• Greeting Culture: A polite bow and simple greetings like kon-nichiwa (hello) go a long way. Greet neighbors politely with “Ohayoh gozai masu” (good morning), “Kon-nichiwa” (hello), or “Kon-banwa” (good evening).
• Shoes Off Indoors: Always remove your shoes at the entrance when entering any home or indoor space. In Japan, keeping shoes on indoors is considered extremely disrespectful — one of the worst cultural offenses. Please neatly line up your shoes after removing them and use indoor slippers when provided. You might find separate slippers for the restroom, so be sure to use the correct pair. This is a fundamental cultural practice in Japanese homes and many accommodations.
• Tatami: Tatami is a traditional Japanese flooring material and is quite delicate. In tatami rooms at ryokans and other establishments, it’s expected to walk barefoot or in socks. Please be careful not to place luggage directly on the tatami or to soil it.
• Cash Preference: Credit cards are widely accepted but rural areas like Takashima are still cash-preferred. Use 7-Eleven or Japan Post ATMs for foreign cards to take cash out. Convenience stores and many restaurants take credit cards.
• Public Trash Cans are Rare: Take your trash home when out—public bins are rare in Japan. Bring your own reusable shopping bag for groceries and shopping —plastic bags are not free.
• Tipping : Tipping is not customary in Japan. Instead of tipping, express your gratitude with “gochisoh sama deshita” (thank you for the meal.).

• Train Travel: Get an ICOCA or Suica card (rechargeable train pass) for convenient cashless travel.
• Boarding Trains: Wait in line behind the designated markings on the platform. Allow passengers to exit before boarding.
• On trains: don’t block doors, offer seats to elderly, and keep your bag on your lap.
• Quiet Public Spaces: Keep conversations low on trains, buses, and in public spaces. No phone calls on trains or buses (except taxis). Keep phones on silent mode.
• Walk on the right side of paths or sidewalks unless otherwise marked.
• Pedestrians do not always have the right of way. Let cars and motorcycles pass before crossing.
• Bicycles ride on the left side of the road with cars as much as possible. Kids under 13 years old and the elderly are allowed to ride on a sidewalk. Park only in designated areas and pay an appropriate fee.
• Taxi: The doors of Japanese taxis are operated automatically by the driver. Avoid trying to open or close the door yourself. This is a standard feature of Japanese taxi service.

• Train Station: JR Shin-Asahi Station, Takashima City Tourism and Products Plaza and Marugoto Store by the station
• Groceries: Local supermarkets (Heiwado, Plant) and convenience stores (7 Eleven, Lawson), JA Co-op, Farmer’s Market (Toju no Sato Adogawa) are nearby.
• Dining (*=Accepts Credit Cards): Mimatsu* (Japanese Restaurant), Cafe Colabo* (cafe), Suzunoie (cafe, cake shop), Matsumura (Italian), Izakaya Waino* (Japanese tapas bar), Time for Tea* (cake shop), Soba Noodle Harie (hand made soba noodle), Hama Sushi* (Family sushi restaurant), and more!
• Hardware Stores: Home Plaza Nafco, Komeri, Ayaha Dio
• Drugstores: Welcia, Genky
• Brewery: Takashima Brewery, Kawashima Sake Brewery, Uehara Sake Brewery
• Sightseeing around Takashima:
  • Lake Biwa (Japan’s largest lake)
  • Makino Highland: A beautiful highland area famous for seasonal scenery — cherry blossoms in spring, lush greenery in summer, and colorful leaves in fall.
  • Metasequoia Namiki: An iconic road lined with tall metasequoia trees — stunning in every season (especially fall!).
  • Hakodateyama Highland: Skiing and snowboarding in winter, flower fields and hiking trails in warmer months.
  • Shirahige Shrine: Known for its torii gate standing in the water — like a mini version of Itsukushima Shrine. Beautiful at sunrise and sunset.
  • Kaizu-Osaki: One of the best cherry blossom spots along Lake Biwa — the trees stretch for kilometers along the lakeside.
  • Biwako Hakodateyama Terrace: Stunning observation terrace overlooking Lake Biwa from above — reachable by ropeway.
  • Chikubu-shima: A sacred island floating in the northern part of Lake Biwa, accessible by ferry from Imazu Port. From Imazu Port, just a 25-minute ferry ride. Imazu is part of Takashima and easily reachable by local train from Shin-Asahi. The island is home to Hōgon-ji Temple, part of the Saigoku Kannon Pilgrimage, and Tsukubusuma Shrine, a designated National Treasure.
  • Hikone Castle: One of Japan’s few original castles, and a designated National Treasure. Compact but full of history and charm.
  • Yokotani Valley and Waterfall: A hidden gem in Takashima! A peaceful, short trail along the river leading to a small but beautiful waterfall.
  • Hira Mountains: A mountain range stretching along the western side of Lake Biwa. Great for hiking with varying difficulty levels. → The Yokotani Valley trail is especially beautiful.
  • Mt. Kunimi: Less crowded mountain hike with beautiful lake views. About 1–2 hours hike to the summit.
  • Hieizan Enryaku-ji : A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Enryaku-ji is an ancient Buddhist monastery complex located on Mount Hiei, straddling the border between Shiga and Kyoto.
  • Shigaraki Area: Shigaraki Ceramic Cultural Park, Koka Ninja Village, Miho Museum

• No swimwear or underwear in the bath.
• It’s essntial to wash your body and hair thoroughly before entering the bathtub or onsen.
• Do not submerge your wash towel in the bathwater.
• Tattoos may not be allowed—check before entering.
• In saunas, sit on a towel, stay quiet, don’t bring phones, and cool off afterward.

• Spring (March–May): Mild, cherry blossoms in April.
• Summer (June–August): Warm, humid, lush countryside.
• Autumn (September–November): Crisp air, vibrant fall foliage.
• Winter (December–February): Cold and occasional snow (residency paused in winter months).

• Arashiyama (嵐山)
  Famous for the bamboo forest, river, and monkey park. Magical, especially in autumn.
• Kinkaku-ji (金閣寺 / Golden Pavilion)
  Iconic gold-covered Zen temple surrounded by a beautiful reflecting pond.
• Gion District (祇園)
  Historic geisha district with tea houses, narrow lanes, and traditional Kyoto charm.
• Fushimi Inari Taisha (伏見稲荷大社)
  Famous for its endless paths of red torii gates climbing up the mountain.
• Kiyomizu-dera (清水寺)
  A dramatic temple on wooden terraces overlooking Kyoto — incredible views year-round.
• Philosopher’s Path (哲学の道 / Tetsugaku no Michi)
  A peaceful walking path lined with cherry trees, small temples, and traditional houses.

• 1. Rent a Pocket Wi-Fi
  • Description: Portable device offering secure internet access anywhere in Japan.
  • Why It’s Good: Fast, reliable, multiple devices can connect (laptops, phones, tablets).
  • Where to Rent:
    • Japan Wireless, Sakura Mobile, Ninja WiFi, or airport counters.
    • Can be picked up at airport or delivered to your accommodation.
  • Cost: Around ¥500–¥900/day depending on speed and data.

• 2. Buy a Prepaid Data SIM Card
  • For unlocked phones only
  • Recommended Providers: B-Mobile, Sakura Mobile, Mobal, Japan Travel SIM (IIJmio).
  • Purchase Locations: Airports, Bic Camera, Yodobashi, Amazon Japan.
  • Cost: ~¥3,000–¥5,000 for 7–15 days with 3–10GB data.
  • Note: No local phone number (data only).

• 3. International Roaming Plans
  • For non-Japanese phones with roaming.
  • Check with your home provider—some offer Japan day passes (e.g., T-Mobile, AT&T, Google Fi).
  • Good for light usage or emergencies.

🔒 Pro Tips: Always carry a portable power bank to recharge devices and Wi-Fi routers.

