When you arrive in Japan for the first time, there are a few things you’ll want to get done as soon as you arrive. Here’s a list of to-do items that might help you upon arriving in Japan

Getting Cash

Credit card and QR code payments are becoming increasingly common in Japan, but cash remains a widely used medium, particularly for train and bus fares. There will be occasions when you’ll need cash, although it’s possible to navigate Japan without ever using it. For public transportation, however, cash is often necessary. Even though transit IC cards like Suica and Pasmo can be charged with a credit card, the initial purchase of these physical cards requires cash.

The best way to get cash in Japan is to use an ATM. While many bank ATMs in Japan do not accept foreign bank cards, the good news is that most store-branded ATMs in major convenience stores such as 7-Eleven, Lawson, Ministopae, Family Mart, Post Office and retail giants like Aeon do accept international bank cards. These retailers operate ATMs outside their stores, and they can dispense cash using a foreign bank card. When you see a Seven Bank ATM (7-Eleven), Lawson Bank ATM, E-net ATM (Family Mart and Don Quijote), JP Post ATM (Post Office) or Aeon Bank ATM (Aeon and Ministop), you can withdraw cash using your bank card. Conveniently, all major airports have a convenience store or store-branded ATM in the arrival area of the terminal, so you can get cash without any hassle. I would suggest withdrawing around 5,000 yen to cover most expenses if you plan to use your credit or debit card as your primary payment method.

If you’re arriving at Kansai airport or Fukuoka airport, you can comfortably skip this step. Nankai trains and Fukuoka city subway accept credit or debit card payments (except Mastercard) at station turnstiles (tap and go). All you need to do is tap your card to enter and exit the station. In 2024, more rail operators, including Osaka Metro, Kintetsu, Hankyu, and Hanshin, will adopt this system, making all your travel in the Osaka area cashless.

Below is a list of ATMs that accept foreign bank cards, primarily located in the international arrivals areas of various airports.

• Sapporo (New Chitose)
  • International
    • Seven Bank ATM in the Arrival Lobbyby the escalator
    • Lawson Bank ATM inside Lawson in the Arrival Lobby
• Haneda
  • Terminal 2
    • Seven Bank ATM in the Welcome Center in the International Arrival Lobby (domestic departure floor)
    • Seven Bank ATM on B1 floor
    • Lawson ATM inside Lawson on B1 floor
    • Seven Bank ATM inside 7-Eleven in front of Keikyu Rail station on B2 floor
  • Terminal 3
    • Seven Bank ATM in the arrival hall, left of the immigration and customs exit
    • Lawson Bank ATM inside Lawson on 1st floor
• Narita
  • Terminal 1
    • Seven Bank and Aeon Bank ATMs in the Visitor service center in the International Arrival Area
    • Aeon Bank ATM inside Ministop in the International Arrival Area (Southwing)
    • Lawson Bank ATM inside Lawson on B1 floor (Train station floor)
  • Terminal 2
    • Seven Bank ATM on B1 floor (Train station floor)
    • Seven Bank ATMs inside 7-Eleven on B1 floor (Train station floor)
  • Terminal 3
    • Seven Bank and Aeon Bank ATMs on the 2nd floor (Departure) across from check in counter C and D
    • Lawson Bank ATM inside Lawson on 2nd floor (Departure) across from food court
• Nagoya (Chubu)
  • Terminal 1
    • Seven Bank ATM on 2nd floor Arrival Lobby
    • Lawson Bank ATM inside Lawson on 1st floor
  • Terminal 2
    • Lawson Bank ATM on 1st floor Arrival Lobby
    • Seven Bank ATM on 2nd floor Departure Lobby
  • Access Plaza (Train station)
    • E-net ATM inside FamilyMart
    • Another E-net ATM
• Kansai
  • Terminal 1
    • Seven Bank ATM on 1st floor Arrival Lobby by door “B”
    • Seven Bank and Aeon Bank ATMs on 2nd floor
    • Lawson Bank ATM inside Lawson on 2nd floor
    • E-net ATM inside FamilyMart on 2nd floor near Train station
  • Aeroplaza (Terminal 2 shuttle exit)
    • Lawson Bank ATM inside Lawson on 2nd floor
• Fukuoka
  • International Terminal
    • Seven Bank ATMs inside 7-Eleven on 1st floor Arrival Lobby
• Naha
  • Seven Bank on 1st floor International Arrival Lobby

