Adviced by Sabrina Surovec, ID56969

Internet issue

• Pocket wifi and cell phones can be rented from the airports, but you often have to sign up online before arriving. It’s a fantastic solution to not being charged for roaming data, which can be ridiculously expensive here. SIM cards are also available, though you may have better luck purchasing one before you leave your home country than when you arrive here. You may need to be a resident to purchase a SIM inside Japan. Also, the shops at the airport close rather early, so depending on your arrival time you may miss out! Usually, you can order SIM cards or pocket wifi, or loaner cell phones, online and have them mailed to you before you arrive, and then you can mail them back, or put them in drop points at the airports.

Money exchanging, ATM, and IC Cards

• Also ideal to exchange money at your starting point, if possible. Japan is still a very cash-heavy society, and many vendors at the con will probably not take cards. Many larger places in Tokyo will accept credit cards now, but it’s still pretty sparse compared to most other metropolitan cities. Plan to bring large amounts of cash for the con, as smaller vendors may not accept cards. (It’s very safe to do so. Many people still get their salary in cash and carry it around until they get to the bank.)
• ATMs will CLOSE anywhere from 8pm-midnight and remain closed until the morning in some places. On certain holidays they may not work at all. Usually convenience store ATMs will function 24 hours, but it’s not guaranteed, so be sure to get enough cash and keep it on hand!
• Picking up an IC card at the larger train stations will make your life much easier. Apple watch and phone payments also work. But, we don’t have tap-and-go with credit cards like in London and elsewhere. IC cards are pre-paid and you tap them as you go in and out at the stations. You can also use them on vending machines and to pay at some restaurants and convenience stores.
• Japan Rail Pass used to be a really good deal, but it will be raising the prices as of this year, and it will no longer be a good deal unless you are traveling at least four times, via shinkansen (bullet train), between Osaka and Tokyo, or an equivalent distance. So, if you are here for at least a week you *might* get enough to make the pass worth it, but you probably won’t if you’re just here for the con and a few days before or after. I’d recommend just paying as you go on the trains. If you plan to have an extended trip all over Japan, then it would still be worth it. You apply for the JR Railpass online and then must go in person to a JR office in one of the big stations to exchange your voucher for the pass.

Tokyo Disneyland/DisneySea

• It is MUCH more affordable than other Disney properties! Additionally, there is a cheaper “night pass” for around $35 USD if you only go between 5 or 6pm and 10pm (the hours vary depending on the season). You can still ride a few rides, look around, and have a nice dinner there in that time! (I often go with that pass and manage to hit Star Tours like 5-6 times, plus one “big ride” and have dinner and shop a bit.) The Fastpass system is a pay-per-use now.

Costuming

• As for costumes, use common sense. If it’s a soft costume that isn’t larger than a normal person’s space, you can wear it from your hotel to the venue. If it has hard/dangerous points on it or is too large, you’ll want to change at the venue. If your costume has a mask/helmet, remove it as you are walking around or using public transportation or entering shops. If you have a prop or weapon you will need to wrap it in cloth (look for “shinai bag” or “kendo sword bag” which will fit most lightsabers, or “yumi bag” for anything longer) or stow it in a backpack or some other tote while you are in public or on transport. You WILL be gawked at if you’re in costume, but you’re going to be stared at anyway if you’re non-Japanese, so it’s up to you and your comfort level. Also be aware that trains will be VERY crowded and the chances of damaging your costume are high during rush hours

Transportation

• Trains are very reliable, and run frequently, but they do stop running near midnight. They start around 5-6am. If you ride the train between around 6am-10a m, or 9pm-midnight, it will be VERY crowded. In the morning hours, be aware that some trains have “women only” cars to protect passengers from harassment. These cars are located at either the front or end of the train, and the platform is usually marked on the floor in front of those cars with pink signs. (Trans women are also welcome there. You may, however be harassed if you do not appear “feminine” enough by Japanese standards. I’ve been asked multiple times to leave when I’ve had short hair or am dressed in a more “masculine” style.)

