#1 Comfort First
Walk, walk, walk. You will be surprised how much you might walk in Japan. So comfortable shoes are a priority. Also, save yourself the hassle and wear shoes that can be easily taken off and put back on. At a traditional Ryokan, people’s homes, some temples and restaurants, it is customary to take one’s shoes at entrance ( Genkan ). And to save yourself from embarrassment, bring along clean socks without holes.
#2 Cash Matters
Many shops, restaurants and hotels accept credit cards, but it’s always a good idea to carry enough yen for smaller purchases. Save your credit card for larger purchases like hotels, gifts and some meals. I make an estimate of how much I plan to spend each day for transportation, food, treats, sightseeing, etc and carry enough cash in my wallet for the day. It’s also a good idea to keep the rest of your money in your main bag ( so you don’t have all your eggs in one basket ).
The banks at the international airports are great places for exchanging foreign currencies. You’ll most likely get a competitive rate and save yourself the hassle of searching for a bank or cash machine in town during off hours.
#3 Have A Friend ( or Join Our Small Group Tour )
I love having people take me to places when I’m in another country. Travel books and the internet are wonderful resources, but nothing is as good as having a friend who can take you to places that can speak the local language. After hitting the major attractions, it’s time to enjoy Japan like locals do. Take a few days exploring on your own, then join a small group tour or have a friend take you around for a richer experience.
#4 Walk on Left Side
When you first arrive you may not even notice your walking on the wrong side. Walk and drive on left side seems to be obvious in Japan, but people take it seriously. Japan is a nation of law and order. When riding an escalator or waiting at train stations, follow the arrow sign on the ground and line up with everybody else. When your arrive try to quickly get in the habit of walking on the left, and you’ll save yourself the trouble of getting in the way of other people or the busy traffic!
#5 Push or Not to Push
(This tip is for people riding trains and subways in busy time mainly in metro tokyo.)
At busy train stations during rush hours, instead of security personnel, you might see metro workers brandishing folding sheets of plastic they use to push people into already crammed trains. Do not feel threatened by their presence, but just go with the flow. You also have an option to wait for the next train which probably will be as packed as the last. Hold your belonging in front of you and just follow everyone else and remember that everyone else wants to get to their destinations just like you. For this reason, it’s best not to land in Tokyo during rush hour with luggage.
