Politeness is the operating system.
Bowing is the standard greeting — a small head nod for casual hellos, a deeper bend for formal moments. Always remove your shoes when entering homes or certain establishments. Bring or wear socks.
Asia Travel Guide · Japan
Welcome to Japan.
Bullet trains and buddhist temples, neon-lit alleys and quiet shrines, vending machines on every corner. This is the pre-trip handbook your group needs — not the brochure.
On this page
- Entry: passport, visa, Visit Japan Web
- Language, culture, hotels, food
- Money, bullet trains, IC cards
- Safety, medical restrictions, FAQ
Welcome to Japan
A land of contrasts: serene temples and bustling cities, ancient traditions and futuristic technology.
Embrace every moment with respect, curiosity, and enthusiasm. What looks like a country of contradictions on the surface is actually a society organized around one quiet idea: consideration for the people around you. Lean into it and Japan opens up.
This guide covers everything from local customs to practical travel tips — written for groups who arrive curious and want to leave the airport ready.
Stage 1 · Pre-departure
Requirements for entry.
Three things to handle before you fly: a passport with at least six months of validity past your return date, a visa check, and the optional digital pre-clearance.
Passport
Must be valid for at least six months beyond your planned return date. Photograph the data page; store the copy somewhere separate from the original.
Visa
US passport holders do not need a visa for short-term tourist visits up to three months. Travel rules can change without notice — confirm via the US Embassy Japan before departure.
Visit Japan Web
Optional digital immigration + customs pre-clearance. Saves you from filling out the paper form on the plane. We recommend completing it about one week before departure. Open the official portal.
Embrace the differences
Language & culture.
Japanese is the official language. Many people in cities understand English — but locals love when you try theirs. Three phrases will carry you a long way.
こんにちは
Konnichiwa
Hello
ありがとう
Arigatō
Thank you
すみません
Sumimasen
Excuse me / sorry
Marco SaysPronunciation · Japanese · Lesson 01
On airRead the transcript
Konnichiwa is how we say hello in Japanese.
Ko-nni-chi-wa. Konnichiwa.
When you meet someone during the day, you can say Konnichiwa.
Arigatō means thank you.
A-ri-ga-tō. Arigatō.
Use it when someone helps you or gives you something.
Sumimasen is a very useful word.
Su-mi-ma-sen. Sumimasen.
It can mean excuse me, or even I'm sorry. Use it to get someone's attention or to be polite.
Now let's try them together: Konnichiwa. Arigatō. Sumimasen. Great job!
Quiet is the default.
Avoid loud conversations on public transport and in public spaces. Eating while walking is generally discouraged — sit down and enjoy your food. Be mindful of where the group is standing; step aside to let others pass.
Ask before you photograph people.
Japan's privacy laws are strict. Don't publish photos with recognizable faces without getting permission from the people in them. Temples, shrines, and museums often have their own rules — read the signs.
The unspoken rule
Most Japanese people make active effort not to inconvenience others — walking on the correct side of the street, not blocking the way, queueing patiently. Match the energy and you'll feel right at home.
Mealtime
Three meals a day, two ways to eat them.
Meals are a mix of pre-arranged group dinners and cash-meal lunches. Drinks like water, tea, and soft drinks are usually included. Allergy details are shared with restaurants in advance — submit allergy info at least 30 days before departure so we can build the menu around it.
- Pre-arranged dinners. Local restaurants, buffets, or a group hotpot. Hotel breakfast is usually buffet; early-departure mornings get a takeaway pack.
- Cash lunches. Tour Directors hand out cash so students can choose for themselves at food courts or local food streets. It's consistently the most memorable part of the trip.
- Bento on the bullet train. Eating on urban trains is frowned upon, but bento boxes on the Shinkansen are a beloved cultural ritual. Buy one at the station.
Where you'll stay
Hotels in Japan.
Smaller rooms, polite reception, and a few customs that catch first-timers off guard. Read this once and you'll know what to expect at check-in.
Room size
Generally smaller than Western equivalents. Expect roughly 15 m² for single rooms and 18–22 m² for twin and triple rooms.
Supervision
For school trips, every student floor has at least one adult room nearby.
Hotel etiquette
Groups don't gather in the hotel lobby or floor corridors for meetings. If a meeting is needed, we hire a conference room or meet outside the hotel.
Noise
Avoid disturbing other guests. Japanese hotels reserve the right to ask groups to leave on excessive noise complaints.
Check-in / out
Passports may be required at check-in. With a large group, allow 15–30 minutes. Return all room keys at check-out — lost keys carry a penalty at the traveler's cost.
About the vending machines
Most hotels have vending machines inside or out front that sell alcohol. Alcohol is prohibited for student travelers during Passports tours, regardless of local drinking age.
Money matters
Yen, ATMs, and a still-cash society.
Despite credit cards spreading, Japan is still cash-first — especially in rural areas, temples, and small independent shops. Bring some yen.
Currency
Japanese Yen (¥). Roughly 1 USD ≈ 150 Yen at time of writing, but exchange rates move — use a converter app like Google or XE.
