JAPAN HAS CHANGED | TOP 9 New Things to Know Before Traveling to Japan 2025

JAPAN HAS CHANGED | TOP 9 New Things to Know Before Traveling to Japan 2025

Planning a trip to Japan this August or 
later? Hi, I’m M from Tokyo. In this video, I will share with you the top nine new things to 
know before traveling to Japan. From new entry procedures and price hikes to increased crowds, 
there are some surprising changes and important updates you need to be aware of. I’ve put together 
the latest information every traveler should know right now. So, be sure to watch until the end. 
Also, we offer private tours in Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto. So, if you’re interested, feel free 
to contact us through the link below. All right, then let’s go. Number one, Japan entry site alert. 
Important notice for travelers planning to enter Japan. In the previous video, I mentioned 
that Japan is planning to introduce a new online immigration system called JSTA around 
physical year 2028. It will let travelers from visa exempt countries complete immigration 
procedures online before departure. However, be careful. Fake websites using the name J Esta 
have been found. There’s no official J Esta site yet and the Japanese government has not launched 
any platform. Do not enter personal or payment information on any such site. Also, don’t forget 
about Visit Japan web, the official online system for pre-arrival immigration and customs. It speeds 
up your entry at airports like Narita and Haneda. Some fake sites have also been reported here. 
So, please use only the official link which I’ve included in the description below. Stay safe and 
travel smart. Number two, crows and heat alert. Planning a trip to Japan this August or September? 
There are two important things you should know. First, the crowds. It’s a season in Japan and the 
peak season runs through August 17. Many people are traveling back to their hometowns, so trains 
and popular tourist spots are packed. If you’re heading from Tokyo to Osaka or Kyoto, make sure 
you’ve reserved a seat on the Shinkasen. Even the non-reserved cars like Hikari and Kodama can get 
so full that people end up standing. If you have a JR pass, I definitely recommend reserving 
your seats in advance. Theme parks, shrines, and famous attractions are also really crowded. 
For example, at Ozaka Castle or Tsutenkaku, you might have to wait an hour or more. Try to 
go early or book tickets online to save time. Second, the heat. Japan’s summer is not just hot, 
it’s humid. Temps can reach 40° C and humidity can hit 90% making it feel even worse. If you’re 
out and about, try to explore in the morning or evening when it’s cooler. And if you have to be 
outside during the day, bring a portable umbrella or wear a hat. You can grab one at Donkeyote or 
Lato. Super handy to have. Stay cool and stay safe while you enjoy Japan. Number three, major price 
increase. Recently, a topic that has been slowing gang attention among tourists visiting Japan is 
price increases. The inflation rate for 2025 is about 3% and tourist facilities and restaurants 
are slowly raising their prices. For example, the popular digital art facility team love border 
reached its admission fees in January this year. Additionally, starting in March 2026, admission 
fees for Himiji Castle will increase from 1,000 yen to 2,500 yen for no residents. Such price 
hikes are also gradually being implemented at other facilities. Restaurant menus are also seeing 
price increases driven by rising labor cost, food prices, and particularly the surge in rice 
prices. In some cases, rice prices have nearly doubled over the past two years, affecting the 
prices of set meals and rice bowls. Additionally, hotel and railway fairs tend to increase during 
peak periods or for last minute bookings. If you have any specific destinations or dates in 
mind, booking early may allow you to enjoy the old parties, so be sure to check in advance. For 
more tips on budget friendly travel, check out my previous video. Number four, can’t use Japan’s 
new cash. It has now been exactly one year since Japan introduced its new banknotes in 2024. 
The new bills feature a completely redesigned look and historical figures on them have also 
changed, but there are still some stores and ticket machines that are not yet compatible with 
the new banknotes. For example, in Japan, it’s common to buy a meal ticket from a vending machine 
when eating ramen. But some of these machines may not accept a new bank notes. To make things more 
confusing, instructions are often written only in Japanese, so it can be hard for tourists to 
figure out what’s going on. If the machine doesn’t respond no matter how many times you try inserting 
the bill, it may simplify not be compatible with the new notes. Don’t try to force it in. It’s 
best to ask a staff member for help. The good news is major convenience stores like 7-Eleven 
and Lson are already fully compatible with the new bucknotes. So no worries there. Number five, 
new deer rules in Nara. Currently the Osaka Expo is being held in Japan and according to the survey 
by Nabit Time, Nar Park has become a popular spot to visit alongside the expo. As a result, with 
the increase in tourists, issues like littering and poor etiquette have become more noticeable. 
Until recently, there were no trash cans in Nar Park. But after several cases where deer became 
sick from eating discarded garbage, trash bins started being installed in January 2025. Also, 
feeding the deer anything other than official deer crackers can lead to digestive problems or 
even food poisoning. Some tourists unfortunately give them regular snacks without realizing 
