Going to TOKYO? You WILL make one of these Travel mistakes.

Every tourist visiting Tokyo and Japan will likely make one of these mistakes during their trip. This video will help you get the most out of your trip and make you more confident on your next trip to Tokyo!

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00:00 Intro To Mistakes Tourists make in Tokyo
00:24 Mistake number 1 Tokyo’s Size
01:02 Mistake number 2: Tokyo Public transport issues and tips
01:53 Mistake number 3: Tourist expectations
02:24 Mistake number 4: Stay Connected in Tokyo
02:58 Mistake number 5: You might not need a JR pass
03:47 Mistake number 6: Hotels and Accommodation choices in Tokyo
04:36 Mistake number 7: Go beyond the food in Tokyo
05:21 Mistake number 8: Tipping but there is a cover charge in Tokyo
05:51 Mistake number 9: Feet in Tokyo
06:19 Mistake number 10: Taxis in Tokyo
07:00 Mistake number 11: Reservation & how to get around issues in Tokyo
08:06 Mistake number 12: Opening and closing times
08:40 More tips and mistakes tourists make in Tokyo

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Going to Tokyo for the first time? Here are  some common mistakes tourists make and Tips   for a more Enjoyable Visit so that you  DON’T MISS OUT on anything important: But Before we get into the video, a big thank  you to those who have recently Subscribed  

Here and on my second channel the Happy  Gaijin, .. Want to help the channel grow?   and help me continue making more content. Please  consider subscribing and joining the team too! Ok mistakes: Mistake Number 1 Don’t compare  Tokyo to another city you’ve visited

Tokyo is unlike any other city on the planet. It’s  Different from other global cities as a result of   its unmatched blend of modern and tradition,  It’s the world’s most populated metropolis,   housing over 40 million people… its MASSIVE!  Its actually over 20 cities merged into one!

So, The number 1 mistake is:  Underestimating Tokyo’s size. Which means underestimating: Travel  Time and Transportation needs.  You are going to walk a lot more  than you’d expect, so Travellers   should plan an itinerary carefully to  avoid wasting time or being over tired. On that note: Mistake number 2 Thinking you  can avoid Public Transport

First time travellers to Tokyo might  find public transport intimidating   and think that they can walk  their way around the city. In reality, Tokyo’s public  transportation is efficient   and user-friendly. So, Embrace the subway system. My tip for nervous first-time travellers is  to start off using the Yamanote line. A loop  

Line that covers a lot of Tokyo’s major  spots, This line runs in two directions   meaning that if you do miss a stop or get  lost it will eventually loop back to where   you started! Once you’ve got the hang of the  Yamanote line, try to be more adventurous and  

Consider trying some of the other lines that  might get you closer to your end destination. Using an IC card like a suica, Pacimo  or TOICA card either on physically on   on your iphone will really help out here too! Mistake number 3 Expecting English Everywhere:

While English is spoken and English  speaking in the capital is improving,   its not exactly prevalent. You’ll find chain  restaurants, larger stores and hotels to be   generally English friendly, but you might  find navigating smaller stores or asking   the general public questions a little  more challenging. So, learning a few  

Basic Japanese phrases or using translation  apps can greatly enhance your interactions. On the note of making travel  easier, I’d also consider   Mistake number 4 an important one which  I can actually help you with and that’s NOT having access to a data connection.

I usually use my Sakura mobile pocket wifi to  check train times, navigate around the area,   research information whilst on location  and to for translation when needed. I highly recommend you have access to an internet  connection whilst travelling around Japan. So,   Please consider using my affiliate link  in the video description or Qr Code.

You’ll receive a trusted product  and I’ll receive a small commission   at no additional cost to you! And  you’ll be helping the channel out! Mistake number 5 Purchasing or Misusing the JR Pass: An easy mistake to make is purchasing a  Japan rail pass when you might not need one.

So It’s important to note that you  won’t be needing a JR pass if you   are only visiting Tokyo, In fact, the  Japan rail pass might not be needed   at all due to its cost so I highly  recommend you calculate the total  

Cost of individual ticket prices against  the JR pass before you make a decision. Since a lot of travellers start their trip  in Tokyo it’s an important to mention that   if you do decide to use a JR pass, take care  of WHEN you Activate your Japan Railway Pass  

To make the most of it. Only doing so when  you’re ready for long-distance travel,   not just for short trips into the city, so  that you can make the most of its value. Mistake number 6 Picking the wrong accommodation

Accommodation can be different in Tokyo and Japan Depending on the style of hotel you stay at,   rooms will likely be smaller with some rooms  even having beds against a wall, making it   hard for a couple to get in and out of if they  are older or have mobility issues. Family rooms  

Might be tricker to find too with some hotels  expecting your child to share a bed with you! Smoking rooms and rooms with shared  toilet or bathrooms are also common   with many tourists being caught out in this area.

So my tip here is to always makes sure you choose  the right room for you and read the small print,   pick a hotel that aligns with your  interests and planned activities. Staying in the right district can  save you time and hassle. (I even  

Made a guide to help figure this out  so make sure you check that one out) Mistake number 7 Limiting What you eat: Tokyo offers more than just sushi  and ramen; Tokyo offers a diverse   food scene. Be adventurous and try local  izakayas, street food, and unique flavors.

My main tip would be to try to avoid the  common pitfall of trying to book famous,   sometimes inaccessible restaurants. Instead,   embrace the variety of local food experiences.  As a rule of thumb, if you see a line,   it’s probably going to be good (but caution  if the line is mainly made up of tourists!)

And on a special note: Some restaurants  require you to add your name to a wait   list! So check if this is the  case before joining a queue! For those with little ones Search up family  restaurants as a good alternative to Mcdonalds! Mistake number 8

Tipping: Tipping is not really done in Japan  and can sometimes be confusing. Therefore,   don’t worry about tipping or leaving money behind  unless the location specifically mentions it. A special note here is that some locations  have an included cover charge added to the  

Bill. Usually this will come with a  small appetiser like pickles or snack. And if you happen to be in Shinjuku then  I highly recommend you ask before hand   if there is a cover charge and how much  it is before committing to a location! Mistake number 9 Incorrect foot ware

You might find yourself having to take  of your shoes more often than expected.  As a rule of thumb, remove your shoes when you see   a raised entrance with a place for  shoes, or if walking on tatami mats. You might be surprised to find  traditional restaurants, museums,  

Castles and even clothe stores changing  room requiring you to remove your shoes My tip here would be to wear shoes  that are easy to take off and put on,   and to always wear nice clean socks! Mistake number 10 TAXI’s Ok, I don’t know how Taxi fares  comapare to YOUR city, bug generally  

Taxis in Cities like Tokyo are expensive  especially when you are travelling solo. However, if travelling as a group, normal  Taxi’s can carry up to 4 people and when   divided can actually become a reasonable  transport option. Although thankfully  

Trains are so convenient and easy to access I’d  personally keep taxis to tricky to get to places. It’s also notable to mention that  Getting to the city from the Airport   can be quite expensive if using a taxi so  it really is important to check out all  

Your travel options (I also have  a Haneda guide to help you out!) Mistake number 11: Not making  reservations for attractions. Not making reservations for attractions  in Tokyo could potentially lead to not   being able to enter an attraction due  to high demand and limited capacity.

Not only that but Advance booking saves time and  could even help overcome any language barriers. It’s important to note that you do not need  to make reservations for temples and shrines,   and in fact many locations  do not require bookings but,   if travelling to a popular destination  then these might have limited space:

Here are some notable locations  I’d recommend you book in advance.  Tokyo Disneyland and DisneySea Ghibli Museum  teamLab Borderless and teamLab Planets Themed restaurants such as Ninja restaurant   or Samurai Restaurant etc. High-End Sushi Restaurants  Tokyo Skytree Kabuki Performances  Animal Cafes Tea Ceremony Experiences   or other similar experiences Mario Kart Street Tours

*A hack here that could work is to arrive super  early about half hour or 40 minutes before an   attraction opens to see if the early bird catches  the worm (But this could still be a tricky tactic) Mistake number 12 Not checking  opening times and days

It’s important to factor in the opening  times and closing times of attractions   and locations you want to visit. It  might be common for certain areas   or attractions to close one day  a week or during certain hours.   And it’s especially important to check  opening hours during public holidays .

Over all, I don’t think any of these mistakes  will completely ruin your trip to Tokyo but if   you can be better prepared then you’ll certainly  have a much smoother and positive experience. Do you think I’ve left any mistakes out?  Let me know in the comment section..

Here are even more notable mistakes  or tips I want to quickly mention: Cash – Japan remains mainly a  cash society especially around   local markets and street food,  So always carry cash with you! Tourists can sometimes be caught out when  they realise that most trains within the city  

Stop around midnight. Therefore Always  check the last train or bus schedule   Daylight hours in Japan can catch  you out. Depending on the season   the sun can actually rise REALLY  early sometimes as early as 4:30   am in the summer and in the winter  the sun setting as early as 5pm!

Start practicing your chopstick  skills! .. Many restaurants only   have chopsticks and you might be caught out! On a minor note understanding simple Japanese  body language gestures can help such as:  The Beckoning Hand: In the West, the palm-up  “come here” gesture is common, but in Japan,  

The hand is turned down and waved inward.  Doing it the Western way can be seen as rude. The ‘X’ Sign: is a strong gesture  to indicate ‘no’ or ‘not allowed.’ Hand Fanning: When someone fans  their hand in front of their face,   it usually means ‘no’ or expresses disbelief.

Anyway team, I hope that if  you’ve watched this far you   feel more confident for your travel in  Japan and Tokyo. And if you have then   prove it by commenting with a Japan flag  emoji! Even if you have nothing to say! Looking for more casual content and live  

Streams then please check out my  second channel the Happy gaijin! And as you are interested in Tokyo how  about checking out my Tokyo playlist?   You’ll find gudies to areas, tips and some  of my adventures to hopefully inspire you! Thank you for watching, Till next time, Stay positive and be a happy gaijin.

Safe travels!