Traveling to Japan for the first time can be exciting but intimidating. This video I talk about Tips for preparation for your trip to Japan, and 4 Must Pack Items for Japan Travel Passport / Money / Medicine and SmartPhone.
🇯🇵First Time in Japan Series
Is Japan for You? What you can Expect in Japan: https://youtu.be/Ay-Ql60Q_fA
Planning Itinerary for Japan Trip: https://youtu.be/rQRVIlFIP_4
Etiquette? Mistakes? What to Know in your First Visit to Japan: https://youtu.be/asNyI9tcY6U
Preparation Tips and What to Pack for Japan: https://youtu.be/2QbiHw29IRk
First 1 hour in Japan – Survival Guide from Aiport to the City Center: https://youtu.be/-Ku5Xj6ZImQ
Links and Services mentioned in this video
📲Unlimited WiFi from JAPAN WIRELESS : https://www.japan-wireless.com/?via=tokyokenchan
Order and Pickup at the airport. 10% OFF with Coupon Code: JWTK
some of eSIM providers:
Holafly: https://esim.holafly.com/esim-japan/
Ubigi: https://cellulardata.ubigi.com/rates-and-coverage/japan-data-plans/
Japan Visa Waiver Program
https://www.mofa.go.jp/j_info/visit/visa/short/novisa.html#notice06
💰Money
Schwab Checking Acount (US)
https://www.schwab.com/checking
Seven Bank ATM locations
https://www.sevenbank.co.jp/intlcard/index2.html
💊About bringing some medicine to Japan
https://www.mhlw.go.jp/stf/english/index.html
https://www.mhlw.go.jp/english/policy/health-medical/pharmaceuticals/01.html
https://www.mhlw.go.jp/english/policy/health-medical/pharmaceuticals/dl/qa2.pdf
🧳
The Best Selling Suitcases in the US Amazon
Swissgear Softside: https://amzn.to/3Px6hDn
Samsonite Omni 2 Hardside: https://amzn.to/3Pvfj3N
🚄Transportation
Japan Rail Pass :
Get JR Pass ➡︎ https://bit.ly/3ofy9AA
JR Pass Update: https://youtu.be/pLVyvS3129Q?si=RLoHK0FTEPcRtrGy
🗼Accommodation
Hotels Search in Tokyo ➡︎ https://expedia.com/affiliate/F7h1Ey2
Hotel Choices in Tokyo: https://youtu.be/PMg3lfa1KR4?si=d4llVy-c-nlQTLqu
🚩 Some of the links above may include affiliate link that I get small commission. Purchasing through the link resulted in supporting my videos without paying any extra for the products. Thank you.
#japantravel #visitjapan #packing
Chapters:
0:00 Preparation for Japan Trip
1:24 Passport
2:17 Money – Credit Card or Cash?
3:30 Three ways to get Japanese Yen Cash
5:42 Be aware of the Hidden Cost
7:48 Travel Health Insurance
8:54 In case of Emergency in Japan
9:46 Bringing your Medicine to Japan
11:10 How to Stay Connected
12:06 SIM / eSIM
13:55 Pocket WiFi / Rental WiFi
16:38 Backpack or Suitcase for Japan travel?
28 Comments
Thanks for the great tips Kenchan! Just to highlight a note for everyone, you will most likely need to make sure your passport does not expire within the next 6 months, if it does then you may not be able to travel to Japan (or even other countries). Kenchan did mention this but thought I'd highlight it again as this can really ruing months of planning for such a big trip.
Hello Kengo, pls help to talk about tips for luggage storage, luggage delivery service? Thanks
Hi, and thanks for another helpful video.
One thought: You mentioned that Suica cards can only be recharged using cash. I understand that, as of recently, you can add Suica to your Apple wallet and simply recharge it as needed by phone through your Apple account (which will likely be linked to your credit card). Maybe this could be a convenient cash-free option for some people? ✌️
Thank you for this summary. I use my earring post to get to my SIM card. It’s really hard to deal with money after a long flight so I ordered a small amount of Yen from my bank, enough to charge a Suica card. Then I didn’t have to stand in line at the money exchange or ATM at the airport. I also have the Charles Schwab ATM card. It’s great because you get charged fees by the 7 bank but those fees are refunded. I need to get travel insurance next time
Very useful as usual, thank you.
Going to 🇯🇵 after 4 days.
God bless too informative video you share one last question once again please guide timings of Hakone winter time November, we booked already japan tickets .which time everything opens and close during winter .i forgot to ask this before u had replied me about kyoto .
Thank you again Kengo-San! Another very helpful video for all visitors, even if I’ve been Japan many times, I still don’t know everything!!
Thank you again Kengo-San!!! 🏆
What about white socks? Ok ok I' m joking😂
No matter how often you have traveled to a foreign country, it's always a good idea to keep yourself updated because airlines and airport rules can change. Thank you Ken-san for always providing essential info ^^
Im hoping there are no changes that can cancel my teigeki plan next month..
