What you MUST know BEFORE Arriving in Japan | 2024

This What you MUST know BEFORE Arriving in Japan | 2024!

This is what you need to know BEFORE arriving in Japan!
What you do in that first hour can set the tone for the rest of your trip.

This is a necessary update to a video I released in October 2022 that gives you the most current information about arriving in Japan.
Old version here – https://youtu.be/pjVT3YKFfeo

So, it’s your first hour on the ground and you’re ready to go explore the country! But before you head out of the airport, there are several things you MUST do! You need Wi-Fi / Internet, Japanese Yen, Transportation information, train information and MORE!

Also before you arrive, there are steps you need to take to ensure an awesome Japan adventure – things like getting a Japan Rail Pass, downloading Japan travel apps, get information on Japan borders 2023, scheduling a Japan shuttle bus, and MUCH more!

This video will help you get set up quickly so you can get out and start enjoying everything Japan has to offer and do it with confidence.

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Here’s a list of helpful websites and apps that I mentioned in the video:

Japan Travel Information:
https://www.japan-guide.com

Japan Rail Pass :
https://japanrailpass.net

Start aligning your sleep schedule with Japan Time:
Current time in Japan: https://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/japan/tokyo

Papago Translation app:
Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.naver.labs.translator&hl=en&gl=US
Apple: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/naver-papago-ai-translator/id1147874819

Deepl Translation app:
Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.deepl.mobiletranslator&hl=en&gl=US
Apple: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/deepl-translate/id1552407475

Welcome Suica:
https://www.jreast.co.jp/e/downloads/pdf/welcomesuica_e.pdf

Passmo Passport:
https://www.pasmo.co.jp/visitors/en/buy/

Pasmo app:
Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.mobilepasmo.android&hl=en&gl=US
Apple: https://apps.apple.com/jp/app/pasmo/id1489151487

Suica app:
Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.mobilesuica.msb.android&hl=en&gl=US
Apple: https://apps.apple.com/jp/app/suica/id1156875272

Google Translate app:
Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.apps.translate&hl=en&gl=US
Apple: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/google-translate/id414706506

Google Maps app:
Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.apps.maps&hl=en&gl=US
Apple: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/google-maps/id585027354

Japan Border Customs Website:
https://www.customs.go.jp/english/summary/passenger.htm

Vaccine requirements and Border Measures:
https://www.mofa.go.jp/ca/fna/page4e_001053.html
https://www.mhlw.go.jp/stf/covid-19/bordercontrol.html#2_1

Airalo E-SIMs:
https://www.airalo.com/

WiFi and Sim Card Services:
https://anyfone.jp/
https://www.jalabc.com/

Luggage Forwarding Services & Information:
https://www.jalabc.com/
https://www.global-yamato.com/en/hands-free-travel/scene02.html

Narita Express: Tokyo Airport transfer with the JR Pass

Shuttle Bus Services:
https://www.keikyu-bus.co.jp
https://webservice.limousinebus.co.jp/web/en

Current Exchange Rates:
https://www.x-rates.com/table/?from=JPY&amount=1

CHAPTERS:
0:00 – Introduction
02:38 – Translation Apps
05:12 – My Favorite Navigation App
07:20 – Arrival at Japan Airports
07:47 – Vaccine Requirements
08:23 – Luggage Forwarding Services
09:46 – Setting Up WiFi
10:55 – Special Request
11:14 – Currency Exchange
12:53 – General Tansportation Info
13:35 – Japan Rail System
13:59 – Japan Rail Passes
14:39 – Pasmo and Suica Cards
18:21 – How to Ride the Trains
20:46 – Changing Trains
22:18 – Finding your Station Exit
23:26 – Message from Japan to YOU!

