sell motherboards, switches, and wires necessary for construction. On the other hand, in 1925 NHK started radio broadcasting which would rapidly spread as a means of entertainment and news source. Radios, unlike modern radios, were not prebuilt, meaning you'd have to build them yourself. At the time, electric wholesale stores that would help with electricity construction and radio building were located in Akihabara. During World War II the area was converted into making ammunition and radios. Post-war the electronic stores went right back to radios and electronics which were very popular in the 1950s. Along with the radio, the area slowly expanded to household appliances such as TVs, washing machines, microwaves, etc. Then in 1977, Apple released the 8-bit PC and 16-bit microprocessors. So in the 1980s, electronics stores handling computers increased in Akihabara. In the 1990s, the stores selling software for anime and game enthusiasts began to increase to replace sluggish sales of electrical appliances. Originally, PC enthusiasts called “otaku” went to specialty stores to buy PC parts but expanded their interest in games, anime, and figures, so Akihabara responded to that demand. Eventually to cater to the "otaku" Akihabara saw an increase in maid cafes. Today you can see the old electronic shops along with the animes, gaming, and maid cafe cultures. It's a unique place to visit to look for cool electronics, retro games, and pop culture goods! Posted @withregram • @m.ssaa.k @miyan_1980 . #hellofrom Tokyo #japan #tokyo #traveljapan #traveltokyo #tourjapan #tourtokyo #tokyofood #japanese #japaneseculture #Travel #discovertokyo #discover

📸Photo opportunity in Tokyo📸 The Tokyu Plaza entrance in Omotesando features this unique kaleidoscope for an insane photo opportunity. ••• Posted @withregram • @kohki #hellofrom Tokyo, Japan #japan #tokyo #traveljapan #traveltokyo #tourjapan #tourtokyo #tokyofood #japanese #instalike #instagood #japaneseculture #Travel #discovertokyo #discover #traveltheworld #postcardsfromtheworld #wonderfulplaces #instatravel #omotesando

Strawberry season is almost coming to an end 😨. Did you make sure to eat strawberries this year? Strawberry season typically starts somewhere around January (some places as early as December) until May. They've become quite popular internationally due to some boxes of strawberries being placed at around 50-60 USD. Are they really worth it? Well that's up to you! On our private customized tours, you can request your Tokyo tour guide to take you to eat strawberry daifuku pictured above. They are essentially mochi filled with red beans and topped with a strawberry. It's one of the most popular desserts in Japan! Expensive ones can get anywhere from 8-20 USD 😭 #japan #tokyo #traveljapan #traveltokyo #tourjapan #tourtokyo #tokyofood #japanese #instalike #instagood #japaneseculture #Travel #discovertokyo #discover #traveltheworld #postcardsfromtheworld #wonderfulplaces #instatravel

Narita Airport to Tokyo might seem daunting given that Narita is not in Tokyo

The two airports in Tokyo are Haneda Airport and Narita Airport. Haneda is within Tokyo while Narita is outside Tokyo, making the journey a bit farther from Haneda. Below we will discuss 3 different methods of getting into Tokyo from Narita. The three methods to get from Narita to Tokyo include: the train, bus, or taxi. Hopefully, these Japan travel tips will ensure a smooth journey to Tokyo!

Best ways from Narita to Tokyo - Table of Contents

1. TLDR: Narita to Tokyo Methods

2. Train

3. Bus

4. Taxi

TLDR: Narita to Tokyo Methods

1. Train

One of the best methods is to use the various trains that Narita Airport has.

The first is Narita Express. Narita Express runs directly to Tokyo Station with less frequent trains that also go to Shibuya and Shinjuku. It’s a straight shot from the airport, with nice seating (reserved seating) and can be purchased at the airport with ease. There’s also luggage space where you can store your large suitcases if necessary. You can check the prices and times above. You can find more info and book online here.

