18 Simple Things That Make Your Trip Easy | How to Enjoy Tokyo with Ease
Tokyo might sound overwhelming, but by keeping some tips in your mind, you can travel the city easily. Today, a local Japanese person shares his 18 tips to make your trip fun and easy.
Go Taxi App: https://go.goinc.jp/lp/inbound
Bus tips:
It helps to remember the word : 入口 (in) and 出口 (out). 出入口 (in and out) from the same door.
1. Ride from front （入口）pay first (tap IC once, get off from rear without touching), leave from the rear door（出口）. This is Tokyo style.
2. If it says 入口 by the rear door, you enter from the rear door (tap IC or get tiny white paper ticket) and get off from the front door next to the driver (tap IC again or pay with cash with tiny white paper)
Kyoto is this style.
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– **US Dept. of State:** [https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Japan.html]
– **UK:** [https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/japan]
– **Australia (Smartraveller):** [https://www.smartraveller.gov.au/destinations/asia/japan]
About Me:
Thanks for watching! My name is Kengo. I create Japan travel guide videos from Tokyo, showing you essential tips and must-visit places. Please subscribe for my weekly exploration to discover the charm of Japan.
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This video provides 18 tips for making your trip to Tokyo easy and enjoyable (0:00).
Sightseeing
Don't over-plan: Avoid packing too many reservations into your itinerary, as travel between places in Tokyo can take longer than expected (0:17–0:30). Aim for one or two main activities per morning and afternoon, allowing time to explore surrounding areas (0:39–0:46).
Check museum calendars: Many museums are closed on Mondays, or Tuesdays if Monday is a national holiday (0:48–1:04).
Book popular spots in advance: For places like Shibuya Sky, reservations can open two weeks before the visit and sell out quickly, especially for sunset times (1:09–1:38).
Navigating Crowds and Etiquette
Go with the flow: Be mindful of the large crowds. On escalators, stand on the left and allow people to pass on the right (1:41–1:54). While this is a social norm, it's not a strict rule, and some places may have different guidelines or ask people not to walk on escalators (2:04–2:15).
Avoid standing in the middle or walking while using your phone: This can be dangerous in crowded areas (2:36–2:54).
Be prepared for train gates: Ensure your IC card has enough balance or that you have the correct ticket to avoid getting stuck at the gates (3:13–3:47).
Locating restrooms: Stations usually have restrooms inside the gates (3:51–4:01). Department stores, big malls, and coffee shops are also good options (4:04–4:07). Convenience stores in central Tokyo may not always have public restrooms (4:09–4:22). It's advisable to carry your own tissues (4:26–4:32).
Food
Carry cash: While many places accept credit cards, smaller shops and restaurants might be cash-only (4:35–4:40). You can exchange currency or withdraw cash from 7-Bank ATMs found in 7-Eleven convenience stores (4:47–5:04).
Make reservations for authentic food: For important meals, especially with larger groups, consider making reservations via websites like Tabelog (5:20–5:38).
Consider lunch sets: Many individual and even expensive restaurants offer more reasonable lunch sets (5:49–6:04). Arrive by 11:00 AM to avoid long lines (6:07–6:14).
Don't shy away from chain restaurants: Tokyo's chain restaurants offer good quality and cost performance (6:21–7:00).
Be wary of touts: Avoid following people who approach you in busy areas offering to take you to a "good" restaurant, as you might end up in an overpriced place (7:07–7:35).
Street food etiquette: It's not common to eat while walking in Japan (7:50–7:55). If you buy street food, eat near the store or take it back to your hotel (8:01–8:08). Carry plastic bags and wet tissues for convenience, as trash cans are scarce (8:17–8:26).
Transportation
Get an IC card: This is the easiest way to use Tokyo's extensive train system (8:38–8:40).
Pay attention to train companies: When buying tickets, ensure you purchase from the correct company for the train you intend to take, as different companies operate various lines (8:45–9:06). One-day or 24-hour passes are usually for specific companies and can be complicated if you cross different lines (9:10–9:26).
Check platform maps: Use the maps on platforms to find the best car to board for easy access to escalators/elevators at your destination (9:31–9:52).
Buses are convenient for specific routes: For trips between certain areas like Nishi-Shinjuku to Shibuya or Roppongi to Shibuya, buses can be more convenient (10:14–10:20).
Bus boarding and alighting: Board from the front, tap your IC card or pay cash, and exit from the rear or middle door without tapping again (10:22–10:33). Press the button to notify the driver when you want to get off (10:34–10:36).
Stay seated or hold on in buses: For safety, buses won't start until passengers are seated or holding onto something (10:39–10:54).
Consider taxis for convenience: Taxis can be expensive but offer ease of travel (10:56–11:02). Use the "Go" app to call a taxi, as ride-sharing services like Uber are not common in Japan (11:23–11:37). The app provides estimated fares, and you can pay with a credit card (11:38–11:52).
First! Hi Kenchan.
One thing that fascinates me after so many visits is how many people waste their trip by staring at their phones. Japan is wonderful. LOOK UP! LOOK AROUND!
Ten years, I rarely carry a phone. (^.-) My Japanese friends have phones. Their job is (1) navigation (2) translation. My job is to pay our bill. Everyone has a role to play.
Thank you for watching! Are you visiting Tokyo this year? Please let me know if you have any other ideas to enjoy Tokyo more.:)
Konbanwa Kenchan san
Tokyo is super crowded but unlike other cities in the world you don't get pushed or rushed
People maintain personal space courtesy etc
Shibuya there's a queue to get on the escalator 😊
Thanks for the video
Tc
Ps
You are covering the light and the plant behind you 😂
THANK YOU SO MUCH, NOW I KNOW WE NEED TO RESERVE FOR THE SHIBUYA SKY AND THE SKYTREE…
1:01 i know now most Japan museums are closed on Mondays thanks to Raden from Hololive 😂
Busses are so confusing, sometimes you need to tap when you get on, sometimes both on and off, sometimes only when you get off, sometimes you need to take a ticket when you get on… Is there some trick to undrestand, some specific regions where they work X way, or do you just have to copy other people?
Thanks for the tips and info, Kengo san. I didn't know that in Osaka, we have to stay on the right side of the escalator and people walk on the left, good to know. There are many good chain restaurants, and we have many favorites. I like Afternoon Tea, Ringer Hut and other.
Thanks you for these tips, i didn't think about some of them.
The last time i went to Japan, i've bought a washable handtowel with a cool motif (a black Yatagarasu with a white background )but i can't find it anymore. So i wonder where, in Tokyo, i can find an handtowel with cool motif on it, to replace i one i lost. Maybe Don Quixote ? If someone had a good idea, i'm listening : )
PS: i didn't know about tonkatsu wako, another tonkatsu place i maybe want to try. Maybe not as good as Yabaton (i will get there anyways! ) but more affordable : )