🧭 First-Timer Guide · 2026
Tokyo For
First-Time Travelers
Everything you need before your first trip to Tokyo — SIM/pocket WiFi, currency, airport arrival, safety, and a real packing list. Written for Indian travellers, updated June 2026.
Temp. Visitor
visa required in advance
₹3,200
typical visa cost, per person
~9 hrs
flight time, Delhi (direct)
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SIM Card / Pocket WiFi
DO THIS FIRST
You'll want data the moment you land — Tokyo's train network is efficient but genuinely complex, and Google Maps/Citymapper make it manageable. Don't rely on hotel Wi-Fi alone.
📱
eSIM (easiest, solo/couples)
Buy a Japan-specific eSIM online before you fly (Airalo, Holafly). Activates the moment you land — no counter, no queue. Roughly ₹1,000–₹1,500 for 5-10GB.
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Pocket WiFi (best for groups)
Japan pioneered this rental model — one small hotspot device shared across your whole group. Reserve online, collect at the airport counter, return in a postbox on departure. Roughly ₹350-550/day.
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Physical SIM at airport
SIM counters exist at Narita and Haneda, but Japan's SIM options are somewhat less flexible than pocket WiFi or eSIM — most travellers find the other two options easier.
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Coverage
Excellent 4G/5G throughout Tokyo and even on Shinkansen bullet trains. Reliable in Hakone and most day-trip destinations too.
💡 Tip: Groups of 3+ often find pocket WiFi cheaper overall than buying individual eSIMs — one device, split cost, unlimited-style plans are common.
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Currency & Money
JPY · JAPANESE YEN
Tokyo runs on the Japanese Yen (JPY). This is the biggest surprise for many first-time visitors: despite its high-tech reputation, Japan remains a genuinely cash-heavy society. Many small restaurants, temples, local shops and even some taxis are cash-only or have limited card acceptance.
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ATMs
Not all Japanese bank ATMs accept foreign cards. 7-Eleven ATMs are the most reliable for international withdrawals and are everywhere. Also try Japan Post Bank ATMs.
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Carry more cash than you'd expect
Keep roughly ¥15,000–20,000 (₹8,500–11,300) in cash at any time. Small shrines, local ramen shops and some markets simply don't take cards.
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Cards work in most tourist-facing spots
Department stores, chain restaurants, convenience stores and major hotels accept cards widely — but it's the smaller, more local places where cash is essential.
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IC cards (Suica/Pasmo)
A rechargeable IC card works on nearly all trains, buses, and even vending machines and convenience stores — genuinely the most useful ¥2,000 you'll spend.
💡 Tip: Get a Suica or Pasmo IC card at the airport on arrival — tap in/out on any train or bus, no need to calculate fares each time. The Factvisit
Budget Planner can help you estimate exactly how much cash to carry for your trip length.
✈️
Airport Arrival
NARITA (NRT) / HANEDA (HND)
Most flights land at Narita International Airport, about an hour from central Tokyo, or Haneda Airport, which is closer at about 30-40 minutes. Here's the arrival sequence step by step.
01
Immigration & Japan visa check
Your visa is already approved and affixed in your passport before you fly — there's no on-arrival payment. Present your passport and visa at the immigration booth; have your accommodation address ready in case of questions.
02
Baggage & customs
Standard baggage claim. Japanese customs is efficient and generally straightforward for tourists with nothing unusual to declare.
03
Pocket WiFi / SIM counter
Collect your pre-reserved pocket WiFi device, or grab a SIM at the airport counter if you didn't arrange one in advance.
04
Get an IC card
Buy a Suica or Pasmo card at the airport station — it'll be your primary way to pay for trains, buses and even some vending machines throughout the trip.
05
Getting to central Tokyo
From Narita: the Narita Express (~1hr, ~₹2,500/¥3,070) or the cheaper Keisei Skyliner (~40min, ~₹2,000). From Haneda: the monorail or Keikyu line (~30min, ~₹850). Airport limousine buses are also comfortable if you have heavy luggage.
