ESSENTIAL Japan Tips for First-time Travelers | Your Ultimate Trip Planning Guide 🇯🇵

[@AllisoninTokyo]

Go to saily.com/allisonintokyo and use the code allisonintokyo to get an exclusive 15% off your first purchase.

[@saddle_jingler]

I’ll be in Japan next month (Feb 13-25)! This is the first video I’m watching from you. So glad I found your channel!

[@claudiasantosstrauss2647]

Thank you so much for your videos!!! They have been super helpful in preparation for a 2-week trip to Japan!

[@Cat1184]

I‘m always staying in a hotel around Otsuka Station. It’s a station on the Yamanote Line - so very easy to get to the different important parts like Shinjuku, Shibuya, Asakusa and so on. It’s a small station with only two exits, so you can’t get lost. It has a nice bakery and some really good cafes around, perfect for your first coffee in the morning. And it’s only one stop away from Ikebukuro, you can even walk there if you’d like. Form me it’s the perfect spot to start my exploring adventure from 😊

[@hannahsfoodslooksandbooks]

Hey​@racheljohnson9009 . Am in the same boat. Just applying for the visa. Do share any useful pointers.. 😊

[@yunsez]

i’ve loved your content for over a year now. me and my mom watch your videos together in preparation for our future trips to japan and since i intend to move to japan after university. your content is always helpful and your energy is great ! tysm for another great video :} (btw, good luck w natlan ! may you win your 50/50s)

[@AllisoninTokyo]

thanks

[@irenefornelius758]

Thanks!

[@suzyt3733]

Thanks for this really useful information. I’m coming next May with my best friend and we are so excited to be planning our itinerary 😂 We are in our 60’s but will definitely be rocking kimonos at some point.

[@jessicasurette6901]

Im also going next may with my American buddy!! :D :D

[@mercurymtv-v]

Im also going in May with my best friend! We are 20 and so excited!

[@JordanJapan]

Going in May as well! It has always been a dream of mine in case my suername did not give that away lol

[@quashmonkey]

Yamato is great we forwarded our luggage to multiple hotels through out all of Japan and it was great. They even did it from kurokawa to kyoto

[@lesleyhalliday9925]

Love your content ! This is so informative but its so refreshing to see a content crearor who is down to earth & realistic about life abroad , too many creators are posers & horriblly vain ; You are a breath of fresh air ! ♡

[@robertcvillela6508]

Thank you for the updated info for traveling to Japan ! Brand new subscriber !

[@janicelabuda8540]

Thanks for all of the tips and advice for travel in Japan. You have helped many of us with this information. 🌻🌻

[@racheljohnson9009]

Really glad to have found your channel. Im just thinking through my first visit and will be solo so all this is so helpful 😊

[@janicelabuda8540]

Great tips to make the most of a trip to Japan. Thank you 🌻🌻

[@mscribner]

This was really helpful. I did a Japan trip last year and hope to go again soon ❤

[@mskq4409]

Arigato Gozaimasu Allison for letting us know about the Saily app!!! We will check it out since my family is planning our 3rd Japan visit very soon!!!

[@AllisoninTokyo]

Enjoy!!

[@kiraku_ni]

So cool! I lived in Tokyo for two years and now in Shizuoka. There's always something new to discover 😊

[@alexsimon915]

You should offer tours :)

[@kiraku_ni]

@@alexsimon915 Oh that's a great idea, I should consider doing so 😆 But then I still have to discover a lot more of interesting places first; good reason to explore more!

[@cheryltanaka5885]

Arigatou, Allison! Always love your overviews. Please do a video on the various types of hotels especially the capsules and hostels. Would also love your suggestions for "regular" hotels and ryokan/onsen although there's often more about ryokan/onsen and "regular" hotels, even "love" hotels.

