1. Afraid of getting lost or not knowing how to get back (to the hotel)
2. Worry they won't be able to go to the right place and enjoy
3. Don't know how to order food
4. Get into trouble at payment (cashiers)
Well, unfortunately if you come to Japan and take tours all day, you will miss all the good spots in town. Having said that, if you have a crowd phobia, that is you feel uneasy/uncomfortable being in a crowd - where there are many people .... hm, maybe you should stay put and not even take a tour here. Most popular places in Japan are crowded with people, not only foreign visitors but local people.
If i may suggest, it is best to get familar with the places, major stations, main transportation and hotel surroundings before you arrive..... maybe, one day.
Japanese love travelling, especially those sixty years old and above, because they get to travel at cheaper price.
When i first arrived in Japan, my first visit was the Yebisu Garden Place, just off Ebisu station. My first impression of Japan from looking at Yebisu Garden Place was "classy, modern, clean, all in one, big, expensive, convenient, signs in English (thank God)" http://gardenplace.jp/
If you stay at the Westin (Ebisu), make sure you ask for a room facing the Mt. Fuji... on a clear day the view is magnificent!
From Yebisu, i took a train to Shibuya, where the crowd is. 12 years ago there was no English announcement on the train like today, so yes, i had to listen hard for the word "shi-bu-ya... shi-bu-ya desu". Here is what the ride felt like. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nnHRMK2kpPo
Photo (left) shows how it looks like as you exit Shibuya station walking towards Hachiko*.
For those concerned about how to take trains from one major city to the next, here is a tool (when you get to the page, click English on the top left hand side):
Very easy to use, just don't spell the station name wrongly. Also for first time visitors, maybe it it is good to stick to the green trains, on the Yamanote Line. Check out JR maps posted earlier.
When i got off and went upstairs to the Main Entrance, i was shocked to see various other train lines. I think Shinjuku station is where you can easily get lost because of there are various subways and several different trains, including the Narita Express will stop at Shinjuku. Light ups at Shinjuku Southern Terrace are beautiful at nights, particularly during Christmas, New Years and Valentine Day.
I used to enjoy a nice walk along the Terrace after work, a short break at Starbucks or a brunch at a Japanese cafeteria at the Terrace.
More photos coming soon!
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