• Availability: A small car is available for rental at a fee. Please contact residency staff for details and arrangements upon acceptance. Car use is limited to within Takashima City only. Please do not drive outside of city limits without explicit permission.
• Left-Side Driving: Vehicles drive on the left side of the road. Always be attentive and adjust accordingly.
• International License: You must have an International Driving Permit (IDP) if you do not have a Japanese driver’s license. You can obtain an IDP at your local AAA (American Automobile Association) office before traveling to Japan. The application can be submitted in person or by mail, costs $20, and the permit is valid for one year.
• Seat Belts: Seat belts are mandatory for all passengers.
• Drinking and Driving: Strictly prohibited. Japan enforces a zero-tolerance policy for drinking and driving, with a legal blood alcohol limit of 0.00%. 
• Parking: Park only in designated areas. Illegal parking can result in heavy fines. In Japan, reverse (back-in) parking is the common practice. Please follow this custom when parking.
• No Left on Red: Unlike some countries, turning left on a red light is not permitted.
• Train Crossings: Always come to a complete stop at all train crossings, even if no train appears to be coming. This is a strict traffic rule in Japan.
• Traffic Lights & Signs: Always obey all traffic signs and signals. Stop signs and red lights must be strictly followed, and many intersections use cameras to enforce compliance.
• Speed Limits: Speed limits are lower in Japan than in many other countries. Typical limits are 40 km/h in urban areas and 100 km/h on highways.
• Pedestrian Crosswalks: Drivers are required by law to stop for pedestrians at designated crosswalks. However, in practice, some drivers may not yield unless the pedestrian is already crossing. Exercise caution.
• Right Turn: When making right turns, be especially careful to check for bicycles and scooters. These are much more common in Japan than in the U.S., and they may approach quickly from behind or beside your vehicle.
• Emergency Services and Accident Reporting: In an emergency or accident, dial 110 for police assistance and 119 for medical emergencies. Stay calm and report incidents promptly to the authorities.

✈️ ZIPAIR Tokyo: For artists traveling from outside Japan, we recommend looking into ZIPAIR, a budget-friendly international airline based in Japan. It’s a great option for affordable and direct flights to Tokyo (Narita Airport).

• Operates direct flights from cities like Houston, Los Angeles, San Jose, San Francisco, Honolulu, Singapore, and Bangkok to Narita International Airport (NRT)
• Offers affordable fares, modern aircraft, and customizable add-ons
• Great for travelers looking for comfort without high costs
• Visit: https://www.zipair.net

Other major airlines like ANA (All Nippon Airways), Japan Airlines (JAL), United, Delta, or American Airlines, and Air Canada also serve major Japanese airports like Kansai (KIX) and Haneda (HND).

• Useful Apps: Consider downloading the following apps to make your stay more convenient:
  • Google Maps – For navigation and train routes.
  • NAVITIME Japan Travel – For detailed train schedules, routes, and platform information in English.
  • Google Translate – Helps with translation using text, voice, or camera. Especially useful for reading menus, signs, and labels in Japanese by hovering your camera over the text to instantly translate it. Must have!
  • Suica or Mobile Suica – Rechargeable IC card app for train and bus fares. Available for both iPhone and Android in the U.S. (requires a Japan-compatible Apple Pay or Google Wallet setup). Suica can be used in many parts of Japan, including most JR lines and some buses in Shiga Prefecture, especially around major stations.
  • LINE – Popular messaging app for communication with locals. Supports both text and voice messages, and is widely used throughout Japan.
  • Japan Official Travel App – For transportation, safety alerts, and travel tips.
• Etiquettes At Temples:
  • Bow once before entering the temple grounds.
  • At Buddhist temples, you may light incense at the designated area and offer a silent prayer.
  • When praying, quietly put your hands together in front of your chest and bow slightly.
  • Behave calmly and respectfully; do not run, shout, or disturb others.
• Etiquettes At Shrines:
  • Bow once at the torii gate before entering.
  • Purify your hands and mouth using the ladle at the water basin (first left hand, then right, then rinse your mouth with water from your left hand).
  • At the offering hall, toss a coin into the box, bow twice, clap twice, offer a silent prayer, then bow once more.
• Smoking: Smoking while walking is prohibited. Always smoke in designated smoking areas.
• Deodorant: Common American deodorant products are not widely available in Japan. If you regularly use deodorant, please bring your preferred products with you from home.
• Handkerchief: Public restrooms in Japan often do not provide paper towels or hand dryers. It is customary for people to carry a small handkerchief or small hand towel to dry their hands. Please bring one with you when going out.

Japan has unique cultural norms and manners that might be unfamiliar to tourists. However, by understanding these basic rules, you can enjoy your trip more comfortably and respectfully. Knowing how to use chopsticks and handle payments at restaurants, the proper way to visit shrines, and the etiquette for bathing in onsen will help you interact smoothly with locals. Embrace the distinctive customs of Japan and create unforgettable memories!