The Land of the Rising Sun has fascinated travelers for centuries, and this summer is no exception.

Tokyo is among the top five international cities Americans are visiting this summer, according to Expedia and now Google Flights. And with the exchange rate currently so strongly in Americans’ favor, it’s an especially good time to visit if you can take the hot and humid weather.

Before you book your flight, though, there are some things you should know. From cultural customs to customs and immigration, here are 10 things to do when visiting Japan.

1. Learn basic Japanese

Some people, particularly in Tokyo, may speak English, but it’s best to learn a few basic phrases in Japanese like “hello,” “excuse me,” “where is the restroom?” and “thank you.” Free tutorials are available across social media and language apps like Duolingo or Babbel.

You’ll also want to download a free translation app like Google Translate that can handle both verbal and written translation.

2. Fill out the Visit Japan Web form

U.S. citizens don’t need a visa to visit Japan for stays under 90 days, but you will need to fill out a Visit Japan Web immigration and customs form. Save time by doing this in advance online instead of at the airport when you arrive.

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3. Get a transit card

A prepaid Suica or PASMO transit card isn’t just for public transportation. It also can be used to pay for things at vending machines, convenience stores and some shops.

You can download a digital version through Apple Wallet or get a physical card once you arrive in Japan. Just keep it loaded with as much money as you want to spend.

4. Keep cash on hand

Cash is still king in some places, including food stalls and small shops that may not accept credit cards or digital payments.

You can withdraw cash for low fees and fair exchange rates from ATMs at Japanese convenience stores like 7-Eleven. A Suica or PASMO card can tide you over until you can get to an ATM.

5. Skip the tip

There’s no tipping culture in Japan. In fact, some servers have been known to follow customers out and return tips like they were accidentally left behind. Instead of tipping at restaurants, offer thanks.

Before eating, it’s customary to say “itadakimasu” like a quick prayer to show appreciation for the food and those who grew it. When you leave, you can say “gochisousama deshita” to staff to show gratitude for the meal.

6. Stand aside on escalators

In Tokyo, people stand to the left of escalators and keep the right side open for others walking up or down the moving steps. In Kyoto, like in most U.S. cities, people stand on the right. Don’t worry about trying to remember which side to stand on. It will be immediately clear once you’re there. Just do what everyone else is doing and don’t block foot traffic.

7. Keep the noise down on trains

It’s considered rude to talk on your cellphone or play music or videos out loud on subways and trains. You may hear some small groups of friends chatting, but many commuters keep quietly to themselves.

8. Wear or carry socks

Some places, like temples or restaurants with tatami mats, may require you to remove your shoes. If you’re not wearing socks, you may want to carry a clean pair with you, just in case.

9. Prepare to bare all at onsens

If you’re not comfortable sporting your birthday suit around others, you may want to skip public hot springs. Swimsuits and other garments aren’t allowed in the communal water. Some onsens may also bar tattoos or ask guests to cover them up with a patch. However, there are some tattoo-friendly onsens as well as private onsens available.

Additionally, it’s customary to shower before entering the springs to keep the water clean.

10. You’ll have to wait to open some souvenirs

If you plan to load up on Japanese beauty products, snacks and other consumables to take home, you can buy them tax-free at stores like Don Quixote, but they’ll be sealed in a bag indicating they were purchased without paying tax. You can’t open the bag until you leave Japan.

Bonus: Eat all the things, including at convenience stores or vending machines

From egg salad sandwiches to fresh onigiri rice balls, there’s so much good, affordable food in Japan. Don’t miss the delicious and cheap treats at Japanese convenience stores like 7-Eleven, Lawson and Family Mart. The same goes for the wide variety of readily available vending machines selling cold and hot drinks, depending on the season.

You’re going to want to steal these tips.

Airplanes are pretty gross. Between a lot of people, and even more germs, you should definitely think twice before touching the air vents on a plane. Flight attendants don’t have much of a choice in the matter, though, and are constantly exposed to a barrage of bacteria. Yet somehow, they never get sick.

If you’re the type of person who feels sick after a single one-hour flight, you may be wondering how cabin crew members manage to stay healthy, despite being incredibly frequent flyers. Well, wonder no more, because several flight attendants have revealed how they never get sick at work and how you can adopt the same strategies.

