A. Japan’s Currency & Cash Use
Japan's Currency
Using a fee-free Mastercard like Monzo can save you money on foreign transaction fees and provide competitive exchange rates while travelling in Japan. Here's how to make the most of it.
Use a Fee-Free Mastercard: Cards like Monzo or others offer low or no foreign transaction fees.
Pay in Yen: Always choose to pay in YEN (¥) rather than your home currency to get the best rates and avoid extra charges.
Avoid Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC): Reject DCC at payment terminals to prevent hidden fees.
Cash Use
Cash is widely used in Japan, especially in smaller shops and rural areas, and for paying at certain RC tracks. While credit cards are accepted in many places, it's advisable to always carry some cash with you.
Get Cash Exchanged Before Your Trip: For the best rates, exchange your currency for yen at home, rather than at airports or exchange offices in Japan, which tend to offer less favorable rates.
Utilise The ATMs: You can withdraw cash from the ATMs across Japan, for example inside a convenience store, but be aware of fees and daily or weekly limits.
Use Cash for Smaller Payments: While credit cards work for most major transactions, having cash on hand is useful for smaller purchases, particularly in more remote areas or small stores and places to eat.
Exchange your currency for yen before you leave for the best rates.
Use a fee-free Mastercard like Monzo, which offers low or no foreign transaction fees, saving you money on every purchase.
Always pay in Japanese yen (¥) for the best exchange rates and to avoid additional charges. Avoid Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC).
Keep cash for small transactions, it's essential to have cash on hand for smaller shops, rural areas, and certain RC tracks.
You can withdraw cash from Japanese ATMs, but be aware of fees and withdrawal limits.
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B. Train Passes & Rental Cars
Train Passes
A JR Pass offers extensive “unlimited” travel for 7, 14, or 21 days, including Shinkansen (bullet trains)*. At a cost of approximately ¥80,000 / £465 / $600 / €560 for a 14-day pass, it’s perfect for long-distance travel. You must order it before your trip to receive a voucher, which can be exchanged at designated locations in Japan.
Regional travel options: For travel within a single region, consider a Suica card or a regional JR pass, which may be more cost-effective.
Example costs: A one-way Shinkansen ticket from Tokyo to Nagoya costs around ¥9,700 / £56 / $70 / €65.
*Not all trains included: Not all Shinkansen services are covered by the JR Pass. Check which services are included before your trip to avoid surprises.
Rental Cars
Renting a car is ideal for group travel or reaching RC tracks and shops in remote areas. If your budget allows as a solo traveler, a car can significantly enhance your ability to visit more places without worrying about navigating trains, buses, or taxis to specific locations.
Obtain an international driver’s license: Do this before your trip and ensure it’s valid.
Book your rental in advance: Collect it at the airport or nearby for added convenience and potential savings.
Opt for insurance: Always choose the rental insurance package for peace of mind.
Built-in GPS navigation: Google Maps can sometimes struggle with Japan’s road systems, though improvements have been made in recent years.
Use an electronic ETC card: For automatic toll payments, billed to the rental company and added to your final bill.
Parking: Be mindful that parking in cities like Tokyo can be expensive and tricky. Confirm parking availability at your accommodation in advance.
For shorter trips or solo travel, trains and buses are often more practical and budget-friendly options.
Make use of taxis: These can also be a cost-effective alternative to renting a car, especially for shorter distances.
Check the journey: Bear in mind that some RC tracks and shops may not be easily accessible without a rental car, so carefully plan your journeys.
Order your JR Pass before your trip and exchange the voucher upon arrival in Japan.
For single-region trips, consider a Suica card or regional JR pass as a cost-effective alternative.
Check ahead of time to confirm which Shinkansen services are included in your JR Pass.
Obtain an international driver’s license before your trip and ensure it’s valid.
Book your car rental in advance and choose one with GPS navigation and an ETC card for toll payments.
Confirm parking availability at your accommodations, as it can be expensive and limited in cities like Tokyo.
Trains, buses, and taxis are often more practical and affordable for solo travelers or shorter trips.
Carefully plan your journeys, as some RC tracks and shops may be difficult to reach without a rental car.
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C. Travel Insurance, Flights & Trains
Travel Insurance
Ensure you have comprehensive travel insurance that covers cancellations, delays, and medical emergencies. This will also help protect your RC gear and other belongings in case of damage or loss.
Flights & Airport Travel
For airplane travel with RC gear, it's best to travel as light as possible. Use a cabin-sized bag for essentials like your bodyshell, batteries, and spares. If your chassis and transmitter don’t fit in your cabin bag, pack them securely in your checked-in luggage. We'll cover this more in 2. Pack For Your Trip.
Baggage handling: Most airports, including Haneda and Kansai, offer baggage handling services, but manage fragile items carefully.
Airline policies: Always check your airline's policies for carrying RC gear and ensure everything is well-cushioned to avoid damage during transit.
Haneda is the preferred airport for RC travelers due to its convenient location and excellent connections to Tokyo and Akihabara. It is easy to navigate, with efficient baggage handling that saves time compared to Narita. You can also collect your Pocket Wi-Fi and rental car bookings here, along with other amenities like currency exchange.
