Visiting Tokyo as an American: The dos and don’ts

Tourists with a US passport can visit Japan for up to three months without a visa, making its capital, Tokyo, an attractive choice for your next Asian vacation.

Tokyo is the perfect mix of modern and traditional, from skyscrapers and bullet trains to wooden buildings and shoe-off establishments. Here are some fun facts about Tokyo:

• Tokyo is the largest city in the world, with over 37 million people. In contrast, the population in New York City is almost five times smaller, with approximately 8 million people.
• Tokyo was formerly a small fishing village called Edo.
• Tokyo is home to the busiest intersection in the world, Shibuya Scramble Crossing.
• Tokyo Tower was inspired by the iconic Eiffel Tower in Paris.
• Tokyo is known as the vending machine capital of the world, with over 5.5 million machines.

This article will explore five dos and four don’ts for Americans visiting Tokyo.

5 Dos For Americans Visiting Tokyo

Wear Shoes That Are Easy To Slip Off
You will need comfy shoes to explore the world’s largest city, especially if you embark on a free walking tour of Tokyo, which can last up to three hours.

However, you’ll likely have to take your shoes off frequently at religious sites, traditional inns, and some restaurants. So, consider packing comfy shoes that are also easy to slip on and off.

Buy A Local SIM
Finding your way around Tokyo can be tricky, so you will often rely on your smartphone’s navigation apps and maps. This means you’ll likely be using a substantial amount of data and will need to buy a SIM Card at the airport or activate an eSIM from your smartphone.

Respect Queue Etiquette
Japanese people are big on neat queues, whether standing at a train platform, lining up for the restroom, or waiting to pay at a restaurant or store. Skipping the line is considered highly inappropriate, so always wait your turn.

Stand To The Left On Escalators
In Tokyo, it’s essential to stand to the left on escalators. This allows those in a rush to walk by you.

However, if you are visiting other towns and cities, the side you stand on will change. For example, those in Osaka stand to the right.

Learn What To Do During An Earthquake
Japan is one of the most seismically active countries in the world because it sits on top of four overlapping continental plates: the Pacific, the Philippine, the Eurasian, and the North American.

While strong earthquakes are rare in Tokyo, minor tremors can happen, so it’s important to know what to do in case of an earthquake.

Try to remember ‘Drop, Cover, and Hold’. This means you should drop to the ground to reduce your risk of falling, cover your head from falling items, and hold onto something to keep yourself in place.

If you are still unsure what to do, try following the examples of locals and those around you.

4 Don’ts For Americans Visiting Tokyo

Overpack
Hotel rooms in Tokyo tend to be small, so there isn’t much space for large suitcases and lots of belongings. In addition, large suitcases can be a pain when using public transport to get from the airport to your accommodation.

Worry About Tipping
Tipping is a big part of American service culture. However, Japan has no tipping customs. Instead, some hotels, bars, and restaurants will add a mandatory service charge to your bill. This must be paid regardless of how good or bad the service was.

Travel During Rush Hour
It is advised for tourists to avoid public transport on weekdays from 7:30am to 9am, as millions of commuters travel around Tokyo.

If you travel during rush hour, you will likely be pushed by Oshiya’s. These workers gently push commuters onto crowded trains to ensure everyone boards efficiently.

Image source: Japan Guide

Eat In Public
In Japan, eating in public is considered rude and bad-mannered, especially while walking.

There are some exceptions to this rule, including on reserved-seat trains, at festivals or street market streets, on a picnic, and if you’re eating ice cream.

Ready To Visit Tokyo?
Flying halfway across the world to such a busy city can be overwhelming, but with these simple dos and donts, you can navigate the Japanese capital’s culture and etiquette.

Main image source: Tickets Tokyo

The article Visiting Tokyo as an American: The dos and don’ts first appeared in TravelDailyNews International.