You can check out a more detailed description of Tokyo and Kyoto here. For a quickie on Tokyo notes read on.
Prices
- Most of the time, public transportation was between $2-5 USD one way
- Ramen was about $5-8
- Sushi $2-$5 per nigiri
- You can spend $45 for a single sushi plate easily at a casual place if you aren’t paying attention.
- Banana $1-3 but then $5-10 other places. here is a story we read as to why.
- Big Mac $3.14
Things we noticed
- Separate slippers were provided to you, after you take off your shoes, for the bathroom at the hotel and some restaurants
- Shops and restaurants are on each level of building – explore up.
- Lots of Department stores. Basement always had good food.
- McDonalds highlighted chicken teriyaki burgers
- Many Ramen shops used vending machine to dispense ticket to hand to chef at resturant
- Strong posture in workers/waiters/hostesses. All very helpful.
- Public transport was awesome. Not nearly as complicated as people described. If you know your final destination you can use displays to get around. If not, staff was helpful.
- When people highlight Tokyo there is so much over characterization. Much of the city is very typical of any other big city. Strange things were tucked away, like most strange things usually are.
- People really do wear kimonos out and about.
- Alleys and main streets all had amazing restaurants – no bad places really.
- When it comes to numbers – Arabic numbers seem to be used universally over native characters.
- Major city intersections often all “all way” crossing. Where pedestrians can go diagonal, or across intersections at the same time. First all cars go, then all people go etc.
- Some fruit is outrageously priced. Fruit is a big gift giving item. Cantaloupe $100. Single Strawberry $5
- Uniqlo is full of departments stores
Tips
- GOOGLE MAPS IS NOT VERY ACCURATE IN TOKYO!
- Sumo – Buy months in advance.
- Common Words: Sumimasen (excuse me – use before asking for help ), Arigato (demo or guy may), Konichiwa, Ichi/Ni
- Google Translate is awesome – use the card feature and just show it after you say hi and or excuse me
- Japan Rail Pass (JRP) is awesome. If you plan to go between cities (Kyoto/Tokyo) get it. It works in local Tokyo as well. Remember: You NEED to exchange the pass for a ticket when you enter Japan for the first time. Then as a pass you just show between stops.
- Careful of subway day passes if touring around and not sure where you will end up – many are only for one line
- Even if there is English in signs, and even when many people “speak” English – taxis do not. Don’t expect it. Get a picture of the destination in native language to show.
- Even if you’ve tried sushi at home and didn’t like it tries it again here – changed my mind on some items
- Keep an open mind on what you eat. If people next to you order it at least you know it isn’t a agag 😉
- Ask your hotel to make reservations for you in advance. Many popular places need it.
Things We Did
With so many things to check off I ended up making a Google Spreadsheet list to track what we wanted to do and where. You can copy it and use it yourself, or use it to get an idea of things to do. Remember though, one of the biggest lessons I learned in Tokyo was that I should just stumble into places as much as possible.
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1r1byYIbKqSWx7MzkVAlSjWtbzNEL1Y1A6X4kky0sqPw/edit?usp=sharing
Sean Shadmand 