I just visited Japan – these are the things I wish I knew before I did
An American traveler has revealed the things she wishes she had known before visiting Japan for the first time, after spending a total of nine days in Tokyo and Kyoto.
Maile Minardi, 25, from Los Angeles, California, has more than 25,000 followers on TikTok, where she posts videos about her life and travels.
The content creator, who uses the handle @maileminardiwent viral after going through her list of recommendations after her trip to Japan with her friends.
However, her first tip was controversial, but she later retracted it.
Maile Minardi, 25, from Los Angeles, California, traveled to Japan for the first time last spring, spending a total of nine days in Tokyo and Kyoto
The traveler went viral on TikTok after revealing the things she wished she had known before her trip
Minardi initially recommended exchanging money in the US before leaving, but many commentators insisted they got better rates in Japan.
“You really don’t need that much because most places do accept credit cards,” she noted. “For us, $300 was perfect. I literally used my last few coins at the airport when we left.”
The marketing coordinator said she also regretted packing her shampoo and conditioner because she wasn’t using them.
If you’re staying in an Airbnb instead of a hotel, she recommends checking to see if they have shampoo and conditioner in the rental.
“Ours had all that, and they had really cool, luxurious, clean beauty brands that I still wanted to try,” she explained. “I haven’t used my shampoo and conditioner at all, and they are quite heavy and bulky to take with me on a long trip.”
Minardi said her “most important” tip was to buy your Japan Rail (JR) Unlimited Travel Pass before you arrive.
She recalled how the line for travelers getting their JR passes was “several hours long” and estimated that you would lose “half a day” to get it in Japan.
“If you’re going to pick up your JR pass, go as early in the morning as possible,” she added. “Because we went and as soon as we grabbed our passes, the line filled up like crazy.”
Minardi initially recommended exchanging money in the US before leaving, but many commentators insisted they were getting better rates in Japan and she withdrew the recommendation.
Minardi visited Japan last spring, so travelers may want to explore other options after the cost of the JR pass rose 68 to 77 percent last month.
“I was shocked by the next one, but don’t plan anything before 10am. Very few things are open,” she continued.
Minardi said she and her friends got up at 6 a.m. every morning, but “there wasn’t much to do” except walk around and go to 7-Eleven, which is wildly popular in Japan.
She advised avoiding popular ‘TikTok spots’ while sightseeing.
“Everyone we went to had a whole line in line and that would have been a wait of several hours,” she explained. “So we ended up not going to any of the places we were (planned) to go.”
“If you can, go with someone who speaks Japanese,” she noted. ‘This changed our whole journey and was a completely different experience.’
Minardi said they saw “so many cool things” than they would have seen on their own because they went with someone who had been there before and spoke the language.
“I was shocked by the next one, but don’t plan anything before 10am. Very few things are open,” she explained
Minardi said she and her friends got up at 6 a.m. every morning, but “there wasn’t much to do” except walk around and go to 7-Eleven, which is wildly popular in Japan.
“If you find something really great, buy five of them, if they’re not that expensive, so you can give them as gifts to people,” she said of shopping in Japan
“I really wish I had learned ‘thank you’, ‘please’ and ‘excuse me’ in Japanese before I went,” she admitted.
“We learned it while we were there, but it would have been nice (to know ahead of time) because you’re going to say these things all the time.”
Minardi went on to say that you should get your Suica card – one e-money card that can be used for public transport — at the airport and fill it in there.
“You should bring multiple portable chargers,” she insisted. “Your phone cuts out all the time because you’re away, or (at least) we were, from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.”
As for the flight, which takes 12 hours from Los Angeles to Tokyo, she recommended purchasing a foot hammock, a travel-sized footrest.
“Just trust me. Google it… It will be a game changer,” she said.
Minardi also wished she packed less because she “ended up buying so many coats” while shopping.
Minardi insisted that you need multiple portable chargers because she and her friends were out from 7am to 10am every day
“I really wish I had learned ‘thank you’, ‘please’ and ‘excuse me’ in Japanese before I went,” she admitted.
Minardi’s final tip was not to plan too much before you go, but she later clarified that “reservations are essential” when it comes to restaurants and attractions
“If you find something really great, buy five of them, if they’re not that expensive, so you can give them as gifts to people,” she said. “I did this and it was the best thing ever.”
Minardi’s final tip was not to plan too much before you go, but many viewers quickly noticed that reservations are crucial in Japan.
‘Reservations are ESSENTIAL!’ she agreed in the comments. “Just make sure your days aren’t crammed so you can enjoy yourself and discover new things.”
Minardi’s video was viewed 1.9 million times in April and received more than 1,000 comments.
It was also recently shared on the Travel Japan 365 TikTok page, where it has racked up another half-million views.
“I just spent 2 weeks in Japan for the first time 3 months ago, and this list is perfect!” one person responded.
‘Insert the Suica card into your Apple wallet. Please note: you can only use a Mastercard. This way you can tap your phone to pay for the trains and buses,” someone else added.
‘Most places DO NOT accept cards. You can get cash at any ATM in the supermarket,” another noted.