First-Timer’s Guide to Traveling Japan in 14 Days
Last Updated on November 6, 2024 by Erin Donahue
It seems like everyone and their mother are traveling to Japan, myself included. If you’re planning a trip to Japan and have 14 days to explore, you’re in for a treat! Be warned though: this doesn’t even scratch the surface. Japan has so much to see and do that you need a long time to travel there or fly back for multiple trips.
Whether you’re interested in exploring the rich history and culture of Japan, eat their delicious food, or just want to take in the beautiful views, there’s something for everyone. If you’re planning your first trip to Japan and aren’t sure where to start, this 14-day itinerary through Tokyo, Fukuoka, and Nagasaki is a great place to begin!
Disclosure: Some links on this page may be affiliate links. This means that I may earn a small commission if you decide to buy (at no additional cost to you).
Country #20: Japan
In the travel community, there’s often a sense of competition around how many countries one has visited. While I understand the appeal, I find this attitude rather pompous and privileged. Initially, I didn’t keep score of the countries I’d been to, but after a while, curiosity got the better of me. As it turns out, travel has quite literally been in my blood from the very beginning. My mom tells me I took my first plane ride when I was just six months old, as she brought me to Taiwan for the first time – I was in the sky before I even learned how to walk. At eight years old, I flew by myself for the first time, from Florida to New Jersey. As a product of a bi-racial family, travel has always been a part of my life. Despite this, I was surprised to learn that I’ve only been to 20 countries as of this article, which accounts for approximately 8% of the world.
Flight cost breakdown
For my recent trip to Japan, I decided to revisit the country as an adult, having technically been there as a baby. The flight itinerary from Taiwan was with China Airlines, with a multi-city trip from Taipei to Tokyo Narita (NRT), and then from Fukuoka to Taipei, costing $548.67. For the first leg to Tokyo, I opted for basic economy, which included one checked bag up to 50 lbs. On the return to Taipei, I traveled with my mom, so we upgraded to Standard Economy, allowing us two checked bags of up to 50 lbs each. Between Tokyo and Fukuoka, I had initially considered taking one of Japan’s famed Shinkansen bullet trains. However, at around $150-165 and a five-hour journey, I ultimately decided against it. Instead, I opted for a budget airline like Skymark Air, which cost less than $100, or 9,638 miles via the Capital One Travel Portal, and took only two hours by air. Additionally, unlike budget airlines in the US, checked bags within certain dimensions were included in the fare. While not the best use of my points, it was a no-brainer decision.
Things to know about traveling in Japan
Currency
Bring plenty of cash! A lot of places, especially restaurants only accept cash. When traveling, it’s wise to have a separate debit card specific for travel and can be converted at the atm. By having a separate travel debit card you avoid the potential of theft should it potentially get stolen. Additionally, always choose the local currency to get the best conversion fee!
Is There Tipping Culture?
Tipping is not custom for service in Japan in places like restaurants, bars, taxis, airports and hotels.
Access to public bathrooms
No joke, the toilet situation was what I was looking forward to the most in Japan. There’s access to public bathrooms everywhere, and almost everywhere has a bidet installed. It feels very hygenic, and what a developed country should be providing. I think toilet culture in the US is absolutely disgusting, and I wish bidets were more popular here. We can’t even get access to public bathrooms in New York City, so hopes aren’t high.
While in Tokyo, I experienced my first Japanese earthquake, and let’s just say I was literally in the most inconvenient of places to be in the middle of an earthquake. If it was a higher magnitude I’d be SOL, no pun intended. Definitely a core memory now!
Observations from a foreigner
There are no stairs when you need them, only an elevator, and then there’s some places like the metro entrance/exit that have no elevators and only stairs.
People get on buses from the back entrance and have to go out the front to pay. I find this incredibly inefficient because people have to wait in line on the bus as each person pays one by one. It’s quite the departure from the U.S. where we pay first to get on and just hop off.
Helpful Japanese phrases to know
- Do you have an English menu: eigo menu arimasca
- One more please: okawari arimasca
- In a cab say “Koko made onegai shimasu” (please take me to this address)
- When you see your destination and want to get out, you can tell the driver “Koko de oroshite kudasai” (I would like to get out here, please). “Koko de ii desu” (Here is fine) also works.
Watch on YouTube
To keep up to date with everything I share, follow along on my social media and read up on what camera gear I use when I travel.