Tokyo (Yokohama): Japan's Largest City via Its Most International Port

Osanbashi International Passenger Terminal is in Yokohama's harbor district, a 10-minute walk from Minato Mirai station (Minatomirai Line). The terminal building has baggage storage and a convenience store. From the pier, Yokohama's Chinatown — the largest in Japan, with over 600 restaurants — is a 15-minute walk inland; Yamashita Park and the Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse are adjacent to the terminal east. For Tokyo: the Minatomirai Line from Minato Mirai station reaches Shibuya in 25–30 minutes (¥320); JR Keihin-Tōhoku Line from Yokohama Station (10 minutes on foot or one tram stop) reaches Shimbashi in 25 minutes (¥280). Arrive in Tokyo before 9:00 to avoid peak crowds at Asakusa and Harajuku. An IC card (Suica or Pasmo, available at any JR station machine; ¥2,000 deposit + credit) eliminates per-journey ticketing across all transit modes.

Buy a Suica or Pasmo IC card at any JR or Tokyo Metro station (¥500 deposit + credit loaded). Works on all JR trains, Tokyo Metro, most private railways, and buses. A Yokohama to Tokyo Shibuya trip: ¥470 (€3). JR Day Pass: not economical for a single day unless making multiple long-distance trips. Taxis in Japan: expensive, honest, metered. A 5 km trip: ¥1,500–2,000 (€9.50–12.70). Google Maps gives accurate real-time public transit directions with English; it is the correct navigation tool here. Walking between close-by Tokyo neighbourhoods (Asakusa to Ueno, Harajuku to Shibuya) is often faster than waiting for a train.

Asakusa: the Senso-ji temple (Tokyo's oldest and most visited shrine) and the Nakamise-dori shopping street leading to it. Arrive before 9am to see the temple without the full crowd. Shibuya Crossing: the busiest pedestrian crossing in the world — best viewed from the Shibuya Sky observation deck (¥2,000/€12.70) or from the Starbucks second floor directly across the street. Harajuku: Takeshita Street for youth fashion; Omotesando for high-end architecture and retail. Akihabara: electronics, anime, and the density of neon that the rest of the world thinks all of Tokyo looks like. Ueno: Tokyo National Museum (largest in Japan, ¥1,000/€6.35) and Ueno Park.

Eating in Japan is cheap relative to the quality. A proper ramen from a standing ramen bar: ¥900–1,300 (€5.70–8.25). A sushi lunch at a conveyor-belt place (kaiten-zushi): ¥1,500–3,000 (€9.50–19). A sit-down tempura or tonkatsu restaurant: ¥1,500–3,500 (€9.50–22). Convenience stores (7-Eleven, Lawson, FamilyMart) have onigiri (rice balls, ¥180–250), sandwiches, and hot food that is genuinely good — not a backup option but a legitimate meal. Departement store (depachika) basement food halls have exceptional prepared food and bento boxes at reasonable prices.

Japanese Yen (JPY). Do not tip in Japan. Tipping is considered rude — it implies the server needs charity or that you think the price was wrong. Service in Japan is exceptional by default; that is the cultural norm, not something earned by additional payment. Cash is widely used; carry ¥5,000–10,000 for the day. Japan Post (7-Bank) ATMs in every 7-Eleven accept international cards reliably.