Good to Know: Random Tips for Your Japan Trip

First time traveller in Japan? Here are things I have learned and I wish I knew it before I went to Japan:

• Always keep left. Japan's car drives right hand and so goes with the traffic road, sidewalks and pedestrians. So stay left in the escalators and walk in the right if you want to go ahead.

• It's cheaper to ride a bus or train. Don't ride a taxi. There are always bus and train stations nearby. Click here, for more details.  

• Always load your transportation card.  Else you will need to prepare the trips' fare in exact amount in cash. Drop it in the fare box.  They have change machine, but not all larger bills are accepted. 

• When riding the bus, you have to tap first or pay first. Don't forget to tap again when you drop off the bus. Else the maximum fare will be deducted from your load.

• They have toilets at all stations and malls. All toilets have toilet paper and water. So no worries if you have to do number 1 or number 2.

Japan toilet or rest rooms

• The toilet paper provided in all toilets in Japan, can be flushed in the bowl (Only this type of toilet paper). All used toilet paper to the bowl while any other tissue paper are thrown in the trash bin.

• Some toilets are provided with heated toilet seats and some buttons on the right side or in the wall. Don't be intimidated.  Press the button with music if you are going to do a number 2.

• It is not customary to give tip. Just always say thank you.

• You have to finish food specially if someone treats you. It is a good gesture. Click here for additional guide on dining etiquette. 

• If you ran out of cash, you can withdraw from ATM booth inside convenience stores, and recommended is 7-Eleven stores. 7-Eleven ATM doesn't charge fees but exchange rates varies depends on local bank. Inside a store is safer to withdraw cash.

• Some groceries sells their packed meals with a discount.  From 10-50% off starting 8pm or maybe earlier for other stores.  You can get your meal for dinner and buy already for your next day breakfast.

Packed meals

Packed meals

• Order your food in the ordering machine as most restaurants have it. So as you enter, you can look for this and order and pay. If they don't have machine, they will assist you, and after your meal, you pay at the counter.

• Convenience stores and vending machines are there in every corner. You can buy food and other essentials any time of the day.

Vending machine

• Nail cleaning are expensive. A manicure and pedicure services are expensive compared to the service fee in my country. And how they clean it, is different from what I'm familiar with. But if you can afford it, you can also try their nail art.

Japanese manicure service

This random information are based on my experience after three travels in Japan averaging to 8 days stay. You can refer for more details of the items above on Japan Travel sites. For more related topics about Japan, you can check my other blogs.