Travel

Book your flight

If you are coming from abroad, you will mostly likely fly into Tokyo. There are two airports for Tokyo, Haneda Airport (code: HND), mostly serving domestic flights, and Narita International Airport (code: NRT). Haneda is 30 minutes from downtown Tokyo, and Narita is 70 minutes, so if there's a choice, fly to Haneda.

If you're receiving travel support from us, please book your flight as soon as possible to get better rates.

Getting to your hotel

If you are staying at Sotetsu Grand Fresa Tokyo-Bay Ariake, there's a bus every few hours operated by Airport Limousine that takes you from the terminal to the hotel.

webservice.limousinebus.co.jp

If you are coming to Japan early or staying at another hotel, check the hotel's website for access information from the airports. A common way to get to Tokyo station is by using Narita Express (N'EX).

General tips

11 extremely practical Japan travel tips is a good summary on general tips on traveling to Japan. japan-guide.com has more detailed guide on various topics like Transportation in Tokyo. New York Times wrote an article Solo in Tokyo, which you mind find interesting.

Book a data plan or a wireless router

Google Maps is essential for both walking around and figuring out the transits. Here's how you can get your smart phone to get connected in Japan.

• T-mobile offers $5 international day pass (512 MB of high-speed data), 5GB (up to 10 days) for $35, and 15GB (up to 30 days) for $50.
• Verizon offers international day pass for $10/day.
• AT&T offers international day pass for $10/day.

• PuPuRu
• Global Advanced Communications

Carry cash

Japan is mostly cash-based country. With a few exceptions like hotels, nice restaurants, train stations, and some taxi, do not expect your credit card to be accepted. Even at a department store, foreign-issued credit cards may or may not work. Carry at least 10,000 JPY (around $100) at all times. Use your ATM card to withdraw Japanese Yen. First, contact your bank in advance to activate foreign withdrawal (otherwise they can suspend the card thinking it's hacked). There are Citibank Japan's ATM machines at both Haneda and Narita airport. Once you are in Tokyo, look for a 7 Eleven (Japanese 7 Eleven is so badass they operate their own bank) or a Japan Post (Japanese postal office use to operate one of the largest banks in the world).

Buy Suica card

Suica is a prepaid IC card by JR East. Suica (and other compatible cards like Pasmo and Kitaca) can be used for almost all trains and subways in major cities. They can also be used for local bus lines, but we don't recommend you take buses since they are more involved, with the exception of the Airport Limousine bus (Unfortunately Suica card are accepted only on the inbound routes). In addition, the IC cards can be used at convenient stores, vending machines, and coin lockers especially around train stations.

Power plugs

See Electricity page. Japanese power outlets are identical to ungrounded (2-pin) North American outlets, but the voltage 100V, which is different from North America (120V), Central Europe (230V). Many laptop adapters including the ones for MacBook Pro work in terms of the voltage. Even if you are coming from North America, you might still need an adapter to remove the earth pin from the extension cord.

Tipping

In Japan, the service charges are included in the price. In other words, tipping is neither required nor accepted at hotels, restaurants, taxis etc. The only exception that you might come across is if you stay at a better ryokan style inn, where you are attended to by one person for your entire visit. The protocol is to put around 1000 JPY per guest in a small envelope (sold at a convenience store) and present to your attendant at the end of the in-room check-in process. This too is completely optional.

At a restaurant, instead of tipping, a common etiquette is to thank the chef, the waitor, or the host as you walk out of the restaurant by bowing slightly and saying ごちそうさまでした (gochisousama-deshita), "thank you for the lovely meal." You can also say the same if someone buys you a meal.

Casual dining

Beyond the usual sushi and tempura, there is an array of things you could try for more casual dining on the cheap. See Restaurants page on japan-guide.com for details.

Coffee

The coffee quality can vary, but I generally find them weaker and sour in Japan. Thankfully there are Starbucks chains in Tokyo (Blue Bottle Coffee too but not too many). Just type in "Starbucks near odaiba" into Google Map.

Bakery

Japanese style bakery sells interesting mix of sweet and savory pastries and bread that you won't find elsewhere. Try curry bread (カレーパン), mellon bread (メロンパン), bacon pain d'epi (ベーコンエピ), or anything you think looks interesting.

Convenience store

Convenience stores, many open 24 hours a day, sell a large range of meals, such as onigiri (rice balls), sandwiches, obento (lunch boxes), and hot foods like fried chicken. For (lacto-) vegetarians, the fact that they have bread, yogurt, and salad helps as the last resort if you can't find food.

Soba

Eating a lunch at a local soba shop is a truely Japanese experience for common folks, usually more reasonable than other fancier cuisine. There's usually a daily special that combines soba and one more dish.

Izakaya

Izakaya (居酒屋) are casual drinking establishments, similar to tapas bars, where customers order a variety of small dishes of food that can be shared at the table.

Japanese curry

Curry rice is one of the most popular dish cooked in Japanese households. Compared to the Indian or Thai variety they are usually on more milder side.

Ramen

If you're looking for a quick meal or to top off the night after drinking, ramen could be what you want.

For everyone who wants to try a more powerful ramen, I highly recommend experiencing the exquisite ramen at Ramen Jiro(ラーメン二郎). Ramen Jiro is known for its unique and rich pork bone soup, thick and chewy curly noodles, and generously topped ingredients that create a flavorful and hearty experience. Each bowl of ramen comes loaded with a substantial amount of bean sprouts, cabbage, and pork belly, making for an enticing combination. Moreover, in the welcoming atmosphere of the restaurant, you can enjoy the distinctive ramen culture. As part of experiencing Japan's culinary culture, be sure to pay a visit. The ramen at Ramen Jiro is a unique and satisfying example of food that you won't find elsewhere.
Ramen Jiro(Wikipedia)

Tonkatsu

Tonkatsu (とんかつ, "pork cutlet") are thick slices of pork that are breaded and deep fried in a manner similar to German schnitzel. It's a popular dinner option for dining out.

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