Getting SIM card or Pocket WiFi

Japan’s public WiFi service is not on par with some other countries. Many WiFi networks are either unreliable or have a convoluted login process, so I recommend getting a travel WiFi router (pocket WiFi) or a SIM card, unless your phone plan includes free international roaming. You can rent a pocket WiFi or SIM card at the airport, or you can order one online ahead of time and choose either to pick it up at the airport or have it delivered to your hotel.

Shipping Luggage to Your Destination

Shipping your luggage from the airport to your destination is a great idea if you’re eager to start exploring right off the plane, or if you’d rather not deal with carrying luggage on crowded trains or in extreme weather. Most major airports have a luggage delivery counter on the same floor as arrivals. This service is usually provided by major shipping companies like Yamato, Sagawa, or JAL ABC (a Japan Airlines company). Conveniently, at the JAL ABC counter, you can also rent a pocket WiFi or SIM card, allowing you to take care of two tasks in one stop.

Taking a Shower

Taking a shower before heading out to explore the city can be incredibly refreshing, especially if your flight arrives early in the morning. Here are some airports in Japan where you can find shower rooms:

• Narita
  • Terminal 1: 2nd floor before parking lot bridge
  • Terminal 2: Inside of Nine Hours hotel
• Haneda
  • Terminal 2: 1st floor Domestics Arrival Lobby
  • Terminal 3: 2nd floor Arrival Lobby
• Nagoya (Chubu)
  • Terminal 1: 1st floor inside of capsule hotel TUBE Sq
• Kansai
  • Inside the Hotel Nikko Kansai Airport, which is within walking distance from Terminal 1. Note that the hours are limited from 09:00 to 2haneda1:00, with the last check-in at 20:00.

Rejuvenating at Airport Hot Spring Baths

Immersing yourself in a public hot spring bath is a wonderfully relaxing experience, especially after a long-haul flight. If you’re arriving at one of the following airports, you’re in luck – these airports feature hot spring bathhouses right within the terminal buildings, offering a perfect spot to unwind.

• Sapporo (New Chitose)
  • Open 23 hours (Closed from 0900 to 1000)
  • Located on 4th floor of the domestic terminal
• Haneda
  • Open 21.5 hours (Closed from 1000 to 1230)
  • Located in Haneda Airport Garden, across from Terminal 3
• Nagoya (Chubu)
  • Open from 0900 to 2200
  • Located in Sky Town on 4th floor of Terminal 1

Visiting Airplane (Boeing 787) Theme Park

Visiting the ‘Flight of Dreams‘ Airplane Theme Park: While not a necessity, this attraction is worth mentioning as once you leave an airport, you typically don’t return until your departure. ‘Flight of Dreams’ is a one-of-a-kind airplane theme park located at Nagoya’s Chubu Centrair Airport, uniquely centered around the very first Boeing 787 ever built.

As you enter the building, you’re greeted by the first-built Boeing 787, prominently displayed. Here, you have the rare opportunity to closely observe the airplane’s landing gears, engine, wings, and cockpit — details usually inaccessible at airports. Surrounding the 787 are a variety of attractions including a food court and shops, with the highlight being the official Boeing store. You can also book a flight simulator experience with a fee, featuring either the 747 (DreamLifter cargo plane) or 787, with various plans available to suit different preferences.

Conclusion

Sometimes, getting out of an airport can be a nightmare, but planning ahead and knowing where to access cash, obtain a SIM card, pocket WiFi, and which mode of public transit to use can greatly reduce stress upon leaving the airport. Some activities can be both fun and relaxing, and taking advantage of these opportunities can make your trip very memorable.