Japan has been on my bucket list for a long time and eventually, I would love to go there and really explore all of the country has to offer. It’s one of those places I’ve always thought is in a whole world of its own. From its rich culture to its traditions and delicious food that constantly plagues my Tiktok feed in the best way possible.
In order to make the most out of a trip to Japan, it’s important to know where you’re planning to travel within the country. From Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto to Hiroshima, there are plenty of options available to really sink your teeth into. With it being a mammoth 13 hours away from the UK, when we decide to go, we’re definitely going for a good two weeks! Here are five things you’ll need when travelling to Japan in 2023.
Set up your phone with a Japan Sim Card
Before you go travelling anywhere in the world, it’s useful to ensure your phone has been set up with a sim card that works for the country you’re visiting. For some mobile phone users, it may be worth making use of Japan SIM cards, regardless of whether you’re travelling to the country for a short trip or a longer stay.
Depending on what you typically use when it comes to your own mobile phone package at home, you might want to consider Japan eSIMs too. These provide the user with data only, perfect for those who need quick access to the internet for browsing. Advantages of using such Sim cards from Mobal include:
- English language customer support
- Profits go to charity
- No contracts tying you in
Setting yourself up with a sim of any kind for your mobile phone will ensure you continue to have contact with the rest of the world. Long gone are the days when you’d head over to the nearest phone booth with your change in order to make a call back home. However, not prepping your phone with the right SIM card might have you relying on public WIFI or the existence of these old-fashioned phone booths!
Power adapters
It’s incredible just how much we rely on our electronics nowadays, particularly that of our mobile phones. That’s why it’s essential you’re packing power adapters wherever you visit in the world. In Japan, there are two types of plugs that are worth getting. These are types A & B. Plug type A is a plug that has two flat parallel pins and plug type B is one that has two flat parallel pins and a grounding pin. It’s important to get these so that you’re able to use Japan plug sockets whenever it’s needed.
When it comes to Japan, you might also want to pack a few power banks for your phone, especially as the cities and country as a whole, have a lot to offer for tourists. It means you can spend more time out and about, making the most of your day without needing to worry about losing your battery power.
A sturdy backpack
To help keep everything on you at all times, a sturdy backpack is well worth an investment. You never realise just how much you might need when going out and about exploring. From your basic essentials to snacks, drinks, and perhaps a professional camera for all of the beautiful snapshots you’ll take of the surroundings.
Of course, it’s beneficial to remember that just like in many parts of the world, it’s good to keep your backpack strapped to your chest, in front of you. That, or perhaps get some handy locks for your zips so that you’re less likely to have stuff go missing when walking around in busy environments.
Carry both cash and card
While Japan is a fairly advanced country in terms of its technology, it’s always good to have a number of currency options when spending your money. Most people might use their credit card or debit cards nowadays but it’s good to have a number of options, just in case by some unfortunate chance, you lose a card or it stops working for any unknown reason.
Carrying both vash and card is well advised, as would be a travel card like Monzo, for example. By carrying a mixture, you can rest assured that you’re covered, whatever happens.
Travel apps to find all the best hotspots
Finally, in order to maximise your time in Japan, it’s worthwhile exploring all of the available travel apps that can help assist you as you navigate the country. Japan has its own travel app – JNTO. I would also advise you to get Google Maps as that tends to be handy for navigating around the area you’re in, as well as finding food places based on reviews. These apps are great to use in order to make the most out of your time and to ensure you don’t get easily lost.
What would you recommend to do in Japan? Have you visited the country before? Let me know in the comments below.
