Tokyo Traveler Essentials
- Safety rating
- 9.3/10
- Best time to visit
- March–April (cherry blossoms) and October–November (fall colors).
- Population
- 14.0M
Overview
Tokyo is a sensory marvel — the world's largest metropolis seamlessly blends ancient temples, neon-lit neighborhoods, cherry blossom parks, and cutting-edge technology.
Getting around
Extensive metro and JR rail network. IC card works everywhere. Taxis are expensive but available.
Local etiquette
Bow when greeting and avoid physical contact like back-slapping; punctuality is taken very seriously. Remove your shoes when entering homes, temples, and some restaurants, and never stick chopsticks upright in rice or pass food chopstick-to-chopstick. Don't eat while walking, keep phone calls off public transport, and note that tipping is not customary and can cause confusion.
Safety
Tokyo is extraordinarily safe. Lost items are routinely returned. Basic precautions suffice.