A white bullet train speeding along the coast in Japan

Japan · Planning

Japan FAQs

Visas, bullet trains, money, etiquette and more. Everything you’ve wondered about planning a trip to Japan, answered by our Japan specialists.

  • Yen currency
  • 100V type A plugs
  • 90 days visa-free for U.S. citizens

Hassle-Free Dream Travel!

Google ★★★★★ 5.0 · 601 reviews
Stewart Logan
★★★★★
Mikaila from The Travel Byrds put together a fantastic trip for us to Vancouver. Everything was arranged to fit our preferences including experiences I would never have known how to navigate myself. What a great way to travel, no stress, all fun — because a professional does the hard part for you.
Karen Terry
★★★★★
Amazing family vacation to Italy * can't wait to go back!
Brandie Penrose
★★★★★
We used CeCe as our travel advisor for our European trip, and she was amazing! She was able to work with a very tight deadline, listened to all of the things we asked for, and executed the trip perfectly. It was exactly what we were looking for. Highly recommend her services for anyone looking to plan a trip!
Loida Martinez
★★★★★
I cannot speak highly enough about my experience with Christina Gaspari and The Travel Byrds! She made sure to ask plenty of questions at the beginning, kept in touch while planning to make sure the things she was going to book for us were what we wanted, and made sure we had all info we might need and more before our trip. The trip itself was incredible thanks to her! Not having to worry about anything and having a full itinerary ready full of amazing experiences and even relax time accounted for was wonderful! She really put in so much work for our trip which was to multiple countries! Thanks Christina! <3
Steven Alsip
★★★★★
We have traveled with Travel Byrds 5 times and we love their service, last trip to Costa Rica was amazing. Our every concern was addressed/ all needs were met. Our agent's advice and expertise are much appreciated and we will not travel again without them!
Stephanie Fitzgerald
★★★★★
Paige planned my week-long trip to Greece. From my very first call with her to discuss my vacation “must-haves”, I was impressed with both her knowledge and her enthusiasm. She listened to my wants, made suggestions based on our discussion and then perfectly planned my trip… from the islands we visited to the hotels to the excursions. As my trip got closer, she brought in another team member to do any final bookings and modifications. It was so reassuring to know that she and her team had everything covered. I worried about NOTHING. I cannot recommend her enough.
Alexa johnson
★★★★★
If I could give Sylvie more than 5 stars, I would! Planning our honeymoon to Paros, Greece and Rome and Florence, Italy felt a little overwhelming at first, but Sylvie made the entire process so easy and stress-free. She truly thought of every single detail, and I honestly couldn’t have dreamed up a better trip or a more perfect way to start our marriage. Every hotel, transfer, flight, and excursion was seamless. On top of that, the travel app she created for us was incredible. It had every piece of information we could possibly need all in one place, so even traveling somewhere completely new felt easy and organized. We never had to wonder what was next or worry about missing anything because she had already thought of it. Not only is Sylvie incredibly organized and knowledgeable, but she genuinely cares about creating an unforgettable experience for her clients. Our honeymoon exceeded every expectation, and we made memories we’ll cherish for the rest of our lives. I cannot recommend Sylvie enough. If you’re thinking about booking a trip, do yourself a favor and let her handle it. It was hands down one of the best decisions we made, and we’re already looking forward to planning our next adventure with her!
Todd Brydges
★★★★★
Our trip to the Rockies and National Parks was the second adventure Sylvie planned for us, and once again she knocked it out of the PARK! 🙂 Her recommendations and family excursions were spot-on and perfectly matched our interests and family dynamic. She handled all the details, taking the stress and anxiety out of the planning process. We highly recommend reaching out to Sylvie for your next trip—she’ll make sure you have an amazing experience.
Stewart Logan
★★★★★
Mikaila from The Travel Byrds put together a fantastic trip for us to Vancouver. Everything was arranged to fit our preferences including experiences I would never have known how to navigate myself. What a great way to travel, no stress, all fun — because a professional does the hard part for you.
Karen Terry
★★★★★
Amazing family vacation to Italy * can't wait to go back!
Brandie Penrose
★★★★★
We used CeCe as our travel advisor for our European trip, and she was amazing! She was able to work with a very tight deadline, listened to all of the things we asked for, and executed the trip perfectly. It was exactly what we were looking for. Highly recommend her services for anyone looking to plan a trip!
Loida Martinez
★★★★★
I cannot speak highly enough about my experience with Christina Gaspari and The Travel Byrds! She made sure to ask plenty of questions at the beginning, kept in touch while planning to make sure the things she was going to book for us were what we wanted, and made sure we had all info we might need and more before our trip. The trip itself was incredible thanks to her! Not having to worry about anything and having a full itinerary ready full of amazing experiences and even relax time accounted for was wonderful! She really put in so much work for our trip which was to multiple countries! Thanks Christina! <3
Steven Alsip
★★★★★
We have traveled with Travel Byrds 5 times and we love their service, last trip to Costa Rica was amazing. Our every concern was addressed/ all needs were met. Our agent's advice and expertise are much appreciated and we will not travel again without them!
Stephanie Fitzgerald
★★★★★
Paige planned my week-long trip to Greece. From my very first call with her to discuss my vacation “must-haves”, I was impressed with both her knowledge and her enthusiasm. She listened to my wants, made suggestions based on our discussion and then perfectly planned my trip… from the islands we visited to the hotels to the excursions. As my trip got closer, she brought in another team member to do any final bookings and modifications. It was so reassuring to know that she and her team had everything covered. I worried about NOTHING. I cannot recommend her enough.
Alexa johnson
★★★★★
If I could give Sylvie more than 5 stars, I would! Planning our honeymoon to Paros, Greece and Rome and Florence, Italy felt a little overwhelming at first, but Sylvie made the entire process so easy and stress-free. She truly thought of every single detail, and I honestly couldn’t have dreamed up a better trip or a more perfect way to start our marriage. Every hotel, transfer, flight, and excursion was seamless. On top of that, the travel app she created for us was incredible. It had every piece of information we could possibly need all in one place, so even traveling somewhere completely new felt easy and organized. We never had to wonder what was next or worry about missing anything because she had already thought of it. Not only is Sylvie incredibly organized and knowledgeable, but she genuinely cares about creating an unforgettable experience for her clients. Our honeymoon exceeded every expectation, and we made memories we’ll cherish for the rest of our lives. I cannot recommend Sylvie enough. If you’re thinking about booking a trip, do yourself a favor and let her handle it. It was hands down one of the best decisions we made, and we’re already looking forward to planning our next adventure with her!
Todd Brydges
★★★★★
Our trip to the Rockies and National Parks was the second adventure Sylvie planned for us, and once again she knocked it out of the PARK! 🙂 Her recommendations and family excursions were spot-on and perfectly matched our interests and family dynamic. She handled all the details, taking the stress and anxiety out of the planning process. We highly recommend reaching out to Sylvie for your next trip—she’ll make sure you have an amazing experience.

