Hey! Visiting Tokyo was something that almost remained a dream. Only God knows the obstacles we had to go through just to make it happen. When it finally did, it felt too short. We arrived in the evening, and before we knew it, our flight back to Kuala Lumpur was already waiting the next morning.
Tokyo is definitely not KL. They have special wards, districts, neighbourhoods, bla bla bla. We only managed to explore Shibuya, Shinjuku, and Akihabara, which are within Chiyoda and the surrounding areas. Confused? Same. But that’s part of the experience of visiting Tokyo.
Alhamdulillah, this was our second overseas trip together! It was my second time visiting Tokyo, but my husband’s first. He wanted gadgets. I wanted winter. And maybe, I wanted to quietly revisit the memories of being there with my late parents when I was a child. But Tokyo has changed. Or maybe I have.
Visiting Tokyo Today Feels Different
When I was younger, I remember walking comfortably. Less crowd. Less rush. This time? I don’t know the birth rate, but the number of people everywhere was overwhelming.
Even the trains, once exciting, became stressful. Understanding which line to take felt like solving an exam question. People always say, “Just use Google Maps.” Yes, maybe for walking. But trains? We followed it exactly and still ended up at the wrong station.
Not everyone speaks English. Even some information counters couldn’t help much. And taxis? Around RM50 for just 1km. Definitely not for budget travellers like us.
Still, visiting Tokyo during winter was magical. It snowed during our last few days. Seeing snow falling in a busy city felt surreal. But snow also caused train delays and closures. Google Maps wasn’t updated fast enough, and announcements were mostly in Japanese. We once stayed on a train that was actually turning back to its original station, and we didn’t know. Thankfully, a random Japanese passenger who got on the train at that very critical moment translated it for us. If not, we would have been lost again. That moment reminded me: sometimes visiting Tokyo requires more patience than planning.
What Malaysians Should Prepare Before Visiting Tokyo
Since many asked me, I’ll share based on my February 2026 trip. Things may change in the future.
- Internet is Not Optional
Buy your eSIM before flying. I used Klook: RM59+, unlimited data for 7 days. Activate it early. Change to the local network immediately after landing. Trust me, you’ll need it. - Visit Japan Web QR Code is Mandatory
Register at Visit Japan Web, a.s.a,p. Important lesson: One QR code is for one person. I registered my husband under my account and got only one QR. Immigration didn’t accept it. I had to quickly register him on the spot. Panic level: 100. Luckily, we already activated our eSIM. HAHAHA - Cash is Still King in Tokyo
Bring at least 20,000 yen cash for 2 people for 6 days. Many shops still accept cash only. You can withdraw money from convenience stores like 7‑Eleven or FamilyMart. Using the Wise card helps lock in better exchange rates. - Cashless Payments Using Alipay via TnG eWallet
Some established stores like GU and BIC Camera accept Alipay, which means you can pay using your Touch ‘n Go eWallet. The best part? You don’t need to manually convert your money. Just pay, and it will automatically deduct in Ringgit based on the current exchange rate. It made things easier, especially when we wanted to control how much cash we were carrying. But still, don’t rely on this fully because many smaller shops remain cash-only.
Trash Cans and Restroom
Good luck finding a trash can. Your best bet? Head to convenience stores, which usually have bins. Or just keep your trash with you and throw it away at your hotel.
While we’re at it, trying to find a public restroom in Tokyo felt like a treasure hunt too. I honestly don’t know where most people go, but public restrooms are super scarce. Pro tip: Download the Flush app before your trip. It shows the nearest restrooms instantly. A lifesaver, trust me.
Tax- Free Shopping
If you’re planning on shopping while visiting Tokyo, here’s something important about tax-free items. To qualify for tax-free, you must spend a minimum of 5,000 yen in a single receipt, and you must show your passport during payment. They will then pack your items in a sealed bag, and you are not allowed to open it until you leave Japan. If you open it earlier, you may be charged the tax back.
Now here’s the painful part. If you buy consumables (like skincare) and non-consumables (like watches, bags, etc.) together, please ask them to separate the receipts and packaging. We didn’t know. We bought an expensive watch (kawan kirim) and a face wash that I really wanted. The staff combined everything into one sealed tax-free package. Pandai! Since the watch was expensive, of course, we didn’t want to risk putting it in checked luggage. We kept it in our carry-on bag. Nak koyakkan the sealed bag karang kena bayar tax tinggi pula!
But when we reached airport security, they said the skincare liquid was not allowed. And because it was sealed in tax-free packaging, they had to cut it open. And throw away my face wash. I was heartbroken. So please, learn from my mistake. Always separate consumables and non-consumables when claiming tax-free. It might save your expensive skincare and your feelings.
Accommodation and Airport Choices When Visiting Tokyo
If you have the budget, stay near tourist areas. If you’re like us, stay slightly outside. We stayed in Hatagaya, a quiet area, very near Hatagaya Station, and located between Shibuya and Shinjuku. I booked using Agoda with the pay later option (pay near your visit date). Helps manage cash flow and gives you some time to find better deals without having the risk of losing the current one.
For the airport, Haneda Airport is closer to the city. But we chose Narita for the “full experience.” LOL But returning to Narita was stressful due to the snow and train uncertainty. We booked an airport transfer instead. GO price RM800+, but the Klook price was only RM400+. Worth it for peace of mind.
The Reality No One Tells You About Visiting Tokyo
Visiting Tokyo is beautiful. But it’s not easy. There are too many stairs, too few benches and too much walking. If you have weak knees, elderly parents, or disabilities, it can be exhausting.
And not all Japanese people are friendly. Most mind their own business. Which is fair, they’re humans too. But the few who helped us? They made visiting Tokyo unforgettable.
Final Thoughts: Visiting Tokyo is Still Worth It
Despite the confusion, exhaustion, and stress, visiting Tokyo gave me something deeper. Closure, memories, and gratitude. It reminded me that life moves forward. Places change. People leave. But experiences stay. Would I go again? Yes. But next time, better prepared.
If you would like to contribute to my dream of travelling again someday, you can buy me a coffee at https://ko-fi.com/nlymr. Thanks for reading!