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Unmapped.

COUNTRY GUIDE

Japan

Big cities, quiet corners and people to share them with.

Visiting for two weeks, moving for work or living here for years: Unmapped helps you find your city, meet travelers, expats and locals, and join or start things together.

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The pagoda of Kiyomizu-dera temple above Kyoto, Japan
Kiyomizu-dera, Kyoto. Photo: Cosmin Georgian / Unsplash (opens in a new tab)

BASICS

Before you go.

Language
Japanese
Big-city stations and transport signs are usually in English too; less so in rural areas.
Currency
Japanese yen (¥, JPY)
Cards and phone payments work in most city shops. Keep some cash for small places and the countryside.
Time zone
Japan Standard Time, UTC+9
One time zone for the whole country, no daylight saving time.
Power
Type A plugs, 100 V
Two flat pins. Many chargers handle 100 V; check older devices.
Getting online
eSIM, SIM or pocket Wi-Fi
Easy to arrange before you land or at the airport; free Wi-Fi is patchy.
Emergency
110 police · 119 fire & ambulance
Free to call.

GETTING AROUND

Easy to move, once you know how.

  • Trains do the heavy lifting

    JR and many private railways connect almost every town. Trains are frequent, punctual and the easiest way to get around.

  • Shinkansen between regions

    High-speed lines link Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, Hiroshima and Fukuoka, and reach north to Hokkaido. Reserve a seat on busy days.

  • One card for city transit

    Rechargeable IC cards such as Suica, PASMO or ICOCA work on trains, subways and buses in the big cities, and at many shops. Some IC cards can also be added to compatible phones.

  • Fly for the far ends

    For Hokkaido or Okinawa, a domestic flight is often simpler than a long rail day. Within cities, walking and transit beat driving.

CITIES TO EXPLORE

Where to start.

A few very different places to begin. You can explore any city in Japan through Unmapped. Search for it in the app.

TokyoOsakaKyotoHiroshimaFukuokaSapporo
Featured cities in this guide. You can explore any city in Japan in Unmapped.

GOOD TO KNOW

Small things that help.

  • Keep it quiet on transit

    Phone calls on trains are generally avoided and conversations stay low. Headphones in, notifications off.

  • Shoes off indoors

    In homes, traditional inns and some temples and restaurants. A raised step or a shoe rack at the entrance is the cue.

  • Carry your rubbish

    Public bins are rare. Hold on to it until a convenience store or station, where bins are sorted by type.

  • Convenience stores help

    Konbini sell real meals, top up IC cards and usually have ATMs that take foreign cards.

  • Tipping

    Tipping is generally not expected. A thank you is enough, and leaving money can cause confusion.

  • Queues and escalators

    People line up for trains and lifts. On escalators you stand on one side. Which side depends on the city, so follow the locals.

UNMAPPED IN JAPAN

Arrive knowing someone.

Open your next city before you land, then use it every day you're there.

  • See who's in your city

    Each city's People tab shows who is here now, who is arriving and who lives there: travelers, expats and locals alike.

  • Ask the City Chat

    Every city can have its own City Chat. Ask which IC card to get, where to watch the game or who is up for ramen tonight.

  • Join or host something

    Find meetups and day trips, or host your own, like a language exchange in Osaka, a hike outside Sapporo or a dinner in Fukuoka.

  • Travel together

    Share your route from Tokyo to Kyoto, or post a Buddy Plan for a road trip, a class or a night out and find people to join.

FAQ

Questions about Unmapped in Japan.

Can I use Unmapped in any Japanese city?

Yes. You can explore any city in Japan through Unmapped, and every city can become a City Hub. The cities on this page are just a few places to start.

Is Unmapped only for travelers?

No. It's for travelers, expats and locals. Many of the best plans start with someone who already lives there.

Can I use it before I arrive?

Yes. Open your next city, see who is arriving, join the City Chat and share your travel plan before you land.

Can I start my own meetup or project?

Yes. Any member can host an event or start a project, and anyone can share a trip or a Buddy Plan.

Do I need to speak Japanese?

No. Unmapped is in English, and City Chats are a good place to ask for help with the language, or to find a language exchange.

Looking for another country? Search any city in the world.

Sources & information

Information last reviewed: October 2026Location data: GeoNames (opens in a new tab) (CC BY 4.0 (opens in a new tab))Map: Natural Earth (opens in a new tab)Photo: Cosmin Georgian (opens in a new tab) / Unsplash (opens in a new tab)

Travel information can change. Please verify important information with official sources. Country guides are provided for general information and do not constitute legal, medical, immigration or other professional advice. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, Unmapped is not liable for losses resulting from reliance on the information provided. Spotted something out of date? Let us know.

JAPAN WITH UNMAPPED

Explore Japan with Unmapped.

Find your city, meet people there and join or start something. Available on iPhone and Android.

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