My first trip to Japan, some questions

I think there's a game about this!

There is no such thing as crime-free country. Crime still happens there, however the crime rates are much lower than in the rest of the world so it's relatively safe.

this calls for this game as a giveaway

http://store.steampowered.com/app/251870/

A lot of Japanese dislike western weeaboos (wapanese) who overly obsess over anime, appreciate really nothing else, and think Japan and the Japanese are like what is shown in the anime. Please don't be one of them! :p

Another thing is that you should be rather quiet, or at least not boisterous, on trains and buses. And don't use your phone on them either. It's considered rude. Japanese people keep to themselves too, and it's quite a culture shock for many, so don't expect a lot of small talk from strangers.

Here's a decent list I think. :)

EAT ALL THE FOOD

I've never been in Japan but I guess avoid Yakuza and don't ask people how did they lost fingers.

Don't waste too much time at Akihabara. Ok, it's a "wow" place, but in addition to all those lights and musics there is nothing really interesting to see.

I think that for a tourist a must-see place in Tokyo is the Asakusa market and the nearby temple. The Imperial gardens are also beautiful to visit.

When I went there, I used successfully the Google-translator app, it's not bad. For maps, I suggest you OsmAnd: it's an app with offline maps (you have to download them before your trip, for example at home), so using only the GPS and not the mobile connection you won't have problems.

Remember that in Japan there are no trash bins on the streets, so if you have to throw away something... it can be a problem! :P

Buy a data sim when you arrive. They're a lot cheaper than pocket WiFi and since you're only staying for 5 days so just grab a few gigs. Super cheap and extremely convenient.
Check out all the sights and find nice restaurants using whatever food review apps you want. Convenient stores are great for quick cheap meals but considering how short you're staying then try eat asany different things as you can.
Have fun. Fun is always the most important.

Unfortunately, I've never been to Japan. I do hope you have a really fun time, and maybe you can tell us all about your adventures when you get back!:)

Have a fun, and safe, trip!

not many blogs or guides cover it : buy discount ticket for toursits for metro - it covers both companies and for 3 days total cost is 1500 yen,
so if you travel alot it saves you monies, you can buy it at ariport or in any Bic Camera shop in Tokyo. If you consider buying electronics in Japan consider also doing so in BC od Yodobashi not famous Akihabara, it's a chain so it's cheaper there, heard stories that people even haggled there (not a custom in Japan). Remeber not to leave tips, they will chase you to give you your money back. This year you might enocunter early cherry blossom so any park will be good - Hamarikyu, Imperial, Meji Jingu inner garden (or whatever it's called)

Uh just make sure you don't visit the foot of Mt.Fuji... You don't want to be there, trust me

March? I think it's still really cold out there
Thick outfits ofc, like winter outfits

If you don't understand any Japanese, I suggest you get a guide
It'll be very hard if you just understand English, most of Japanese can't speak them very well

Tokyo? Crime-free?
You might wanna check your source, because crime rates of capital city of a certain country is always high

Hmm.. Visit Tokyo tower I guess?
There are many things in Tokyo, but I prefer countryside places like Kyoto (Well not really, but it's more countryside-like than Tokyo)

I've visited before (it was also around that time of March) so I'll help as much as I can :)

1) The weather is generally warm - you do not need a winter/heavy coat most of the time but can be useful to bring. A jacket or knitted jumper/cardigan would be suffice particularly during the night when it gets a bit colder. Make sure to bring an umbrella just in case as it may rain.
2) Souvenirs - this is rather subjective, depends what you like.
3) Honestly not much, just be polite, reserved and well keep to yourself, I'm sure you'll notice when you are there.. Also they do not tip in Japan.
4) For a foreigner it can be quite difficult to navigate if you don't know Japanese, as everything is written in Kanji/Hiragana, people do not speak English and they shy away from foreigners who can't speak Japanese. However you mentioned you are Asian, if you look Japanese, they will more likely to help you from my personal experience. It is not impossible to navigate around, but ideally you should use google map (so get some kind of data plan), a map, and I would recommend you to prepare yourself for Tokyo's subway system (it's gigantic and confusing) if you are traveling around alone.
5) Sorry I don't have any advice for that, but imiwa is quite good for word translations.
6) It is very safe but I wouldn't call it a crime-free country. Crime happens and criminals get away with it.

