Articles — tokyo.how

What to Book in Advance in Tokyo — teamLab, Ghibli & Shibuya Sky (2026)

teamLab, Ghibli Museum, and Shibuya Sky sell out weeks ahead. On-sale dates, prices, step-by-step booking, and backup spots when your first choice is gone.

Explore

Cheap Sushi in Tokyo: Best Spots from ¥110/Plate

Eat great sushi in Tokyo without breaking the bank. Plates from ¥110 at top kaiten-zushi chains, ¥400 supermarket grabs, standing sushi bars, and affordable omakase lunches — compared and ranked for every budget.

Living

Tokyo Convenience Store Guide: ATMs, Payments, Printing & Shipping

Tokyo konbini are 24-hour ATMs, city halls, and post offices rolled into one. Withdraw cash with foreign cards, pay utility bills, print documents, and ship packages — all in a single stop. Includes chain comparisons, fees, and ATM step-by-step instructions.

MoneyResidents

Credit Card in Japan for Foreigners: From Zero Credit History (2026)

No credit history? Here's how foreigners actually get approved. Step-by-step: build your CIC score, pick the right first card (Rakuten, Epos, GTN), and avoid the 6-month rejection trap.

Living

Cycling in Tokyo — Bike-Share Apps, Rules & Best Routes (2026)

Start with HELLO CYCLING or Docomo Bike Share in minutes. Compare prices, learn the 2026 blue-ticket rules, and ride the Imperial Palace loop or Rainbow Bridge route.

LivingResidents

Daycare and Kindergarten in Tokyo for Foreign Families

Step-by-step daycare application guide for foreign parents in Tokyo. Timeline, points system, required documents, and free childcare policy for ages 0–5.

Living

English-Speaking Doctors & Hospitals in Tokyo (2026 List)

10+ clinics with English-speaking doctors in Tokyo, searchable by area. Plus how to use HIMAWARI, what to bring, costs without insurance, and mental health options.

ExploreTourists

Tokyo Etiquette — Manners for Trains, Restaurants, Shrines & Onsen

No calls on trains, no swimsuits in onsen, no tipping. A scene-by-scene guide to Tokyo manners for trains, dining, shrines, and hot springs.

LivingExperienceResidents

My First Solo Move in Tokyo — From Apartment Hunt to Move-In Day

A first-hand account of moving into my first apartment in Tokyo. Full breakdown of ¥300,000 in initial costs, the entire process from apartment hunting to move-in, and utility setup — all in chronological order.

Explore

8 Free Observation Decks in Tokyo With the Best Views (2026)

Tokyo's best free views — no ¥2,000 tower tickets needed. TMG Building (202m), Caretta Shiodome (210m), Bunkyo Civic Center, and more. Opening hours, Mt. Fuji visibility, and best times to visit.

ExploreTourists

Free Things to Do in Tokyo on a Rainy Day

Rainy day in Tokyo, ¥0 budget: 5 free routes via Intermediatheque, Ginza galleries, National Art Center, Nakano Broadway, Musashi-Koyama Palm arcade.

LivingResidents

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.

Explore

Golden Week 2026 in Tokyo: Why the City Empties Out (and How to Use It)

Golden Week 2026 runs April 29 to May 6. While 30M+ Japanese leave the city, Tokyo gets quieter — but banks and offices close for days. Nozomi reserved-only policy, crowd patterns, and what stays open.

AdminResidents

Japan Health Insurance & Pension for Foreigners — Premiums, Coverage & Lump-Sum Withdrawal

Shakai Hoken vs. National Health Insurance, monthly premium estimates, how to claim lump-sum withdrawal when leaving, and the 2027 visa renewal change.

LivingResidents

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.

LivingExperience

English-Speaking Clinics in Tokyo — How to Find One Today

Need a doctor in Tokyo who speaks English? Search with Google Maps or EPARK, walk in same-day, and know what to expect — from referral letters to the #7119 emergency line.

Explore

3 Hydrangea Day Trip Routes from Tokyo

Tokyo hydrangea 2026: 3 day-trips from Tokyo. City (free), Kamakura (Meigetsuin vs Hasedera), or Hakone's hydrangea train. Peak: 2nd–3rd week of June.

WorkExperienceResidents

How I Landed an IT Engineering Job in Japan as a New Grad — International Student's Guide

A graduate's journey through Japan's new-grad IT hiring — summer internships, coding tests, student communities, and the path to a job offer.

MoneyTourists

Is the JR Pass Worth It in 2026? Cost Breakdown by Itinerary

The 7-day JR Pass costs ¥50,000 after a 70% price hike. We break down 6 popular itineraries to show exactly when the pass saves money — and when you're better off with regional passes.

ExploreTourists

Japan Travel eSIM Guide 2026 — SIM, eSIM & WiFi Compared With Prices

Side-by-side price table for Airalo, Ubigi, Mobal, and 5 more providers. eSIM vs physical SIM vs pocket WiFi pros and cons, airport pickup locations, 'unlimited' plan throttle thresholds, and what to do when your data stops working.

