11 Biggest Mistakes People Make When Visiting Japan (Learn From My Chaos)
After spending two weeks running around Japan, I realized there are a few VERY avoidable mistakes people make on their first trip here. Some of these I learned the hard way, some came from watching other tourists spiral in real time, and a few came from friends who visited in other seasons and warned me ahead of time.Here are the mistakes you do not want to make on your Japan trip.Hoshinoya Fuji in autumn1. Not Resting At Mount Fuji After TokyoTokyo is a sensory explosion. I loved every second of it, but it is a lot. We actually did slow down at Mount Fuji and I am so glad we did, because my friends who skipped Fuji and went straight to Kyoto were wrecked. Like, “I need a nap and a foot massage and maybe a new soul” level exhausted.Fuji is the perfect reset button after Tokyo. The air feels different, the pace feels different. Staying at HOSHINOYA Fuji felt like someone finally turned the volume down on the entire trip. I sat on our terrace staring at a full view of Mt. Fuji, soaking in the quiet, and thinking, “Oh, THIS is what my brain needed.”If you plan to visit the Chureito Pagoda, Aokigahara lava fields, or take the Lake Kawaguchi ropeway, give yourself at least one full rest day. Don’t treat Fuji like a quick stopover. Sit in an onsen, drink tea on a balcony, hike slowly, and let your body recalibrate before diving into Kyoto’s temples, stairs, and crowds.Skipping this pause is a mistake I see people make all the time. Build the buffer. You’ll enjoy the rest of your trip way more.2. Not Looking UpThis is one of Japan’s great quirks. So many restaurants, bars, themed cafes, and little hidden izakayas are above street level, like way above. The best spots are often on the third or fourth floor of random buildings with a tiny sign by the door. Most tourists stick to what’s on street level and miss out.In Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka, I kept walking past entire restaurant rows until I finally remembered to glance upward. If a building looks boring at street level, look higher. The magic is often upstairs.That’s how we found Bar Shimon 志門 in Kyoto, a cozy spot tourists usually miss but had everything we were looking for (great cocktails, friendly bartender, old-world Japan feel).Tokyo in Autumn3. Not Making Reservations (Especially With Groups)Japan is very reservation-friendly but there’s also millions of people vying for the same reservations. Anything over two people instantly becomes trickier and we would often have to go at opening time to get a seat or try a few restaurants before we could find something that could fit us.Make reservations on Tabelog if you can. Your group trip will run so much smoother, especially in places like Shinjuku, Shibuya, and Gion where tables disappear fast.4. Not Carrying Enough CashJapan loves cash. Even in Tokyo, temples, shrines, markets, and small restaurants often only take yen. I made sure to keep yen and a debit card ready since a lot of ATMs do not love foreign credit cards. Convenience stores like 7-Eleven have the best exchange rate, so grab cash there before heading out for the day.Also note: lockers, ramen machines, shrine admissions, and some vending machines require cash.5. Not Booking Reserved Train SeatsYes, Japan’s trains are incredible. Yes, you can technically ride without a reserved seat. But if you do not want to stand for hours, book reserved seats ahead of time. I saw entire groups forced to stand from Tokyo to Fuji because all non-reserved seats were full.When we traveled between cities, having a reserved seat made everything so much calmer. If you want the Fuji side on the Shinkansen between Tokyo and Kyoto, book that too.Wandering Tokyo6. Not Wearing Comfortable SneakersJapan is a step-heavy trip. I averaged entire marathons without trying. This is not the moment for cute-but-unforgiving shoes. I brought my Gola sneakers and my Merrells, and both saved my feet. You will walk through shrines, parks, train stations, gardens, and stairs that go up to infinity.Wear real shoes. Your body will thank you.7. Not Realizing People Can Smoke In Some BarsIf you have asthma or smoke sensitivity, prepare yourself. There are still bars and small izakayas that allow indoor smoking. I was not ready and it honestly was one of my least favorite parts of traveling in Japan.I would open the door, get hit with a wall of smoke, and immediately nope back out. If you are sensitive to smoke, double-check before settling in and bring your inhaler with you everywhere.8. Forgetting To Bring Your Own TotebagJapan is super eco-conscious, and most stores charge for bags. Bringing your own totebag makes life so much easier for shopping, souvenirs, and those late-night konbini runs. Since I’m a Californian, where plastic bags have been an extra charge for years, I had a huge stack to choose from on my trip.I kept my totebag folded up in my purse and reached for it constantly. It saves plastic and feels very “I have my life together,” which is the energy I like to bring to a foreign country.Plus, you will constantly have to hold your trash until you can find a bin since public trash cans aren’t a thing in Japan.9. Forgetting Socks (Because You Will Take Your Shoes Off Constantly)Temples, shrines, ryokans, traditional restaurants… Japan is a shoes-off society. If you show up barefoot, you will feel like an unhinged gremlin and may not be allowed inside.Since we visited in the fall, it wasn’t a problem as we already wore socks but if you’re visiting in warm months, carry socks in your bag. You’ll use them daily.10. Showing Up To Popular Places At Normal Tourist HoursJapan wakes up slowly. Most shops in Tokyo and Kyoto do not open until 10 or 11 AM, so walking around Shinjuku at 11:30 AM felt like I had accidentally shown up before the city clocked in.But the tourist sites are the complete opposite.Fushimi Inari, Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, and the Chureito Pagoda are already packed by 9 AM. If you want any quiet moments or unobstructed photos, you have to go early early or go at night.11. Packing Way Too MuchEveryone told me, “You’re going to want to buy a suitcase in Japan for souvenirs,” and I nodded politely while absolutely not believing them. Cut to me in Kyoto, staring at my overstuffed luggage and wondering how many mochi, ceramics, and gachapon capsules one person can realistically carry home before TSA stages an intervention.Japan is a shopping trap in the best way. You will buy things. You will buy more things. And then you will buy things you didn’t even know existed.I really wish I had packed lighter. I should have brought fewer outfits, trusted that I didn’t need five “just in case” tops, and loaded up my Cadence Capsules instead of full-size toiletries. They save so much space and would have given me room for all the fun stuff I hauled back.Pack less than you think you need. Your future suitcase space will thank you.Fuji in autumn(Kara Harms)Japan is one of the most magical places I have ever traveled to, but it is also a place where the smallest details can make or break your day. A little planning, a little cultural awareness, and a pair of sneakers that actually support your arches go a long way here.If you avoid these mistakes, you will have a smoother, calmer, far less chaotic trip than most first-timers. You will eat better, walk easier, get into more restaurants, see the peaceful side of iconic spots, and actually enjoy the journey instead of white-knuckling your way through it.Japan rewards people who are respectful, look up, and plan ahead just a bit. Do that, and your trip will feel so much more magical.