I've never been so far away from home, so just BUMP!

View attached image.

:OOOOOOOOOOOOO
CAN I PLEASE GET A POSTCARD?! :D
PREEETTTYY PLEAASEEEEE

I used to live in Japan, although on the other side of the country (Fukui). I visited Tokyo a few times, but that was it.

• What are the things that I should be aware of? Like cultural taboo and things that I should avoid doing 'cos it might offend people.
  • Don't worry about cultural taboos so much, unless you look Japanese. As a foreigner, you're not expected to know or follow Japanese customs. If you DO follow Japanese customs, they'll call you a weird foreigner!
• How hard/easy it is for foreigner who does not understand any Japanese to navigate over there?
  • I lived there for three years and rarely had a problem. Although, I lived in Fukui-ken, which has a higher than average English competency. In Tokyo you'll have even less trouble. If you can though, learn to read Katakana. It's not that hard, and MANY things are written in English or Japenglish using Katakana. It helps tremendously.
• I heard it is super safe in Tokyo, as in it's a crime-free country. Is it true?
  • It's not a crime-free country (I was robbed once), but it is relatively safe. Basically, use your head and don't be dumb. There is crime. Don't be a statistic.

Expect lots of racism. I ran into businesses with "No Foreigners" signs. But, this wasn't in Tokyo, so maybe it's not so bad there.

Interesting thread to read.
Bump.

Thanks adn BUmp :)

I have only two points of advice, both of them chopstick related. Do not leave your chopsticks sticking up out of food; that is very reminiscent of offerings to the dead. If you're eating with someone else, and they would like something from your plate, do not attempt to pass it from chopsticks to chopsticks, as this evokes imagery of a funeral rite.

First off, sensory overload. Visual, audio, social, olfactory. Tokyo is crazy. If you get overwhelmed, take a moment to step out of the flow physically and mentally and just marvel at it. Breathe, get your bearings, now go back to enjoying being part of it.

Language. Bring a phrasebook and at least make an effort, even if you fail miserably. Don't panic. Most city-dwelling Japanese understand at least a little English, especially in service professions, so they can meet you halfway. Learn the two Japanese phonetic alphabets, hiragana and katakana. There are a zillion Android apps, but Anki flashcards will be sufficient. Start on this now. It's only a few minutes a day. It will add to your enjoyment immensely to be able to read even a tiny bit.

Eat. Eat everything you can stomach. You don't need to go to fancy restaurants. Street vendors, pub food, tiny cafes in train stations, and even convenience stores will have interesting and good food. Ramen is a must-have. Rice balls (onigiri) are convenient on the go. You've probably had sushi where you live, but you will find better quality and more variety there. A conveyor sushi place is ideal. I draw the limit at horse meat, but tried every seafood imaginable including raw sea pineapple (google it). Oh! Pickles! So many kinds of pickles, like you never imagined. Nabe (hotpot). Okonomiyaki (cabbage and seafood pancake with toppings). All the crazy mushrooms.

Crime exists, but good luck finding any. You will feel perfectly safe walking down the darkest alleys in the middle of the night. Just skip tourist traps like Roppongi Hills, and probably don't go into yakuza bars in Shinjuku. Other than that, you'll be fine.

Sake is great. Beware of shōchū. Hangovers will cut into your fun time.

The absolute best souvenirs (especially if you want to bring home lots of things for friends) are plastic imitation food items, just like you'll see displayed in every restaurant. I've heard the best places for these are in Asakusa, but can't confirm. Dollar stores (100 Yen) are also great for cheap souvenir shit, but it's all made in China. Bic Camera and Yodobashi Camera are great for all kinds of things. Browse there before you go for more exotic items in Akihabara.