Cultures

• You will be stared at, much more than you might be elsewhere in the world. Most people don’t mean anything by it, but it’s just a part of being here and standing out in the crowd. (This will happen if you’re in costume or just dressed normally. Doesn’t matter.)-
• Speaking of crowds, even people from New York or London will be surprised by how crowded things are here!
• If you speak any Japanese at all, or can use chopsticks, you will be praised. It can come off a bit condescending (especially if you hear it a lot) but people generally mean to be encouraging by it.
• Japan is extremely safe, even at night. There are almost always people around, and there are “police boxes” (mini-police stations) called “koban” throughout the city. Crime does still happen, so do be careful with your belongings and use common sense, but you will likely be shocked by how generally honest and helpful people are here if you’re coming from a Western country.
• Tattoos are frowned upon in most places. In public, you won’t have much trouble, but if you want to use the gyms, or public baths or onsen (hot springs) you should ask about their policy first or find a way to cover them (with bandages or wristbands or long sleeves) if possible.
• The food is AMAZING here, but you may have difficulty if you are vegetarian or vegan, eat a restricted diet for health or religious reasons, or have food allergies. Although these things are slowly becoming more accommodated here, it is still very difficult, even in Tokyo, to get people to understand the importance of leaving out certain ingredients for allergy, moral, or religious reasons. “Meat” is often thought of as only being “beef” and sometimes restaurants will attempt to substitute chicken or pork, not thinking of it as meat. If you have dietary restrictions, I recommend looking up all the words for things you can’t have, and writing them down somewhere that you can show servers or chefs.
• PDA (public display of affection) is very frowned upon. Sometimes even simple things that Westerners think of as common, such as holding hands or hugging, can be shocking to people. This applies equally to heterosexual couples as well as others. Japanese also do not often shake hands, though they may want to at the con to try out the things they’ve learned! Bowing is the norm.
• “Sumimasen” (soo-mee-mah-sehn) will be your friend here. It means everything from “excuse me” (to get someone’s attention) to “sorry” (for apologizing for small slights, like bumping into someone). “Arigatou” (thank you) will also make you some friends!
• You won’t find many trash cans available in public, and the trash sorting is strict here (burnable, non-burnable, and recyclable goods). You may have to carry trash for a long time before you find a trash can, so bring a little plastic baggie or tote with you for your trash. Japan is remarkably clean and free of litter, so please help keep it that way! Also, you will be expected to clean up after yourself in public places, or bring your tray to a tray-deposit in some restaurants and fast food places, etc.
• We are plastic-bag free! Please bring tote bags for shopping! Places will still have paper or plastic bags, but you will have to pay anywhere from 3-15 yen for them, depending on size.
• Japan is decently queer-friendly! People mostly keep to themselves and don’t concern themselves with strangers. There is VERY little anti-queer violence here. You would probably only encounter problems if you live or work here, in which case places can be quite discriminatory. If you plan to visit queer spaces in Japan, such as Shinjuku ni-chome, be aware that the “community” is very segregated (and sometimes transphobic) here. There are many “lesbian / gay” only events and bars and it is implied or outright stated that they are for women or men only (sometimes trans-inclusive, usually not).
• Capsule hotels, if you would like to try the experience, are usually men only. AFAB people are generally turned away for “safety” reasons, as the cubby holes do not have locks! They are just curtains, usually. Some capsule hotels will have entire floors separated by gender, with shared bath/toilet areas and a passkey that only allows travel between your floor and the lobby.
• There aren’t many places to sit down here in public. Not a lot of benches outside of (or even IN) parks. If you have accessibility issues or need to sit or take breaks you will probably have to go into cafes or fast food places and make a small purchase in order to sit for a while.
• Accessibility can be ATROCIOUS here, even in Tokyo. If you use a wheelchair or need ramps or elevators, many train stations only have one entrance and exit that can be accessed. Disability still has a lot of social stigma surrounding it here, and people are ill-informed and/or ill-equipped to help or understand your needs. Train station staff will be VERY helpful in most cases, on the other hand. If you require assistance, please ask at the station office, or have someone call ahead and they will be able to assist you!
• If you are managing ADHD, or other conditions requiring amphetamine-based medication you will NOT be allowed to have them in Japan. No exceptions. Adderall is BANNED here, and you will be arrested for even trying to sneak in ONE pill. Do not try it. I’m DEAD ASS SERIOUS on this. Please speak to your psychiatrist or physician ahead of time to manage a different medication schedule while you are here. Concerta and the like ARE available and allowed here, by the way. Codeine and opiate-based meds are restricted, and you will likely need to fill out forms to bring in more than a one-month supply, but any less than that for most OTC and prescriptions is allowed. Medical devices, such as those with app connections or radio-transmission (like some diabetic devices) are also forbidden, restricted, or monitored. Check out the official gov’t site for info:
  https://www.mhlw.go.jp/english/policy/h … ls/01.html
  or contact your embassy to find out more.