Small tips for visitors to Japan

Short, practical answers to the little questions that come up when you travel in Japan. Free, no sign-up, and checked against official sources.

Getting around

• Big suitcases on the Shinkansen: the 160 cm ruleBags up to 160 cm in total size need no reservation. Bags from 161 to 250 cm need a seat with an oversized baggage area, or you pay 1,000 yen. Over 250 cm is not allowed.
• Suica and IC cards: how visitors can pay for trains and shopsA Suica is a rechargeable IC card for trains, buses, vending machines and many shops. Visitors can get a Welcome Suica card or use Welcome Suica Mobile on a phone.
• How to ride a taxi in Japan: automatic doors, signs and paymentDo not touch the door, because the driver opens and closes it for you. A red sign means the taxi is free. Show your destination in Japanese and do not tip.

Money & payments

• Withdrawing yen with a foreign card: Seven Bank ATMsSeven Bank ATMs, found in 7-Eleven stores, accept many foreign cards such as Visa, Mastercard, UnionPay, American Express and JCB. The limit is 100,000 yen per withdrawal.
• Do you tip in Japan?Short answer: no. Tipping is not expected in restaurants, cafes, taxis or hotels in Japan. Here is when it is fine, and what to do instead.

Shopping

• Japan customs: what you must declare and what is bannedEvery passenger must declare their baggage. Cash over 1 million yen must be declared, and some items such as narcotics and counterfeit goods are banned. Here are the duty-free limits too.
• Tax-free shopping in Japan: what changes from November 1, 2026From November 1, 2026, tax-free shopping in Japan switches to a refund system: you pay tax at the shop and claim it back at customs when you leave. Here is what that means for your trip.

Manners & customs

• Onsen etiquette for beginners: 5 steps and the tattoo questionWash your whole body first, keep your small towel out of the water, and check the tattoo rule before you go. Here is the full step-by-step for a Japanese hot spring.
• Where to throw away trash in Japan (there are few street bins)Public trash bins are rare in Japan. Carry a small bag, use the bins at stations and convenience stores, and take your trash home if you cannot find one.

Safety & health

• Can I bring meat or snacks into Japan? The animal quarantine ruleAlmost all meat products, even small souvenirs, cannot be brought into Japan. Illegal import can lead to up to 3 years in prison or a fine of up to 3 million yen.
• What to do in an earthquake in Japan: official advice for visitorsProtect your head and get under something sturdy. Do not run outside, and do not try to put out a fire. If you are near the sea and feel strong shaking, move to higher ground.
• Emergency numbers in Japan: 110, 119 and the visitor hotlineWho to call in Japan: 110 for the police, 119 for an ambulance or fire, and a 24-hour English hotline for visitors.
• Lost something in Japan? What to do at a koban (police box)Go to the nearest koban or police station and file a Lost Property Report in person. An English form is available, and an interpreter can help over the phone.
• Safety tips: the disaster alert app for visitors to JapanSafety tips is an app supervised by the Japan Tourism Agency. It sends push alerts for earthquakes, tsunami and severe weather, in 15 languages.