Although farther from central Tokyo, Narita offers excellent international flight options. While travel into the city may take longer, it’s easy to catch a direct train to Tokyo.
Consider Kansai International Airport (Osaka) or Chubu Centrair International Airport (Nagoya) if your RC adventures take you outside Tokyo.
Train Journeys
When traveling with RC gear, it’s best to travel as light as possible. A cabin bag is ideal for essential items like your chassis, bodyshell, transmitter (if possible), batteries, and spares.
Major stations: Tokyo Station, Shinjuku, and Shinagawa are crucial hubs for connecting to Shinkansen and local lines. They have escalators and elevators but can be crowded.
Navigation apps: Google Maps is ideal for planning train journeys and navigating train stations. Citymapper is another excellent option for trips within Tokyo.
Train Airport Transfers: For convenient airport access, use the Tokyo Monorail for Haneda and the Narita Express (N’EX) for Narita. Buses are a cost-effective alternative, especially when carrying a lot of RC gear.
Ensure you have comprehensive travel insurance to cover cancellations, delays, medical emergencies, and protection for your RC gear.
Travel light with RC gear; pack essentials like your bodyshell, batteries, and spares in a cabin-sized bag. Securely pack your chassis and transmitter in checked luggage if needed.
Check your airline's policies on carrying RC gear and cushion items well to prevent damage during transit.
Haneda Airport is the preferred option for RC travelers due to its proximity to Tokyo, efficient baggage handling, and convenient amenities like Wi-Fi and rental car pickup.
Google Maps and Citymapper are ideal for navigating train journeys and stations in Tokyo.
Use the Tokyo Monorail for Haneda and the Narita Express (N’EX) for Narita airport transfers. Consider buses as a cost-effective option when carrying a lot of RC gear.
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D. Accommodation & Length of Stay
Hotels
Convenience: Hotels are typically well-connected by public transport, making them an easy choice for travelers who prioritize accessibility.
Cost: They can be pricier, especially in major cities like Tokyo. Budget accordingly if you plan to stay in one.
Our experience: During our first trip, we stayed in a hotel in Tokyo, which offered comfort and proximity to key areas, but at a higher cost compared to other options.
Airbnb
Space and value: Airbnbs are an excellent option for travelers seeking more space, especially for RC gear, and better value for longer stays.
Group travel: They’re particularly cost-effective if you're traveling with a group, as splitting costs can make them more affordable than hotels.
Our experience: On our second trip, we stayed in Airbnbs in Tokyo and Nagoya, which provided ample space and comfort for our RC drifting gear and group setup.
Capsule Pods
Limited space: Capsule pods are compact and affordable but are only suitable if you're traveling light. They typically don’t have enough room to accommodate RC gear unless you’re backpacking without an RC car.
Considerations: These are best suited for solo travelers looking for a minimalist experience and short stays.
Stay Duration
Recommended length: Depending on how many tracks you want to visit and the regions you plan to explore, we recommend staying at least 7–10 days for a satisfying RC drifting experience.
Extra days: Plan for any additional days needed for sightseeing or attending events that may coincide with your RC visits. Ensure your travel insurance covers this extra time.
Hotels are convenient and well-connected by public transport but can be more expensive, especially in major cities like Tokyo.
Airbnbs provide more space and better value for longer stays, especially for groups or travelers with RC gear.
Capsule pods are affordable but only suitable for light travelers; they lack the space needed for RC gear.
Plan to stay at least 7–10 days to visit tracks and explore regions, with extra days for sightseeing or events.
Ensure your travel insurance covers the full duration of your trip, including any additional days.
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E. Suica Card & Pocket Wi-Fi
Suica Cards
Travel convenience: Suica cards are great for public transport across Japan, allowing you to easily pay for trains, buses, even purchases at convenience stores and vending machines.
Digital options for iPhone users: Suica cards can be added to the Wallet app on iPhones, providing seamless integration and eliminating the need for a physical card.
Physical cards for Android users: Android users will need a physical Suica card and an accompanying app to check balances and track journey charges.
Pocket Wi-Fi
Reliable internet: Pocket Wi-Fi devices are indispensable for navigating, communicating with RC track owners, and finding shops.
How to get one: Order a pocket Wi-Fi device online before your trip (e.g., Ninja Wi-Fi, Japan Wireless) and collect it at the airport upon arrival.
Multiple users: Pocket Wi-Fi is ideal for groups, as it allows multiple devices to connect at once.
eSIM
Convenience: Some newer smartphones, including recent iPhones, may support an eSIM, which can be a more convenient option for solo travellers.
Compatibility: Confirm compatibility with your phone and carrier before travelling to avoid connectivity issues.
Suica cards are essential for public transport; iPhone users can add them to the Wallet app, while Android users need a physical card and an app to track balances.
Pocket Wi-Fi is crucial for reliable internet, useful for navigation, communication, and finding shops. Order one online and collect it at the airport.
Pocket Wi-Fi is ideal for groups as it supports multiple device connections.
Some newer smartphones support eSIMs, which are convenient for solo travelers; confirm compatibility with your phone and carrier before your trip.
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This information was written in 2025. Please do your research to ensure its accuracy, as details may have changed. If you have any feedback or suggestions, feel free to reach out to Zerofeel at luke@zerofeel.co.uk.
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