Japan Trip Checklist

Short answer: before you fly, sort mobile data, a translation app and a payment backup (card + some yen); at the airport on the way home, do the tax refund before you check your bag. Tick off each step and open the guide for details.

Before you fly

eSIM or pocket WiFi?
Download translation apps (camera + voice)
Payments: PayPay? Suica in Apple Wallet?
Card declined? Cash & ATMs

In Tokyo

Taxi apps & bike share
Avoid crowded trains
Trash bin map

Rules & seasonal

New travel rules 2026 (JESTA, departure tax)
Kyoto autumn light-ups 2026

Shopping tax-free

Tax refund calculator
Which shops and items qualify
Forgot tax-free at the shop?

Leaving Japan

Send your suitcase to the airport
Departure-day timeline
Haneda tax refund
Narita tax refund
Airport tax refund steps

Each guide lists its official sources. Ticks are not saved.

Official sources

Checked November 4, 2026 (JST). Apps, fees and rules can change; confirm on the official pages.

Japan Tourism Agency — FY2025 survey of foreign visitors (official, Japanese): www.mlit.go.jp

Places: All "before you go" guides · Fushimi Inari · Chureito Pagoda (Mt Fuji view) · Ghibli Museum · teamLab · Shibuya Sky · Senso-ji · Nara deer · Arashiyama · Miyajima · Disney & USJ · Kyoto autumn light-ups