Tokyo can be an overwhelming experience. Though one of the cleanest and most organized megacities worldwide, its sheer magnitude can make a trip here seem intimidating.
Be mindful of these Tokyo trip tips in order to stay on the right track and navigate this city smoothly and enjoyably. Cathay Pacific now offers Amsterdam to Tokyo transportation for faster and affordable getting in and out of the site.
1. Stay at a hostel
Tokyo can be an overwhelming and costly metropolis for visitors without local friends to stay with, which makes hostels the ideal solution to keeping travel costs manageable while having easy access to all its fun activities and attractions.
Hostels provide the advantage of being conveniently close to many popular tourist spots within a city’s core, enabling you to spend less time travelling and more time enjoying your journey! Hostels in Japan are known for offering social spaces where travelers can meet each other and make the most of their stay there.
If you opt for a hostel, it is advisable to choose one near major subway lines to save both time and money when getting around, while making it easy for you to locate it again at the end of each day.
An advantageous idea when traveling by train is purchasing a train pass in advance; it will save money and time by spreading out payments over multiple rides. Research your options first though as there are various types of passes depending on how long your stay will be in the city.
Carry a water bottle when traveling here as drinking tap water is safe and will save money over time. There are plenty of reusable water bottles available at places such as Daiso or konbinis that should make finding one easy.
2. Carry a Wi-Fi device
Renting a pocket wifi device or SIM card in Japan is the ideal solution to staying connected during your trip, connecting up to 10 devices at the same time and lasting over 24 hours on one charge. Available from various airports, hotels and post boxes and online as well as being cost-effective, convenient and user-friendly – these portable routers (sometimes referred to as wifi eggs) offer affordable connectivity at your destination.
Navigating Tokyo can be both complicated and confusing, particularly if you’re unfamiliar with its layout. To make your life simpler, download an offline map and create a list of sights you want to visit. Also research restaurants and cafes ahead of time using Google maps; this can save on transportation costs while helping prevent social faux pas!
Tokyo, as the world’s largest metropolitan area, can be overwhelming. Yet you can find peace in this bustling metropolis through free admission to places such as Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building or Meiji Shrine; both offer fast elevators with breathtaking cityscape views. For maximum impact, arrive around sunset to witness this city come alive before it truly comes alive at nighttime!
Akihabara offers another escape from the chaos, known for its electronic stores and anime culture. Visitors with an interest in these subjects often enjoy visiting this district; those without such passion might find it overwhelming or tiresome after some time. There are plenty of sweet potato ice cream stands here to ease your heat indignation or simply soak in its electric atmosphere; just be sure that visiting only for specific reasons makes sense!
3. Get a JR rail pass
If you plan to do a lot of inter-city travel while visiting Japan, purchasing a JR rail pass may be worthwhile. This pass provides free access to mainline shinkansen bullet trains; its length varies between 7-14-21 days. Children under 11 can ride for 50% less than adults if their seats are reserved ahead of time (adults will require purchasing standard class tickets). You can buy this pass online before traveling or upon arriving; buying it directly through JR website allows users to check train times and reserve seats online using Jorudan tool; more modern alternative Hyperdia.
This tool can help you determine which shinkansen routes represent the best value when it comes to using your JR rail pass, since it can be difficult to calculate exactly how much each trip will cost before booking it. However, please keep in mind that this pass does not cover Nozomi Shinkansen and some private trains such as those connecting KIX airport with Kansai regions.
As such, a pass may not be worth their while for travelers only planning on staying in Tokyo and Yokohama or exploring their immediate vicinity via bus. A regional pass such as JR East may be better. A Japan Rail Pass however will definitely pay for itself quickly over an extended journey across Japan!
4. Travel light
Travel light when visiting Tokyo. Day trips require carrying two large suitcases and a backpack, and train stations in Japan can be huge, often being very crowded places requiring you to walk several kilometers with it at once – an ideal travel option is a carry-on backpack for easy storage of all of your baggage.
Your shoes must be comfortable for walking around in, able to be worn with pants and skirts, with extra socks handy in case any are taken off when entering shrines and temples. Also bring along waterproof jackets since Japan often rains!
Pack clothes that can easily be mixed and matched. For travel in spring or autumn, include sweaters and long-sleeved t-shirts as essential pieces; while in winter don’t forget a jacket/coat and several pairs of thick leggings!
Carry an empty lightweight duffel bag when traveling to Japan; that way you can store clothing while on the plane while leaving room in your suitcase for souvenirs – as well as saving money on baggage fees! Before embarking, double check with your airline regarding their rules regarding checked bags as well as weight allowance – if only one checked bag is allowed then fill up this duffel with extra clothing to reduce luggage fees costs.
5. Stay on the left side of the escalator
Tokyo stands out as an incredible combination of ancient and ultramodern, offering travelers an exciting exploration experience, but can be tricky for visitors to navigate. To avoid becoming disoriented during a visit, it is vital to heed these traveler tips beforehand!
One of the best tips for travelers visiting Tokyo is to stay on the left side of escalators escalators as this represents the upper class versus those descending the steps as an indicator of social standing.
This rule also applies to other aspects of Japanese culture. Additionally, it is polite to switch off or place phones on silent in public spaces like trains and buses.
Regarding the subway, avoiding rush hour can be advantageous. Millions of people take advantage of it daily during this peak hour period, packing it to capacity so you may feel like an ant in a jar. Speaking loudly in a subway car is prohibited – remember to keep your voice soft!
Tokyo may be an urban and modern city, but it remains deeply traditional and culturally rich. You’ll find everything from ancient religious sites such as Asakusa’s oldest temple to Tokyo Skytree Observatory on top of its tallest building; fashion can sometimes be wilder in Harajuku or Akihabara but most Tokyo residents dress modestly and respectfully for everyday occasions.