Tokyo travel tips
15 Things to Know Before Visiting Tokyo (2026)
Tokyo is genuinely one of the world’s easiest cities to visit, but a few specific cultural and practical points smooth the experience dramatically. Here are 15 things that will make your trip noticeably better — most of which guidebooks under-explain.
01. Get a Suica or PASMO card at the airport
Tap-and-go for every train, bus, vending machine, and convenience store. Refund the deposit on departure or keep as souvenir.
02. Skip JR Pass for under 7 days unless going to Kyoto+
Math: round-trip Tokyo-Kyoto = ¥29,000; 7-day JR Pass = ¥50,000. If you’re staying just in Tokyo, individual tickets are cheaper.
03. Cash still rules at small restaurants
Cards work at chains + hotels + major shops. Tiny izakaya + ramen counters + Yanaka shotengai stalls — bring 10,000 yen cash daily.
04. Don’t tip
It’s not just unexpected — it confuses staff. They may chase you to return money. The price on the bill is the full price.
05. Stand left on escalators
In Tokyo (Osaka is the opposite). Walking lane is on the right.
06. Quiet on trains
Locals don’t talk on calls. Texting only. Quiet conversation OK but loud English-speaking gets noticeable looks.
07. Convenience stores are restaurants
Lawson, FamilyMart, 7-Eleven serve excellent quick meals — sandwiches, rice balls (onigiri), hot food. Don’t dismiss as American ‘gas station food’.
08. Tatami room etiquette
Remove shoes at the genkan entrance. Don’t step on the tatami with slippers — only socks/bare feet. Don’t sit on tatami in outdoor clothes.
09. English signage is comprehensive on metro
Every line has English announcements + signage. Google Maps works for navigation.
10. Restaurant reservations matter at peak season
Cherry blossom week (early April), Golden Week, mid-November autumn — book popular restaurants 2-3 weeks ahead.
11. Beware Kabukicho touts
Around ‘shows’ and ‘massage parlors’ — they lead to $200+ scams. Walk past.
12. Vending machines are everywhere
Hot canned coffee + cold drinks + alcohol on the street. Especially useful at 11pm.
13. Pocket WiFi or eSIM at the airport
Tourist data is essential for Google Maps + Google Translate. WiFi-only is workable for short trips.
14. Earthquake awareness
Small tremors happen monthly. Download the Yurekuru Call app for alerts. Hotels have evacuation maps in rooms.
15. The ‘Tokyo subway 24/48/72-hour pass’ is amazing value
¥800-1,500 for unlimited Tokyo Metro + Toei Subway. Best for tourists hitting multiple neighborhoods.