My Tokyo Tips

My last post about Tokyo I promise, but I wanted to share some tips as it was my first trip to Japan and I really appreciated learning these.

Guidebooks 

I read a lot of guidebooks, Rough Guide, Frommer's but my hands down favourite was Frommers. I found it had the best maps, the best info and the best back history.

Toilets

Yes I'm going to talk about toilets as they are very different from the typical one found in North America, one the flush handle is often not that obvious and some bathrooms have no toilet paper or no soap or no hand towels or hand dryer.

 This was the one in my hotel room, notice flush is not on the control panel, it was a handle mounted behind. This had heated seats (with temp control), bidet and shower option.

 When I was out and about I looked for department stores to use the bathroom, here I found the flush option on the wall, a normal handle or automated. Plus the option of music to hide any sounds you wanted to hide. I will miss those heated seats.

In the train station I did run into just water, I had brought anti bacterial hand gel with me but having a hand towel on me was also great as there were no hand drying options. You will find people on the street handing out samples of toilet paper - take one.


Transportation

Taxis are expensive so keep them for short distances, when I landed the Airport Limousine Bus that went to my hotel wasn't running so I opted for the $248 fare to the hotel as I was so tired. There's also the train but depending on where you're staying you will most likely need to transfer trains. if you're hauling a big suitcase this could be awkward especially if you land during rush hour. My number one choice would be the airport bus at $30 each way. I would have tried the train if I hadn't been awake for 20 hrs.

For around Tokyo take the train, there train system is amazing. Maybe a little daunting at first but you'll get the hang of it fast trust me. Get the Pasmo card, it costs you a 5 yen deposit but you can load multiple denominations. I spent just over $40 on train fare in a week. You can return the card and get you money back minus the 5 yen deposit at train station offices. I kept mine as I'm definitely going back and they don't expire for 10 years. Note the Airport trains aren't covered by the Pasmo.

Train Behavior

Do as the natives do, put your phone on silent, speak quietly, don't eat on the train, don't blow your nose (sniffle only) yet yawning with your mouth open seems o.k

Stand on the left of the escalator and pass on the right.

Communication 

Remember "Sumimasen" it means excuse me and works for asking for directions which could be charades or if you bump into someone. When ordering food there's either a display or a menu with pictures at the till so you can point and get your thoughts across. While there is some English don't assume everyone speaks even a little bit of it. I used "Sumimasen, eggo ka wakarimaska?" a lot which means "Excuse me, do you speak English."

Bowing
People will bow when they greet you though a foreigner is not expected to bow a nod of the head at least shows respect.

No Tipping
Not at the restaurant or the cab driver or the baggage clerk. Handing over money is crass. If you do give money it's discreetly and in an envelope but certainly no one expects a tip. They take pride in their work and aim to please. The customer service is exceptional by the way.

Bring comfortable shoes
Tokyo is a walking city though I saw very few people in running shoes so I brought Merrels. Casual dress is fine (i.e jeans) but no one dresses like a schlep there.

Random Observations 

It's a fascinating culture, Tokyo has 38 million people but no one is rushed. Very rarely did I see anyone in a hurry and if I did they were catching a train. Revolving doors move slow.

Blowing your nose in public is a faux pas, yet yawing with your mouth open is totally fine.

Mind you I was there in winter but as I watched all the people going to and from work I noticed all the outerwear was black or beige which surprised me.

Make up is natural, I packed my make up bag and then noticed the majority of women wore a very natural minimal look.

I can't wait to go back

Going Home and what I brought back

So this brings me to my very last day in Tokyo which is pretty much till I catch the bus to the airport.

I got breakfast to go as my plan was to just chill in my room till I left. Interesting thing in Japan when you get something to go, they also pack your drink.

 This scone is half the size of the American version and far less sweet as well. It was really good. Remember that Japan has lowest obesity rate. Everything in moderation and when they have a treat it's small and very well prepared.

 Last look out the window

 On the bus for 3000 Yen, $30 as opposed to the crazy cab fare of close to $300

 Kind of wild to see my city on that board

 Found the stores yes there on your way out and there are some really great duty free stores.