[@terrieedwards836]

We stayed at the Grand Sotetsu Hotel in Takanoboba right next to the station, it was wonderful,so nice. It was in last Christmas time

[@lynda.grace.14]

In addition to landing at Narita or Haneda, as an international visitor I hate wasting time backtracking ground I've already covered on transit. So for those whose destinations are Tokyo and Kyoto, depending where you wish to start, please consider flying into or out of Osaka-Kansai (KIX). That's a 75 minute train ride from Kyoto directly to/from the airport. I usually fly through Narita and don't' really care about the airport not being as modern as Haneda. I don't spend enough time there to make it a selling point. However, because of the 20+ hours in transit from my doorstep and early evening arrival with my preferred airline, I always book a hotel that has a shuttle bus service from the airport. Then I spend the night in Narita. Refreshed in the morning, I head into Tokyo after the rush hour on the Narita Express (NEX). That gives me the opportunity to relax, sleep in, have the hotel breakfast, take the shuttle back to Narita and take the NEX to my destination.

[@gimlarquinn3622]

Really sound advice.

[@marleneroman6764]

Aloha, Allison! We are planning a girl's trip to Japan in Fall 2025, and would love for you to share an informational video on hotels in Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyushu. Most appreciative!

[@MM-kq5ey]

Thanks so much for your tips! Very informative. Please make a budget cheapish hotel video as my friends and I are looking for hotels now for an early January first time trip. Thanks in advance!

[@The_CoffeeSlayer]

regional passes are still very affordable for example the Jr East Hokkaido Pass which is only 200 some odd dollars for 6 days and it can get you as far as Sapporo. A ticket there and back is already more than that but this gives you the option to basically explore east Japan (north Japan) for 6 days with unlimited shinkansen. Another great pass is the Hokoriku Pass which takes you from Tokyo to Osaka through Kanazawa (which is a very different and interesting way to get to Osaka or wherever you want to explore in this region) its also just shy above 200 usd.. and its a week long pass. One way ticket from Tokyo to Osaka is like 100 or 80 if you buy a discount ticket from one of those discount places(found everywhere in big cities in Japan). I highly recommend people think outside the box a bit more and not just do the same boring route that everyone does. There is so much to offer all across Japan and places like Kyoto are just not the same anymore. The farther out you go in the countryside you will really see the Japanese omotenashi spirit in full force.. an experience everyone needs to have. You could also just do an entire trip solely in Tokyo.. there is so much there to offer and if you aren't afraid to go to the more local neighborhoods such as Hatagaya or Koenji etc etc you will be greatly impressed on how different people are and you haven't even left Tokyo! Japan is truly and amazing country.

[@Hopp433]

Thank you for the useful tips! I am visiting Japan next month for 2 weeks and will be going solo so this was super helpful!

[@SpeedyG6]

I'm going to Osaka in 2 months for 2 weeks. I'm super excited!!! I've down sooo much research too

[@jaybee4288]

Oh wow have fun!

[@elixir2984]

I've been to Japan 4 times, and although it's further away, I prefer Narita airport! The trains from Haneda were so crowded, it was standing room only after a long flight and we were exhausted and sweating. You can get a way more comfortable train from Narita, even get some sleep in if you need it. Customs was also way faster. Haneda is easier to navigate though.

[@AllisoninTokyo]

True, Narita train is definitely more comfortable (well, and more expensive haha)!! I usually take the express bus to Haneda~

[@harinderpalsingh5435]

Hello Allison, great video. Thank you. Just needed some recommendation or your view on our upcoming Japan trip. We are landing at Narita on 10th September and leaving back on 24th september. We are a group of 4 adults and 2 kids. We will be renting a camper van and have planned the trip like this; Day 1, we land around 3 pm at Narita, and our van pickup point is at Mita station. We basically pick up the van, and visit closest Don quijote or costco, grab the basics and find closest michi no eki for the night. Day 2 & 3 - Hakona and Mount Fuji, Day 4 - Nara Day 5 -8 Osaka& Kyoto Day 9 -10 Hiroshima and Miyajima island Day 11 drive back to Tokyo Day 12-14 explore Tokyo and all the activities there. I know we have tried to jam pack crazy amount of travel in such short time span specially with the kids. We are quite flexible on the plans. Also we have already reserved a pocket wifi to pickup as soon as we land. Any recommendations are really appreciated. Thanks

[@elkeyes]

For our last trip, I was with my then 3 year old, so we stayed in a more quiet neighborhood Akasaka and it was perfect. It was close to Roppongi so if we wanted some more attractions and dining it wasn't far, but it was much more chill in the evenings. I was also able to get all the promo items with purchase for Cardcaptor Sakura and Pokemon from Lawson and 711s in the area since there didn't seem to be as many people lol! We stayed at a MIMARU brand hotel which was nice - it was more like a small apartment with a little kitchenette and two rooms, which worked well for our group (myself, my husband, our son, and my mom). For some other portions of the trip, we got two rooms with 2 beds each so that we would be on the same floor as each other (since it didn't seem like the mix and match room types that much by floor). Japanese hotels don't seem to have many "king size" beds for two people, mostly double beds.

