Fourteen Things That Will Shock You About Tokyo Culture
Greetings from Tokyo! Today we’re sharing ten things that shock tourists when they visit Tokyo, Japan for the first time. Don’t let these Tokyo culture shocks scare you off! You should definitely plan a trip to Tokyo because it is shockingly awesome.
Tokyo Culture Shock #1 The Massive Size of Tokyo
Tourists are shocked at how massive Tokyo is. There are 35 to 40 million people in Tokyo, and it’s evident before you even land on the ground. Flying in to Tokyo you get a sense for how massive and sprawling the city is. Along with crowds everywhere you go, you’ll deal with long distances. It can take an hour or more to travel to sights in another part of the city, depending on where you stay in Tokyo. Given the distances, it’s best to plan out your days and break the city into sections so you’re not traversing back and forth multiple times.
Tokyo Culture Shock #2 Packed Trains at Rush Hour
You’re going to use the subways and trains to get around town. They are super efficient, punctual and cover anywhere you want to go. The trains get super packed at rush hour, to the point of disbelief. On the other hand, you’ll be shocked at how much space there is when you are on a train at any time other than rush hour. You’ll have no problem transporting your luggage on the subway, as long as it’s not rush hour! During rush hour, not only will you be shocked at the crowds, but you’ll be shocked at how efficiently the huge crowds board and disembark the trains. You’ll also be shocked at the Japanese travelers that can apparently sleep anywhere, including a crowded train!
Tokyo Culture Shock #3 Tokyo is Very Quiet
You’ll be shocked at how quiet it is on the train. Even at rush hour, the train (and Tokyo in general) is amazingly quiet. When you visit a city of 40 million people, you expect a lot of noise, but that’s not the case in Tokyo.
Tokyo Culture Shock #4 Tokyo is Incredibly Clean
You will be shocked at how clean the streets of Tokyo are. Everything is super clean in Tokyo; from the food to the parks, the metro and the subway. It’s amazing how they can keep everything so clean with so many people.
Tokyo Culture Shock #5 Safety in Tokyo
Along with being very clean, Tokyo is also very safe. Huge cities aren’t always the safest place, or don’t always feel safe. In Tokyo, it’s safe to walk around at night, even with your kids. Of course, you have to pay attention like you would anywhere, but pickpockets and traveler scams are very rare in Tokyo.
Tokyo Culture Shock #6 Shopping With Your Metro Card
This is a nice shock in Tokyo. Once you buy a metro card to ride the trains, you can also use it to pay for things at a convenience store. This is especially nice when you are leaving, if you have money left on the card. Normally, you just forfeit the balance, but in Tokyo, you can spend it on something.
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Tokyo Culture Shock #7 Foreign Credit & Debit Cards Often Don’t Work at Bank ATM’s
You might find that your debit card from home is probably not going to work at the banks or ATM’s in Tokyo, but it will work at the 7/11. Many tourists are shocked upon arrival when they can’t withdraw money from their account. Also, Tokyo is still very much a cash-based society, so you’ll need cash. You just have to go to the convenience stores to get it.
Tokyo Culture Shock #8 Quality Convenience Store Food
You’ll be shocked at the quality of the food you can find in the convenience stores in Tokyo. In the U.S. you will find a lot of junk food, or questionable food. In Tokyo, even the sushi at the convenience stores is pretty good. These are also open 24 hours, so if you have jetlag, the convenience store is going to be your breakfast destination.
Tokyo Culture Shock #9 Prices in Tokyo
Tokyo is not a cheap place to visit. Be ready for high prices, and small accommodations. For a family of four, you might have to get two hotel rooms. It’s expensive to eat in Tokyo, and even more so at some of the famous places, like the Robot Restaurant. To save money, you can rent an apartment rather than stay in a hotel. This will also help you save money on food as you can prepare a few meals at your apartment. Fortunately, a lot of Tokyo’s attractions like the shrines, are free to enter. Public transportation in Tokyo is also pretty affordable, so there are a few places you can save money.
Tokyo Culture Shock #10 Japanese Toilets
Japanese toilets are something to behold. They have heated toilet seats, remote controls, and all kinds of unique features. You might also get a shock if you hit the bidet button and get a splash surprise. At the other extreme, you’ll still come across squat toilets in Japan, too. Either way, even the public toilets in Tokyo are super clean.
Tokyo Culture Shock #11 Crazy Fun Stuff in Tokyo
The Tokyo you see in movies and on TV is real. The flashing neon lights and crazy costumes and anime obsession are real. You’ll see all kinds of interesting things that you’d never see back home in the U.S. The shocking part is that it’s not everywhere. Tokyo has many distinct areas within the city, and it’s possible to find quiet parts of town if you look.
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Tokyo Culture Shock #12 English Is Rarely Spoken in Tokyo
Tokyo is a global city, but English is actually not spoken very often. It’s pretty rare to find an English menu, or a server that can help speak English. However, it’s not as big of a hindrance as it sounds. People in Japan are very friendly and will try to help. Many restaurants will have food on display in the window, so you can try to choose your meals that way. Make sure you learn a few words of Japanese before you go. Hello, Please and Thank You can go a long way.
Tokyo Culture Shock #13 Tokyo Vending Machines
You will be shocked at all of the vending machines on the streets of Tokyo. Vending machines are a quintessential part of Tokyo’s culture. You can get soda, snacks, toys, clothing and hot or cold food. There are also rental lockers around town where you can store things while you shop or sightsee.
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Tokyo Culture Shock #14 Vast Amount of Tourist Sights
Many tourists are shocked at the sheer number tourist sights to visit in Tokyo. There’s a very eclectic mix of museums, from the Drum Museum to the Hello Kitty Museum. There are so many things to do in Tokyo, it’s not possible to see it all in one day. Even in five or six days, you’ll barely put a dent in seeing all the cool attractions in Tokyo. Also, Tokyo isn’t representative of the whole country, so make sure you have time to see other areas of Japan as well.
Hopefully, these tips will help lessen your shock when you visit Tokyo for the first time. Tokyo is an awesome city, and I get excited anytime I can visit. As you plan your Tokyo vacation, check out some of our other travel videos: