15 Must-Know Facts Before Visiting Japan
1. Japan is made up of over 14,000 separate islands
While most visitors to Japan are familiar with the four largest islands, Hokkaido, Honshu, Shikoku and Kyushu, the nation comprises 260 inhabited islands and a further 14,000 smaller territories. Over 80% of the population lives in Honshu, which includes the major cities of Tokyo, Osaka, Yokohama and Nagoya.
2. Japan has had three different capital cities
Tokyo is the world’s largest city and Japan’s capital. However, it’s only been so since the emperor Meiji designated it as such in 1868. Historically, the capital of Japan was defined as whichever city the emperor resided in. For over 1000 years, the much smaller city of Kyoto (then known as Heian-kyō) was the heart of the Japanese empire, while the smaller-still Nara (or Heijō-kyō) enjoyed capital city status from 710-794 CE. As a result, both Nara and Kyoto are filled with ancient shrines and palaces of enormous historical and political significance, while the modern-day Imperial Palace is in Tokyo.
3. The Imperial Palace is still in use
Today, the Japanese emperor today fulfills a purely ceremonial role. The royal residence, the Tokyo Imperial Palace is only open to the public two days a year – the rest of the time, it maintains its status as a a private residence. Visitors to the Imperial Palace can still walk around the outer grounds and Imperial Palace Park and catch a glimpse of the building through the trees.
4. Earthquakes are a daily occurrence
The islands of Japan are located along the edge of two tectonic plates, meaning that seismic activity is a regular feature of life in Japan. An earthquake preparedness kit is a common sight in many Japanese households. While the country experiences daily earthquakes, most are unnoticeable - major quakes, with the potential to damage infrastructure and cause injury, occur around once a year. An upside to Japan’s lively geophysics is that it has allowed thousands of naturally occurring hot springs to form, which has in turn led to the development of a network of spa towns, or onsen, and a centuries-old bathing culture.
5. Most cities have free public Wi-Fi
A mobile internet connection is an essential companion when travelling to Japan. Everything from navigating town to booking a taxi, finding a place to stay and scanning menu QR codes requires internet access. Using a Japan travel eSIM is the easiest way to stay connected, though major Japanese cities also offer free public Wi-Fi in central areas. While city Wi-Fi isn't as reliable or secure as an eSIM data connection, it does provide the chance to save some mobile data while travelling.
6. Japanese uses four different alphabets
For first-time visitors to Japan, it’s a welcome relief that many street signs, ATMs and ticket machines, especially in larger cities, are available in English. This is because Japanese is a notoriously complex language to read: modern written Japanese is a composite of four separate alphabets. These are Hiragana, Katakana, Kanji and Romaji.
- 1
Hiragana is a phonetic alphabet, where each character corresponds to a syllable. One of the simpler Japanese alphabets, Hiragana can be seen on everything from road signs and shop windows to books and magazines
- 2
Katakana, similar to hiragana, is another phonetic alphabet. Katakana is mainly used to spell out foreign loanwords or recently invented terms which have no equivalent in Kanji
- 3
Kanji is a pictographic script based on Chinese characters. Each kanji can represent an entire word or clause. There are thousands of kanji symbols, and it can take years to learn them to a practical level. For example, knowledge of around 2000 kanji is needed to read a Japanese newspaper.
- 4
Romaji is the latin alphabet and is primarily used in modern Japanese to spell out foreign names, numbers and products
7. Baseball is the most popular sport
While The Samurai Blue, Japan’s national football team, enjoys worldwide success and an avid following in their home country, football is only the second-most popular sport. In Japanese sports, Baseball is king, played in vast stadiums like the Tokyo Dome or the 47,000-seater Koshein Stadium. When visiting a sports bar you’re more likely to see baseball on all screens than football. The official national sport is sumo wrestling. This historic discipline maintains a committed following and regular TV coverage to this day. Tickets for high-profile bouts sell out in minutes and the most successful sumo wrestlers are household names.
8. The world’s oldest company is based in Osaka
The Japanese term Shinise refers to a particularly venerable independent business, often hundreds of years old. From hospitality to manufacturing and construction, the country is home to several Shinise, including Kongō Gumi, the world’s oldest company. The still-operational construction firm was founded in Osaka in 578 CE and has been continually constructing and renovating classical Japanese buildings for 14 centuries. Visitors to Japan can also stay at the Nishiyama Onsen Keiunkan hotel, founded in 705 CE, or stop for a rest at Kyoto’s 1000-year-old Ichimonjiya Wasuke sweet shop and teahouse.
