Don’t make the same 5 mistakes I made visiting Japan for the first time. We all travel to places for the first time and “wing it”. Even when you plan well, like I try to do, there are things you learn once you actually go there. On my second trip to Japan I was able to do things a little differently. I’ll show you the mistakes I made and what I wish I knew the first time around.

I Didn’t Buy Skincare at Drugstores

I assumed Don Quijote, the big box store, had the best prices for skincare. Although they have the largest selection, when I compared prices, I got better deals at drugstores.

One of the ways I did this was by comparing prices at the drugstores with what was advertised on Don Quijote’s website. You can do this if the store has free Wi-Fi. Many stores don’t have free Wi-Fi, so I suggest renting a pocket Wi-Fi device. I talk about this more below.

Drugstores have all the most popular skincare products. Think the very popular Senka Perfect Whip Facial Cleanser. For very specific items, you can still shop at places like Don Quijote.

I Didn’t Bring a Towel to Dry My Hands

Many public bathrooms in Japan do not have paper towels to dry your hands. Even less bathrooms have electric dryers. Of the restrooms that do have electric dryers, 9 out of 10 will be out of service anyway.

So definitely bring a small hand towel to dry your hands. I brought one from home. It’s from an artisan brand called Eemli (gifted). They are featured in my How to Support Brands Selling Items Made by Artisans post. However, many stores sell small towels in a lot of cute prints and styles.

I Didn’t Eat Foods Outside of my Comfort Zone

I ate eel during my second trip to Japan. The first time I was there, I was hesitant to try this delicious delicacy. Why did I wait!? It was so good! Eel should be on your list of must try foods. It’s called unagi in Japan.

Once I returned home, I saw restaurants in New York that were charging almost $100 USD for an eel dinner. I had paid under $6 USD for an eel and rice lunch in Japan.

Another delicacy to try is sea urchin, uni in Japan. I’ll try it on my next trip. I didn’t know much about it until I came back home and watched a YouTube vlog showing it.

I Didn’t Pick an Airbnb Outside of Central Tokyo

The Airbnb in Tokyo I stayed in two years ago seemed fine. It was close to popular attractions and spacious enough for three people. However, the neighborhood seemed to get less and less nice as the week progressed. At one point, someone broke the glass to the main door. This really shocked us.

During my most recent trip it was just my sister and I. So we were more flexible when it came to housing. We focused on choosing a less congested area that still had access to conveniences.

The area we chose was very residential with a few convenience stores, drugstores and restaurants. It was just what we needed. It was also located close to a train station. We had to travel further to get into central Tokyo, but it was worth it to feel safer at night.

Did I mention it was the cutest Airbnb I’ve ever stayed at. It was a whole mini house with two stories, a front yard, and a back yard. There was also a balcony on the second floor.

I Didn’t Rent a Pocket Wi-Fi Device

Wi-Fi is not readily available all throughout Tokyo. On my first trip to Japan, I would take screenshots of directions while I had Wi-Fi, then use the images when I was out and about. This worked most times. Though I would sometimes get turned around. Or I wanted to see what other attractions were near me in real time.

It was also difficult when using Uber, because once the Uber picked me up, I was unable to use the app. At one point in Japan this time, the Uber took us to the wrong place, as the sun was setting! The very weak signal I had at the time saved the day. But without it, I would have been super lost. You need a pocket Wi-Fi device.

You can find pocket Wi-Fi devices available at different locations, and you don’t have to bring the device back to the same location. It is easy to use and easy to charge. It is a little bulky. Many people now use an e-sim (electronic sim card that you download), which are great if your phone and telephone plan are compatible with them.

My phone cannot use an e-sim. Also, e-sims do not provide you with Wi-Fi. With the pocket Wi-Fi device, I can make Wi-Fi calls using apps like WhatsApp. I can also use the Wi-Fi for any other internet use during the trip.

I used WiFiBOX. They have different plans for how much data you need and how many days you will need the Wi-Fi. It takes only a few minutes to make the reservation and take the device from the self-service dispenser.

I hope that these tips were helpful. Don’t make these same 5 mistakes I made visiting Japan for the first time.