The following are some tips about traveling in Japan which might help some of you. Some of these will be a bit silly, but all of them are tips that I have received which have made my travels more enjoyable, or they’re tips from my experiences which I think other people should know. Please make sure you read my intros to temples and shrines since there will be things that I'll have mentioned there which may not make it in here. I'll be updating this as I think of more things to say.

Temple and shrines have weird operating hours. Most temples and shrines will open around 10 and close down around 4-4:30 so it's very important that you plan your day accordingly to accommodate the strange times. There were the occasional places that stayed open later, but those were typically the super touristy places in Kyoto.
Photography is illadvised. Visiting temples and shrines, there are some things that just are not done; like taking photographs of certain spiritual aspects. First, it's taboo to take photographs of ceremonies. Some of these ceremonies are very traditional and should be treated like watching a play. Photography distracts those taking part in the ceremony, it draws attention to yourself instead of the tradition, and it is highly frowned upon in Japanese society. Imagine someone taking pictures of the priests in the middle of mass. Also, be careful of which sections of sites you're taking pictures of. Going though my photos you'll find that I rarely have photos of the insides of temples or the altars of shrines. This is because it is highly disrespectful not only to the people but the deities that reside there. Occasionally places will allow visitors to take photos of the interior or of the altars, but it is rare and should be respected.
Modes of transportation. Make sure you know the primary mode(s) of transportation for the place you are visiting. In Tokyo, everything is done by train, but in Kyoto everything is done by bus.
Plan ahead. It's super important that you have an app or a map of some kind which will allow you to navigate the mode(s) of transportation in the location you are in. Trying to navigate the Tokyo train systems without any practice is super daunting and difficult, so make it easy on yourself and let a device look up the best way for you. Pretty much any map application for your phone will work though Google Maps seems to work best.
Taxis! In general, taxis in Japan are expensive, so only use them when you really need to. It’s also important to note that because Japan has a strong emphasis on service industries, guests should not open the car doors or place their own luggage in the trunk. The doors will automatically open and close, and the driver will handle your baggage for you. Unlike in many Western nations, it’s not appropriate to sit in the front seat of a taxi unless there is no room in the back.
Cash!! Unlike in many Western nations, in Japan it's more useful to pay with cash than it is with card. Their currency is fairly easy to figure out (divide by 100 have you'll have the price in $ form) and most places will ask that you pay with cash and not card. 100 yen = 1 dollar, 1 yen = 1 cent, 1000 yen = 10 dollars. Find out which bank will work best for your monetary needs. If that doesn't work, there are general ATMs in every convenience store, though some chains will work with your card better than others. All the same, since convenience stores are everywhere in Japan, you’ll have access to funds in most places during your visit.
Convenient stores are your friends!! I know that for some this can be a really difficult concept, since many of us are used to seeing those super suspicious, greasy, and gross hot dogs rolling on the pins. But convenient store food in Japan is like getting food from a grocery store; it's good and it saves money!!
Yes, sushi is just as expensive in Japan if not more so.
Learn some Japanese! You don't need to be fluent or even conversational, but the mastery over a few useful phrases will win the hearts of the people. I managed by mostly using sumimasen (excuse me/sorry), arigatou gozaimasu (thank you very much), and kore (this) which can be used when pointing to a menu. (Many menus have photographs of the food). Really want to show off? Nama biiru kudasai (one beer please) and douitashimashite (your welcome) will really gain some cred.
Is a Japanese person staring at you and making you uncomfortable? Stare back at them and say "Jiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii." Jirojiromiru is the verb to stare, and jiiiiii is used as an onomatopoeia for staring. Essentially, you're calling the person out that they're staring at you. Want to be polite instead of a smarty pants? Good for you! You can say simple phrases like: Nan desu ka? (What is it?), Yamette kudasai (Stop please), or if you want a long-winded but useful phrase: Sumimasen, watashi ni jirojirominaide kudasai, shitsurei desu kara (Excuse me, please don't stare at me, it's very rude).
Getting some feels on the train? Yes, it's true that there are some terrible people on trains in Japan and they often strike during rush hour. If you feel something, say something. Draw attention to yourself and the person almost always stops. Try not to make a scene, but don't be silent either. If you don't feel comfortable afterwards or you feel that someone may be following you, try changing cars or catching the next train usually 2-3 minutes later. If you're a woman, look for the Women Only Car which is usually car #1. Be careful not to reach for the hand you think may have done it since the person is rarely standing next to you and you don't want to accuse someone else of the crime. Most people will be too focused on their phones anyways. I rode the rush-hour trains 6 times a week for 6 months in some of the busiest stations, and not once did I hear someone react to being touched, but then again that may have been because it was happening on another car and not mine. That being said, it does happen.
