The Japanese Yen is the weakest it’s been in 34 years compared to the United States dollar. Flocks of Americans are heading to Japan this summer to have a once-in-a-lifetime trip and to also benefit from the strong dollar-weak yen rate. Is now the perfect time to make that visit? If you’re planning your trip, check out my tips to execute the perfect vacation to Japan. 

Do as the Japanese do

Are you seeing all the locals walking on the same side of the road? It’s probably a good idea to do the same. When it comes to following cultural and societal norms, it’s best to watch the people around you to see how everyone else acts. In general, follow the lines in an orderly fashion, use the trays for exchanging money and bow instead of shaking hands.

Silence is key

On the subway, the car is completely silent. On the street, you can barely hear the conversations around you. The culture in Japan is completely different when it comes to noise compared to the U.S. Although most Americans typically speak in a loud voice without noticing, you should do your best to be aware of your surroundings. 

Plan ahead and early

As a type A traveler, I had every activity planned out in advance. My digital tickets were downloaded to my phone, I had made reservations for all the higher-end restaurants and I confirmed all my hotel reservations. When it comes to visiting such a foreign place like Japan, it’s easy to get flustered and overwhelmed when something doesn’t go to plan. Do yourself a favor and plan ahead.

Of course, you should always leave room for spontaneity. Leave yourself a few options for dinner that you can choose between. You don’t necessarily have to have an exact place picked out for lunch, maybe a general neighborhood. This is really up to the individual traveler, but no matter the personality, it’s a good idea to have a solid plan. 

When it comes to booking certain experiences, it’s essential to book early. Some of the more popular destinations need advance planning — Tokyo Disney, Ghibli Museum and TeamLab, for example. If there’s anything on your bucket list that’s a must-do, be sure to check out the tickets ahead of time to see how early you need to secure them.

Social media can be a great tool

When it comes to recommendations, especially in Tokyo, there are a lot of guides and resources online. Sometimes, it feels like you’re in the middle of a heated Thanksgiving dinner with your family, and each person is telling you a different story. When doing my research, I found social media to be the best tool to help me decide my itinerary. Having videos or photos accompany the review was helpful. I also found this Lonely Planet guide to be really useful.

7-Eleven is your best friend

In America, 7-Eleven serves up crusty hot dogs, 2-day old coffee and expired pastries. In Japan, 7-Eleven is a completely different experience. Serving up traditional meals like onigiri and bentos, it’s the perfect opportunity to try out some snacks you’ve been eyeing up. FamilyMart and Lawsons are similar options as well.

Trying out the smoothie machines is a must. Simply go to the frozen section of the store and pick out the smoothie you want. After purchasing it, you can find the smoothie machine and the fruit will be blended right before your eyes. Besides the smoothies, there are several other cool foods or drinks you can try out.