Japan travel information
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List of Official Holidays of Japan 2024
This collection of holidays typically falls during the end of April to the first week of May. It can last around 10 to 14 days depending on the year. During this extended holiday, many people will have time off from school or work and will travel or spend time with family and friends.
Golden Week
Starting from the second week of August, many people will travel across the country to visit family. While there aren’t any national holidays during Obon, many people will use their vacation days to take time off work. Obon typically lasts around 9 days.
Obon Festival
National Holidays in Japan
In Japan, there are 16 national holidays each year. If a national holiday falls on a Sunday, it's typically celebrated on the following Monday. Additionally, there are a few times when consecutive holidays occur, creating extended breaks when many people either travel within the country or abroad. The most popular times for domestic travel in Japan are around the New Year, Golden Week in May, and the Obon Festival in August.
Below is a list of Japanese national holidays and noteworthy periods when domestic travel within Japan is at its peak.
Time Zones
Eastern Standard
(+1 for Daylight)
If you are located in: Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, North Carolina, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Michigan, Tennessee, Florida, Indiana and Kentucky.
Japan is 14 Hours ahead
(13 Hours ahead during EDT)
Central Standard
(+1 for Daylight)
If you are located in: Alabama, Arkansas, Illinois, Iowa, Louisiana, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, Oklahoma, and Wisconsin
Or in Partial CST States such as: Florida, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Tennessee, and Texas.
Japan is 15 Hours ahead
(14 Hours ahead during CDT)
Mountain Standard
(+1 for Daylight)
If you are located in: New Mexico, Wyoming, Utah, Colorado, and Montana. Or in Partial MST States such as: Idaho, Oregon, North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Texas, Kansas, and Nevada.
Japan is 16 Hours ahead
(15 Hours ahead during MDT)
Pacific Standard
(+1 for Daylight)
If you are located in: California, Washington, part of Nevada, Oregon, and Idaho
Japan is 17 Hours ahead
(16 Hours ahead during PDT)
Alaska Standard
(+1 for Daylight)
If you are located in: Most parts of Alaska including Anchorage and Juneau
Japan is 18 Hours ahead
(17 Hours ahead during AKDT)
Hawaii-Aleutian
(+1 for Daylight)
If you are located in: Hawaii and the portion of Alaska's Aleutian Islands
Japan is 19 Hours ahead
(Also 19 hours ahead during Summer season)
Currency
The official currency used in Japan is known as the yen (¥/JPY). There are four denominations for bills in Japan: 1,000 yen, 2,000 yen, 5,000 yen, and 10,000 yen, although 2,000 yen bills are rare and seldom used in day-to-day transactions. In 2024, the design of the bills will change for the first time in forty years, so expect to encounter two different versions of each denomination for the foreseeable future.
Foreign currency can be exchanged for Japanese yen at numerous banks, currency exchange shops, and post offices with a Japan Post Bank counter. The most common place to find currency exchange shops is located inside major airports, but they can also be found within some major cities. For those who don't want to bring currency to exchange, withdrawing money from select Japanese ATMs is also an option. Both Japan Post Bank and 7-Eleven ATMs are popular choices to withdraw Japanese yen using a foreign debit card.
*These new bills will begin circulation in July, 2024.
↓ The old bills (below) will also be used until further notice.
Weather
Stretching from north to south and encircled by ocean on all sides, the Japanese archipelago is heavily influenced by seasonal winds and ocean currents that shape its diverse climate, resulting in very distinctive and pronounced seasons for the island nation.
Spring
With relatively warm and comfortable temperatures coupled with beautiful flowers such as cherry blossoms blooming all across the country, spring, from the middle of March until the end of May, is one of the best times of the year to visit Japan. The blooming flowers of spring give way to Japan's rainy season, which usually begins at the beginning of June and extends until late July.
