1) Pasmo Or Suica Card : Like top up card, you can either use Pasmo
or Suica at train subway/metro, convenience store or in shopping complex
if you prefer cashless free. Purchasable in airports, participating
private railway and subway stations or bus depots. Cards are returnable
(deposit 500 yen) and lifetime usable.
2) Hotel/Hostel/Airbnb? : As a solo traveler, i opt for Airbnb because the comfort and privacy was much more convenient. Most guesthouse in Tokyo are located at strategic train station areas. Nevertheless, if you are new user, Airbnb gives you RM120 as you can use that to cover 1 or 2 days of your trip!
I have opt to stay in Sharehouse Hotaru which is nearest to the train station and there are alot of eateries from japanese to western. For more information about Hotaru Sharehouse, please check out the link below : https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/7891458
Furthermore, if you refer a friend, you and your friend get some
incentive. You can use mine if you planning to book via Airbnb!
Click below for further info :
Why i didn't opt for hotel/hostel due to full bookings/busy life in
Tokyo city! I prefer quiet neighborhood and people are lovely there!
3) Use Google Map/GuruNavi App : This is much convenient while checking up your train schedule/restaurant and route to your destination.
4) Use translator app (there is many good apps like Google translator (translate via voice, picture, keyboard and verbal conversation : People in Tokyo speaks in basis English, therefore, i strongly suggest to use these app to make your life easy!
5) Money exchange : Best advisable to change at your country (if you are Asian) or withdraw from ATM (7 eleven is the best for overseas withdrawal). I have tried money exchange in Tokyo and received much more lower than i expected. My friends who travel to Tokyo advice on withdrawal via ATM if you are short of cash.
6) Why some people doesn't smile here? : Because Japanese are shy people. They might look stern but doesn't know how to react when someone starring at them (consider rude). They are the most polite people that i ever met. Most of them had helped me alot during my trip to Tokyo! Say Ko Ni Chi Wa or simply learn few basic words to communicate with people here!
7) Learn some basic Japanese words like greetings, thank you etc to make your life easier while traveling. If you are still in doubt, draw or use body language!
8 ) As a woman, can i travel to Tokyo as a solo traveler? : Yes, you bet you can! I can say 101% percent, Tokyo is the most safest place in earth to travel alone as a woman. You can be beautiful like angel or curvy like the river, for 8 days, I have walked alone at lonely street at 10/11 pm ish.
Only at two incidents, i have met a drunk gentleman who
freaks me out for a min and a young guy at his 20's approached to ask if
i am married (i said yes and he walked away.
9) Wear proper clothes especially when you are at remote areas. People here wear full clothes and please do have some respect on their culture.
10) Do not bring maggi noodles, brahim, masala,etc packed from your country and ending up not cooking. Especially if you are non Muslim, food at most small eateries are super cheap (450 yen for full and big portion meal set) =RM 16. Can last till dinner. There is lotsa convenience marts here caters food (start from 100 yen). Try Japanese food as you cant find them as fresh as anywhere in the world! Try street food, i say it loud and clear!
Vending machines are available wherever you go. If you need hot coffee/tea, yes! They are available via vending machine too!
Tokyo is growing as wonder of food business so there is western, Indian, Chinese, vegan, Turkish, Nepal, halal, street food and etc cuisines!
11) Public toilets are accessible anywhere and dont get freak with their current technology with the toilets! Learn to operate them via google. It is easy to use and they have the cleanest toilet system as i know.
12) Bring less clothes! Launderettes are available wherever you go! You can use the same t-shirt for twice in a week with different pants! For girls, you can shaffle one blouse with jeans, pants or skirts.
13) Souvenirs/Tax free shops : They are available in Shinjuku, Ginza, Akihabara, Asakusa,Oriental Bazaar along Omotesando in Harajuku and Ameyoko, Ueno. Look for 100 yen and 3 coins (300 yen) shops too. Tokyo station have lotsa good deal too. Don Quijote, Bic Camera, Uniqlo are favourable too. (Halal chocolates/snacks are available too!)
14) Check the weather before you heading to Tokyo. It might be colder at night and you might need a jacket/umbrella as it will be rainy season! Japan have 4 seasons and keep checking the weather forecast time to time!
15) Transportation in Tokyo: 80 percent of people here relies on train system which is available at the wee of hours.The rest 18 percent relies on buses and rest via Taxi/Uber. Some busess goes to the city with no charges so do some research about it.
Please take note Taxi and Uber fares are freaking expensive here unless you are at the stage of emergency, use it wisely.
Especially when you reached the airport at late nigh, limousine busses are available till 2 A.M (2000 yen for late night, 1000 yen during day time) From Narita/Haneda Aiport to Shinjuku. Then you can opt to take cab/uber.
Refer at : http://www.limousinebus.co.jp/en/
16) Wifi Connection : Wifi connection here are accessible but not reliable at remote place. So i opt to purchase pocket wifi service via Roaming Man which one can collect from KLIA/KLIA2. No deposit (depends on their policy updates time to time). Unlimited data and super accessible wherever you are in Japan!
I booked thru Klook : https://www.klook.com/…/10222-4g-wifi-my-airport-pick-up-t…/
Or check out thru :
Why i didn't opt for sim card due to limited access for the day which i feel pocket WiFi is much more reliable.
17) Water are clean here? : Yes it is. Mineral water bottles are purchasable via vending machines (you can see them anywhere on the streets) , marts and supermarket (more discounts)
18) Do your research before heading to Tokyo : If you are going in a tight budget, check out some spots which provides free entrances. Most of the parks are free and streets view are awesome. I watched thousands of youtube channels and read lotsa article via Google.com.
I love adventures and natures rather than hanging on bling places. So, if you saw my photos and journey, you will get some rough idea.
19) While shooting video/take selfie, be courteous. I always find a quiet spot so i wont annoy people who are around me. Most of the time, people are busy walking and you doesnt want to interrupt their journey!
20) For easy guidance, use the free pass (means it is a pass for certain tourist destination which provides unlimited ride/discounts and other benefits for the destination with cheaper fares.
Example,
if you planning to go to Kamakura, Mt Fuji, etc, visit Odakyu
Sightseeing Service centre in Shinjuku Station. For further information,
visit https://www.odakyu.jp/english/support/center/
21) I have a vary experience with Airasia Japan as they are strict with the luggage weights. So, my suggestion is to take more baggage size while booking the tickets. Hand luggage is strictly should be 7 KG and only 2 bags are allowed to be carried.
While booking tickets at Airasia, do not opt for the Value pack options if you are looking for insurance coverage! Why? Baggage Delay & 1 hour On-time Guarantee Insurance by Tune Protect is not covered for DJ flights (Japan airline)
22) Have fun and take lotsa picture and plan ahead for a wonderful trip to Tokyo!
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