I’m sitting in the airport waiting to leave the fabulous city of Tokyo. And when I say fabulous, I barely had time to scratch the surface of what this amazing place had to offer and I still fell completely in love. There were a few things that made the trip special and a few things that made the trip challenging, so I thought I’d share. This is the stuff that nobody told me and I was too lazy to read the guidebooks:
- Cell service: I assumed that a. I could use my international roaming (sparingly of course) and/or b. I could get myself a pre-paid SIM card (with data)…no such luck on either. North American SIM cards don’t work at all (maybe there is a special plan somewhere?) and there are no pre-paid SIM cards to be found. My phone was merely a fancy clock for most of the trip. From what I understand, though, you can rent temporary phones. Not sure if they have data available.
- Wifi: this was tougher to find than I assumed as well. I’m used to walking around anywhere and picking up at least wifi I can pay for. My hotel (and it was fancy) only had wired in access. Some coffee shops (where young people hang with their laptops like the Book First BCafe) and a couple of karaoke places (like JoySound) seemed to have wifi. Once again, this made it hard for me to use my cell phone – mostly to access my google maps as I wandered around, so I was a little lost at times.
- Bank Machines: Most Japanese bank machines/ATMs don’t read foreign banking cards (Citibank looks like the only one). But if you find a post office, you can use the ATMs there no problem. Careful, though. Take out lots of cash because they close at 5pm.
- Credit Cards: pretty much everywhere takes them…so in regards to the bank machines, it’s not a biggie if you travel with credit and this is all compatible.
- Twitter: it’s incredibly popular in Japan and I was told is quickly taking over as the most popular social network. Most Japanese tweet in…well…Japanese…but definitely reach out to locals because: 1. they are incredibly friendly and helpful (will give you the BEST tips) 2. some speak English and can help you figure stuff out. I had a karaoke tweetup and I don’t think I’ve ever had a better time.
To start: Akira, Masa and Keyjp are good to say hi to! - The most amazing meal experience I’ve ever had: Shimoyama, my publisher in Japan, took me to this area called “Shimbashi Gahdo-Shita” in J (translated as “Under the Shimbashi Railroad Bridge Area”) to have BBQ. OMGWTFBBQ!!! Not only was the food good, but the atmosphere was incredible. I felt like I was ‘in’…like I got let in on a local secret that nobody would print in a guidebook. It topped my Peking Duck in the Hutons of Beijing, which I thought could never be topped. Walk through the smoke of the BBQs, pull up a seat at a picnic-like table and order pretty much anything and watch the Japanese businessmen around you probably making their biggest deals. Very cool. And inexpensive!
- Harajuku: Sunday is the day. Guidebooks probably tell you this, but wow. This is truly a cultural phenomenon. I totally want to be a Harajuku girl when I grow up.
- Puri Kura: Do it. Bring a friend. Or do it by yourself…doesn’t matter. Find a booth area and do it, though. Holy crap, it’s awesome. It’s been part of Japanese culture for over 15 years. I have no idea why it’s not as big as karaoke back home. I’m addicted. Lots of spots in Harajuku and I’ve heard other areas like Roppongi as well. It costs between 300 and 400 Yen (about 4-4.50 USD) and the machines are completely in Japanese. Bring one of your new local friends to help you do it best and check out Asian Poses ahead of time to know how to work it!
- Metro: The Japanese metro is AMAZING and expansive and cabs are a wee bit pricey (cost me about $25 USD to get anywhere, but the Metro is super affordable). Download this map ahead of time and study it a bit. I wish I had more time to just ride around and find new areas.
Okay…there is probably much more (and you probably have tips of your own), but I have to jump on a plane. I’ll be back Tokyo!!!
So happy you had a good time in Tokyo. It’s my favorite city in the world!
Ian
Pretty much you got it!! TOKYO ROCKS!!! Minus the Harajuku that place was cool like so 10 years ago No one cares about harajuku except for like the 5% of girls dressing in gothic doll outfits…Its only good for shopping at stores that WE already have access to H&M,F21 etc…
I commute back and forth to Tokyo now but even my first trip to Harajuku I got annoyed within 5 minutes…Its like the Times Square of NYC.
CITIBANK for cash YES buts it open till midnight via atm access card not 5PM!
