6 Things to Know Before Going to Japan

Last April, I got to check off something at the top of my bucket list-going to Japan for the first time. I started in Tokyo, where I tried the local cuisine, went to Mount Fuji, went to a zoo where I hand-fed bears and lions (through a cage on a bus), had a blast at Tokyo Disney, and went go-kart riding through the city.   

While visiting Japan as an American, I learned that there are quite a few cultural differences there. Here are six of the big takeaways I discovered on my trip.  

Not everybody is going to speak English  

Unlike my travels to countries in Western Europe, it is not always customary for the population to speak English, whether they know it or not. I used Google Translate on a regular basis to communicate with taxi drivers and often pointed to menu items at restaurants (I also learned too late that fugu means pufferfish, which can be a precarious meal to eat!). You don’t have to worry about learning Japanese on your visit, but be prepared to not encounter English speakers, even in service roles.  

Be mindful of your volume  

It is customary in Japan to keep your voice lowered at many times, including in restaurants. It is considered rude to be very loud. This was something I had to be very mindful of, as my family and I tend to be loud talkers in general. It is also a rule to keep your voice down on the train. There is even a word for this in Japanese, Meiwaku, which means not being bothersome to others. It is a part of the Japanese culture and one you should abide by. It is also customary not to speak on the phone on the train.   

Bowing or shaking hands?  

In general, the rule is to bow to other people in the same way they bow to you. There are variations, and it’s best to let the other person set the tone. Part of the reason for this is that close physical contact is not part of the culture. Keeping good hygiene is one of the reasons for this.  

Don’t underestimate the subways in Tokyo  

Tokyo Station is especially hard to navigate, especially if you’re doing it for the first time. It is a massive complex and easy to get lost in. Using an app like Google Maps can save you a lot of time and effort, especially if you have tours or events booked for exact times.  

Plan in advance  

If you’re a Studio Ghibli fan like me, you’ll quickly discover that certain attractions need to be planned way ahead of time, sometimes months in advance. This goes for Studio Ghibli in Tokyo, where I wasn’t able to get tickets, and Ghibli Park, where it takes months to get tickets to access certain parts of the park. Know what attractions and tours you want to experience ahead of time and plan accordingly.   

Also, I highly recommend getting an international driver’s license before embarking to Japan. Driving go-karts in downtown Tokyo and Osaka was one of the most exciting parts of my trip. I had to get my international driver’s license at home before I could ride the go-karts over there. Trust me, it’s worth the effort!  

There are other cities outside of Tokyo  

I went to Osaka, where I did more go-karting and visited Universal Studios, and to Nara, where I got to feed the famous deer. In Kyoto, I climbed a mountain to reach the Arashiyama Monkey Park, walked through the bamboo forest, and then through the Torri gates. And I also visited Ghibli Park in Nagakute, the main reason I wanted to go to Japan in the first place.  

So, while you’re planning your trip to Japan, be sure to keep all these tips in mind. It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and I can't recommend it enough! I can’t wait to go back! 

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Shimizu, R. (2026, January 10). Why Japanese Trains Are So Quiet: A Native’s Guide to Our Culture of Silence. Medium. https://medium.com/@r.shimizu.renk/why-japanese-trains-are-so-quiet-a-natives-guide-to-our-culture-of-silence-554280b786b5