Category Archives: New post

How to find public restrooms in Tokyo

The Holy Grail Finding bathrooms in Tokyo is a lot easier than finding them in America, that’s for sure! Here are three surefire places to find them, wherever the urge makes itself known. Train Stations Scan the overhead signs for the bathroom icons (in internationally recognizable pink/red and blue) and follow them to the nice,ContinueContinue reading “How to find public restrooms in Tokyo”

Curated Walking Tour: Yanaka, the best traditional neighborhood in Tokyo

Yanaka is one of the quirkiest (and undiscovered) Old Tokyo neighborhoods in town. Here, new generations of artisans from families that have plied their trades for centuries are finding fun and inventive ways to make everything old new again. Sometimes, with cats. Let’s go for a walk and I’ll show you all my favorite spots!ContinueContinue reading “Curated Walking Tour: Yanaka, the best traditional neighborhood in Tokyo”

Should I hire a guide in Japan?

People always ask me if they should get a guide in Japan or not, and it’s the one question that I can’t really answer for you! Here’s a quiz to help you figure out whether a Japanese-speaking guide will make your time in Japan a lot more enjoyable, or not. Do you like to seeContinueContinue reading “Should I hire a guide in Japan?”

How to do all the fun Tokyo stuff if you can’t speak Japanese

An interview with Mac of Maction Planet bespoke tours I know. The whole reason you’re on The Tokyo Guide I Wish I’d Had is to figure out how to have fun in Tokyo without someone showing you around. And don’t get me wrong, you absolutely can! (If you haven’t explored the site yet, have a lookContinueContinue reading “How to do all the fun Tokyo stuff if you can’t speak Japanese”

Should I see a Kabuki performance?

I know. You think you’re not interested in this fusty old super-Japanese form of entertainment. But you’d be wrong. Here’s why. #1 The actors who play the women’s roles do it so well, you forget they’re men Seriously. If you aren’t looking for evidence that they’re not actually female, nothing in their walk, body language,ContinueContinue reading “Should I see a Kabuki performance?”

Kabuki: How to get tickets and see a performance

If you’re not convinced you need to see this only-in-Japan entertainment while you’re here, get thee over to Should I see a Kabuki performance? I think you’ll be back. There are three options for getting your kabuki fix: 1: Visit the Kabuki-za Gallery and see three minutes of the current live show, plus a 30-minute audioContinueContinue reading “Kabuki: How to get tickets and see a performance”

Gachapon hunt! Where to find the best capsule toy vending machines in Tokyo

If you aren’t dashing from the plane to feed all your hundred yen coins into gachapon vending machines, you should be! And if you have to ask  why… It’s because capsule toys are adorable… Satirical Mythological Classical Inexplicable Questionable Inevitable Instagrammable …and oh so collectible! You can only get them in Japan, and every series isContinueContinue reading “Gachapon hunt! Where to find the best capsule toy vending machines in Tokyo”

How to travel in Japan with food allergies and other special diet needs

How do you survive in a country where information about food ingredients is all in Japanese? The first time I lived in Japan, I had a friend who was deathly allergic—and I mean Epi-pen allergic—to shellfish. She was so allergic, she’d get a reaction if she even ate food that had been cut with theContinueContinue reading “How to travel in Japan with food allergies and other special diet needs”

Navigating: How to get where you’re going in Japan

If you have a smartphone, the easiest and fastest way to plot your routes anywhere in Japan is with a train finder app You can get the train app before you go, or download it once you arrive. It’s less than $5.00, and worth every yen. I use one called Navitime Japan Travel, and itContinueContinue reading “Navigating: How to get where you’re going in Japan”

How to buy tickets for the bullet train if you don’t speak Japanese

Here’s how I buy bullet train tickets: There are lots of sites that will tell you how to buy a long-distance train ticket in detail (this is a good one) but here’s how I do it: • Decide on your dates and times of arrival and departure • Figure out what trains you’ll need toContinueContinue reading “How to buy tickets for the bullet train if you don’t speak Japanese”

How to take a taxi in Tokyo if you don’t speak Japanese

Some drivers speak English, but don’t count on it. Here’s how to be sure you get where you’re going Your best bet is to hand the driver a written copy of the address you’re going to (or show them on your phone). It’s better if it’s written in Japanese, but it can be written withContinueContinue reading “How to take a taxi in Tokyo if you don’t speak Japanese”

How to get into Tokyo from Narita airport

Narita airport must get the worldwide prize for being farthest from the city it serves. Seriously, what the heckin’ heck were they thinking? But sadly, there’s no time to move it before you come. Depending on how much luggage you have, where you’re staying, and how much you want to spend, here are the optionsContinueContinue reading “How to get into Tokyo from Narita airport”

How & where to get cash in Japan

Nothing is more mortifying than hearing that the restaurant where you just ate the best lunch ever doesn’t take credit cards… Credit card use is spreading, but outside the big cities (and also in more traditional Tokyo neighborhoods), many small stores and restaurants are still cash only, so it’s a good idea to carry enoughContinueContinue reading “How & where to get cash in Japan”

How big is Tokyo?

It’s hard to plan a trip to somewhere before you know how big it is and how hard it will be to get around. Scroll down to see Tokyo’s main subway line superimposed on your city’s map! Anyone who wants to be somewhere on time in Tokyo takes the train. They’re not just frequent andContinueContinue reading “How big is Tokyo?”