9 days in Tokyo

[Da Monstar]

Hey guys, been a long time since i last posted here on jref.
Me and my friend is finally going to tokyo this sunday. we will be arriving in Narita Airport monday at around 7am, and will be leaving wednsday 1½week later at 11am.
Since we havent been to an asian country before, some questions comes to mind.

We will be staying at the Shinjuku Washington Hotel.

1. I will be bringing an average amount of yen to be able to live for the 9 day duration. Will i be able to use my Visa payment card in the following:
Restuarants, buisiness stores, convient stores, banks? Also is there ATM with english and easy to use functions where i will be able to withdraw yen with it?

2. We are both 21, and from time to time enjoy a drink, will we be able to be served alchohol in bars, and I have read that most bars and clubs close at 11pm for people to get to the last trains, is this true is most bars and clubs open past that?

3. Clothing. being from the north, i feel hot at the even gist of 20 degrees. Will i be able to wear a tank top, shorts that goes past the knees and sandals ito clubs, bars, resturaunts etc. without offending anyone? (most clubs here in denmark has dresscodes)

4. We are planning taking the JR train from Narita Airport to Shinjuku Station. this will be between 8-9pm depending on the customs. Will we have a problem riding the train with our suitcases? I am thinking on room for us to have the bagage on us at all times. a trolley and a backpack for both


so far that is it for questions, Any replies and positive feedback will be appreciated ^^

 

[NeWbY]

1) Credit Cards aren't used alot in Japan, have real cash with you to pay in restaurants etc.
I wouldn't be sure, but I think you can only get money from ATM machines at the post office.

2) Doesn't matter if you are 21 or not, if you look foreign enough they will server you anything. Not sure about the times of bars, but I don't think EVERY bar shuts at 11pm.

3) Tokyo is HOT around this time of the year. The humidity alone is killing enough to make you want to walk in pants only :/

4) At the back of each trainset there is some space to put suitcases and the like. Also, there is some space above your head AFAIK.

 

[northpig87]

1) Credit cards aren't wide spread as in North America. But after living 8 months in europe, I find that europe (or at least germany) is pretty cash based as well for normal day living. Regarding withdrawing, as long as on your debit card you have "Plus" network, then you can use ANY atm located in 7-11 convenience store and there are 5822302584320 stores in japan (ok bit exaggerated but you get my point ). I think going to 7-11 is much more convenient than finding a post office.

 

[nice gaijin]

Credit cards are more accepted these days than people make them out to be, but are inconvenient and sometimes frustrating for daily purchases. Keep cash on hand, it's just plain easier.

Because of the trains, the nightlife either ends at 11pm-midnight, or 5am. If you don't want to take a cab but want to stay up late you'll be staying out until the first train in the morning. Or find a place to hang out that's close to your hotel.

It'll be hot and humid as all hell but you'll still stick out like a sore thumb in the daytime because it seems that hardly any Japanese older than an elementary schooler owns a pair of shorts. Dresscode depends on where you're going, so you should probably be prepared to be turned away if you're trying to go clubbing in your flippy floppies.

 

[Mikawa Ossan]

1. I will be bringing an average amount of yen to be able to live for the 9 day duration. Will i be able to use my Visa payment card in the following:
Restuarants, buisiness stores, convient stores, banks? Also is there ATM with english and easy to use functions where i will be able to withdraw yen with it?

I mostly agree with the previous posts, but in more detail:
restaurants: don't count on it. Natiionwide izakaya chains will probably take credit cards, though.
business stores: I'm not sure what you mean, but many retail stores nowadays do take credit cards. They will almost certainly ask you something to the effect of "ikkatsu de yoroshii desu ka?" Just say yes to the ikkatsu.
ATMs: Your best bet will probably be the postal service ATM machines. There are other ATMs that will work with foreign cards, but when it was an issue for me, I only knew of one such place in Osaka, and one in Nagoya. Things may have changed since then.

2. We are both 21, and from time to time enjoy a drink, will we be able to be served alchohol in bars, and I have read that most bars and clubs close at 11pm for people to get to the last trains, is this true is most bars and clubs open past that?

Age will not be a problem for you. Many bars stay open well past 11, but check your train time before you go, so you don't miss the last one. If you do that, you should be OK. That or hail a taxi...but be sure to bring the address of your hotel with you for the driver's sake.

4. We are planning taking the JR train from Narita Airport to Shinjuku Station. this will be between 8-9pm depending on the customs. Will we have a problem riding the train with our suitcases? I am thinking on room for us to have the bagage on us at all times. a trolley and a backpack for both

On the train from the airport to Shinjuku, you shouldn't have a problem. It's once you arrive in Shinjuku that it will get crowded.

 

[Da Monstar]

Thanks for all the replies.

We had a magnificent time in Tokyo, And I am already planning going back there for a couple of weeks next year.
We stayed in shinjuku most of the time, but managed to get a decent understanding of how the metro works, so we were able to go to Shibuya, Akihabara, Korakuen Hall, Ikebukero and a couple of other places when we ended up getting lost on a 7 hours long walk ^^