Your First Trip to Japan
Trains, data and a Suica: the three things to sort out before you fly, with our guides from Japan and honest fare math.
Free printable: station and ticket Japanese
One page with the signs, ticket words and questions you need at a Japanese station, to print or keep on your phone.
Get the free sheet →Rail passes and Shinkansen booking
Most first trips are Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka, and for that the national JR Pass costs more than single tickets. Do the fare math, then book seats online on smartEX or Ekinetto, or buy a regional pass if your route fits one.
- JRE GO in Japan: JR East's 1-Minute Shinkansen Booking AppJR East's JRE GO is a new Shinkansen booking app that aims to cut reservations to one minute. Its trial is running, with the full launch planned for fall 2026. Pick up modern Japanese tech terms in context.
- How to Book Shinkansen Tickets on Ekinetto (えきねっと), Step by StepA step-by-step guide to Ekinetto, JR East's Shinkansen booking site: the English version for visitors, e-tickets on your Suica, when seats go on sale, prices in yen and refund fees.
- How to Book the Tokaido Shinkansen Online with smartEX (スマートEX)A step-by-step guide to smartEX, JR Central's English booking service for the Tokaido Shinkansen: signing up, booking, QR and IC card boarding, prices in yen and the cheaper Hayatoku fares.
- Is the JR Pass Worth It in 2026? Honest Fare Math for 7 Real TripsThe nationwide Japan Rail Pass costs 50,000 yen for 7 days. We added up official Shinkansen fares for seven common trips to show who should buy it, who should not, and when a cheaper regional pass wins.
Mobile data: SIM, eSIM or pocket Wi-Fi
Maps, train times and translation all need data. An eSIM is the easiest if your phone takes one; a SIM card or pocket Wi-Fi works for any phone and can be shared.
IC cards: Suica and friends
A Suica, PASMO or ICOCA pays for trains, buses, lockers and konbini. Tourists get the Welcome Suica or put one on an iPhone. In Tokyo, an unlimited subway ticket can cost less than tapping in every time.
- Which Suica Should a Tourist Get? Welcome Suica, the App, or Apple WalletA plain guide to Suica for visitors: the plastic Welcome Suica, the Welcome Suica Mobile app for iPhone, Suica in Apple Wallet and the regular card, with prices in yen, where to buy, top-ups and refunds.
- Suica Penguin Successor Debate in Japan GrowsJR East plans to retire the beloved Suica Penguin, but fans question the opaque process for choosing its successor. Pick up modern Japanese tech terms.
When trains stop: weather and outages
Snow, typhoons and outages stop trains a few times a year. What happened, what travelers did, and the Japanese you will hear in announcements.
- Tokyo Train Outage: What It Reveals About JapanA massive power outage on Tokyo's JR Yamanote and Keihin-Tohoku lines affected 670,000 commuters. Explore the impact on Japanese life and infrastructure. Curious? Read on!
- Tokyo Rail Outage in Japan: 9.5 Hours Strands 120kA power outage halted the Tokyu Toyoko and Minatomirai lines for 9.5 hours, affecting over 120,000 people. Learn useful Japanese terms in real context.
- Heavy Snow in Japan: What It Means for TravelersJapan faces intense snow and blizzards along the Japan Sea coast this winter. Learn about the forecast and its impact. Stay informed with us!
- Spring Storm in Japan: Travel Disruptions AheadA powerful spring storm is set to sweep across Japan, with typhoon-level winds and possible transport delays. Learn useful Japanese terms in real context.
- Golden Week Weather in Japan: Storms and Heavy RainGolden Week in Japan brings fast-changing weather, strong winds, and possible heavy rain. Learn key Japanese terms for forecasts and alerts to follow the news.
- Typhoon 15 in Japan: What Learners Should Know This WeekTyphoon 15 is forecast to approach Kanto and Tohoku, bringing heavy rain and strong winds during Obon travel. Build vocabulary while tracking the latest alerts.
- Miyajima: What a Quiet Japan Tells Us TodayExplore a quieter Miyajima, a UNESCO site, amid travel advisories. See how Japan's iconic island reflects changing times. Uncover the story now.
Where to stay
Capsule hotels, business hotels and odd ones: what they cost and what to expect.
- First Cabin at Haneda: Japan's Smart Travel SolutionDiscover First Cabin at Haneda Airport, a unique stay for early flights with big baths. Perfect for travelers exploring Japan. See why it’s a game-changer!
- Capsule Hotels for Women in Japan: A Tokyo Stay ReviewLooking for a safe, budget-friendly stay in Tokyo? This review of a women-only capsule hotel in Japan covers security, amenities, and comfort.
- MyCUBE Hotel: Uncovering Budget Stays in JapanExplore MyCUBE by MYSTAYS in Asakusa Kuramae, a unique cube-style hotel in Tokyo for just $38/night. Gain cultural insights and language tips. Check it out!
- Tokyo Business Hotel: Japan's Budget Comfort SecretDiscover Tokyo Business Hotel in Shinjuku, offering comfort and a public bath for just 7,770 yen. A hidden gem for travelers and Japanese learners. Explore now!
- Hotel Ichiraku: Japan's Best Budget Stay SecretDiscover Hotel Ichiraku in Hakata, Japan—a budget stay at 5,610 yen with huge rooms and a relaxing public bath. Uncover this hidden gem now!
- Budget Hotels in Japan: A Hidden New Year DealDiscover a Tokyo business hotel with a 6,650-yen New Year rate and free all-you-can-drink perks. Uncover this rare gem near Kasai Station now!
- Unique Hotels in Japan: What They Teach UsExplore Japan's most unforgettable hotels through a reporter's 50+ stays. Discover cultural quirks and language insights. Uncover hidden gems now!
- Grand Sun Yokohama: Uncovering Japan's quirkiest HotelDiscover Grand Sun Yokohama, a bizarrely affordable hotel in Japan with yakuza movie vibes. Stay for 7,300 yen with meals included! Explore this hidden gem now.
Prices and road trips
What prices are doing in Japan, and stops worth making off the rail lines.
- Price Hikes in Japan: 2,500 Items Jump in April, Oil FearsJapan faces price hikes in April as 2,500 products, from cooking oil to paper goods, increase amid oil concerns. Explore key terms behind the story unfolding.
- Shizuoka Roadside Stations in Japan: 10 Must-Visit StopsTour 10 standout michi-no-eki in Shizuoka, from 2 a.m. ramen lines to deep-steamed tea treats, and learn the food words behind Japan’s road trip culture.
Japanese for the trip
Questions
Do I need a JR Pass for my first trip to Japan?
Usually not. The 7-day pass costs 50,000 yen, and on the classic Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka trip single Shinkansen tickets cost 31,370 yen. In our fare math the national pass won on 1 of 7 common trips; a regional pass won on 2.
How do I book the Shinkansen online?
Use smartEX for the Tokaido and Sanyo Shinkansen (Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, Hiroshima) and Ekinetto or JRE GO for JR East lines (north of Tokyo, Kanazawa). Both take foreign credit cards and let you ride with an IC card as your ticket.
SIM card, eSIM or pocket Wi-Fi?
If your phone supports eSIM, an eSIM is the simplest: you install it before you fly and have data when you land. A physical SIM or pocket Wi-Fi suits older phones and groups who share one connection.
Which Suica should a tourist get?
On an iPhone, Welcome Suica Mobile or Suica in Apple Wallet, set up before you fly. With an Android phone, buy the plastic Welcome Suica at Narita or Haneda when you land.
Some links here are affiliate links. If you buy through them, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.