Best tip norm ever! In Japan there's no need to tip!
Don't try to give tips in japanese hotels, bars, taxis, etc. Tips are not accepted in Japan and they will reject them with some kind of disapointment.
Travel tips
Start at Shimbashi station and get on the Yurikamome monorail line. The best time to do this is at night when the bridge is lit up as well as the ferris wheel across the water. Sit in the very front seats!
It doesn't matter if, they live in the city or in the suburbs, the Japanese kept their cultural and politeness wherever they go. Despite the change in language and the fact that the people who speaks english there are very small in quantity, this trip is a must for everyone seeking to find the curiosity of the Japanese.
I went with my sister and a friend for 11 days to Japan. We stayed in Tokyo for about 3 days and then hit the surrounding areas. Hiroshima, Kyoto (where we saw a sumo tournament), and a couple other spots. The city of Tokyo was great, but it was good to get out to the more rural parts of the country and see some the temples. more to come I'm sure.
In terms of price, we stayed at a hostel and bought bullet train tickets in the US before we left from the STA. (highly suggested move)
If you don't wanna miss any art related event in the city, don't forget to print your copy of the bi-monthly guide Tokyo Art Map (available in PDF in the Tokyo Art Beat website) or take it for free in one of the galleries, coffe shops and restaurants which deliver it for free.