The Keisei Skyliner is similar to the Narita Express with reserved seating and luggage storage except it heads for Nippori Station, a JR Station with great access to the East Side of Tokyo. Book at the airport counter or online here for a discounted price.

The Keisei Line is just the regular train. This train is only recommended if you are on a tight budget and don’t have much luggage to carry. You can ride this with just buying an IC Card (Suica or Pasmo) at the airport. it will roughly cost a little over 1000 Yen, so it would be good to have about 2000 Yen charged onto it. This train also heads for Nippori Station.

Keisei Skyliner

Narita Express

Normal Keisei Line

2. Narita Airport Limousine

The Narita Airport Limousine runs from Narita to major areas in Tokyo and some major hotels. It’s essentially a comfy coach that allows luggage storage options and an alternative to the trains. They also have cheaper shuttle bus options that only costs 1300 Yen, but advanced reservations cannot be made and can only be purchased on the day of.

A rare scroll painting that you can find on our Nihonbashi tour.

3. Taxi

Taxis are by far the easiest and most convenient options out of the three methods. However, it comes with a price. It can cost you roughly 20,000-30,000 Yen. You can pre-book taxis, but taxis are also waiting outside the airport ready at any time making it very convenient. You also don’t have to worry about how to get to your hotel from the station with transfers. So, if you have the money to do it, then it’ll be a nice and easy trip for you!

Interested in a Hello! Tokyo Tour? Contact us!

Private Customised Walking Tour

Small Group Food Tour

Connect with us for fun content!

❓QUESTION❓ While there are so many other types of Japanese food, ramen and sushi are two of the most famous Japanese foods. So, let's settle this debate, are you more of a ramen or sushi kind of person?

Take a look at these two unique photos in Akihabara. When people think of Akihabara, "The Electric Town", most imagine maid cafes, anime, gaming, pop culture, and electronic stores. But what happened to make this town so different? 📚Short history read below 📚 Akihabara is known to pick up trends. In the early 1900s, electricity was new in Tokyo. You'd have to get an electrician to come to your house to install electricity. electric wholesalers would sell motherboards, switches, and wires necessary for construction. On the other hand, in 1925 NHK started radio broadcasting which would rapidly spread as a means of entertainment and news source. Radios, unlike modern radios, were not prebuilt, meaning you'd have to build them yourself. At the time, electric wholesale stores that would help with electricity construction and radio building were located in Akihabara. During World War II the area was converted into making ammunition and radios. Post-war the electronic stores went right back to radios and electronics which were very popular in the 1950s. Along with the radio, the area slowly expanded to household appliances such as TVs, washing machines, microwaves, etc. Then in 1977, Apple released the 8-bit PC and 16-bit microprocessors. So in the 1980s, electronics stores handling computers increased in Akihabara. In the 1990s, the stores selling software for anime and game enthusiasts began to increase to replace sluggish sales of electrical appliances. Originally, PC enthusiasts called “otaku” went to specialty stores to buy PC parts but expanded their interest in games, anime, and figures, so Akihabara responded to that demand. Eventually to cater to the "otaku" Akihabara saw an increase in maid cafes. Today you can see the old electronic shops along with the animes, gaming, and maid cafe cultures. It's a unique place to visit to look for cool electronics, retro games, and pop culture goods! Posted @withregram • @m.ssaa.k @miyan_1980 . #hellofrom Tokyo #japan #tokyo #traveljapan #traveltokyo #tourjapan #tourtokyo #tokyofood #japanese #japaneseculture #Travel #discovertokyo #discover

📸Photo opportunity in Tokyo📸 The Tokyu Plaza entrance in Omotesando features this unique kaleidoscope for an insane photo opportunity. ••• Posted @withregram • @kohki #hellofrom Tokyo, Japan #japan #tokyo #traveljapan #traveltokyo #tourjapan #tourtokyo #tokyofood #japanese #instalike #instagood #japaneseculture #Travel #discovertokyo #discover #traveltheworld #postcardsfromtheworld #wonderfulplaces #instatravel #omotesando