[@AllisoninTokyo]

I've heard the Mimaru ones are great for families!! Glad it worked out :)

[@rosella1919]

Thanks for your help. I leave for Japan next a few days.

[@erniesandoval9669]

Again Allison thanks for the great info.love your channel ❤.

[@Hans_Eriksson94]

Hello Allison, my name is Hans and I’m from England the United Kingdom. 🇬🇧 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 I love watching your videos of Japan. Your videos really do help me relax and chill out 😌❤

[@Doll_Emma]

new subscriber here! I will be visiting Japan in February next year. your videos help me prepare. Thank you!

[@Wildriots]

I would love a video dedicated to hotels!

[@Kirgul]

A huge 👍👍👍 and subscribe for the tip where to sit in the train to see Fuji! Many useful tips that one can see coming from a local :D Great videos, short and on point. Thanks a lot!

[@notdavea5778]

We used pocket wifi and loved it. Only 2 of us though. That coupled with google maps had us navigating the trains subway and Tokyo like a local. It was delivered to our first hotel, we picked it up at the reception and then posted it at the airport. Love your content as always

[@househistorian]

For the Jam, Hida No Takayama is also great. West of Kyoto Matsue or Hagi on the Japan sea coast are great too. I lived in Okayama for 2.5 years.

[@xxDARTHPAPIxx]

Loved your video, 1st timer here. I planned on taking my son to Japan for his college graduation in 2020 but Covid happened. We finally booked our flts this year from Sept 14 to the 25(For FREE!! TY CC Air miles). Here are some of our must see/do: Sumo match, Soccer match, Gundam, Universal for Nintendo World, & Osaka Castle. Planning on seeing Tokyo, Osaka and Kyoto. We have time to keep working on the itinerary.

[@alizekayy]

i’m headed to japan in may 2025! can’t wait

[@MrV8696]

in Oct for me. Solo travel is going to be crazy but freeing. Very hard to pick the place to stay though.

[@laurela.235]

Me too!

[@jaybee4288]

I’m going last week of February and early March! I looked at May as well but I couldn’t get it off work, I think it will be a great time to go!

[@Meari.S]

I'm going at the end of September for 8 days 😃

[@boris7098]

@@MrV8696 i´m going alone too

[@Snitzler4710]

Thank you so much from Texas. ❤

[@scriptimonicaonset]

Great video. Can you recommend a Traditional Japanese Inn or Ryokan? That sounds sooo relaxing! We’re taking a transit cruise from LA to Japan in September.

[@WhyShouldnt_I]

Great vid as always. Coming to Japan for the 1st time in November and exploring Kansai, starting from Tokyo. Staying very close to Tamachi station in the latter, I actually cancelled my reservation for a hotel in Shinjuku when I was looking at the Shinjuku st.'s map and I was like "no, nope, not doing that twice everyday". Any tips for the Tamachi area greatly appreciated, keep making great content.

[@AllisoninTokyo]

Haha yeah I still often get lost in Shinjuku station, it really is a mess!!! I've never actually been to Tamachi station but I'm sure it's fine 🌷🌷

[@AlphaOmegaKnight77658]

I definitely would like a vid on Hotels on a budget. We might end up going to Japan next Oct/Nov and staying 2 weeks and I’m gathering information as early as I can. It would help a ton.

[@MrV8696]

same. solo traveling for my first time to Japan. Trying to pick where to stay that's around things I want to do is so hard. Possibly a hostel.

[@jaybee4288]

I have 3 weeks so I am going Tokyo (4) > Hakone (2) > Kyoto (4) > Hiroshima (2) > Osaka (2) > Tokyo (3). I will also see Himeji castle, Disney Sea, Nara and maybe Kawazu Sakura Festival 😊. I am excited but nervous!

[@DrNagi]

Bought flight tickets yesterday (finally) ✌

[@Bakapooru]

Haneda is the older airport. Haneda's international terminal is the only part that is newer than Narita. Otherwise, you save about an hour and $16 USD (each way) by using Narita.

