Japan Tips

For such a technically advanced nation, Japan is surprisingly reluctant to take credit cards. Many small restaurants, bars, and shops will only accept cash so always keep some with you.

Surprisingly little English is spoken, even in the cities. Once you are out in the countryside it is even harder to communicate. Learning a few key phrases will endear you to the locals and help you find your way around.

Most restaurants wont carry English menus, but don’t let that put you off. In the window they’ll have incredibly realistic plastic recreations of dishes. Simply point at what you want and it will arrive.

The best night spots in Japan are hidden in basements or tucked up on the twelfth floor of anonymous buildings. Bespoke Tokyo offers city ‘safaris’ and will show you all the secret spots the city has to offer.

The Japanese are incredibly honest, and lost items will invariably be handed in to the authorities. So whether it’s a laptop or a handbag, file a report and chances are it will be returned to you swiftly.

Recycling is a way of life in Japan, and throwing trash away is a complex business. You must separate burnable, non-burnable, and recyclable items. Follow the advice on the trashcans.

It’s so much more than sushi! From a humble bowl of noodles to a 12-course “kaiseki” feast (tiny, beautifully presented dishes largely consisting of fish, vegetables and tofu) the Japanese elevate eating to an art form. Though every region has its own speciality, you will always find juicy ramen, yakitori (skewers of grilled chicken and vegetables), nabe (stews), and shabu-shabu (wafer thin slices of beef or pork you cook yourself in boiling hot pots of water).

Manners are essential to Japanese life – thankfully, no one expects western visitors to master the baffling rules of etiquette. But a few tips go a long way: learn a few pleasantries in Japanese, remove your shoes when you enter a Japanese home, and take a small gift when you visit friends.

Trains may be efficient in Japan but they can be expensive. Save money by buying a rail pass before you arrive. Choose between unlimited travel within certain regions, or upgrade to an all-Japan pass.

It surprises many visitors to Japan, but skiing and snowboarding here are world class. Kyushu boasts some of the best slopes in the country, especially in Niseko where the powder makes for spectacular runs.

It is fiendishly difficult to find buildings in Japan. Few streets have names, and building numbers are not consecutive. Always carry a good map and, if that fails, ask a policeman. They stand at “kobans (police boxes) on many street corners and are very helpful.