Planning your first trip to Japan? Welcome to your ultimate guide to Japan travel — based on my real, first-hand experiences. These are the tips you won’t find in the usual guides. From unexpected restaurant rules and subway savings to Disney hacks, this post dives into everything I learned the hard way. I had these experiences so you don’t have to. — the kind of things no one told me, but I wish they had. It’s packed with small insights. They made a big difference on our trip. I’m sharing them straight from my journey with my son.
🔍 Quick Index: Key Takeaways From This Post
- 🍕 Some restaurants expect one dish and drink per person — ask first!
- 🚇 A subway pass may be better than a Suica card for Tokyo travel
- 🧳 Luggage services are expensive — Uber might save you
- 🛌 Hotels provide nightwear and full amenities — pack less!
- 🎒 Pre-book excess baggage before flights to save money
- 🗓️ Book experiences in advance — except Mount Fuji (check weather!)
- 🎡 Skip early Disney lines with an express pass or late entry
Japan had been on my wishlist forever. I dreamed about the beauty, the food, the traditions, and how everything seems to work so perfectly there. So when I finally planned a trip with my son, I was all in. I made lists, saved pins, and read blogs. I watched countless videos. In short, I did all the things one does when you’re excited and maybe just a bit anxious.
But once we got there, reality felt different. Not bad, not disappointing, just… different. There were so many little things that no one had talked about. Things I didn’t read in all those “Japan travel tips” articles. And those were the moments that taught me the most.
So this isn’t a how-to or a polished guide. It’s a diary of discoveries — the unexpected bits that made our trip memorable. The things that jolted us, amused us, or made us go, “Ahh, wish we knew this before!”
And hey, if you haven’t already, check out my post on busting common Japan travel myths. Because trust me, a few things caught me off guard!
🍕 1. Some Restaurants Have a “One Dish and One Drink Per Person” Rule
We weren’t even super hungry that day. My son and I were just walking around, soaking in Tokyo, when we stumbled upon this lovely little pizza café. It was cute, cozy, and seemed like the perfect place to rest our feet and share a bite.
We placed our order. The server gently informed us that each person must order one dish. Each person must also order one drink.
No exceptions.
At first, I felt a bit awkward. Then slightly irritated. But later, I understood it. In many cafés and smaller restaurants, especially in high-footfall areas, this is a pretty standard practice.
Not every restaurant has this rule, but a good number of them do, especially where seating is limited. It’s not personal. It’s business.
So, just a heads-up — before you sit down, ask. A quick, “Is it okay to share?” can save you the discomfort.
🚇 2. You Might Not Need a Suica Card in Tokyo
Everyone, and I mean everyone, recommends the Suica or Pasmo card. And it sounds like the smartest move when you’re prepping for Japan.
But here’s what happened: we didn’t get one. Instead, we picked up the 72-hour Tokyo Subway Pass and honestly? It worked out so well.
We used the subway 4 to 5 times a day. A single ticket costs around ₹100–120, so that adds up. The pass cost us just ₹800 for three whole days of unlimited travel.
It was seamless. No topping up, no tracking balance. We used it across all Tokyo Metro and Toei lines. Only once or twice did we need to buy a separate ticket.
If you’re staying within Tokyo city limits for a few days, the subway pass is incredibly convenient. The Suica card is great for flexibility, yes. But for tourists like us, focused on central Tokyo, this pass was better. Less stress, less cost.
You can get more details about the Tokyo Subway 72-Hour Pass here.
🧳 3. Luggage Services Sound Great — But Sometimes an Uber is Better
Let’s talk about baggage. Because this was honestly one of the most stressful parts.
When we arrived, we had two large suitcases and one cabin bag. The airport limousine bus got us from Narita to Tokyo Station — smooth and easy. But transferring to our hotel via metro? That was a mini workout.
Stairs. Turns. Escalators that suddenly weren’t working. And us, trying to juggle heavy bags.
Cut to the return journey. We now had five bags (Japan shopping is real, okay?). The idea of dragging them around again was already exhausting me.
So I looked into luggage forwarding services. Everyone recommends them, and they’re super professional. But:
- The cost for our five bags was almost ₹9000
- We had to book it a day in advance
- There were strict pickup and delivery slots
That’s when I checked Uber.
For just ₹2000–2500, we got a cab that fit all our bags. It picked us up from the hotel, dropped us right at Tokyo Station. From there, it was just a 2-minute walk to the bus stand. No chaos, no rushing.
It saved money. But more than that, it saved our sanity.
🛌 4. Don’t Pack Nightwear or Toiletries — Hotels Have You Covered
This was such a pleasant surprise. I’m a chronic over-packer, so naturally, I carried everything — pajamas, shampoo, toothbrush, face wash, even sunscreen.