the harm it can cause. Local organization and the city are working to raise awareness, but 
it’s important to check the rules and proper etiquette before visiting Nara Park. Have you ever 
been to Nara Park? Let me know in the comments. And don’t forget to treat the deer with kindness. 
Number six, new Mount Fuji rule. The official climbing season for Mount Fuji started in July, 
and this year, new entry regulations are also in effect. These rules will remain in place until 
September 10. There are four main rules to climb Mount Fuji. And there are a few common rules that 
apply to all of them. Let’s go over them. First, from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 a.m., only climbers with 
a reservation at the mountain hut are allowed to start climbing from the fifth station. If you plan 
to begin your climb after 2:00 p.m., you will need to book a hut in advance, and this reservation 
will be checked on site. Second, there’s a mandatory 4,000 entrance fee which must be paid 
in advance. Third, climbers must also complete the reservation or pre-registration online through a 
dedicated website. And here’s something especially important. The Yoshida Trail, which is the most 
popular route due to easy access from Tokyo, has a daily cap of 4,000 climbers during the 
climbing season. Number seven, is Japan no longer clean? Japan is known around the world as a 
clean country, but after living in Tokyo for over 10 years, I’ve noticed that places like Shibuya 
and Shinjuku have started to feel a bit dirtier lately. Japan originally has very few public 
trash bins, but there’s no excuse for littering. Unfortunately, in popular tourist areas, discarded 
plastic bottles and cans are becoming a common problem. To help tackle this, a new type of 
smart trash bin called Sumago has recently been introduced. It runs on solar power and can 
automatically compress trash to about 1/5if its original volume. Since 2025, these bins have been 
installed in tourist areas like Shibuya, Omoando, Kyoto, and Kawaguy, but they’re still limited 
in number. So, if you’re traveling in Japan, I recommend carrying a small trash bag with you. 
Hopefully, efforts like this will help preserve the beauty that Japan is known for. Number eight, 
is Japan still safe for tourists? You know, this is a little embarrassing to say, but I’ve actually 
lost my SUA card and even my phone, not just once, but a few times in Japan. And every time they came 
back to me, someone had turned them into a police box or to the train station. It made me feel like, 
wow, Japan really is a safe country. But recently, things have started to change that Japan is always 
safe image is not 100% true anymore. Especially in busy tourist areas, pickpocketing and theft are 
quietly on the rise. Take this case. In spring 2025, a man from the US living in Japan had his 
backpack stolen in Shibuya Center. Inside were luxurious sunglasses and a wallet with 10,000 
yen in cash. And in April at the famous Sensoji Temple in Asakusa, a woman from Mongolia was 
caught stealing a tourist wallet and arrested on the spot. Now, don’t get me wrong, Japan 
is still relatively safe, but being surrounded by people does not automatically mean you are 
safe. So, when you are in crowded trash spots, just keep these small tips in mind. Wear your 
backpack in front. Don’t keep your phone or wallet in your back pocket. Zip your bag and keep a hand 
on it. Simple habits like these can really help protect your belongings. Number nine, Tokyo Summer 
Festival. Tokyo is full of fun events in August. It’s the perfect time to enjoy summer in the city. 
Here are three major events happening from mid to late August that you won’t want to miss. First 
up is the Maji Jingu Fireworks Festival on August 16th. With around 10,000 fireworks lightening 
up the sky and live performances by top artist, it’s one of the biggest summer events in Tokyo. 
It’s held near Halajuku, so it’s easy to access. Definitely check it out if you’re in town. Next 
is Comic Market 106 or Kik held on August 16th and 17th. This is the world’s largest fan convention 
for anime, manga, and cosplay taking place at Tokyo Big Site. It’s super popular, so advanced 
reservations and lottery system are required. But if you’re a fan of Japanese pop culture, 
it’s an unforgettable experience. Finally, we have the Coenji Aa Odori Festival on August 
23rd and 24th. More than 10,000 dancers fill the streets with traditional music and energy, and 
it’s totally free to watch. It’s one of the best ways to experience Japan’s summer festival spirit 
in the heart of Tokyo. Thanks for watching. That’s all for today. Don’t forget to subscribe and 
hit the like button. See you at the next video.

Planning a trip to Japan in 2025? Here are the latest Japan updates every tourist should know before visiting Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto or exploring summer events like the Tokyo Summer Festival and fireworks shows!
From the new Japan Entry site rules, Suica card usage, and issues with Japan’s new cash, to rising costs and even safety concerns — we cover it all.

Whether you’re traveling with a Japan Rail Pass, heading to the Osaka Expo 2025, or just looking for great Japanese food, make sure you’re prepared for the latest changes.

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Time Stamp
0:00 Opening
0:35 1. Japan Entry Site Alert
1:30 2.Crowds & Heat Alert
2:52 3. Major Price Increase
4:06 4. Can’t Use Japan’s New Cash?
5:04 5. New Deer Rule in Nara
6:01 6. New Mt. Fuji Rule
6:59 7. Is Japan No Longer Clean?
7:59 8. Is Japan Still Safe for Tourists?
9:19 9. Tokyo Summer Festival

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