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
Why Visit Japan
A persuasive case for Japan for first-time travellers, from 7-Eleven egg sandwiches to Shinkansen precision, with honest opinions on cost…
Where to Stay in Tokyo for First-Timers
Six mid-range Tokyo hotels a first-timer can book without second-guessing — English-speaking reception, straight airport access, real n…
Dining Etiquette in Japan
Most Japan dining etiquette advice online is either wrong or only matters at kaiseki. Here is what actually matters at ramen counters, iz…
Start with a neighbourhood
More guides
Why Visit Japan
A persuasive case for Japan for first-time travellers, from 7-Eleven egg sandwiches to Shinkansen precision, with honest opinions on cost…
Where to Stay in Tokyo for First-Timers
Six mid-range Tokyo hotels a first-timer can book without second-guessing — English-speaking reception, straight airport access, real n…
Dining Etiquette in Japan
Most Japan dining etiquette advice online is either wrong or only matters at kaiseki. Here is what actually matters at ramen counters, iz…
How to Book Restaurants in Japan
Most top restaurants in Japan do not accept foreign tourists directly. Here is what actually works: hotel concierges, the right apps, Tab…
Shinjuku Shopping Guide
Everything you actually need to know about shopping in Shinjuku — the department stores, depachika food halls, Don Quijote chaos, tax-f…
Japan Do’s and Don’ts for First Timers
The real faux pas in Japan aren't chopstick grip or bowing angles — they're phone calls on the Yamanote, trash on the floor, and shoes …
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.