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I spent 3 days in Tokyo solo and absolutely loved it.  I wasn’t sure how I would feel about Tokyo.  It was my first trip to Asia, and I would be visiting the largest city in the world.  The cherry blossom hot spot and birthplace of Anime would be my playground for 3 days and I wanted to make the most of it.  And I did just that! If Tokyo is not on your TRAVEL bucket list, it should be. Tokyo was my stopover destination during my trip to Asia. To find out more about stopovers and how you can get two trips for the price of one, check out how to book free stopovers.

With that said, there are some things to know about Tokyo that will help you make the most of your trip.

FIRST THINGS FIRST: Tokyo is A LOT!  There is so much to see, do, and experience that you could spend the first couple of days just getting acclimated. 

If you plan on being in Tokyo for a week or less, then you need to hit the ground running.  You need to know what you’re going to do before you get there, especially if you’re a first time visitor. Tokyo is not the place to just wing it on a short stay.  Your “pre-game” must be strong. 

Tokyo is one of my favorite cities and I’m sure it can be that for you too.  However, to make the most of your time there you must be prepared. 

I’ve compiled a list of the 12 things that you MUST KNOW before visiting Tokyo:

1. Snacks may save your life

Well…maybe not actually save your life but it certainly might feel like it. If you’re a picky eater, like me, then you definitely want to bring snacks so that you’re not HANGRY the whole flight. Depending on where you’re traveling from the flight to Asia can be a long one. Too long to be hungry. When the food cart comes around you might be surprised at what you get.  Imagine my surprise…ME…a picky eater, when my tray was placed before me.  I WASN’T READY!!!!  Yeah, I wasn’t feeling any of that.

The lucky man sitting next to me, who thoroughly enjoyed his meal, was more than happy to eat mine as well. Never again!  Don’t be like me: BRING SNACKS!

2. You can book a FREE tour guide

Forget about trying to find your way around Tokyo on your own.  You can get your own private tour guide—FOR FREE!!!  Tokyo Free Tour Guide is the way to go!

Send your request for a free guide several weeks before your trip. You’ll get an email with a questionnaire about your preferences for the trip.  Once you complete that, they will try to find a guide to accommodate your schedule.   Shortly after I completed the questionnaire I received the confirmation with the name of my tour guide and meet-up details. 

She was waiting in the lobby of my hotel when I came downstairs. I love punctuality.  Her name was Taeko.  She was an older woman who had been a tour guide for several years.  This spry grandmother was eager to practice her English on me, which was very good, by the way. Prepared with a jam-packed itinerary full of the preferences I’d requested, she assured me that a great day was in store.

And a great day it was! Full of sightseeing, history learning, eating, and getting to know one another.  SHE WAS A SWEETHEART!  Having someone who knows the landscape show you around within the first few days of your arrival is vital to making the most of your trip.  HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. 

While the tour guide is free it is expected that you pay for the guide’s meals and transportation costs which I think is a nominal fee compared to the value you are getting.

3. You’ll love the toilets…or not

The Bidet. Baby, we talking heated seats and warm water squirts hitting your nether regions. My goodness!!! But here’s the thing… you almost need a degree in engineering to figure out how to work the thing. There were some water squirting mishaps that I won’t go into detail about here but once I got the hang of the thing…it was pure….***cue clouds parting and angels singing!

On the other hand, there are squat toilets.  Squat toilets are a thing in some public restrooms.  So be prepared for both.  Also, you might want to bring your own toilet paper and pee funnel. Thank me later.

4. Mario Kart is the cool way to tour Tokyo

Zooming through the streets of Tokyo donned in a cartoon character costume is the coolest way to experience Tokyo. Period. It’s a thrilling way to see Tokyo hot spots. I wrote a post about my Mario Kart experience and it contains everything you need to know about booking your tour.

5. Cash is king

Save yourself the headache and exchange your money prior to arriving in Tokyo.  Can you use a credit card?  In some of the larger establishments, yes.  However, some of the smaller places only deal in cash.  Looking for an ATM may be inconvenient and a challenge depending on where you are.  Outrageous foreign transaction fees are also a thing. 

