Practical advice to make your time in Tokyo smoother: how to use trains, pay for things, stay connected and move around the city with confidence.
Tokyo is huge, but you do not need to see everything. Choose one main area to stay in (for example Shinjuku, Shibuya or Asakusa) and plan a few key sights each day. Leave some free time for exploring side streets, cafés and parks.
Make sure you know how to reach your accommodation from the airport or main station before you arrive. Screenshots of maps and hotel details are helpful when Wi-Fi is slow or you are tired after a long flight.
Many signs in central Tokyo include English, especially in stations and tourist areas. Staff may not always speak fluent English, but are usually friendly and willing to help. Simple phrases and a translation app go a long way.
Cards are increasingly accepted in Tokyo, especially in chain stores, hotels and larger restaurants. However, smaller shops, local cafés and some shrines or temples may still prefer cash. It is useful to carry a small amount of Japanese yen for these situations.
ATMs that accept foreign cards can often be found in convenience stores such as 7-Eleven or in major bank branches.
Rechargeable IC cards (such as Suica or PASMO) make it easy to tap in and out of trains and subways without buying a ticket each time. In many places you can also pay with these cards in convenience stores, vending machines and some cafés.
The train and subway system is the fastest way to move around Tokyo. Stations can look complex at first, but most lines are colour-coded with clear arrows and English signs. When in doubt, follow the coloured line on the wall or floor until you reach the correct platform.
Try to avoid rush hour on weekdays (around 7:30–9:30 in the morning and 17:00–19:30 in the evening), when trains are at their busiest.
Buses can be useful for shorter trips or when trains do not connect directly, but route maps may be harder to read. For central areas like Shibuya, Shinjuku and Asakusa, walking between sights is often the most enjoyable way to see the city.
Journey-planning apps (for example, ones that show train lines and transfer times) make navigating the city much easier. Many of them work offline once routes are loaded, which is handy when signal is weak underground.
Free Wi-Fi is common in airports, some stations and cafés, but not everywhere. For smoother navigation, consider using mobile data through an eSIM, local SIM card or a pocket Wi-Fi device. This lets you use maps and translation tools wherever you are.
Map apps, translation apps and note-taking tools are especially helpful in Tokyo. You can store place names in Japanese script alongside addresses in English, making it easier to show a driver, station staff or shop assistant where you are heading.
Tokyo is generally considered a very safe city, even at night. Normal travel awareness still applies: keep an eye on your belongings, especially in busy stations or crowded shopping streets, and keep important documents in a secure place.
A few habits will help you blend in:
Spring and autumn are popular for comfortable temperatures and seasonal scenery: cherry blossoms in spring and red leaves in autumn. Summer is warm and lively, with festivals and fireworks, while winter brings clear skies and evening illuminations.
Each season has its own character, so the “best” time depends on whether you prefer mild weather, colourful landscapes or busy festival atmospheres.