Guess what? I could’ve left almost all of it at home.
Japanese hotels, even the budget ones, are super generous with amenities. We had:
- Nightwear (yukata-style pajamas)
- Shampoo, conditioner, and body wash
- Toothbrush and toothpaste
- Cleansing oils, face masks, razors, cotton buds
Some hotels even let you borrow chargers, hairdryers, straighteners, humidifiers — seriously, it felt like magic.
Next time, I’ll pack lighter. And trust that Japan has me covered.
🎒 5. Plan Ahead for Extra Luggage — Don’t Be Like Us
This one hurt. And it cost us too.
We bought so much during the trip. Souvenirs, snacks, quirky finds — you know how it is. But we completely forgot to pre-book extra luggage for our Cathay Pacific flight.
At the airport, the fees were insane.
Here’s what I’ll do differently next time:
- I’ll buy an extra bag in Japan (there are options everywhere — Don Quijote, Daiso, even supermarkets!)
- I’ll add extra luggage online during web check-in
- I’ll double-check domestic flight limits, since they’re stricter than international ones
It’s not just about saving money. It’s about reducing that last-day panic.
🗓️ 6. Pre-Book Experiences — But Wait for Fuji
Japan is the land of planning. Popular attractions like the Ghibli Museum or teamLab get booked out weeks in advance. So yes, definitely pre-book those.
But don’t rush to book Mount Fuji.
We booked our Fuji trip through Klook before we left India. And then, it rained. And rained. And the day we were meant to go? Thick clouds. Zero visibility.
Thankfully, Klook offers 100% refund if you cancel 24 hours before. So we cancelled.
If I could do it again, I’d wait. Check the weather while in Japan, and only book if there’s a good chance of seeing the mountain. Otherwise, it’s a long, expensive trip for nothing.
🎡 7. Tokyo Disneyland — Don’t Get Caught in the 3 AM Line
I had read posts about people lining up outside Disney as early as 3 AM. And yes, I get the excitement.
But we chose a different approach. We reached at 11 AM. There was no queue. We walked right in.
Sure, we didn’t go on every ride. Some had 90+ minute wait times. But we saw the parades, ate the food, took photos, and soaked in the vibe. And we weren’t exhausted from waiting hours in line.
If rides are your priority, go for the express pass. If the experience is what you’re after, a relaxed entry works just fine.
Disney was still magical. Just easier.
🛋️ Final Thoughts: Let Travel Surprise You
Every country teaches you something. But Japan? It taught me to pause. To ask questions. To not assume everything will go by the guidebook.
We had moments of confusion, mistakes, extra costs, and a few oh-no kind of days. But we also had magic. Laughs. Quiet walks. Beautiful food. And so many memories.
If you’re planning a trip, take this post as a note from a friend who’s been there. Learn from my surprises. Smile at your own.
And don’t forget to grab your free Japan Travel Essentials Checklist here ⬇️
Download the Printable Checklist
Japan is gorgeous. I haven’t been but from your pictures, it is a must see for sure. I will add it to my bucket list.
It’s a beautiful country with a perfect mix of experiences, culture and vibrancy. Must visit.
I really love these tips. It’s nice to get an inside peak into some of the more unheard of ways to enjoy the country. I’ve always wanted to visit Japan.
Yeah, each country has so much to offer and Japan is at another level. You must try to plan a visit.
One of my friends is currently in Japan and she has lots of knowledge too about restaurants, places to stay and to visit. Thanks for your great tips.
Oh that is amazing, I am sure your friend will have a lot of info. Would love to hear her experience.
These are great tips for anyone travelling to Japan, my daughter has always had a love of Japan since she was little. I could not see me being in a queue at 3am and would have done the same as you
Yes, it’s an amazing country. But yes some things can get tiring and overwhelming, so certainly knowing about them before hand helps.
Japan is number 3 on my list. Thank you for sharing these tips, very helpful for me.
Wow, and what are your number 1 and 2, if I may ask?
Great tips! We took a 3-week JR Pass and enjoyed our Shinkansen rides throughout Japan. Polite and helpful residents. Yes, the yukatas and slippers the hotels provide in the rooms are useful. We admired the ‘no tips’ attitude followed by restaurants with a smile and a bow. Must do a second trip. We love Japan!
Yes Japan is amazing. One visit is not enough, there is so much more to explore.
Japan is definitely on my bucket list, so this article is super helpful! I love how you shared real, firsthand experiences—especially the tips about restaurants and the subway. I never would have thought about the luggage services vs. Uber! I especially love the advice on packing light – who knew hotels provide everything you need, saving you space for shopping! Definitely bookmarking this for when I start planning my own trip.
Thanks, and yes if you know these things beforehand, you can surely save some hassles and money too. Planning makes it easier.
