Tokyo travel essentials: your first hours sorted

Which airport you land at changes the plan. Haneda is close to central Tokyo (~30 minutes by train or Limousine Bus). Narita is far out: the Narita Express (N’EX) or the Keisei Skyliner take about an hour to the central hubs, while the Airport Limousine Bus drops you at major hotels with no stairs or changes — worth it if you’ve got big bags.

Grab an IC card (below) or a reserved express seat at the airport counter. For a door-to-door, jet-lagged first arrival with luggage, the Limousine Bus or a pre-booked transfer is the gentlest option.

A Japan eSIM set up before you fly is the simplest way to land connected — essential for navigating the train network and translation apps. Coverage is excellent everywhere. It’s cheaper and quicker than the pocket-wifi rental counters, and you don’t have a device to return.

Cards are increasingly accepted, but Japan is still more cash-based than most rich countries — smaller restaurants, shrines, markets and some family shops are cash-only, so always carry some yen. The easy way to withdraw is at 7-Eleven (7-Bank) or Japan Post ATMs, which reliably accept foreign cards 24/7.

Your IC card (Suica or Pasmo) doubles as money: tap it to pay at convenience stores, vending machines and many shops, not just the trains. Top it up with cash at any station machine.

Tokyo’s rail network is the best on earth and the only way to get around — get a Suica or Pasmo IC card and just tap in and out; no need to work out fares. Google Maps handles the routing perfectly. Avoid the worst rush-hour crush (roughly 7:30–9:00am) if you can, and note the trains stop around midnight, so plan your last train or budget for a taxi.

There are women-only carriages on many lines during rush hour (pink signage) if you prefer them. We keep the fuller solo-female detail on the dedicated guide.

Two small things mark you as a considerate visitor and make daily life easier: keep phone calls and loud conversation off the trains (they’re notably quiet), and don’t eat or drink while walking — step aside near the shop or a vending machine instead. Carry a small bag for rubbish, since public bins are scarce.

Tokyo is easy to work from once you know where to go: chain cafés (Starbucks, Doutor, Komeda) and the city’s many co-working spaces welcome laptops, and 24-hour konbini are lifesavers for a quick charge and a snack. Some small traditional kissaten cafés prefer you don’t camp with a screen, so read the room.

Japan runs on a low 100V supply with flat US-style pins (see the verified plug card below), so most dual-voltage chargers are fine. A power bank is worth carrying for long days across the rail network.

Tokyo’s classic fix is the coin locker — banks of them in every major station (pay by IC card), perfect for the few hours before check-in. For bigger bags, takkyubin luggage forwarding sends your suitcase ahead to your hotel or the airport, and Radical Storage / Bounce cover the busy districts.

Tokyo’s most-wanted experiences need booking well ahead — teamLab digital art museums, the Ghibli Museum and Ghibli Park (often months in advance), sumo tournaments and popular tasting menus. Sorting these before you arrive saves a lot of disappointment.