How much cash should I bring?

Bring $300-400 in cash for 3 days. Many restaurants, street vendors, and temples only accept cash. 7-Eleven ATMs accept foreign cards and are everywhere.

Do I need to speak Japanese?

Basic politeness helps (arigatou gozaimasu = thank you), but you can navigate with Google Translate camera mode and pointing. Most signs in tourist areas have English.

How early should I start each day?

Start by 8-9 AM to beat crowds at popular spots like Senso-ji and Tsukiji. Tokyo moves fast and attractions fill up quickly, especially on weekends.

Is the metro really that complicated?

It looks complex but Google Maps handles the routing. The 72-hour metro pass covers Tokyo Metro and Toei lines, which reach 90% of tourist spots. Avoid rush hours (7-9 AM, 5-7 PM) when possible.

What if I want to see Mount Fuji?

Add a day trip to Kawaguchi-ko or climb Tokyo Skytree/Tokyo Tower on a clear day for distant views. Don't expect to see Fuji clearly from central Tokyo - weather and smog usually block it.

How to spend 3 days in Tokyo for first-time visitors

Focus on 3-4 neighborhoods to avoid transit burnout: Shibuya/Harajuku for modern Tokyo culture, Asakusa for traditional temples, and Tsukiji/Ginza for food and shopping. Book accommodations near JR Yamanote Line stations and get a 72-hour metro pass for unlimited subway travel.

Choose your base location. Book accommodation near a JR Yamanote Line station. Shibuya, Shinjuku, or Tokyo Station areas work best for first-timers. These connect directly to major attractions and reduce daily travel time.
Get transportation sorted. Buy a 72-hour Tokyo Metro pass at the airport for ¥1,500. Download Google Translate with camera function and Hyperdia app for train schedules. The metro pass covers most tourist destinations.
Plan your neighborhood clusters. Group attractions by area to minimize travel. Day 1: Asakusa and Ueno (traditional). Day 2: Shibuya, Harajuku, and Omotesando (modern culture). Day 3: Tsukiji, Ginza, and Tokyo Station area (food and shopping).
Book time-sensitive activities. Reserve Studio Ghibli Museum tickets online before you travel (sells out weeks ahead). Book teamLab Borderless if it's reopened, or teamLab Planets as backup. These require advance booking.
Download essential apps. Google Translate with offline Japanese downloaded, Hyperdia for train times, and Google Maps with Tokyo offline map downloaded. These work without constant data connection.

How much cash should I bring?: Bring $300-400 in cash for 3 days. Many restaurants, street vendors, and temples only accept cash. 7-Eleven ATMs accept foreign cards and are everywhere.
Do I need to speak Japanese?: Basic politeness helps (arigatou gozaimasu = thank you), but you can navigate with Google Translate camera mode and pointing. Most signs in tourist areas have English.
How early should I start each day?: Start by 8-9 AM to beat crowds at popular spots like Senso-ji and Tsukiji. Tokyo moves fast and attractions fill up quickly, especially on weekends.
Is the metro really that complicated?: It looks complex but Google Maps handles the routing. The 72-hour metro pass covers Tokyo Metro and Toei lines, which reach 90% of tourist spots. Avoid rush hours (7-9 AM, 5-7 PM) when possible.
What if I want to see Mount Fuji?: Add a day trip to Kawaguchi-ko or climb Tokyo Skytree/Tokyo Tower on a clear day for distant views. Don't expect to see Fuji clearly from central Tokyo - weather and smog usually block it.