Tokyo - modern Japan

Japan is a country that I visited twice so far, and I still want to visit it again!

There are many things that is attractive from visiting Japan:

• developed country with great advancement and use of technology, especially in public transportation
• food is excellent, you cannot stop to admire how a chef master his skills in food
• efficiency on everything (seems Japanese people plan too well, even in small details)
• service is top notch, people are too nice
• it is very safe
• you can experience the modern culture in Tokyo, and see the older culture on Kansai region (Kyoto)
• many other things are famous in Japan that has influenced the world like cars, electronics, and anime!

Tips

• Do not tip in Japan, people serve you very well, but it's almost an offense if they take a tip from you.
• googlemaps is a great way to find directions as it is well integrated with the schedule of public transit (local trains, subways, bullet trains), 
• but if you want more options (more alternative routes, or avoid certain railways), Hyperdia is very helpful: http://www.hyperdia.com/en/
• bring enough cash, as it is more common to pay in cash on restaurants, convenience stores, and train tickets.
•  Though credit cards are accepted in various restaurants, it is still a good idea to bring cash so that you can eat anywhere (especially Ramen, where you usually have to pay at a machine). For shopping, credit cards are fine.
• Get internet, either SIM card or pocket wifi. 
• There are many companies that offer affordable prepaid SIM cards for tourists (e.g. $20 for 8 days). 
• It is almost essential to have internet if you want to find directions or use google translate. Saves time, and it is convenient.
• Note that SIM cards provide only data, and no phone number (you have to be a Japanese resident), so you might want to have a skype account with money on it to make calls for any emergency.
• ask for English menu on restaurants. Probably one of the harder things is to order food since English is limited there, but most places have an English menu (eigo no menyu), so ask for one! 
• Tax free shopping, on some larger clothing, electronics, or department stores, you can avoid paying the 8% tax if you show your passport (foreigner). You will usually need to purchase more than 10,000 yen worth of goods, which can be easy for some people, but hard for others. So if you are travelling with others, combine them into one bill.

Transportation

• Combining both the subway system and the JR trains, transportation is very convenient in Tokyo. The subway map might be a bit intimating to understand (since it looks like a spiderweb), but once you get it you can pretty much go anywhere.
• if you are travelling various cities, consider getting JR (Japan Railways) Pass. The basic pass allows you to travel in JR which owns the bullet trains unlimited within 7 days. I used it to travel Osaka-Hiroshima (with stops at Kobe and Himeji), Osaka-Kyoto various times, Osaka-Tokyo, so it was definitely worth it for me. Plus, you can use it for some local train lines.
• when you are not using the JR pass (e.g. taking a local non-JR train, subway), get an IC card (equivalent of "Octopus Card" in HK) so that you can enter and exit faster (not having to buy a ticket every single time)
• from Narita airport, you can buy a round trip via Narita Express (if you show your passport as a foreign, you get a discount)

Where to stay

• Airbnb is usually a good choice in Japan as the places are clean and well maintained. In terms of location, it is good to be closer to a convenient train station, so that you can save time travelling and as well get back to the airport with ease.
• I personally recommend staying near the Shinjuku area as it is central and there various shopping areas and good restaurants.

Things to do

Important Attractions

Shibuya Crossing

Shibuya has various shopping places and good restaurants. There is also the statue of Hachiko where many people meet. It's more of a hipster area.

But one cannot miss the Shibuya Crossing, way too many people haha.

Shinjuku

Great area of shopping and food. There are various big department stores (like BIC camera) for electronics,  there is also a garden (Shinjuku Gyoen) if you want to change pace or if you are going on cherry blossom season, and also there is the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building if you want to get the city view (alternatively you can head to the Tokyo Skytree which is on another location, but more expensive)

Tsukiji Fish Market

Masterpiece of a place. You can walk around the market and you can shop for good local products, like a good Japanese knife (it's expensive, but it cuts).

The climax is to go to one of the restaurants which you have to line up for at least an hour (see more info below).

There is a Tuna auction that happens really early, but you have to be there around 3am, and there is a limit of how many people can enter.

Ginza

This is more of an expensive shopping district, but worth visiting, especially since you will find the flagship stores of Uniqlo, GU, Muji.


Akihabara

This is a paradise for anime lovers. There are various merchandise about the anime culture, from the Gundam Cafe to the Mandarake (famous store that sells used anime dvds and mangas).

Ghibli Museum

Many people know Japan because of its animated films from Ghibli. The museum is very cool, and a strong recommendation. It's a bit out of the way, but if you go near cherry blossom season, there is a park nearby for great pictures.

You will have to get the tickets months in advance online (I think you have to purchase it via local business partner).

Harajuku Takeshita-dori

A small street with dessert places and small stores.

Tokyo Station

This is not a simple station. There is a shopping and good Ramen restaurants in the bottom of this station.

Go to a special themed cafe

There are various special theme cafe in Tokyo, ranging from Gundam Cafe, Cat Cafe, Owl Cafe... just pick one.

Optional Attractions

• Meiji Shrine
• Sensoji Temple
• Gundam statue at Odaiba
• Hakone if you want to visit a town famous for its hot springs. It's not cheap, but you can stay at a ryokan (traditional Japanese hotel) and enjoy the full experience of delicious dinner and breakfast, hot springs, desserts, and possibly a nice view to Mt Fuji
• There are some activities that you can do such as taking the tram to get a better view of Mt Fuji or try the famous "black eggs"
• This place is about ~2 hours train ride from Tokyo.

What to eat

Most likely all the places are good to eat in Japan! Make sure to try various types of food (sushi, tonkatsu, tempura, udon, shabu shabu, omurice)

These are my recommendations:

Daiwa in Fish Market

• It's one of the best two restaurant in the Fish Market. The other one is "Sushi Dai". You will have to line up at least one hour for either (sometimes even more). But believe me, it is worth it!
• You likely are to order the "Chef's special" (omakase) which costs almost $50, but it is the most fresh and excellent sushi I had! The chef will give you around 8-10 pieces of sushi (including the fat tuna "Toro" and the sea urchin "Uni")

Ichiran Ramen

• This is a chain of ramen that specializes on Tonkutsu (pork-based), and the broth is top-notch, epitome of cuisine!
• You will have to order and pay via a machine and then the server will find you a seat.
• The seating is a bit weird as it is like a bunch of cubicles, but it's part of the experience.

Tonkatsu Maisen

• You can try the famous "black pig" tonkatsu with a very "marbled" meat, fried to the perfection, and combined with a fantastic sauce.