Japan 2026: The Guide You NEED Before Going (apps, money, routes)

Smoke-free Japan: what no one tells you before you go

Did you know that in Japan 80% of ATMs DO NOT accept foreign cards? That the trains leave so punctually that if you arrive 30 seconds late, you missed the train. That there are restaurants where you can't order if you don't know how to use the ticket dispensing machine.

Japan is amazing, but if you don't prepare, you're going to suffer. This guide is what I would have liked to know before my first trip.

What we cover

• Money: Where to get cash, what cards work, how much you will actually spend
• Apps: The 12 apps you need YES or YES (with tutorials)
• Connectivity: eSIM step by step, free WiFi where to find it
• Cities: Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka — real routes, not Pinterest

Key information

Japan is a majority cash country. Although they have improved a lot since the Olympics, you will still find shops, restaurants and temples that only accept cash. Don't arrive thinking that with your Visa everything will work.

What you will find here

Guides with real prices for 2026, apps with configuration tutorials, tricks that only those who have been there know, and errors that will cost you money if you don't know them.

Start with money so you don't run out of cash at the airport →