Best Tokyo Tips According to Our Readers
For the first time on Hack Your City, we went far beyond our usual English-speaking range. While most of the episodes in this column revolve around restaurant and bar recipes, our Tokyo edition explores some of the more fundamental differences that the American tourist needs to know. If you’re visiting for the first time, read all 66 of the best comments on the original post . But for those just curious, we’ve rounded up the highlights below.
Here are some quick tips to get you started:
- “Don’t touch the taxi doors,” says KumquatRodeo . “They open / close automatically and you don’t have to touch them.”
- To better communicate with taxi drivers, Marayas says, “keep your hotel business card in your wallet or on your phone, but make sure the address is in Japanese.”
- “The view from the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building was incredible,” says crs12 . “Do it during the day and it’s free!”
- Narita Airport is an hour and a half drive from the city. “Pre-purchase a bus ticket to Tokyo BEFORE getting on the plane,” says YeahRight , otherwise you can skip the last ride and stay overnight at the airport hotel.
- According LittleJohnHarrisonFordPrefect , installed around the city map the area , but they are usually oriented in the direction where you see , rather than north.
- “Eating low-grade Japanese beef is already better than what we eat in the States,” says Popotamus . “They treat their cows very well, so there is no need to spend money on wagyu or kobe.”
- Arosukekeke lists some great attractions and events, such as “Women’s Day every Wednesday, and you can find loads of deals in every store in Tokyo if you’re a female shopper.”
- “Before the trip, find out about local festivals,” – says Kenopoly1 . For example, this week many shops closed for Coming of Age Day (a holiday for everyone who turned 20 last year).
There are no trash cans on the streets of Tokyo. “I carried a large zippered bag in my backpack to carry my trash,” says Broken Spoke Boy . “I just sorted out all my trash at the end of the day.” Saritasara says trash bins can be found on train platforms and in shops. Kenopoly1 says you can return your trash to the vendor you bought it from.
7-11 years in Tokyo are very important. They have Wi-Fi and their ATMs accept American cards. “The quality of the food is incredible and they have everything you need at great prices,” says Josie FluffyPants .
“Navigation can be confusing because in Japan, addresses are numbered in blocks rather than streets,” says Yota . Google Maps is required, as is Wi-Fi. Take a portable hotspot with you, or rely on Wi-Fi at Starbucks and train stations. And while you’re connected to Wi-Fi, download a map of the area (a handy Google Maps feature), says Emrichar . Even if you don’t have Wi-Fi or cellular connections, GPS will work.
Everyone recommends the Tokyo train system. But you must learn to navigate this. (Remember, trains stop at 1 am.) Geoviki provides a detailed analysis of the system in Tokyo and beyond . Some highlights:
JR Train Cards are a great option if traveling outside of Tokyo. You must buy it online outside of Japan before leaving in 7, 14 or 21 day increments.
Using the JR Pass only for lines within Tokyo is not cost-effective, so don’t add extra days or buy it for just a portion of your trip to Tokyo. Use the Pasmo / Suica card instead.
Unlike most cities, the Tokyo subway system is not owned by one individual, but by several private companies. It can confuse the metro / train station. Each station may have multiple companies and their tracks, so look for the company you are using.
Visit YouTube for many videos on how to use the X Station.
And if you are all- did go out of town, book your place in advance, otherwise you may be stuck standing – says Cassidy Paul .
The train travels in both directions in Tokyo, so if you have a day pass, you can simply bypass it. And you can store your stuff in train stations, says viralpotato :
Take advantage of the coin lockers located at the stations to store bulky luggage / purchases. You can even store large hard cases in train junctions when taking an overnight trip outside of Tokyo.
GuB says internet cafes are even cheaper than a capsule hotel:
Internet cafes are a well-known cheap substitute for hotels. You have a small separate cubicle with a comfortable armchair or floor mattress (“flat”), there is a shower. You pay by the hour, but they often have 8 hour or so packages that are perfect for sleeping.
Internet cafes are everywhere and are open 24/7. There is probably one closer to the place you are visiting than the nearest metro station. No planning is required if there is no major event nearby.
DTVGGal has a long list of tips, including nutritional advice:
While some people may focus solely on Japanese food, there are other types of food that are different from what you can find locally. For example, there are many Italian dishes that suit Japanese tastes better. I went to an amazing Indian place in Japan. I’ve also heard good reviews about Chinese restaurants.
And this drinking tip:
Another good tip: spirits can be cheaper than beer. Some places like The Hub (this is a British pub style place) had mixed drinks that were smaller than beer.
Lifehacker writer Patrick Allan gives a lot of advice, for example:
If you are a diner like me, put more on your Pasmo card (metro card) than you need to travel by train. Many vending machines in and around stations accept these cards.
Patrick also points out this video about Japanese etiquette:
Watch out for the cops, but in a good way, says cesariojpn :
“The TMPD [Tokyo Police] has a place called Coban. Small stations where one or two officers will stay on shift. Wherever you stop or go, look out for nearby Coban. Just in case you need help or even lose something.
You will have a lot of coins, so don’t just put them in your pocket, says So Saini :
Get a coin wallet. It’s a cash society and you’ll want to carry lots of lesser denominations, which means coins, and a coin purse means you won’t be frantically digging in your pocket for the last 100 yen you know you have and which you need right now to buy a train ticket. at the ticket machine, and 10 people are waiting for you.
“Change money at the airport or hotel, they don’t charge any commission,” says Mike B.
For a longer trip to Japan, listen to Mixeddrinks :
Use Tokyo as the starting and ending point of your journey. Board the Tokaido Shinkansen to Osaka and slowly return to Tokyo. Stop at the places you want to visit. You will literally be taken to all of Japan’s major urban centers.
LittleJohnHarrisonFordPrefect adds:
As a foreigner, Tokyo makes it easier for you to get to know Japan. Easy to get around and every office / restaurant seemed to have English speaking staff or English menus.
One attraction constantly popped up in the comments: the real Mario Kart. Grapenut says:
If you have time, try playing Mario Kart. Best Use $ 60 Unique Time. You will need an international driving license, but you can get this from AAA in the US for about $ 20. Plan an overnight trip as this makes Shibuya and Tokyo Tower truly stand out.