Strawberry season is almost coming to an end 😨. Did you make sure to eat strawberries this year? Strawberry season typically starts somewhere around January (some places as early as December) until May. They've become quite popular internationally due to some boxes of strawberries being placed at around 50-60 USD. Are they really worth it? Well that's up to you! On our private customized tours, you can request your Tokyo tour guide to take you to eat strawberry daifuku pictured above. They are essentially mochi filled with red beans and topped with a strawberry. It's one of the most popular desserts in Japan! Expensive ones can get anywhere from 8-20 USD 😭 #japan #tokyo #traveljapan #traveltokyo #tourjapan #tourtokyo #tokyofood #japanese #instalike #instagood #japaneseculture #Travel #discovertokyo #discover #traveltheworld #postcardsfromtheworld #wonderfulplaces #instatravel

One of the best experiences you will have when you are in one of Hello! Tokyo Tours is that you will not only learn the culture and love the beautiful little red dot Singapore, but you will also form a friendship with our Hello! Tokyo tour guides.

That is why we are we are excited when we heard about the newly launched book of one of our author friends Gail Holloway. Gail came on our evening History and Culture Tour in Singapore. You can see in the picture below that she had a wonderful time exploring the city and also was able to meet Hello! Tours CEO/Founder Laura Blackhall.

Gail (from left) beside Laura, all smiles after a day in Singapore.

Gail and friends Locked in a jail cell in the former Supreme Court

You can now grab a Kindle edition of her new book in Amazon and visit her website https://www.gailholloway.com/ for more information about her new book, travel blogs and to keep yourself updated on her new future projects.

Cherry Blossom Footsteps: Adventures in Japan and Hong Kong

Author: Gail Holloway
Format: Kindle Edition
Buy it here: Amazon

Twenty-something Lauren is embarking on her first-ever overseas adventure - to Japan for the cherry blossoms, Zen gardens and majestic temples, where she makes use of her uni studies. She then travels on to Hong Kong, where she traces the 1960s footsteps of her beloved nan, in more ways than one. This enchanting tale follows Lauren on a fun journey, through two vibrant Asian cultures. With ancient history, modern life, new friendships and romance, Lauren’s is a story of discovery - of new lands, and herself.

Photo and Summary Credit: Amazon

Your tour with us can be highlighted by fully embracing the sakura or cherry blossom season. In Japan, the cherry blossom signifies the start of spring and with that a new school year and fresh hires entering companies. It’s an important part of Japanese culture highlighted by hanami or cherry blossom watching events where families and friends gather around nice viewing cherry blossom spots and have a picnic. Because cherry blossoms are both famous and infamous for lasting only a week - you don’t need to worry if you’re on a tour with us - we know the spots and the time for it.

When

Planning your trip to see the cherry blossoms can be quite daunting - that is if you are going without a guide. You have to strategically use your precious vacation days to hit the right moment in Japan. To give you a better idea, it really depends on where in Japan you are going. Typically cherry blossom season is at the beginning of April. At the earliest, it will start in mid to late March and end in early to mid April. In 2020, Tokyo had an unusually early cherry blossom beginning in mid March and had its peak at the end of March. To make sure you want to hit the correct dates, you can check out websites like JNTO or Live Japan that will have that years cherry blossom forecasts.

Where

The most popular spots for cherry blossoms are at gardens and parks. Beware, it will get very busy so expect to be around large crowds! You can check out our Festivals Guide and Gardens & Parks Guide to see events and where you can catch the best spots for cherry blossoms.

#japantraveltips

Photo Credit: Jet Setter

#japantraveltips

Unless you have an international driving permit and only wish to drive around (which is not recommended), you’ll most likely be using Japan’s excellent railway systems. The Japanese transport network is clean, reliable and very convenient. It’s a lot less complicated than you think and we hope to break it down for you here.

