Articles — tokyo.how

Tokyo Attraction Ticket Booking Guide

Tickets for teamLab, Ghibli Museum, Shibuya Sky, and more Tokyo attractions. On-sale dates, prices, booking steps, and backup spots when sold out.

MoneyResidents

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

Foreign cards are blocked by Mercari, PayPay, and Mobile Suica. Learn how to build credit from zero (sūpā howaito / 'super white') and compare 5 cards: Rakuten Card, Epos Card, GTN EPOS Card, Wise, and Revolut.

Living

How to Cycle in Tokyo

Visitors can start with bike-sharing right away. Compare HELLO CYCLING, Docomo Bike Share, and LUUP prices. For residents: bicycle registration (¥660), mandatory insurance, the new 2026 blue-ticket system, and recommended routes including the Imperial Palace loop and Rainbow Bridge.

LivingResidents

Daycare and Kindergarten in Tokyo for Foreign Families

The difference between hoikuen and yochien, how the points system works, what documents foreign families need, and how Tokyo's free childcare policy covers your costs.

Living

How to Find an English-Speaking Doctor in Tokyo

Find English-speaking hospitals via HIMAWARI and AMDA. Covers departments, reception phrases, costs without insurance, and mental health support in Tokyo.

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

Apartment hunting in December, free-rent negotiation, provisional reservations, zero key money, and utility setup — a first-hand account of moving out in Tokyo.

Explore

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.

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 in Tokyo: The Complete Guide (2026)

Golden Week 2026 runs April 29 to May 6. Tokyo actually empties out while banks and city offices close for days. Nozomi reserved-only policy, crowd peaks, and how to make the most of it.

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

How to Find a Local Clinic in Tokyo

A firsthand guide to finding a same-day clinic in Tokyo. Search with Google Maps and EPARK, navigate your visit, and understand referral letters and #7119.

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.

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.

ExploreTourists

Japan Travel Internet Guide — How to Choose Between eSIM, SIM, and Pocket WiFi

Compare eSIM, SIM, and pocket WiFi by price and convenience. Provider pricing, airport pickup spots, 'unlimited' plan limits, and troubleshooting tips.

MoneyTourists

Is the JR Pass Worth It? Cost Breakdown by Itinerary

The 7-day JR Pass costs ¥50,000. After the 2023 price hike, which itineraries actually save you money? Covered routes, how to buy, and regional pass alternatives.

Explore

Last Trains in Tokyo and What to Do After Midnight

Last trains around 12:15 AM, first trains at 4:30 AM. How to handle the gap — taxis, internet cafes, karaoke, and capsule hotels in Tokyo.

ExploreTourists

Where to Store Luggage in Tokyo

Coin lockers, luggage storage apps, and airport-to-hotel delivery — every option for stashing your suitcase in Tokyo with prices. Travel light before check-in.

LivingResidents

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.

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.

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

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.

ExploreExperience

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.

MoneyTourists

How to Buy and Use a Suica Card

Set up Welcome Suica Mobile or buy a physical card. How to top up, pay on trains and in shops, handle Android limits, and get refunds.

ExploreTourists

Tokyo Station Transfer Guide

Navigate transfers at Shinjuku, Shibuya, Tokyo, and Ikebukuro stations. Platform layouts, gate maps, transfer times, and rush hour tips.

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.

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.

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.

Living

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.

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 You'll Wish You Knew Before Your Trip

Wrong trains, no reservations, luggage chaos, cash shortage, no SIM — 11 pitfalls Tokyo visitors hit most often and 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.