** added I always carry 1 small/medium suitcase and 1 small backpack as carry-on, and an extra foldable bag (for all the omiyage haha) that I can stack on my suitcaae
Hi Kengo san, amazing tips again. Backpack user here, rented a pocket wifi, and few medicines. All of it are very important. And for the toothpick.. i borrowed one from a japanese guy eating yakisoba 🙃
Hi Kenchan. Great video!
So, I am traveling to Japan and will be there for 13 days then I will go to another country again. So I will have a big bag or backpack of gadgets with me but the one I am worried about is my luggage.
I know there are lockers everywhere but is there a locker I can leave my luggage indefinitely? Or atleast 1 week? Or more?
I don't mind paying for it. But I just want to make sure i can leave it somewhere secure while I backpack travel around Japan. I have the jr-pass so I don't want to keep bringing with me a lot of things dragging it everywhere.
Thank you 😊
Lots of good information!! We're getting ready to start making reservations, I can't wait to visit Japan! I already don't want to leave your beautiful country 😀 –
my debit cards do not have the "triangle plus" insignia on the back – They only have the Visa/Mastercard insignia on the front. Will the 7-11 ATM take my debt cards. Planning a family trip in November this year and I want to make sure everyone has the money access on their debt cards.
I have to say that your videos have helped me with the difference of traveling 5 yrs ago and present time. I like the way you answer all the questions presented to you and that you give concise information to the question that was presented… thanks for all your hard work on the videos.
LOL I must’ve used a 7-11, Lawson’s, or FamilyMart ATM 7-8 times the last time I was in Japan. It’s just sooo convenient. I also found myself making purchases with my PASMO card much more. American travelers are so spoiled with the rate of exchange right now…I can’t wait as I’m gonna be there in three weeks.
Thanks for another quality post Kengo, simple straight ahead advice well presented. These are the questions that we all wonder and it is great to have them answered! For instance not taking more than 1 month of prescription medication was something that I was not aware of and great to know now than have difficulty at Haneda customs. Thanks again mate
Thank you Kenchan for the video. The medicine information really helped! 🎉🎉
Hi Ken-san. This November i'll in Tokyo and doing lots of train travel. So I noticed that sometimes Google Maps shows that I should remain on board. But if I have a ic card (icoca from osaka) and a Tokyo Metro Pass, when I catch a train that starts out as a subway/metro line and it then says remain on board and it changes to a line not covered by free metro pass. Do i need to hop off and go in and out through the gates so I need to swiped my ic card for the next station? Thanks
Thanks for including Kenny! Always a welcome cute inclusion in your videos. Great information and effectively a checklist for all travelers traveling to Japan. Also, a great payment and currency exchange information summary!
thank you Kenchan! love your informative videos
Great tips here, for first timers to Japan you really should bring mostly cash, it's a very safe country and you can just lock most of it in your suitcase when leaving the hotel each day. To reduce the coin accumulation( it's a big pain after a while) get the suica IC cards and load them up, then use them to pay at convenience stores, ramen stores or any smaller purchases where possible.
A note about trading money in the US prior to your trip. Do NOT use Chase bank. They were 5pts less than what Google stated the currency change rate was. I traded $2000 USD and lost about $100 going and $100 retuning trading through Chase. Won’t do that again…. Wi-Fi, got a hotspot at the Haneda airport, worked perfectly the whole trip – just make sure the hotspot uses a major carrier like SoftBank , but I am sure Kenchan will cover this 😊
Hi Kenchan! Love your content!
You mentioned in one of your videos that reading a Japanese book is a good way to get a deeper understanding of japanese culture. You recommended a book, but I have forgotten the title! Do you remember what it is? If so, can you please tell me what book it is?
I think the book is a classic Japanese novel.
Hi, Kenchen. As always with all your travel videos, this one shows practicality and usefulness. Thank you. For all my previous travels, I bought SIM cards prior to travel or at the arrival airports. I am coming back to Tokyo (again!) by mid-November for about 10 days. For the first time, I intend to use eSIM as you mention in the video. Anyway, as I am preparing the itineraries, I come up with a question that I need to clarify. It's about the opening days of the Tsukiji outer market 築地場外市場. Do most shops and restaurants there open daily? I have come across the term "中央卸売市場" at Tsukiji which, on it's website, says it is close on Sundays and almost all Wednesdays. Due to language barrier, I am a little confused. Could you kindly find out whether the shops (selling dry seafoods and seafood restaurants) are still open in the outer market? Appreciate your help.
Does credit card equivalent to debit card?
Do they work the same way?
I just discovered your channel!
I have a question. For my November trip, I am going to Nikko, Sendai, and fujigoko, will I need long sleeves shirts and jacket?
Or is it like Japan in early April where light jacket and possible short sleeve is good?
If you need ibuprofen, I recommend bringing a lot. Compared to other meds, it is ridiculously expensive here. I have a bad back, and wish I had brought more when I moved here.