There were a lot of things that surprised me during my trip to Japan.
I went to Japan for the first time in the US and it was surprising.
In Japan, eating and drinking on the subway is not normal.
Smoking laws in the US are more strict than those in Japan.
In some parts of the US, there is more free public wi-fi.
You might want to consider renting pocket wi-fi.
If you don't have an international phone plan in Japan, you can get internet access for free if you have free wi-fi. I rented a pocket wi-fi in Japan.
A pocket wi-fi device is a handheld device with enough juice to power several phones and even a laptop or two. I was able to use data on two phones and a laptop with one pocket wi-fi.
I picked up the one I rented online at the airport and dropped it off on my way home. The cost for a 10 day trip was $55.
The smoking laws in the US are more laid back.
The smoking laws in the US are not as strict as those in the UK.
Smoke-free laws in the US generally prohibit people from smoking indoors. I was surprised to see people smoking in restaurants and bars in Japan.
Smoking laws in the US are more strict than in Japan, so it's important to research smoke-free restaurants in your area.
Tipping is not necessary.
It can sometimes be considered rude.
Japan does not participate in the tipping culture. It can be considered rude to tip your server.
There are often a table charge, a cover charge, or a mandatory appetizer fee when you aren't expected to tip.
If the restaurant sets a small appetizer on the table that you didn't pay for, you should expect a table fee on your bill. The table fees I was billed were less than $3. I usually didn't pay a table fee at casual lunch spots like ramen shops.
In Japan, there are very few public trash cans.
People hold onto their trash until they find a trash can.
Even though Japan is one of the cleanest countries I've ever visited, I didn't see a lot of public trash cans. People seem to hold onto their trash until they can dump it at home, at a subway station, or at a coffee shop.
I used to travel with a small plastic bag in my purse or backpack to collect the trash I accumulated.
Taxis are expensive and not popular during the day.
The subways stop at midnight.
In Japan, the public transportation is very efficient and broad. Most people don't take taxis during the day.
The cost of a taxi in New York is higher than in the US because the subways stop at midnight. I took a two-minute taxi ride in Kyoto and it cost almost $9.
Japan-Guide says the taxi meter starts at 400 to 700 yen, which is $3 to $6. Taxi fares in New York City start at $3.30
It's hard to find over-the-counter medicine in Japan.
It is not sold in gas stations in the US.
If you're not confident with your translation skills, I suggest you stock up on your favorite cold medicine, sleeping aids, and CSDs before you leave the US.
Ibuprofen and acetaminophen can only be purchased at the pharmacy, unlike in America where you can buy them at a gas station or vending machine.
Multiple private companies own the subway.
Not every line is owned by the same company.
The subway is one of the fastest ways to travel and I fell in love with its efficiency. It can be a bit confusing for someone who isn't from Japan.
Japan Railways, Tokyo Metro, and Toei Subway are some of the companies that operate the Tokyo subway system.
The IC card works on any rail line, so buying one and loading it up as you go is the most convenient option.
If you switch between rail companies, you may have to buy separate tickets for each transfer. If you have an IC card, you can mix and match rail lines in any subway station, and you won't even notice when you switch rail companies.
There are women in the subway.
It is a good choice for solo travelers.
The Tokyo subway system made women-only subway cars on early morning and late-night rides to protect women from sexual harassment. The cars can be found by following the signs.
The Japan Rail Pass isn't a great deal for everyone, so you want to plan out your trip before you buy it.
The Japan Rail Pass needs to be pre-ordered.
If you book a flight or hotel online, you will see internet ads for something called the Japan Rail Pass. You can ride on any Japan Rail lines with this train pass.
Pre-ordering the JR Pass is necessary before you arrive in Japan. If you're planning to take at least two cross-country train rides, you should only buy this unlimited pass if you're going for a seven-day trip.
The only time I rode a JR train was to get from Tokyo to Kyoto and then to the airport, which cost roughly $145. I would have spent more money if I had purchased the JR pass.
If you're planning a cross-country trip by train and want to see several Japanese cities, then a JR Pass could be a great deal.
People don't seem to eat or drink on the subway.
People don't talk on the phone.
The Japanese subways were some of the quietest and cleanest I've ever experienced, and it might be because riders followed the rules.
I noticed that no one was drinking or eating on the subway. Nobody was using their phone. The subway was a pleasant experience.
Eating and walking are seen as being inconsiderate by many.
Street food shouldn't be eaten on the street.
It can be seen as rude to walk while eating.
Nishiki Market in Kyoto sells street food but still has signs warning you against walking while eating, so most people grab their street food and then consume it while standing outside of the vendor they purchased it from.
Hotel fees can appear on your bill.
They are sometimes referred to as an "accommodation tax".
I'm used to hidden resort fees at hotels in the US, but I was surprised to learn about a per person, per night additional fee paid directly to the hotel in Japan.
This tax is added to the normal city tax and hotel fees. It wasn't a huge burden, but it's something to budget for since it's not usually listed on international booking sites.
If you want to do tax-free shopping, you'll need a passport.
You will definitely want to be careful not to lose your passport.
Most mall stores offer tax-exempt shopping for tourists, but you have to have your passport with you to take advantage of it.
You should keep a copy of your passport in your hotel's safe and keep your passport on your person. You never know when you might stop to shop.
When I made tax-free purchases, the sales clerk stapled my receipt into my passport and I gave it to customs at the airport.
The original article is on Insider.
