Japan

After traveling to Japan, some of my tips:

• Consider getting an e-sim for data. I used Ubigi which worked fine for me on my iPhone.
• Get a taxi app. I used Go taxi which worked fine for me, including payment. You can also just haul a taxi when needed and pay by contactless credit card or other online payment methods. But the app gave me assurance that it would be ok. Sometimes it indicated a pick-up place across the street.
• GPS is spotty in the big city, between all the tall buildings. I often used Google Maps to get around but got confused often. It also doesn't help that the physical maps are not north-up by default!
• Get a mobile Suica or similar IC card for easy access to public transport. It also doubles as a common payment method in shops.
• In the city, there are kombinis (convenience stores like 7-Eleven, Family Market and Lawson's) about every 100 meters (no joke!). Supermarkets are even cheaper and better stocked, but honestly you could get around by just visiting kombinis. Family Market has great socks as well :)
• For escalators: note which side people stand still on, and do the same, leaving room for people in a hurry.
• In public transport let people out first, before jumping in. If it's crowded, wear backpacks from the front not the back.
• Most Japanese people are very polite and ready to help. Be thankful, don't block and trash streets. Eating and drinking while walking is also not considered good manners.
• If you know English, don't worry too much about not knowing Japanese. I got by with just Konnichiwa, Sumimasen and Arigato Gozaimasu (look them up).
• Consider taking a small towel with you from when you come across a place where you can wash your hands but not dry them
• Use a small plastic bag (you'll get asked at shops if you want one so you probably end up with some) and keep your trash with you. For drink cans there are often specific trashcans near (behind!) vending machines.
• I learned a lot in advance by watching videos on YouTune. Especially PiQtour Japan make great no bullshit videos (and they also offer tours and professional photography in Kyoto although I have no experience with them there).