@kylie.nbt: Planning your first trip to Japan? I've been three times — and I made almost every one of these mistakes on trip number one. Here's what I wish someone had told me before I booked. The biggest money mistake: the direct flight. Everyone books it, everyone overpays. Direct from Europe runs $1,200–1,300. A stopover via China or Korea? $500–600 round trip. Same Japan, just two hours at an airport. And while you're at it — land at Haneda, not Narita. Narita is 1h30 from Tokyo and costs $15+ just to get into the city. Haneda is 25 minutes by metro. Next: the JR Pass. It's sold as the must-have for Japan travel, but the math doesn't add up anymore. A 7-day pass costs ¥50,000. A return Shinkansen Tokyo to Kyoto is ¥28,000. For most itineraries, a Suica card covers everything you need and saves you ¥22,000. Don't stay in the tourist zones. Shibuya and Shinjuku hotels run €100/night for a room you can barely turn around in. Move one subway stop — Ikebukuro, Nippori, Shimokitazawa — and you get twice the space for half the price. Here's one that catches everyone: Japan is still very much a cash country. Local restaurants, temples, smaller shops — cash only. Carry ¥10,000–20,000 daily. The 7-Eleven and Lawson ATMs work around the clock; the ones at train stations often don't. On connectivity: not all eSIMs work in Japan the way you'd expect. Popular options like Airalo, Holafly, and Ubigi sometimes route traffic through countries where TikTok is restricted. You land, open the app, and it's blocked — same with some banking apps. I switched to a Japan-specific eSIM and never had the issue again. It activates before you board, costs a fraction of pocket WiFi, and there are zero restrictions. Best Japan eSIM link in bio. And the cultural side nobody puts in travel guides: tipping is considered offensive — staff will run after you thinking you left your change behind. Eating while walking is rude. Talking on the train, even on the phone, is frowned upon. Small things that make a big difference. Save this post, send it to whoever's planning Japan, and follow for more. 🇯🇵 #esimjapan #japantravel #japantips #japanmistakes #japantrip

Kylie

Open In TikTok:

Region: FR

Thursday 26 March 2026 19:41:47 GMT