Last updated: Oct 2024.
Last updated: Oct 2024.
Some tips that helps you if you are visiting Tokyo from outside Japan. I have often been asked to give some recommendation on Tokyo, and this page might help you if you are not familiar with Japan. The information is based on my experience in Tokyo until 2019 and feedback from the good friends mine. I update this page time to time.
Prepare some cash. There are cash-only stores in Japan. If you live in the US, you can withdraw cash at CVS stores in Japan.
I have JPMC and Charles Schwab debit cards, and they worked out perfectly. JPMC has a transaction fee, so I recommend the latter.
Public transportation is crazily good. You do not need a car.
Get a Suica or Pasmo Transportation card. You can top them up in stations and use them in many places (trains, CVSs, restaurants, stores, etc.).
Wifi access is unavailable in many cafes. Get a prepaid sim card (e.
Recently, several franchises, such as Starbucks, Doutor, and Veloce, provide Wi-Fi connections.
CVSs (Seven-Elevens, Family Marts, Lawsons) are extremely convenient. You can find pretty much everything there, and they are open 24 hours a day.
Although Japanese people are not good at speaking English, many of them are kind and eager to help.
Pretty large. 14 million people live in Tokyo, and 38 million people are in Kanto region (surrounding area). Need 2-3 hours from fringe to another fringe. Tokyo is larger than most cities in the world, even larger than New York City.
Kamakura. A seaside city located 2 hours by train from Tokyo. A place for a one-day trip.
Jinbocho. Bookstore street and Japanese curry restaurants. <30 mins from central Tokyo.
Yanaka. Quiet district with shopping street, cafes, and Nezu Shrine. <30 mins from central Tokyo.
Skytree Town. Sightseeing place yet has good food court and must-go if you like Japanese subcultures.
Japanese curry.
Noodles (udon and soba).