Stay hydrated…

Taylor Strickland, the lead cabin attendant for Alerion Aviation, has only called in sick once during her career. Her top tip? Drink “a ton of water” while flying. “It’s dehydrating to fly, and if you’re dehydrated, your body’s a little weaker, which makes it harder to fight off the germs you’re encountering,” she says. Similarly, Lauren Guilfoyle, a cabin crew member for Emirates Airline says that she buys a liter of water before each flight and drinks it during the trip.

…But avoid tap water, coffee, or tea

Even though you should definitely stay hydrated, it’s best to avoid these beverages. Among other things, a 2015 study on the water quality on airplanes found that the water tanks are “conducive for microbial growth.” Instead, ask for bottled water or bring your own.

Use moist towelettes on your hands

Not only is it refreshing to clean your hands with some wet wipes or moist towelettes, but it also helps keep germs at bay. In addition to wet wipes, Guilfoyle also stays refreshed by using a hydrating mist and putting argan oil on her face.

Take an immune system support supplement

Even though the immune system booster Airborne lacks the science to back up the product’s claims, people still swear by it as a way to prevent getting sick. Strickland is one of those people and says that she always keeps it stocked on the plane as a preemptive measure. “It’s great because they make the small packets to travel with and now they make gummies,” she notes.

Disinfect the plane’s surfaces…

Unfortunately, many parts of airplanes aren’t cleaned the way they should, so sometimes you need to take matters into your own hands. Strickland always carries around travel packs of wet wipes, and during a flight, she wipes down surfaces to disinfect as much as possible.

…But never eat directly off of tray tables

While it’s a good idea to bring your own antibacterial wipes and clean your tray table, you’re still safer not eating off of it directly. “The dirtiest part of the plane has to be the tray tables—people constantly lay their heads, change babies’ diapers, and rest their feet on them,” a flight attendant for JetBlue told Business Insider. “I wouldn’t eat off of that even after sanitizing it.”

Juice it up

Strickland is also a fan of drinking different green juices that incorporate ingredients like ginger and lemon. “Most may think they’re a fad, but it helps me get different nutrients on the go,” she says.

Try to relax and de-stress

There is definitely a connection between stress and your health, so you’re best off avoiding it whenever possible. One way that Guilfoyle does this is by using a few drops of lavender essential oils to relax.

Avoid caffeine

As tempting as it is to grab a cup of coffee before an early-morning flight, Guilfoyle advises against it. “Avoid caffeine and alcohol as they are a major cause of dehydration,” she says. “Instead, try a fruit juice to keep you hydrated during your trip.”

Eat fruits and raw vegetables

Instead of reaching for processed snack food, Guilfoyle suggests something healthier. “Water-based foods, like fruits and raw vegetables, will not only keep you hydrated and prevent puffiness, but will also give you the added boost of important antioxidants, fiber, and other nutrients,” she says.

Get—or stay—in shape…

This is good advice regardless of whether or not you’re getting on an airplane, but Guilfoyle says that exercising regularly can help you stay healthy when you fly. “Maintaining a healthy lifestyle is extremely important in order to help cope with the physical demands of flying and constant change in time zones,” she explains. “We regularly experience body clock changes, irregular sleeping patterns, and long haul flying which can disrupt our systems. As a result, a regular dose of good nutrition and consistent exercise helps our bodies remain at their optimum levels.”

…But don’t exercise right after a flight

Though it may seem like a good idea to hit the gym as soon as you reach your destination, flight attendant Sophie Jones says that it’s actually not. “There’s no point pushing your body to work out when it hasn’t had enough rest, rehydration, and time to acclimatize itself to a new time zone,” she told British Elle.

Nap during your flight

While this isn’t always an option for flight attendants, getting in a quick nap while you’re flying can keep you energized and help you avoid jet lag. That’s why Heather Sanchez, a flight attendant for Hawaiian Airlines, told Women’s Health that she recommends creating a cat nap kit to stow in your carry-on luggage containing a neck pillow, noise-canceling headphones, and an eye mask with built-in eye cavities to block out light without smudging your mascara.

In a recent survey, a majority of women business travelers said they felt it was less safe than traveling as a man. Here are some protective measures that might be helpful, according to the experts at World Travel Protection.

