TOKYO TRAVEL TIPS: 19 Things to Know Before YOU Go

Everything YOU need to know before you travel to Tokyo Japan. Tokyo is hi-tech and old school at the same time. ancient Shinto shrines next to giant skyscrapers. It feels like something out of a science fiction movie, particularly neighborhoods like Shibuya with it’s huge light up signs. Skyscrapers, robots, sumo, and the world’s busiest train stations, it’s an amazing place. Tokyo is one of Japan’s 47 prefectures and is composed of 23 wards, 26 cities, 5 towns, 8 villages. It’s technically not a city, but a metropolitan prefecture.

TABLE OF CONTENTS:
00:00 - Introduction to Tokyo
00:27 - 1 - General Information about Tokyo
01:10 - 2 - Tokyo Orientation
01:58 - 3 - Getting in to Tokyo
03:10 - 4 - Getting Around Tokyo
05:51 - 5 - When to go to Tokyo (Weather)
07:42 - 6 - Language
09:00 - 7 - Money
11:23 - 8 - Eating in Tokyo
15:57 - 9 - Drinking Age
16:58 - 10 - Vending Machines in Tokyo
18:47 - 11 - Hotels (Where to stay in Tokyo?)
21:57 - 12 - Shopping in Tokyo
23:34 - 13 - Internet in Tokyo
24:46 - 14 - Smoking in Tokyo
25:32 - 15 - Where are the Trash Cans in Tokyo?
26:26 - 16 - Toilets in Tokyo
27:10 - 17 - Info Desks
27:45 - 18 - Rules in Tokyo
28:58 - 19 - More Tokyo videos!

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[Finedeserthouses]

I was born and raised in Tokyo. Your research is amazing. A couple of things I do want to add as tips are ….
1. No refills on soft drinks at a restaurant unless you go to family restaurant and add a “drink bar” option. I remember taking my American husband to Ginza and went to this fancy café in summer time. He was was so thirsty he took this very fancy skinny glass of iced tea downed before I could finish my sentence, “there is no refills!”😂 so he had to ask for more water into this teeny tiny water glass. This poor waitress kept on coming back for more water so we ended up, asking her to leave a picture on the table which was about the size of a large glass in the U.S. so we ended up asking to refill the pitcher😂

2. Typically there is no assigned waitress for your table so you can grab any waiter and waitress to ask whatever you need.

3. In many public bathrooms, there is no device to dry your hands after you wash your hands, Japanese are trained to carry a bag of tissue papers and a hand towel ever since we are in a kindergarten. I remember that the teacher will give you warning for not having those items at school. You might want to go to ¥100 stores like Daiso or Cando to buy a hand towel or two. I promise it will come handy.

I hope everyone who will visit my hometown, will enjoy his /her stay. ❤❤❤

[christinalooker]

Hands down the best video I’ve found on traveling to Tokyo. Thank you so much for this, I have been planning a 2 week trip to Japan for a little while now and I learned so much from this! I especially like that you film on site, super engaging and helpful to see what you’re referring to ❤

[timesupgr.]

I’m retired Air Force. Booked 4 nights at New Sanno Hotel for about $90 per night. Can’t wait. Thanks for all the advice. Getting 5 day East Rail pass.

[jordanreabold]

So happy to have come across this video series! I'm heading to Tokyo late January 2023 and wanted to brush up on some tips for navigating the city better. Very well-thought-out video and helpful to say the least. I'll now be spending the next few days thumbing through the rest of your Tokyo catalog!

[sweetsunshineplaytime]

I asked my son where does he want for his birthday vacation he chose Japan! We are so excited. Japan here we come 🎉

[NostalgiaMan]

I am more than ready to go to Japan. I want to take my kids there and show them the electric city wonderland

[heleng.]

Much of Japan now charges for plastic shopping bags, so it might be a good idea to tuck a couple of reusable cloth bags into a pocket or handbag if you are shopping. Also, the restaurant situation has greatly improved smoking-wise as most places are non-smoking now. Izakayas still have smoking as you mentioned.

Since the Olympics, there is a lot more English signage in places, even in rural places like where I live.

[ArtFreeman]

Thank you for pointing out that Tokyo is like a state with multiple cities.

[celinewildenburg]

i'm going to japan in august of 2023, staying there for 3 weeks. I'm so hyped for it!

[saidazouaouid]

Honestly, the content provided by this person deserves support from those who agree with me??

[thepeoplesmovies]

I just got back from the city last weekend, loved every minute, only 7 nights 8 days, hoping to come back next year or the following year. I quickly learned about the trains quickly, learn from the rookie mistakes, I did have fun going off plan, Ill hopefully visit, watch videos like this. I stayed in a budget hotel Hotel Listel Shinjuku 15mins walk from the station, brilliant base

[KoriePrince]

These videos are amazing man. Honestly, the best and most informative I've come across. I'm planning a month long Japan trip in April. Love that you gave the facts without any extra unnecessary stuff.

[christopherm]

Smoking ugh, I'm spoiled as my city Vancouver is not smoke friendly. Traveling I find smoking extremely difficult. Chris your vids are fantastic 👌

[mariakata]

No tipping! Love Japan!!!! Cost is clear when I go out then ❤ and employers responsible for their employees.

[Jadisons]

Thank you for your concise videos and tips on Japan. I will be adding this to a Japan Travel playlist to go over when I go to Japan in May of 2023. Very helpful!

[NothingMaster]

Every time I see Tokyo it reminds me of one of my favorite movies: Lost in Translation and it’s famous line “For relaxing times, make it Suntory time.” Nice whiskey, btw, and it pares beautifully with an A5 wagyu steak.
Tokyo is a truly dizzying metropolis.
Great video, Chris.

[kristina_kruglova]

Such a thorough video, I loved it! Tokyo is definitely in my Top 5 of places to visit 😃

[bewitchedwitch]

Fantastic guide for everyone who is going to Japan.Grettings from Polish fan

[jameshiga]

Hi Chris. Great info for the first timer and well season traveler to Japan. People here are very excited about Japan opening up to regular tourist. Take care and gave a wonderful weekend.

[brittanycarmen]

I watched your Hawaii videos years back before I went the first time. And now here I am watching the Japan ones! You are amazing thank you!