Japan Travel Tips – What To Know Before You Leave March 16, 2021

As we promised, it’s time for us to kick off our new series Japan Travel Tips! In this series, we’re going share with you some of the best independently produced documentaries designed to help international tourists who wish to visit Japan. After surviving 2020, you can be sure I REALLY want to travel, and why not travel to a country that is the birthplace of some of my favorite games of all time?

Our intention with this series is for each one to tackle a specific theme, in as chronologically an order as we can get. Follow-up articles that can go deeper into a specific theme are certainly a possibility. For our first article we decided to share some of the first things anyone who wishes to travel will need to know.

You’ve booked a trip with a major airline to travel to Japan. Before you take the first step of your trip there are some things you’re going to want to know before you get on the plane. People who don’t live in Japan may not be aware of some of the nation’s customs or “quirks” if you will. So what should people know before they leave for Japan? Well, I’ve got two great videos to share with you today that answer exactly that. Sit down, relax, and get ready to watch.

First off, we’re going to highlight Greg Lam, host of the series Life Where I’m From. One of the first videos of his that I’ve ever watched was this one. to explain some of the most important things to know about the country in what he called “The Rules that Rule Japan”. Enjoy, it’s in glorious 4K.

If you’re wondering about how politeness and etiquette work in Japan, there’s another must watch video you need to be aware of. The series Abroad in Japan, hosted by Chris Broad, has a nearly encyclopedic knowledge of what NOT to do when you’re in Japan.

Let’s review. Here’s a rundown of things I think you should know before leaving for Japan.

• Its a good idea to stay on the left when walking unless you see signs marked otherwise or crowds doing otherwise. Follow crowd traffic and you should be fine.
• It is probably a good idea to practice using chopsticks since it is a common utensil for eating in Japan.
• Don’t pass things with chopsticks.
• Don’t eat, drink or smoke while walking.
• Be respectful at shrines and temples.
• Don’t tip.

So this was our very first article on our new series! What did you think of the videos? Post a comment below and tell us what you thought about it, or if there are any topics you think we should discuss in future videos. However next time we will be talking about traveling, and what you should know when you arrive at the airport.