A Guide for Foreign Visitors Getting a haircut probably isn’t the first thing you think about when planning a trip to Japan. But maybe it should be. Japanese hair salons are known for careful consultations, detailed cutting techniques, relaxing shampoo services, and attentive customer service. For some visitors, getting a haircut, color, treatment, or head … Read more
A Guide to Japanese Photo Booths If you’re walking through a Japanese arcade and see a row of large, colorful photo booths filled with bright lights and oversized screens, you’ve probably found purikura. Purikura (プリクラ) is much more than an ordinary photo booth. You take photos with friends, choose different looks, let the machine enhance … Read more
Sizes, Prices and IC Card Guide for First-Time Visitors Leave your luggage, explore freely, and return when you are ready. Dragging a suitcase through a crowded station, narrow shop, temple grounds, or busy sightseeing area can quickly make a day in Japan exhausting. Fortunately, Japan has a practical solution almost everywhere travelers need it: Coin … Read more
Stylish Goods, Gadgets and Prices Explained No, not everything costs ¥330—and that is exactly what makes 3COINS interesting. The name 3COINS sounds simple. Three Japanese ¥100 coins equal ¥300, so first-time visitors may expect a store where every product costs around ¥330 including tax. That was once the clearest way to understand the brand. Today, … Read more
A Reliable 100 Yen Shop for Everyday Needs Not the biggest. Not the flashiest. Just reliably useful. When travelers research Japanese 100 yen shops, DAISO and Seria usually receive most of the attention. DAISO is famous for its enormous selection. Seria is known for cute designs, DIY supplies, and stylish lifestyle goods. Can★Do occupies a … Read more
A Complete Shopping Guide for First-Time Visitors Japanese convenience stores receive a lot of attention from international visitors—and for good reason. However, if you want lower prices, a wider selection of fresh food, and a closer look at how people in Japan actually shop every day, visit a Japanese supermarket. Japanese supermarkets offer much more … Read more
Japanese Vending Machines: How to Use Them, Pay and Choose Drinks Japanese vending machines are easy to use even if you cannot read Japanese. Most machines sell drinks and accept cash, while many also accept transportation IC cards such as Suica, PASMO and ICOCA. To buy a drink, check the price and temperature label, insert … Read more
A Complete Guide for Entering Japan How to Use Visit Japan Web Before arriving in Japan, international visitors can use Visit Japan Web to enter information required for immigration and customs procedures online. The service allows travelers to prepare their arrival information before landing, then display a QR code at the airport. Visit Japan Web … Read more
The Unwritten Rules of Waiting in Line in Japan One of the first things many visitors notice in Japan is how neatly people wait in line. Passengers form orderly rows on train platforms. Customers wait quietly outside popular restaurants. Even when a new store opens or a limited-edition product goes on sale, people often remain … Read more
A Complete Guide for First-Time Visitors Riding the Shinkansen is one of the easiest and most comfortable ways to travel between major cities in Japan. These high-speed trains connect destinations such as Tokyo, Nagoya, Kyoto, Osaka, Hiroshima, Fukuoka, Sendai, Kanazawa, Nagano, and Hakodate. However, first-time visitors are often confused by the ticket system, train names, … Read more