Tara, You definitively gave me the desire to discover Tokyo, more than some guidebooks. This time, i won’t cancel my trip. Martinique-Tokyo: it’s time!
Thanx you for sharing.
Laurence
I leave for my first trip to Japan in a week…this info is perfect! Thank you!
Tokyo’s an amazing place to visit; by far and away my favourite. There’s stuff worth seeing at pretty much every stop on the Yamanote Line (green signs at JR stations).
Wifi hotspots may not be that prevalent because of the quality of data services provided by the mobile network(s): 3G video calling was available when I first visited in 2002, and last year I saw WiMAX services being advertised.
Also, at the last hotel I stayed, the bandwidth available over the wired internet access topped out at 55MB/s (up and down); too much for wifi.
Credit cards: the further you go from the centre of Tokyo, the less likely a credit card will be accepted. Ideally, always have some cash on you.
oooh, i miss tokyo! i lived in japan in the early 2000s and visited tokyo often. you’ve captured the essence of what makes this city amazing. i’m happy to hear that harajuku is still the place to people watch. is the lolita goth look still happening? i’m also happy to hear that puri-kura is still ubiquitous. i came back to north america with thousands of little stickers of my face…
Wow, incredible write up on Tokyo. What I am amazed about is the lack of wifi. I would of thought that it would have been everywhere. Good on you for that because I have not seen that written up anywhere else.
Andy-Beveridge.com
I read the translated ver. of “The Whuffie Factor” and watched the Ustream session with Mr. Tsuda at Shinjuku bookstore. The discussion was really interesting. When I realized that you were from Canada, it made sense to me. “The Whuffie Factor” could have been very different if someone from the United States had written it. What I am trying to say is that I really cherish your “Canadian-ness” in a very positive way and am looking forward to your next book.
RE:Bank Machines (in Japan in general)
I guess you might be able to use your bank card if the ATM is adopting CIRRUS system or similar (e.g. SHINSEI BANK branches)… But your suggestion is correct. Post Office ATM is the surest and easiest way to withdraw some cash because you can always find one in any city in Japan.
I read the J-translated ver. of “The Whuffie Factor” and watched the Ustream session at the bookstore in Shinjuku, Tokyo, with Mr. Tsuda. The discussion was quite interesting and it was nice to hear your positive endorsement on Twitter. When I found out that you were from Canada, it made sense to me. The book could have been different in tone if someone from the US had written it, I suppose. What I am trying to say is that I really cherish your “Canadian-ness” in a very positive way and looking forward to your next work.
RE: Bank Machines in Japan (in General)
Your suggestion is correct. Post Office ATM machine must be the surest and easiest way to withdraw some cash with your bank card. Although some major Japanese banks’ ATMs with CIRRUS system could accept non-Japanese bank cards (e.g. Shinsei Bank), the possibility is not very high. Plus, you can always find a post office throughout the country.
Oops. Could you kindly delete my April 24th, 2010 at 12:13 pm post? I must have hit Enter key while I was editing. Sorry for your trouble.
Tokyo is the World’s Most Exciting City!!
Here are the 20 Reasons Why Tokyo is the Coolest place to visit.
I just returned from 10 days there — first trip since 2003. My thoughts differ slightly, as I didn’t stay in a hotel (but in the city center):
- iPhone works fine here, thanksgod! (In 2003, my phone was a brick as well. It really makes a difference having a working smartphone in hand.) With a 50 MB International plan, I only used 35 — still a lifesaver with the Maps app. Helpful apps: Tokyo Underground, Tokyo Metro Map, and trains.jp (which is a great website too, but not always optimal)
- Japan is still fundamentally a cash society. (Were you primarily in the city center? It’s pretty rare for most places to take credit cards outside of where gaijin, or foreigners, hang out.) Taking out cash is important to borderline critical — I’ve been stuck several times with not enough Yen to know better. A Citibank ATM at Narita is a good first stop. So are 7-Elevens (altho they don’t take Mastercard/Cirrus anymore) and yes, the Post Offices (the main stations in each city are 24/7 if you’re in a pinch).
- Public transit is easier with a Pasmo or SUICA card. They can be used on any line except the express trains to the airport — makes life a TON easier. Easy to buy upon arrival at the airport (2000 Yen), but refilling requires…cash