Honest reads for your Tokyo trip
Short, practical notes on etiquette and travel — written from a life lived between Tokyo and the U.S.
Trains, subways, buses & taxis
Getting Around (Local): what first-timers get wrong (and how to relax about it)
The IC card, the quiet carriage, the queue painted on the platform floor: Tokyo’s trains run on small unspoken habits, and you can learn every one before you land.
Read moreShinkansen & long-distance travel
Getting Around (National): what first-timers get wrong (and how to relax about it)
The bullet train is the easiest, most civilized way to see Japan once you know how reserved seats, luggage, and onboard quiet actually work.
Read moreRestaurants, izakayas & street food
Eating & Drinking: what first-timers get wrong (and how to relax about it)
From standing ramen counters to your first izakaya, eat your way across Tokyo with warm, unhurried confidence — and skip the tip.
Read moreWhat to wear & how to shop
Clothing & Shopping: what first-timers get wrong (and how to relax about it)
Tokyo is one of the most stylish cities on earth, and it still has zero interest in judging your sneakers — here’s what actually matters and what truly doesn’t.
Read moreWhat to bring (and leave home)
Packing for Your Trip: what first-timers get wrong (and how to relax about it)
Slip-on shoes, a hand towel, a little cash, and the handful of small things that quietly make Tokyo easier from the moment you land.
Read moreHot springs & public baths
Onsens & Sentos: what first-timers get wrong (and how to relax about it)
Rinse off first, leave the swimsuit in the locker, keep the little towel out of the water — the bathing rituals, explained without a hint of judgment.
Read moreGet new trip advice by email
Plus the free etiquette starter. No spam — just the useful stuff.