06
Travel times from each airport
From Narita: Shinjuku/Shibuya ~75-90 min. From Haneda: Shinjuku/Shibuya ~30-45 min. Haneda is significantly closer to central Tokyo if your flight offers a choice.
🚆 Heads up: The last trains in Tokyo typically run around midnight-1am, and there's no true 24-hour subway. Plan late nights around this or budget for a taxi back.
🛡️
Safety Tips
GENUINELY VERY SAFE
Tokyo is consistently ranked among the safest major cities in the world. The practical concerns for first-time visitors are less about crime and more about navigation, etiquette and natural events.
✅
Very low crime, even at night
Violent crime and theft are rare. It's common to see people leave bags to reserve café seats, or children commuting alone — a genuine reflection of the baseline safety.
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Earthquake basics
Japan experiences frequent minor earthquakes, most unnoticeable. Buildings are built to extremely high seismic standards. If you feel a strong shake, follow hotel/building signage and move away from windows.
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Train navigation
The biggest challenge is complexity, not danger — Tokyo's rail network has multiple operators. Google Maps and Citymapper handle route-finding well; just double-check the correct exit at large stations.
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Tap water
Tap water is safe to drink throughout Tokyo — no need to buy bottled water everywhere.
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No tipping culture
Tipping isn't practised in Japan and can even cause confusion — good service is simply the standard, not something rewarded with extra cash.
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Travel insurance
Not required for the visa, but still genuinely useful — Japanese healthcare is excellent but not automatically cheap for foreign visitors without cover.
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RECOMMENDED
Travel Insurance
Not mandatory for the Japan visa, but genuinely worth having — medical, cancellation and baggage cover.
GET A QUOTE →
📶
BEFORE YOU FLY
Japan eSIM / Pocket WiFi
Arrange before landing — skip the airport counter and stay connected from the jet bridge.
GET CONNECTED →
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DAY ONE ESSENTIAL
Suica / Pasmo IC Card
Get one at the airport — the single most useful ¥2,000 for navigating trains, buses and convenience stores.
LEARN MORE →
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Packing List
FIRST TRIP
CLOTHING
✓ Layered clothing — Tokyo's four seasons are sharply distinct
✓ A smart-casual outfit for nicer restaurants or an omakase dinner
✓ Comfortable walking shoes — expect long days on foot and stairs at stations
✓ Compact umbrella (essential Jun-Jul rainy season, useful year-round)
✓ Easy-to-remove shoes (slip-ons help — many temples and traditional restaurants require shoe removal)
ESSENTIALS
✓ Universal plug adapter (Type A/B, 100V)
✓ Power bank
✓ Printed/digital copies: visa, passport, hotel & flight bookings
✓ A proper coin purse — Japan uses coins for 1, 5, 10, 50, 100 and 500 yen
✓ Small daypack for day trips and temple visits
✓ More cash than usual — see the currency section above
🎒 Tip: Coin lockers at major train stations are cheap and everywhere — genuinely useful for storing luggage between checkout and your flight, or during a day trip.
❓
FAQ
Is Tokyo safe for first-time travelers from India?
Yes, Tokyo is consistently ranked among the safest major cities in the world. Violent crime and theft are rare, and the main things to plan for are language barriers and basic earthquake awareness, not personal safety.
Do I need a local SIM card or pocket WiFi in Tokyo?
Yes, strongly recommended. Reliable data is essential for navigating Tokyo's complex train network, and both eSIMs and rental pocket WiFi devices are easy to arrange before you fly.
Can I use cards everywhere in Tokyo, or do I need cash?
You'll need more cash than expected. Despite its high-tech reputation, Japan remains a genuinely cash-heavy society — many small restaurants, temples and local shops are cash-only. Keep ¥15,000-20,000 on hand at any time.
What should I pack for a first trip to Tokyo?
Layered clothing for Tokyo's distinct seasons, comfortable walking shoes, a coin purse for cash, and a Type A/B plug adapter.
Do Indians need a visa for Tokyo?
Yes — unlike Bali's visa-on-arrival, Indians need a Japan Temporary Visitor visa arranged in advance, typically costing around ₹3,100-₹3,500 per person and taking around 5 working days to process — genuinely one of the easiest visas among major destinations.