Japan has some of the largest and busiest cities on earth. The cities can be loud and chaotic, full of bright lights, excitement and stimulation to the 'Nth' degree. Even so, out of this chaos inexplicably manifests an ordered society deeply entrenched in the culture of convenience. Don't ask me how, its a complete mystery. This country is really a juxtaposition of everything you didn't expect. From the busy cities, elegant temples and gardens to the tranquil natural hot springs and its pristine nature - how does the modern traveller traverse all this with ease, stress free and in style?

This blog covers some of the latest trends and cool ways you can prepare yourself to 'get the most' out of your travels in this amazing country.  This post covers:

  • The suica car
  • The digital suica car
  • Mobile data options in Japa
  • Sim card
  • Powering your devices in Japa
  • Packing cell
  • Believe it or not 'cash is King' in Japan (stilld

The Suica Card

There are various types of transport cards that you can pick up in Japan cheaply and easily such as the Pasmo and the Suica card.  Both cards can be used on JR line (Japan Rail), subway and limited private train companies.  Originally, they were developed for locals in east and west Japan.  Current advice is that it cannot be used on the Shinkansen, the JR Pass is better suited for this.

However, as the Olympics are just around the corner (next year) effort has been made to be able to use these cards throughout Japan.  Originally the Pasmo was for west Japan and suica was for east Japan.  Either card maybe used in either area now.  This maybe in part due to the number of foreign tourists who may find it difficult to distinguish between them or due to being ultimately convenient.

The Suica card makes travelling in Japan supremely easy.  You can switch between JR and the subway and buses all using the one card.  Simply top-it-up with cash and ‘tap on’ and ‘tap off’ as you travel around the city.  It beats having to look at the huge fare boards and trace your travel plan from start to finish to come up with the amount to be paid into the ticket vending machine.  It some ways it is similar to the Travel Card in Australia, however, typically of Japan, is far more diverse in its usefulness.

So, how do you get one?  It is an easy purchase at a vending machine found near the usual ticket dispenses.  You can click on the English button on the screen to follow the procedure of obtaining a Suica card.  ¥500 of the amount you place on the card will be reserved as a deposit.  You can collect any remaining amount of money plus the ¥500 deposit by using the vending machine to return your card.  Check this out for an explanation.

It is also easy to top-up the card using the same vending machine.  You can select the English button on the screen to follow the instructions on what you need to do. Alternatively, you can always ask the friendly staff at the convenience store to do the deed for you.  The suica card can also be used for purchases made at the convenience store which makes life just that much easier!

Digital Suica

The next supremely convenient evolutionary step was to make the suica digital, so that you can use it on your phone.  You can use a credit card to top-up the suica which makes life that much happier in Japan.  Your phone is used in the same manner as the suica card would be by ‘tapping-on’ and ‘tapping-off’ on your travels around the city or knock yourself out with purchases at 7/11.  The short video below from the JR YouTube channel explains how to buy a Suica card in Japan.


  • Actually it is much more useful and more convenient that you might guess as it can be used in an ever increasing number of stores and vendors.  Check this out to get an idea of where you can use the suica card.
  • Buy from a ticket vending machine at the train station ¥500 refundable deposit;
  • How to put money on the card Use on JR, private rail, subway and busses in Japan Use at convenience stores;
  •  Top-up at convenience stores or vending machines at the station; 
  • Return the card at the vending machine for the return your ¥500 deposit The Digital Suica Card Download the suica app from the iTunes Store; 
  • and Use Apple Pay or credit card to fund your sucia card Transfer a Suica card to Apple Pay on your iPhone;
  • Using Suica on iPhone or Apple Watch in Japan.

Powering your devices in Japan These days we live in a connected world, and considering the rate of technological advancement in Japan the infrastructure is there for mind blowingly fast inter-connectivity. Except for some of the mountainous or particular rural areas you will have access to 4G or 5G internet.   

We live in a connected work, and our modern lifestyle places a constant demand on being connected with the rest of the world.  This is really a wonderful development compared with the 90’s when someone went overseas, for all intents and purposes it was like they had fallen of the edge of the world.  The connection contributes to making travel much safer, and keep family, friends and loved ones in the loop as to what you are experiencing.

Consequently, this means finding ways to keep your devices powered and ready to go.  Lucky, Japan being one of the countries on that planet that is constantly on the cutting edge of technology.  Most accommodation in Japan (apart from remote rural or out of the way places) provides high speed internet service for guests.

An innovative way to stay charged is simply to take a power board with you.  This will allow you to charge several devices with the one Japanese wall plug, saving you the expense of several plugs and reduces bulky packing for travel.

The electronic stores in Japan are worth a visit.  The choice of appliances are simply mind boggling whether you choose Yodabashi Camera or BIC you can usually find computer plugs and adaptors in the first floor basement.  They are comparatively cheap to what you may find in Australia.  You can also find more recent model power packs with enough oomph to charge your mobile phone several time or even your laptop if you have one.

These days there are also nifty organiser pack packs that are solar powered or include a battery pack.  They often have built in USB sockets so that staying charged, with your gizmos handy certainly helps get around Japan in style while remaining connected.