[@sofijones5048]

"Der internationale Flugverkehr nach Tokio wurde seit 1978 hauptsächlich über den Narita International Airport in Narita abgewickelt, bis 2010 in Haneda das internationale Terminal (heute Terminal 3) und eine vierte Start- und Landebahn eröffnet wurden, wodurch internationale Nachtflüge möglich wurden. Seit März 2014 werden auch tagsüber internationale Flüge durchgeführt."

[@elisagray210]

Narita was new the first time I went to Japan, as an exchange student in 1976. There were riots ((by the farmers) and the only way a Japanese national could pick you up is if they had a written letter (with a postmarked foreign stamp) from the person they were meeting.

[@andreafritz2033]

Hotel video: I would really like a hotel video for near Disneyland Tokyo

[@christarapoport3981]

I liked the Sheraton in Yokohama. Great service. Excellent Japanese breakfast buffet. Next to a wonderful above and underground mall.

[@DL-od9rx]

Thanks for all the advice 😁 I’ll check out Saily.

[@siddithers5356]

I used Saily for a recent visit to Japan. The app installed perfectly and worked well everywhere. 3GB for less than 10 CAD

[@sofijones5048]

2:23 The local train from NRT to Tokyo is totally fine. ❤

[@timlee7227]

Excellent tips and I concur about eSIMs from traveling in Europe-they’re awesome and I will check out Saily next time for sure!

[@PureBassO]

Question how do you activate the esim once you arrive at your new country?

[@KatelyneShuttleworth]

Super helpful video! Thanks! I really appreciate the tip about eSIM

[@michaelmaslo3937]

My wife and myself are headed to Tokyo May 2025 as a another subscriber is. Thank you so much for these videos. Very helpful.

[@じゃが天丼]

Thank you very much for your posting☺👍

[@silviastanziola659]

We stayed in the backstreets of Akihabara and quite liked it: the neighborhood has enough to see and do, restaurants and, most importantly: Akihabara station is well-connected but it is not a zoo! I would never stay around Shinjuku or Shibuya station because those two stations are too much to deal with every day.

[@AllisoninTokyo]

Yes agree! Akihabara is a good size station I think for a hub!

[@ElmoTinker]

Will be there next week! Hope everyones safe from typhoon Shanshan

[@Stories_of_Japan]

Great video! Thanks for your tips

[@PureBassO]

Your videos have been a big help for me planning my upcoming trip to Tokyo in may ... Question about saily when I buy the package for the esim how does it activate once I arrive ? How do I know I'm not using my usual SIM plan ? I know the app probably explains this after purchasing the data package but just want to know before hand

[@JackBlack-ii1ip]

With hotels in Japan, somewhere in a city will often be a better deal than in a resort area. . But that rule of thumb applies just about everywhere. Book on the web and check in Jack, the Japan Alps Brit

[@livelife1899]

Would love to see the hotel recommendations video!

[@reddwarfhead]

お久しぶり! missed your videos 😊 (lol, I just checked, the last one was just 10 days ago, no pressure to post more, it just for some reason felt longer 😂)

[@rafpal6760n]

I like your tips, I am gonna visit Japan in November

[@MsGringa24]

Hi Allison, what took you to Japan and decide to live there? Do you have any referrals for personal guides?

[@JackBlack-ii1ip]

Let me correct a minor error, Haneda was in operation long before Narita. I first arrived in Yokohama by ship in October 1970 after travelling across Russia. That was the exploratory visit. When I arrived as a relocation in late 1972, the airport was Haneda. Narita came on stream much later. Jack, the Japan Alps Brit

[@retracelondon]

Thank you for the really useful information.

[@trxshfm]

Watching this planning my 2nd trip 🙌 also fav neighborhood is def Odiba

[@AllisoninTokyo]

Love the mall there hehe

[@niueanlaho]

Just subbed ..Arigatou gozaimasu...going to Japan, just getting all the tips from KZbinrs. Thank you.....

[@winkler6168]

Thanks for the informative content

[@eprohoda]

How u doing?- Allison-Omg! this is amazing ,

[@quashmonkey]

We stayed in the blossom hibiya, it was so close to hibiya and shimbashi stations

[@robert_uhlmann]

Great information! Just one question, is it enough that I have the suica app on my phone to buy tickets for the whole family?

