Looking for a Tokyo travel guide to help you plan your next vacation?

A Tokyo travel guide that's full of the all the best things to do in Tokyo as well as the essential Japan facts a first time visitor needs to know?

A guide that answers some of the most common questions like:

And you've probably got a ton more questions you need to ask before you'll feel confident about your upcoming Tokyo trip. But before we get into the nitty gritty, here's a little taster of why this particular capital city is definitely worth a visit...

So what will your first time in Tokyo be like?

It's not easy when you arrive in Tokyo for the first time. It's big, noisy, and can be confusing. As well as exciting, unique, full of amazing events and traditional Japanese culture.

There's a lot to take in. And it's easy to get intimidated by the size and complexity of some of the every day things that make life tick here. Things like: getting around the Tokyo subway system; worries about whether you'll need to speak Japanese; and whether you need to believe all the stories you've read about Tokyo being the most expensive city in the world.

It doesn't take long before a feeling of intimidation sets in. And you start to wonder if it wouldn't just be easier to pick a different place to go for your next vacation.

Ok. It's time to slow down, back up, and grab a hold of my hand...

...So who am I? I'm Honor. The writer, designer, and your personal Tokyo trainer behind this Tokyo travel guide site : )

After living and working in the city for ten years, I know what a difference it makes to have someone show you round when you first set foot in Japan. And that's what TokyoTopia is all about. I'll take you by the hand, show you all the best places to go, and make sure that unwelcome feeling of intimidation doesn't get a look in.

If all this sounds like a plan to you and you're ready to get started, have a look at the sections below and click on the links that interest you for more information. And if you're sat in your office at work and can't stay on here too long right now (yes, I've done that too), you can register here to receive regular articles full of tips for first time travellers to the city.

Okey dokey. Time to find out what's on your Tokyo travel guide menu...

---

Survival Tokyo travel guide: What a first time visitor needs to know

What are the top Tokyo attractions a visitor to the city should see? And what are some of the best things to do?

Find a range of Tokyo tours from cultural activities to full day sightseeing tours

Get your head around the lingo. What Japanese words and phrases are going to help you out so you can make the best of your time in Japan?

Food. Trying some traditional Japanese food is just one of the activities that should be on your Tokyo itinerary. Trouble is, where do you find it?

---

Essential Japan facts: Does your Tokyo travel guide tell you what you need to know?

How much will things cost? And how do the Tokyo banks work? There are some unique aspects to the Japan banking system that can trip you up if you don't know about them.

The earthquake on March 11, 2011, highlighted the need to be aware of what to do in these situations. We've put together a special earthquake in Japan section to keep you up to date with the current situation.

How do you find your way around? Start with a good Tokyo train map, and then get your hands on a detailed street map of Tokyo. You'll need it when you first get here.

And an essential question for any Tokyo travel guide. Do you need a Japan visa if you're a tourist? Or can you wait until you arrive in the country?

---

Getting around Tokyo: Planes, trains and automobiles

Get familiar with the main central train line that connects all of Tokyo. The green and friendly Yamanote line

Landing at Narita airport or Haneda? What's the difference... and how will you get into the city once you get through immigration?

Fancy a trip on the shinkansen? Check out our Tokyo travel guide bullet train tours and get to see some different parts of Japan

Do you have a good Tokyo street map and a copy of the Tokyo subway map? You'll find all the maps you need to keep you out of the lost and found

---

Choosing your accommodation: How to find the right bed for you

Traveling on a budget? Use our Tokyo travel guide to save money on your accommodation and book one of these excellent budget hotel options

Planning a visit to Tokyo Disneyland? Decide whether to stay at one of the top Disney resort hotels, or one of the cheaper hotels that are near Disneyland

If you're in Tokyo for your wedding, your honeymoon, or to create a romantic memory, take a look at these luxury hotel options. Only settle for the best

How do you know which areas of the city to stay in? See our Tokyo places section to get a feel for the character of the different districts

---

There's a lot of different topics covered in the sections above. And you'll find there's a lot more information available on the site when you start digging around.

Besides the online Tokyo travel guide, I also send out regular articles which will keep you up to date with events, news, and special deals as they happen in the city. If you'd like to get these in your inbox, sign up to receive top Tokyo articles.

What if you if have a question but can't find the answer in our Tokyo travel guide?

Good question. There's one more section of the site that's for all those things I haven't got to yet! Tokyo's a fast city, and keeping up with everything is a bit like being one of those hamsters in those spinny wheels going round and round. The good news is, after living here for so long, I know where to go to get the information I want. So if there's something you're needing and you can't find the answer, let me know over in the Tokyo Q&A section.

And now it's over to you. Take a look around the site. Get a feel for the city. And start getting excited about your upcoming visit to Tokyo : )

---

Taming Tokyo: The Guidebook

Wouldn't you love to find a guidebook that is just for first-time visitors to Tokyo. Find those all important things that only a local would know like: what to expect at the airport, what Japanese is most useful for a traveler to know, what packing tips are specific for Tokyo, what should you do in an emergency, the basics of using the trains, and much more. Head over to Taming Tokyo today and judge for yourself.