AFTER you arrive in JAPAN

1. Get cash and always carry it with you.

Either exchange some of your national currency or withdraw from an ATM (almost all convenience stores have an ATM).

There are a lot of businesses in Japan, such as restaurants, cafes, and shops that accept only cash, especially in rural areas. Or maybe you simply will not have enough balance on your IC card when getting off the train or bus.

2. Send your luggage from an airport to your hotel/airbnb or between hotels when travelling around Japan. There is a magic word: TA-Q-BIN (pronounced TAKKYUBIN in Japanese). It is cheap, fast, safe and convenient. Just find one of the drop-off locations in the airport or literally anywhere in whole Japan (link below). Or you can send it directly from any of your hotels (ask the manager at the check-in counter). There is literally no reason why you shouldn't use this service if you have some heavy luggage, it makes your trip to Japan so much more enjoyable. It is especially helpful if you came to Japan to ski and brought your own equipment. Below I've attached some links with important info, prices, drop-off/pick-up locations and so on from an official website that I always use for this service:

✈️ Airport pick-up/shipping counter locations

🧳 Luggage TA-Q-BIN

🎿 Ski/Snowboard TA-Q-BIN

🚛 All TA-Q-BIN services

3. Get an IC card (if you have not done already by adding it to your wallet app) - it is a rechargeable contactless smart card (or a virtual card in your wallet app on iPhone or Android) that can be used by simply tapping the terminal with it. It is used to pay for public transportation, make purchases at convenience stores and vending machines, and even rent bicycles.

There are two options:

A. Add a virtual IC card to your Wallet app on Android or iOS. There are three card options called: Suica, ICOCA or Pasmo. There is literally no difference in terms of usability, so feel free to choose any (choose the cutest one - ICOCA 😍🤣). It can be done from your home country (my friend from New Zealand tested it out, and everything worked perfectly from setting up the card to topping it up). Please refer to one of the attached photos for a quick guide (iPhone), and if you will have any difficulties please search for a step-by-step guide by googling - How to add IC card to Android (or iOS) wallet.

To use it - simply tap the terminal with your phone, without unlocking your phone and activating your wallet app (but be sure that your phone is setted up correctly).

B. Buy an IC card at any major train station or convenience store. This option is no longer viable for uncertain period of time due to suspension of IC cards sale (JR East announced that the IC cards “Suica” and “PASMO” are unable to secure an adequate supply of IC chips. As a result, JR East has decided to temporarily suspend the sale of unregistered Suica and PASMO cards starting from June 8, 2023).

Both your virtual IC card on your Phone or physical one can be topped up in three ways:

• by using a special machine (check one of the attached photos - located at any train/subway station on both sides)

• Online (the one I use the most) - if you are using a virtual IC card with your wallet app - by apple or google pay.

• in the majority of convenience stores.

You cannot imagine how much time you will save yourself by just using an IC card when riding a train, instead of waiting in line and purchasing an actual ticket.

On some trains an extra ticket has to be purchased on top of what will be charged from your IC card (usually it happens when riding a bit more comfortable trains or express ones), but do not worry, you do not have to do anything in advance. These extra tickets can be puchesed from a conductor who will be going back and forth checking for tickets - just show him your IC card, tell him where you've boarded the train and where you're going (be sure to have some cash in case they do not accept credit cards).

The only exception is when you want to reserve a seat. In rare cases, this can only be done in advance through a special machine at the station, at the box office or online.

4. Pick-up your pocket WiFi that you've reserved in advance before arriving in Japan, or simply find one at the airport of your arrival if you've forgot to book it online (ask at the airport's info counter for directions).

5. Buy a power plug adapter if you didn't bring one with you.

You can buy one just as you arrive in Japan in the airportor or in any convenience store. Japan has a different type of power plug and sometimes an adapter will not be present in your hotel room / airbnb.