ZERO TOURIST SHIT.
Bars, local spots, manners, and zero tourist shit. Everything I wish someone handed me before my first trip.
THE SHORT ANSWER
For a first trip to Tokyo: get an IC card and some cash on day one, set up an eSIM before you land, learn a handful of manners and five phrases, then skip the tourist lists and go where locals actually go. Below are the 12 bars I hit all the time and 20+ local spots, each with a Google Maps link.
I personally hate when randos online just spew ChatGPT TripAdvisor recs without actually knowing anything. I'm literally ruining my favorite date spots in the spirit of anti-gatekeeping. This is from 10 years of traveling to Japan and 3 years of living in Tokyo. I love Tokyo with all of my heart and I want you to enjoy it to the fullest.
BEFORE YOU LAND
An IC card, cash, an eSIM, Google Maps and a translation app. That's it. The full checklist is on my before you arrive page.
Get one immediately at the airport
Works on all trains, buses, konbini and vending machines. Add it to Apple Wallet or buy a physical one at the station, and charge it at any konbini or ticket machine. Tap in, tap out. If you mess up, go to the window. They'll fix it, no judgment.
Hit an ATM on day one
Japan is more cash-heavy than you'd expect. Small bars, izakayas and street food are often cash-only. 7-Eleven ATMs accept international cards. Pro tip: get a Wise card before you leave. Coins stack up fast, so use them at konbini or vending machines.
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Open 24/7
7-Eleven, Lawson, FamilyMart. Better food than most restaurants back home. Onigiri, egg sandos, Strong Zero, hot chicken: all goated. Just go explore. You can also pay bills, print stuff, buy event tickets and ship packages there.
Don't wing it
Rent a pocket wifi at the airport or grab an eSIM before you land. I use Airalo for eSIM: download the app, buy Japan data, and you're connected on landing. Way easier than renting a pocket wifi. Google Maps and translation apps need internet.
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Let Google Maps do it
It shows exact train times, platform numbers and transfer times. Last trains are around midnight. Miss it and you're cabbing or manga-cafe-ing till 5am. The JR Pass is only worth it if you're leaving Tokyo. Just Tokyo? Skip it.
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Camera mode reads menus
Google Translate's camera mode reads menus in real time. Lifesaver. Most people won't speak English, and that's fine. Point, smile, try a few words. Learn 5 phrases and you're ahead of 90% of tourists.
JAPANESE MANNERS
Don't think of these as some ten commandment-like, intense set of rules where you'll be deported if you make any errors. Just study up a bit, try your best, and you'll be fine. There are levels to this: walking around with an iced coffee is 90000x less rude than talking on the phone on the train.
The 12 moves, the key phrases, eating and chopstick basics, train rules, shrines and the secret social cheat (aizuchi) are all on one page: Japan etiquette for tourists, the 12 moves.
Five to start with: hand important things over with two hands, use the tray when you pay, let people off the train first, talk quieter than you think you need to, and line your shoes up facing the door.
TOKYO BAR LIST
No tourist shit. Real bars I hit all the time. I'm not trying to give you a giant Google list. These are just spots I go to:
Bar Nica, Bar Martha and Bar Track are the god tier trio, all owned by the same person. Every bar, what to order and what to expect is on my Tokyo bars page, with a Google Maps link for each one.
Don't ruin the vibes. Go with someone you actually like. Or go alone and vibe out.
— Matt
TOKYO LOCAL SPOTS
No tourist shit. Real local spots I hit all the time. If you end up going to any of these, send me a pic on Instagram and let me know how you liked it.
Game Center Mikado
Retro arcade heaven. Street Fighter, all the classics. Worth an hour minimum.
Google MapsSpa LaQua
Full-service, giant, solo or in a group.
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TIP Pre-book on Klook. It's usually cheaper and skips the line.
Google MapsLittle Darling Coffee Roasters
Dogs, plants, open space. Big chill energy. A great way to chat with strangers.
Google MapsCafe Brazil
Old school kissaten. Drip coffee and toast only. Smoking and non-smoking seats.
Google MapsTorikizoku
Only valid if you order the French fries in butter, the meat-filled green peppers and a mega draft beer. Only then are you allowed to enjoy.
Google MapsNakano. Best area in Tokyo. No debate. Bar hop, thrift, eat, vibe out. It's my #1 pick, and everything I'd do there is on my Nakano page.
QUESTIONS PEOPLE ASK
Yes. Japan is more cash-heavy than you'd expect, and small bars, izakayas and street food are often cash-only. 7-Eleven ATMs accept international cards, so hit one on day one.
Only if you're leaving Tokyo. If you're just doing Tokyo, skip it.
You need one or the other, because Google Maps and translation apps need internet. An eSIM is easier: buy Japan data in the app before you land and you're connected the second you arrive.
Around midnight. Miss it and you're taking a taxi or waiting in a manga cafe until about 5am.
Nakano. Bar hop, thrift, eat, vibe out. No debate.
FREE TAKE-AWAY
The neighborhoods I send my friends to, the 12 manners that actually matter and my golf day out of Tokyo. Every one opens the second you claim it.
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Open Tokyo Neighborhoods Guide → Open Japanese Manners Cheat Sheet → Open Tokyo Golf Guide → Open all my free guides →100K+ on Instagram · 8,800+ on my email list · 28,000+ people have messaged me
"I really loved reading all those helpful sheets you made. They are a valuable piece of my trip preparation… a big plus are your Tokyo bar recommendations as I usually avoid the hyped places to find the normal life."
Andrea, planning her Japan trip
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