Summer
Once the rainy season comes to an end, the sweltering heat and humidity of the Japanese summer take hold, lasting from the end of July until the end of September. Kyoto, in particular, experiences intense heat during this period, often soaring to around 38℃/100℉ on numerous days. It's crucial to always stay hydrated and to take regular breaks in shaded areas when traveling across Japan during the summer months.
Autumn
As the high temperatures of summer gradually fade, the magnificence of Japan’s autumn colors emerge. From the beginning of October until the end of November, trees across the country undergo a remarkable transformation, painting the mountains and countryside with a mesmerizing array of hues. From radiant golden yellows to fiery oranges and rich, deep reds, the forests of Japan offer a breathtaking spectacle just before settling into their winter slumber.
Winter
During the winter months, lasting from the beginning of December until the first few weeks of March, snow blankets many regions across Japan. The northernmost island of Hokkaido often experiences numerous days of subzero temperatures during this period, with some days plunging as low as -20℃/-4℉. However, despite the frigid temperatures, Hokkaido is Japan's most popular winter destination, with many people visiting the island for its famous powder snow or the spectacular Sapporo Snow Festival, which is held every February and features meticulously carved snow and ice sculptures.
Transportation
Japan’s public transportation is highly praised: local trains, bullet trains (Shinkansen), subways, buses, ferries, and taxis, are available across all of Japan!
Trains and Buses
Japan's public transportation runs on a fixed schedule. Services are usually fewer in the early morning or late at night, with many "last trains" or "last buses" departing around 10 pm to 1 am, depending on the location. Apart from special services on New Year's Eve, public transportation is not available 24 hours in any city.
Taxi
Taxis are found in big cities across Japan, with availability and ease of use differing based on a multitude of factors. Many taxis will only accept cash, so it is always recommended to ask the driver if they take credit cards before entering their vehicle. When you approach a taxi, the driver will automatically open the back seat doors and then close them when you are inside, so please do not manually open or shut the doors unless you are sitting in the front passenger seat. Outside of major cities, it might be difficult to find a taxi without having someone call for you. Ridesharing services, like Uber, have unique restrictions in Japan compared to other countries that limit them as a reliable option for getting around quickly and smoothly.
Bullet Train (Shinkansen)
Japan's high-speed railway system is one of the finest in the world. With direct and quick access to major city centers, it is often much more convenient and cost-effective to take the bullet train to your next destination rather than flying.
Please note that the bullet train only makes brief stops at stations along its route, so be prepared to board or disembark promptly when it arrives. If you require special assistance, please inform the station staff in advance. Additionally, due to the limited space for luggage on the bullet train, we recommend forwarding your large luggage to your next destination rather than bringing it on the train. For passengers with oversized luggage measuring between 160 cm and 250 cm, seat reservations are required.
For more information about bringing luggage on the bullet train, please use the following link:
Manners and Customs in Japan
How to enjoy the ONSEN
(Hot Springs)!
While attitudes toward tattoos have been evolving, many hot springs and public baths still enforce a "no tattoos allowed" policy. Although this stance and its enforcement have softened somewhat over time, it still remains the official policy in many areas. Therefore, if you have concerns about this policy, we recommend researching private options or facilities that allow people with tattoos to use their baths.
Before entering a communal bathing area, it is necessary to disrobe completely and rinse your entire body with hot water. Changing rooms and shower facilities are provided at hot springs and public baths for this purpose; wearing a bathing suit in the baths is not permitted. These facilities are stocked with body soap and shampoo for your convenience, but make sure to thoroughly rinse any trace of soap and shampoo from your body before entering the baths.
Visit to Shrines and Temples
Shrines and temples are sacred places in Japanese society, so please make sure to follow the rules when you visit. This includes talking in a low voice and not taking pictures of certain statues and objects considered sacred. Furthermore, as you may be asked to take off your shoes, please wear socks or tights with your footwear to avoid walking barefoot inside buildings.