Save yourself all that trouble and just bring cash. I wrote a post for first time international travelers about what you should do before traveling internationally and the best way to exchange your money is in there.

6. NO touching allowed

NO HUGGING!!! After a long blissful day of sightseeing with my FREE tour guide, I was so full and in love with her by the end of the day that when we parted ways, I reflectively reached out and hugged her.  I should have asked.  UGGH! 

BABY, she stiffened up like a body in rigor mortis!  What a faux pas.  I immediately began apologizing over and over like a dunce.  Don’t be like me.  NO TOUCHING!!!   A handshake or simple bow as a sign of respect is appropriate.  But touching is unacceptable.  Don’t be like me!  I’m still face-palming over it!

7. Vending machines are your friend

You haven’t seen vending machines until you’ve seen the vending machines in Tokyo. There seems to be no end to what a coin in a slot will get ya.  Panties (used and new). Earbuds.  Umbrellas.  Batteries.  Milk.  Toilet paper.  Ramen.  Ties.  Surgical masks.  And of course, you’ll find the typical vending machine wares such as tea, coffee, soft drinks, candy, and even beer and sake. 

The vending machines in Tokyo kind of remind me of the bodegas on the street corners of NYC.  You know…where you can get a pair of pantyhose, motor oil, tampons, AND a “baconeggandcheese” (you got to say it all together like that)all at the same time.  If you need something while you’re out and about, you can probably find it in a vending machine.

8. Shinjuku is your best option

Tokyo has over 20 district wards so it’s a huge city.  You need to stay near the JR Yamanote subway line (in Shinjuku) which is a circular line that stops at all of Tokyo’s major city centers. Plus you want to be where the nightlife is happening, food spots are plenty, and places to get your shop on abound.  Shinjuku is that place.

I stayed at the JR Kyushu Hotel Blossom Shinjuku which was a 2-minute walk to the JR Shinjuku Train Station.  Countless stores and restaurants were nearby.  It was actually a perfect location for my needs. 

With high-speed internet, on-site restaurant, proximity to the train station, and exceptional customer service, the JR Blossom Kyushu Hotel Blossom was the perfect choice for my stay. I would highly recommend this hotel.

9. Tokyo is not cheap

You may be wondering how much it costs to travel to Tokyo? Honestly, you’ll have to be reasonable about your travel budget.  I repeat, Tokyo is NOT CHEAP.  Depending on where you stay hotel prices are around $100 (low end) a night and go up from there. 

Hotel accommodations will be your largest line item. Can you cut these prices by staying in hostels?  YES!  But it just depends if that’s the type of traveler you are.  I do not stay in hostels.  But that doesn’t mean that you can’t and shouldn’t.  Just do your research and make sure that sharing your rooming accommodations and bathroom with strangers is really something that is worth it for you.  Check out the offerings at Hostel Word.

You can also try Airbnb.  Again, not my thing but people seem to love it. If you’re a budget traveler than hostels and Airbnb can certainly cut your accommodations spending, quite significantly.

10. Taking the train is your best bet

It’s easy to get around in Tokyo by using the train system.  When researching Tokyo, you’ll undoubtedly find information about getting the Japan Rail Pass (JR PASS).  However, if you’re only planning on staying in and around Tokyo you don’t need a JR Pass and it would be a waste of money. 

Unless you’re going far outside of Tokyo, buying local tickets may turn out to be the cheaper option. Better yet, buy a pre-paid Suica card instead.  It’s a train card that is rechargeable. For an obligatory deposit of 500 Yen ($4.70 US) for the card, you can then add as much credit to the card as you think you’ll need. 

You’ll get your deposit and any remaining credit left on the card back when you return it.  This card can be used for the JR East trains and buses.  You can also use it for the vending machines in the train stations. You can purchase the Suica card from any major JR East train station.

11. No tipping allowed

It’s not necessary.  It’s actually considered rude and may be considered an insult.

