Tokyo Travel Tips & Experience
Travelling in Tokyo should not be so expensive like many people thought. We just came back from there last week for Easter break to see the Cherry Blossom. From our experience, we actually think Tokyo is no more expensive than Sydney or even cheaper. Well, of course you have to do some research before you fly there.
Ticket
Do your search when looking for the ticket, normally the ticket to Japan is a round AUD$2200 from Australia, but we get it only for AUD$1600 with Korean Air including 7 Nights stay in 4 Stars Hotel in Shinagawa which is in Tokyo Metro. At the time we travel there were also specials from Singapore Air for AUD$804 to Japan and AUD$704 from Malaysian Air. Jetstar also offering ticket to Japan only for $800, all including tax. You might be able to get it even cheaper when you travel in low season. Do check the airline website, not only the travel agents. They quite often have a big discount which is not available if you book from travel agents.
Accommodation
The best bet to get cheaper rate of accommodation is to buy together with the airline ticket. Like mine, it cost AUD$1500 return ticket to Japan from Sydney, but if I add AUD$100 extra I get 7 Night in at the 4 Stars Grand Prince Hotel. Even if you want to experience staying in Ryokan (traditional Japanese House) you can also get it from the Airline package. Never buy Airline ticket and accommodation separately, unless they have a really low price.
Transport
Transport in Tokyo is expensive and confusing. If you don’t speak and write Japanese like us, the options is using train as buses have no alphabet writing. However there are several companies running Tokyo railways, and they have their own tickets and lines. No, problem! now you can use Suica, it’s a smart card for traveling and shopping in Tokyo Metropolitan Area.
For foreign travelers, they also have a package ¥2000 Suica + N’EX for only ¥3500. N’EX is a discounted one way ticket for travel on the Narita Express to Tokyo/ Yokohama area. You can only buy them (Suica + N’EX package) at JR Rail office at Narita Airport both in Terminal 1 and Terminal 2. If you only need Suica card, you can buy/top up at any train station.
If they are bought separately, the N’EX itself will cost ¥3000 + Suica (¥2000 credit + ¥500 deposit). For your info, Tokyo has two main Airports; Narita and Haneda, if you can chose your airport to land, chose Haneda, it’s close to the city and most hotels offer free shuttle bus to and from Haneda.
Food
the Food is very delicious, especially the seafood and has very high hygiene standard everywhere you buy it. There should be no problem about the food. Food will cost about ¥600-¥900. Go to food court after 6 pm, you can buy food just for a fraction of the price, and the food are still good and fresh. Buy extra and save it in the fridge for breakfast next morning.
You might be surprised many Japanese do slurping when they eat, it is normal practice in Japan to show that you enjoy the food. Sluuurp!
Money
Bring cash with you as much as you think you would spend in Japan, and buy Japanese Yen before you go. It is quite hard to find money chargers in Tokyo and the exchange rate is not competitive.
The hotel even charge 10% fee on the top of lousy exchange rate. Current exchange rate roughly about AUD$1 = ¥70. Cash is preferred method of payment in Japan everywhere, most credit card payment will attract fee.
In case you are running out of cash, There are ATMs in every station or Seven Eleven and have English menu, so it should not be a problem.
Smoking
Just like any Asian country, there are many smokers in Japan. You can practically smoke anywhere, except inside station. You can even smoke in the hotel room and restaurants indoor.
They usually ask you whether you want smoking or non smoking seat or room. The cost of cigarette is quite cheap compare to Australia, a pack of Marlboro cost ¥320 (AUD$5).
Buying Souvenirs
Souvenirs from Japan have lots of varieties, from Hand fan, key ring, charms, Yukata, Kimono, figurines, samurai and many more. Unfortunately they are not cheap and like the rest of the world, Japan is also flooded with made in China. Nakamise Market (Asakusa, located on the way to Sensoji Temple) is well known as a place to buy souvenirs, many tourists buy them at that market, they sell the souvenirs cheap and made in China. Don’t buy there!
If you want to buy souvenirs for family and friends, I would strongly suggest you buying them at the Airport. Yes, at the airport, before you enter the customs area. You can go to airport early before you fly home and shop there.
There is a small shopping area called Airport Mall, they sell a lot more varieties of souvenirs, very competitive price and even cheaper than you find in Nakamise Market, good packaging, and most important thing is Made in Japan!
Crossing Roads
Unlike in Australia where you can cross anytime you want, just don’t do it in Tokyo. Unless you are crossing at traffic light, use your common sense when you do crossing. Don’t cross when you see a car coming fast and allow enough distance between the crossing and the coming car.
As you might have already known, there are lots of people everywhere. If cars give way every time at the crossing, the car will never move. Lucky there are not many cars there in Japan.
Mobile Phones
Don’t bother to bring your mobile phones unless you have 3G ones and have international roaming activated (using Softbank network, formerly Vodafone). Japan has different network technologies. Japan mobile phones can watch TV, play interactive games, browsing Internet fast, etc. Their technology are so advance.
If you need a mobile phone in Japan, you better off buying it there second hand. There are many second mobile phones in Electric Town Akihabara selling just for ¥100! ($1.50), you just need to sign up for prepaid at NTT Docomo or KDDI.
Footwear
One of a good investment and survival kit you need the most in Tokyo are your shoes. Buy a good and comfortable ones you can afford because you will relay a lot on your feet. Even though you use trains, you still need to walk a lot. I hurt my legs just on the second day without proper walking shoes and still painful until a week after I am back home.
Places to see
Tokyo is one of the biggest city in the world, there are many places to see. Two weeks are barely minimum to explore Tokyo. There are 12 main areas in Tokyo to visit (Shinjuku, Shinagawa, Roppongi, Marunouchi/Nihombashi, Akihabara/Ochanomizu, Shiodome/Shiba/Takeshiba, Asakusa, Ikebukuro, Ueno, Ginza, Shibuya/Harajuku/Omotesando, and Odaiba) , and each of them has many attractions and tourist area to see.
If you don’t join a tour, the place you have to visit first is Tokyo Information Center. They provide a complete everything you need for traveling Tokyo, from pocket map, discount vouchers, what to visit, travel plans, current attractions and happenings, etc. They also have a website ( www.tourism.metro.tokyo.jp ), but you will find more information when you visit in person.
They have three locations to choose:
TMG Building: Tokyo Metropolitan Main Building No.1, 1F. 2-8-1 Nishi Shinjuku Shinjuku-ku. (how to get there: Go to Shinjuku Station and follow the sign to Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building, you won’t miss it). phone: (03) 5321 3077
Haneda Airport Branch: Haneda Airport Terminal 1, 1F. phone: (03) 5757 9345
Keise Ueno Station Branch: In front of ticket gate, Keise Ueno Station.
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