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10 Travel hacks for Tokyo first-timers
“It’s mesmerizing. Intimidating. Disorienting. Upsetting. Poignant. And yes, beautiful.” That’s how Anthony Bourdain described Tokyo and he certainly hit the nail right on the head.
Japan’s capital is one of the world’s top destinations, and for good reason: every corner in this city is full of surprises. Explore the back-alleys of Tsukiji, and you’ll stumble upon a nondescript, family-run sushi diner; in the sleepy district of Yanaka, you’ll discover a decades-old, quaint coffee shop; turn a corner in Asakusa, and chances are, you’ll come across a fantastic ramen shop.
It would be a mistake, though, to think that Tokyo is an easy conquest. Apart from large crowds — the city saw more than 14 million visitors just last year, and that number is expected to reach 20 million come the 2020 Olympic Games — Tokyo is a huge, sprawling city that can confuse and overwhelm, especially first-timers.
And so a few hacks to help you enjoy your first time.
1. Get a mobile wifi
Save yourself the hassle of having to look for a free wifi spot or a few thousand bucks from using expensive data roaming and get yourself a mobile wifi. There are those you can rent for as low as P280 a day, and that’s unli data already.
My husband and I tried Big Sky Nation, and it most certainly helped us find our way around Ueno, allowed us to share our gastronomic experiences on Instagram, even check our emails that one time an urgent work matter popped up.
Pro-tip: Book for one before you fly out, and if that’s been forgotten, there are kiosks at the airport.
2. Maximize navigation apps
A navigation app will save your sanity as you go around Tokyo, especially in its dizzying train system.
Google Maps, with departure and arrival schedules posted in real time, proved very helpful in finding which platform corresponds to which train. Keep two apps ready so you’ll always have backup.
3. Get a pre-paid train card like Suica or Pasmo
Trains remain the most efficient way to go around Tokyo so having a pre-paid train card is certainly convenient. Suica or Pasmo are readily available at train stations as the heavily advertised JR Pass but if you’re only covering Tokyo, skip the last one — that’s a wee bit pricier for conveniences you won’t use anyway.
[photo caption: Train Station.JPG]
Getting around Tokyo (and Japan, in general) is an adventure in itself, thanks to its efficient subway system.
4. Book what you can online beforehand
Places of interest like museums, shrines and temples are reasonably priced. Skip the long lines and book what you can online beforehand. For instance, Tours to Mt. Fuji can be pre-arranged, as a trip to the crowd-pleaser that is the TeamLab Borderless exhibit in Odaiba by buying tickets online.
5. Know when to splurge and when to scrimp
It’s easy to bust your wallet in Tokyo, by prioritizing: are you there to eat? Are you there to shop? Do you prefer hotel breakfasts over the DIY possibilities of an AirBnB? Are your knees strong enough to handle commuting? Or will you need to set aside some budget for cabs?
These are just a few things you may want to consider. Tokyo is huge and has a lot to offer. Know what you want, and know what you need, and allocate budget for it.
6. Look to pop culture for a day’s worth of activities
Sure, there’s Shibuya, Shinjuku, and Akihabara — famous districts that are almost a must when visiting Tokyo for the first time.
But reference a movie, an anime, or a book set in Tokyo to your trip and not only will your visit become a lot more interesting, your first time to Tokyo will become a lot more personal.
So why not look for that corner in Shinjuku with an unorthodox traffic light that was featured in Makoto Shinkai’s anime film Kimi No Na Wa? Or maybe have coffee —or a Tom Collins? — at Dug Jazz Café in Shinjuku mentioned in Haruki Murakami’s Norwegian Wood?
This part of Shinjuku features an unorthodox traffic light, which appeared in the hit animé film Kimi No Na Wa (Your Name) by Makoto Shinkai.
7. Don Quijote is your friend
Souvenir shopping is easy since there are a lot of stores you can buy knickknacks from for as low as P50. If you want a more thoughtful pasalubong, head to Don Quijote, which a number of branches spread across the city. We mean: you can’t go wrong for P250-pack of KitKat goodies.
8. Eat!
Japan has loads to offer — ramen, yakitori, sushi, sashimi, tsukemen, katsudon, soba, sukiyaki, okonomiyaki — and across varied price points, too. So don’t get stuck with ramen from a restaurant and sample what you can. Try street-side snacks, late-night kiosks, conbini offerings, and get drinks from the ubiquitous vending machines, too.
A filling and scrumptious meal at a decent restaurant ranges from about P500 to P1,000 per person, while a conbini fare starts at P250 to P300. Street-side snacks, like daifuku (mochi with filling) and grilled octopus, are pocket-friendly options at only about P150 to P300. Drinks from the ubiquitous vending machines start at P50.
9. When in Japan, do what the Japanese do
Saying “arigato gozaimasu” (thank you very much) goes a long way in Japan. And as with traveling to other countries, it’s also encouraged to observe proper etiquette in Japan.
Bow and smile when meeting new people, cleanse yourself at the temizuya before entering a shrine, lower your voice in public places, and make sure you don’t make a phone call while inside the train.
When paying for your purchase, place those bills or coins on the provided tray at the payment counter; avoid handing your money directly to the cashier. Say “itadakimasu” before eating and “gochis?sama deshita” to express that you’ve enjoyed the wonderful meal you just had. And of course, don’t forget to smile.
Before entering a shrine, do a cleansing ritual at the temizuya. It’s a proper way to show respect no matter your religious affiliation.
10. Enjoy!
At one point in your adventure, you’re bound to miss a turn or get off the wrong station. When you do, don’t stress about it. Tokyo is a safe place to get lost in, so find the nearest coffee shop and consult Google Maps while you nurse a flat white. If you miss your train stop or if you find all those platform numbers confusing, just proceed to the nearest information kiosk. Most of the attendants know basic English, so you can easily ask for directions.
— LA, GMA News
