7 Mistake Listicle

7 Worst Mistakes To Avoid On Your First Trip To Japan

Written by Jo Nakajima

Last Updated July 17th, 2026

TLDR: By the end of this article you'll know the seven biggest mistakes first time visitors make in Japan and exactly how to avoid them. 👇

You step off the plane expecting the trip of a lifetime. Then reality hits. You're struggling to navigate the train system. You can't communicate with locals. Suddenly even the simplest things feel surprisingly difficult.

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Mistake #1: Underestimating how confusing the Tokyo train system is

Japan's train system is so complex that even locals get lost. Shinjuku Station in Tokyo holds the world record as the busiest train station in the world. More than 3.5 million people pass through it every day. The station also has over 200 exits so it's incredibly easy to end up in the wrong place. To make things even worse many American phones lose reception underground which means you may not even be able to use your phone to navigate if you get lost.

Mistake #2: Watching so much travel content that you end up more confused

At first it's exciting. You start watching YouTube videos, saving TikToks, and bookmarking Instagram posts to plan the perfect trip. Then the contradictions start. One person says a place is a must see, another says it's a tourist trap. After watching dozens of videos you're left feeling overwhelmed and more confused than when you started.

Mistake #3: Falling for Viral Restaurants

You see a restaurant on TikTok or Instagram with millions of views. It must be amazing, right? Not always. Many of these videos are sponsored because restaurants pay influencers to make videos. What the influencers video doesn't show is the two hour lineup outside. Just like you, millions of other people discovered this place through tiktok and came to try it as well. Just because a restaurant is viral doesn't mean the food is great. In many cases it's below average. Don’t confuse good marketing with quality food. The best food recommendations come from locals who live in the city, not paid travel influencers.

Mistake #4: Accidentally embarrassing yourself by not knowing the cultural rules

Japan has a lot of cultural rules that tourists are simply expected to know How loudly you speak. Where you stand. When to take off your shoes. Even how you hand someone money. The problem is, no one will always tell you when you are doing something wrong. You may only realize it when the room goes quiet or you notice everyone staring at you. You do not need to memorize every custom. But knowing the basic rules can save you from becoming the “rude” tourist without even realizing it.

Mistake #5: Thinking that local apps from home will work in Japan

You might assume Google Maps and Google Translate will be enough to get you through Japan. But these apps can become unreliable when you need them most. Imagine getting lost late at night with no reception signs you can’t read, and no idea how to get back to your hotel. You try asking someone for help, but they can’t understand what you’re saying. That confusion can quickly turn into panic when you realize your phone can’t help you and you’re completely on your own. Japan has its own local apps for trains, taxis, restaurants, and navigation that are often far more reliable.

Mistake #6: Not realizing that most people don’t speak english

Unlike the other Asian countries, almost no one in Japan speaks English. In fact, 95% of people don't. So every direction you turn, you will encounter this road block. Get in a taxi and they don't speak English. At restaurants, waitresses don't speak English. Need help with directions, pedestrians don't speak English. This is why you must know some simple phrases that can help you in a pinch.

Mistake #7: Missing "Must-See" Attractions Due to Poor Planning and Bad Information

You might think you can wait until you arrive to decide what you want to see. But that is when people get caught off guard. The place you were most excited about is sold out. Or it happens to be closed that day. Then you find out it needed to be booked weeks ago. And now there is nothing you can do. You came all the way to Japan, only to miss one of the places you wanted to see most. That is what bad planning can cost you. Not just time. A memory you may never get another chance to make.

The harsh truth about planning to go to Japan…

The reality is that planning for Japan is hard. And everyone online seems to have a different opinion.

One person says you cannot miss this. Another says it is a waste of time.

So you keep researching. You keep saving videos. And you hope you are making the right choices.

Because the last thing you want is to be sitting on the flight home thinking:

“I should’ve planned it better.”

By then, the trip is over.

How to experience the very best of Japan

If I came to visit your hometown, would you send them a list of the most viral places online? Probably not.

You would tell me your favourite spots to eat. You would mention which popular places are actually worth it, the best time to visit, and what to skip.

All the little things only a local would know. The key details that can make or break your trip.

That is the kind of advice most travelers never get before visiting Japan.

I first saw the difference my advice could make with my own friends

I started sharing my tips with few friends. At first, it was nothing fancy. Typed it on a word document and send it over via email.

I showed them what to book early, what to skip, and how to avoid the mistakes that could ruin their trip.

Then, they came back telling me it had completely changed their trip. Their friends began asking for it, too, because of all the great feedback!

But the more people I helped, the more I realized how a dream Japan trip could easily go wrong. That’s when I chose to create the most complete Japan guide.