Do I need to tip in Japan?

No. Tipping is not part of the culture and can sometimes be seen as rude or confusing.

Is it easy to get around if I don't speak Japanese?

Yes. Most train stations, signage, and tourist-facing restaurants have English text. Use the Google Translate app for menus.

Planning Your First 2-Week Trip to Japan

Focus your first trip on the 'Golden Route'—Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka—to experience the mix of neon cities and historic shrines. Spend 5 days in Tokyo, 5 days in Kyoto, 2 days in Osaka, and 2 days for travel or day trips to Nara and Hakone.

Map out your route. Stick to the Shinkansen line. Start in Tokyo, move west to Kyoto, and finish in Osaka. Don't try to add Hokkaido or Kyushu on your first trip; you will spend your entire budget on transport and your entire time on trains.
Book your JR Pass or point-to-point tickets. Check the JR Pass calculator online. Since recent price hikes, it is often cheaper to buy individual Shinkansen tickets for a Tokyo-Kyoto-Osaka round trip than to buy a 14-day rail pass.
Get your IC card. Add a Suica or Pasmo card to your Apple Wallet or Google Wallet immediately. This is your tap-to-pay pass for every local subway, bus, and vending machine in the country.
Reserve your luggage forwarding. Use 'Takkyubin' (luggage forwarding service) to send your large suitcases from your Tokyo hotel to your Osaka hotel. It costs about $15–$20 per bag and saves you from hauling luggage through crowded train stations.

Do I need to tip in Japan?: No. Tipping is not part of the culture and can sometimes be seen as rude or confusing.
Is it easy to get around if I don't speak Japanese?: Yes. Most train stations, signage, and tourist-facing restaurants have English text. Use the Google Translate app for menus.