Before you enter the gateway of a shrine or temple, you should bow in respect. Also, be careful to avoid walking in the middle of any walkway at a Shinto shrine gate (torii) or Buddhist temple. The middle of the path is reserved for the gods. After you enter the gate, many shrines will have an area where you can purify yourself by washing your mouth and hands before approaching the main shrine (honden).
Restaurants and Cafes
It is important to know that some restaurants and cafes may charge a table/seat fee. This often appears in the form of an appetizer called an "otoshi" that will be served automatically without you ordering it. Additionally, it's common not to have a dedicated server assigned to your table; if you need to get a server's attention, you may need to raise your hand, press a button on the table, or call them over using the phrase “sumimasen” whenever you would like to order or ask a question.
It's worth noting that the vast majority of restaurants will refuse to let you take leftovers home due to safety concerns. However, given the smaller portion sizes compared to those in the US, there's often little to no food remaining after a meal. After you are finished eating, you will usually need to pay the bill at a cashier's counter rather than at your table.
Tipping
In general, tipping isn't customary in Japanese culture as Japanese hospitality, known as omotenashi, already places significant emphasis on providing exceptional service without the expectation of additional compensation. However, with the rise of international tourism in Japan over the past two decades, many visitors from abroad have begun tipping guides for excellent service. While tipping guides isn't required, a substantial majority of travelers now partake in this practice. Apart from this exception, there's no customary tipping culture for servers, porters, taxi drivers, or other service providers as might be expected in other countries.
Dial 119
For serious injuries or illnesses requiring an ambulance and/or immediate medical attention.
Dial 110
For incidents such as theft or loss of an item and/or accidents requiring police assistance.
Dial 118
For incidents at sea, such as rescue or evacuation, that require assistance from the coast guard.
Emergency (Illness / Accidents)
Connectivity
and other services
Starting from wireless connections to daily consumables, these are the things that you should know
Electrical Outlet Adapter
Japan utilizes 100-volt outlets, so an A-type plug adapter may be necessary to convert the voltage for some electronic devices manufactured outside of Japan. The most common devices reported by travelers from America to Japan to have this issue are hair dryers. While both the United States and Japan feature A-type outlets, some devices manufactured for American consumers, especially laptops, utilize a 3-pronged plug instead of a 2-pronged plug, rendering them incompatible with Japanese outlets without an adapter. On the other hand, Japanese plugs are uniform in size and can be used in American outlets, though the difference in voltage may cause problems with some devices.
Drinking Water
Tap water is safe to drink in Japan. Bottled water is also readily available for roughly 110-200 yen at convenience stores and vending machines throughout the country.
Wi-Fi and SIM Cards
While in recent years more places in Japan are starting to offer free Wi-Fi, it is often either mostly unreliable or requires a specific phone app or pre-registration in order to access it. Therefore, if you plan to regularly use the internet outside of your hotel, we recommend renting a portable Wi-Fi device for your time in Japan.
SIM cards are also available for purchase at major international airports inside Japan. However, not every SIM card will work with every smartphone, so please do your own research before deciding this method is the right option for you.
Convenience Stores (Konbini)
Convenience stores (konbini) are everywhere in Japan, with many being open 24 hours. They offer a wide variety of products, including food, drinks, alcohol, prepared meals, stationery, daily necessities, over-the-counter medicine, and clothes like socks and underwear. It is an understatement to say that they are convenient to have around. Staff members will offer helpful services unique to Japan. For example, if you purchase food such as a bento box or a rice ball (onigiri), they will ask, “Would you like this warmed up?” Just say, “Yes, please,” and they will gladly heat it up for you.
Travel Insurance
Whether you're planning an educational trip to Shizuoka Prefecture or a backcountry skiing vacation in the powder snow paradise of Niseko, we strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance to be able to spend your time in Japan with peace of mind. A wide range of plans are available, providing coverage for delays, baggage loss or theft, medical emergencies, rescues or evacuations, and a host of other potential issues. For assistance with purchasing travel insurance, please consult your travel designer or visit our preferred supplier, Travelex, for more information.
