Thank you so much! I had not seen the article.
Jill here…
I’m currently living in southern Edogawa and absolutely love it here!
I got to Japan about 8 months ago, but have been busy with my Japanese studies and work.
I’m here on a sabbatical from my high school teaching job in order to learn Japanese. After 10 years of teaching, I wanted to have some fun learning something new and also see what it’s like to learn something from scratch now that we have Internet resources etc. So I’m currently studying at a language school full time. It also happened to be a great way to challenge myself and work on my memory which I fear may begin to fail me as I get older. So, I’m really enjoying Kanji.
For fun I like to follow the weekend tips from Tokyocheapo and go to various cultural events. When you live in a city, you hardly ever go touristing, but when you visit for a shorter period of time you tend to do so much more.
My big tip is meetup.com. There are so many groups that meet there almost every evening in Tokyo, that you could be out every night if you want. Everyone really wants to learn English more, so everyone is really open to striking up conversations. Also a second maybe even bigger tip is avoid Tokyo during the summer. If you come from a colder climate like I do, you will suffer immensely!
I actually like natto. Yes, it has a weird consistency but it’s quite nice. Admittedly, it’s not something that I buy on my own, but I won’t say no to it either.
I’ve lived now in 3 major world cities: Washington DC, Stockholm, and now Tokyo and I think Tokyo is one of the safest I’ve lived in. Although Stockholm is quite close as well and 3/4ths of DC is as well.
Weeellllll, thats my 自己紹介 (self introduction)!
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Hi mrkirkland and all,
I am Rebecca. I currently live in Boston Massachusetts. I am will travel to Japan in the middle of May. This is my first time to Japan. I just start to search information about Japan through Tokyocheapo.com. Form this website, I found out about JR pass.
Can you advise me which train pass should I have, JR 7 day pass or E-Voucher for Kyoto Bullet Train Non-Reserved Seats Ticket Package including 1-Day Subway & Bus Pass for the following trip?
Tokyo - Kyoto -Hakone- Tokyo within 7 days
Thank you!
Rebecca
As we mention our article:
The 7 day JR rail pass usually costs more than the Tokyo/Hakone Kyoto return ticket, so if that’s all you have planned buy the specific Tokyo Kyoto discount ticket or just a normal Shinkansen ticket.
Hope you have a great trip Rebecca!
Hello everyone!!
My name is Claire, I am an Australian Hairdresser that is now living and working in Tokyo (Meguro)!
I moved here in Jan with my Japanese partner so that we could be closer to his family. Aside from doing hair, I spend my time trying to explore just some of the amazing things this city has to offer and I am battling through an intensive language course so that I can at least find my way around the supermarket!
I don’t have too many Tokyo tips as I am only a newbie myself, however if you ever need any hair advice I’d be more than happy to help you out!!
Thanks Chris!! Love your site!
hi im rhick this is my 3rd week in japan . im a student visa holder here in japan and now im working at a internet provider company if you need a help about internet connection just contact me
pls contact me im working on a company that sell a pocket wifi and data sim at lowest price compare to other
we have like 50gb for just only 3,500 yen upto 300gb for 6,000 yen you can contact me at facebook at “rhick campos” my profile pic is me with my gf at the top of the hill or call me here 080-21883902 . thanks!
I will def visit you on the 20th
My 2nd and prob the last visit to japan. This time I’m planning the country side so I want to know about car rental and train pases. I need to know the best way around in December that is…
See ya there !
Hi, friends . . .
My name is Jery, and I’m planning a one-week vacation to Tokyo in March with my family. It would be our first visit to Japan ever!
We live in Jakarta, Indonesia. Obviously, since we live in hot, tropical climate, we are hoping to find snow during our visit to Japan. We plan to visit Fujiten Snow Resort, and we’ve all prepared ourselves (at least, we tried to think what to prepare) to face the cold weather: Jackets, gloves, even earmuffs, and a bunch of warm clothes.
For food, we’re really excited to finally be able to eat Japanese food in Japan! Ramen, tsukemen, sushi, okonomiyaki . . . just can’t wait to visit the places recommended by TokyoCheapo!
Personally, I want to visit the Ghibli Museum, the Gundam Base, the Shibuya Crossing, the Godzilla head, and the arcade building in Akihabara. I vow to visit these places, and I’d consider my visit to Japan completed.
I’m still rigorously researching about traveling to Tokyo, including here on TokyoCheapo. Really hope to learn much from here.
Hi. My name is Bob. I lived in Tokyo for 20 years, mostly in the Shibuya area, and foolishly moved back to Minnesota a year ago. I still make it back to Japan frequently. My top tips for newbies: Learn Japanese, Get a bicycle (fastest way around town), Try to eat everything at least once, and maintain your sanity by getting out of town occasionally. Regarding this last point, I just wrote a book called Hikes with Hot Springs–Day Trips from Tokyo. Check it out!
IBooks (Apple):
Kindle (Amazon):
Hi my name is Peter. I live in Toritsudaigaku and have been in Tokyo around three years. Moved to Tokyo to teach design tech at one of the international schools.
For fun I play in a band with a few friends, podcast about craft beer and eat out a lot!
Tip for newbies? Just get outside the Yamamoto line, Tokyo is huge and you’ll learn more about what it’s like to be a Tokyo-ite (is that a word?) than if you stick to the tourist areas.
I tolerate natto.
Hi I’m Mark…I was a frequent visitor to Tokyo since 1974 thru 2006. I was a navigator with the USAF flying into Yokota and Atsugi. Later I worked for a large telecommunications company with contracts supporting Yokosuka, Camp Zama and many sites in Japan. My first visit to the Zama area was in Cherry Blossom time and fell in love with the seson. I am returning with my wife at Cherry Blossom time next week. Love this site for the interesting ideas for food, fashion and fun in Tokyo.
