Related Tokyo Favorites Tips

Favorite thing: Here's a stunning thing: there aren't any trash cans in Tokyo. (I had finished reading Opera News and wanted to discard it. Eventually, I went into a McDonald's, reasoning that they'd HAVE to have trash receptacles there, but I have a feeling I stuck my magazine in a bin intended for used umbrella covers.) Mishu later explained that the government removed all the trash cans after a terrorist incident in which a bomb was left in such a receptacle. What's remarkable is that there isn't more trash strewn about, given the absence of places to put it. Of course, there is a huge emphasis on recycling and there are special places to deposit bottles and cans, so that probably helps.

So...be a considerate guest, and pack out your trash.

Favorite thing: Beware, July in Tokyo is extremely hot.

Even though the Temperature may not be extremely high, the humidity is, and this is what makes it very uncomfortable for the Tourist walking around.
Our clothes were wet through in no time, and in Tokyo streets, there are no seats to sit and rest on. The sun is shining, and its HOT!
Make sure you wear a hat, put sunscreen on, wear comfortable shoes for walking, and most of all, have plenty of water with you.

I would recommend visiting at a different time of the year if possible.

Favorite thing: People may not know that the cheapest place to access cash via ATM (unless you have a private banking or other cost-free alternative) is at the many conveniently located post offices. Give it a try before you fork over your hard-earned cash to Citibank!

Favorite thing: Tipping is NOT customary

Most Museums are closed on MONDAY.

The sales tax on goods and services is 5%

Tokugawa shogunate established capital at Edo 1603
Edo was renamed Tokyo (eastern capital) in 1867

Electric current - 100v, 50Hz AC

Domestic banks are usually open 9-3pm weekdays only

Taxi doors for the back seat can only be opened by the driver

Always carry your passport with you.

If you feel an earthquake, open any doors to avoid jamming, stay away from the windows, and get under a SOLID object.

Area of Tokyo: 807 miles (1291km squared)

Population of Japan: 8.5 million in Tokyo city environs.

Number of vending machines - approximately 400,000 (one for every 20 people)

English daily newspapers can usually be found at hotels, train station kiosks or at major bookstores.

Especially during peak seasons, be sure to leave for Narita airport about 4 hours before your scheduled flight.

Remove shoes before entering a person's residence.

If you see Godzilla.... RUN!!!!

(taken from Tokyo Pocket Guide)

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Favorite thing: For modern architecture gazing, there's probably no more interesting city in the world than Tokyo. Head to the newly-developed Odaiba or the flashy Shinjuku or Ebisu Gardens and yo'll find wonderful eye candy in the engineering sense. Since most of Tokyo was developed after 1945, modern, avant-garde sensibilities are the rule. I love the Tokyo Municipal Government Building or the structure in Odaiba with the sphere attached off-center. Mori Towers in Rappongi is wonderful and everywhere in the city is an interesting ediface, large or small. Amazingly, all of this is done within the constraints of making every building earthquakeproof. Just walk around Tokyo with an open eye and you'll find many modern treats to indulge your senses!

Favorite thing: OK, besides the passports, which I agree, you'll have to get parents consent to get one. The answer to all of your questions is parents consent. There really is no reason if you have the means to wait until you are 18, you can go right now. Have you talked to your parents about your plans? Are they in agreement that it would be OK for you to go? Planning such a trip, even for an adult requires a lot of planning and fore thought.
Apply for your passports, again with consent
Flights, again with consent, your parent would probably have to pay via credit card with the flights in your names of course, but flights are not really that big a deal, young kids fly all the time by themselves.
Checking into a hotel, again, not that big a deal. I would suggest reservations in advance via credit card through parents. Your parent could/should also send a letter stating that you are traveling alone with their consent to the hotel(s). This will prevent any questions and problems that can be avoided.
Your three questions are relatively easy. In my opinion, your biggest problem is planning and paying for the trip. Tokyo is quite expensive. Very in fact. Hotels can cost you a lot, on the average it'll be around 150$ per night and more. There are other ways of staying cheaper of course, but i am talking hotels Food can be expensive as well. On the average it's going to be about 100$ a day for food. You're young and you can eat a lot more junk food, maybe, and that'll help cut down on the cost, but you'll really need to look around for the cheaper places to eat, they are there but not always easy to find, especially for a visitor. Also, to experience a new culture you have to or should be willing to try the food. Japanese food is great but expensive. Transportation to get around. Trains/subways are the easiest and cheapest. Stay away from the taxi's and you should do OK in this area. Fun and entertainment, site seeing. Not sure what you would want to do but again this is Tokyo and it's not cheap. So that covers at least the basics, Food, Hotel, transpo, and fun. Figure out what you can live on for a day, that will give you an idea how many days you can afford to spend in Tokyo.
Oh and don't forget to include money for airport departure taxes, and any other costs for things enroute to and from. If you make any stops to and from Tokyo such as Hong Kong or LA etc... I usually set asdide 50-100$ for just the trip to and from a destination. I usually don't need it all but you never know. Figuring out your budget is not easy but this will give you a starting point.

Another piece of advice, keep in mind that you are a guest in another country, different laws and penalties. Even adults have a difficult time remembering this and they end up getting in trouble. Foreign jails and prisons are not a good place to end up. In Japan, the majority of crimes are committed by foreigners.

If you have any other questions let me know. I think it's great that you are so young and are interested in the world, you should be, it's a great place out there. Don't get discouraged about the planning. To me it's fun planning, part of the adventure and excitement.
Good luck

Favorite thing: Non Japanes card do not work in most japanese ATMs. The only ones that will work are Post office ATMs or international banks such as CitiBank, or so I'm told (by agood tour guide) at JR ATMs in train stations. So if you are heading out into the country side if might be a good idea to get your money out before you go. Some hostels & ryokans do not accept credit cards either.

Favorite thing: Well as weather goes anywhere it's a gamble, especially when it comes to guessing what it'll be in the near or far future!!

But yes, it could be wet but I don't think anymore so than most other places in asia, actually not as wet as some of the SEAsian countries. When it's not raining I would be ready for some pretty humind weather though, it can get pretty sticky in Tokyo that time of the year. Hokkaido would probably have rain as well, how much??? but the humidity wouldn't be or shouldn't be as bad.
Good luck and have fun!