Traveling to Tokyo is a little like transporting yourself to another world. The language, culture, and etiquette are so very different from home, No matter how much you prepare for any trip, there is always something you wish you had known before you left home. Here are 7 Tokyo tips and tricks to help you prepare for a great trip!
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1. Dress Well
No listing of Tokyo tips and tricks would be complete without addressing fashion. People in Japan dress more conservatively and less casually than we do in the states. Leave athletic wear at home unless you plan to hit the hotel gym. Dress in slacks, dresses, or nice dark denim. Nice solid t-shirts are fine when layered with a cardigan or coat but stay away from graphic t-shirts. Wear sturdy comfortable shoes that you can walk miles in. You may want to opt for a second pair of shoes or a couple of pairs of insoles to give your feet a break. Slip-on shoes are best as some restaurants and businesses may ask that you remove your shoes upon entry. For this reason, be sure to wear nice socks! Nobody wants to see your big toe sticking out the top.
Smaller cross-over bags are best for carrying your gear. Avoid carrying a large backpack as they are difficult to manage on bustling city streets and crowded trains. Be sure to include a small umbrella in your bag. This is useful rain or shine!
2. Eat Like a Local
No trip to Tokyo is complete without exploring their fabulous cuisine. Don’t be that person who goes to Japan and eats at McDonalds! Find a ramen restaurant for a wonderfully warm bowl of ecstasy (especially on a cold day). Also, eat sushi any and every time you can! If you remotely like sushi in the U.S., it will blow your mind in Japan. And if you don’t care for sushi at home, still give it a try in Tokyo anyway. You will likely return with a sushi book (or kit) to recreate the yummy experience at home. We loved this standing sushi bar we found within walking distance of our hotel.
The Golden Gai is a block of six narrow alleyways filled with over 200 bars and restaurants. The area is fairly safe and most places welcome tourists. This can be an easy way to meet and mingle with locals as well as find a terrific meal!
Tokyo Street Food and Vending Tips
Street food in Japan is not only interesting, but it is totally safe to eat. Try as much as you can while you are there. Japanese street food can be a little intimidating to international travelers but take the leap and give it a try. Not sure what to pick? Just like in the states, look for the longest line of locals! The longer the wait, the better your chances of finding the best item on the street. Keep in mind that even when eating street food, you should take a seat when you eat. Eating while you walk around is considered rude.
If you are tired and want to stay in, consider purchasing street food or a bento box to take back to your hotel. Sometimes dinner in your PJs is just the ticket after a long day of touring. Another option is to check out the vending machines at your hotel. Many will have both hot and cold options. It sounds nasty, but the Hotel Sunroute Plaza Shinjuku vending machine offered delicious soup that hit the spot one cold and rainy night.
3. Navigate Wisely
Tokyo is a very walkable city. And for those times when the distance is too far to walk, the public transportation system is excellent! Just keep a few of these Tokyo navigation tips in mind:
Google Maps is not (always) your friend in Japan
Google Maps has been my go-to navigation system across the globe. But in Tokyo it sent us around in circles at times. Since then, I have learned that for some sites you need to first use Google Translate (because the search will not work in English). Keep that in mind before you pass the same intersection four times in the pouring rain!
I have read very good things about using Japan Travel by NAVITIME, instead of Google Maps, to navigate throughout the country. It will guide you to the perfect route by foot or train. It will even tell you the train platform number and exits.
Install Japan Travel by NAVITIME:
iPhone: https://goo.gl/TPMHmK
Android: https://goo.gl/ZO0xyk
Use Public Transportation
You can go anywhere and everywhere on public transportation in Tokyo. Purchase a Suica card to use like a debit card for trains, busses, and even shopping! This rechargeable card is convenient and easy to use (it just takes a tap to pay).