9. Tattoos are not welcome in certain establishments
After tattooing was outlawed during the Meiji Restoration in 1872, the practice moved underground and tattoos began to develop an association with crime, and in particular with organized Yakuza syndicates during the 20th century. Since being re-legalized in 1948, tattoos have steadily grown in acceptance and popularity, especially amongst younger people. Visitors with tattoos may need to take some extra steps when travelling to Japan. Pools, gyms, saunas and onsen (traditional Japanese bathhouses) reserve the right to deny entry to tattooed guests. Others may request they cover up with bandages or specialized flesh-coloured adhesive pads. Visitors planning on visiting a gym or onsen are recommended to research in advance whether they permit tattoos.
10. Tokyo contains the world's largest number of Michelin-starred restaurants
The abundance of fresh seafood in Japan means it's one of the best places to eat well on a budget: even in central Tokyo, a ramen joint or Yakitori grill can provide a world-class dinner for less than 1200 yen (around $8). For serious foodies, the capital also boasts the world’s largest number of Michelin-starred restaurants. Gourmands should make time to visit Osaka, known as 'Japan's kitchen' for the quality and abundance of its restaurants.
11. Many businesses are cash-only
Despite its high-tech reputation, Japan maintains a strong connection to paper money. While card payments are widely accepted, many smaller independent businesses, even in the largest cities, will be cash-only. Furthermore, many card terminals will only accept Japanese-issued payment cards, and Apple Pay will only work with phones sold in Japan. It’s wise to keep some notes on hand for everything from train tickets to cups of coffee.
12. Tokyo is the safest city in the world
Tokyo and Osaka both rank among the world’s ten safest cities, according to the World Population Review. Tokyo tops the list, with Osaka not far behind at no.3. In particular, the violent crime rates in Tokyo and Osaka are much lower than in cities of comparable sizes: people routinely walk home by themselves at night and crime numbers on the Tokyo subway are some of the lowest in the world. Of course, travellers should still be vigilant. Pickpocketing and muggings still happen in both cities, and Tokyo has higher-than-average rates of harassment and assault against LGBT+ people.
13. Take the bullet train to see Mount Fuji
The sacred mountain of Fuji-san is one of the most photographed sites in the country. However, spiralling tourist numbers have led to overcrowding on the slopes as well as in the small towns at the foot of the mountain. For a clearer perspective of the UNESCO-listed natural wonder, take the Tokaido bullet train from Tokyo to Osaka. The route skirts the base of the mountain, providing a breathtaking view from the comfort of a train window.
14. Watch out for bears
Japan has some of the world’s most beautiful wildlife, from herons to native koi, deer and even bears. Bear encounters are rare: Japan recorded six fatal bear attacks in 2023, or around 1 in 20 million. The odds of being killed by a bear in Japan are around the same as being made a Catholic saint. Nevertheless, mountain towns, especially in the Akita and Hokkaido prefectures, often have procedures in place in the event of bear sightings, and it’s not uncommon to come across signs denoting bear territory when hiking in the Japanese highlands.
15. Tipping in Japan
Japan has a unique tipping culture that’s important to understand before visiting. Contrary to popular belief, tipping in a restaurant in Japan won’t be considered rude – though it is not customary and may be refused. Most restaurant, cafe or bar guests in Japan do not tip, nor are they expected to. In high-end hotels or ryokans (traditional Japanese guesthouses) tips can be left in the room or handed over in a plain envelope. In general, tips in Japan are a recognition of particularly outstanding service in certain specific locations, rather than an expected courtesy.
Travel like a local with a Japan eSIM
A Japan eSIM is the easiest way to get online in the country without paying international roaming charges. A BetterRoaming eSIM for Japan allows visitors to connect to a high-speed network at a cheap local rate, the minute they land.
No more queuing up for a local SIM card or paying roaming charges – just one prepaid eSIM that can be set up in minutes and ready to get online in Japan as soon as you are.
Mobile Data plans for Japan
APAC eSIM data plans
Looking to continue your travels beyond Japan? Whatever your journey, it’s easy to stay connected to low-cost mobile internet throughout the Asia-Pacific region with a BetterRoaming eSIM. As well as the best Japan eSIM plans, BetterRoaming offers tailored data packages for 160+ countries worldwide, including China, Indonesia and South Korea. If you’re travelling to multiple countries in the Asia-Pacific region, consider an APAC regional eSIM. These prepaid SIM packages are an easy and low-cost way to access mobile internet across 14 countries in East Asia, the Pacific and Australasia. There’s no need to switch SIM cards or providers every time you cross a border, and you retain access to all your old messages.