12. What to see & do

With only 3 days in Tokyo, there is so much so that you’ll have to prioritize. MAKE A LIST. There are some things that you just shouldn’t miss, but only YOU can be the judge of what those things are. Making a list in order of priority will help you stay on track and ensure that you see and do everything that’s important to you.

Itinerary for 3 days in Tokyo

Here are some options:

Meiji Jingu Shrine 

You cannot go to Tokyo and not visit the shrines and temples! They are such a huge part of the spiritual culture of Japan. The Meiji Jingu Shrine is one of the most popular in Tokyo, no doubt because of its location in the city’s center and its history.  It’s dedicated to Emperor Meiji and his wife.  It’s surrounded by Yoyogi Park.

People Watch at Yoyogi Park

Yoyogi Park (Shibuya) is pretty much next door to the Meiji Shrine.  You might as well hop on over since you are right there.  People-watching here is an event unto itself.  You’ll find the biggest cross-section of Japanese culture.  There is always something happening here, from street performers to Anime costumed girls with their dogs.  If you like to people watch, this is the spot.

Shibuya Crossing

 The Shibuya Crossing is iconic.  Pretty much every popular city in the world has something (landmark, memorial, feature) that it’s famous for.  For Tokyo, the Shibuya Crossing is it.  The four corner intersection seems ordinary until the pedestrian light turns green…signaling the start of a spectacular performance. 

It’s like a flash mob on steroids! Packed close together on the corners like sardines, they wait for the light to turn green like actors waiting for the curtains to rise on a broadway performance. Once the light turns green—off they go. Crossing the street becomes a choreographed event. It’s a dance.  It’s a race. Yet it is serene.  No pushing or shoving.  No bumping into each other.  How do they do that?  You have to see it to believe it.

Hachiko Statue

The story is told of an Akita dog named Hachiko who came to the Shibuya train station daily to meet his master after work. He continued to come even after his master’s death. He did this for 10 years until his own death. His loyalty is honored through this statue.  If you have a  four-legged love bug as I do, then you can’t miss the opportunity to come by and meet Hachiko while in Shibuya.

Tokyo Imperial Palace

  The residence of Japan’s Imperial Family.

Standing Sushi Bar in Shibuya Station

I don’t eat raw fish.  Something about the texture (*shivers like someone just dragged their nails across a chalkboard).  But how could you come to Tokyo and not eat sushi?  So I did it one time for the culture.  And the spot I chose was the Standing Sushi Bar.  It’s tiny, you have to stand around the bar to eat and it was packed.  Surprisingly, it was pretty good.  You probably couldn’t tell by the faces I made.  But it was. If you’re a sushi lover…THIS IS YOUR SPOT!

The Robot Café

Be forewarned, it’s underground and calling it a restaurant would be a stretch.  And it’s hot and cramped.  So now that we got that out of the way, here’s the good part.  It’s the wackiest neon-colored light show filled with robots, floats, enthusiastic cabaret-like dancers, loud music and overpriced snacks.  It’s a MUST  SEE!  Insider tip: Go to the bathroom before you get there.

Tokyo Tower

Best place to get a 360 view of Tokyo.  From either the 150m Main Deck or the 250m Top Deck you’ll be able to get a bird’s eye view of the city.

Visit Tokyo Disneyland

I mean, why not?.  It’s right there. Young and old alike will enjoy a day in wonderland.  With 7 themed lands there is sure to be something for everyone:

• World Bazaar– Shops and restaurants
• Tomorrowland– Outerspace and techy stuff
• Toontown– Disney characters
• Fantasyland– Based on classic Disney animated films
• Critter County– Based on characters from Disney’s “Song of the South”
• Westernland– Themed for the western frontier
• Adventureland– Attractions with a spirit of adventure

Tokyo is a city with tons to offer.  So much so that you’ll have to have a plan to see as much as possible. These travel tips will help prepare first-time visitors and return visitors alike to get the most out of 3 days in Tokyo.

Have you ever been to Tokyo?  Tell us about it. 

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