Drastic Changes by Time of Day! The Crowding of Public Transport.
| Category | Peak Hours | Notes |
| Morning Rush | 7:30 AM ～ 9:30 AM | 7:30 AM – 9:30 AM (The most crowded period. Peak is typically between 8:00 AM and 9:00 AM.) |
| Evening Rush | 5:00 PM ～ 8:00 PM | 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM (Crowded with commuters leaving work. Finding a seat can be difficult.) |
| Weekend/Holiday Crowds | Throughout the day, especially mornings | Throughout the day, especially mornings (Lines to tourist spots, major shopping districts, and Shinkansen/Express lines are busy.) |
Japan’s major public transport systems (trains, buses, etc.) are fundamentally designed for commuters. Therefore, they prioritize maximizing the number of people they can carry, making them largely unsuitable for transporting bulky items like bicycles or large luggage.If public transport is your main mode of travel, we strongly advise you to avoid the aforementioned times on weekdays, especially if your destination is an urban area.
Always carry cash (Japanese Yen).
While the number of places accepting credit cards is increasing, many smaller restaurants and local (or rural) businesses still only accept cash.When using trains in urban areas, you will find that some ticket machines and gates now accept credit cards. However, in rural areas, many stations and services still only accept cash.
Fortunately, there’s an easy solution: You can conveniently withdraw cash with your credit card at most ATMs located inside convenience stores (such as 7-Eleven, Lawson, and FamilyMart) across the country.
It’s wise to learn the fundamental Japanese etiquette.
- Eating, Drinking, and Trash
- Avoid eating or drinking while walking in public. It is generally considered poor etiquette. Regarding trash, public garbage cans are rare. Please be prepared to either carry your trash with you until you find a bin, or take it back to your accommodation (hotel or ryokan) for disposal.
- Onsen Etiquette
- Tattoos: If you have tattoos, you must generally cover them completely with adhesive bandages (band-aids) or concealing makeup. (Some modern facilities are becoming more tattoo-friendly, but covering them is safer.)
- Pre-soak Shower: Wash your entire body before entering the bathtub. Use the provided shower area (kakeyu) to thoroughly rinse off any soap or sweat.
- Soaking: You may then soak in the large bathtub.
- Post-soak Wash: After enjoying the bath, wash your body again thoroughly in the shower area (arai-ba) using soap and shampoo.
- Amenities Information
- Regarding amenities: Most bathing facilities provide shampoo, conditioner, body soap, and hair dryers free of charge. However, razors are generally not provided. The availability of towel rental services may vary by facility, but you won’t need to worry about this if you are staying at a hotel or ryokan (traditional inn).
Be aware of the garbage sorting and disposal rules.
Public trash cans are rare outside of convenience stores in Japan. You should always carry a small bag for your trash until you find a proper bin.
Also, where bins are available, they are usually separated into different categories (e.g., burnable trash, non-burnable trash, plastic bottles, cans, and glass bottles). Be sure to follow these sorting rules.
Expect a language barrier outside of major metropolitan areas.
English signage and support may be limited in certain locations. Therefore, we highly recommend that you install a translation app (such as Google Translate) on your phone beforehand.
Furthermore, since Wi-Fi may not be available everywhere, it is also strongly advised to prepare a SIM card or a pocket Wi-Fi device for reliable internet access.
Happy travels! – [Tabizi Hakken]
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