1. The Airport in Japan
Passport Requirement
Ensure your passport remains valid for the entire duration of your stay. You will need to show it at the airport's immigration counter.
Mobile Data
You will definitely need reliable cellular data for accessing a mapping service as you navigate Tokyo, which will sometimes feel like a maze. Rent a portable Wi-Fi router that can be picked up at the airport upon your arrival.
2. Arriving in Tokyo
Tokyo has two major international airports: Haneda (HND), located in the city along Tokyo Bay, and Narita (NRT), which is in Chiba Prefecture, located near Tokyo to the east.
To get to Central Tokyo, take an Airport Limousine Bus. It will take a maximum of 1 hr 50 minutes to get there from Narita, and half of that time from Haneda. The service will cost no more than $26 USD/4,245 yen.
3. Money & Payments
- Exchange rates: If you are in the United States, do not exchange currency before going to Japan. Exchange rates at the airports in Japan are slightly better, and you can get the best rates by withdrawing yen directly from ATMs located inside the airports or from 7-Bank ATMs inside 7-Eleven stores using your American credit or debit card.
- Transportation IC Cards (Pasmo / Suica): Pasmo and Suica are rechargeable prepaid smart cards that allow you to use public transportation in Japan without having to deal with paper tickets or calculating fares. You can purchase them at station ticket machines, reload them with yen as needed, and use them for trains, subways, and buses.
- Credit Cards: Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted at hotels, department stores, and major venues & chain restaurants.
4. Navigating Tokyo’s Transit System
Tokyo uses a combined system of private and public rail networks.
- The JR Yamanote Line: This is Tokyo's central loop line. It connects almost every major district- Shinjuku, Shibuya, Harajuku, Shinagawa, Tokyo Station, Akihabara, and Ueno. If you get lost, getting back onto the Yamanote Line will usually get you back on track.
- Navigation App: Download Google Maps. It will provide exact platform numbers, train schedules, and transfer guidance, including the specific car to board.
- Last Trains: The Japanese train system usually stops running around midnight. If you stay out past this time, night buses, bicycles, or staying in a karaoke box or capsule hotel until the first train runs at roughly 5:00 AM are common solutions. Alternatively, you can take a taxi or stay overnight at a nearby hotel.
5. Where to Stay
Because of the efficiency of Tokyo's train network, many neighborhoods are suitable for staying in. However, I specifically recommend Shimbashi.
Convenience & Transport Links: As a major transit hub served by the JR Yamanote Line, the Tokyo Metro Ginza Line, and the Toei Asakusa Line (which provides direct access to both Haneda and Narita airports), staying in Shimbashi is a convenient way to get to other parts of the city. Beyond its incredible transport connectivity, the area has izakayas (Japanese taverns), dining locations, electronic stores, and American fast-food restaurants (such as McDonald's and Kentucky Fried Chicken). In addition, Shimbashi is right next to Ginza (an upscale shopping district of Tokyo) and Tokyo Tower.
Christmas Season Charm: Christmas in Japan is best described as a secular cultural season- instead of focusing on religion, Japan celebrates the Christmas season with lights, music, and decorations, in a big way. And one of the best examples is the iconic steam locomotive outside of Shimbashi Station. It was placed there in 1972 to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Japan's railway system, honoring Shimbashi's legacy status as the original Tokyo terminal for the country's first passenger train line. Every Christmas season, the locomotive is decorated, and a light and music show is presented every evening.
No matter where you decide to stay in Tokyo, when you first arrive at your hotel room, take some time to recuperate from your flight. Also, stay up as late as you can to adjust to the new time zone.
6. Unwritten Rules
Maintain Social Peace in Shared Spaces: Keep public conversations low, and wear earbuds or headphones when listening to media on a train.
Don't Walk and Eat in Public: Eating while walking down the street is generally discouraged.
Be Prepared to Carry Your Trash: Public trash cans are rare in Tokyo, so be prepared to carry any trash that you accumulate until you return to your hotel room.
Next Steps: Your Itinerary
It's a good idea to create an itinerary of what you what you want to do and see in Tokyo before you arrive- whether that's exploring world-class food neighborhoods, checking out the pop culture in Akihabara, watching live events at venues like Korakuen Hall and Shinkiba 1stRING, or taking day trips to neighboring cities.
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