 More vending machines but this time water or drinks and ice cream, and apparently squeezable ice cream.

 At my gate, so the flight home was good with the exception of sitting next to a seat hog, so annoying sir keep you knee on your side please. I left at 4pm on the 27th and arrived in Calgary at 9:30am.
Yeah I was tired that's for sure but have since bounced back.

 Flying over the Rockies

Home sweet home

 So this is what I brought home, a Yakuta (spring kimono)

 Silk scarf

 Strawberry Kit Kat

 A knick knack for my desk that says Tokyo

 It was cute and useful

 Fridge magnets and the ninja is going to work as an anchor to get me on track WW wise

 A compact mirror

 The only clothes I bought was two of these heat tech shirts, they're super warm, super thin and breathable hey I do live in winter.

 A New Year's wreath with is a Japanese tradition

 A Japanese fan

 Tea

 The Disney loot, Mickey and Minnie in Kimonos, the Christmas Mickey and Minnie, the New Year's Mickie and Minnie and the really the only pin I could find - this one is for New Year's

 Wasabi Kit Kat

 Fabric that I plan to frame

 2014 Calendar fabric

 Chopsticks

 Fan Holder and key chain

 Coffee tumblers from Starbucks, I had planned to just get the Tokyo one but then I saw the Year of the Horse one and I couldn't decide.

 Some J-Pop as I heard it everywhere I went

I got this at a temple, it was just so gorgeous.

I do plan one last post about Tokyo and it's all about the tips I picked up for a first time traveler there after that I promise regular blog posts :)

Part 5 - Last Day and Karaoke!!!

I have to admit I was a wee sad that my last day had already arrived on the 26th of December, the 27th was going to be a pure travel day so this was my last chance to pick up souvenirs and soak up Tokyo.

 First off the breakfast of champions, cream puffs but just not any cream puff these are filled as you order them.

 As I headed to the train station I noticed Christmas disappearing, there is no boxing day in Japan and everything was switching over to New Years.

 This was a huge Christmas display the day before.

 Train station exit gates you scan your card or insert your ticket. Today I was off to Sengakuji to the temple where the 47 Ronin are buried with their master.

 Ticket machine

 Lots and lots of stairs in train stations

 This was the first time my travels led me to a more neighbourhood area.

 This temple is tiny compared to others I had seen but the museum was open so I saw a video and they ran it in English for me about the story of the 47 Ronin and saw some artifacts.

 Where the Ronin are buried

 Lord Asano, their master's burial site.

 More of the 47 Ronin

 Street view outside the temple

 More stairs but I like the directional arrows

 All the Christmas displays I had passed in the train station are now focused on New Years.

 I was back off to Shibuya Station for some karaoke. A mural dedicated to Hatchiko the dog, the Aussie, American and I were meeting at the dog.

As we were waiting for our 3rd person a tv crew approached me and asked to interview me about Japanese food, yes I'm on Japanese TV

Now off to Karaoke

 Very creative English inside the Karaoke place and here you rent your own room - sound proof room.

 We were on the mermaid floor

 In the our room

 My Karaoke control programmed to English

 The menu and there is an all drinks included option, we booked 2hrs and opted for the no all drinks included.

 I had a cream soda float, yup cream soda is green in Japan

 They made me start with a Madonna medley but then I sang Celine Dion, U2, George Michael, Alanis Morrisette and Carly Rae Jepsen

Can you tell I'm thoroughly enjoying myself.

 What I found when I went in search of the bathroom, there were a lot of people alone in their room.

 Karaoke was so much fun

 Off to my go to JR Yamamote line as I head back to Ginza for last minute souvenir shopping.

 I went back to Misukoshi and walked through were you can order a custom Kimono, no photos allowed unfortunately but I don't think I've ever seen such beautiful fabric.

 Last festive lights of Tokyo

 Tada New Year's celebrations begin

 I found Tirimasu Haagen Daz

 Yup gold flecks in the chocolate sauce.

 My last Japanese beer