These are all the logistical details that you’re probably leaving to the last minute. Don’t worry, if you’re traveling from the US it’s not so hard.

Money

I just bring a few hundred in US dollars and a debit card, and pull out money once during my trip at a Citibank ATM (the only ones open 24H). My visa credit card gives me spot rate (that day’s market exchange rate without fees) and charges me 2% of the transaction fee. You have to call your bank and credit card company to let them know your dates of travel and your desired withdrawal limit if you want to increase it. I tell them to push it way up so I can do one big withdrawal at spot rate and only pay the ATM fee once ($7.50 fee with my Bank of America debit card, no extra fees or percentages).

You can bring some cash (US Dollars) to exchange. Exchanging before you leave home will get you fleeced with exchange rates. If you really feel the need to, just exchange enough to get you to Tokyo from the airport ($30), have dinner, and till you can get to the bank the next day, probably a hundred bucks.

Relying on cash alone is fine too, as the exchange rates are fair once you get to Tokyo, even in the airport, though they may be better at the post offices (they exchange money during the day) and banks, so check around. And don’t worry – Tokyo is pretty safe. I was walking with a friend once who had a hole in his pants’ pocket, and he was literally dropping cash on the street. A Japanese lady saw the trail of cash, followed us around the corner, and handed us every last cent, saying, “solry you drop this!” Your experience may differ.

Plugs

Power plugs are mostly the same as US ones, but many plugs lack the third prong, and also lack polarization (both slots are the same height, so plugs that have one tall prong and one short one will not fit). They’are 100V/50Hz (in the US it’s 120V/60Hz). All two-prong Apple chargers work without a problem, most other electronics should also, but be sure to check the rating on your electronics or charger before just sticking it in the hole. This wikipedia page has more info. Most electronics should be fine but your blowdryer might not work.

Drugs and Toiletries

Japanese toothpaste tastes really bad. Or at least it tastes quite odd, and from the looks of teeth around here it doesn’t work very well either. It’s not that big a deal for a week but if you’re particular you might want to bring some.

Contacts and contact solution – you should definitely bring an extra pair, and your glasses also. Don’t want to be blind. Contact solution is pretty expensive and they don’t have all brands, so bring your own.

Drugs – don’t pack the medicine cabinet – Tokyo’s a supermodern city and has modern medicine and pharmacies, but bring the things you rely on. Hard to find sudafed, and even if there are anti-diarrheal medicines I’m not sure if I’d want to play charades at the drugstore under that pressure. Don’t forget contraceptives – the pill, etc, can be hard to find. Condoms you can find. Be sure to keep some tissues with you as not all bathrooms stock toilet paper, even if they’re spotlessly clean. Bring extra meds if you need them, and an epipen if you’re allergic to things.

Bring shoes you can walk in – there’s a lot of walking in Tokyo. Good socks as well, as you’ll often have to take of your shoes at traditional inns, restaurants, or if you’re visiting a friend’s home and you don’t want your toes saying hello. Go to Uniqlo to get some of the world’s best socks if you need them, but sizes can be small in Tokyo. If you’re a Men’s 10+ US, you might have some problems.

Weather

Summer is nice and hot – can be up to 100ºF (40ºC), and early summer can be rainy. Spring and Fall are generally moderate, 60s or so (15ºC). Winter in Tokyo gets to just about freezing point, so sometimes you’ll see a touch of snow and it can be windy but that’s pretty rare. Even then, girls are out wearing “next season’s miniskirts.” Which brings us to the next section.

Style

Tokyo is a darn fashionable place. Style always trumps personal comfort (at least for the women, who literally hike mountains in heels, and wear miniskirts in winter). Everyone looks like they just walked out of this month’s fashion magazine, and some are walking into next month’s magazine. If you’re style-conscious, be sure to check out the styles on japanesestreets.com – it’s the sartorialist for Japan, and they’ve been at it for way longer. It’s literally a daily feed of the best street styles in Tokyo, and you can use it to get a live feed of how warm it is in Tokyo, and more importantly, what’s in vogue. While most of the pictures are on the more progressive side of Tokyo fashion culture, the crazy styles you’ll see on the website are representative of Tokyo fashion.

Some hotels (like the Tokyu Stay) have in-room washing machines, so you can pack light.

Using your iPhone

Tokyoites rarely use their phones to call – preferring instead to text. To stay in contact with your new Japanese friends, setting up your iPhone for email so you can text back and forth is the cheapest and easiest way to stay in touch. Plus, you can email friends back home as well.

We’ve detailed the options available to you in this page about using your iPhone in Tokyo.

And be sure to check out our page on the best apps for use in Tokyo.

Gifts

It’s nice to pack a few gifts for those you may meet along the way. A nice touch would be to bring things that they can’t get in Tokyo, especially if they’re from your hometown.

Food is always a good gift – bring small, fancy food gifts (chocolates, candy, coffee), or drinks – wine, whiskey, local liquor, etc.
Apparel – Japanese people love baseball, so a jersey or a cap from your local team or college might be a good idea.
A small, stylish wallet/coin purse or hip accessory from a local store (made in SF or NYC or wherever you are from)

Keep it small, but bring them – a small gift means a lot. Give it with both hands and don’t be surprised if they refuse it once or twice before you can finally give it to them. Same for receiving. If you’re going for business, there are some rules outlined on a gifting website that may be helpful.

Be sure to grab a copy of Tokyo Teleport Plus on the iPhone App Store to get 50 TokyoTV videos that explain the culture and coolest venues in Tokyo, as well as get the WalkCast videos that tell you how to get to each venue (important in a city without street addresses!). It’s got over two hours of video so be sure you start the download on Wi-Fi at least an hour before you’re leaving.

That’s it! Now get on the plane, and enjoy Tokyo. And be sure to take pictures and keep friends at home updated. Don’t be an otaku – put the iPhone away sometimes and meet people! Specific questions? Post them on our moderated Q&A page and our house gaijin in Japan will do his best to answer them.