Tips for Travelers to Tokyo
Secure World Foundation is delighted to welcome you soon to Tokyo, Japan, for the 6th Summit for Space Sustainability! Before you embark on your travels, we would like to offer some practical guidance on logistics in Tokyo.
Quick Links
Transportation
Suica Card:
The Suica card, issued by JR-EAST, is a prepaid IC card for transportation. You no longer need to purchase tickets from vending machines! Simply touch your Suica card on the automatic ticket gate to ride the trains, subways, and buses, including non-JR lines. Upon reaching your destination station, tap your card on the ticket gate again to automatically deduct the fare. This Touch & Go system applies, but if your balance is insufficient, you will need to top up your card. Suica cards can also be used for taxi rides. Not only for transportation, you can use it for shopping as well, thanks to its E-money features.
The Suica can be purchased in major JR EAST stations at Multifunction Ticket Vending Machines and JR Ticket Offices (Midori-no-madoguchi).
Recharge: Suica cards can be reloaded and utilized repeatedly. At Automatic Ticket Vending Machines and certain stores marked with the Suica logo, such as convenience stores and McDonald's, you can recharge your card, but only with JPY CASH. Credit cards cannot be used for Suica top-ups.
Refunds: Suica cards remain valid as long as they are used at least once within a 10-year period, but you can receive a refund upon returning them. After deducting a refund fee, JPY 220 from the remaining balance on the expired Suica card, the initial 500 yen deposit is also refunded. Please note that Suica cards issued by JR East Japan can only be returned at JR East stations. For Suica cards issued by other companies like the Tokyo Monorail, refer to their respective policies for return instructions.
Watch a quick tutorial by JR-EAST.
Mobile Suica on your phone
If your phone region is set to Japan, the Mobile Suica can be downloaded. Download the "Suica" app and link it to your credit card. You can conveniently recharge it online at any time. Once you've set up your Mobile Suica, simply tap your phone on the card reader when entering or exiting train station gates. International visitors who have an iPhone can also utilize this feature, and we highly recommend it!
Welcome Suica Card:
Welcome Suica cards for visitors have the same functions as regular Suica cards but with a few distinctions. No deposit is required, and it can be used for 28 days from the date of purchase. Additionally, no refunds are available, regardless of the card's validity period or loaded balance.
Google Maps for directions
Google Maps can be your best supporter for navigating Japan! Google Maps provides travel cost estimates, real-time train updates, and door-to-door directions to specific locations or restaurants. In the world's busiest stations like Shinjuku and Shibuya, with multiple train lines and countless exits, Google Maps will guide you to the optimal exit for your destination.
Transport to Tokyo from the airports
Tokyo’s main airports, Narita Airport, and Haneda International, provide numerous transport options. Detailed rail, bus, taxi, and private car options can be found here: for Narita and Haneda. If you are staying in our recommended areas of Shinbashi or Odaiba, we recommend easy train connections and direct buses, depending on the hotel. Taxis are also a convenient and short option from Haneda.
Convenience & Other Tips
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Want to avoid hauling your bags all over Tokyo? Or planning to depart directly from our venue to the airport? Consider using one of Japan’s luggage services to make it easy. Yamato Transport is a commonly used service that will help! To use the service when you arrive in Tokyo, drop by the baggage delivery counters at Haneda or Narita airports. On your return trip, your hotel should be able to help you organize a luggage pick-up to the airport or your next destination in Japan.
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Although cashless payment options have become more common over the past few years, cash is still very much used in Japan. Your credit cards should be accepted at major establishments, but you should consider withdrawing cash with international credit and debit cards from ATMs at Japan Post branches (Yucho Bank) and convenience stores like 7-Eleven Family Mart, and Lawson.
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If you are anything like us, you are looking forward to sampling Tokyo’s renowned cuisine which ranges from world-class Michelin-starred options to local izakaya’s (think gastropub meets neighborhood bar but Japanese-style) to casual ramen joints. Remember that many restaurants are small and require reservations (check online or with your hotel).
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Looking to take home some souvenirs from the trip? Instant tax-exemption service for international tourists is offered at many shops and retail outlets in Japan. On purchases over ¥5,500, you can save on the ten percent consumption tax at the same store on the same day. Most department stores in Tokyo have a dedicated tax-free counter for this purpose. Bring your passport!