I’ve never been to Japan and would love to go there and explore this beautiful country…Just gorgeous…
Yes, its really an amazing country.
Japan is a dream travel destination as I think the culture is so interesting and from seeing how beautiful the country is. These are great tips and I will be sure to follow them when I visit one day!
Thanks, I am sure this will help you. Keep watching this space, will be sharing a lot more about Japan in posts to come.
It would be a dream to travel to Japan. I would not know where to begin with planning, and this is a great start!
It truly is a dream destination. Keep watching this space, I will be covering a lot more about Japan in my future posts.
These are good tips! It’s good to know about the one dish, one drink rule because sometimes we’re not that hungry, just want to sit for a while and share piece of cake. The subway pass and Uber will definitely save a lot of money. I have heard about the toiletries in the hotel room before. And I heard they’re good products.
Yes a bit weird rule on that one person one dish, nevertheless Japan is amazing and the quality of food, and overall products is simply awesome.
I have always wanted to visit Japan. I’m a giant nerd, and I’ve always been fascinated by the culture, history, and entertainment like manga and anime.
Oh yes, visit Akihabra is Tokyo, its a heaven for Anime lovers, you can never have enough of that place.
If I ever get to visit Japan, this is the guide I’ll be using. I love finding the spots that other people don’t know about!
Thanks, Keep watching this space, a lot more on Japan is coming on my next posts.
Thank you for these tips. I hope to make it to Japan one day and I need to keep these in mind.
I hope you do, it’s an amazing place. And keep watching this space, loads more on Japan in store.
On my places to visit. Question, I saw the the tickets for Disney in Japan are cheaper than Florida or California. Is this true?
Yes, they are, and not just tickets, the food inside, the merchandise, everything is very reasonable compared to other Disney locations or even Universal Studios for that matter.
I bet a trip to Japan would be amazing! Thanks for the tips– I have never heard of hotels providing so much, or restaurants requiring everyone order, so those tips are really helpful!
Yes, Japan is amazing and some rules are also there, but the overall experience is unmatched.
So many unusual customs like hotels providing pajamas! Thank you for the great Japan travel tips!
Oh yes, those pyjamas are lovely and super comfortable too.
I had never heard of the one drink one meal rule per person! Or the that hotels would have your tolieties or nighttime items. These are such useful tips – thank you for sharing them.
Yeah Japan has many things which are exclusive to them. But that is what makes it so special and amazing.
It sounds so amazing in Japan. I would really love to go some time. It’s great that they provide pj’s I’ve not heard of anywhere else providing those!
That is true, this was unheard of for me too. But its so thoughtful and nice. And trust me they are super comfortable too.
This is such an awesome post! My daughter has Japan on her list of places to travel this year and you have laid out some very useful tips and I love your images. I bet you had a wonderful time, I will say I have never, ever heard of the one drink one meal rule per person before! I wonder why that is.
Yes, that rule took us also a little aback since ordering 2 pizzas really wasn’t our idea. But they laid out clearly that we need to order one dish and one drink per person. I think because Japanese cafes are usually small and cannot accommodate many people, they want to make it worth their while.
Visiting Japan is on our travel list. These are tips are so helpful and I’ll use these suggestions for planning!
I am glad you liked it, keep watching this space, there is a lot more coming on Japan in my next posts.
Japan is my all-time dream destination! This is such a helpful guide for first-time visitors. I’d love to see Kyoto, Tokyo and eat all of the sushi I can get my hands on
Oh yes, we also wanna see Kyoto, this time we took it easy and spent good 9 days exploring just Tokyo (which also seemed less). But next time, we will also visit Kyoto
I loved reading this. It’s such a refreshing, honest take with gems I definitely wouldn’t have thought of.Thanks for sharing the real-world lessons and not just the picture-perfect moments.
I am glad you liked it. Yes in this digital era many things are mis leading, so honestly sharing what I experienced was important to me
really appreciate the tips and pointers you have included here. like that first one about the one dish, one drink policy. like you, we often want to share a dish and knowing things like this can definitely help, Japan is definitely on my someday-someday list
Thank you so much! I really wanted to include everything I wish I knew before going. So glad you found it helpful! 😊
I love that Japanese hotels provide so much, were you able to keep the pyjamas?
No, one needs to return them, they give you a fresh set everyday and that in itself is so amazing.
I am glad you made this. I am planning to visit to Japan this year and this is a perfect information that I need to know before going there!
That means the world! I hope it helps make your trip to Japan even more memorable 🇯🇵✨
We are saving up for a trip to Japan. I’ve heard it is amazing. I really want to see Tokyo Disney and Disney Sea. Pinning this for trip planning.
Yes, we could not visit Disney Sea this time, that’s on our list for our next trip, but trust me Japan is just amazing.