You’ve just spent the last 8, 10, 14 hours  on a plane to get to Japan. You’re on the   ground… WAIT… That’s my last video. A lot of things have changed since that last   video and I’m here to take you around Haneda  Airport and show you what those things are;  

Things like IC Cards, Pasmo, Suica,  WiFi, Cash, all kinds of things are new,   so stick with me and I’m gonna show you the latest  information on arriving in Japan. Let’s Go!   If you’ve never been to Japan, just  the thought of arriving in this unique  

Country with its very different language and  culture can be incredibly intimidating.   But in this video I’m going to give you the  latest information and insider tips that   will guarantee your arrival into Japan  will be a lot less stressful.  

We’re going to cover a lot of information  in this video to eliminate all your fears   and anxieties about arriving in Japan and  make everything as smooth as possible.   So grab your notepads and let’s get started. Unless you’re flying into Japan from some place  

Like the Philippines, Korea, or Guam, you’ll  probably be on your flight for a VERY long time   and coming from a very different time zone. So, the first thing I’d suggest is,   do your best to start acclimating yourself  to Japan’s time zone as soon as possible,  

But at LEAST 24 hours before you arrive. If you can get your internal clock aligned before   you arrive, you’ll already be one step ahead of  the game and ready to begin your Japan adventure   from the moment you step out of the airport  without having to play catch-up with your  

Sleep or deal with exhausting jet-lag. In your planning, you’ve probably considered   things like cash/currency, Wi-fi and Internet,  transportation arrangements, IC cards like Suica   and Pasmo, luggage forwarding,and much more.  We’re gonna cover all of these things.   But there’s nothing like experiencing it first  hand. So that’s what I’m going to do today;  

Give you a first-hand, POV experience of what  you can expect right out of the gate.   The first things I’m going to cover in this  video are a few apps you should get familiar   with BEFORE you arrive in Japan. These will make your travel easier when  

It comes to language translation as  well as navigating the country.   The first two apps that people usually think  of are Google Maps and Google Translate.   However, these may not be the best for you and you  need to know that there are other options.  

First, let’s look at language translation.  While many touristy places within the big   cities will speak some foreign languages  you’ll almost certainly come across a   situation where you’ll experience what I  call a “communication challenge”.   And WHEN this happens, you don’t  want to blow it like this guy!  

Many Japanese words sound similar, so this is why  you need to arm yourself with a translation app   that works best for your needs. Google Translate is OK, but most   Japanese will tell you that these  translations sound strange.  

The app that I found works best for my day-to-day,  real-time voice translations is Papago.   Papago allows you or the other party to  say what you want and it’s immediately   played back in the translated language.  While Google translate can also do this,  

Papago offers a more natural translation. I do, however, use Google Translate for its   instantaneous camera translations.  If there’s something in writing,   like a menu or street sign for example,  Google will use your camera to translate  

It into your language in real-time. The final translation tool I’ll suggest is   probably THE BEST and most natural translation  I have found. ChatGPT does an outstanding job   of translating text into VERY natural  and native sounding Japanese.  

However, it does have its drawbacks. ChatGPT  does not offer voice input translations or a   camera translator; meaning everything needs to be  typed in or copy and pasted into Chat GPT.   But if you’re writing something longer than  a short question or phrase, ChatGPT beats the  

Competition, hands down for providing a natural  translation! It’s just not very practical as   a translation app when you’re traveling. I’ll put links to all these options below.   As far as getting around  the country and navigation,  

There are many apps to choose from. In my last video I named and used several,   but since then, I’ve come to rely on  one app almost exclusively.   I’ve found that Google Maps actually  does the best job for my navigation  

Needs because it seamlessly switches  navigation modes from walking, to train,   bus, driving, or even biking. For example, if I find myself deep in   the back streets of Kawasaki and I just  want to go back to my hotel in Tokyo,  

I just enter the name of my hotel into  Google Maps and ask it for directions.   Maps will then display multiple options  for getting there including how long it   will take and how much it will cost. Just  choose the option that works for you.  

