Japan Travel FAQs - Pretraveller

With Japan finally re-opening for independent travel from 11 October 2022 we are all happy to finally be able to return to our favourite destination! In the Japan Travel Planning Facebook group we are now seeing the re-emergence of many frequently asked questions, so we decided to create a Japan travel FAQ page here that we can pin to the group to hopefully reduce the number of times the same questions are asked.

If you are not already a member of the group then the details to join are below.

Travelling to Japan? Click here to download your free Japan Travel Planning checklist. We’ll help you get ready for your trip!

Join the Japan Travel Planning Facebook Group and Discord Server

You are also welcome to join our Japan Travel Planning Facebook Group and our new Japan Travel Planning Discord Server – they are great resources to enable you to ask questions about your upcoming trip to Japan!

Disclaimer: This article contains affiliate links. If you book after clicking on one of these links then we may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Japan Early Planning FAQs

When is the Best Time to Visit Japan?

There are so many factors to answer this question, from weather, events, holiday periods etc. Check out our detailed article on the best time to visit Japan at this link as your starting point before posting to the group.
Our article includes an overview of what to expect from the weather, public holidays and more.

I need help with my Japan Itinerary!

It is great to crowd source feedback on your Japan itinerary, but before posting to the group I suggest you have a read of our articles – we have 10 day and two week itinerary recommendations.
Also check out our destination focused articles for Tokyo, Mt Fuji Region, Kansai Area (including Kyoto, Osaka and Nara) and the Nagano Region. We are progressively adding new articles over time 🙂 .

Should I Plan to Purchase a Japan Rail Pass? Is it Worth it?

We have written a couple of articles on this topic to help answer this question. Check out our detailed article on how to purchase the cheapest Japan Rail Pass – it also includes a detailed comparison article to help you work out whether it is worthwhile, and to enable you to run the numbers yourself with confidence.
We also have a fun more story focused article on how we used our JR passes to get around Japan on our most recent trip (pre-COVID19), to help you better understand how to get around Japan.

Japan Transportation FAQs

How do I use my Japan Rail Pass?

We have written a couple of articles on this topic to help answer this question. Check out our detailed article on how to purchase the cheapest Japan Rail Pass – it also includes details on what is and is not included, and also haw to activate and use the JR Pass.
We also have a fun more story focused article on how we used our JR passes to get around Japan on our most recent trip (pre-COVID19), to help you better understand how to get around Japan. Includes details on how to activate and use your pass.

How do I get around in Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka?

We have put together detailed articles to help you better understand how to get around on public transportation in Japan. Check out our detailed articles on how to get around in Tokyo, Osaka and Kyoto.

How to get from Narita Airport to destinations in Tokyo

We have put together several articles to help people plan this part of their trip. Check out our detailed articles on how to get to the central Tokyo area, the western side of Tokyo (Shinjuku, Shibuya and Shinagawa), the northern part of Tokyo (Ueno, Asakusa and Akihabara) and also how to get to Yokohama.

How to transfer between Narita and Haneda Airports

Many people book flights where they need to transfer between Narita and Haneda Airports – not realising that they are 77km / 44 mi apart! We have a detailed article to help you learn how to make this transfer (or why you should carefully check your flights for this issue before booking!)

How to Buy Tickets and Tours for Your Japan Trip

How do I purchase tickets and tours for my Japan Trip?

Our go to online travel agent for Japan is Klook – they have a comprehensive range of tickets, passes and tour options for Japan. We have a detailed article about Klook which includes a shopping list of items you may want to purchase for your trip.

How to Buy Sumo Wrestling Tickets for Japan?

We have a detailed article to help you purchase your sumo wrestling tickets for Japan, including sumo wrestling tournaments as well as doing a sumo stable tour.

How to Buy Tickets for the Ghibli Museum near Tokyo?

Ghibli Museum tickets have been notoriously difficult for visitors to purchase, fortunately the online travel agencies do provide options to help you get your tickets. We have a detailed article to help you learn more about how to purchase your Ghibli Museum tickets, as well as our detailed review of the Ghibli Museum.
The Ghibli Theme Park is due to open near Nagoya from 1 November 2022, and it has an equally difficult options to purchase tickets, so I expect that these should also become available through online ticket agencies.

How to Purchase Tickets for Disneyland and Disneysea Theme Parks near Tokyo?

Klook offers easy to purchase day tickets to both theme parks. You can read more about our experience in both theme parks as well as how to buy your tickets in this article.

How to Purchase Universal Studios Japan Entry Tickets and skip the queue Express Passes?

Having visited USJ ourselves we learned the hard way that it really is worthwhile to purchase the additional skip the queue Express Passes. Read our detailed article to learn more about how to plan your visit to USJ and how to purchase your tickets.

How to have data and phone access during your Japan Trip

How to purchase an eSim plan or sim card for Japan?

We have put together detailed articles to help you decide whether to purchase a prepaid eSim plan for Japan or to purchase a physical sim card.

How to rent a pocket wifi for Japan?

We have put together a detailed article to help you decide which pocket wifi to rent for your visit to Japan.

What apps do I need for my Japan trip?

We have a detailed article to help you find the right apps for your Japan trip.

Travelling to Japan? Click here to download your free Japan Travel Planning checklist. We’ll help you get ready for your trip!

Join the Japan Travel Planning Facebook Group and Discord Server

Disclaimer: This article contains affiliate links. If you book after clicking on one of these links then we may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.