  • Powering your devices in Jap
  • Take a power board with you to Japa
  • Excellent way to power multiple devices using one Japanese plu
  • Perfect for staying in hotels; a
  • Reduces the need for multiple plugs that can be easily lost bulky for trave
  • Visit Yodobashi and procure yourself a power pack with enough oomph to for several charges of your mobile phone, or even a laptop compute
  • Neat modern backpacks that included batteries or solar panels  to keep your devices charged and ready for action.

Packing Cells

  • Organised packing with space saving packing cell
  • Awesome way to organise your belongs so that everything is handy and makes the best use of space availabl
  • Neat way to organise your clothes and equipmen
  • Great for general travel or walking tours with a day pac
  • Saves space and more efficient for packing

Packing for travel has always been a hassle, and probably the thing you’ve left to the last possible moment, I know I do – or I used to.  As technology in materials and design has increased so has our knowledge in creating travel bags and packs that are highly organised with pockets for all of your bibs and bobs.  To add another level you can always use packing cells.  Not only does it save heaps of space, it makes it super easy to access your clothes and separate your clean clothes from your adventure sodden rags.

While cells help to keep your suit case organised the next iteration are compression packing cells.  These have an additional zipper on the outside that compresses your clothes by an additional 30%.  They come in varying sizes and materials depending on whether you prefer sturdy cells or light weight ones.

Taskin produce an innovative packing cell that is double sided.  One side has mesh for your clean clothes and the reverse side is enclosed with water resistant plastic intended for your dirty laundry.  This type of cell works wonderfully for pack packs or day packs providing lots of space for the doodads you’ll no doubt pick-up on your adventure.

One the one hand, these may seem somewhat retentive, but on the other being well organised elevates stress when travelling.

Mobile data options in Japan

  • Portable wifi-route
  • 4G and 5G availabl
  • High speed internet availabl
  • Reliable connection in Japa
  • More secure that shared or public wifi services or possibly SIM card
  • Organise through econnect or rakutan for examp

The good news is that Japan has blizzard like speeds when it comes to internet connections and internet interconnections.  4G and 5G connections are available and you will most likely be using one these. Most hotels, onsen, minshuku, temple stays etc. all provide internet access for their guests.  All except for the most remote areas have internet connectivity.

There is are several free WiFi services available in Japan that can joined through the 'usual registration process' of name, email and agreeing to 'Terms & Conditions'.  This will allow you access for a prescribed time, usually a couple of hours.  Similar arrangements are in place for tourists provided by local governments throughout Japan. However, using this method of connecting does not provide you with any security if you need to access personal information such as bank accounts.  Organising a portable WiFi router could be the better choice for you.

The not so good news is that Japan's Telecom works on a completely different system to that of the rest of the world.  This means that if you wish to be able to make calls in Japan you'll need a sim card or telephone that functions on their telecommunications system.

There are a number of choices to feed your need to be connected.  If you require only data then a portable WiFi router could be the choice for you.  There are various companies that provide this service such as econnect and Rakutan to name just two. Usually, the earlier that you organise and pay the greater the discount you are able to secure.

I've used the service provided by econnect a number of times with pleasing results.  In the evening I was able to stream netflix or YouTube without any problems.  The speed was always very quick.  I've always selected the router that will allow 5G speeds that has always worked out very well for me.

Receiving the item and returning at the conclusion of my travels has always been hassle free.  When ordering the router you can select to pick-up from the airport or have it delivered to your hotel.  I've usually selected the later being familiar with Japan and the destination I was going to for the first night.  A return envelop is provided with the router and it's a simple process to drop everything in the envelope and then drop this in the red post box before heading through security at the airport.  Be sure to post it before going through as there aren't any post boxes in Japanese airports once you've passed through customs.

Another option maybe to organise a SIM card, either once you've arrived in Japan or a cheaper global SIM card.

Sim Cards

  • Organise to pick-up in Jap
  • Yodobashi Camera in Shinjuku/Akihabar
  • BIC Camer
  • Use a ‘Travel’ S
  • Useful for text/phone (often Ukraine based
  • Useless for mobile dat
  • Use a service like FlexiRO
  • Sticker vs eS
  • Buy data before arrival (earlier the better
  • Works immediately on landi
  • Why you may need da
  • Mobile banki
  • Google maps
  • Reviews of eating places (Foursquare, Yelp, TripAdviso
  • Post your trip in Japan – keep up with your social medi
  • Keep in contact with friends and family while in Japan.

Apple has finally introduced dual-SIM capabilities on its iPhone XS and XR models, meaning you can now have two different phone numbers associated with a single iPhone. For folks burdened by two phones with one for work and one for personal use, adding support for dual SIM and eSIM on iPhone is welcome news indeed! 

And for all of you that love travelling internationally but don’t love the data bills that sometimes surprise, with dual SIM and eSIM technology, you can add a local (yes local) data plan when travelling outside of your home country or region. Pretty awesome!

Cash is King in Japan (still)