WorkResidents

Japan's Job Hunting System for Foreigners (Shinsotsu, Visa, SPI)

A practical guide to Japan's unique employment system for foreigners: shinsotsu batch hiring schedule (junior summer to October), rirekisho and ES writing, SPI prep, interview etiquette, and visa status change (apply December to January). Covers the December 2025 new standards.

LivingResidents

How to Actually Make Friends in Tokyo as a Foreigner

Tested ways to build real friendships in Tokyo — not just bar small talk. International associations, Meetup groups, language exchange, sports clubs, and share houses that actually work.

ExploreTourists

Luggage Storage in Tokyo: Lockers, Apps & Delivery (2026 Prices)

Compare coin lockers (¥300–800), ecbo cloak, Bounce, and luggage delivery from ¥2,000. Station-by-station locker availability tips and what to do when lockers are full.

Explore

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.

Explore

What Time Is the Last Train in Tokyo? (And What to Do If You Miss It)

Most Tokyo trains stop between 12:00 and 12:30 AM. Here's how to check your line's exact last train time — plus taxis, capsule hotels, and karaoke options if you miss it.

LivingResidents

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.

Money

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.

MoneyResidents

No Phone, No Bank Account? How to Break Japan's Catch-22

You need a bank account to get a phone, and a phone number to open a bank account. Here's how foreigners in Japan solve this catch-22, step by step.

ExploreTourists

Tokyo Rainy Season Guide: When It Hits, What to Pack, What to Do

Tokyo tsuyu 2026: early June to mid-July, rain falls on ~half the days. Hotels are cheapest of the year. Rainy-day routes, hydrangea spots & seasonal food.

ExploreExperience

8 Cherry Blossom Walks in Tokyo — Routes, Crowds & Picnic Tips (2026)

Tested walking routes through Meguro River, Shinjuku Gyoen, Ueno Park, and 5 more spots. Crowd levels by time of day, best picnic areas, and which spots peak early or late. Based on visits across three sakura seasons.

ExploreTourists

How to Book Restaurants in Tokyo — English-Friendly Guide

Book Tokyo restaurants without Japanese. Compare TableCheck, Tabelog, OMAKASE, and more by fees and languages. Plus no-show rules and phone-only spots.

ExploreTourists

How to Navigate Tokyo's 4 Biggest Stations — Shinjuku, Shibuya, Tokyo & Ikebukuro

Platform maps, gate locations, and transfer walk times for Tokyo's most confusing stations. Exit guides, rush-hour survival tips, and which IC card works where.

MoneyTourists

Suica Card in 2026: Buy, Top Up & Use (Physical + Mobile Guide)

Physical Suica cards are back in limited quantities, but Mobile Suica on iPhone works everywhere. Step-by-step setup for Welcome Suica, Apple Pay, and Android — plus where Suica won't work and how to get your deposit back.

Living

Tokyo's 23 Special Wards — Full List with Population & Area (2026)

Complete reference of Tokyo's 23 special wards (特別区) — population, area, rent ranges, and district type. All sourced from official data.

LivingResidents

Tokyo Rainy Season Mold Prevention — Room-by-Room Guide for Apartment Residents

For foreign residents experiencing their first tsuyu in Tokyo. Mold prevention by room (bathroom, closet, windows), how to use a bathroom dryer and its cost, coin laundry pricing, food safety basics from MHLW, and mental health tips for June — the only month with no public holidays.

Money

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.

ExploreTourists

How to Plan Your Tokyo Itinerary Without Burning Out

2-3 spots per day is the right pace. Group nearby areas, add 15-minute buffers, and halve your plans on jet-lag day one. A practical framework to avoid over-scheduling.

Explore

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.

Living

Where to Live in Tokyo as a Foreigner — 23 Wards Area Guide (2026)

Comparing Tokyo's 23 wards by rent (¥70K–¥150K), childcare support, commute times, and foreign communities. Find the right neighborhood for your budget and lifestyle with official data.

Explore

Anime & Subculture DJ Events in Tokyo — Venues, Costs & Beginner Guide

Anime, Vocaloid, and game music DJ events every weekend in Tokyo. Venues like Akihabara MOGRA, entry costs, and tips for first-timers.

Living

Living in Tokyo's Tama Region — 26 Cities with Lower Rent and More Space

26 cities west of the 23 wards with lower rent and more nature. Rent, childcare, and commute data compared city by city.

ExploreTourists

11 Tokyo Travel Mistakes First-Timers Make — And How to Avoid Them (2026)

Wrong trains, cash shortage, no SIM, overloaded suitcase — the 11 most common Tokyo travel mistakes and exactly what to do before you leave home.

AdminResidents

Moving to Tokyo as a Foreigner — Ward Office Checklist (14-Day Deadline)

Residence registration, address change, health insurance, My Number — the full ward office checklist for foreigners with required documents.