ATMs
Widely available in cities. The two most reliable for foreign cards are Japan Post Office and 7-Eleven ATMs.
Cards vs cash
Use cards in cities; bring cash for rural areas, small businesses, temples, and food streets. Always pay in yen at ATMs and on card terminals — never USD.
Tipping
Not customary. Don't leave money on the table; it can be politely refused or chased down the street.
Daily budget
Budget ¥1,500 – ¥4,000 (~$10–$30 USD) per day for snacks and souvenirs. Larger shopping plans should budget separately.
Transportation
Bullet trains, IC cards, and a fixed-schedule coach.
Public transport in Japan is the gold standard. Quiet, punctual, and efficient — but it has rules. The bullet train is the highlight; the IC card is the daily workhorse.
- IC cards. Provided to every traveler at the start of the trip, collected at the end. A lost card must be replaced at the traveler's cost. No eating, drinking, or loud talking on public transit.
- Bullet trains (Shinkansen). Tickets are provided and must be kept and shown both entering and exiting. Large groups may be split between cabins. Luggage must fit in the overhead bin.
- Private coaches. Schedule is fixed locally and difficult to change — bus drivers don't have authority to deviate without coach-company approval. No eating or drinking on board without permission.
- Luggage transfers. For multi-city trips we sometimes arrange luggage transfer so you don't have to wrestle a suitcase onto the Shinkansen. Pack a small bag for the 1–2 nights it's in transit.
A photo tour
Eight places you might see.
Every tour is different — but these are the kinds of moments students remember years later.
Kyoto
Nara
Himeji
Tea fields
Onsen
Miyajima
Hiroshima
Hakone
Safety & security
Japan is exceptionally safe — stay sharp anyway.
Crime against tourists is rare. The most common incidents are students separating from the group in a crowded station and losing track of personal items. Both are easy to prevent.
Stick with your group
Stay close to the Tour Director; follow the daily schedule. Bus boarding takes a head count; don't be the one who holds it up.
Mind your stuff
Crowded subway stations, busy markets, and tourist hubs are the only places where pickpocketing happens at all. Keep bags zipped and to the front.
Carry a passport copy
Photograph the data page; store the copy somewhere separate from the original. Hotel front desks may ask to see the original at check-in.
Emergency numbers in Japan
110 · Police
119 · Ambulance / Fire
+81 50 1742 2696 · Tour Director on the ground
Passports 24/7 line
For any travel emergency, call Passports at 1-800-332-7277 and press 1.
Medical restrictions
Drugs that are prohibited in Japan may surprise you.
This is the single most-overlooked part of pre-trip prep. Read it carefully — even a valid US prescription does not exempt a banned substance.
Banned substances include common US medications
Many over-the-counter and prescription medications common in the United States — including some used for pain, depression, anxiety, ADHD (or anything containing amphetamines), and several decongestants and allergy medications — are illegal in Japan.
You can be arrested for bringing in banned substances, even with a valid US prescription. Verify every medication you plan to bring against the current list before you fly. Visit the US Embassy & Consulate in Japan for the latest guidance.
Day to day
Three quick practicalities.
You'll walk a lot.
Even with bullet trains and coaches, the best parts of Japan are explored on foot. Good walking shoes are non-negotiable.
Stay connected.
An eSIM (Airalo, HolaFly, Saily) or international roaming covers navigation, translation, and group chat. Buy before you board.
The tap water is great.
Tap water is safe, clean, and quality-controlled. Carry a reusable bottle and refill at any of the public filling stations.
FAQ
Common questions, plain answers.
Are public restrooms easy to access in Japan?
Yes. Train stations, shopping malls, and parks all have free public restrooms. Toilet paper isn't always provided in public washrooms — carry a small package of tissues, just in case.
Can we drink the tap water?
Yes — tap water in Japan is clean, safe, quality-controlled, and widely available. Public water-filling stations are available in some areas. Bring a reusable water bottle.
What if a student loses something on the trip?
Report it to the Tour Director immediately. Japan has an exceptionally efficient lost-and-found system and items are often recovered, though recovery is not 100% guaranteed.
How much spending money should we bring?
Budget roughly ¥1,500–¥4,000 per day (about $10–$30 USD) for snacks and souvenirs. This doesn't account for more extensive shopping plans.
What if there's a medical emergency?
Your Tour Director knows the local hospitals near every program location. In an emergency dial 119 (ambulance/fire) or 110 (police). If you're separated from the group, call the Tour Emergency Phone or Passports' 24/7 line at 1-800-332-7277.
Is tipping expected?
No. Tipping is not customary in Japan and can sometimes be politely refused. The price you see is the price you pay.
Adventures await.
Japan is a land of contrasts — serene temples and bustling cities, ancient traditions and futuristic technology. Embrace every moment with respect, curiosity, and enthusiasm.
良い旅をYoi tabi wo· wishing you a good journey
Talk to a human
Pre-trip questions?
Our Tour Advisors in Worcester answer the phone in person. Call between 9–5 ET on weekdays, or shoot us a message any time.