AIRPORT DUTY FREE GUIDEAvoid these 15 mistakes on your first trip to Japan
Small misunderstandings about airports, trains, money, luggage and shopping can quietly use up time and budget. A few checks before departure make the whole trip easier.
Four mistakes before departure
Check the hardest things to change early and save essential information where it works without a connection.
Checking entry rules too late
Passport validity, visa and entry conditions depend on nationality and itinerary. Use Japanese government and embassy information.
Assuming the airport or terminal
Tokyo uses Narita and Haneda, and each airport has several terminals. Match the airport, flight and terminal on your booking.
Planning internet only after arrival
Maps, translation and route searches need a connection. Arrange eSIM, SIM, Wi-Fi or roaming and save your hotel address.
Ignoring the last service to your hotel
Late arrivals can miss trains and buses. Include immigration and baggage time and identify an alternative route.
Six mistakes during your stay
Payments, stations, luggage and shopping all have exceptions. Keep a second option for essential tasks.
Depending only on cards or a phone
Cashless payment is widespread, but small shops, rural areas and machines may need cash. Carry some yen.
Reading the station name but not the line or exit
One station can serve several lines and many exits. Save the line, direction and exit number.
Taking complex transfers with large bags
The shortest route may include stairs and crowds. Compare fewer transfers, lifts and luggage delivery.
Expecting public bins everywhere
Bins can be hard to find. Carry a small bag and sort or dispose of rubbish according to signs.
Filling your luggage early
You lose room for local finds and departure-day purchases. Check remaining volume and weight mid-trip.
Treating city TAX FREE and airport DUTY FREE as the same
They are different systems in different places. Check eligibility, products and departure procedures for your travel date.
Five mistakes on departure day
There is little room to recover from delay. Reaching the airport is not the goal; completing formalities and reaching the gate is.
Counting only the ride to the airport
Allow for check-in, bag drop, security, immigration and the walk to the gate. Work back from airline deadlines.
Sorting bags after reaching the airport
Moving liquids, batteries and valuables wastes time. Finish carry-on and checked baggage the night before.
Checking transfer rules after buying liquids
Rules for cosmetics and alcohol depend on location, volume, airline, transfer airport and destination. Ask before paying.
Looking for the store for the first time at the airport
Some airside areas do not connect and the gate may be far away. Save the terminal and store location in advance.
Finding the offer after payment
Many offers must be shown before payment. Check the store and conditions, then open the page before joining the queue.
Open the offer before you pay
At eligible JAPAN DUTY FREE stores at Narita, show the offer screen before checkout. Some products are excluded, so confirm in store.
When something goes wrong, stop and gather facts
Continuing in a hurry can make the problem worse. Confirm where you are and the next deadline, then reset priorities.
Confirm your location
Check station, airport, terminal, floor and whether you are inside the ticket gates.
Find the nearest deadline
Compare train, counter, check-in and boarding times and protect the earliest one.
Use official updates
Prioritise information from the airport, airline and transport operator.
Ask staff
Show the booking screen, flight number or destination and ask for directions.
Frequently asked questions
What should I check first for a first trip to Japan?＋
Confirm passport, visa or entry requirements, arrival airport, accommodation address and your route from the airport. Save key screens to your phone.
Can I travel in Japan without cash?＋
Cards and phone payments are common, but small businesses, regional locations and some machines may need cash. Carry some yen as well.
Can I use a duty-free-store offer after paying?＋
Usually not. Most offers must be shown before payment. Check participating stores, exclusions and combination rules first.
