JapanUp! magazine

Japan is known for its advanced technology, so tourists often assume they can use Apple Pay everywhere. However, be careful. Some specific spots—especially local Ramen shops, old Izakayas, and shops with ticket machines—might still be CASH ONLY. It is always safer to carry some yen, just in case!

In the US, you sit down and wait for a server to come to you. In Japan, if you just sit there, you might wait forever. Japanese servers prioritize privacy and will not “bother” you until you call them. If you are hungry, do not wait for eye contact—you need to take action.

You walk into a busy restaurant, and the staff looks at you and crosses their arms in an “X” shape. Are they angry? No. In Japan, making an “X” with your arms means “Full” or “No Vacancy.” It is a quick, silent way to tell you from a distance that there are no seats available. Don’t take it personally; just look for the next place!

Walk into a Tokyo station, and you will see a giant map with hundreds of station names. Trying to find your fare is stressful. The truth is, most locals don’t buy paper tickets. They use IC Cards (Suica or PASMO). And the best part? You can add them to your US iPhone or Apple Watch right now! You do not need a Japanese phone number or Apple ID.

Shopping in Japan is already affordable due to the weak Yen, but you can make it even cheaper. Look for the “Tax-Free” logo (usually a cherry blossom icon) at shops like Don Quijote, Uniqlo, and drugstores. As a tourist staying less than 6 months, you are exempt from the 10% consumption tax. It’s an instant discount!

In NYC, walking with a slice of pizza is normal. In Japan, walking while eating is generally considered bad manners. It is seen as “sloppy” and risks spilling food on others or the clean streets. If you buy a snack from a convenience store, the polite thing to do is to stand outside the store, eat it quickly, and throw the trash in the store’s bin before moving on.