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Many international carriers offer the option to keep your home service while in Japan. If not, you can buy a temporary sim card at the airport or from an electronics store like Bic Camera. Alternatively, you can rent a pocket wifi device ahead of time or at the airport. E-sim card apps like Airalo that allow you to purchase inexpensive data plans are also available if your phone is unlocked.
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Japan uses Type A outlets, so you won’t need to pack any outlet adapters if you’re from North America. However, the voltage is different (100V vs 120V) so be careful with heating or other tools. If you’re not from a country that uses Type A outlets, bring an plug adapter.
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There’s no way around this, Tokyo in July is usually extremely humid and very hot. It's not unusual to experience temperatures of 95 Fahrenheit/35 Celsius and 70-80% humidity. It’s also the rainy season. Pack accordingly and know that our dress code is business casual.
Access to our Venue: Miraikan
TRAIN
We strongly recommend using public transportation to reach Miraikan - The National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation (Odaiba area): 2-3-6 Aomi, Koto-ku, Tokyo, Japan.
The nearest station is "Tokyo International Cruise Terminal Station" (東京国際クルーズターミナル駅) on the Yurikamome Line (a 5-minute walk from the venue) and "Tokyo Teleport Station" (東京テレポート駅) on the Rinkai Line (a 15-minute walk from the venue).
Click here for the barrier-free map from nearby stations.
TAXI
Please note that taxi fares in Tokyo are relatively high, starting at JPY 500 for approximately the first kilometer, with fares typically 20% higher between 22:00-5:00. Nevertheless, you can generally count on a comfortable and secure journey, a polite driver and a clean vehicle as well. Additionally, most taxi companies accept a variety of payment methods.
Although Uber isn't the most commonly utilized taxi service in Japan, it is still available. However, the "Go" app represents one of the largest taxi services in the nation. If you prefer to arrange your taxi via phone and converse with an operator rather than utilizing an app, English-speaking operators are reachable at Nihon Kotsu and Kokusai Motocars.
Nihon Kotsu
Reservation: (+81)-3-5755-2336
24 hours, 365 days online in English
Kokusai Motorcars
Reservation: (+81)-3-3505-6001
An English-speaking operator is available on request.
A Few Etiquette and Cultural Notes
Speaking Japanese
It’s entirely possible to get around Japan speaking only English. Other languages such as Chinese and Korean will often be found on signs and in common tourist areas. Still, learning a few simple phrases in Japanese can be very helpful!
Here are a few resources to get you started:
Use Two Hands to Give/Receive
Giving and receiving items with both hands is a show of respect and should be used when giving and receiving gifts or cards such as business cards.
Meals
Chopsticks are typically used to eat traditional Japanese dishes, although spoons and forks are commonly available at most restaurants. Additionally, wet towels (oshibori) are often offered at restaurants to clean your hands before eating.
Two common phrases used during meals are "itadakimasu" ("I gratefully receive") to begin the meal, and "gochisōsama deshita" ("thank you for the feast") to conclude it. These words express gratitude not only towards the cook but also towards the ingredients consumed.
When eating from small bowls, proper etiquette suggests lifting the bowl with your hand and bringing it closer to your mouth while eating from it. However, larger dishes are generally not meant to be lifted. When enjoying ramen or any noodle dish, slurping is perfectly acceptable, as it is considered a sign of appreciation for the meal and is believed to enhance the flavor.
Japan is a no-tipping culture.
Transportation
Please queue up respectfully when boarding at station platforms and bus stops. Kindly avoid speaking loudly or making phone calls, as well as eating while aboard trains or buses!
Priority seating is available on all trains and buses, so please consider offering your seat to those who may need it. Also, please be aware of women-only cars. At different times of the day, certain cars might be set aside exclusively for women. You can usually spot these cars by the presence of large pink floor stickers placed in front of each door, indicating the specific hours during which this policy is enforced.
Trash Cans
You may find it surprising that there are very few trash cans on the streets of Japan. Waste disposal rules and etiquette there are quite stringent, leading most Japanese individuals to carry their trash until they find an appropriate disposal spot. Furthermore, you might be surprised by the strict guidelines for garbage sorting. Commonly, garbage is sorted into categories, including combustibles, non-combustibles, cans, glass bottles, and plastics. Please respect the rules.