Travel can enlighten, enrich and transform us. To quote the acclaimed Indian novelist Anita Desai, “Wherever you go becomes a part of you somehow.” Or, in the words of writer and intellectual Rebecca Solnit, “When you give yourself to places, they give you yourself back.” So while travel is about learning and discovery – and should be encouraged – women, unfortunately, often have to take extra precautions.

As The New York Times reported in 2019, the number of solo women travelers has increased over the years, but so, too, have unfortunate incidents perpetrated against women. And while numbers are hard to pin down, the article stated the following: “There’s no question that women face unique risks when traveling solo, experts say.” The piece also quoted Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, Executive Director of UN Women, an organization that promotes gender equality, who told the NY Times: “We have evidence that shows that women face risks that men don’t face in public spaces, at home, wherever they may be.”

The U.S. State Department even has a page on its website with detailed, practical recommendations specifically for women travelers. And last year, World Travel Protection – a subsidiary of Cover-More, which is part of Zurich Insurance Group – commissioned a survey on safety to 2,000 business travelers in Australia, Canada, the US, and the UK. The findings were sobering. Seven in 10 women business travelers felt that traveling for work as a woman is less safe than traveling as a man, while 31 percent don’t travel or go out at night on their own, compared to 18 percent of men.

According to the survey, 46 percent of women keep their family and friends informed of their whereabouts (compared to 36 percent of men). More than a third of women (36 percent) also said they didn’t like traveling to countries where women’s rights weren’t protected, compared to only 15 percent of men. In addition, 10 percent have had a women’s health problem while traveling but didn’t seek help because of lingering stigmas around women’s health issues, and 12 percent of women have had a negative experience, from theft to assault.

Kate Fitzpatrick, EMEA’s Regional Security Director at World Travel Protection, says the number of sexual assaults she deals with is “unbelievable,” adding that “it’s shocking and saddening how many cases of sexual assault we deal with. These people are often severely traumatized, and our overriding priority is to ensure that they’re safe and out of harm. Our medical team will also be heavily involved in ensuring their health and welfare, including support to visit a local hospital.”

So with travel – business and otherwise – nearly back to pre-pandemic levels, and with major events like the Paris Olympics and the European Football Championships in Germany this year, consider the following safety tips for women from World Travel Protection. In a nutshell, always stay vigilant, which is sound advice for all travelers, too.

Tip 1. Research (research and more research)

World Travel Protection recommends: “Before booking your trip, check your government’s latest travel advice for your destination. And book accommodation and airport transfers in advance, particularly if traveling to a place where you don’t speak the native language well.”

Kate says: “It’s important to note that, compared to men, women often have different safety considerations to think about when traveling for work. The risk will generally increase in countries with less equality. It’s essential, therefore, that women have a full understanding of the cultural norms in their destinations, from what to wear to how they act. We often undertake specific risk assessments for women business travelers to make sure their safety and security is the highest priority.”

Tip 2. Be especially alert while on transport

World Travel Protection recommends: “Travel in official taxis or an app-based rideshare and sit in the back seat. Keep your luggage close to you while on buses and trains. Sit near other women and avoid empty carriages. Don’t hitchhike.”

Kate says: “Often criminal groups work the unlicensed taxis and look to exploit the inexperienced traveler. Before getting into a vehicle, ask to see their license and identification. If the taxi driver cannot provide their license, do not get in the vehicle. Unlicensed taxis can present many threats to a visitor, such as being assaulted, mugged, held under duress and driven to an ATM to withdraw money – and on very rare occasions kidnap and murder. If it does not look right and does not feel right, do not get in.”

Tip 3. Think (and act) like a local

World Travel Protection recommends: “Be aware of common scams in your destination so you know what to look out for. Try to look like a local where possible to avoid sticking out or attracting unwanted attention. Carry a travel bag that slings across your body, rather than a backpack or loose handbag. Don’t tell people you are traveling alone – if asked, pretend you are meeting someone. Join group tours and organized activities to meet other like-minded solo travelers. Check in regularly with friends and family and ensure someone has a copy of your itinerary and knows where you will be. Share your location from your phone whenever possible.”

Kate says: “Of course it sounds obvious but don’t flaunt your valuables when you’re away. Don’t take that expensive watch or ring on business trips. It just makes you a walking target for a petty, opportunist thief. Leave items of value in a hotel safe when you can and take the minimum that you need out.”

