5 Things Tourists Get Wrong When Traveling in Japan

Japan is one of the easiest countries to travel. The trains run on time. Everything is clean. People are helpful even when you don’t speak the language.

But there are a few small things that catch tourists off guard.

They’re the kind of details you only learn after making the mistake yourself, or hearing it from someone who’s been there.

I hope this guide helps you skip the learning curve and enjoy Japan from day one. 😊

1. Packing Heavy

Large, heavy luggage becomes a real problem in Japan. The country’s travel infrastructure isn’t built for oversized suitcases.

Some cities are even stricter now. Kyoto has started banning travelers from bringing large luggage on city buses.

Why large luggage causes problems:

Hotel rooms are small. Many rooms are only 15-20 square meters. A giant suitcase can barely fit on the floor. If you plan to bring large luggage, book a bigger room size to give yourself space.
Stations require lots of walking. Elevators exist but can be far from where you need to go.
Shinkansen has size rules. Bags over 160 cm total dimensions require a special seat reservation. Bags over 250 cm aren’t allowed at all.
Unreserved oversized bags can result in a ¥1,000 fee from the conductor.

Physical and logistical stress:

Wrestling your bag up and down stairs in crowded stations
Blocking doorways on trains
No space to open your suitcase in tiny hotel rooms
Exhaustion from hauling weight through compact spaces

Smarter packing strategies:

Aim for one medium suitcase under 20 kg and within 160 cm total dimensions. Avoid bringing large luggage if you’re booking a small room.
Pack for 5-6 days and use coin laundries. Check if your hotel has laundry facilities before you book.
Use luggage forwarding services. Your suitcase can be delivered to your next hotel while you travel with just a daypack. You can easily book this through Klook.
Remember that toiletries and basics can be bought in Japan
Leave room for souvenirs

Read More:

2. Bringing Banned Medications

Japan has strict drug import laws. Many common medications that are perfectly legal elsewhere are illegal or restricted in Japan.

Common medicines that are illegal or restricted:

Adderall and Dexedrine and other amphetamine-based ADHD medications (completely banned)
Sudafed, Actifed, and Vicks inhalers containing pseudoephedrine
Tylenol with Codeine, Nurofen Plus and other codeine-containing painkillers
CBD oil and products containing any THC
Ambien and some sleep medications (restricted, may require prior approval)

Why prescriptions from home don’t protect you:

Japan doesn’t recognize foreign prescriptions for banned substances. If a medication contains a prohibited ingredient, having a prescription makes no difference at the border.

What happens if customs finds prohibited medication:

At minimum, the drugs will be confiscated
You may be held for questioning
You’ll be without your medication for the entire trip

How to check medication legality in advance:

Review Japan’s Ministry of Health (MHLW) guidelines
Check if your medication’s active ingredients are on the prohibited list
Contact Japan’s Narcotics Control Department if you’re unsure

What to do if you need special approval:

Talk to your doctor about switching to a permitted alternative for your trip
For medications like strong sedatives, anxiety medications, or narcotic painkillers, apply for a Yunyu Kakunin-sho (Import Confirmation Certificate) for at least a month before travel
Bring a doctor’s note listing your medications and conditions
Keep medicines in original packaging with your name on the label
Only bring what you truly need (up to one month’s supply for prescription meds)

Read More: 10 Carry-On Rules in Japan

3. Dragging Massive Suitcases on Rush-Hour Trains

Tokyo and Osaka rush hours (roughly 7:30-9:30 AM and 5:00-7:00 PM on weekdays) are intense. Trains can fill to over 180% capacity. This is not the time for large luggage.

What rush hour is really like:

Shoulder-to-shoulder crowds with no room to move
Trains so packed that even a small backpack feels cumbersome
Station platforms crowded with commuters who know exactly where to stand

Why trains aren’t designed for large luggage:

No dedicated luggage storage on most commuter trains
Overhead racks are small and won’t fit large suitcases
You’ll block doors and walkways

Social and safety issues:

People may trip over your bag
You’ll block exits and delay other passengers
You’ll receive frustrated looks (or worse, be stuck unable to exit at your stop)

Better timing strategies:

Plan airport transfers for late morning or early afternoon
Time hotel checkouts after 9:30 AM when crowds thin
If you must travel during rush hour, stand near the door and stay out of the way

Read More:

When luggage delivery is the better option:

Send your suitcase from the airport to your hotel. Just search for “[city name] airport luggage delivery” on Klook to book.
Forward bags between cities (Tokyo to Osaka, for example)
Travel with just a daypack on busy trains

Shifting your ride by even an hour can make a huge difference.

4. Not Checking the Correct Station Exit

Major Japanese stations can have dozens of exits. Shinjuku Station alone has over 200 exits when you count subway connections.

Coming out the wrong exit can put you on the opposite side of a massive station complex.

Why this wastes time and energy:

Exiting the wrong side might mean a 10-15 minute walk to get where you need to be
You may need to re-enter the station and navigate through again
Not all exits have elevators or escalators. If you choose the wrong exit, you may have to carry your suitcase up the stairs.
With luggage, this becomes exhausting

How station exits are organized:

Exits are labeled with letters and numbers (A1, A2, B1, B2, etc.)
Letter groups often correspond to different sides of the station
Signs show which exits lead to which landmarks and districts

The problem with Google Maps:

Google Maps works great for getting you to the station, but GPS signals don’t penetrate underground. Once you’re in the subway, your “blue dot” jumps around or stops updating entirely.

Using maps and signage effectively:

Before you arrive, check your hotel’s website for the specific exit (e.g., “Exit C4” or “Marunouchi North Gate”)
Look up your destination’s nearest exit before you arrive (Google Maps often specifies which exit)
Check which exits have elevators or escalators, especially if you have luggage. Station maps mark these with icons.
Check the large station maps posted near ticket gates
Follow signs inside the station before going up any stairs
Ask station attendants if you’re unsure. They have area maps and can point you in the right direction.

One correct exit choice changes your experience. Spending an extra minute inside the station to find the right exit saves you fifteen minutes of wandering outside, or worse, dragging your bags up a staircase.

5. Standing on the Wrong Side of the Escalator

In Japan, the custom is to stand on one side of the escalator and leave the other side open for people who want to walk. The twist? The side changes depending on where you are.

The Tokyo vs Osaka rule:

Tokyo (and most of Japan): Stand on the left, pass on the right
Osaka (and Kansai region): Stand on the right, pass on the left
Kyoto: Generally follows Osaka’s pattern

How to quickly read the situation:

Watch what people in front of you are doing
Follow the flow
Look for signs on escalators showing the proper standing side

Small habits that help you blend in:

Keep your luggage neatly on the correct side
If you’re unsure, wait a moment and observe
Hold the handrail
Stations in Saitama and Nagoya are now asking everyone to stand still on both sides for safety. If you see those signs, follow them.

This is a small courtesy that makes a big difference in crowded stations. Follow the locals and you’ll move smoothly.