Frequently asked

Your Japan questions, answered

Pick a topic to narrow the list, then tap a question to open it.

Before you goDo I need a visa to visit Japan?

U.S. citizens can visit Japan visa-free for tourism for up to 90 days. Your passport should be valid for your whole stay. Japan is planning an online pre-travel authorization in the coming years, so we always confirm the current requirements before you travel.

Before you goHow many days do I need in Japan?

Ten to fourteen days is ideal for a first trip covering Tokyo, Hakone, Kyoto and Osaka at a relaxed pace. Add a few days for Hiroshima, the Japanese Alps or Hokkaido.

Before you goWhat is the best time to visit Japan?

Spring and autumn are the most popular seasons. See our best time to visit Japan guide for each season.

Before you goDo I need travel insurance?

Yes, we strongly recommend comprehensive travel insurance with medical cover, as healthcare for visitors can be expensive.

Getting aroundShould I get a Japan Rail Pass?

Not always. Since prices rose in 2023, individual tickets are often better value for typical itineraries. We compare the options for your route.

Getting aroundHow do the bullet trains work?

Shinkansen bullet trains are fast, punctual and comfortable. We reserve seats, including the more spacious Green Car, and arrange luggage forwarding so you travel light.

Getting aroundCan I get around without speaking Japanese?

Yes. Signs in big cities and on trains are in English, and staff are very helpful. Private guides make the countryside and dining easy.

Etiquette & cultureShould I tip in Japan?

No. Tipping isn’t part of Japanese culture and can cause confusion. Excellent service is simply standard.

Etiquette & cultureWhat etiquette should I know?

Remove your shoes where asked, keep your voice low on trains, don’t eat while walking in busy streets, and queue neatly. People will appreciate the effort.

Etiquette & cultureCan I visit an onsen with tattoos?

Some public hot springs still restrict tattoos. We choose ryokans with private baths or tattoo-friendly onsen so everyone can relax.

Money & practicalWhat currency is used in Japan?

The Japanese yen. Cards are widely accepted in cities, but carry some cash for small shops, shrines and the countryside. Convenience-store ATMs accept foreign cards.

Money & practicalWhat plugs and voltage does Japan use?

Japan uses 100V with type A two-pin sockets, similar to the U.S. Most chargers work, but check high-power devices.

Money & practicalCan I drink the tap water?

Yes, tap water is safe to drink throughout Japan.

Money & practicalHow do I stay connected?

An eSIM or a pocket Wi-Fi device is easy to set up, and we’ll send instructions before you travel.

Money & practicalIs Japan safe?

Japan is one of the safest countries in the world. As anywhere, keep an eye on your belongings in crowded places.

Work with One of Our Travel Experts

The average person takes over 11 hours researching their vacation. Take that time back and let us handle the nitty gritty of reading reviews, asking questions, comparing hotels and more.

Mount Fuji rising behind the red Chureito Pagoda

After a true deep dive into your requests, your travel agent will come back with a variety of suggested hotels, activities, and surprise experiences. You tell us which ones fit you best and we'll work through the logistics!

The vermilion gate of Fushimi Inari Shrine in Kyoto

You'll be equipped with an itinerary complete with the details of your trip. If anything happens along the way, you can relax knowing your travel agent will take care of everything!

The vermilion torii of Itsukushima Shrine standing in the water at Miyajima

Your Japan journey

Keep exploring Japan

Your Dream Japan Getaway

Have a question that isn’t here? Tell us about the trip you’re dreaming of, and one of our Japan specialists will get back to you.

  • A tailor-made itinerary, designed around you
  • Bullet trains, guides and luggage forwarding handled
  • Hand-picked hotels and ryokans with exclusive perks

Start Planning Your Tailor-Made Trip by Contacting One of Our Japan Specialists

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