Tokyo

Intro – Who This City Is Fors

What the city actually feels like

Tokyo is massive. For years it was the largest metro area in the world before Jakarta passed it. You cannot do this city justice in one post and you definitely cannot see it all in one trip.

It feels futuristic and traditional at the same time. Hyper organized. Extremely clean. Dense but quiet. It is one of the few mega cities in the world that does not feel super chaotic.

Everything works. Everything is on time. Everything feels thought through.

Who will love it

You will love Tokyo if you appreciate order, efficiency, and detail.

This is a country where bathrooms are spotless and available in every metro station. If you need to store luggage, lockers accept your Suica card. That same card works for trains, vending machines, convenience stores, and even some restaurants.

It feels like they thought of everything.

If you enjoy exploring neighborhoods for hours on foot, eating extremely good food at random, and feeling safe at all times of day, this city delivers.

Who should avoid it

If mega cities overwhelm you, Tokyo might feel like too much. The scale is real. The population density is real.

That said, I think everyone should visit at least once. It is one of the most unique places in the world.

One personal anecdote

I remember my first real moment of pause. I had heard online that the metro was quiet. I thought that meant people just did not talk loudly, I was taking the train from the airport. At one stop the doors opened and closed. The train was sitting still and No one was speaking. It was so quiet you could hear the faint buzzing of the fluorescent lights above.

That was my first “Woah, this place is different” moment.

Best Areas to Stay

Shinjuku / Shibuya

Who it’s for: Nightlife, first timers, people who want to be in the center of everything.

Pros:

Major train hubs
Close to attractions, restaurants, bars, clubs
Easy to meet people
Energy all day and night

Cons:

Crowded
More expensive
Can feel overwhelming at peak hours

Asakusa

Who it’s for: Slower pace, cultural focus, traditional feel.

Pros:

Home to Senso-ji Temple
Older architecture
Less futuristic and more historic
Quieter at night

Cons:

Longer commute to some major neighborhoods
Less nightlife

Where I Stayed

I had the opportunity to pet sit during my time for a family, via Trusted House Sitters. This is a sharing economy website where you pet sit and watch their pets, give updates and care for their home in exchange for accommodation. I have been doing this for 10+ years all around the world.

Type of accommodation: Private apartment
Monthly cost: Free in exchange for pet care
WiFi speed: Fast and reliable
Noise level: Quiet residential area
Would I stay again? Yes

Best Mid-Range

If not house sitting, I would look at business hotels or modern hostels. Japan does compact well. Rooms are small but extremely efficient and clean.

Each neighborhood feels like its own city. You can walk for hours and constantly discover small restaurants, bakeries, and shops tucked into side streets.

Things to Do

🌊 Nature

Walk around the Imperial Palace grounds
Visit a large park like Ueno Park
Take a day trip to the coast. Enoshima Island

🍽 Food & Drink

Literally everything is good. Do not panic if you see Google reviews in the 3.5 range. In Japan that often means excellent.

Must try dishes:

Ramen. I preferred tonkotsu.
Yakitori. Chicken skewers from small alley spots.
Sashimi. Some of the best in the world.
Karaage. The fried chicken surprised me.

🏛 Culture

Senso-ji Temple
Meiji Shrine
Ueno Zoo
Explore local shrines in random neighborhoods

🏄 Adventure

Explore Akihabara at night
Arcade halls and capsule toy machines
Late night food tours
Hike Mount Takao

🚗 Day Trips

Enoshima Island
Kamakura and the Great Buddha
Hakone for views of Mount Fuji on a clear day

Working Remotely in Tokyo

I was traveling full time and did not work during this stay.

Average WiFi speeds: Fast almost everywhere
Best cafes: Countless, especially third wave coffee spots
Coworking options: Many in Shibuya and Shinjuku
Power outages: None
SIM / eSIM options: Easy to buy at airport or online
Is it productive or distracting? Both. Extremely efficient but there is so much to explore.

Meeting other people

I used the meetup.com app. Their were a lot of events weekly where you could meet locals, expats and other travelers. I recommend the pub crawl and the language exchange meetups.

Transportation

✈️ From the Airport

There are direct trains from both Narita and Haneda into the city. You can tap with Visa or Mastercard, but I bought a Suica card and used it for my entire stay. I would reommend landing in Haneda, its much closer to the city center.

Load it once and move around the entire country without thinking about tickets.

🚌 Public Transport

Google Maps works perfectly.

The metro system is punctual, clean, and easy to follow. Signs are in English. Trains arrive on time down to the minute.

I never once needed a taxi. I also heard they were expensive, so only use if you have luggage or a big group.

🚶 Walkability

Incredible walkability. Safe at all hours. You can walk late at night without stress.

⚠️ Things to Watch Out For

Nigerian hawkers in parts of Shinjuku trying to lure you into clubs. Ignore and keep walking.
Do not eat while walking. It is generally frowned upon.
Trash cans are limited. Plan accordingly.

If you’re staying long-term or traveling between countries, I personally use Genki for travel health insurance.

Genki travel health insurance GENKI

Cost of Living Estimates

At the time of writing 1 USD was roughly 155 yen. Tokyo felt more affordable than expected.

Rent: High compared to the rest of Japan
Utilities: Moderate
Groceries: Reasonable
Eating Out: Affordable. Ramen around $6 to $8
Transport: Very affordable for the quality
Coworking: Mid to high range
Total: Can be moderate if you eat locally and use public transit

If you’re staying long-term or traveling between countries, I personally use Genki for travel health insurance.

Genki travel health insurance GENKI

Pros

World class city with endless things to do
Extremely safe and polite culture
Efficient beyond belief
Food quality is consistently high

Cons

Can feel rule heavy
Slight language barrier
People often look tired and overworked
Small living spaces

Mt. Takaro

FAQ

Is Tokyo safe?

Yes. It is one of the safest large cities in the world. Violent crime is very rare and you can walk at night without concern.

Do I need to speak Japanese?

No, but learning a few phrases helps. Google Translate and pointing at things works better than you’d think. Younger people speak English, especially in touristy areas.

What’s the best time to visit?

Spring (March-May) and fall (September-November) are perfect. Summer is humid and hot. Winter is fine but can be cold.

How long should I stay?

9 days is solid if you want to explore neighborhoods without feeling rushed. Two weeks if you want to slow down and actually get to know the city.

Would I Come Back?

I would absolutely come back to visit.

For longer term living, I would probably choose a smaller Japanese city. Tokyo is incredible but intense. Other areas in Japan felt more relaxed and slightly more affordable.

If you want to experience one of the most efficient, organized mega cities on earth, Tokyo should be on your list.