If you have tattoos, try to cover them up. Japan is slowly getting used to the idea that tattoos are as much art in youth culture as they are symbols. However, before the tattoos of today, tattoos were used in Japan to designate members of the lowest ranks in society and members of various yakuza (mafia). So be aware of revealing tattoos in bath houses or at the beach. Try to ask if your tattoos are ok, and if not, try to cover them. "Kore wa daijoubu desu ka?"- is this ok? Be prepared to be rejected at all times. If you're in the countryside, it is far more likely that you will be rejected for your tattoos. If you have one or two, chances are you will be ok, but if you have a lot or a bunch grouped together like in a sleeve, expect to be rejected. Don't worry, you'll most likely be rejected in the most polite way possible, but that does mean that it's a hard no and not a ’kinda'. But if you do have tattoos and you do want to enjoy a bath house or onsen, look for some on Google. Again, the culture around tattoos is changing and many establishments are becoming more accommodating to foreigners with tattoos.
Bowing is a thing. Being in Japan you'll probably have to bow at least once to another person. Typically a bow should be small and from the waist, but the rule of thumb: the deeper it is, the more polite you are trying to be. Typically, 30 degrees is as far as you want or need to go, but if you seriously screwed up for something, 45 is your best bet.
On trains, be respectful of the Women's Cars. To promote safe travel during the busy times of the day, car #1 of all trains in Tokyo are designated as a Women's Car, meaning that only women and children may ride in that car. The cars will tell you when the designated times are, and sometimes it is only in effect between specific sections of the line. In Osaka, the Women's Car is women and children only all day every day.
Stay hydrated with tasty drinks! If you plan on being very active while traveling, look for drinks like Pocari Sweat or Aquarius. These drinks are like Gatorade and are super helpful to keep hydrated in the difficult summers.
Be aware of the summer months. June and July are warm and a bit muggy because of the rain season, but August is the worst. It is hot, humid, and all around uncomfortable so pack appropriately.
Pack your own deodorant!!! I cannot stress enough how hot and uncomfortable Japanese summers are. Considering that I'm writing this in English, many of you readers are probably from America, Canada, and Europe even. If that's the case, that probably means that you're familiar with some seriously pungent deodorant. Be sure to bring some with you. I'm really not sure what it is, whether Japanese people don't sweat much or that their sweat isn't as pungant, but their deodorant is not very effective on people of European descent. Again, pack accordingly.
Mt. Fuji (Fuji-san) is only open in July and August due to snow pack restrictions. Because it's only open to hiking two months of the year, it is extremely popular and you might find yourself in a line slowly inching towards the top. If you are planning on climbing the great mountain, bring a set of warm cloths since even in summer, the peak will be rather cold (and I do mean around 8 degrees Celsius, 48 degrees Fahrenheit).
Read the Mt. Fuji Rules. Sadly, not everyone who goes to Mt. Fuji holds the same level of reverence and respect that you the reader might. For those who don’t know, Mt. Fuji is the most sacred site in Japan not only spiritually, but also emotionally. So in order to preserve the beauty of the mountain, please follow the rules governing climbing the mountain. There are no garbage bins on the mountain so hold onto it in your bag. There are no mountain custodians who clean the mountain, so it’s the responcibility of everyone to keep it clean. Use the designated restrooms and pay the fee to help maintain them for all visitors. There is no camping allowed on the mountain so be sure to reserve a spot at one of the rest huts. Climbing Mt. Fuji is not a simple transaction and should be shown the propper respect.
Keep your drink cool in the heat. If summer is the time you're planning on visiting, take advantage of the wonderful thermos bottles that they make in Japan. They will keep your drink cold for hours even when sitting in the hot sun. My water bottle enabled me to do so much walking and temple hopping in Kyoto that I doubt I would be able to do otherwise. You can find these in most general stores and even convenience stores.
Balance the camera act! I highly recommend taking photos in Japan because there is a lot to see which is stunning and amazing, but make sure you're not relying on your camera too much. Your brain actually remembers images better when not using a camera, and what you see will always be more fantastical than what you can capture with a lens. I also say this because as a tall person I'm tired of being hit in the face with selfie sticks. If you can’t take a photo of it, try writing about it in a journal so those details will never be forgotten.
Selfie sticks have the same bad rap as anywhere else in the world. That doesn't mean that you can't use them, but be prepared for people (like me) to be very passively aggressive. These sticks often take up free space that just doesn't exist in tourist locations, and it often intrudes on the enjoyment of other people.
