Is Japan on your travel wish-list next year? Got your flights booked already and wondering what's next? Either way, you'll want to keep reading.

We recently came back from a four night Trip in Japan--Check it out here and here.

So, the information is relatively up-to-date and reliable. Also, we got some insights from friends of ours who have been  going to Japan over 10 years. That's a plus plus. #wink

Getting WiFi hotspot or Mobile Data Connection

If you are used to free Wifi for browsing online (like me) then you will REALLY need to get portable WiFi or upgrade your mobile data when you are in Japan. You see, even though Japan is sophisticated in technology but it is not so WiFi friendly via stores.

Once you have landed in one of its airport, Narita or Haneda, you can locate a service spot to rent a portable WiFi hotspot your your trip -- there's one just beside the information center in Arrival hall in Narita Airport. You can get it in the city as well but you will probably want to use Google Maps to get in to the city, and all day long, so the sooner the better.

You might want to also consider a global DATA plan (if any) enable on your smart phones back home before your trip, just in case, so you don't get screwed with any roaming overages. If you are from the US from example, AT&T makes it easy and provide a plan starts from $60 (smallest plan). Check before you go, but it seems like the WiFi hotspots are cheaper unless you're staying for almost a month.

Also, if you get lucky you will stay in an accommodation that provide a smartphone with unlimited data plan and free domestic calls. Luckily, the place we stayed, Nihonbashi Saibo Hotel, provided us with one. It was a real help, especially when our other phones ran out of power but we still needed to get home!

Getting off from NARITA AIRPORT

So, there are couple ways to from Narita Airport but none of them are fast. The trip from Narita to Tokyo can be almost two hours, depending on traffic and your destination.

Do not take a taxi from Narrita to Tokyo, unless you're not worried about how much it costs. Taxis are very expensive, and the LimoBus or train services are great.

Before you go, spend the time to figure out which train or bus lines take you to near your hotel and how much it will cost. This will help you find your train or buss when you arrive (probably jet-lagged), and will be especially if you don't speak Japanese.

The express trains are quick and comfortable but cost a little more. The LimoBus is even more comfortable, though you might hit traffic. Normal trains are fine too, provided you don't have too much luggage to lug around.

In summary, we suggest you plan you trip from the airport in advance and when you get to the airport, buy your tickets and some refreshments and enjoy the ride.

Accommodation in Tokyo

Confused where to stay in Japan?!

Well, you are not alone, we had that issue once and we will not let that happen to you, so we are going to share what will be your options from our experiences and some other sources.

It is recommended to either choose on a neighborhood based or on a Hotel line that you are already into. Fair warning! Upscale or low-scale, Japanese Hotels service are really proper (unexpectedly clean and neat) however you will definitely find the room space the smallest. HA!

Normally, AirBnb would be your safe options with the relatively affordable price and quite wide range of services. However, it may leave you a little too far from the city and metro stations.

There are also no-frills Serviced Apartments (Weekly Mansion) option. Something in between a hotel and an Airbnb and a little easier to save money with anywhere in Japan.

Here is a link you can use to do you homework and we would suggest TOKYU STAY using their SHIBUYA, SHINJUKU, or AKIHABARA location rentals: Apartment hotels at Tokyu Stay

Or, if you have more budget to spend, you can upgrade your first Japan trip experiences by staying in Onsen/Ryokan (traditional inn and bathing facilities situated around hot spring). It is relatively pricey but worth the experience.

Check out Konansou, it offers the view of Mount Fuji and Lake Kawaguchi (approx. 105 minutes from Tokyo station), also it has private open-air hot spring bath. But if you dont feel like to spend at least $300 per night, you can consider Yoshiike Ryokan in Hakone Kanagawa. It is surrounded by garden and beautiful scenery that change every seasons. The rate per night starts at $150.

TOKYO HOODS TO VISIT

Tokyo neighborhoods basically are identified by their major train stations. When people ask you where you live/stay/go in Tokyo, they're kinda asking which metro station is closest. Depending in how long you are visiting Tokyo, here are some major ones to definitely consider checking out. These are some descriptions from our friend Davi, an artist we know who has been visiting Japan for over 20 years.

Asakusa (old school vibe, Famous Temple with large red lantern, tiny back-ally streets -- we did not have a chance to explore the area but the Tokyo Big Bus tour has a route passing by and you can definitely hop-off for sightseeing )

Akihabara (Otaku (Anime/Videogame Nerd) central, ranging from tiny stalls to vast department stores like Yodobashi Multimedia Akiba. )

Ebisu (Kumi and our friend's, Davi,  favorite hood, where he tend to stay -- it's trendy area known for a stylish complex for high-end shopping and dining. And then, there is Ebisu Yokocho food alley for eating ramen and grilled beef.)

Harajuku / Omotesando / Aoyama (fashion, high and low, seen and be seen, international, shop and shop again)

Ginza (big buildings, proper High End Fashion, department store and luxury, nightlife)

Shibuya (This is the typical Tokyo image everyone knows… All the young whacky fashion kids, the famous massive crossing, every movie set and tourist has visited. Warning: it fucking takes the energy out of you, think times square madness x100, but you have to visit there once at least..)

Shinjuku (Adult, Blade Runner, where the darkness meets adult, I love it here, Great Department stores, Oddities - all the best Camera / Electronic shops are here in West Shinjuku, and a special late night drinking alleyway)

Ueno (Old school, japanese-american clothing leather jacket, denim, goods shops)

Ameyoko (flee market vintage vibe)

Daikanyama (cute, tiny hood, NoLiTa vibe)

Nakameguro (tree lined river walk, cafes, love to chill out)

Koenji (Greenpoint -- former punk hood, DIY, small shops, young business, second hand shops, music)

Shimokitazawa (Brooklyn, kinda Williamsburg, fun, younger, music -- trendy laid-back suburb)

Getting around TOKYO with METRO

For your first trip in Japan, you want to know how to get around with Metro in Tokyo. It’s BIG, quite complicated, and definitely can be scary as we ourselves have got lost couple of times taking Metro in Tokyo. But it runs to the minute, and will close (last train) around 1am. No exceptions!! The train is very serious business in Japan. And, don't say I have never warned you to avoid rush hours as much as possible.

So around 12:30AM, you need to make a decision: hop on the train and return back towards your home station or stay out all night - or take a very pricey taxi home. Taxis start around $10!

Let me tell you that Tokyo Metro Stations are grand,  some can be mini malls connected to massive buildings and mazes with multiple exits. So, it is important to locate the name of your station entrance/exit and number points. Very Crucial!!!

I suggest you to take your time, plan all your trips as it takes much longer getting in and out of the Metro stations.

Dont be scared! Here is a Map of Tokyo Metro that might be useful and helpful, feel free to download it. But, depending on how many days is your trip, you will mostly travel in a relatively small heart of this map.

Oh! There is a Big Bus Tour (hop-on hop off) that you can take for approx. US$33 per 24 hour. It cover most of the Tokyo's famous destinations depending on the number of routes you take. We bought the tour from here in our first trip to Japan and it made our life easier to explore Tokyo. 

I hope you find the information about the things you want to know for your first trip to Japan above is helpful and let me know if you have any question or update about Tokyo. Let's travel!

Arigato. Sayonara.

#exploreTokyo #yourTokyoguide #whattodoinTokyo #firsttriptoJapan