Private day trips from Tokyo to places you'll never forget

The best time to visit Tokyo is during spring (March to April) or fall (September to November). Spring brings cherry blossom season, one of Japan's most celebrated events, though it's also peak tourist season with higher prices. Fall offers comfortable temperatures, beautiful autumn foliage and fewer crowds than spring. Summer (June to August) is hot and humid with rainy season in June and July.

Japan uses the Japanese yen as its official currency. Despite Japan's modern reputation, cash is still widely used, and many smaller restaurants, shops and local establishments don't accept credit cards.

Popular day trips from Tokyo include visiting the famous Mount Fuji and Yokohama, Japan's second-largest city. Kamakura is famous for its Great Buddha statue and numerous temples and Kawaguchi provides scenic lakeside views of Mount Fuji with seasonal attractions like cherry blossoms.

Japanese is the official language of Japan. In Tokyo, English is more commonly spoken than in other parts of Japan, especially in tourist areas, hotels, major restaurants and shops. Translation apps with camera functions are extremely helpful for reading menus and signs.

Japanese culture emphasizes politeness, respect, and consideration for others. Bowing is a common greeting, though handshakes are acceptable with foreigners. Remove shoes when entering homes, temples, and some traditional restaurants. Tipping is not practiced in Japan and can be considered rude. Keep voices down in public transportation and avoid phone calls on trains.

Tokyo is one of the world's safest major cities with very low crime rates. Theft and assault are rare, and visitors can walk around safely at night in most areas. Public transportation is clean, efficient and secure. However, travelers should stay alert in busy nightlife districts.

Tokyo is served by two major airports: Haneda Airport (HND, also called Tokyo International Airport and Narita International Airport (NRT). Haneda is closer and more convenient for domestic flights and some international routes, with travel to the city taking 30 to 45 minutes. Narita handles most international flights.

Japanese food etiquette includes saying "itadakimasu" before eating and "gochisosama deshita" after finishing to thank for the meal. Slurping noodles is acceptable and shows enjoyment. Use the opposite end of the chopsticks when taking food from shared plates. Don't pass food chopstick-to-chopstick or stick them upright in rice, as these gestures relate to funeral rituals. Finish all the rice in your bowl, as leaving it is considered wasteful. At conveyor belt sushi restaurants, don't put plates back. Many restaurants provide oshibori (hot towels) for cleaning hands before eating.