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The original was posted on /r/japantravel by /u/Pyrodraconic on 2025-02-21 14:12:47+00:00.
An the end of October 2024, I returned from what was, at the time, the best trip I’d ever taken. I never could’ve imagined that merely 2 months later, I’d be heading back to Japan, for twice as long. Over these last two months in Japan, I’ve learned a lot, and I would like to share some tips that aren’t often about (and it took me three trips in Japan to figure them out!), and also share some personal experiences, both good and bad.
You can check my previous trip report for more basic tips if you’d like.
Contents
Disclaimer*: This post is going to be pretty long, and some details may be irrelevant or too specific for first-timers, hence the title.*
Background - Basic structure of the trip.
- Tokyo’s Subway System - A deeper dive into Tokyo’s Metro.
- Winter in Japan - Some tips on how to survive and what not to miss in the winter.
- Low Season - What’s it like to travel during the off-season.
- Favorites - A fun little section of where I share some of my personal favorites.
- Personal Experiences - The highs and the lows.
- Rude Tourists - Don’t act like these ones.
- Random Tips - Curious about why Japanese people fold napkins at restaurants? Read on.
- Final Thoughts & A Personal Note.
Background
I’m 24M and I traveled alone. I stayed in an apartment in Sumida-ku in Tokyo for ~2 months - January and February. I also traveled to Fujikawaguchiko, Kamakura & Enoshima, Yokohama, Kanazawa, Shirakawago, Takayama, Sapporo, Kyoto and Osaka (in that order). I decided to skip Nikko, Hakone and Nara, all of which I’d already been to in the autumn.
I divided my trip into two halves. For the first part, I stayed in Tokyo with no excursions. I wanted to experience the city more like a local. I didn’t plan much in advance and tried to save money wherever I could. The second half was the complete opposite - I traveled all over Japan: Kanto, Chubu, Hokkaido, and Kansai. I booked accommodations in advance and meticulously planned every itinerary. This part was definitely pricier than my time in Tokyo.
- Tokyo’s Subway System ========================
I used Tokyo’s subway system every single day, multiple times a day. I became so familiar with it that I stopped using Google Maps most of the time (okay, sometimes). I could go on for hours about how efficient and impressive the system is (and I may or may not have consequently purchased a picture of Tokyo’s subway map to hang on my bedroom’s wall), but here are a few important things I learned:
1a) Underground Connectivity: Some stations in Tokyo are not fully connected underground. In many cases, you would have to go above ground to the street to transfer to another line. This is almost always true when transferring between JR lines and subway lines; but it’s sometimes true even when both lines are subway lines. The exit (or entrance) you go through is also crucial.
1b) Subway Path Optimization: Google Maps usually does a good job, but it doesn’t always give you the most efficient route. For example, it sometimes assumes you walk at an average pace, so you might not make it in time for your transfer. More importantly, if you’re using an unlimited metro pass, it’s better to take two subway lines (which would be free) than a single JR line (which would cost extra). The subway map is pretty easy to read, so you can figure it out on your own.
1c) General Etiquette: On escalators, stand on the left. If you must walk, do it on the right side, but ideally avoid it altogether. During rush hour, people might walk on both sides. On platforms, stand behind the yellow/white lines and always let people get off the train first before you board. Keep your backpack in front of you, and try to hug it tightly. If it’s crowded on the train and you’re standing by the door, step outside briefly to let people off, then go back on. And please avoid talking, eating, or littering on the train.
- Winter in Japan ==================
I come from a hot country where it almost never drops below 15°C (60°F), let alone snow, and I had never traveled in the winter before. I’d been worried and anxious about too many things: What would I wear? What if I’m too sensitive to the cold? How do I deal with snow? Etc.
I came prepared: I wore two layers + a down jacket, warm socks, a beanie, a scarf and gloves. I went to Uniqlo on my very first day in Japan and bought (thermal) Heat-Tech undershirt & underpants. I also bought quite expensive snow boots. And yet, on the first two days I was freezing, yes even during the day. I actually suffered, to the point that I was actually considering going back home (such a drama queen…). And the funny thing is, it was merely around 6°C (43°F) during the day.
