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Recommended Guides
Handpicked practical guides ready to use right now.
Packed with information to make your Tokyo life more comfortable.
8 Cherry Blossom Spots in Tokyo — A Walking Guide Based on Experience
Meguro River, Shinjuku Gyoen, Ueno, and more — walking routes, crowd levels, and picnic tips from firsthand cherry blossom visits in Tokyo.
Japan Payment Guide: PayPay, Suica & Cards — What Should You Carry?
PayPay, credit cards, Suica, Apple Pay — what works where, what doesn't, and what foreigners should carry in Tokyo. Cash-only spots and contactless tips.
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How to Rent an Apartment in Tokyo as a Foreigner [Costs, Guarantor, UR]
Upfront costs run 4-5 months' rent in Tokyo. Even without a guarantor, a guarantor company gets you a lease. How to find zero-deposit units, UR housing requirements, what to do about 'no foreigners' policies, and the full process from search to move-in in as little as 2 weeks.
7 Free Observation Decks in Tokyo — 202m Views for ¥0, Locals Know These (2026)
TMG Building (202m, 3 min from Shinjuku), Caretta Shiodome (210m), and 5 more — all free, no reservation needed. Best hours to avoid crowds, elevator/stroller access, and sunset timing.
Credit Card in Japan for Foreigners: Step-by-Step From Zero Credit History (2026)
No credit history in Japan? Here are the 5 easiest cards to get approved (some within 3 days), what documents you need, and how Japan's CIC credit scoring actually works — step-by-step for foreign residents.
Where Should You Live in Tokyo? A Local's Guide to All 23 Wards (2026)
Rent from ¥70K to ¥150K, commute times to Shinjuku/Shibuya, foreign resident communities, English-friendly services — all 23 wards compared with official data so you can pick the right neighborhood.
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How to Receive Packages and Request Redelivery in Tokyo
Scan the QR code on your missed delivery slip to request redelivery in 3 minutes. Compare Japan Post, Yamato, and Sagawa procedures and English support. Yamato's refrigerated packages are returned after just 3 days. Includes okihai, delivery boxes, and convenience store pickup tips.
How to Eat in Tokyo on Less Than ¥2,000 a Day
Matsuya beef bowls for ¥460, Fujisoba noodles for ¥430, supermarket bento for ¥300 after evening markdowns. A practical guide to eating well in Tokyo on a budget, with chain names, prices, and ordering tips.
Tokyo Restaurant Extra Charges Explained
A small dish you didn't order. A service fee on your bill. This guide breaks down the four extra charges at Tokyo restaurants — otoshi, table charge, service fee, and consumption tax — with typical prices and cultural context.
Tokyo Onsen & Sento Guide — Prices, Etiquette & Tattoo Policies
Tokyo sento cost ¥550 flat. This guide covers bathing steps, tattoo policies by venue, and beginner-friendly bathhouses and day-trip onsen — all based on official sources.
Tokyo Garbage Sorting & Collection Rules
A complete guide to sorting garbage in Tokyo's 23 wards: how to find your collection schedule, dispose of bulky items, handle home appliance recycling, and avoid common mistakes that cause neighbor complaints.
How to Make Friends in Tokyo
Concrete ways for foreign residents to make friends in Tokyo. International exchange associations, Meetup, language exchange, sports clubs, share houses, and more.
Your Tokyo journey starts here.