Travel & Practical Tips

Visiting Tokyo for the first time can feel overwhelming, but with a bit of preparation you'll navigate the city like a pro. This page covers essential practical information on transport, budgeting, etiquette, and useful phrases to help you save money and reduce stress.

Public Transport & Tickets

Tokyo has one of the world's most efficient public transport systems, consisting of trains, subways, and buses. For most visitors, the metro and subway are the primary ways to get around.

Fares & Tickets

Tokyo's metro and subway fares are distance-based. A typical single journey costs around ¥170–310 depending on how far you travel. If you're planning to take multiple rides per day, a Tokyo Subway Ticket can offer good value:

24-hour pass: ~¥800
48-hour pass: ~¥1,200
72-hour pass: ~¥1,500

These passes cover Tokyo Metro and Toei Subway lines (but not JR lines). They're available at major stations and airports.

IC Cards (Suica / PASMO)

Rechargeable IC cards like Suica and PASMO are convenient tap-in/tap-out cards that work on all trains, subways, and buses in Tokyo. You can buy them at ticket machines and charge them with cash. They also work at many convenience stores and vending machines. There's a ¥500 deposit which is refundable when you return the card.

Transport tips:

Download a transit app like Google Maps or Hyperdia for route planning
Avoid rush hour if possible (around 7:30–9:30am and 5–7pm)
Keep your IC card or ticket handy for quick exit at busy stations
Tokyo trains are extremely punctual; arrive a few minutes early

Budgeting Basics

Here's a rough daily budget breakdown for a student traveller in Tokyo:

Category	Estimated Cost per Day
Accommodation (hostel dorm)	¥3,000–4,500
Food (konbini + budget restaurants)	¥1,500–3,000
Transport (metro/subway)	¥600–1,000
Attractions (mostly free; some paid)	¥0–1,000
Total per day	¥5,100–9,500

With careful planning and by prioritizing free attractions and cheap eats, you can comfortably visit Tokyo on around ¥6,000–8,000 per day.

Budgeting tips:

Withdraw cash in larger amounts to minimise ATM fees
Set a daily spending limit and track expenses with an app
Take advantage of free activities like parks, temples, and observation decks
Eat at least one meal per day from a convenience store

Etiquette & Safety

Basic Etiquette

Japanese culture values politeness and consideration for others. Here are some key etiquette tips:

On trains: Keep your voice down, avoid phone calls, and don't eat messy food.
Escalators: Stand on the left side (in Tokyo) to let people pass on the right.
Temples & shrines: Be respectful, follow posted rules, and ask before taking photos of worshippers.
Queuing: Always queue in an orderly line; no pushing or cutting.
Tipping: Tipping is not customary in Japan and can sometimes cause confusion.
Chopsticks: Don't stick chopsticks upright in rice (this resembles a funeral ritual).

Safety

Tokyo is one of the safest major cities in the world, with very low crime rates. However, it's still wise to take basic precautions:

Keep an eye on your valuables, especially in crowded areas like Shibuya and trains.
Keep your hostel address and emergency contact information written down.
Be aware of your surroundings late at night, particularly in entertainment districts.
Emergency numbers: Police 110, Fire/Ambulance 119.

Useful Japanese Phrases

While many signs in Tokyo have English, knowing a few basic phrases goes a long way and is appreciated by locals:

English	Romaji (Pronunciation)
Hello / Good afternoon	Konnichiwa
Thank you very much	Arigatou gozaimasu
Excuse me / Sorry	Sumimasen
Do you have an English menu?	Eigo no menu wa arimasu ka?
Where is [place]?	[Place] wa doko desu ka?
I don't understand	Wakarimasen

Learning these basics and attempting to use them, even imperfectly, shows respect and will often be met with warm appreciation.