Do I need to tip at restaurants?

No. Tipping is not part of Japanese culture and can sometimes be seen as confusing or rude. The price on the menu is the total you pay.

Is water free at restaurants?

Yes, tap water or iced tea is almost always provided for free at every establishment.

Should I buy a JR Pass to save money?

Usually no. With recent price hikes, a JR Pass only saves money if you are traveling to multiple cities like Kyoto and Osaka within a 7-day window. If you are staying in Tokyo, do not buy it.

Budgetting for Daily Life in Tokyo

Budget for $80 to $120 USD per day to live comfortably in Tokyo, excluding rent. This covers balanced meals, public transit, and moderate attraction fees.

Get a Suica or Pasmo card. Download the Suica or Pasmo card to your iPhone's Apple Wallet immediately upon arrival. This avoids ticket machine queues and lets you track your daily transport spending through your phone's transaction history.
Use convenience stores for breakfast. A breakfast of a coffee, a rice ball (onigiri), and a pastry from 7-Eleven or FamilyMart will cost roughly $5. Eating out at a cafe will triple that cost.
Prioritize lunch sets. Eat your main meal of the day at lunch. Many restaurants offer 'lunch sets' (teishoku) that provide a full meal, soup, and tea for $8–$12, whereas the same dinner might cost $20–$30.
Withdraw cash in bulk. Japan is still a cash-heavy society. Use 7-Eleven ATMs to withdraw 30,000 to 50,000 yen at a time to minimize foreign transaction fees on your debit card.

Do I need to tip at restaurants?: No. Tipping is not part of Japanese culture and can sometimes be seen as confusing or rude. The price on the menu is the total you pay.
Is water free at restaurants?: Yes, tap water or iced tea is almost always provided for free at every establishment.
Should I buy a JR Pass to save money?: Usually no. With recent price hikes, a JR Pass only saves money if you are traveling to multiple cities like Kyoto and Osaka within a 7-day window. If you are staying in Tokyo, do not buy it.