Suica or PASMO, or Suica in your phone wallet, works on every train, bus and in convenience stores.
Fly into Haneda if you can
It is much closer to the city than Narita, and fares into town are lower.
Avoid the rush
Trains are packed from about 7:30 to 9:30am. Travel after that with luggage or strollers.
Carry some cash
Cards work almost everywhere, but small restaurants, shrines and stalls may want yen. 7-Eleven ATMs take foreign cards.
Shoes off
Temples, some restaurants and fitting rooms ask you to remove shoes. Wear socks and slip-ons.
Quiet on trains
No phone calls, and keep voices low. Queue in the marked lines on the platform.
Don’t eat while walking
Eat where you buy, and carry your rubbish; bins are rare.
Layer up
Mornings and evenings are cool, around 9°C by late November, but trains and shops are warm.
Tipping
Not customary. Good service is simply part of the price.
Send luggage ahead
Takkyubin delivery between hotels and airports makes moving between cities easy.
Know the help lines
The Japan Visitor Hotline (050-3816-2787) runs 24 hours in English.
Prepare for earthquakes
Install the JNTO “Safety tips” app and read your hotel’s evacuation plan.
Tokyo is one of the safest big cities in the world. Check the entry rules for your passport before you travel; many Gulf passport holders need a visa or visa waiver registration.