My Top 10 Tips For Japan!

1.  Be ready to use Cash

It’s always good to carry cash with you in Japan and you should have some to take with you before you arrive. And although you can use tap-to-pay and credit cards, there are places that only accept cash so you should always have it.

2.  Getting an IC card or Suica

For iPhone users adding a Suica to your wallet is a game changer. Not only does it make taking the train easy, but you can also use it at a lot of convenience stores and other establishments. You can also use it to take the Shinkansen (bullet train) through the Shinkansen app.

3.  Learning Japanese

You don’t have to be fluent in Japanese but knowing basic phrases and words would be very helpful. Not only will it help prevent misunderstandings, but it will help you to be respectful which goes a long way in Japan.

4.  Knowing the dos and don’ts before you go

Do your research and understand the cultural and societal rules before you go. You want to avoid being disrespectful and it’s just a common courtesy as you are in a different country. Often in Japan when respect is given it will be given back.

5.  Getting an E Sim or Pocket Wi-Fi

Places will often have free Wi-Fi, especially malls and cafés, but when you are trying to search direction or need to look something up you need internet. I used an E Sim app called “Ubigi” which was very easy and had monthly plans. Pocket Wi-Fi’s are also an option, but you have to make sure they are constantly charged, and you have to avoid losing it.

6.  Japanese Phone Number and Bank Account

It’s different depending on your circumstance but you don’t really need either. For the Japanese bank accounts, it depends on scholarships from Japan or if you plan on working. But for the phone number it isn’t a necessity, but it is helpful for making reservations for places since you need to call. In that case you can make friends with someone who has a Japanese phone number.

7.  Under pack your suitcase

A lot of the necessities you’ll need is in Japan and is worth waiting to buy it all in Japan. It is often cheaper, and it saves the hassle of carrying your heavy luggage from the airport to your dorm. Clothes especially, you’ll end up buying a lot of clothes in Japan since they are so cheap and you don’t want to run out of room in your suitcase when you return home.

8.  Get out of your comfort zone

Studying in another country as a student can be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and you have to make the most of it. Do your best to go out of your way to make friends, whether it be Japanese or international students. Japan can be fun alone, but making friends with people in different countries gives you connections to different parts of the world.

9.  Japan Ward Office and Paperwork

If you are in an international dorm they will usually coordinate and help you get through your paperwork when you arrive. But if you rent your own place you have to go to the ward office on your own. Just make sure you do all your paperwork and if you have questions, they are pretty helpful and understand if you can’t speak Japanese since you are an exchange student.

10.  Enjoy it and don’t take time for granted!

Whether you are going to be there for one semester or a year do not take the time for granted. In the beginning you might think that you have a whole three or two months left, but as it gets closer to the end, you’ll realize you don’t have that much time. It really does go by fast, so make sure to enjoy every second and make it worth it!