Japan is a full sensory experience. The environments set up in Japan, from the office building to the home and even the temples, are meant to be experienced with all the senses. This is yet another reason why visitors should be capable of detaching from their cameras, because not everything can be captured in an image. Smell the wood and the incense, feel the rocks which are set up outside, taste the crispness of the purification water, and listen to the world set up in these environments. The best temples and shrines are the ones which embed the visitor in a new world.
Look for festivals! There are festivals (matsuri) all over Japan at all times of the year and mostly take place at shrines. Some festivals will be bigger than others, but any festival can be really fun. There are games, great food, karaoke (a major must-have in Japan), and so much more. The bigger the shrine, the more they will probably have, so check to see if there are any to visit while you're there!! In general the biggest festival seasons are in spring, in early August, and at New Years.
Karaoke!! Kah-rah-oh-kay, not ke-ree-oh-kee. Karaoke is like the national pastime of Japan. If you’re looking for something to do at night with friends then I recommend a karaoke parlor. But Brennan, I want to get some drinks so I’d rather go to a bar. Well, fear not friend! Karaoke parlors have food and drinks available for purchase! In fact, most parlors require a minimum purchase of one drink per person! But what if I don’t know any Japanese songs? They got that covered too! Each karaoke machine has a large variety of popular English, Chinese, and Korean music which is displayed in the corresponding language. So find some friends and enjoy belting tunes with little to no care on accuracy if you don’t feel inclined to do so.
Do not point with your index finger. In Japan, pointing is considered very rude. Though a slightly difficult habit to correct, try gesturing with the palm instead.
Learn which areas to avoid at night. There are bad places in every city in every countrry in the world, and Japan is not an exception. Whether it's red light districts, areas known for drunk businessmen just off work, or even yakuza, be sure to look up these areas before visiting. A common example is the sub-city of Roppongi in the Tokyo area that is well known for a cluster of buildings known as Roppongi Hills; a high end shopping area. Though Roppongi Hills is a well respected area all times of the day, Roppongi the city changes at night and I would not recommend being there especially when alone.
Vending machines are everywhere in Japan. In cities there are about four or five vending machines every block and can sell a wide variety of items like raw cooking materials, ice cream, and assorted drinks. And so before I get too much farther, let me move to the next point.
Japanese laws are strict. Japan has very strict laws and they're also stubborn about them. Below I will list some things that you cannot do, and I just want to reinforce that you cannot do these things. Not that you shouldn't do these things, you can't. In Japan, if there is a problem, the source gets banned. Drinking and driving? Banned. Drugs? Banned. Tattoos in public places? Banned. There are even some hot springs where they don't allow foreigners because they had some bad ones in the past, so no foreigners. Period. Because the laws are so strick there is a feeling that nothing is enforced heavily or that the public is very trusting; they're trusting because if you get caught then you get banned. Period.
Carding, or lack there of, can seem really great when compared to drinking in the U.S. The Japanese are very trusting and so it's very easy to get a hold of alcoholic beverages and cigarettes from convenient stores and even vending machines. That being said, the drinking and smoking age in Japan is 20 and though they don't seem to enforce it, if you're caught you can be in a whole lot of trouble. In Japan you can be held in jail for two weeks without an explanation and you can be arrested by association. In additon you will likely be deported immediately and it will be very difficult to return. So even though it seems like a steal to get alcohol or cigarettes even when you're underage, don't.
Do NOT drink and drive. Heck, don't drink and bike either. I don't mean in a general fashion like: don't be drunk and opperate any transportation vehicle. I mean don't drink AT ALL and then drive or bike or anything. You can walk though. Japan has an absolutely no tolerance policy when it comes to drinking and operating. And this includes people who get into a car with a driver that has been drinking. Even if you only have a sip of something, if you get stopped by police and you have any kind of a blood alcohol content, you will be arrested, you will be fined a heafty amount and probably jailed, and you will be deported. And on that note...
Don't do drugs. I mean it. Not joking. Japan has no tolerance for any shinanigans that may have been a gray area in the West. Heck, if you know anyone who does drugs you can be arrested. I'm very serious about that arrested by association thing that I mentioned earlier. Drugs are an absolute NO in Japan no matter how you try to turn it. Don't do it, don't look for it, and definitely don't bring it. Japan functions in such a trusting manner because it has severe consequences if you get caught.
Local dialects. Before the revelation of highways and bullet trains, Japan was segregated by the various rigid mountains that divide the landscape. As a result, each area of Japan has its own dialect which can often be very difficult to understand. Tokyo and the greater Kanto area speak in 'Tokyo-ben' or 'Tokyo dialect' which will be the closest to textbook Japanese taught abroad. But there are dialects EVERYWHERE. Kansai-ben, Kobe-ben, Awaji-ben, Kyushu-ben, Akita-ben, Hokkaido-ben, and so on forever. The funny thing is that the difference in dialects is so strong that Japanese people often can't understand what others are saying. Japanese TV will often have subtitles, not only to enhance the emotions on screen, but also because they want viewers to understand everything regardless of dialect. So don't be afraid to say that you don't understand, because in some cases there's unfortunately more than one way to speak Japanese.