When your route opens up, just click on  Live View and Maps will magically use   your camera to guide you step-by-step  to the nearest train station.   Easy, Right? When driving,   Google maps does a decent job, but can also take  you on some very narrow back streets if it detects  

That the main streets are congested. This isn’t a problem, but just realize that   these streets may be VERY narrow and you’ll need to take your time and use caution.   Since these streets are so narrow, they will  likely have mirrors at every intersection  

To help you check around corners  for traffic and bicycles.   But be sure to use them because bicycles  and motorcycles are notorious for blowing   through these intersections. So here’s your homework…   Download these apps and play around  with them to get familiar with them  

Before you arrive in Japan. The last thing you want is to be   struggling with how to use an app when  you just want to go enjoy Japan.   Again, I’ll put links to the  ones I recommend down below.  

Alright, let’s move on to what you’re gonna need  to know when you actually arrive in Japan.   Once you arrive, you’ll obviously collect your  baggage and go through security and customs.   This is a pretty standard process and  will not be covered in this video.  

Also a quick google search for “Japan  Airport security and customs” should   provide you with a host of information. As far as vaccines go, as of the publishing date   of this video, Japan has done away with vaccine  requirements for tourists. But this could change,  

So I’d recommend checking out the Japanese embassy  website for the most up-to-date information.   Ok, so you’ve got your bags, you’ve processed  security and customs, and you’ve stepped into   the main terminal – Now what? You obviously need Japanese Yen,  

You need your phone set up for Wi-Fi and internet,  and you need transportation to your hotel as well   as for the remainder of your stay in Japan. And instead of trying to lug heavy bags with you  

On a train or bus, you may also want to look  into having your luggage forwarded to your   hotel or even to another city in Japan through  one of Japan’s luggage forwarding services.   Fortunately, true to Japanese fashion, they’ve  made this a very simple process and can  

Be handled right in the arrival  terminal of the airport.   This video was taken at Haneda, and  the area I’m in is just to the right   of the exit from Airport Security. Narita, or any other airport you fly   into will have a similar area where  you can get everything set up.  

At the far end of the arrival terminal, you’ll  find several luggage delivery services.   These services will take your bags and deliver  them directly to your hotel or even other   cities in Japan. These companies are extremely   reliable and can often guarantee convenient,  same day service if you drop off before 4:00  

Pm. But verify this with each provider. The cost for this service will vary depending   on the size and weight of your bag and where you’re sending it, but it generally costs   between 1,500 to 3,000 yen per shipment. This is a very convenient service if you don’t  

Want to carry heavy bags on the train, or if  you want to begin exploring Japan immediately   after leaving the airport without the burden of  lugging heavy bags around while sightseeing.   Next, let’s talk about Wi-Fi  and internet connection.  

Some foreign cell phone carriers will  allow you to roam in Japan using your   current plan for an additional fee.  But, first check with your provider   to see if they offer any such service. If your provider doesn’t offer roaming in Japan,  

You’re going to need to find a  way to stay connected.   In my last video, I recommended  a couple of services to get you   set up right in the airport terminal. These services are certainly still available,   but recently, easier and cheaper options  have become available that you can set  

Up before you even leave home. For my foreign travels, I’ve been using an   E-SIM from a company called Airalo. It’s very  easy to use! Just use the Airalo app or go to   their website to purchase an E-SIM for Japan Select how much data you want and for how long  

You need it… pay… and you’re done.  Airallo will immediately send you   an email to help complete your setup. The E-Sim won’t begin using your data until   you arrive in Japan and connect to a Japanese  cell carrier. It couldn’t be easier.  

Before we move on to our next topic, if you’re  finding this video at all helpful, please take   a moment to smash that like button and subscribe  to the channel. This will help trigger the YouTube   algorithm and help us continue making quality  content and help you “discover Japan”.  

