A city that hardly sleeps, Tokyo is among our top destinations around the world and is a place where amazing cuisine, culture and city life converge. Tokyo has literally everything for everybody from breathtaking sights and sounds of nature to bustling city life overflowing with mirth and energy.

It’s hard not fall in love with a place like Tokyo when it can offer you so much but we must admit that the city itself can prove to be rather daunting and the locals, intimidating if it’s your first time there. The Japanese people are very strict when it comes to the way they carry themselves and are also quick to judge those who aren’t—basically us tourists. And amidst the glamour of it all, Tokyo is also home to many dubious areas which tourists should definitely steer clear of.

To avoid receiving death stares, getting told off and unnecessary trouble, here are 10 things you should definitely take note of before travelling to Tokyo, Japan.

ALWAYS BE PUNCTUAL

If you have a reservation at a restaurant or are planning to meet someone who’s a local, always try and abide by the time that you set to meet because to a Japanese person, being late is hugely disrespectful and it shows that you do not value their time.

AVOID DODGY AREAS AND FOREIGN TOUTERS

Tokyo is pretty much a safe place through and through but there are some places that still should be avoided. One such place is Kabukicho. This entertainment and red-light district in Shinjuku is filled with foreign (usually Nigerian) touters roaming the streets. If you can, avoid eye contact and politely decline whenever you can.

The next thing you’ll want is to get conned into a dodgy place, spending ridiculous amounts of money on “entertainment”.

AVOID TAKING TAXIS IF YOU CAN

The reason why we never take taxis in Japan? For the very simple reason that it’s too darn expensive. A short, 10-minute ride cost us just about S$20 once and it wasn’t even during peak hour.

DON’T TALK LOUDLY IN TRAINS

Unlike here in Singapore, commuting via public transport is a very quiet affair. Hardly anyone talks and even if they do they make it a point to whisper. This is done all out of respect and consideration of other people’s space.

DO NOT LITTER

Perhaps one of the most difficult things to find in Tokyo is a dustbin, yet you’ll always find that the streets are literally spotless. Littering is a very big no-no and if a local ever spotted you do it, you’ll likely get reprimanded for it.

DO NOT SMOKE IN THE OPEN

When it comes to adopting a herd mentality, no other country does it better than the people of Japan. Mind you we’re not stereotyping, this was literally told to us by a local.

Littering is largely frowned upon in Japan and smoking is almost always limited to specific smoking zones. You’ll very rarely see people walking with a lit cigarette in hand and even if people do decide to light one up in public areas, they’ll always be holding on to a portable ashtray or even an empty drink container to dispose of their buds. Tourists take note: do not attempt to puff while you walk around because you will get judged and in some cases, even scolded by members of the public.

Photo Credit: Anthony Georgeff

FEMALE-ONLY TRAIN CABINS

Sexual harassment is unfortunately, a very sad and real problem plaguing the world and Japan has taken active precautions to order to protect women. One such precaution is their women-only passenger train cabins. On some trains, in light of the morning rush hour, specific cabins are reserved for only females between a certain time in the morning—so be mindful before randomly rushing into a passenger car!

NEVER BRING OUT ALL YOUR MONEY

Relating back to the topic of getting mugged or conned, another invaluable lesson we learnt is never to bring out the full amount of cash that you brought for the trip. Typically, we would ration out a sum of money for each day. If not, always keep an emergency 30% to 40% of your total cash back in your hotel, safe and secure.

Having a safety net financially is never a bad idea and who knows what might happen.

HEAD TO THE LOCAL TOURIST OFFICE

The folks who man these tourist offices speak decent English and are almost always keen on lending tourists a hand. You can find them at most of the major train stations such as Shibuya and Shinjuku. Besides recommending places to visit, they’ll also tell you which places to avoid.

Photo Credit: LiveJapan!

ORDERING FOOD IS MOSTLY D.I.Y

In many smaller eateries in Tokyo, ordering your food is as simple as helping yourself by means of a touch screen. Once you’ve chosen your food, simply insert your money and proceed to find a seat. Don’t wait around awkwardly or start waving your hands frantically because there’s no better way to say, “Hi, I’m an ignorant tourist.”, then by doing that.

