Top 10 Facts About Japan For A First Time Visitor

"You're telling me I have to go butt naked?"

I looked at Eri who, by now, was openly laughing at the shocked look on my face. I'd always wanted to try an experience at a Japanese onsen, but had never really figured out what that actually involved. Sure, maybe I was naive. But I'd always assumed that if you wanted to, you'd be able to wear something when you lowered yourself into the hot spring water.

Wrong. Couldn't be more wrong actually. Everyone, no exceptions, has to be wearing the clothes they were born in, if they want to experience what it's like in a Japanese onsen. To the uninitiated, the first of these facts about Japan is a moment to test your modesty. Especially if you're not prepared.

Dig into these 10 facts about Japan for the visitor

This is my top 10 facts of Japan list for first-time visitors. They're all things that I wish I'd known when I first arrived here to help make things go just that little bit more smoothly. Ready to dig in?

It seems almost every month there's another "facts about Japan" article that highlights how Tokyo carries the most expensive price tags in the world. And each year it gets me ranting to my friends about media that innaccurately portrays a place based on a few select facts. Problem is, it's not the big picture they show you. Just a small and priviledged wealthy sector of society. While it's definitely true that you can spend a fortune in Japan, you certainly don't have to.

What do you do if you don't have a money tree funding your Tokyo vacation? There are three key areas where you can save a lot of money: your accommodation, your food, and your transport costs.

Tokyo now has plenty of budget hotels available... and they're clean, safe, and centrally located. For your Tokyo food, the rules are simple. Eat where the locals do. Every district in Tokyo has some great soba, ramen, and sushi shops for starters. If you absolutely must eat Western foods then the price tag is going to go up. And as to transport, the Tokyo train system is the cheapest and fastest way to make your way around the city. Get your head around which train lines are closest to the area you'll be staying in. And consider buying a Japan Rail Pass if you're going to be travelling to different parts of Japan.

This is one of the facts about Japan that can properly stump a first time visitor. And it's something you don't want to happen.

What's so special about using your money in Japan? It all comes down to the Japanese banking system and some rather antiquated quirks. Credit cards are still a fairly new method of payment, although they're quickly growing in popularity. But if your particular brand of plastic isn't recognised, you're suddenly left with the bill and a need to pay in cash. If you're paying at major brand companies like the 5 star hotels or famous restaurants chains, you should be able to use your card no problem. But it's the smaller, more local vendors where your 'international' card may raise a red flag.

The best thing is to check this with your bank before you leave for Japan and find out exactly where you'll be able to withdraw cash if you need it. Making sure you've always got some cash on you is the best way to avoid any potentially embarrassing situations. For more about your money and how to access it while you're in Japan, see our Tokyo money and Tokyo banks pages.

So what's an izakaya? The closest description I can think of is it's the Japanese version of a British pub. Why is it on this list of first time visitor facts about Japan? Because if you fancy doing some socializing Japanese style, then finding yourself a good izakaya is one of the best ways to do it.

Izakayas come in all shapes and sizes just like the good old British pub. There are the large brewery type izakayas. And then there's your more cosy and local sort. For more information see our Tokyo izakaya page.

If you can get over the going naked thing, a dip in a Japanese onsen is a unique experience. And the way your skin is lovely and smooth when you get out, leaves you feeling glowing and pampered for at least a couple more hours.

You'll also need to know some other essential onsen facts about Japan. Hot springs etiquette requires that, in addition to getting naked, you must also shower and clean yourself all over before you get in the onsen. And if you've got tattoos, most onsens will refuse you entry. Why? Traditionally it's the yakuza (Japanese mafia) that adorn their bodies in this way and onsens don't want to be associated with that particular organisation. These are hard and fast cultural rules and ones you don't want to break.

Of all the facts about Japan, this one is maybe the most intimidating. It's not a big issue in most of the country, but if you're visiting Tokyo, personal space takes on a new definition. This is especially evident during peak hours of the day, when the daily commute sees stations and walkways jampacked with bodies. It's a little bit daunting, particularly if you're not used to life in a big city.

The trick is to create your own mental space and make that your rush hour bolt hole. There's nothing anyone can do about the close bodily contact of rush hour, but you can control where your mind goes. For me, a good book always does the trick... and now I have my Kindle I never run out of something to read ; )

When you look round at every day life in Japan, it's easy to assume that the people are reserved, and always in control. Let's face it, this is one of the facts about Japan you read most about in the press and other media sources. Things run like clockwork and it's rare to see anyone bucking the code. That is, until you get involved in a Japanese festival.

Japanese festivals are, first and foremost, traditional affairs. They have traditional origins. And there are traditional rituals and ceremonies at the heart of each celebration. But they're also a chance for the Japanese to let their hair down and show the rest of the world what it's like when a community comes together to party. To find out more about the different events and when they happen, visit our Japanese festivals page.

Chopsticks can be awkward to use if you've never tried them before. But they're the utensil of the East. And, although you can get a knife and fork in most places if you need them, learning to eat Japanese style is a fun part of your vacation. It's important to understand the cultural rules about using them, however, which is why they're on this list of facts about Japan. So what's the big deal about using chopsticks properly...

... it all comes down to funerals. And the way that chopsticks are used as part of this ceremony. After cremation, relatives will use chopsticks to collect the bones and place them in an urn. And it's the only time that it's ok to pass an item directly from one set of chopsticks to another. When you are sharing food with others, if you need to pass an item to someone else, do it by placing the food on their plate.

The other thing to be careful of is what to do with your chopsticks when you're not eating. Never stick them into your food or rice bowl as, again, this is a reminder of the funeral ceremony. Instead, place them on the chopstick holder next to your plate if you have one. Otherwise just lay them parallel to each other on your plate.

The etiquette of eating Japanese style is 7 and 8 on our facts about Japan list. This time it's sushi that's laying down the rules.

The question of how to eat sushi properly is one that bothers a lot of first-time visitors to Japan. Do you pick it up with your chopsticks? Do you cut it into smaller pieces? What's the correct thing to do?

The answer is surprisingly simple and very easy to do. It's perfectly ok to use your fingers to pick up your sushi. Put a little soy sauce in the small side dish provided at your seat. Then gently pick up your sushi. Turn it upside down so the fish slice is facing down. Dip it in your soy sauce. And then pop it in your mouth. No cutting and no chopsticks required. If you want to see how it's done, check out this article at CNNGo.

If you're planning a visit to Tokyo Disneyland, I'm sure you already know it's a busy Tokyo attraction. At special times of year like Christmas and Halloween, the popular rides quickly grow long queues and once the park is full, the entry gates are closed. Still... even knowing all this, you may still be surprised by the strength of Disney fervour among Japanese Disney fans.

So what should you expect? When the gates first open in the morning, be ready for a stampede to get in. Expect those with pushchairs to use them to strategic advantage. Japanese Disney fans definitely take no prisoners. As long as you're prepared for a slightly manic atmosphere you'll be just fine.

And finally on our facts about Japan list, what do you need to know to get your hands on some great Japanese souvenirs without spending a fortune?

The official souvenir shops, while they definitely carry some great stock, can be a little bit pricey. If you want the inside scoop on where to get your presents for home, ask at your hotel or hostel where your nearest 100 yen shop is. These shops carry all kinds of Japanese goods including sake sets, green tea sets, chopsticks, vases, bowls, and more. The price tag? Everything is 100 yen (approximately US$1.25). It's where many Japanese will buy a lot ot their items for home. And it's where a canny tourist can get some excellent gifts while saving a lot of money.

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And that's the end of these top 10 facts about Japan. The ones I think can really help a first-time visitor make the most of their stay in Tokyo.

And in case you're wondering about that first-time onsen experience of mine, yes I did take the plunge. It was highly embarrassing for a few seconds, but as soon as I got in the water, those moments of discomfort were soon forgotten. I've been to countless onsens since then, and can't recommend it highly enough if you fancy giving it a try : )

So now it's over to you. Do you know some facts about Japan that I've missed? If you do I'd love to hear from you...

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Taming Tokyo: The Guidebook

Wouldn't you love to find a guidebook that is just for first-time visitors to Tokyo. Find those all important things that only a local would know like: what to expect at the airport, what Japanese is most useful for a traveler to know, what packing tips are specific for Tokyo, what should you do in an emergency, the basics of using the trains, and much more. Head over to Taming Tokyo today and judge for yourself.