A first-timer's guide to Tokyo
Written by someone who still remembers exactly what it felt like to walk out of Shinjuku Station for the first time.
Start with Meiji ShrineTokyo is a city that swallows first-timers whole. The trains are surgical, the signs are confusing, and the first time you walk out of Shinjuku Station you’ll get lost. Not if — when.
I’m writing this site for that person. The one who just booked the flight. The one who’s a little bit nervous. The one who wants to know what an IC card is, whether to take off shoes in this particular restaurant, and what exactly you’re meant to do at the shrine gate.
Everything here comes from actually being there, with every embarrassing mistake the first few trips taught me. No sponsored content, no fluff — first-timer to first-timer.
If you've got 60 seconds
- Get an IC card first. Suica or Pasmo at any airport or station. ¥500 deposit, tap to ride every train, bus and metro. Cuts 80% of the friction.
- JR Pass doesn't cover Tokyo Metro. Different operators run different lines. An IC card works on all of them.
- No tipping. Bowing is normal. Tap water is safe. Conbini food is better than you'd expect.
Guides to read first
Tokyo: Mount Fuji 5th Station & Onsen Day Trip
Mt. Fuji is the star here, but the best surprise is how much variety fits into one day. You ride […]
Tokyo Disneyland: 1-Day Entry Ticket and Private Transfer
Tokyo Disneyland becomes much easier to manage when your park ticket and hotel transfer are arranged together. You can spend […]
Tokyo – Grand Sumo Tournament
Sumo is one of Japan’s great live spectacles: part sport, part ceremony, and part community theater. At Ryogoku Kokugikan, you’ll [&h…
Start with a neighbourhood
More guides
Tokyo: Mount Fuji 5th Station & Onsen Day Trip
Mt. Fuji is the star here, but the best surprise is how much variety fits into one day. You ride […]
Tokyo Disneyland: 1-Day Entry Ticket and Private Transfer
Tokyo Disneyland becomes much easier to manage when your park ticket and hotel transfer are arranged together. You can spend […]
Tokyo – Grand Sumo Tournament
Sumo is one of Japan’s great live spectacles: part sport, part ceremony, and part community theater. At Ryogoku Kokugikan, you’ll [&h…
Private Fuji Hakone Tour Charter with English Speaking Driver
Hakone packs volcanic valleys, a lake, mountain views, shrine gates, art, and shopping into one large area. This private Fuji […]
Manga Lesson with a Professional Japanese Manga Artist in Nakano
A professional manga artist in Nakano can take you far beyond sketching a cartoon face. In about two hours, you […]
Tokyo: Imperial Palace, the history of Japan (ENGLISH GUIDE)
The most revealing part of this walk is that you are not touring a grand castle. You are exploring the […]
I’m adding new guides as I work through the city. The goal is a tight set of guides that answer the questions first-time visitors actually have, with the specific tips you wouldn’t find in a generic listicle. If you spot something that’s out of date, let me know — that’s how this stays useful.