This article has partner links that I may receive compensation from at no cost to you. Thank you for supporting my site by using them!

I awoke at a normal time on my first morning in Japan, ready to begin exploring Tokyo, one of the greatest cities in the world. I love wandering, especially when I first arrive in a city. Fully refreshed, that’s precisely what I did on day one in Tokyo. I set off through Shinjuku, Harajuku, & Shibuya.

tokyo metropolitan shinjuku 500x333

Getting money from Japanese ATMs if you have an American debit card

I headed off from my hotel toward central Shinjuku. My first stop was to get some money. I use Charles Schwab’s Schwab One for my banking, which I highly recommend, especially frequent travelers. I pay zero ATM fees anywhere in the world, and I also don’t pay any foreign transaction fees. As long as my card works, I can get money. That was the problem. I didn’t realize that most Japanese ATMs do not accept American debit cards. After a few unsuccessful attempts at acquiring yen, I spotted a Citibank. I hoped an American bank would take my ATM card, so I headed straight for it. I was able to take cash out, and it would become my dependable spot for money in Tokyo. I did more research later that day, and found that if you want to take out cash at a Japanese ATM with an American bank card, your most dependable options are Citibanks, 7-11s, and Japanese post offices. You learn to keep an eye out for these spots so it’s not difficult to find them, but don’t expect to be able to take money out on every corner in Japan like you might in the United States. 7-11s are by far the easiest to find, as there’s one approximately every 12 steps in Japan. It’s important to know how to get money, as most transactions are still conducted in cash in Japan, which I found to be surprising given how technology-focused the nation is.

Wandering around Shinjuku

I wandered around a quiet Shinjuku, which was still mostly closed due to the New Year, passing the famous video game arcades, which I would come back to a few days later.

shinjuku japan day 500x750

I saw my first of many, many banks of vending machines. No matter how long my trip went on, I was still fascinated by their omnipresence in Japan. Flush with fresh yen, I treated myself to a soda.

vending machines japan tokyo 500x333

I wandered further south, roughly following the rail lines toward Harajuku.

In Japan, even the construction barricades are cute. It was at this point that I realized that I was going to spend the next two weeks smiling constantly, enamored with Japan. I don’t know how anyone could ever be in a bad mood in a place that uses cartoon characters to warn you of danger.

japanese construction barricade 500x333

Along the way between Shinjuku & Harajuku, I passed a large park containing Meiji Jingu shrine. I ventured toward it and found it to be filled with visitors for the New Year. You can read about my full visit to the shrine here. I was glad I got that unique New Year’s experience.

IMG 1101 500x333

Wandering around Harajuku

After I visited the shrine, I cut toward the east to Harajuku. Keeping with the theme of the day, New Year’s crowds were out in full force. But while Shinjuku had been completely dead, Harajuku was bustling, just like the shrine had been. Harajuku is the epicenter of Western retail stores in Tokyo, and New Year’s is one of the year’s biggest shopping periods. As a result, the sidewalks were so crowded that I could barely walk down them.

harajuku shopping 500x333

The Harajuku outpost of Garrett Popcorn Shops had a huge line of people waiting outside.

garrett popcorn shop harajuku japan 500x333

Outside a large shopping center, a group of Japanese girls played a taiko drum routine, which I watched for a while. It wasn’t a place for anyone with a headache, but their drum skills were impressive.

japanese girls drumming 500x333
japan taiko drummers 500x333

Given the youth presence in Harajuku, it’s not surprising that targeted marketing would be close behind. The area saw street traffic from trucks promoting the latest Japanese musical groups.

japan music billboard truck 500x333

Not only were they giant, moving billboards, but the trucks also played songs from the bands. None of the trucks I heard played anything as enjoyable as BABYMETAL. I actually could have seen BABYMETAL later in my trip had I ventured back to Tokyo one day sooner.

My first Ichiran ramen experience

I then walked from Harajuku toward Shibuya. By this time, I was hungry. I’d had some eggs for breakfast at my hotel, but now it was time to try some true Japanese ramen. I’d had a friend recommend a Japanese ramen chain called Ichiran to me, and it just so happened that I was passing by one. The line outside drew my attention, and it was perfect timing for some food.

ichiran ramen shibuya tokyo 500x500

Every now-and-then, you encounter a meal that is life-changing. This was one of those times. I’d had ramen before in the United States, and it was fine. This was my first experience with it in Japan, and it was at Ichiran that I fell in love with ramen.

The line leads down into a dark basement. At the end of the line, you order your ramen from a machine. You put your money in, select your options, then it gives you a ticket. You are then seated at a private booth. Some magical person on the other side of a curtain takes your ticket, has you fill out a few more options for your ramen regarding the specifics of your noodles & condiments, and then you’re set. A few minutes later, a steaming hot bowl of tonkotsu ramen (pork bone broth) is pushed through the curtain. The entire process feels delightfully filthy.

ramen machine tokyo 500x500
ichiran order form ramen 500x500
ichiran ramen restaurant 500x500
ichiran ramen tonkotsu 500x500

Doesn’t that look amazing? This would be my first of many bowls of ramen during the next couple of weeks. While Ichiran is a chain, it was a great first ramen experience. I hope that they expand worldwide someday. A world with an Ichiran in every city would be a peaceful world.

Wandering around Shinjuku

Belly full of ramen, I walked around Shibuya a bit more, crossing the famously wide intersection near the subway station. There were a few Tokyo craft beer spots I wanted to check out, so I spent the afternoon trying some Japanese beers, starting with the now closed Brimmer Beer Box in Aoyama

shibuya tokyo reflections buildings 500x333

It was a long day of walking, but it was a great introduction to Tokyo. During the course of the day, I walked from Shinjuku to Harajuku to Shibuya to Aoyama to Harajuku. I can see why Ted Leo was inspired call these neighborhoods out in his great song “Walking To Do”.

I’ve seen the cruel and hard
And I’ve seen them hard on you
But I’ll buy you brand new shoes if you cross to my side
There’s a whole lot of walking to do

And if we’re near or far from our city by the seaside
Well as long as we keep our stride
I believe we’ll be fine

You’ve seen the years roll on
And you’ve seen me roll with you
I see the road is long, so get on my side
There’s a whole lot of walking to do

And if we stay on our feet we’ll make it in our own time
And though the road has got some steep climbs
I believe we’ll be fine

. . .

Aoyama to Shibuya
There’s a whole lot of walking to do

What do you think? Add a comment!