There are a few options in terms of getting mobile data or access to wifi. Some options include:

- renting a pocket wifi device

-paying for data via an e-SIM

-buying a sim card at one of the various Japanese mobile carriers
(Docomo, SoftBank, Rakuten)

I personally have utilized the pocket wifi device due to its simplicity and unlimited data. While it may be a bit more cumbersome to carry around along with keeping it charged up, the speed is consistent and fast. However, it may also be a good idea if you're traveling with a group, to have one person utilize a SIM, e-SIM, or international data plan with their cellphone carrier just in case there are issues with the pocket wifi.

 There are many different companies, so do your own research and compare rates. Here are a few companies:

https://www.japan-wireless.com/en/rates

https://www.ivideo.com.tw/english/japanwifirental

http://www.globaladvancedcomm.com/pocketwifi.html 

 It is best to have the pocket wifi device delivered to your arrival airport if you do plan on using the trains to get to your hotel. HOWEVER, note that the airport post office is closed on holidays and weekends, so plan your trip accordingly to ensure you can pick up the pocket wifi package on arrival OR just use a taxi to get to your hotel and have the pocket wifi delivered to the hotel. 

Post office locations:

-Haneda airport= Intl Arrival Terminal 2 (2F at JAL ABC Counter)

-Nairta airport= Intl Arrival Terminal 2 (3F near sections M and O)

Highly recommend purchasing an external battery to keep your pocket wifi device and phone charged up all day (10,000 to 20,000 mAH external battery).

Keep your phone in 'airplane mode' and connect to the pocket wifi device using the included password. Consider using messaging apps such as WhatsApp, LINE, Kakaotalk, etc. for messaging and calls throughout the trip.

Other useful apps include: Navitime, Hyperdia, Papago, Google Translate, Google Maps

Once your rental period is over, simply seal the pocket wifi, instructions, and charging cable into the pre-paid envelope. Drop it off at the hotel concierge to have them mail the envelope out before you depart to the airport.

WHAT IS IT?

The Japan Rail (JR) pass is a pass that foreign tourists can purchase to ride the JR train lines, buses, and shinkansen (bullet train) as much as they want to for the duration of the pass. 

The pass comes in 7 day, 14, day, or 21 day pass for the 'National' JR pass. The regional JR passes (central, Kansai, East, Hokkaido, Kyushu, West, Shikoku) are for 5 days. 

You also have the option to upgrade to a 'green car' pass for first class, but may not really be worth it since all seats MUST be reserved. 

Consider purchasing a pass if you plan on visiting multiple prefectures/cities and figuring out whether the JR pass may end up saving you money on the shinkansen tickets. 

UPDATE: Effective around October 2023, the JR pass costs will increase quite dramatically. See link below for details:
https://www.japan-guide.com/news/japan-rail-pass-cost-increase.html

If the cost to savings still is in your favor, you can purchase the JR pass online here:    https://www.japan-rail-pass.com/

HOW TO ACTIVATE THE JR PASS

-purchase online and wait for voucher to arrive in a Fedex envelope

-bring the JR pass voucher with you to your arrival airport (Narita, Haneda, Kansai, etc.)

-go to the JR East Travel Center to redeem your pass
(OR consider activating the pass at another location such as Tokyo Station on another day IF you are not activating the pass for use on the same day as your arrival. This will help you save time waiting in the typically long lines at the airport).

-JR East Travel Center locations:
-0arita airport= B1F JR East Travel Service Center

-Haneda airport= arrival lobby 2F JR East Travel Service Center

-confirm the 'activation date' with staff and receive your JR pass ticket

-if you are activating the pass on the day of arrival, you can ask for a free NEX or Monorail ticket to help you get to Tokyo station.

-Narita airport= free NEX (Narita Express) ticket to Tokyo

-Haneda airport= free Monorail ticket to Hamamatsucho station

-when using the JR pass for JR lines, simply insert the ticket at one of the ticket gates and be sure not to forget your ticket at the end of the ticket gate! Do not use IC Only ticket gates. 

The JR pass is valid for JR lines, some buses, and shinkansen bullet trains (except Nozomi and Mizuho). The JR pass also does NOT cover local subway lines, which you will need to pay out-of-pocket for.

Useful apps as previously mentioned include: Hyperdia and Navitime (it allows you to plan out shinkansen schedules, trains, platform #, etc.)

IC (integrated circuit) cards are prepaid cards with a chip side, which allow you to use them for various purchases including subway tickets, vending machines, conbini store purchases, and even some restaurants. 

Tokyo has two IC cards, the Suica and Pasmo IC card. Suica is issued by JR East, while Pasmo is non-JR. The card requires a 500Y deposit, which can be refunded back to you at the end of your trip should you decide to surrender the card. I'd say it's worth keeping if you plan on coming back to Japan in the future!

What makes IC cards interesting is that there are a variety of different IC cards for different regions in Japan. If you're into collecting things, it could be something you could consider collecting while on your trip to various other prefectures.

To purchase an IC card, simply go to a nearby station that has an IC card machine, where you can make the purchase. Also be sure to add at least 2000Y or more on the card to use for subway tickets, vending machines, etc. It can be a convenient way to purchase things quickly without the hassle of dealing with yen and generating lots and lots of loose coins during your travels.

IC cards are valid for 10 years and the max cap is 20,000Y.

You can also download an app that can keep track of your IC card balance. For Android users, use 'Japan Train Card Balance Check' or 'Suica and IC Card Reader'.

For iPhone users, you can download the app SuicaEng and Apple Pay will auto detect the app and link them. You can then add money to the digital Suica card. You can also charge the digital Suica with cash at an IC card machine by placing your phone where the IC logo is. Unfortunately, Android users cannot have a digital IC card due to incompatibilities with Android NFC. 

The yen currency comes in various bills and coins.

-Bills=    1,000Y   2000Y (rare)    5,000Y    10,000Y

-Coins= 1Y    5Y    10Y    50Y    100Y    500Y

I'd recommend bringing cash somewhere around $50 to $100 per day of your trip to expense for restaurants and other purchases that may require cash.

For other purchases, using a travel credit card (with no foreign transaction fees) would be a wise thing to bring with your during your trip. Some good options would be Chase Sapphire Preferred (annual fee $95) or Capital One Venture. 

For currency exchange, there are a few options at the airport. You may also consider other currency exchange locations in the city, but please do your research to find the best rates as well as using a reputable company. Most often the currency exchange rates in Japan are better than what you may get if exchanging currency ahead of time.

Consider bringing a coin pouch for all the change you may end up accumulating. 

In most conbini stores, there are cashier machines near the cashier that you feed bills and coins into if you are paying with cash. You can also let the cashier know if you are paying with 'IC card' and you can just simply tap the IC card reader when it is lit. 

To break large bills such as 10,000Y, the easiest strategies include buying small items from a conbini such as mint or gum. Another good tip would be recharging your IC card with the lowest amount available and receiving the difference in bills/coins. 

In emergencies, you can withdraw cash from a 7-11 atm using your debit card. However, be warned that there may be a hefty fee that is based on the % of the withdrawal. 

For a trip that is 2 weeks or longer, I'd recommend bringing at least a 27" sized main check-in luggage, a carry-on backpack (30-35L), and a collapsible duffle bag. Luggage smaller than 27" may not be enough if you plan on doing a lot of shopping or buying lots of souvenirs. However, if you do end up overshopping, you can always find many shops selling cheap luggage. Most international overseas trips allow an allowance of two check-in bags for free. See your airline for details and fees.

Other important things to consider packing:

-a folio type phone case to store your JR pass and IC card for quick in and 

out of train stations

   -noise cancelling headphones (e.g. Sony WH-1000XM4)

   -emergency med pack (Pepto, Imodium antacids, etc.)

-Plug type A outlet adapters (two flat parallel pins)

-laundry bag (utilize laundry machines if available at your hotel or look into 

finding a nearby laundromat)

-tissues (most restaurants may only provide an oshibori (wet towel) and 

may not provide regular napkins/tissue. 

-small reusable garbage bag (may be difficult to find garbage bins in

   Japan)

Spring season= eyedrops, allergy medications (Zyrtec is stronger than Claritin but may cause a bit more drowsiness), Vicks vapoinhaler, allergy eye drops, allergen face mask

Winter season= snow boots with built-in snow cleats or clip on cleats, smart gloves, beanie/scarf, down jacket/parka, thermals (Heat Tech from Uniqlo), hand/toe warmers (purchase 'Kairo' at conbini stores)

Tokyo has two main airports, Narita and Haneda. Narita is a bit further away from Tokyo (1h 30m by car), while Haneda is much closer (40m by car). Be sure to do your research to compare flight prices and arrival times to determine which airport would best suit your needs. Sometimes it may end up being that Narita may have better flight times or cheaper flights.

You may even consider Kansai airport in Osaka if your trip will begin or end there or nearby Kyoto.

• train rush hours (try to avoid)= 7-9am    5-7pm

• subway operating hours= 5 am to 12 am. resumes around 4:30am to 5 am

• avoid Golden Week (May 3-5)= national holiday. most hotels and restaurants will be fully booked

• ryokan reservations= consider reserving at least 3 months in advance if not further

• use Yelp, Google Reviews, and Tabelog for restaurant reviews and reservations

• Navigating tips: when using Google Maps, use the train icon to plan your train route to where you want to go. then reset and switch to the 'walk icon' to plot your route on foot to where you want to go. tapping on the 'live view icon' is also very helpful in navigating you somewhat accurately using augmented reality to show you arrows where to go.

• consider 'takuhaibin' (luggage delivery) service using waybills to have luggage shipped to your hotel, airport, etc. talk to your hotel concierge to have this set up for a fee (~$10-$20), but be sure to send your luggage between 9am to 12pm the day prior to your travel so that it arrives on time at your next destination.

  • • • https://www.kuronekoyamato.co.jp/ytc/en/send/preparations/invoice/

• utilize coin lockers in stations to stow away luggage/shopping bags temporarily

• if traveling from Tokyo to Kyoto/Osaka (west), ride the shinkansen on the right side to catch a view of Mt Fuji if you're lucky and the weather permits

• when using Google Maps, be sure to pay attention to which exit you need to use (most stations have multiple exits)

• don't forget to grab some ekiben (bento boxed meals for train) and drinks at the train station before your shinkansen trip (some food/drink options also available on service cart on shinkansen)

• some restaurants may give you the bill in advance. be sure not to forget it and bring it to the cashier to pay. to ask for the check, simply say 'okaike onegai shimasu'