Travel to Japan - Basics

Japan Rail Pass

The Japan Rail pass is good for unlimited travel on most Japan Rail trains. This may be a good option if you are travelling to more than two cities in Japan, or if you are returning to the same city. For example, if you are flying in and out of Tokyo, but want to visit say, Kyoto, then you would need a round-trip Shinkansen ticket, which could cost almost the same as a Japan Rail Pass. The pass is available for 7, 14 or 21 days and can only be bought outside Japan by tourists who have ‘Temporary Visitor” stamped on their visa.

Alternatively, if you fly into one city and out of another, for example, if you fly into Osaka, then travel to Kyoto and then fly out of Tokyo, you may be better off buying one way Shinkansen tickets from Kyoto to Tokyo separately.

Tokyo Metro Pass

The Japan Rail pass is valid on a lot of inter-city Japan Rail trains, many bullet trains and on the Yamanote line and Monorail in Tokyo. However, it is not valid on the Tokyo subway network. For that, you can use a prepaid IC card or buy the Tokyo Metro Pass for 24, 48 or 72 hours from the Ginza Station Tourist Information near Exit A3. Remember to carry your passport with the ‘Temporary Visitor’ stamp on your visa. 

Prepaid IC cards

ICOCA, Sucia, Pasmo etc are prepaid, rechargeable IC cards that can be used on most local public transportation (except JR in Tokyo) in cities across Japan, vending machines, a number of shops and restaurants too. They are very convenient to use. You simply wave the card over the card reader and you are done. When you wave the card at the end of your subway ride, to exit the platform, it will display the available balance on your card. 

You would need as many cards as there are people in your group, because, in Japan, fare is calculated and deducted on each card as you leave the subway system. So the same card can't be used for 2 or more people.

Most IC cards are compatible with each other. So, ICOCA, issued in Osaka, by JR West, can even be used and recharged at ticket machines in Tokyo, which falls under JR East.

There is a 500 yen deposit that is charged upfront. You can get a refund, but only from the company that issued the card. They deduct a 220 yen handling fee. The IC cards are valid for 10 years so you could use them on later trips to Japan.

Fare Adjustment
This works on both IC cards (if you are low on balance) and on standalone metro tickets. If you are not sure of the fare to your destination, you can just buy the lowest priced ticket. Once you reach your destination, just before you exit the subway system, you will see a machine for Fare Adjustment. If you insert your ticket or IC card, the machine will tell you the difference in fare, if any, and you can make the payment there and get a new ticket for the correct fare or updated balance on your IC card .

Internet Access

You can pre-order pocket wifi (a mobile wifi hotspot) online a couple of days before you leave for Japan and collect it at the airport or you can rent it at the airport - more expensive. Returns are easy - you just put it in the accompanying pre-paid return envelope and drop it in any post box. Some Tourist Information Centers do rent them out too, but they are almost always out of stock. Airbnb hosts usually offer free pocket wifi along with the rental.

If you have an unlocked phone, you could buy a prepaid Data SIM from an electronics store. This will cost you around five to six thousand yen for 5 GB for 30 days. Pocket Wifi costs are similar if you want to rent it at the airport. 

Offline Maps

Google maps doesn’t have offline maps for Japan and so you should download the maps.me app for offline maps. Available for iOS and Android.

Tax Free Shopping

Most shops will give you VAT refund of 8% on the spot if you have shopped for more than 5,000 yen. Some, however, may charge you a handling fee of about 1%.

In order to get the VAT refund, remember to carry your passport with you.