Mount Fuji with cherry blossoms

An English Guide to Tokyo

A practical, English-friendly playbook for first-time and returning visitors. From airport to izakaya, here’s how to move, order, and explore with confidence.

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English Guide to Tokyo

A practical, English-friendly playbook for first-time and returning visitors. From airport to izakaya, here’s how to move, order, and explore with confidence.

Arrival & Orientation

Airports & Transfers

  • Haneda (HND): 20–40 min to central Tokyo by Monorail→JR or Keikyu.
  • Narita (NRT): 50–90 min by Narita Express, Skyliner, or bus.
  • Taxi: Flat-fare airport taxis exist; confirm price before boarding.

Payments & IC Cards

  • IC (Transit) Cards: Suica/PASMO (physical or phone wallet) for trains, convenience stores, vending machines.
  • Cards & Cash: Cards widely accepted; carry some cash for small eateries and shrines.
  • ATMs: 7-Eleven, Japan Post, and major banks have international ATMs.

Connectivity

  • eSIM/SIM: Buy at airport or electronics stores; hotel Wi-Fi is common.
  • Free Wi-Fi: Available in many stations/cafés; look for “_Free_Wi-Fi_” networks.
  • Navigation: Download offline maps; save station exits (e.g., “Shinjuku East Exit”).
Travel Requirements & Information

Getting Around Tokyo

Metro, JR, Buses, Taxis

  • Tap in/out with IC card; transfers between JR and Metro may require re-tapping.
  • Last trains usually around 00:00–01:00; check your final leg before a late dinner.
  • Station exits matter—a wrong exit can add a 10–15 minute walk.
  • Taxis are clean and safe; rear doors open automatically; cashless accepted.
  • Cycling is growing; follow street rules and park only in marked areas.
Useful Lines to Remember
  • JR Yamanote: Green loop connecting major hubs (Shinjuku, Shibuya, Tokyo).
  • Tokyo Metro Ginza: East-west orange line for Ginza, Asakusa, Shibuya (via transfer).
  • Toei Oedo: Magenta loop reaching Roppongi, Tsukiji, Shinjuku.

Time-Saving Essentials

SituationTipWhy it helps
Airport to hotelShip luggage; carry an overnight toteTravel light on packed trains
Mega stationsScreenshot exit mapsFaster wayfinding underground
Peak hoursTravel before 8:00 or after 9:30Avoid crush loads
Long daysUse coin lockersNo need to backtrack to hotel

Language & Signage Toolkit

Essential Phrases

EnglishJapanesePronunciationUse Case
Excuse me / Sorryすみませんsu-mi-ma-senGetting attention; apologizing
Pleaseお願いしますo-ne-gai shi-masMaking polite requests
Thank youありがとうございますa-ri-ga-tō go-za-i-masEveryday gratitude
Where is … ?…はどこですか？… wa do-ko des-ka?Finding exits, platforms, restrooms
Do you have an English menu?英語のメニューはありますか？eigo no menu wa a-ri-mas-ka?Restaurants
Signage Decoder
  • 出口 / Entrance/Exit: 出口 = Exit, 入口 = Entrance.
  • 各駅 / Rapid: 各駅停車 = Local, 快速/急行 = Rapid/Express (skips stops).
  • Car numbers & doors: Use platform boards to align with your transfer.

English-Friendly Strategies

  • Have your destination written in Japanese (hotel name, station, exit).
  • Pointing works—map pins and screenshots bridge language gaps.
  • Keep sentences short; add “please” (onegaishimasu) for politeness.
  • Many museums and major stations have English signage and help desks.

Eating & Ordering (English-Friendly)

Menus & Reservations

  • Look for picture menus or plastic models in the window.
  • Small counters often don’t take reservations; go early or queue.
  • For high-end dining, book weeks in advance; many accept online bookings.

How to Order

  • Ticket machines: choose, pay, get a ticket, hand to staff.
  • Say the item name + “onegaishimasu” (please).
  • Allergy? Say “○○ は食べられません (I can’t eat ○○).”

Dietary Notes

  • Vegetarian/vegan options improving; seek shōjin ryōri (temple cuisine) and modern cafés.
  • Gluten-sensitive: watch for soy sauce (contains wheat) and noodle broths.
  • No tipping; say “gochisōsama deshita” when leaving.

Neighborhoods at a Glance

Pick a few adjacent areas per day to minimize train time and maximize discovery.

Asakusa

Sensō-ji, old town snacks, river cruises.

Ueno

Museums, park, Ameyoko street market.

Akihabara

Electronics, retro games, maid cafés.

Ginza

Department stores, architecture, sushi counters.

Tsukiji/Toyosu

Seafood literacy, knife shops, market bites.

Shinjuku

Skyscrapers, bars, massive station hub.

Harajuku

Meiji Shrine, youth fashion, crêpes.

Omotesandō/Aoyama

Flagship architecture, cafés, design stores.

Shibuya

Scramble crossing, rooftops, late-night eats.

Daikanyama/Nakameguro

Bookstores, canal walks, boutique galleries.

Roppongi

Art museums (Mori, National Art Center), nightlife.

Odaiba/Bay Area

Waterfront views, teamLabs, shopping complexes.

Etiquette & Culture 101

Do

  • Queue neatly; offer seats to those in need.
  • Remove shoes when asked (homes, some restaurants, certain dressing rooms).
  • Carry your trash until you find a bin; recycle where labeled.
  • Use quiet voice on public transport; phones set to silent.

Don’t

  • Don’t eat while walking in busy streets unless it’s clearly allowed.
  • Don’t touch temple/shrine objects unless invited; follow purification steps.
  • Don’t tip—express thanks verbally instead.
  • Don’t block station gates; step aside to sort tickets/IC card.

Onsen Basics

Wash thoroughly before soaking. Towels stay out of the water. Tattoos: some facilities require cover or prior check.

Safety & Help

Emergency numbers: Police 110; Fire/Ambulance 119. Major stations have tourist help desks.

Accessibility

Elevators, tactile paving, and priority seating are common. Staff can guide step-free routes on request.

Easy Day Trips from Tokyo

All are reachable in ~30–120 minutes depending on service. Start early to avoid crowds and catch earlier returns.

Kamakura

Zen temples, Great Buddha, coastal walks.

Nikkō

Lavish shrines, cedar avenues, waterfalls (if extending).

Hakone

Onsen, open-air art park, Fuji views on clear days.

Yokohama

Harbor, cup-noodle museum, Chinatown eats.

Kawagoe

Edo-era streets and sweet-potato treats.

Chichibu

Festival heritage, limestone caves, nature trails.

3-Day Starter Plan (English-Friendly Flow)

Overview

  1. Day 1: Classic Tokyo—temples, museums, riverfront
  2. Day 2: Modern culture—fashion, design, city views
  3. Day 3: Day trip—Kamakura (Zen/coast) or Nikko (shrines/forest)

Daily Details

DayAreasHighlightsNotes
1Asakusa → Ueno → GinzaSensō-ji, museum of choice, evening stroll in GinzaBuy/charge IC card; early night if jet-lagged
2Meiji Shrine → Harajuku → Omotesandō → ShibuyaShinto etiquette, fashion streets, flagship architecture, observation deckBook museum or gallery slots if needed
3Kamakura or NikkoTemples/coast or ornate shrines/cedar forestDepart by ~08:00; dinner back in Tokyo
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