Tokyo Travel Tips

In order to improve your trip and make it smoother we have compiled a list of useful tips for your convenience.

Travel Tip #1 - Get some Yen

Before you hop on the plane for your Asian adventure, make sure you withdraw some yen from your bank in order to make things as convenient as possible when you land. You’ll be glad you did.

The only drawback is the exchange rate and fees for getting yen in an American bank are the worst. However it is the price you pay for convenience.

The cheapest place to get yen is at a post office ATM in Japan, next cheapest is at a bank in Japan, next is an airport in Japan, and then the last (meaning the most expensive) would be in America.

Travel Tip #2 - Station Maps

Every JR train station has outside in front of its exits a station and environs map. The map’s scope is large enough to include several city blocks around the station. Any government buildings and tourist spots will be clearly noted on the map, as well as your orientation to it.

With these alone you’ll be able to find all the best sightseeing and attractions in Tokyo.

Travel Tip #3 - Electricity

One thing you don’t have to worry about is voltage and plugs in Japan. Regardless of what you read about, any modern electronics that you bring over will function fine.

Travel Tip #4 - Gaijin (foreigner) Rail Pass

Foreigners qualify for a special tourist rail pass should they desire it. However you must apply for it overseas before coming to Japan.

The pass is expensive and will only save you money if you plan on doing LOTS of traveling between cities. You can get a pass for one, two or three weeks.

Get the pass here: http://www.japan-rail-pass.com/train-japon/

The green car is more spacious than the ordinary car.

There are also regional JR passes, which if you’ll only be staying in one area are even more affordable. East JR and West JR respectively:

East JR:
http://www.jreast.co.jp/e/eastpass/
West JR:
http://www.westjr.co.jp/global/en/

Travel Tip #5 - Learning Survival Japanese

It is highly recommended that you at least learn some survival Japanese so you can function during your trip. Aside from making yourself understood clearer it makes your interactions with the natives more friendly, and that is always a good thing.

Highly recommended is the pocket book Japanese at a Glance:
http://www.amazon.com/Japanese-At-Glance-Series/dp/0764135554/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1333858170&sr=1-1

It has writing in Japanese and English so you can show the phrase which you want to communicate, should you not feel confident with your pronunciation skills.

For an online resource:
http://www.ima-chan.co.jp/guide/submr200/sub200.htm

Travel Tip #6 - When to go?

Most tourists visit Japan during early April in order to view the cherry blossom blooming, which only bloom for 2 weeks typically. Other tourists come during the Fall months where the foliage is transforming into beautiful reds and oranges. On the other hand as for the winter months few tourists come, as it is cold and snowing in many parts of Japan. Summer is unbearably hot, however the gardens are in full bloom and best viewed during this time.

When is the best time to go? Well that depends on what you want to see. Also on your budget as plane tickets are cheapest in the winter and summer, and most expensive in the spring and fall.