Best rate: 7-Eleven Bank and Japan Post Bank ATMs — foreign cards accepted 24/7.

Avoid: airport and hotel exchange desks — poor rates and high fees.

Withdraw large amounts (¥20,000–30,000) to keep fees down (~€3–5 per withdrawal).

Recommended eSIM — Buy online before you leave (Airalo, Ubigi). Activates as soon as you land. ~€15 / 15 days.

Groups Pocket WiFi — Shareable router, rent it before you leave or at the airport. ~¥600 per day.

Solo Prepaid SIM — Docomo Tourist SIM, available at the airport. ~¥2,000–3,500 / 15 days.

Public Wi-Fi — 7-Eleven, FamilyMart, Starbucks, major stations. Free but limited.

OK Visa & Mastercard — Hotels, department stores, konbini, chains. Always ask first.

Varies American Express — Accepted only in upmarket establishments.

Cash only Temples, markets, small restaurants — Cash only（現金のみ）.

ATMs for foreign cards: 7-Eleven Bank ✓ · Japan Post Bank ✓ · AEON Bank ✓. Available 24/7.

2 networks in Tokyo: Tokyo Metro (9 lines) + Toei Subway (4 lines). The JR Pass does not cover the metro.

Tokyo Subway Ticket — Unlimited metro: 24h (¥800) · 48h (¥1,200) · 72h (¥1,500). Buy it at the airport.

Japan Rail Pass — Shinkansen and JR trains. Must be bought before you leave from an authorised seller.

Etiquette: phone on silent, bag in front of you, no eating, let people off before getting on.

Suica (JR East) — Blue rechargeable card for trains, buses, konbini and taxis. Also on iPhone via Apple Pay.

Pasmo (Tokyo Metro) — Works the same way and is fully interchangeable with Suica. Purple.

Accepted everywhere: trains, metro, buses, 7-Eleven, FamilyMart, Lawson, vending machines, taxis.

Deposit: ¥500 on purchase. Top up (チャージ) at station machines. At least ¥1,000 per day recommended.

Refund: remaining balance refundable at a JR ticket office before you leave (minus a ¥220 handling fee).

Tokyo: board at the front and pay a flat fare (¥210). IC cards accepted — tap when you get on.

Kyoto / regions: board at the back and take a numbered ticket. Pay when you get off (at the front) according to the fare display.

Requesting your stop: press the button (押しボタン) before your stop. Without a signal, the driver won't stop.

Night buses: Tokyo→Osaka ~¥3,000–5,000 vs ¥13,000+ by shinkansen. 8–9 hours. Book with Willer Express.

Kyoto 1-day pass (¥700) — Unlimited travel on all city bus lines. Great value for temple-hopping.

Automatic door! The rear left door opens and closes by itself. Never touch the door — the driver controls it from the seat.

Address in Japanese: show your destination in Japanese on Google Maps. Drivers generally don't speak English.

Free taxi: red light「空車」(kūsha) = free. Green light = taken. Raise your hand to hail one.

GO app (ゴー): a very reliable local app with the price shown upfront. Uber also works in Tokyo.

Osaka is the exception! It's the opposite of Tokyo: stand on the right and walk on the left.

Never block the walking side — even briefly. It's seen as rude.

Backpack: hold it in front of you or in your hand on the escalator.