A few things I wish I knew before visiting Japan

Having every bit of information you can get before you leave on any international trip is important. These were a few things I wish I had known before I packed my bag and headed to Japan all the way back in 2017 (and even again in 2019).

Not always busy – Anytime you see a picture of Tokyo, it is always packed and busy. While Japan is usually busy (especially in the cities), after it hits midnight, Tokyo and sprawling streets streets of Japan are usually very quiet. Most people are either home or making their way home after that last train leaves the station. Even if you are an early riser like I can be, you will still find some quiet streets depending on where you go. It’s fun to see the quiet streets because it is so different than what you see in movies and TV.

Are your legs ready? – If you think you are in shape, you may find out the hard way you’re not quite as fit as you think. Between all of the hills and stairs that make up Tokyo and the rest of Japan, it will challenge your legs and stamina. After a few days, you will probably be quite tired and sore, so keep this in mind when you prepare for a Japan trip. Make sure you are in shape or are prepared to take breaks. Make sure to take care of your feet and legs at the end of each day if you want to keep your trip going and pain free. Wear good shoes too!

Learn some Japanese – Try to learn some Japanese before you leave for Japan, it’s as simple as that. I thought I knew enough to get by back in 2017, but once I got to Japan I learned I had no idea how to converse with locals on the daily. Yes, some may know English, but don’t expect people to know the language which makes getting around (if you are lost) that much harder. Not knowing enough Japanese was all on me as well, I just didn’t study and practice enough so take some advice and do more than a few Duolingo lessons.

Try new foods – Try new foods, don’t be nervous if you aren’t really sure what that sauce is or what kind of food you are eating, it will be amazing. I have tried a lot of different foods while exploring Japan, foods I never thought I would have ever put on my plate, but after a few trips over there, there are so many foods I am glad I have tried. So break away from your normal routine of hamburgers and fried foods and live a little. I never thought that I would like chicken gizzards or other strange meals, but I quickly learned they are amazing.

Don’t be afraid – I was really nervous the first time when I traveled to Japan, it was the first time I had ever traveled outside of the country. I was nervous about everything, I wasn’t even sure I could get on the plane and rightly so. Just look at the bustling streets and the swarm of humanity, it is intimidating. But I got on that plane and have been forever glad I did. The key to dealing with the anxiety and fear is to relax, take a breath, and trust your research that you have done on where you are headed. It won’t be that scary once the plane lands, you just have to take that first step and trust in yourself that you can make it happen.