Swank it up at the New York Bar (where Scarlett Johansson's character spent most of Lost in Translation) on the 52nd floor of the Park Hyatt hotel, the views over the city are Instagram gold. Across town, the Golden Gai is a maze of more than 200 teeny bars (some only seat three people!)crammed into narrow streets untouched by time. Try Albatross, it is only a few metres wide but has three floors.
2. It will be your maddest holiday EVER
Within 24 hours of arriving, we'd stroked kittens in a cat cafe, hung out with harajuku girls, seen old ladies pushing pet meerkats (in nappies!) in prams and done 3am karaoke dressed as an aubergine. Everything from the toilets (more buttons than an Xbox) to the pop stars (girl group AKB48 has 48 members) is OTT. So get involved!
3. Japanese people are SO friendly
When you are in a city where you don't speak the language, can't read any street signs, menus or, well, anything, kind, smiley locals are a godsend. Especially ones who help you navigate the underground, buy a bento box or give you their brolly, just to be nice, when it rains.
4. Eating out is an adventure
Instead of menus, most eateries have plastic models of their dishes in the window, just point t the plate you fancy and hope for the best! Failing that, head to Zauo, a restaurant where your table's a boat and you fish for your dinner. Too much? Try a Japanese Kit Kat, there are over 200 flavours (Purple Sweet Potato, Cucumber or European Cheese, anyone?). It is ALL an experience.
5. Japan is your oyster
After Tokyo has assaulted everyone of your senses, get a bullet train to somewhere calmer. Postcard perfect Kyoto, home to geishas and cherry-blossomed canals, is only two hours away, while foodie capital Osaka (try an octopus ball if you dare) is also great. A seven-day Japan Rail Pass costs £161 online from Japan Experience (Japan-experience.com/japan-rail-pass) and lets you use more than 20 000 km of railways throughout the country.
City escape
Famous for its hot springs, natural beauty and views of Mount Fuji, Hakone is perfect.
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