OTHER small tips

1. Try to avoid visiting the most popular tourist spots on weekends

Domestic tourism in Japan is huge, and the main tourist spots are usually at least 30–50% more crowded on weekends.

Instead, save weekends for exploring some truly off-the-beaten-path locations and hidden gems (it’s the perfect time to check out my guides!).

2. There’s really no bad time to visit Japan… except for one week.

When this week comes around, I stock up on snacks, food, or rent an Airbnb in the middle of nowhere and hide until the biggest tourist storm in Japan passes You’ve probably heard of it — Golden Week. It’s a series of national holidays packed into one week, usually in late April to early May (the exact dates change every year).

During this time, tourist spots get absolutely packed for the same reasons I mentioned in the previous tip, and prices soar because, for many Japanese people, this is one of the few times they can travel.

3. Buses are always late 🥲

I know it sounds crazy, but in Kyoto, 9 out of 10 buses I take are late (by at least 5 minutes). And when I travel to other prefectures, buses are often delayed too. Maybe I’m just unlucky with this kind of transport 😅 but consider this a friendly reminder: there’s always a chance you might miss your next connection if you have a tight transfer time between two buses, or between a train and a bus (even if Google Maps suggests it).

4. You won’t find trash cans on the streets (except for plastic bottles or cans)

If you have some trash after grabbing a snack on the go, it’s a good idea to carry a small plastic bag with you so you can hold onto your trash until you find a bin. Trash cans are sometimes available inside train or subway stations, or in some convenience stores. Otherwise, you’ll likely have to carry it all the way back to your hotel or Airbnb.

5. How to see Mt. Fuji from the shinkansen

If you’re traveling on the shinkansen (bullet train) between Tokyo and Kyoto, there’s a great chance to see Mt. Fuji — if the weather is on your side!

Just sit (or reserve a seat) on the right side when going from Tokyo to Kyoto, or on the left side when heading from Kyoto to Tokyo.

If you’re buying your ticket at the counter, you can simply say: “Fujisan gawa onegaishimasu” (which means "Mt. Fuji side, please").

And don’t worry if you couldn’t get a seat on the correct side — you can always stand by the door area between the train cars while passing Mt. Fuji to enjoy the view and capture some beautiful photos or videos!

6. How to stay dry in the rain without carrying an umbrella

If you don’t like the idea of carrying an umbrella when there’s just a small chance of rain, here’s a solution.

Japan has 100-yen shops (called hyaku-en shop in Japanese), where everything costs — you guessed it — 100 yen, plus a bit of tax. Just pop into one of these shops and grab a plastic raincoat. It’s light, compact, and does the job perfectly.

And if the rain still catches you off guard, you can always buy an umbrella at any convenience store.

Oh, and don’t forget to check out the rest of the 100-yen shop while you’re there — they have so many fun items!