[@Pagroove]

Nice guide again Allison. I will be coming my 2nd time to Japan since 2018 (flying from The Netherlands). Looking forward to see if I recognize any changes. This time I begin my trip in Chiba.. Chiba ? Yes I want to see the Monorail, Port Tower and walk around (visit shrines etc) and start my holiday a bit more local before traveling to Central Tokyo. and it is a short distance from Narita compared to travel directly to Tokyo 😅 My Japanese is not good enough though ( I will re-learn a few phrases. I think 'Sumimasen' will be about the most important 😆). Then I will of course go to Tokyo but this time I will go North and Visit Tohoku. Last time In 2018 visited Kyoto, Osaka, Himeji, Fukuoka, Kumamoto and Kagoshima.

[@AllisoninTokyo]

Sumimasen can get you really far 😆

[@lucturcotte9548]

Hi Allison. Thanks for your informative videos about Tokyo and Japan. I'm going to Japan this coming January for the first time. My mom booked our trip through a travel agency. I'm gonna be spending a good part of my trip in the Northern part of Japan (Sapporo). Have you been there?

[@richardwalsh3884]

My Wife & I are coming to japan for the first time from feb 19th - 4th March next year can you advise what to see in your experience, hotels, special areas of the country etc we will have 1 case each.

[@soyokazeė]

If you do a hotel video can you talk a bit about large groups going to Japan (10+ people)?

[@yaminogame7805]

if you do a hotels video...please make it accessable to the average traveler who doesn't want to spen 400 bucks a night? most of us are looking for mid tier. lots of influencers stay at fantastic hotels and don't realize the average traveler can't afford that in budgets.

[@producktions6180]

Btw, tokyo hotels are insanely high recently. You probably will not find hotels that are less than 100 USD a night for a normal room (hostels and capsule hotels are cheaper, if u dont mind sharing a bathroom and sleeping area with other ppl lol) me and a friend are staying in an APA hotel its gonna be 820 USD for 8 nights 😢 but in osaka we found much cheaper accommodation!! But yeah, save a good amount of money for hotel in tokyo if u want a private room. Unfortunate truth but yeah.

[@sofijones5048]

​@@producktions6180 It depends on the APA hotel.

[@Smithlord]

I'm doing a mix. One night I'm in a pod for around 6000 yen and the next night a fancy ryokan for around 67000 yen so guess which I'm more excited for 😂

[@sofijones5048]

@@Smithlord 6000 yen for a pod is overpriced.

[@yoyokeepitup]

What hotels are you looking at??? There's so many $120-$180 a night hotels that could fit 2 people.

[@MrSTravelQuest]

Allison, this was an excellent video! I'm currently doing my research as I prepare for my first-ever trip to Japan in 2025. Do you have any suggestions on where to stay in Tokyo and Kyoto? I’ve subscribed and am excited to learn more about Japan through your content!

[@BramKendrick]

I'm planning to study in tokyo for 1 year and I was wondering if getting a bike would be a good idea to save money. Because of that I got a couple of questions; can you park for free in tokyo? And if so where? And is it easy to get a second hand bike (like with mercari or a bikeshop in tokyo?)

[@PaulaRivera-r2m]

How are the accommodations for disabled? You mentioned the train stations don’t have much on escalators and elevators.

[@MiscSaraii]

Oh no! I didnt know about Golden Week and already booked from April 23rd through May 8th. Where would you recommend I go during this time to avoid the insanity???

[@yukiyosei2956]

I have a question me and my friend are thinking of going to japan next year in may how much yen should I bring for two weeks

[@Jasiwardas]

Alison, how does Customs and Taxes work when you send you luggage by Yamato? 18:10

[@00ask76]

I believe she is talking about delivery services within Japan. Because with international shipping, you can't send a carry-on case for $20. When you arrive at the airport in Japan, go through immigration, and pick up your luggage, there is a delivery counter right in front of you. The only thing left to do is to take the train with a heavy carry-on case to the hotel, or use a delivery service. Cabs are expensive in Japan and Tokyo's airport is far from the city center. Incidentally, Uber is illegal in Japan.Because in Japan, you cannot operate a business without a cab license.

