Travel hacks for your Japan trip

Our DriveDocs Japan team consists of enthusiastic Japan travellers and locals. We therefore know exactly how you feel. We would like to share our combined knowledge and some travel hacks with you. We have some tips to help you prepare before your departure. But don't worry, we also have some tips & tricks for when you arrive in Japan.
Preparation before your departure: Preparation before your departure:
On-site in Japan: On-site in Japan:

Which gadgets are must-haves for your holiday in Japan?

Basically, we recommend starting your trip to Japan with as little luggage as possible. There are so many great shops in Japan that you will regret it if your suitcase is already full at the start of your trip. Nevertheless, there are a few gadgets we would like to recommend – which you won't necessarily find in Japan.

Yen Münzhalter*: You will quickly notice that the saying "Cash is King" still applies in Japan. Although you can pay for a lot with a (credit) card, sooner or later you will end up with a lot of coins in your pocket. Some restaurants only accept cash and, even more importantly: it is also useful to always have a few coins with you for the various vending machines in Japan – we have grown particularly fond of the 100 Yen coin. Want to grab a quick coffee from a vending machine? Try your luck at the next capsule machine? Or play a round at the arcade? Cash is King!

Abroad in Japan von Chris Broad*:
Not a gadget you need while you are there, but a reading or listening recommendation to get you in the mood for your trip to Japan. "Abroad in Japan" is the story of a young Englishman, Chris, who starts his adventure in rural Japan with absolutely no prior experience. Through the book, you will learn a lot about Japanese culture and what might be different in Japan (compared to Europe). A very nice and easy-to-read story that will definitely further fuel your anticipation.

SIM card or eSIM – Be sure to prepare this before you leave home

Before you leave, you should definitely check whether you have mobile internet access on your smartphone in Japan. As a rule, data contracts are limited to Europe at most. Japan is almost certainly not included, which could end up being expensive for you under certain circumstances.
Therefore: Make absolutely sure you check whether you have internet access in Japan. There are several providers that offer time-limited data packages. As long as you only use your mobile phone for navigation (Google Maps) or to send a few holiday photos, approx. 500 MB to 1 GB per week should be sufficient. We like using Saily* for this: 1 GB from 3 Euros.

Pro tip: Check your app settings before you leave to see if mobile data usage is allowed in the background. Apps may be using up your mobile data in the background. To be on the safe side and ensure you don't use up your data unnecessarily, you should disable this permission for all apps that are not strictly necessary.

Suica Card as your ticket for getting around comfortably on Japanese public transport

The Suica Card is a type of prepaid card that allows you to use local public transport (ÖPNV) in most Japanese cities.
Traveling by train? When entering and leaving the stations, simply hold your Suica Card against the corresponding terminals to pay for the journey. Prefer to travel by bus? Here you have to hold your card against the terminal near the driver either when boarding or alighting. The best thing to do is watch the other passengers. The rules vary depending on the city. In Tokyo, for example, you touch in when you get on. In Kyoto, you only pay when you get off.
As an Apple user, you can easily load the Suica Card into your Wallet using the "Welcome Suica Mobile" app. Topping up also works via your Wallet – important: you need an internet connection for this. Unfortunately, this does not work for Android users. You will need to buy a physical Suica Card. However, this is also very easy, for example at the airport in front of the train platforms. You can also top up the card at the corresponding terminals. You usually need cash for this.

Rental car – Where to rent and what to look out for?

Even though you can get around Japan very well by train and bus, a rental car offers a whole other level of freedom. We recommend trying both. Between large cities – Tokyo and Kyoto – it is super easy and, above all, fast to travel by train. However, as soon as you want to explore a bit outside the cities, a rental car makes a lot of sense.
There are various options for booking your rental car. The major booking portals (Klook*, Booking, Check24, ...) have many offers and good prices. As the providers are identical on almost all portals (Nissan, ORIX, ...), we find the services offered more important than the booking portal itself. Be sure to pay attention to the following points:

  • Are fees charged for dropping off your rental car in a different city? This can quickly double the price. Pick-up and drop-off in the same city is usually worth it.
  • Do you need the more expensive insurance package? Most travellers already have certain rental car insurance covered either by their travel insurance or their credit card. You can save money here.
  • Look for free cancellation and check every few weeks before your departure to see if the offer has changed. You can quickly save money by keeping an eye on current prices.

You will need the following documents to book & successfully pick up your rental car in Japan:

  • Your passport (original).
  • Your national driving licence (original).
  • The official Japanese translation (for driving licences from Germany, Switzerland, France, Belgium, Taiwan and Monaco). Important: The international driving permit (grey/white booklet) is not accepted for these countries. Solution: You can conveniently request the translation in advance via DriveDocs Japan.

