5 Worst Mistakes To Avoid On Your First Trip To Japan

Written by Jo Nakajima

Last Updated Aug 8th, 2026

TLDR: Know what to avoid, so you can spend less time stressing and more time enjoying Japan.  👇

mistake #1: thinking that local apps from home will work in japan

Most tourists think that the apps they use at home will work just as well in Japan. But as soon as they arrive, they realize that isn’t always the case. In Japan, there are many popular local apps, and locals don’t use many of the American apps tourists may be familiar with. For example, Google Translate is not nearly as effective as Kuli Kuli, a local app. This is because Kuli Kuli is trained to recognize the three different writing systems used in Japan. While Google Translate may struggle with a local restaurant menu, Kuli Kuli can translate it with ease. When visiting Japan, there are a handful of apps that can be extremely helpful for tourists and are worth downloading before your trip.

mistake #2: accidentally embarrassing yourself by not knowing the cultural rules

Japan has a lot of cultural rules that locals expect you to know. It’s considered rude in Japan to eat while you’re walking. When using escalators, you should stand on the left to make room for those in a rush on the right. There is even a proper way to hand someone money. The problem is that if you don’t know these things, you might find people staring at you. You do not need to know every custom, but knowing the basics can save you from becoming the “rude” tourist who accidentally embarrasses themselves.

mistake #3: not realizing that most people don’t speak english

Unlike Thailand or other Asian countries, almost no one in Japan speaks English. In fact, 90% of people don't. So every direction you turn, you will encounter this road block. Get in a taxi and the driver doesn'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 #4: 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 foreign phones lose reception underground which means you may not even be able to use your phone to navigate if you get lost.

mistake #5: 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.

it's not your fault you are overwhelmed planning your trip.

Researching Japan is like trying to drink from a fire hose. There are thousands of YouTube videos. Millions of TikToks. Endless blogs, Reddit threads, maps, restaurant lists, and itineraries. And almost all of them tell you something different. One person says a restaurant is the best meal in Tokyo. Another says it is an overpriced tourist trap. So you keep researching. You save more videos. Open more tabs. Write down more recommendations. And somehow… The more information you collect, the less certain you feel.

you don’t need to watch 100 more videos on japan. you need someone to say “this is worth doing. this isn't.”

You need someone who has lived in Japan, who knows the ins and outs to tell you:

 

❌ “This is worth your time.”

❌ “Skip this place.”

❌ “Don't make this mistake.”

✅ “Book this before you arrive.”

✅ “Download this app.”

✅ “Take this train.”

 

In other words, you need the kind of advice you would get from a trusted local friend. That's exactly why we put everything travelers need into one clear Japan guide.

arrive in japan prepared and confident.

Imagine stepping off the plane feeling confident and prepared because you already know which apps to download. You understand how the trains work. You know what needs to be booked in advance. You know the basic cultural rules locals expect visitors to follow. And instead of wasting hours standing in line at an overhyped restaurant, you know where locals actually go.
 

You don't have to build your trip from hundreds of random pieces of advice. You have one clear guide showing you what matters. The guide has over 1200 reviews and as one traveler puts it “this guide absolutely saved my trip.” 

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inside, you'll discover:

How to navigate Japan’s train system without constantly getting lost

Which tourist attractions are worth your time

Which viral places you are better off skipping

Where locals actually go for great food

The etiquette mistakes that embarrass first-time visitors

The apps you should download before your flight

What to reserve weeks before you arrive

Ready-made itineraries that save hours of planning

Useful Japanese phrases for the moments when English does not work

A custom map filled with local vetted places throughout Japan

But the most valuable thing the guide will give you is certainty. 

we've helped over 10,000 travelers  and counting!

make sure you’re prepared before you land

A trip to Japan can cost thousands of dollars. And the last thing we want is for you to fly home thinking about everything you missed, the places you should have booked, or the time you wasted figuring things out.
 

You may only get one shot at this trip.

So we want to help you make it count.

That’s why we’re giving you 40% off the Japan Travel Guide today.

Make Sure You’re Prepared
Before You Land

A trip to Japan can cost thousands of dollars. And the last thing we want is for you to fly home thinking about everything you missed, the places you should have booked, or the time you wasted figuring things out.
 

You may only get one shot at this trip. So we want to help you make it count. That’s why we’re giving you 40% off the Japan Travel Guide today.

🎉 SPECIAL SUMMER OFFER

For the next 48 hours:

UP TO 40% OFF FOR A LIMITED TIME ONLY! 

🎁 FREE BONUSES WITH YOUR ORDER ($65 VALUE)

     Get 40% OFF →   

Average Trip Savings: $1200

Instant Download

Order today with a  30-Day-Money-Back Gurantee!
Title

🎉 SPECIAL DEAL FOR YOU

For the next 48 hours:

GET 40% OFF THE ULTIMATE TOKYO GUIDE 

🎁 FREE BONUSES WITH YOUR ORDER ($65 VALUE)

GET 40% OFF →
Title

10,000+ Happy Travelers 

Instant Download

Order today with a 30-Day-Money-Back Guarantee!