Crowded trains are common during rush hour, but just hold your bag in front of you and politely squeeze in. Don’t forget to mind your Ps and Qs. It is considered rude to eat, talk on the phone, or scatter your bags across empty seats. Also, don’t let your headphones “leak” sound that may disturb other riders!
4. Take Time to Relax in a Traditional Japanese Onsen
For a relaxing spa experience with a Japanese twist, visit an onsen. An onsen is a natural hot spring facility used for public bathing and relaxation. The water generated from geothermally heated springs has healing benefits such as relieving muscle pain, chronic fatigue, and stress. After several days of hard touring, you may suffer with all three and a Japanese onsen is a great way to rest while you continue experiencing Japanese culture. This Tokyo tip may seems a little odd – but trust me, it is quite a cultural experience.
Most onsens feature baths of varying degrees from cool, to hot, to really hot, to no way can I sit here hot! You can also typically follow your bath with a wonderful massage. Take time to relax and recharge mid-way through your Tokyo vacation. Your body will thank you.
Please note: Most facilities do not allow visitors with tattoos to enter. Tattoos typically symbolize members of the Japanese mafia. If you have tattoos, do a Google search for onsens that accept people with tattoos before your trip.
Also, during designated single sex times/facilities, onsen users generally enjoy the waters in the buff. The tiny washcloth seems oh so much smaller when you are suddenly clothed only in your birthday suit. It is a challenge, but try to get over yourself. People are there to bathe and nobody is paying attention to your body shape or size (except perhaps you). The Japanese are generally very modest, but they have far fewer issues with body image and shaming than westerners.
5. Don’t Skip Fuji
A visit to Mt. Fuji is an absolute MUST for any first time Tokyo traveler. Yes, you can vaguely see it from the city on a clear day – but you can’t count on having a clear day. Mt. Fuji is truly majestic and should absolutely be visited up close at least once.
This is not to say you must climb the mountain! Although if that is your thing then I applaud your fitness level. But a trip up to the 5th station (where the climbers start climbing) and a visit to the surrounding area is totally worth a day trip – at least once!
6. Visit Tokyo Disney!
You may think a trip to Tokyo Disney is a silly use of time and money when the original parks are easily accessible in the states. But check out these 5 Reasons Why Visiting Tokyo Disney is Magical. A primary reason is because Tokyo Disney Sea is completely unique. You can’t find anything like it at any other Disney location.
Tokyo Disneyland is similar to the park in California but with a uniquely Japanese twist. Tokyo Disney food is adorable and delicious. The parks utilize the best of Disney combined with Japanese efficiency and service. Also, Tokyo Disney is a great place to experience Japanese culture in a familiar setting. And trust me, you don’t want to miss it. The Japanese take Disney to a whole new level of fabulous!
7. Lose Yourself At A Themed Restaurant
Tokyo is filled with fabulously themed restaurants. With Maid Cafes, Cat Cafes, Alice in Fantasy Book Cafes and more, one could fill every evening with a different themed cuisine. That said, one doesn’t go to a themed restaurant for the culinary delights. Themed cafes are all about the theme experience.
Do a little homework and select a café you think might most cater to your personality and interests. Check out 5 Terrific Reasons to Vacation in Tokyo for ideas to kick-start your café research. Don’t miss this unique experience but focus on one or two and spend the rest of your time eating like a local!
Bonus Tokyo Tips: Accommodations and Airport Transfers
There are thousands of fabulous hotels in Tokyo, but I highly recommend the Shinjuki area because it is surrounded by transportation, shopping, dining, and entertainment options. The Hotel Sunroute Plaza Shinjuku is a terrific choice and is just steps from the Shinjuku Station where 13 train lines will take you anywhere in Japan. This is a serious advantage when you are navigating the city. The Airport Limousine Bus is an inexpensive and super easy way to transfer to your hotel after a long flight. Be sure to select a hotel that is serviced by this bus if you do not stay at the Hotel Sunroute Plaza Shinjuku.
Are You Ready to Visit Tokyo?
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