[@AllisoninTokyo]

Just within Japan! You can send it out at the airport!

[@johnparker1029]

Thank you

[@LaDonnaWasp]

Yes please make a hotel video

[@bluekat1378]

If I have one week to stay in Japan where should I visit and what kind of train I take jp or buletin train . Thanks

[@Andy_Pandy2000]

APA hotels bargain price without budget feel. I was very impressed.

[@Meari.S]

I'm going to Japan next September for 8 days with a tour group. My first trip to Japan and my first trip internationally. Excited, but nervous. I'm looking into getting eSIM. How much do you recommend?

[@arwen2385]

You should add green cars to this 👀 I was so confused my first time

[@vc2616]

Thank you!🙏

[@alanwu3678]

Really enjoy your videos! We are from Los Angeles, US and will be going to Tokyo in January. I was wondering if we need adaptors for charging our iPhones and laptops when we are in Tokyo. Thank you.

[@anneliseb9850]

Japanese outlets are compatible with US chargers 🔌 👍🏻

[@packs01]

What I’m confused is about is more of the flights say I landed in Tokyo and wanted to go to Osaka do I fly out of Osaka or do I have to make my way back to Tokyo to fly back to the USA?

[@jaybee4288]

You can do either. The golden route loops back to Tokyo but you can save time by flying out of Osaka. But it depends fully on if your airline operates there or not. In the U.K. you cannot get direct flights into/out of Osaka and it’s usually cheaper to buy a return to/from one airport than it is to buy two tickets. But it may be better in USA.

[@packs01]

@ yea after I watched this video I found that my airline does fly out of Osaka so I did just that

[@alexsimon915]

Hello, which outdoor hot springs areas would you recommend ? I love that stuff so much. I’m very nervous about going to Japan, seems very confusing even after watching a bunch of videos.

[@DavidChau-sm6nx]

Hi Allison Great Travel Guides.. My name is David. I will be traveling with family in November 2024 to Tokyo via Narita airport for 😅two days and onto Osaka/Kyoto for 5 days then return to Hong Kong. I understand the price hype for the JR Pass calculator might not be as value now. Can you suggest other passes or ic cards mentioned in your guides and the best way to travel around . Many thanks David x

[@sandrak6855]

What’s the best apps to book trains Tokyo-Osaka Osaka- Hakuba Hakuba-Tokyo

[@stanleyogheneovoolomu7778]

Is December a good time to visit Japan?

[@AlanVByrnes]

Doing what you are doing in Japan also it’s where I feel I need to be now rest of Asia too and nothing for me in America anymore either!! In New Jersey where I live Sometimes no family either things changed with that too in different ways and no one else people here aren’t always nice anymore either bad fighting and violence now and aging place nothing but old ones now and not enough young ones!! I really appreciate the help from someone else like you very much for here too 🤝🤝🤝

[@2ndprojects]

Whats your best advice around visiting japan within a 6 day timeframe and is it wise to stay at tokyo main city? also was thinking of traveling during may? thoughts?

[@TheTorianRoss]

What’s the easiest way to get from narita to Tokyo city center ?

[@mariannebackham8794]

My daughter ,also an Allison has been living in Japan for 28 years. She plans my trips when I visit and books everything ahead. I always take a foldable duffel to bring back my souvenirs. Love Haneda airport. Very efficient. We went through Narita to go to South Korea . Less efficient and I have a knee replacement and it took me ages to go through security. They kept wanding me and chasing me after I went through.I finally lifted my pant leg to show my scar. Annoying for sure!

[@psprog]

Yeah I prefer Haneda as cheap as chips to get into town vs Narita.. BTW the Suica on phone is iPhone only (or Japanese Android) so a lot/most people can't use it... I have to use physical SIMs as none of my phones, even my current 2023 model, support ESIM. Not too bad as I get them from eBay in advance. The network in Japan is amazing I've never not had a signal (unlike here in the UK!)

[@AlanVByrnes]

Nice to meet you in Japan Allison just hit the Sub Button for you!! 🫶🫶🫶

[@Kimberlygordon6065]

Hi Allison, hello from Savannah, GA! We are traveling to Japan in May/June. Do you offer a planning/travel plan service? Would love to get with you to plan our trip and stops/itinerary/transportation etc.