Passes

In another article, we discuss getting the JR Pass and whether it’s effective for you. You can read about it here. Upon arrival in Japan, it’s highly recommended that you obtain a pasmo or suica card. It’s a card where you charge money into so you can ride trains easily - this is compared to buying an individual ticket each time and calculating how much you need to pay for every train ride. Trust us, get a pasmo or suica. We talk about getting one and the usefulness in detail here. Aside from these passes and cards, you can look into getting JR regional passes and other local regional passes depending on the prefecture you visit.

Breakdown of the trains

There are different railways in Japan. Aside from the shinkansen (bullet trains) there are basically no difference in them, other than the fact that they are operated by different companies and have different ticketing gates. Sometimes you wont even notice the difference between them. There are four main groups of trains that you will likely use in Japan:

Shinkansen: The famous bullet train known for its speed, comfort and reliability. You can travel across the country in a matter of hours. You will probably use this for long distance travel such as Tokyo - Osaka/Kyoto or Tokyo - Hiroshima.

JR railways: Formerly the national railway company of Japan it’s now divided into six different regions operated privately. If you’re within a single region for a couple days, it could be economical to buy a JR regional pass.

Private railways: There are so many in Japan. In Tokyo you have the Tokyu lines and in Osaka/Kyoto you have the Hankyu lines. They are often times cheaper than JR Lines too.

Tokyo Metro: These are the subways and there are ALOT. They come in handy for transfers so look out for metros too!

Main Lines in Tokyo

Some of the main lines in Tokyo that hit the major cities are the JR Yamanote Line, JR Keihin Tohoku Line, JR Sobu/Chuo Line, Tokyu Toyoko Line and Tokyo Metro Ginza Line.

Photo Credit: Japan Guide

#japantraveltips

The three major cities in Japan that come to mind for people worldwide are probably Tokyo, Osaka and Kyoto. You’re most likely going to be hitting at least one of the cities in your time here. So Tokyo, Osaka and Kyoto don’t need much of an introduction.

But, what about the other places to visit in Japan? The countryside or the not so major cities that still have so much to offer in Japan? While this depends on how much time you have in Japan, we believe that visiting these cities in Japan still won’t disappoint you. These are the underrated cities of Japan that are till rich in history, food, culture and more. Here’s a list of other cities worth visiting:

1. Hiroshima: Hiroshima could be categorized as a major city but is often times overlooked. You can visit the Hiroshima Peace Park and see how the city has rebuilt after over 70 years since the dropping of the atomic bomb. Make sure to stop by Miyajima island as well.

2. Yokohama: Yokohama is a very easy and quick train ride from Tokyo. It’s a harbor city that’s seen a lot of development over the years to fit in great attractions.

3. Nara: Possibly most know for it’s Deer Park where you can feed dears, Nara is a historical city with lots of temples and artwork that date back thousands of year.

4. Hakone: Located in the same prefecture as Yokohama, Hakone offers beautiful sceneries of Mt. Fuji. You won’t go directly to the mountain but you can see nature and scenery unique only to Hakone. It’s definitely a must see.

5. Sapporo: If you don’t mind the cold, fly up to Hokkaido (the northern major island of Japan) and visit Sapporo. Sapporo is known for it’s beer, miso ramen, skiing and winter festivals.

6. Hakodate: Another major city in Hokkaido, Hakodate offers some of the best seafood in Japan.

7. Kanazawa: Kanazawa is a very famous tourist destination for Japanese people, but it should be no stranger to foreigners as well. A well preserved, geisha-samurai town - Kanazawa is filled with historical and cultural locations. It has some of the best quality seafood/sake and is probably most famous for Kenrokuen Garden - one of Japans three great gardens.

8. Okayama: Often times just a layover stop before heading to Hiroshima, Okayama is an underrated former Castle town with lots of tradition and culture. It also possesses Korakuen - another one of Japans three great gardens.

9. Izu Peninsula: Most people pass through Izu without knowing it. By the bullet train, you pass through this area from Tokyo to Kyoto. It’s a beautiful place with history and culture. It’s also known for it’s good food, good scenery and hot springs.