Hi everyone I’m Gaz
I’m living in Nottingham UK at the moment but love to travel, especially to Japan. I’m currently working in the IT field doing computer builds and repairs etc. I have been to Japan twice before and have a trip planned for very late October and most of November 2019. I’m staying near Machida City in a small apartment. I’m really looking forward to Halloween in Shibuya and the Rugby World Cup final in Yokohama.
Tokyo Cheapo is a great resource for me as I’m not wealthy and have to watch the spending, especially on holiday as I tend to go crazy! Love the Youtube videos and the site, also the ebook I bought from you last year was a great help.
Hope to chat with some of the great members and staff here at some point.
Gaz
I’m Heidi. 
I live south of Yokohama, but before this lived in Tokyo. I have lived all over Tokyo, actually - Shinjuku, Ichigaya, Meguro, Shinagawa, Machida… I guess I like to move? LOL.
I’ve been in Japan 26 looooong years.
Why did I come to Japan? Honestly, I have forgotten. 
For fun…
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Travel, inside and outside of Japan. I especially love Thailand and India
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Craft beer is a hobby and a lifestyle, LOL.
If you want to know about craft beer in Yokohama or Tokyo, hit me up. -
Cooking, being vegetarian means learning how to cook! I am recently getting into Middle Eastern food, e.g., Lebanese. Love it, but very hard to find some of the ingredients here. If anyone knows a good market, for Indian, Middle Eastern, etc. food, let me know!
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I love cats! I have two of the little beasts and I love buying treats and toys for them. I also collect maneki neko. There are so many interesting versions of those little statues!
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Love the beach, taking long walks, and doing picnics. Hanami season is THE BEST.
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I make really good takoyaki.
Tip for newbies, who travel here or live here?
For travelers I would always say “get the rail pass!” because I wish I could have one as I really love traveling but the shinkansen is so damn expensive and the bus is so damn uncomfortable. It’s an amazing bargain if you plan to go outside Tokyo. And while everyone goes to Kyoto, I highly recommend going to Kanazawa, if you have time. It’s called “little Kyoto” for a good reason, and is far less crowded. If you do go to Kyoto, remember - the temples open really early and if you arrive at 7am you’ll be the only person there. That’s what I always do. 
For people who live here, I’m not sure what to recommend since everyone is different. But one thing I will recommend is to learn some Japanese. It really does help a lot, and even though you CAN get by without it, you will have a much better experience if you at least learn basic conversation.
- Natto… not really. It’s not terrible but it’s also not something I eat very often. I think a better question is, “Do you like shiokara?” because I have yet to meet a foreigner who does!
Hello everyone,
My name is Tina, i came from Malaysia. Currently i married with a japanese man and living in Tokyo.
After moved to japan, everything is so new to me. I couldn’t speak japanese yet but somehow i can understand a little bit. My profession is Graphic Designer, but i resiged because of my husband. And started my new life in tokyo. I love coffee culture.
Hello all,
My wife and I are planning to visit Japan April 17th for around a week.
We are considering to buy a Skyliner ticket from Narita Airport to Ueno which includes a 72 hour Metro pass. Is this better value for money than buying a Sklyliner ticket and then using a Suico or Pasmo card?
Also, we are planning to visit Kyoto afterwards for 3 days and then Osaka for a day afterward. Does anyone have any recommendations about which rail tickets we should go for and the best way of getting around?
Many thanks in advance,
Jason.
Hi, I am AD. I live in Australia and this will be my and my partners first visit to Japan.
I am very confused with the no of options of transport and different passes.
I will be there in May and this is how we plan our itinerary.
Pls can you advise which Pass to buy that would be most economical and also in what sequence should I plan the itinerary
2 days - Tokyo
2 days - Kyoto
1 day - Mt Fuji
1 day - Osaka
1 day - Kobe and Nara
Total -7 days
I am very flexible with any amendments. If I am missed out something or need to skip something , please let me know . More importantly which pass should I buy or should I not buy JR pass in advance and just the regional pass will work.
Look forward to your valuable advice.
Cheers
AD
2019 April 16th 21:00 Y-ran-karapte-e ! Hello in Ainu ! Call me Andyy, I wanted to unlock my iPhone and tokyocheapo was top page on Google and then …Thanks a lot I pay 10,000 for iPhone AU robbers they keep delaying my end of contract until 2019 oct . I live in Sendai 30 years and was pillaged ! Not seen kid 15 years I have been on social 2007 and not been home since Tsunami, last few years work partime gardener , and self study Ainu. I want to go home but the social do not allow , and can not save money ,?like a Swedish prison ! Live in a flat with no hot water or fridge because of 15 ampare. Fed up with this life here ! I had a pop up that offer help with travel , got the feeling that somebody knows what my intention is in the future , so it makes me wonder if this site is being read by outsiders , for example my internet speed is always slow 1G plan 200 mb up load 20 mb download. Safari crashing and Ookla speed test , server locked to Allied server Misawa base ( I am UK not US ) so keep fighting any tracking pop ups and spam , linked to my kids being abducted and the case of Jutakusagi victim of housing fraud.
In my 30 years experience in Japan 6 or 2x3’s meaning what you save on the swings you lose on the slide they look different but the same , they use different names meaning the same thing , buses are cheaper ,once you arrive in the mega city you will get lost! I live in Sendai Tsunami earthquake zone and try to avoid going south ,you will be confused to travel in that region because of spaghetti route ! If I advise to come to Japan , then go direct to Hokkaido , I travel by bicycle in Tohoku , once went to Hakone very nice in Summer but Around Tokyo is a trap and tiresome, ,expensive, you will not see any savings ,pot luck !