Travelling to Tokyo: Quick Tips
1. Walking shoes are your best friends! Especially if they’re easy to put on/take off (ie: velcro, slip-ons, etc).
2. Do research on public transportation in Tokyo! There are at least three different lines (Tokyo Metro, Tsukaba Express, JR line, etc.) with separate tickets.
3. Invest in a coin pouch -- Japan heavily uses cash and their “$1 and $5″ are 100¥ and 500¥ COINS. More details on money in my mini-blog.
4. Tokyo is crowded. You WILL bump into someone.
5. Learn basic phrases:
Sumimasen - excuse me
Arigato gozaimasu - thank you (formal)
Gomenasai - sorry
6. Get a pocket wifi (or a provider with free international data).
7. American electronics will work with Japan outlets (as long as it has 2 prongs)
8. Bring a hand towel -- it’ll come in handy, especially for bathrooms with no paper towels.
9. Walking while eating is rude in Japan (but drinking should be fine?). There aren’t a lot of garbage cans in Japan either, so make sure you throw away any garbage whenever you can.
10. When using stairs, stay to your left. When going up/down an escalator, stand on the left side and walk on the right side.
11. Smoking indoors is accepted at most places. Be prepared.
12. Do not tip! It can be considered rude.