But the good news is - I’m here to tell you that your body most definitely adjusts. After just a few days, I stopped wearing my warm socks, gloves, beanie and scarf, and during the day I didn’t even have my coat on. The temperatures in Takayama, Shirakawago and Sapporo were much lower: around -2°C (28°F) during the day and -6°C (21°F) at nights & early mornings, and I wore the same stuff. I’ve actually never used the Heat Tech stuff I bought from Uniqlo.
That said, there were still particularly cold days, so here are some tips for dealing with winter in Japan:
2a) Heat Packs (Kairo): You can buy these in department stores and conbinis (I got mine at Matsumoto Kiyoshi). They stay warm for hours and are a lifesaver on chilly days. Just shake them a few times to get them going, and trust me, warm hands feel amazing.
2b) Hot Drinks: Do yourself a favor and buy a bottle of hot cocoa from any vending machine (or conbini) in the morning. It can serve as a short-lasting kairo, and you also feel quite nice and warm after drinking it (oh, and it’s tasty!).
2c) Neck Gaiters: I absolutely hated my scarf. It was itchy and it didn’t actually make me feel warm. So I bought a neck gaiter from Amazon - it worked wonders. Out of all the winter gear that I got, this was definitely the best piece.
2d) Do NOT Underestimate Ground Ice: I very stupidly forgot my snow boots in Tokyo when I went to Chubu and it was bad. I can proudly say that I’ve never actually slipped*, but I was very close to that many, many times. I was extra cautious because of that and walked super slowly. The ice on the ground (that looks like snow, actually) is incredibly slippery and dangerous. Get boots with a good grip, not just for the sake of warmth, but to protect yourself from falling.
\Update: writing this from Sapporo, I did actually slip. Twice.)
2e) Wear Layers: Places indoors are usually heated, especially the suwbay stations (and the train itself, of course). Trust me, you do not want to stand there squished between dozens of people with your heavy coat on. Make sure you wear layers that you can always take off when you feel too hot.
2f) Dryness: The winter in Japan is very dry, so expect your skin, eyes, etc to get dry. To be honest, I don’t really know how to deal with that, I just dealt with the effects. Use the proper skin products and maybe get some eye drops.
2g) Sunsets: The skies in Tokyo never seemed to have a single cloud. They were clear, bright and gorgeous throughout the entire time I was there (which is not a novelty in the winter in Tokyo). I have stunning & unfiltered pictures of sunsets that I took that could definitely be the best pictures I took the entire trip. I found the sunsets to be most beautiful at Odaiba for obvious reasons.
2h) Global Warming: Due to global warming, the winter is shorter, and most importantly, there’s much less snow. I talked to an old man in Kanazawa who’s lived there his entire life and he told me that they see less and less snow every year. Global warming also means that blossoms occur earlier - both cherry (Sakura) and more importantly (since it’s a late winter blossom) the Japanese plum ‘Ume’.
2i) Greenery: Take into consideration that most trees are bare and gardens are just generally grayer. I think they’re beautiful either way.
P.S. - I had an umbrella in my backpack during the entire trip and I’ve never used it, not even once. It’s not a coincidence since the winter is the driest season in Japan (in my country it’s the wettest), but even when it rained on some days, my coat’s hood did the trick.
- Low Season =============
I visited Japan in October last year, during the high season. It was very touristy because of the nice weather, Halloween-themed spots, and beautiful autumn leaves. This time, I visited in winter, which is considered the low season. January, in particular, is the least touristy month of the year.
I most certainly felt and enjoyed that difference. I can safely say that the number of tourists from October at least doubled the number of tourists I saw this winter. It was much easier to get reservations to restaurants and attractions, and the streets felt calmer overall.
I will say that quite abruptly, on February 1st, I felt like the crowds doubled in size, and it stayed that way through February. It’s not a surprise, since February is warmer and generally prettier than January (in Tokyo, at least). And don’t get me wrong though. T…
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