Accommodation in Japan – Where to book and what to keep in mind?

We have an insider tip for booking your accommodation: Japanese people book via Agoda. Otherwise, you can also find nice accommodation and good offers via Booking.com.
Pro tip: If you want to book your accommodation via Booking.com, you should definitely look up your accommodation via Google Maps and check availability there. We have often found that we got significantly better prices via this detour than if we went directly via Booking.com.
We also recommend not booking breakfast from home. There are various reasons for this:

  • Breakfast times: The day starts a little earlier in Japan than you might be used to from other holidays. In some hotels, breakfast ends as early as 09:00 am. If you are a late riser, you might want to skip breakfast at the hotel and explore your new neighborhood instead.
  • Avocado toast and muesli? Is that what your holiday breakfast looks like? If so, you might be in for a disappointment. Typical breakfast in Japanese hotels is usually warm (rice, miso soup, fish, steamed vegetables). You might even just be able to pick up a "brown bag" at the reception containing packaged pastries. If that doesn't appeal to you, you should visit the cafés and restaurants in your area for a breakfast that suits your taste.
  • Price: You may have to pay less for your breakfast locally. A little flexibility pays off.

Useful phrases to help you find your way around Japan

You (probably) won't learn Japanese for your holiday in Japan. Nevertheless, it makes sense to note down a few phrases to help you find your way around better. It is also always nice if you can positively surprise your hosts. You will certainly be rewarded with a smile or two.

Greetings

  • Konnichiwa = Hello
  • Arigatou = Thank you
  • Arigatou gozaimasu = Goodbye (not literally, but you will quickly notice that Japanese people will say goodbye to you this way)

In the restaurant

  • Sumimasen = Excuse me
  • Kore kudasai = I would like this one, please
  • Okaikei onegaishimasu = The check/bill, please
  • Gochisousamadeshita = Thank you for the meal

Driving in Japan – What is different?

The good news first: Japanese drivers are extremely considerate and defensive. Driving is usually more relaxed than in Europe.
Traffic in Japan drives on the left. The steering wheel is on the right, and the indicator is usually on the right side of the steering wheel (not on the left as we are used to). If the windscreen wipers go on, you probably just wanted to turn – a classic rookie mistake that everyone makes.
The most important traffic rules at a glance:

  • Speed limit: Usually 40 km/h in built-up areas, 60 km/h on rural roads, and 80–100 km/h on the motorway. Speed cameras are frequent!
  • Traffic lights: Traffic lights are often located behind the intersection, not directly at the stop line. This requires some getting used to at the beginning to spot the traffic lights in time.
  • Stop signs: They are in the shape of an inverted triangle (like our "Yield" sign), but are red with the inscription 止まれ (Tomare). You must come to a complete stop here for 3 seconds.
  • Alcohol: The limit is 0.0 blood alcohol. Anyone who drives under the influence (or rides as a passenger with a driver under the influence) risks extremely high fines or even prison sentences. Better take a taxi if you want to drink.
  • Motorways in Japan are subject to tolls. When picking up your rental car, be sure to ask for an ETC Card (Electronic Toll Collection). This card is inserted into the car, usually on the passenger side. You can use it to drive through the marked barriers without stopping. Billing takes place conveniently when you return the car. Without such a card, you would always have to have cash ready and would take significantly longer to pass through the toll booths.

Navigation without Japanese: The "Map Code"
Japanese sat-navs are often in Japanese and cannot be changed. However, what works are numbers. Every sight, every hotel, and every viewpoint has its own number (e.g. 33 004 294*81). Entering the respective Map Code is often more precise than trying to enter the address. Alternatively to the Map Code, entering the phone number often works too.

Refueling: "Mantan, please!"
There are two types of petrol stations:

  • Full Service: An attendant comes to the window. Simply say "Regular" (for petrol) and "Mantan" (fill it up).
  • Self Service: Look for the sign セルフ (Serufu). The operation of the touchscreens can often be switched to English.

Michi-no-Eki: More than just rest stops
Keep an eye out for signs saying "Michi-no-Eki" (Roadside Station). These are government-run rest stops that often offer local specialities, fresh vegetables from the farmers' market, and sometimes even hot springs (Onsen). They are often nicer and cheaper than normal motorway service stations.

The "Thank you" flash
If someone lets you merge, Japanese people often say thank you by briefly flashing the hazard warning lights (1–2 times). A nice gesture that you will quickly adopt.

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