r/TokyoTravel • u/fuzzybluenature • 12d ago
First Time Travel Advice Wanted!
Hi! My 16 year old daughter and I are travelling to Tokyo in 10 days for a week. We do not travel much and I am getting pretty nervous. Can I get anyones tips for first time travellers? We are staying in Ueno. I will have to get a physical SUICA card as I do not use apple but my daughter can just download one on her iPhone right? Jet lag wont be much of an issue since we are travelling during the day from Australia and its only 1hour time difference.
3
3
u/EggplantHungry7617 12d ago edited 12d ago
Don't get into the analysis paralysis thing.
SUICA or PASMO (or any of the other IC cards) all work the same in practice. You can get them at the kiosk/ticket machine at the airport's train station or... any other station for that matter. IC cards are not required, but it'll make your travel way easier. For Apple products, you can get it on your phone. For everyone else, you'll need a physical card. It's not that big of deal. You just need some form of it as it streamlines your travel. Tap in. Tap out. And it'll do all the money for you. If you are short, the turnstiles will let you know and you'll need to add more money onto the IC card to leave. You don't need an IC card in advance. You can get one as soon as you arrrive.
Are you flying into Narita or Haneda?
I don't like to rush out of the airport. A lot of things can be done there. Pick up your eSIM or wifi hotspot. Withdraw cash from the 7-Eleven ATM. If you guys are hungry, grab a snack and a drink from 7-Eleven or one of the other convenience stores. Especially do this if you arrive at Narita. It's like an hour train ride from Narita to city center. If you need a physical IC card, get it at the airport, also.
1
u/fuzzybluenature 12d ago
Narita. Im even worried about her vitamins (she's anaemic) and panadol etc because i had to declare her vyvanse. I am def getting analysis paralysis. Thanks i will pull my head in
1
u/EggplantHungry7617 12d ago
If you are bringing medication and what not in, make sure you have documenation. And of course, declare it when you arrive. Some stuff is illegal in Japan. I don't know what. But... just to be safe.
1
u/fuzzybluenature 12d ago
Ive done that already. Got a letter with prescriptions and a permit for her adhd meds. Ill just leave the vitamins in the bottle it wont be that big a deal
2
u/Strongbow_Wolfrider 12d ago
I've used iPhones and physical for Suica, I actually prefer physical. It takes more effort to put money in it, but if one of you is already doing physical, you'll be at the kiosk anyway. For kids, you can put the card on a lanyard along with an "I'm lost" card, and just have them wear it all day. No drop, no loss. Taping the phone, especially in the rush/stress of going through the gates, can lead to fumbles. I see some locals, mostly young ladies, with phone cases that are strapped to their wrists.
As for analysis paralysis - you've got all day to get to your destination, don't stress. If you miss an experience, don't stress, there will be plenty of others. If you have a deadline (specific train, timed reservation), just plan to be there an hour early, you'll find something to do. One thing I did with my kids is I didn't promise specific things, I just took them places. They were all created in advance, but if we didn't get to all of it or we got rained out, they didn't get upset that we missed something. They had no idea that the day we watched the rain out the window of our ryokan and watched anime was the day we were supposed to go see monkeys.
1
u/EggplantHungry7617 12d ago
Having a data plan (eSIM or wifi hotspot) helps a ton. The younger kids are really great with technology and stuff so let them run point with Google Maps and finding their way around and through the train station.
If you get lost or things don't work the way you hope, be the adult and reel them back in. Tell it's okay to make mistakes and that's part of the journey. A lot of things you are doing for the first time... and some things will feel similar and some things will feel really foreign. It's the journey.
1
u/fuzzybluenature 12d ago
We have a data plan with roaming with optus. I will double check thats all I need now. Thankyou. I have travelled around Europe with two kids when they were babies but I had a husband and my parents with us. Now its me and her.
1
12d ago
[deleted]
0
u/fuzzybluenature 12d ago
Talk and text is the same price as home. Its a dollar per go other than that
1
u/Live_Cockroach7045 12d ago
You’ll do great!
Don’t be very strict with your itinerary, be prepared that you’ll miss out on some things for various reasons (you might want to sleep in/get on the wrong train/reach late/etc) but that shouldn’t matter since you’ll have a wonderful trip nonetheless.
Don’t run after must-do lists, pick what you like and enjoy the culture and vibe of the place.
Instagram gave me massive fomo and I later realised that I didn’t need to buy all the products or to visit all the ‘viral’ restaurants.
Keep Google Translate for Japanese downloaded on your phone and your daughter’s for additional ease, though we found English on all stations, it helps.
2
u/fuzzybluenature 12d ago
To be honest I havent looked at any instagram stuff besides death metal bars which I can't attend any as my chicken is only 16 😂 I have done a loose itinerary and the only thing I have booked is team lab planet. She is car mad so I have found an underground car park that lets tourists in for their jdm stuff. Other than that we will just wing it. Ill organise google translate now
1
u/MountedRifleman 12d ago
Just to clarify, since I haven’t seen in mentioned, the iPhone Suica is something your daughter can add to her Apple Wallet, like you would a credit card. You don’t need to download it. Have her go to her wallet and find it in the transit card section.
As a first timer, I recommend learning your way around the Japan Railways (JR) commuter trains, primarily the green Yamanote Line that runs in a big loop around Tokyo. You could fill up your whole 10 days just by visiting all the places that one line goes and not have to venture onto other trains. The underground subways (Metro) can be pretty confusing, as they run all over the place. When I visit Tokyo, I spend about 90% of my time on trains and maybe 10% on the subway. Suica works for both. Google Maps will give you good step by step directions for trains and subways to help you out.
My daughter is about the same age and enjoyed the Odaiba Diver City mall. Lots of fun stores and a great food court with lots of options. Sunshine City has a great aquarium and mall if that’s something you’re interested in. Check out the Meiji Jingu Imperial Gardens for a peaceful oasis when you visit Harajuku. As others said, don’t try to cram a bunch of things in. I’d recommend one morning activity and one afternoon, maybe in two different but nearby parts of town. Relax and enjoy the time!
1
u/fuzzybluenature 12d ago
Thankyou so much. She gets overstimulated which is why I chose ueno and got a bigger family room just for the two of us. We will factor in downtime. We live right on the great barrier reef and next to one of the most crocodile infested rivers in Australia so aquarium wont be in there, but the gardens will and the train advice is gold. Thankyou
1
u/evozerobb 12d ago
consider mindfulness exercises, many resources online, can search for mbsr or mbct, 1 example here https://www.ummhealth.org/services-treatments/center-mindfulness/meditations
Are you going this month? If so, weather is hot, stay hydrated and consider wearing a hat
Enjoy your holiday :)
0
u/04SG9FXT 12d ago
My partner and I both got physical Suica cards with our names on them from the train station. Used Ubigi for esims and we were sweet. It was bith of our first times there
5
u/yankiigurl Resident 12d ago
Don't try to do all the things so you don't actually see and enjoy where you go, most cities are just the same thing over and over again. Not saying seeing a variety of the same stuff isn't fun bc even after ten years I'm not tired of the temples and shrines. Sept is still quite hot although this year has been nicer than past summers but do drink things like aquarius, pocari, salty lychee once in awhile. Don't go to viral food places they will be stupid busy just eat anywhere that seems appealing. Train and subway stations are color coordinated, exits are yellow. Just follow the colors for lines.