No matter how many times you have been to Tokyo, it is a place that you will fall in love with over and over again. Where do we begin? It is impossible to capture the essence of Tokyo in words or photos; it is a city like no other. There is always something new to discover in this amazing city. It is like every corner is blessed with magic, ready to enchant and bewilder. Can’t say for sure that there is only one pick, so here is a guide to our favourite neighbourhoods in Tokyo.

G I N Z A

Recognised as among the most luxurious shopping districts in the world, Ginza houses all the leading luxury brands’ flagship stores like Chanel, Louis Vuitton, and Dior.

Not only is this the place to head to for shopping, it is also the area to go if you want to splurge on a good meal. Tokyo, for those of you who don’t know, is the city with the most Michelin-star restaurants in the world, and many of them are located in the Ginza District.

In between shopping, we would suggest stopping by Hidemi Sugino and Henri Charpentier for desserts and coffee. Both of them rank among the best patisseries in Tokyo.

H A R A J U K U

Stretching from Harajuku Station to Omotesando is Harajuku, but Takeshita Street is the place that most people associate with when it comes to this famous area. Shops open and close all the time, but the spirit of Harajuku will always remain the same. Vibrant and full of life, Harajuku is the epicentre of Japanese youth culture and fashion, and it is littered with independent boutiques and hip cafes.

No one visits Harajuku without having crepes. These warm French-style Japanese crepes are so popular that you can find many renditions all over the world these days. There are four to five crepe stores in Harajuku, but we like Angels Heart and Marion Crepes. On a separate note, chip lovers will be happy to know that Calbee has a shop in Takeshita Street, and it offers hot potato chips straight from the fryer.

O M O T E S A N D O

Our favourite neighbourhood is Omotesando, the Champs-Élysées of Tokyo. From shopping, to nice cafes and coffee places, to lifestyle concept shops - Omotesando has surprises at every corner, and we can easily spend a whole day wandering around.

There are many famous tonkatsu restaurants in Tokyo, but the place that everyone seems to agree is the best place to head to is Maisen Tonkatsu. Also, we absolutely love Omotesando Koffee. Housed in a machiya (traditional wooden house), it is a small and simple space, very minimalistic, and it feels as though you are having a good cuppa at a neighbour’s house.

Omotesando reminds us of Venice. There are many small streets waiting for you to explore, discover, and to get lost, in a good way of course.

S H I B U Y A

Shibuya is one of the most popular neighbourhoods in Tokyo, known for shopping, the sheer number of izakaya – a Japanese drinking establishment that focuses on drinks, but serves a variety of bar snacks - hidden in every alley, and of course, the famous Shibuya’s Crossing, which gives Shibuya the name of Tokyo’s Time Square.

Shibuya is a shopping paradise. Shibuya 109 and Hikarie are just two of the massive shopping malls located in the area that will have the ladies going crazy over. There are also many little shops lined along the streets where you might just pick up gems if you would spend a little time searching.

You must dine at Uoriki Kaisen Sushi – our favourite sushi shop in Tokyo. It serves top quality sushi and sashimi at extremely reasonable prices. Ichiran Ramen also has a branch in Shibuya. Other places that are not to be missed include Boulangerie Patisserie Viron, Bear Pond Espresso, and Streamer Coffee Company.

S H I N J U K U

Shinjuku Station is the world’s busiest railway station. First-timers to Shinjuku may find it slightly overwhelming. It is a vibrant area, and there are so many things to do here.

Major department stores like Isetan, Takashimaya, Lumine, Keio can be found in Shinjuku, The Japanese food halls in the basement of the department stores will blow your mind.

Kabukicho, the infamous red-light district in Tokyo, is packed with love hotels, shops, nightclubs and eateries. Go in a group, and you will find yourself appreciating the experience to explore the neighbourhood once the sun has set.

For more recommendations, read our Tokyo food & travel guides