Comments on: Japan:A Closer Look at Kanto-Tokyo Practicalities

By: Japan:A Closer Look At Tokyo-Part 1 - Nihon Sun

Japan:A Closer Look At Tokyo-Part 1 - Nihon Sun — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 06:00:28 +0000

[...] of guests posts on Tokyo in our Japan: A Closer Look Series. Last week she shared some advice on the practicalities of visiting Tokyo and today she will tells us about some of the great things to do and see in Japan’s capital [...]

By: Shane Sakata

Shane Sakata — Sat, 24 Jan 2009 01:45:13 +0000

Thanks everyone for your input, but especially to Honor for pulling this post together.

You know one thing that we never mentioned here was a reminder that Japan is primarily a cash-based destination, hence the need to access your money We just assume that everyone know this because we’ve lived in Japan for a while but others may not and it’s worth noting.

Hotels & large department stores often take non-Japanese credit cards but outside of those you can’t really expect to use plastic in Japan.

By: Honor

Honor — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 14:38:13 +0000

Billy you know I never thought of that one – but you’re absolutely right! All the ones I’ve seen here that are have a ‘reasonable’ price tag just look tacky – the nice ones…. well they’re out of my price league!

Tokyo foodcast – now I’ve been here a while I either stock up on my meds when I travel overseas or my lovely fella’s mum sends out what we need. Things are starting to get better but the process is oh so slow.

Cheers to you both,

Honor

By: Tokyofoodcast

Tokyofoodcast — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 14:25:53 +0000

Hi Honor,
I totally agree with the three items you listed as must bring to Japan. I usually emphasize especially on medicine since some over-the-counter medication sold overseas are not available here without prescription. Thanks for the good travel tips!

By: billywest

billywest — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 13:54:03 +0000

I’m a leather-jacket wearer and am glad I brought both of the ones I owned with me. Knowing that fashion is big in Tokyo (before I arrived), I thought I might be able to pick one up for a reasonable price. But, all I found was low-quality stuff that was ungodly overpriced.

By: Honor

Honor — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 14:24:18 +0000

Chris those are some really good points you make… and I forgot to mention the post office so thanks! It does seem like the deodorant issue is less of a thing now for guys – let’s just hope that market opens up a little more to let some other makes onto the shelves.

By: Chris (i-cjw.com)

Chris (i-cjw.com) — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 13:08:01 +0000

It’s worth knowing that the post office ATMs (of which there are thousands) will accept Citibank cashcards from overseas, as of course do the Citibank branches around Tokyo.

For guys, the deodorant issue is less of a problem now that Axe has started retailing in Japan, although it’s not exactly cheap… Probably best to bring your own.