Japan is an easy country to travel in — but every year I see smart, well-prepared travelers quietly making small, avoidable mistakes that cost them time, money, and energy. At Chris Rowthorn Tours I help hundreds of people plan trips to Japan each year, so I see these same issues over and over again in the real world. Here are the 10 most common ones, with a few bonus mistakes tacked on for good measure.
Chris Rowthorn traveling light in Japan – never take large suitcases! © Chris Rowthorn.
Planning Mistakes
These are high-level errors that can quietly undermine an otherwise wonderful trip.
1. Overscheduling
Every year I look at people’s wish lists and tentative itineraries and I’m amazed at how much they think they can do in ten days. Japan looks small on a map, but getting from place to place takes time and energy, and the cities themselves are surprisingly absorbing. I always tell people to focus on quality over quantity. If you find yourself with extra time, it’s easy to add another sight or activity on the fly. Recovering from exhaustion, on the other hand, is much harder.
This is at least as good as cherry blossoms: Honen-in Temple in Kyoto during fall foliage season taken by friend of the blog Damien Douxchamps.
2. Fixating on cherry blossoms
Cherry blossoms are beautiful — but so are autumn leaves, winter snows, and fresh green spring. If you’re locking yourself into peak sakura season, you’ll often pay two or three times the normal airfare and hotel rates, while also dealing with the biggest crowds of the year. Unless cherry blossoms are truly non-negotiable for you, you’ll almost certainly have a more relaxed and enjoyable trip in a quieter season.
Japan Rail Pass ticket © Chris Rowthorn.
3. Buying a Japan Rail Pass when you don’t need one
The Japan Rail Pass used to be one of the best deals in travel. After recent price increases, it now only makes sense if you’re riding the shinkansen every few days. For many itineraries it costs more and adds unnecessary complexity. I see people buy it out of habit or fear of missing out, then discover too late that a normal ticket would have been cheaper and easier.
4. Listening to influencers
If a place is being heavily promoted by social-media influencers, it’s often a sign that it’s already overcrowded, over-photographed, and no longer at its best. I’m not saying you should ignore social media entirely — but use it as a warning system. If everyone is going to the same café, shrine, or viewpoint, there is almost always something just as good nearby that hasn’t yet been turned into a content farm.
5. Listening to your friend
Your friend is probably a lovely person — but one trip to Japan doesn’t make someone a Japan expert. What worked for them may not suit your interests, budget, or travel style at all. Unless they’ve been to Japan many times and traveled widely elsewhere, take their advice with a grain of salt. And if they insist the snow monkeys are “unmissable,” that’s usually a sign you should keep shopping for advice.
Money And Transport Mistakes
These create friction, delays, and unnecessary stress.
6. Using your home carrier for data or calls
This is literally lighting money on fire. I know, because I’ve done it — I once came home to a US$300 roaming bill after using my home provider’s “economical” data plan. Get a Japanese SIM or eSIM instead, turn off data roaming, and remove your home SIM if necessary. You’ll get faster service for a fraction of the price. See our guide to SIMs and eSIMs in Japan.
7. Bringing traveler’s checks or exchanging cash
If you’re thinking about bringing a stack of cash from home to exchange in Japan — or, even worse, traveler’s checks — let me congratulate you on your retro travel style and then strongly advise you not to do it. Just bring a debit card and a credit card. ATMs in Japan are everywhere and work beautifully. If you really insist, bring a small amount of U.S. cash, which you’ll probably end up using in a taxi when you get home. See our guide to getting money in Japan.
Line to pick up Japan Rail Passes at Haneda Airport © Chris Rowthorn.
8. Picking up your rail pass at the airport
Every time I land at Haneda I see the same scene: dozens of jet-lagged travelers standing in long lines to exchange their Japan Rail Pass vouchers. First, many of them don’t even need a rail pass. But more importantly, there is no reason to do this after a long international flight. At Haneda there isn’t even a JR train into central Tokyo. Even at Narita, you’re far better off activating your pass later in the city, when you’re rested and thinking clearly.
Suica card.
9. Not using an IC card
Unless your idea of fun is walking around with two pockets full of jangling coins, get an IC card like Suica or Icoca — either on your phone or as a physical card. With an IC card and a credit card, you may barely need cash at all. IC cards work on trains, buses, convenience stores, vending machines, and countless other places. See our full IC card guide for details.
Getting Around Japan Wrong
This is where small decisions have a big impact on how your trip feels.
10. Waiting in line
When it comes to manners and customs, I usually recommend doing what the locals do. But when it comes to waiting in long lines, I make an exception. Yes, Japanese people sometimes line up for famous shops and restaurants — but as a visitor with limited time, it’s almost never worth it. There is usually something just as good a few minutes away with no line at all. See our full guide to avoiding lines and crowds in Japan.
11. Avoiding taxis on principle
Japan’s public transport is excellent, but that doesn’t mean taxis are a bad idea. In cities like Kyoto and Tokyo there are many trips that are slow and awkward by bus or train but quick and easy by taxi. If you can avoid a 60-minute, multi-transfer journey with a short US$10–15 ride, it’s often money very well spent — especially if you’re tired or carrying luggage. See our full Uber and Taxi Go in Japan guide.
Too much luggage on the shinkansen © Chris Rowthorn.
12. Taking large suitcases
Japan is a country with a mild climate, fantastic shopping, and laundry facilities in most hotels. There is no reason to pack like you’re moving abroad for two years. Travel light, use luggage-forwarding services, and buy anything you’ve forgotten once you arrive. You’ll move more easily, enjoy your days more, and spend less time wrestling bags on trains and stairs. See our full luggage forwarding guide.
Bonus Mistakes That Matter More Than You Think
These don’t always look serious on paper, but in the real world they have a surprisingly big impact on how your trip feels.
Not great for Japan © Mike Rogers.
13. Wearing the wrong shoes
Japan is a walking country. You’ll be on your feet far more than you expect, often on hard pavement, stairs, and uneven temple paths. If your shoes aren’t comfortable, breathable, and already broken in, everything else about your trip will suffer. I’ve seen more days quietly ruined by foot pain than by bad weather or missed trains. See our Japan shoe etiquette page.
Hotel Okura Kyoto win room © Chris Rowthorn.
14. Overlooking Japanese hotel chains
Many travelers fixate on big Western hotel brands or boutique ryokan and miss some of Japan’s best-value accommodation: domestic hotel chains. Brands like Mitsui Garden, Hotel Mystays, Tokyu Stay, and Super Hotel offer clean, efficient, well-located rooms at prices that often beat international chains by a wide margin. They may not look glamorous on Instagram, but they are often exactly what you want at the end of a long day. And if you can spend a little more, I strongly recommend the Hotel Okura chain. See our full guide to Japan’s best hotel chains.
Waterfall on the Osugi-dani hike in Mie-ken © Chris Rowthorn.
15. Never stepping off the beaten track
Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka are wonderful — but some of Japan’s most memorable experiences happen just a short train ride away. Smaller cities, regional towns, and quiet neighborhoods often deliver the food, scenery, and atmosphere people hope to find in the famous places. If you build even a little flexibility into your trip, Japan will usually reward you for it.
More Information
Kyoto Vacation Checklist
- ESSENTIALS – For all the essentials in a brief overview, see my First Time In Kyoto guide
- HOTELS – Check Kyoto accommodation availability on Booking.com and Agoda.com - often you can book with no upfront payment and free cancellation
- BULLET TRAIN – You can buy shinkansen (bullet train) tickets online from Klook - popular routes include Tokyo to Kyoto, Kyoto to Osaka and Kyoto to Tokyo
- WHERE TO STAY – Need tips on where to stay? See my one page guide Where To Stay In Kyoto
- PACKING LIST – See my comprehensive Packing List For Japan
- SIM CARDS – You can buy an eSim to activate in Japan or buy a data-only SIM card online for collection when you arrive at Tokyo's Narita or Haneda Airports or Kansai International Airport. You can also rent an unlimited data pocket wifi router
- FLIGHTS – Compare Japan flight prices and timings to find the best deals
- JAPAN RAIL PASS – If you're making frequent train journeys during your visit, you might save money with Japan Rail Pass – see if it's worth it for you
- TRAVEL INSURANCE – World Nomads offers simple and flexible travel insurance. Buy at home or while traveling and claim online from anywhere in the world
- WANT HELP? – Do you want help planning your trip? Chris Rowthorn and his team of Japan experts at Japan Travel Consulting can help
Kyoto District Map
Click a Kyoto District for detailed info on attractions, places to eat and accommodation
About InsideKyoto.com and Chris Rowthorn
- Chris Rowthorn is the co-founder of InsideKyoto.com and has an unparalleled travel knowledge of Kyoto spanning three decades. Chris has written or commissioned and edited every page on the Inside Kyoto website.
- A former author of Lonely Planet Kyoto and Lonely Planet Japan guidebooks, Chris is also the director of the Kyoto walking tour company Chris Rowthorn Tours, and Japan Travel Consulting, where you can get bespoke travel advice for your Japan trip.
- InsideKyoto.com has been cited by the New York Times and The Times of London, among many other publications and websites.
