things to know before going to tokyo 🇯🇵

From my own experience traveling in Tokyo, I quickly realized that understanding the city's transport and booking nuances can make or break your trip. For instance, the choice of exit at train stations is crucial. Tokyo's stations often have multiple exits leading to completely different neighborhoods, and taking the wrong exit can mean an unexpected 10-15 minute walk, which adds up when you have a tight itinerary. One of the best travel hacks I found was using a Suica card from the moment you arrive. It’s a rechargeable smart card that works on almost all trains and buses in Tokyo and even at many convenience stores. This saved me the headache of buying tickets for each ride and allowed seamless transfers. Additionally, downloading offline maps and train apps like Navitime or JR East before your trip is essential since underground signals can be spotty. Booking ahead is another must, especially for popular attractions like teamLab Borderless, the Ghibli Museum, or themed cafes. Many restaurants also require reservations; I learned this the hard way when I was turned away from a well-reviewed soba spot because I didn’t book in advance. Airport choice matters too. Haneda is closer and generally quicker for getting into central Tokyo compared to Narita, which can add significant travel time. Also, catching the last train is critical — missing it can lead to expensive taxi rides. I recommend checking last train times each night and keeping a local taxi app handy just in case. For luggage, I found using Japan’s convenient luggage forwarding services (ta-q-bin) very helpful. It allowed me to send my bags ahead to my hotel and travel hands-free on trains and buses. Also, investing in a good coin pouch for small change is practical because cash is still king in many places, even if you prefer cards. Finally, wearing comfortable shoes cannot be overstated. You’ll walk more than expected in Tokyo’s vibrant streets. Keeping your hotel name saved in Japanese on your phone helped me communicate with taxi drivers easily. These small preparations combined transformed my Tokyo trip from stressful to truly enjoyable.