Tip 4. Remember, women’s health differs around the world

World Travel Protection recommends: “Sanitary products and contraceptives may be difficult to purchase in some countries. It’s a good idea to stock up on supplies and medication before you leave.”

Kate says: “Tampons can be hard to come by in some countries, and their use can be frowned upon. We always advise women to stock up on sanitary products and take them with you, as you don’t know what you’ll be able to source on the ground. Also, if you’re questioned about tampons in your luggage, respond politely and calmly, as you might come across ignorance and hostility in some areas of the world.”

Tip 5. Avoid too much alcohol or drugs

World Travel Protection recommends: “Be careful not to drink alcohol in excess or take drugs that could impair your judgement or compromise your ability to maintain your senses or general awareness. It’s important to understand that different countries have differing moral and social standards and making yourself vulnerable may unnecessarily expose you to greater risks of harm. Avoid alcoholic drinks that are being sold from market stalls or any unlicensed setting. Check labels of alcoholic drinks. If in doubt, do not drink it.”

Kate says: “And depending on where you are, you might want to avoid drinking in public. So again, make sure you’re thoroughly briefed on your destination, try not to draw attention to yourself and keep your wits about you. Crucially, ensure you have the emergency contact details of your assistance provider programmed into your phone, and if they offer an app, like the Travel Assistance App provided by World Travel Protection, make sure this is activated on your phone. [On Google Play and Apple.] Then if the worst does happen, you can know where to get help, and we can locate you quickly and easily. But look, I’ve traveled all over the world for years, and it has made for some of the best experiences of my life, so I definitely encourage women to travel.”

Is there anything worse than falling sick on holiday? We don’t think so! Travelling is a frequent way to escape daily life and unwind from the chaos of the workplace, but there are always chances you might fall physically or mentally ill when travelling just as readily as you do at home. Even more likely, perhaps! It’s only natural to disregard the warning signs and put self-care on the back burner when there are so many unfamiliar sights and sounds. While travelling, creating a self-care routine will help you maintain your energy levels, clarity of mind, and physical readiness for adventure. For tips on how to take care of yourself when travelling, continue reading.

Soak In The Sun

Never are two sunrises or sunsets alike. Set aside time to sit quietly and fully take in and appreciate the colours, the beauty, and the day’s fresh start or soft conclusion. While on vacation, commit to watching the sunrise or sunset (or both), as this is something we don’t often have time for at home amid the turmoil of our daily lives.

Be An Active Soul

A long stroll is always excellent for the soul, whether you are on a secluded island, hidden away in a magical forest, surrounded by dunes in the desert, or right in the centre of a bustling foreign city. Get moving, get outside, and enjoy your surroundings. So start moving those legs. This is your vacation, your chance to get away from reality, and your chance just to stop and do whatever you want.

Don’t Mind The Calories

Try everything; go for seconds; eat dessert; order that bottle of wine; and keep in mind that when you’re on vacation, calories don’t matter. Meals are meant to be enjoyed, especially on special occasions. Don’t rush the experience. Instead, cherish leisurely (and device-free) dinners.

Enjoy A Long Beauty Sleep

Prioritise getting enough sleep so that you can rejuvenate because rest is an equally important aspect of the journey. Let’s face it, beds on holidays are usually always more comfortable and luxurious than those at home, so get a head start on bedtime or sneak in a few afternoon naps. You’ll be glad that you took a rest after your holidays are over.

A Spa Day

Make a reservation for a well-deserved spa treatment if the pool day or the afternoon nap isn’t your thing. There are various methods to unwind the mind, body, and soul in a way that appreciates the place you’re in, from private in-room massages, rose petal bubble baths and calming local remedies to world-class urban spas, aromatic tea ceremonies, and ancient hot stone pools.

Use Your Eyes More

Use your camera to record those once-in-a-lifetime moments. But also remember to record them in the memory bank. Every now and then, put down the camera to experience the scene, the surroundings, the wildlife you see, or whatever it is, with your own eyes. Don’t be that person who spends their entire vacation taking pictures—what a terrible way to travel.

Digital Detox

It’s okay if you are in no mood to follow the rest of the self-care tips mentioned above but follow this. Digital detox is today’s most beneficial and essential self-care strategy. Commit to limiting your screen time and simply being present. Although there are commitments you need to fulfil even when you are on holiday, make sure you keep yourself away from the devices, at least when you have food.