Japan Travel FAQ: 10 Questions Every First-Timer Asks (Answered)

These are the questions we’re asked most before a first trip to Japan — the practical ones that decide how smoothly your holiday runs. Here are clear, current answers, each linking to a deeper guide if you want the full detail. Where a number can move (prices swing with the exchange rate, and a few 2026 rules change yearly), we’ve said so.

Is Japan cashless now?

Increasingly, yes — cashless payments passed roughly 58% in 2025, and cities, chains, convenience stores, hotels and trains all take cards, contactless and IC cards happily. But it’s not fully cashless, so still carry some cash: temples and shrines (offerings, charms, goshuin stamps), small family restaurants that run on a ticket machine, rural towns and some markets remain cash-first. The winning setup is a toolkit — an IC card for transit and small buys, a contactless card for hotels and chains, and a few thousand yen in cash as backup. 7-Eleven (7-Bank) ATMs reliably accept foreign cards 24/7.

Can I use my Australian phone in Japan?

Yes — if it’s carrier-unlocked and reasonably modern. Japan’s 4G/5G bands are widely supported by Australian handsets (Bands 1 and 3 especially overlap), so most phones from around 2018 onward work fine. Your options are a data eSIM (easiest), a physical travel SIM, or carrier roaming — check the daily roaming cost, as it adds up fast. The catches: the phone must be unlocked; very old, locked or 3G-only devices can struggle (Japan is retiring 3G); and some budget phones miss Japan’s 800MHz band, which weakens rural and indoor coverage — a Docomo-network plan helps there.

How much spending money do I need per day?

A rough guide per person, excluding your hotel. All figures are approximate and move with the exchange rate.

Is Suica or Pasmo better for tourists?

Neither is better — they’re essentially the same, so get whichever is convenient. Suica (run by JR) and PASMO (Tokyo’s private railways) are prepaid IC cards that behave identically: tap onto almost every train, subway and bus across the country, and pay at convenience stores and vending machines. They’re interchangeable and both work nationwide. On an iPhone you can add a Suica (or PASMO) to Apple Wallet; on Android, pick up a physical card at the airport. Tourist versions (Welcome Suica, PASMO Passport) exist too. One catch on iPhone: a foreign Visa can’t top up a Wallet Suica — recharge with cash or a Mastercard/Amex.

Is Osaka or Kyoto better as a base?

Both work well, because they’re only about 15 minutes apart by Shinkansen (Shin-Osaka to Kyoto) or roughly 30 minutes by JR Special Rapid for about ¥580 — so you can base in one and day-trip the other, which is exactly what many families do. Choose by what you want your evenings to feel like.

Can you visit Mount Fuji as a day trip?

Yes — the Fuji Five Lakes area around Kawaguchiko, with those classic lake-and-Fuji views, is an easy day trip from Tokyo. A direct highway bus from Shinjuku takes about 1 hour 45 (around ¥2,000), or the Fuji Excursion limited-express train runs there in about 2 hours (around ¥4,200). Hakone is a lovely alternative, pairing onsen and lake scenery with Fuji as a backdrop. Two honest caveats: you can’t climb Fuji on a day trip — the climbing season is only early July to early September, with a mandatory fee and daily caps — and Fuji often hides behind cloud, so views are far better on clear, cooler mornings (autumn and winter) than in hazy summer.

What’s the best eSIM for Japan?

There’s no single winner — use a data-only travel eSIM and choose on network coverage and data allowance. Reputable options include Airalo, Ubigi, Sakura Mobile and Klook. Your phone needs to be unlocked and eSIM-capable (roughly iPhone XS, Pixel 3 or Galaxy S20 and newer). These are data-only — you won’t get a Japanese phone number, but you can call and message over WhatsApp, LINE or FaceTime. Network tip: if you’re heading rural or into the mountains (Fuji, Hokkaido), pick a plan on the Docomo network (Ubigi or Sakura, for example) for the widest coverage; for a city-only short trip, the cheapest plan is fine. Install it before you fly.

How much does food cost in Japan?

Eating well is genuinely affordable — one of the joys of a Japan trip. Typical prices per person:

Can you drink tap water in Japan?

Yes — tap water is safe to drink everywhere in Japan, including Tokyo. It meets strict national quality standards (Tokyo’s supply meets all 51 statutory standards) and locals drink straight from the tap right across the country. The taste varies slightly by region, but it’s all perfectly potable. Bring a refillable bottle — it saves money and cuts plastic, and you can top up at your hotel and at fountains around parks and stations.

Is Japan suitable for kids?

Extremely — it’s one of the easiest, safest and most rewarding countries to travel with children. Crime is very low, the trains are spotless and punctual, under-6s ride JR trains and buses free, and convenience stores everywhere mean cheap snacks and clean toilets are never far away. Stations and department stores have baby rooms, the food is kid-friendly (rice, noodles, konbini favourites), and there’s a genuine warmth toward families. The main things to plan around are the summer heat and humidity and rush-hour train crowds — both easily managed. This is exactly what we build the rest of the site to help with.

More answers

That’s the quick-fire round. For the full detail behind these answers, our deeper guides cover the apps and cards to set up before you fly, the best time of year to visit, getting around with kids, and the unspoken etiquette that makes the trip smoother — all linked below.