Tokyo travel essentials: your first hours sorted
Everything for a smooth Tokyo arrival — picking the right airport train, getting online, the tap-and-go IC card that runs the whole city, and the few money and etiquette things worth knowing first. Tokyo is famously the safest, smoothest megacity to arrive in alone.
Tokyo, Japan 🇯🇵 · Written & reviewed by Wavvia · Last reviewed June 2026
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Plan my Tokyo tripNarita or Haneda — getting into Tokyo
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.
Pro tip: A tip seasoned Japan travellers swear by: use luggage forwarding (takkyubin) from the airport to send your big suitcase straight to your hotel for next-day delivery, and ride into the city light — the train changes are far easier without a heavy bag.
Getting online in Tokyo
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.
Cash, cards and IC cards
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.
The trains, IC cards & last train
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.
A little etiquette that smooths everything
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.
Book the sell-out experiences early
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.
Can you drink the tap water?
Tap water is safe to drink throughout Japan.
Source: US CDC / WHO drinking-water guidelines · last verified 2026-04-01
Emergency numbers to save now
Save these in your phone before you go, and write the main one somewhere offline in case your battery dies.
Police
Ambulance / Fire
Coast Guard
Police (tourists, English)
Non-emergency police consultation line
Verified against official government / emergency-service sources · last checked 2026-04-01.
Before you go to Tokyo: cover the what-ifs
A lost passport, a clinic visit or a delayed bag are the practical emergencies that actually happen. Standard trip insurance covers all three — and it’s the one thing every solo trip should have.
Single-trip cover, high medical limits
Flexible family & group cover
Wavvia may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. We only recommend cover we trust — compare quotes before you buy.
This is general practical guidance, not legal, medical or financial advice. Local laws, prices, apps and transport change — always check official sources and your government’s current travel advice before you travel. Emergency numbers and tap-water guidance above come from verified datasets, but confirm them on arrival.
Tokyo essentials: FAQs
How do I get from Narita to central Tokyo?
Take the Narita Express (N’EX) or Keisei Skyliner (about an hour to the central hubs), or the Airport Limousine Bus, which drops at major hotels with no changes — best if you have big luggage. Haneda is much closer (~30 minutes). Tap an IC card or reserve an express seat at the airport.
Do I need cash in Tokyo or is card enough?
Carry cash — Japan is still more cash-based than most countries, and small restaurants, shrines and shops are often cash-only. Withdraw at 7-Eleven or Japan Post ATMs, which take foreign cards 24/7. Your Suica/Pasmo IC card also works as tap-to-pay money.
Can you drink the tap water in Tokyo?
Yes — tap water is safe to drink throughout Tokyo and all of Japan. Carry a refillable bottle.
What train etiquette should I know in Tokyo?
Keep phone calls and loud talk off the trains, don’t eat or drink while walking, and there are optional women-only carriages during rush hour (pink signage). The last trains run around midnight, so plan ahead or budget for a taxi.
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