Tokyo Dos and Don'ts

Tokyo is so mindblowing! The train system is amazing. It is fast, on time and fully utilised. You can even check the timetable from your mobile (and that was in 2001)! There are people everywhere wearing anything. The buildings are huge! There is a huge American influence with restaurants, clothing, etc. You can get anything you want. But don't stand still in the middle of the footpath or else you will be run over by hundreds of Japanese in a hurry. Ropongi (bad spelling) is an awesome party district. Had a great night out there (all night). Shinjuku is the business district, but it still has good shopping for electronics, cosmetics and clothing (if you are of teeny tiny proportions). The public toilets in the big department stores play classical music to you while you are doing your business even!

Check out the Shibuya district. You can watch the famous crossing from Starbucks or another coffe shop around the crossing, from above it looks pretty amazing. There are also cool shops around there, even just to see the hip dressed Shibuya teens. Ueno park is a must, especially in spring. Also I recommend a trip on the Shinkansen bullet train. If you travel south from Tokyo to Nagoya or Kyoto, make sure you sit on the right hand side of the carriage for breathtaking views of Mt. Fuji. On top of all Japanese people are the friendliest and most helpful I've ever experienced.

Be sure to be courteous and soft spoken. The natives of Japan are very Honorable people and may think a loud outburst or a hand suggestion means something that it really doesn't! If anything, learn this ONE phrase in Japanese: "Gomen nasai, nihongo o hanasemasen." which means "I'm very sorry, I don't speak Japanese."

Tokyo's address system is really confusing. The number on a building corresponds with when it was built on that street, not it's location. So building 15 could lie next to building 43. Expect to get lost if trying to navigate by yourself!!

Also, try and learn as much Japanese before going as a majority of your run-ins will not (want to?) speak English. Good advice for traveling anywhere really.

SUPER safe, the crime here against tourists is practically non-existent.

If u want to save money but still want to be in the centre of it all, I suggest staying in Shinjuku, Tokyo. It's a 15 min train ride from Tokyo city, but it has all the night life... If you are coming from Nairita Airport - Take the Nairita Express train, a cab will cost you a fortune and take 2 hours. Just make sure you know where you want to go as the subway is extremely busy all hours of the day and night. Not everyone speaks english so it can be difficult to work out how to get to where you want to go. Go into some quiet little Sake Bars for dinner, I guarentee it's a great experience! and so cheap too. On the other side of the train station is all the night life, red light district, clubs, bars, shopping, restaurants and excitement. Shopping is open till 10-11 pm everynight. Go into Tokyo city on a Friday night, the place is amazing. The cars, the shopping, the people, the food, the highrise buildings, the lights and the rich!! The place is bursting with excitement, I assure you will be like a little kid in a lolly shop with all the bright lights of this bustling city... Bring a camera!