Typhoon Season: Sadly yes, Japan does have a typhoon season. Typhoon season is generally from June through October with the archapelago being directly hit by typhoons primarily in September and October. Typically typhoons in Japan are not as strong as hurricanes back in the States and it’s easy to get scared about typhoons in the Pacific because the typhoons will usually start far out at sea and get really strong, but as they get closer to Japan they lose a lot of energy and then hit. If you’ve never been in a typhoon before, stay inside, close all doors and windows including those indoors, and then try your best to relax. Winds are stronger at higher altitudes so the wind will be stronger at a 7th floor room compared to a 3rd floor room, but of course Japanese buildings are designed with natural disasters in mind. Again, try to relax and wait it out. They usually blow through pretty fast and the following day is beautiful.
Travel Seasons!! Japan has a very strict working culture that glorifies people who work to the point of exhaustion while acting rather confused at why so many people die from overwork and stress related illnesses. Sorry, I got a little political. My point is, there are certain consistant and predictable times of the year, typically associated with national holidays, when all of Japan gets time off without having to use their limited vacation days. There’s “Spring Break” which is the last week of March and first week of April. Though there are no national holidays during this time, many people take time off because this is when the cherry blossoms typically bloom. The cherry blossoms are a keystone of Japanese culture and people will go to great lengths to enjoy their brief existence. The first week of May is called “Golden Week” and you’ll see that I reference it more than a few times in my posts. This is one week almost entirely of national holidays. Many families take this opportunity to travel or take part in one of the main holidays: Children’s Day. Children’s Day is one of the three family holidays in Japan when many families travel long distances to be together again. The next family holiday is “O-Bon,” a kind of Japanese “Day of the Dead” typically around August 13th to 16th. Because it’s summer vacation for schools, many families take advantage of this week in particular to travel home for O-Bon. The final holiday is “O-Shogatsu,” or New Year’s Day. O-Shogatsu is the most important time for many people because the new year is starting, and it’s the perfect time to pray for good luck and set new goals. Most temples and shrines will most certainly be bustling with visitors during this time and there are often fun traditions and food to go with the celebrations.
JR Rail Pass. The JR Rail Pass is a prepaid card which allows for “free” transit on all JR trains. Note that this does not mean free access to systems like Tokyo Metro, Kintetsu, Hankyu, or other private operating systems. Getting the pass makes a lot of sense for traveling through many of the major cities because of the prevalence of JR train and subway lines connecting the different communities. Where things get tricky is access to the Shinkansen, the Japanese bullet train. As of writing this, JR Pass holders have access to all of the Shinkansen except for the Nozomi Super Express trains. All Shinkansen use the same tracks, the same train model, and move at pretty much the same speed, but the trains receive name designations to indicate how many stations they will stop at. The Nozomi line is the most direct train between major cities and stops the fewest number of times, while the Kodama line will stop at every Shinkansen station on the way to the terminus. If you have the JR Pass, and for whatever reason you need to get to another city fast, it’s likely better to purchase a non-reserved ticket from the terminals or the manned ticket booths to gain access to the Nozomi line. Just be careful to show your non-reserved ticket and not your JR Pass.
Shinkansen! The Shinkansen is the Japanese bullet train (as indicated in the above passage), and it can be very expensive. Don’t get me wrong, it’s super cool, but it can cost a lot of money to travel using the Shinkansen. There are several ways to ride the Shinkansen, but I’m just going to share the ways that I know well. The first is to book a seat. The Shinkansen is a very popular mode of transportation and regardless of how fast it moves, a typical ride can take some time, so if you want to ensure that you will have a seat for your ride, you can book one using the ticket office or the automated terminals. Booking a seat will cost extra of course, but if you want to enjoy your ride in style, you can pay even more and book a seat in one of the Green Cars. I’ve never ridden in the Green Car before, but I assume it’s your typical First Class experience. But if you’re on a budget and you don’t mind the possibility of standing the whole time, a non-reserved ticket will land you somewhere in cars 1 through 3 on the Nozomi line. Personally, I use the non-reserved ticket and hope for the best at getting a seat on the train. Typically there is a good chance of finding a seat even in the non-reserved cars, but I have also stood for the entire ride from Tokyo to Osaka before, so the choice is yours. Reserving a seat means that your ticket is for that specific seat on that specific train, and if you miss it, you’re in a pinch, but a non-reserved ticket is not tied to a specific train or a specific seat so it’s cheaper and more flexible.