Join Tokyo - Japan Travel Requirements

Local Community Experiences

Learn with locals. Go beyond sightseeing with immersive, people-to-people programs that deepen your understanding of everyday life in Japan.

Neighborhood Homestays

Stay with a host family in rural towns or suburban neighborhoods. Practice daily Japanese, learn home-cooking, and experience seasonal customs from the inside.

Typical duration: 2–7 nights
Best for: culture learners, language practice
Etiquette: bring a small gift (omiyage)

Volunteer & Exchange

Join community centers, environmental clean-ups, or festival crews (matsuri staff). Give back while learning team culture, safety briefings, and event protocol.

Common seasons: Spring & Autumn
Time commitment: 3–6 hours/day
Language: basic greetings helpful

Language Meetups

Casual “chat cafés” and university exchange circles pair travelers with locals for conversation hours—great for confidence and cultural nuance.

Format: 50% JP / 50% EN rotation
Cost: often free or one drink
Tip: prepare a topic or photo set

Seasonal Cultural Learning

Japan’s seasons shape daily life. Time your study experiences to match traditions as they unfold across the year.

Spring (Mar–May)

Hanami gatherings, open-air tea ceremony intros, and beginner calligraphy (shodō) under cherry blossoms. Learn seasonal vocabulary and etiquette.

Workshops: tea, ikebana
Language: nature idioms
Pace: gentle & reflective

Summer (Jun–Aug)

Festival studies (natsu matsuri): yukata basics, taiko rhythm try-outs, lantern crafts, and safety around fireworks events.

Skills: taiko, paper craft
Social: street food culture
Note: heat safety & hydration

Autumn (Sep–Nov)

Harvest learning: rice cycle, mushroom foraging basics with guides, and regional tasting classes (persimmon, chestnut, sweet potato).

Focus: farm/forest literacy
Ethics: guided foraging only
Vocabulary: seasonal cuisine

Winter (Dec–Feb)

Study retreats: hot-spring etiquette, New Year customs, and mindful arts (ink painting, tea) in quiet snow towns.

Theme: reflection & craft
Etiquette: onsen rules
Bonus: calligraphy cards

Explore Research Places Seasonal News & Events

Practical Language & Travel Resources

Tools to keep you confident on the move—phrases, transport know-how, and quick cultural guides for respectful travel.

Essential Phrases for Learners

Situation	Japanese	Meaning	Pronunciation
Greetings	はじめまして	Nice to meet you	hajimemashite
Polite request	お願いします	Please / I’d appreciate it	onegaishimasu
Thank you	ありがとうございます	Thank you (polite)	arigatō gozaimasu
Excuse me / sorry	すみません	Excuse me / I’m sorry	sumimasen
Where is…?	…はどこですか？	Where is … ?	… wa doko desu ka?

Pronunciation & Etiquette Cheats

End questions with “…desu ka?” to sound polite.
Hand cash/cards with both hands; small trays are common.
On trains, set phones to silent and keep voices low.

Transport & On-the-Go Tips

IC cards: Suica / Pasmo work on most trains, subways, and convenience stores. Top up at station machines.
JR & regional passes: Compare your itinerary—regional passes can beat the nationwide option for short trips.
Navigation: Station names are often bilingual; platform staff are happy to help—use simple phrases and point to maps.
Cash vs. cards: Cards are widely accepted, but small eateries and rural buses may be cash-only.
Health & safety: Keep a medication list; many pharmacies have multilingual labels and pictograms.

Emergency & Help

Police 110 / Fire & Ambulance 119. Look for multilingual help desks in major stations; many city halls offer tourist support counters.

Accessibility

Elevators and tactile paving are common in stations; priority seating is respected. Staff can arrange step-free routes on request.

Cultural “Survival”

Shoes off for homes and some inns; no tipping; lines form neatly on platforms. When unsure, observe and follow local cues.

Browse Locations

Japan Travel Requirements

Travel Requirements

For EU, UK, and US Citizens:

For Extended Stays:

Health Requirements:

Cultural Etiquette: