Do I need to carry cash?

Yes. While cards are more common now, many temples, small shrines, and local restaurants still only accept yen.

Yes. Tipping is not part of Japanese culture and can be seen as confusing or offensive. The price on the bill is the final price.

How to plan your first 2-week trip to Japan

Focus on the 'Golden Route'—Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka—to maximize your time without burnout. Spend 5 days in Tokyo, 5 days in Kyoto (with side trips), 2 days in Osaka, and 2 days for travel or regional exploration.

Map your route. Stick to the Shinkansen (bullet train) line. Start in Tokyo, move west to Kyoto, and finish in Osaka. This covers the most iconic sights without requiring domestic flights.
Book your JR Pass (maybe). Calculate if a JR Pass is cheaper than point-to-point tickets using a calculator like JRPass.com. If you aren't doing extensive travel beyond the Tokyo-Kyoto-Osaka loop, point-to-point tickets on SmartEX are often cheaper.
Secure your connectivity. Order an eSIM (like Airalo or Ubigi) or reserve a pocket Wi-Fi device for airport pickup. You will rely heavily on Google Maps for train navigation.
Reserve high-demand tickets. Book Ghibli Museum tickets exactly one month in advance and Shibuya Sky tickets at least two weeks early. These sell out in minutes.

Do I need to carry cash?: Yes. While cards are more common now, many temples, small shrines, and local restaurants still only accept yen.
Is it rude to tip?: Yes. Tipping is not part of Japanese culture and can be seen as confusing or offensive. The price on the bill is the final price.