You'll find them at most major train stations around the country: here is a full list.
P.S. Don't forget to take your passport along with you.
3. You'll see a lot of people wearing masks
Step foot out of your hotel in the morning and you'll see dozens of commuters wearing surgical masks. Visit any convenience store and you'll find shelves stocked full of vitamin C supplements.
It's the done thing. Photo / iStock
In Japan, unlike in New Zealand, calling in sick for a common cold is completely unheard of. If you get sick in Japan, be respectful of the culture and grab a mask for yourself rather than coughing and sneezing on the train.
4. Do slurp
Visit any ramen restaurant and expect to find a room full of people hunched over huge bowls of noodles, slurping loudly and eating incredibly quickly.
Enter British tourist (that's me), I order what I hope to be chicken from the vending machine, grab a stool at the counter and within minutes, I'm presented with my lunch. But how do I attempt to eat this huge bowl of deliciousness? And why is everyone slurping so loudly?
Make your approval heard while eating in Japan. Photo / iStock
I twirl the noodles around like spaghetti, while trying not to splash the broth on the business man to the left of me and naturally try to be as quiet as possible while eating.
Little did I know that in Japan slurping noodles is considered a good thing. In fact, the louder the better! It shows that you are enjoying the meal and it enhances the gastronomic experience making it even more tasty.
So, the lesson here is to throw out all the rules of noodle-eating etiquette as we know it and slurp away!
5. Take your shoes off
In Japan, it's customary to slip off your shoes when entering a room, some restaurants, bars, and most importantly in someone's home.
I stayed in a traditional ryokan in Hakone where I managed to scrub up on my Japanese etiquette. On arrival, you'll find an array of slippers which prompt you to take your shoes off at the door.
These slippers can generally be worn anywhere indoors, except when entering rooms with tatami floor.
You'll often find that appropriate footwear has been strategically placed throughout the ryokan. I even stumbled across a pair of toilet slippers inside the bathrooms.
There are several rules of etiquette to remember when you bathe in a public hot spring bath (known in Japan as an 'onsen').
Visit an onsen like a pro. Photo / iStock
Number 1 being "Bathe nude". In Japan it is customary to take off all your clothes when you visit an onsen. In fact, the only thing you can bring with you is a small wash cloth, which you balance upon your head while bathing.
7. More than just sushi
There is so much more than just sushi and sashimi to send your tastebuds on a frenzy. You'll find plenty of culinary specialities across the country and the great thing is, it's pretty much impossible to get a bad meal in Japan!
I've listed a few of my favourite finds below.
Okonomyaki, a savoury pancake, is a local specialty in Hiroshima. Photo / iStock
Number one on a foodie's agenda should be a visit to Dōtonbori in Osaka - a street full of the most amazing food vendors. While you're here be sure to try the Takoyaki (octopus balls), grilled crab claw and fried Gyoza (meat dumplings).
Try the local speciality Okonomiyaki in Hiroshima. A Japanese savoury pancake layered with cabbage, yakisoba noodles, bacon, egg, topped with the most delicious sauce.
Yakitori (grilled chicken on a skewers) can be found on streets in Tokyo.
Visit Ichijōji, the famous Ramen Town in Kyoto for a big bowl of creamy chicken ramen.
8. Vending machines serve almost anything
Japan is a country like no other. It will never stop surprising you with its quirky and creative weirdness.
This country does vending machines like no other. Photo / iStock
Want a hot can of coffee? Get it from a vending machine. A cup of instant noodles? An umbrella? A hat for a cat? You name it, the list goes on.
In fact, tipping is seen as a rude gesture. Don't be surprised if a taxi driver hands your tip back, or a waiter chases you down the street to return it.
In Japanese culture, when you give extra money, it is essentially telling the employees that they need to improve their service.
10. Don't litter
Being a regular snacker - especially in a country where I find myself getting super excited about anything edible that I pass - I soon realised that rubbish bins simply aren't a thing here.
The reason was explained to me later - the Japanese find it rude to eat on the go (oops).
Be sure to take a backpack or tote bag around with you and keep hold of your rubbish until you return back to your hotel.
Haneda Airport for most travellers is a lot more convenient to fly into than Narita International Airport owing to the distance from Tokyo for both.
A train ride from Haneda to Tokyo Station takes approximately 28 minutes and costs around 580 yen (about $7.75), while the train ride from Narita to Tokyo Station takes around 58 minutes and usually costs at least 2600 yen (about $35).
12. It helps to know some basic phrases
Japan is very efficient and getting around as a tourist is easy, but you will have an advantage if you learn some basic phrases. You get a chance to interact with the locals and experience their culture.
