For 1st-time visitors

Last updated on March 22, 2025

/// Airports to the city center ///
Visitors typically arrive at Haneda Airport (HND) or Narita Airport (NRT). Haneda is much closer to the city center, making it a more convenient option for many travelers. A taxi ride from Narita to the city center can take over an hour (sometimes up to two hours) and cost more than $200 USD!

The GO TOKYO website provides plenty of options for reaching the city center.
http://www.gotokyo.org/en/tourists/info/access/access1.html

/// Transportation IC Cards ///
If you use an iPhone, you can set up a Suica card in your Apple Wallet:

Open Apple Wallet.
Press the (+) button in the top-right.
Select "Transit Card" and choose Suica.

For Android users, purchasing a Welcome Suica or Welcome PASMO at the airport is a good option. These IC cards are valid for 28 days. If you miss this opportunity, you can buy regular Suica at JR stations or a PASMO at subway stations (*500 JPY deposit is required for regular cards).


Suica and PASMO cards can be used for more than just transportation—they're also accepted at vending machines, convenience stores, restaurants, retail shops, and museums.

Whether you choose to use Suica in your Apple Wallet or a physical IC card, each person will need their own Suica or PASMO. Any remaining balance on your card can be combined with cash for purchases at convenience stores.

/// One-Day Tickets ///
Tokyo has several subway and train companies, each offering different types of one-day passes. If you're not familiar with the distinctions between them, you might end up spending more than necessary. Personally, I recommend purchasing the Tokyo Metro 24-hour Ticket if you plan to use Tokyo Metro trains more than three times in a day.
http://www.tokyometro.jp/en/ticket/value/1day/index.html

/// How to take the subway ///
This is the Tokyo subway map.
https://www.tokyometro.jp/en/subwaymap/pdf/rosen_en_1702.pdf
For example, if you go to Asakusa from Shibuya, you should take Ginza line (G). Three subway lines stop at Shibuya station, so Shibuya is indicated as (Z1) for Hanzomon line, (F16) for Fukutoshin line, and (G1) for Ginza line. The number goes up (G1) (G2)… till (G19) Asakusa where you should get off. It’s very simple and easy.


/// Taxi and Uber ///
You can use your Uber app in Tokyo, but Uber operates differently compared to many other countries. Uber in Japan primarily functions as a platform to call taxis. You could also install the app called "GO" or ”S.RIDE" to call a taxi. If you use apps like Uber or GO to call a taxi, an additional service fee will be added to the fare. So, if you can easily catch a taxi nearby, it’s better to just hop in without using the app.

/// Escalators ///
This is controversial, but people in Tokyo usually stand on the left side and keep the right side clear for the people who are rushing. Nowadays, stations and the Japanese government insist that we should NOT walk on the escalators. The funny thing is people stand on the right side in Osaka.

/// Getting cash using your credit card ///
Some ATM may not accept your card, but Seven Bank ATMs support most major credit cards for cash withdrawals and this is the best way to get some cash in Japan. The minimum amount is 10,000 yen.




/// Temperature ///
If you want to check out the weather in Tokyo, this website is very useful.
You can check the current weather as well as long-term forecast based on average if you click on "month" tab.

/// Free Wi-Fi ///
Wi-Fi is getting more available. Now you can go online at major stations as well as sightseeing spots in Tokyo.

/// Currency ///
If you want to estimate Japanese yen in US dollars, remove the last two digits and then multiply by 2/3. For example, 1,500 JPY is roughly 10 USD.

We have 10000 yen, 5000 yen, 2000 yen (*very rare), and 1000 yen notes and 500 yen, 100 yen, 50 yen, 10 yen, 5 yen, and 1 yen coins. All of them have numbers on them except for this one.


This says "five yen" in Japanese. So if you don't see any numbers on your coin, that should be 5 yen.

/// Tipping ///

Tipping in Japan is generally not required. Here are some key points:

  • In restaurants, tipping is not customary, and you won’t need to leave any extra money.
  • For taxis, while tipping isn’t common, some people might say “keep the change”.
  • At hotels, there’s no need to tip porters or leave a tip on the bed.
  • If you stay at a traditional ryokan, it’s customary to give a tip (called kokorozuke) to the room attendant (nakai) who guides you to your room. This is usually presented in an envelope and ranges from 1,000 to 5,000 yen.
  • Many foreign visitors tip their tour guides, although this is not mandatory.
/// Asking for help ///
Japanese people might not be very fluent in spoken English, but showing them written information or maps can often make it easier for them to assist you.


/// Language ///
I’ve gathered some helpful phrases for your stay in Japan. Take a look at the page below!
https://pict-japan.blogspot.jp/p/language_20.html

/// Articles ///
"Where are trash cans in Tokyo!?"
https://pict-japan.blogspot.com/2018/05/where-are-trash-cans-in-tokyo.html

"Vending machines"
https://pict-japan.blogspot.com/2018/03/vending-machines.html

/// Sightseeing ideas ///
I’ve put together a list of my recommended sightseeing spots on this page.
https://pict-japan.blogspot.com/p/sightseeing.html

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