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 ⬇️
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