My Japanese girlfriend insisted on taking me to a maid cafe in Akihabara. I thought it was creepy.

Go to a karaoke joint in Shinjuku, just to say you've done it. Whether a private booth with friends or an open room bar. You may end up spending $30-50 per person, including drinks, but it's a good time and you'll be glad you did.

Watch "Lost In Translation" before you go. Watch it again when you get back. Notice the difference.

There's an NHK TV show called Japanology Plus (used to be called Begin Japanology) and there are literally hundreds of episodes on every topic imaginable. You can easily find episodes on YouTube or torrent sites. Getting to know stuff in advance, just like learning their alphabets, REALLY helps you get the most out of your trip. Come join the fan group on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/BeginJapanology/

How are the weather over there by 22 to 26 March? How much cold wear should I bring?
Little Experience Morning cold, afternoon cool and Night cold
What are the things that I should be aware of? Like cultural taboo and things that I should avoid doing 'cos it might offend people.
Believe or not i enter in place that foreigner ar no allowed (because the people stop and start to look serious to me, turn around and go away i didn't saw the sign)
I heard it is super safe in Tokyo, as in it's a crime-free country. Is it true?
Every place has crime in the world, just dont walk like a "duck"
I did some "friendship" it was just a month but it was good

see this one week before you go.
http://www.jma.go.jp/en/week/319.html

There are English navigation in big station.

Just one thing. Japanese have good English skill but not by mouth. And they may afraid for hearing an English question.
If you get stuck, try to start your asking by Japanese then write down and showing your question in English.

If you want to eat good thing, try to follow the line of people. In Japan, every good local food have their own line of people.
Or you can get your plan by this site http://tabelog.com/en/
IMO over than 3.5 stars are already pretty good.
I have eaten a Japanese pork steak rice that over than 4 stars years ago in Tokyo. Until now, I still can't find any better one in my country.

This (kind of) app is very useful but I don't know if there is any English version.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=jp.co.yahoo.android.apps.transit

Also going soon, some great posts (lol @ chasing you to give your tip back haha), need more tips. Negatively surprised a tourist place like Tokyo and many people are saying English is not common. I'm not one of those people that expects everyone to speak English but for example I'm from Turkey and tourist heavy places sometimes go as far as translating the road signs and I know many shops only hire multilingual people in tourist areas.

Anyway, enough about that, more Tokyo tips needed. Definitely looking for translator app as we speak!

Concerning the weather, I don't know for that time period since I've only been there at different times of the year. But buying an umbrella (you can buy cheap ones in most smaller supermarkets) is a must, even if you usually never use them.
Must buy souvenirs would be, in my opinion, a yukata (you can buy really cheap ones in Asakusa) and/or a bunch of cd's from Tower Records (I'm a Tower Record addict, can't enter one of those stores without buying 3 or more cd's, haha).
You might also want to visit a maid café while in Akihabara, I loved those places, haha.
There's not much you have to watch out for, just be respectful, like you should be anyways. But if you want to go to an onsen (which you should, it's awesome!) you should get some body tape and hide any tattoos that you might have and just hope that they won't notice.
For navigation, I'd recommend getting a 1 week internet card thingie for your phone and use that for planning what trains you'd need to take, otherwise the train system is really hard to understand the first few days. But you can always ask any local japanese for assistance, they're really helpful and you can actually get by with only speaking english, at least in Tokyo. There might be some misunderstandings, but it's still easily manageable.
I barely read what the previous posts here said, so they might've said all that I wrote already, but I noticed someone talking about watching out for Yakuza. There's really no need for that, they keep to themselves and those they've done business with. I've met some and they were actually quite friendly!

Note: Be prepared for really huge queues for the Anime convention, I haven't gone to one of those but I've heard from friends that it'd be a lot worse than the concert queues, and those concert queues are quite.. annoying.. You'd better be at the convention ~5 hours or more before they open if you want to get the good merch, since they get sold out very fast.
Either way, good luck and hope you'll enjoy your short time there!