Mina-san, konnichiwa. This week our destination is none other than the most expensive city in the world, Tokyo. You could explore Tokyo for weeks, but for me, I usually get a bit tired after 4 or 5 days. Maybe because i spent most of my time working in Tokyo. If you can, take in Tokyo in stages so you can appreciate it. Take side trips out to the various attractions near the city for a break.

Highlights:
Electronics Stores: Tokyo’s electronics stores are a sight to see. They’re most often massive, multi-leveled, incredibly bright, and stocked with the latest in technology in every form imaginable. It can get to be a bit much - the lights and air-conditioning combine to burn out your eyes after an hour or so - but if you’re into looking at electronics, it’s hard to beat these places. Despite Japan being a very expensive country, you can often find electronics that haven’t been released yet (or will never be) in Malaysia or U.S., which, at the same time, are a couple hundred dollars cheaper than in Malaysia. My personal favorite is the Yodobashi Camera in Shinjuku.

Temples: There are ancient Shinto and Buddhist temples and shrines all over Tokyo and often in unexpected places. There are the big ones like Senso-ji and Meiji, but the best ones are usually tucked away in unexpected places. Part of the fun is coming across them, so explore as much as possible and see how many you can find.

Parks: If you can’t make it out of the city, some of the large parks around town can be a great relief from the urban chaos. Shinjuku Gyoen, a 10-minute walk from central Shinjuku, costs a few hundred yen for entry and has a lot of nicely landscaped areas where you can just chill out for a while. The greenhouse, with a number of plants from around the world, is very nice. For a free park away from the center, head out to the very pleasant Inokashira Park in Mitaka City (a 20-minute train ride).

Neon: Walk around at night in the centers of the city and marvel at how much light there is everywhere. The people reflect that energy, rushing around in all directions late into the night.

Information: If you find yourself lost or unsure about something, head for the nearest police box. Police are very helpful, though you may need to speak a bit of Japanese to communicate. Alternatively, train stations have help desks and signs in English that point them out. Try that out, and the person may be an English-speaker.

Cheap Food: For a cheap bit to eat, head for the train station. There are always cheap places serving noodles and other basic Japanese stuff. Some of them require you to buy a ticket for your food item from a vending machine and hand it to the cook, which is useful if you don’t speak the language.

Buying Train Tickets: This can be tough - though in general Tokyo has everything written in English as well as Japanese, the signs showing which stations cost which amount (up above the ticket machines) are almost always completely in Japanese (and Chinese characters no less). If you’re in doubt, just buy the cheapest ticket possible, and when you get off the train, there’ll be a window or machine for “fare adjustment,” where they’ll tell you the difference you need to pay, if any.

Best Way to Get Around:
Trains: Tokyo has a very extensive underground and commuter train network, which is efficient, clean, and fast. It can all get very confusing and expensive, however. Research this as much as possible before going. Trains during rush hour are packed and uncomfortable, but you might want to do this once to get the authentic experience.

Walking: Walking is a great way to see things, but everything is so spread out that you’ll eventually want to get on a train to get where you’re going. Walk until you’re tired of it; there’s sure to be a station somewhere nearby.

Airport: You have many options from Narita airport. The Narita Express train is your best bet, though it might hurt your budget at about YEN 3,250 (RM120). It has assigned, comfortable seats and space for luggage, and it takes an hour. Alternatively, take the Keisei Line in. It takes about the same amount of time, but is a little less comfortable and generally more packed. It’s a bargain at about YEN 1,085 (RM40). Never take a cab in, as this will run you upwards of YEN 16,300 (RM600)