Tokyo is a unique capital city that can impress and puzzle at the same time. Even though it might seem overwhelming, the city is quite logical. So, as soon as you understand how everything works, your stay there will be comfortable and filled with lots of positive impressions. To fall in love with the capital of Japan, you need a couple of useful tips from experienced travelers. 

Getting Around the City

Tokyo takes care of its tourists. Besides, its public transport impresses with the convenience it provides. All trains are extremely punctual, while all stations are well-signposted in English. In addition, you will hardly need a taxi to get to your destination as the public transport network has perfect coverage throughout the city.

To enjoy the convenience of public transport and save on taxi services, you should:

• get a Suica or Pasmo card, as they are rechargeable IC cards that you can use on buses, trains, subways, and even vending machines and convenience stores;
• download the right apps (Google Maps, Hyperdia, Japan Official Travel App) to learn what transport fits your route best;
• realize that your rechargeable IC card can be used for both private and public trains;
• try to avoid rush hours between 7:30 and 9:00 AM and 6:00 and 8:00 PM;
• walk more to find the hidden gems that are not shown on the tourist maps.

As soon as you plan your route, you can consider other valuable tips for a comfortable trip in Tokyo.

Travel Light and Move Freely

The next thing to care for is to find a Luggage Storage Tokyo. When you free your hands of luggage, you will be able to enjoy more places. For example, you can visit the site of Radical Storage, contact the service to discuss details, and book storage at the required place (bus station, train station, airport). Thanks to that, you will not forget your bag in the packed train or refuse to have fun because you need to watch over your bags. 

Coin Lockers

If you arrive for a short time (transfer stay, for example), you can find coin lockers at airports, railway stations, and other stations. They can be small, medium, and large for different luggage sizes. You may pay either by coins or with your IC card.

Baggage Delivery Services 

You can also request a luggage delivery service. The service representatives will arrive at the airport to pick up your luggage and send it ahead to your hotel or other destination. 

Dedicated Luggage Storage Services

Finally, you may ask for special services to care for your items. These can be Radical Storage, Usebounce, Stasher, or LuggageHero. Such services take responsibility for everything, so you may not worry that something will be lost or damaged. 

Money and Payments

Even though Japan is a high-tech country, cash is still used almost everywhere. Some cafes and stores are cash-only.  So, you may use ATMs at 7/11 to withdraw your cash. These ATMs usually accept international cards and have an English interface for easy navigation. 

TIP! Keep in mind that tipping is not a casual thing in Japan. Some may regard it as offensive. 

Food and Dining

While some capitals can make you sweat in your efforts to find a place to eat, Tokyo is not like that. The diversity of cafes, pubs, and restaurants impresses. So, all you need is to decide where you would like to stop. 

• Excellent convenience stores. 7-Eleven, Lawson, and FamilyMart sell freshly made onigiri, sandwiches, hot noodles, and seasonal items.   
• Look for the plastic food displays. Many traditional restaurants display plastic or wax models of their dishes in the window with prices. Even without language skills, you can point and order.
• Counter places. Ramen shops, sushi bars, and tonkatsu restaurants often have counter seating where you can watch your food being prepared. It is one of the best ways to eat alone and enjoy traditional Japanese dishes. 
• Lunch sets (teishoku). Many restaurants are expensive at dinner. However, they serve the same quality food at significantly reduced prices during lunch. So, you can turn your lunch into your main course. 
• Queue culture. If you are looking for a place that is famous for some delicious meals, pay attention to the queues. If you see Tokyo residents lining up in front of a restaurant, this place is worth a visit. 

So, it won’t be a problem to have a meal for either Japanese food fans or traditional meal eaters. 

Etiquette and Cultural Awareness

Tokyo is extremely welcoming for tourists. Even if you forget some local customs, you will be forgiven. However, you may feel cozier by being aware of customs and traditions to demonstrate your appreciation and respect for Tokyo residents.

First off, you can hardly see a Japanese person walking and eating or drinking something simultaneously. Even though it is not illegal, it is impolite in most contexts. In addition, you should be quieter in public places and on transport. So, if you want to have a snack, find a bench or a cafe. If you want to listen to music or talk on the phone, lower your voice and use headphones so as not to disturb others. The best decision is to text others.

If you want to thank someone, bow slightly, for example, to a waiter or someone who helps you find a destination. Finally, there may be places where visitors need to take off their shoes, so be polite and follow the others. 

Finally, Stay Connected

As you may need to use translators, maps, and social media to post stories, you need to stay connected. For that, you may order a pocket Wi-Fi at the airport, find a SIM card from a local provider, or download an eSIM before your trip with the required data pack for Tokyo and activate it on your arrival. Roaming services are way too expensive, so eSIM or SIM cards will be a better option.