10. Okinawa: While it’s not a city, it’s an island a bit far from the mainland. It’s basically the Hawaii of Japan - what more do you need to hear? There tropical climate, broad beaches and World War II sites makes it an interesting place for scenery and history.

Photo Credit: Japan Starts Here

#placestovisitinjapan #underratedcities

Travelling internationally can be hectic and complicated especially if you are new to the country. Here are some useful things to know and do before coming to Japan. This is our Japan travel tip:

1. Wifi: Get pocket wifi or arrange for a wifi pick up.

2. JR Pass: Decide on whether you want a Japan Rail Pass or not. Sometimes it’s not worth it. Read our Japan Rail Pass tips here.

3. Cash: Have cash (yen) ready to go. While most places will accept major cards, Japan is still a cash based society. A unique mom and pop shop that has your favorite tea cup might not accept card. You can use ATMs that accept foreign cards at post offices and Seven Elevens.

4. Know Japanese: Basic English is understood, but know your basic Japanese too. Lots of signs and menus will be in English, but it wont hurt to learn some basic Japanese to communicate - who knows maybe you’ll make a friend!

5. Train manners: Know some basic train manners as you’ll probably use this as your main mode of transportation. You can get a breakdown here.

6. Stand on the left: In Japan you walk on the left and stand on the escalator on left. It’s a basic pedestrian rule to know. Osaka is an exception as people stand on the right on the escalator.

7. Don’t tip: Tipping is not normal in Japan.

8. Beware, no trashcans: It’s so clean in Japan…but there are no trashcans? If you buy a drink or a snack on the go, just beware that trashcans are not plentiful so have a backpack or eat/drink where you bought it from to dispos the trash.

9. Have a general itinerary: There is so much to do and see in Japan. In fact, depending on your time, you might not be able to finish everything on your list. Have an idea of what you want to do and see in each city. Don’t rush! It’s better take time and focus on the beautiful things Japan has to offer.

Photo Credit: Live Japan

#japantraveltips

While Japan is known for it’s world class railway system and bullet trains, driving in Japan is an underrated way to see the hidden parts of Japan reachable by car. You can rent cars or even rent out a camper van with us to take on a couple day journey out of the city.. Here are some tips and info on how to drive in Japan legally so you can go out on your own amazing trip.

Driving rules in Japan

Most of the driving rules in Japan are similar to Western countries. For Americans, or any other countries who drive on the left - Japan drives on the right like most European countries. The Japan Automobile federation (JAF) does a good job at explaining the rules in depth here.

Drivers License

If you want to be driving in Japan, you need to have an International Drivers Permit (IDP) BEFORE you come to Japan. You cannot obtain one in Japan so it’s good to plan ahead. To get your permit, it usually does not require a test and you can obtain it for pretty cheap. When you go to car rentals in Japan, you will usually need to present your IDP, your home drivers license and possibly a passport. Based o the country you are from, there may be different rules. Please refer to the JAF website on IDPs here.

What can you do with a car in Japan?

If you have a jam packed schedule and only plan on visiting the main cities, it’s probably better to stick with their world class railways system. You can go anywhere in the city with a train, bus or taxi. In fact, having a car is probably a bigger hassle and a lot more expensive to use in the city. There are no places to park, parking is very expensive and there is traffic everywhere. However, if you have a more relaxed schedule and plan on venturing out of the city, you can hit up day trips from Tokyo at places such as Chiba, Shimoda, Izu, Hakone and Yamanashi. The countryside has unreal scenery. On long road trips, you can stop by rest stops in Japan. The rest stops are also worth a look. Each rest stop will have a small like convenience store, a food court (which some are known to have excellent food), bathrooms, sometimes hot springs/showers and even small activities/events. It’s easy to drive by them but make sure to stop by! You can also look into our Dream Drive tabs where you can book a camper van. We even have some itineraries that you can follow.

#drivinginjapan #carrentaljapan #driveinjapan