First things first, what do you do when you first arrive in Japan?
0. WiFi how?
Important as connectivity is, we didn't rent a wifi router, or buy a local SIM card. Most touristy places have free WiFi. Sure, the connection isn't to die for, but still, free. Also we stayed in airbnb places and they actually provide a wifi router that you can take out for the day (it will run out of battery before the day is over - be warned! - bring a portable charger or something).
1. Get guide books and brochures from the airport and/or train stations. When arriving in a new town, always seek out the tourist information center first (usually at the major train station itself) - we found out about tons of free stuff to do in Nara this way - including donning a kimono.
For Tokyo, get a map of the subway - the more complicated the better (because it means all the subway lines are covered) . Of course there are apps for this, but I'm old school like that.
In Tokyo, the Asakusa Culture Tourist Information Center is pretty fancy - with a rooftop that you can go up to for views of the area. I think there was free (but intermittent) Wifi here too. Overall, a good place to take refuge from the rain.
2. If you decide to visit Universal Studios Japan/ Studio Ghibli, get tickets from the combinis (convenience stores) like Lawsons. At the same time, grab some snacks for the road - you never know when you get hungry on the train.
P.S. I got tickets to Tokyo Disneyland from JTB at Takashimaya before leaving Singapore though.
3. Make your city-hopping that much more convenient by using lockers. They can be found in train stations, especially in odd corners.
P.S. Tokyo Station has so many! Remember where your locker is by taking pictures of the area. Also, avoid using those inside the station (after crossing the ticketing barriers), because you might be charged when you try to enter and exit at the same station in as little time as possible.
4. If you decide to make specs in Japan, make them early. My prescription is complex so I can't enjoy the express service. Since MUJI no longer sells glasses, I had other options like JINS and Zoff. I finally decided on JINS because there was no surcharge for high powered lenses, making them cheaper.
The more touristy outlets at like Shibuya may have staff that speak other languages - I was helped by someone who spoke Mandarin. However, collection had to be from the same outlet it was made. So I had my eyes tested in an outlet (maybe Shibuya? I don't recall much except that it was in a mall) and brought it to the outlet closest to Disneyland - which we were going from Osaka and directly to the airport. The plan was to take time off Disneyland to collect my spectacles - it should take no longer than an hour.
MUJI allowed for collection from a different outlet - much more convenient and streamlined.
5. Plan your trip and saved places in Google Maps, and you'd notice the clusters. My usual MO.
Also, look out for free guides or experiences online or at the visitors centre (see point 1 above).
Our guide around Ueno Park was a very hospitable ojiisan or ahpek who gave us a tour in English. Even if there were only two of us, the tour went on, and he refused tips! #thejapaneseexperience
I sometimes take pictures of the map at subway stations because they might be more informative than Google maps (go local!)
6. Save money - take the overnight bus. The last time I booked buses last minute at the combini store but this time we booked in advance online from Willer. We took the bus from Tokyo to Osaka, then from Osaka to Tokyo Disneyland directly. I wouldn't say it's the most comfortable (for the cheapest seats available), but it was cheaper (and safe), and we saved on accommodation. The buses were fully booked, and filled up mostly with locals - that has to say something.
7. Stay the night at the airport and shower before your flight. On our last night, we were planning to stay at Ooedo-Onsen Monogatari for the night - imagine onsen and sleep then head to airport. For some reason, we decided to skip the onsen and head to the airport for the night. It has been so long since I last did this. Narita at night isn't as bustling as I expected though, the overnighters were all shepherd to an area (great minds think alike), there were security guards that patrolled (so it was safe), there was wifi and power points! Only one store was opened - the combini - best one to stay open. I was so hungry, I splurged on... cup noodles.
Thanks Disneyland for this flow chart. We barely caught the last trains to the airport - exciting, harrowing, risky.
Really needed to wash up before the flight
8. Tired feet from endless walking?
The top buy (apart from Tokyo Milk Cheese Factory biscuits) are these
Lion Kyusoku Jikan Cooling Sheets for Legs
which are sold in Watsons for a pretty penny. How I discovered them: In Japan, we quickly realised that you don't claim tourist tax relief at the airport - you spend above a certain amount at each individual store (which really makes you spend more to hit the minimum - good idea) and you just don't have to pay tax (upon showing your passport, they will also seal your items, but I don't see how opening it will cause any trouble at the airport). So I saw a male tourist with a sealed bag, around Osaka Dotonbori, of nothing but boxes of these cooling sheets. Based on these signs, I deduce it was worth buying. The cheapest I saw were those in Osaka Dotonbori's pharmacies. Compare prices - they usually lower prices to dangle as carrots. The last my friend visited, there were the sole variation that warms up, with acupoint bumps - designed for you to walk in them - I like those even better.
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