Alright! Moving on…, So you’ve got  your Wi-Fi and luggage taken care   of. Now let’s get some Japanese Yen. It’s my personal recommendation NOT to get   yen before you arrive since you won’t need  it until you get here and you’ll likely get  

A better exchange rate here in Japan. Your first thought might be to go to the   currency exchange counter which  is right outside the Security and   customs exit, but my suggestion is DONT! Instead, use your debit card at one of the ATMs  

Right next to the Exchange counter. Yes, you’ll probably pay a processing fee,   but this still comes out to a better exchange  rate than using the exchange counter.   ATMs are located at every convenience  store in Japan (which are everywhere)  

So you can exchange what you need, when you  need it, at a real-time exchange rate.   The word is that Japan is a very cash-based  society. That’s still very true and you should   always carry some cash, but most larger stores  and restaurants do accept credit cards.  

If you can pay by credit card, and you are  responsible with your credit debt, this is   by-far the best way to pay for things. You’ll get a real-time exchange rate AND you’ll   collect your credit card points,  mileage, and other benefits.  

Again, I only suggest using credit IF  you are responsible with your debt!   Another tip on using your Credit or debit  card while you’re traveling in Japan is to   be sure and notify your bank and credit card  company that you’ll be traveling abroad.  

This will prevent any security freezes  to your account when your bank begins   to detect new international charges. Alright! You’re almost ready to leave the airport   and see Japan but you need to know how you’re getting to your next destination.  

Are you taking a shuttle bus, taxi, train or  renting a car? Both Haneda and Narita offer   limousine shuttle bus services into parts  of Tokyo and the surrounding areas.   Again, this service is located in the main arrival  terminals of the airport and can’t be missed.  

You can get more information on this and even  schedule your shuttle ahead of time by visiting   their websites. If you’ve decided to rent a car,   you can pick it up at the same location as  the shuttle bus and limousine ticketing.  

There’s just one more method of transportation  that we’ll discuss in this video and it’s the one   you’ll likely be using the most. The Japan rail system.   At first glance the rail, subway, and shinkansen  system can be very intimidating, but set your  

Anxieties aside and arm yourself with a couple of  apps and information and you’ll be just fine.   A lot of people ask me about Japan rail  passes and which is the best.   Well, in 2023, the cost of using a rail  pass jumped significantly, and unless you  

Are going to be doing daily long-haul train  travel around Japan, the cost just may not   be worth it to you and regular shinkansen  tickets may be a wiser option for you.   In the end, this is just something  that you’ll need to spend some time  

Researching for yourself to see what option  works best for your specific needs.   If you are planning to purchase a rail pass,  just remember that this needs to be done BEFORE   you leave your home country and  the clock will start ticking on  

Your pass when you first use it. Since you’ll likely be using the train   for most of your transportation around Japan,  you’ll want to buy an IC card like Pasmo or Suica,   which is much different from a Rail Pass. These can be used for commuter trains, buses,  

Lockers, vending machines, and can also  be used at many convenient stores.   However, in July 2023, Japan suspended the  issuing of new Pasmo and Suica cards. But, not   to worry. There is a workaround for this. Both Pasmo and Suica offer temporary, 28-day IC  

Cards. …and yes, these are only valid for  28 days from the date of purchase.   First, some basic information about IC cards.  Each person will require their own separate IC   card and child cards are available for children  up to 12 years old with proof of age.  

Something to keep in mind though! These  temporary cards are NON-REFUNDABLE. So,   just be aware of how much you put on each card.  If you have a balance on the card when you leave   Japan, you CANNOT get it refunded to you. Finally, many people ask, what’s the difference  

Between the Pasmo and Suica. Well the simple  answer is – ABSOLUTELY NOTHING.   That’s right, the purchase of Pasmo or Suica  is just a simple matter of personal preference,   so stop sweating about which one is better. Ok, so how do you buy your IC Card? Well,  

If you decide on a Pasmo, you can purchase  it from the Pasmo desk located on the right   side of the terminal. From here, you can conveniently   purchase your Pasmo Passport from one  of the staff with credit card ONLY.  

The minimum purchase is 1,500 yen, and  500 of that just for the purchase of the   card. The remaining 1,000 yen or more  will be your available balance.