Japan first-time guide: what to do before you go and in your first 48 hours

Japan rewards first-timers fast: trains run, stations are clearly marked, and everyday systems are reliable. The hard part is decision density. In your first 48 hours, small choices stack up quickly.

This guide simplifies those decisions so your first trip feels smooth from airport exit to your first great dinner.

Planning references used here: JNTO trip planning, MOFA visa guidance, Visit Japan Web, and JR East Welcome Suica.

Start with trip shape: one region beats five cities

First-time mistake: trying to “do Japan” in one week.

Better pattern:

• Pick one anchor region (Kanto or Kansai).
• Stay 3-4 nights in your arrival city.
• Add one second base only if your pace and budget allow.

For a 7-9 day first trip, this usually means:

• Tokyo + one side trip, or
• Kyoto/Osaka + one side trip

You can always come back. The goal of trip one is confidence and rhythm, not coverage.

Choose neighborhoods by logistics, not Instagram

When selecting where to stay, prioritize:

• Direct rail connection from your arrival airport
• Walkable access to at least one major train/metro line
• Plenty of late-night food options nearby

A beautiful hotel 20 minutes from your main line sounds fine online and feels exhausting in real life.

Your first Japan trip is mostly a transportation experience. Book for station convenience first.

Pre-departure setup: the non-negotiables

Do these before flying:

• Confirm entry requirements and arrival procedures on MOFA’s visa pages.
• Complete official digital arrival preparation where applicable (Visit Japan Web).
• Set up connectivity (eSIM/SIM) and offline maps.
• Prepare one physical card, one backup card, and light cash strategy.
• Decide IC card approach (physical or mobile transit card), using operator guidance such as Welcome Suica and Tokyo Metro visitor ticket info.

If you do just this, day one becomes straightforward.

Arrival day playbook (the exact order)

After landing:

1. Connect data first.
2. Withdraw modest cash.
3. Get/load IC card.
4. Take rail transfer to city.
5. Drop bags, shower, and do one neighborhood loop only.

The “one neighborhood loop” is important. Buy water, find your closest station exits, locate nearest convenience store, and identify one easy dinner option. That small loop removes 70% of first-night stress.

Trains and metro: keep it simple

Japan transit can look complex because there are many operators. For travelers, the practical rule is simple:

• Use IC card for most local rides.
• Use clear route apps for station-to-station planning.
• Allow extra transfer time in your first two days.

If you are city-focused, this aligns with official operator guidance for visitor card/ticket usage. (JR East Welcome Suica, Tokyo Metro travel tickets)

Do not fight for speed records. Missed platforms usually happen when travelers over-optimize early.

Station survival tips:

• Follow line color + code, not only station names.
• Confirm direction (terminus name) before boarding.
• Stand clear, queue cleanly, board fast.

You will look “local enough” by day two.

Money and payments: what first-timers should actually carry

Japan is card-friendly in cities, but cash still matters in some small shops, local eateries, and edge-case situations.

A balanced setup:

• Primary no-FTF card
• Backup card in separate bag
• Modest yen cash
• IC card for day-to-day transit and small purchases

This combination handles almost everything without overcomplication.

Food strategy for your first days

Do not begin with the hardest reservation challenge in Tokyo.

Start with this progression:

• Day 1: easy neighborhood meals near hotel/station
• Day 2: one destination meal + one flexible backup
• Day 3+: start adding specialty spots

Japan rewards curiosity at every price point. A simple set meal near a station can be excellent. You do not need a month of restaurant research to eat well.

Etiquette essentials that matter

Most etiquette anxiety comes from fear of making a major mistake. The basics are simple:

• Be quiet on trains.
• Queue where indicated.
• Keep sidewalks and station flow moving.
• Dispose of trash thoughtfully (carry a small bag when bins are scarce).

Nobody expects perfection from visitors. Calm, respectful behavior goes a long way.

What to book in advance

Book early for:

• High-demand accommodations in peak seasons
• Popular themed attractions
• Any restaurant or experience that is a “trip priority”

Keep flexible:

• At least one half-day every three days
• Lower-priority attractions
• Neighborhood wandering time

The best Japan moments are often accidental: a side street ramen bar, a temple you found while rerouting, a late-night dessert spot near your station.

A realistic 7-day first-timer shape

• Day 1: arrival + neighborhood orientation
• Day 2: major city highlights + early night
• Day 3: museum/market + slower evening
• Day 4: day trip
• Day 5: transfer or second district focus
• Day 6: personal interest day (food, design, shopping, gardens)
• Day 7: buffer + departure prep

This shape prevents burnout and still feels full.

Common first-trip errors

Error 1: too many hotel moves

Fix: fewer bases, deeper days.

Error 2: overpacked mornings

Fix: one major anchor activity before lunch, then adjust.

Error 3: arrival-day heroics

Fix: no big commitments on landing day.

Error 4: no offline logistics

Fix: save addresses, routes, and confirmations offline.

Error 5: treating every meal like a quest

Fix: keep one easy fallback meal near each hotel.

Your Japan control panel (save this note)

Create one note with:

• Hotel names and addresses (English + local script)
• Airport transfer options A/B
• Card support contacts
• Emergency numbers and embassy details
• Top 3 must-do experiences and backup options

This keeps your decisions clear when you are tired.

Related Japan setup reads

Use this with Japan IC cards (Suica and PASMO), the Asia first-trip checklist, and the Asia ATM and cash guide to keep arrival, transport, and payments aligned.

For parent hubs, use the Guides hub, Itineraries topic page, and Transportation topic page.

Turn this into a day-by-day route:

Final recommendation

Japan first-timers do best when they choose less, prepare key systems, and move at a sustainable pace. It is not about knowing everything before you land. It is about reducing friction so the good parts of the country can surprise you.

Next step: lock your first base city and airport transfer today, then set up connectivity + IC plan this week.

Use the planner to search stays/tours and save an itinerary. (Planner pages are intentionally non-indexable.)