🇯🇵❄️ First time going to Japan, right at the coldest time, exactly the "fighting with life" style
Anyone who's a newbie going to Japan, especially Tokyo, come read this post. I'll try to write as detailed as possible, within the scope of what I can remember 😄
Don't know where to start, so let's talk about transportation first.
Actually, if you look at Japan overall, there are many types of transportation tickets divided by regions. But I'll focus on Tokyo only, since that's all I went to, and only researched that much 🙂↔️
🚝 Since I booked a hotel in the Ueno area, I chose the Keisei Skyliner straight from Narita Airport → Ueno.
Bought the ticket via Trip, at the airport go straight to the Keisei area. Show the QR code for the staff to scan, get the physical ticket, assigned train time + seat fully. Travel time about 1 hour.
🚶🏻🚶🏻♀️ Overall, Tokyo is a city where people take the subway extremely a lot. Crowded from before 6 AM until 4–5 AM late at night still bustling.
Especially around 6 PM at Shinjuku station, I nearly fainted 😵💫 Everyone walks terrifyingly fast, no room for the weak to stop, just keep walking~
Back to How to take the subway (I'm not talking about buses because subway is much more convenient).
Mentioning the Suica card (or generally IC Card) – very necessary for anyone who doesn't want a headache calculating train fares, doesn't need to be cheap penny by penny, just convenient.
IC Card works for both JR and Subway (these two are different companies, but IC covers more comprehensively).
🚊 For those asking about "value for money", you can choose JR Wide Pass or Tokyo Subway Ticket.
Each type suits different movement styles, because JR and Subway station locations don't overlap 100%.
I bought the Tokyo Subway Ticket 24/48/72 hours, felt quite good. One day with about 3–4 trips breaks even.
Can buy in advance via web agent. Upon arrival, use QR to exchange for ticket at the automatic machine in the station (machine with red sign). Physical paper ticket will be printed, and time starts counting from the first minute when you tap in at the station.
🚞 If anyone plans to go around Tokyo, JR Wide Pass is also worth considering.
Feels like an "all-inclusive" ticket, covers places like Kawaguchiko, Nikko, Gala, Kamakura, Kawagoe, Yokohama and a few others.
Just go to 2–3 places and it's already worth it (but note: only applies to JR lines – must check carefully where you're going, if it's covered).
Oh! JR also covers the Narita → Tokyo Station line by N'EX train.
So remember to check hotel location carefully, to avoid dragging heavy luggage. I think next time back I'll try JR.
🏪 7-Eleven, FamilyMart, Lawson are in every nook and cranny. How they're different, I'm not sure, just know there are extremely many.
🍶 Vending machines for drinks are no less than street food in Vietnam.
🚗 Crossing the street in Japan, cars will stop and wait for pedestrians to cross first, even on very long stretches. Cars still slow down to wait – totally different from countries around where I live 🥲
🚲 Motorcycles are almost nowhere to be seen, but bicycles are countless. They go fast and smoothly silent, easy to get hit while walking 😂
Japanese people, I saw speak English quite well, especially in restaurants, coffee shops, shopping stores in malls.
Especially in Donki, I was really shocked – staff can switch between Japanese – English – Chinese in the same moment.
🥢 Izakaya pubs are countless.
Many shops have staff and chefs standing outside introducing dishes.
Even at 4–5 AM late, customers are still crowded and very lively.
Realized that more than half are men in suits, leather shoes, take subway to work then evening sit at izakaya. Work here must be really stressful as rumored.
🛍️ Shopping I'm not very knowledgeable, but recommend going to Shibuya, Shinjuku – has everything for eating, playing, shopping.
Vietnamese people will definitely hit GU, Donki, Pokémon Center, Nintendo 😆
Many shops have tax free, very satisfying to buy.
🌤️ Finally, the weather.
I went 22–26/01/2026, terribly cold.
Step out of the station and it's 4 degrees C + bone-chilling wind.
Honest advice: wear 3 layers, have hat – gloves – scarf to survive.
But honestly… too cold and no mood to walk or eat anything 🤣
Even going to the bathroom feels uncomfortable.
🧻 Speaking of toilets: Japanese toilets are really everywhere.
Toilet paper is very thin, but flushes straight down the toilet.
🗑️ One more point: trash cans are extremely rare.
Mainly only see recycling bins for water bottles.
Other trash I always bring back to hotel to throw away.
Probably can't remember anything more.
Anyone wants to share more or ask anything, just come discuss.
But overall… definitely will come back to Japan, so many places already planned but haven't gone.
Cre: Hiển Trần
