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Do I need to be able to write in Japanese?
honestly for a CS master in Tokyo you can prob get away with minimal kanji writing. most of my friends in science/engineering programs type everything anyway and laptops are fine in lectures. the real pain point is gonna be things like 手続き forms and 履修登録 at the uni office where you gotta fill stuff out by hand but even then you can just ask for help or use furigana if they let you
the bigger issue is reading kanji on lecture slides and exam questions cause they wont always have furigana. if your reading is solid at N2 level you'll manage but writing is rarely tested directly in CS classes. worst case u just type hiragana and convert on your phone when u need to fill something out
tbh you can prob get away with not writing kanji for a lot of things, but it depends on the uni. some profs will handwrite stuff on the board and if u can't read it u're kinda stuck. for computer science in particular a lot of the lecture materials might be in english or have english slides, but assignments and exams are another story. i've seen friends at todai and waseda where they straight up required handwritten answers in japanese for certain classes. if u can type kanji and read it that's usually enough for daily life, but for a master's program they might expect u to write by hand during exams or when filling out forms. imo focus on learning to read kanji first and practice writing the most common ones for your field, like 計算機 or アルゴリズム.
i think people are overcomplicating this. for a cs master, 90% of your writing will be on a keyboard. the real issue isn't exams or forms, it's reading handwritten feedback from your advisor. some older profs at places like chuo or meiji still write comments in a mix of kanji and cursive that's hard even for native speakers. if you can't read it, you'll miss important corrections on your thesis draft
one specific thing: the 研究ノート (research notebook) requirement varies a lot by lab. some labs at waseda's cs department use digital notebooks now, but others require a physical A4 notebook with handwritten entries. i'd email your potential lab directly and ask before you commit. they'll tell you straight up if handwriting matters
for the kanji you actually need, skip the jōyō list and focus on 200-300 that show up in academic settings. 考察, 実験, 結果, 考察 are everywhere. also learn the katakana for english loanwords in cs because your classmates will use them in handwritten notes (システム, プログラム, アルゴリズム). that alone covers most whiteboard scenarios
Where to Stay in Tokyo (2026)
Shinjuku is perfect for first-timers who want nonstop energy, neon lights, and endless dining options. Budget travelers can stay near Shinjuku Station for easy acce… 🏙️ Shinjuku: The Heart of Tokyo
Shinjuku is perfect for first-timers who want nonstop energy, neon lights, and endless dining options. Budget travelers can stay near Shinjuku Station for easy access to the Yamanote Line, with hostels like Khaosan Tokyo Kabuki starting around $30 per night. For a splurge, the Park Hyatt Tokyo offers skyline views from $500 per night.
🌸 Shibuya: Trendy and Youthful
Shibuya is ideal for nightlife lovers and fashion-forward visitors, with the iconic Scramble Crossing right outside your door. Mid-range hotels like the Shibuya Excel Hotel Tokyu run $150-250 per night, while capsule hotels like Nine Hours Shibuya offer a budget option at $40. Families might prefer quieter streets just a 10-minute walk from the station.
🏯 Asakusa: Traditional and Budget-Friendly
Asakusa offers a glimpse of old Tokyo with Senso-ji Temple and Nakamise Street, perfect for culture seekers and families. Budget ryokans like Ryokan Asakusa Shigetsu start at $80 per night, including a traditional breakfast. The area is quieter at night, so night owls may want to stay closer to Ueno or Akihabara.
🌳 Ueno: Family-Friendly and Cultural
Ueno is excellent for families thanks to Ueno Park, the zoo, and several museums all within walking distance. Hotels like the Ueno Station Hostel Oriental I offer dorm beds from $25, while the Mitsui Garden Hotel Ueno costs around $120 per night. The area is well-connected by JR and metro lines, making day trips easy.
💻 Shibuya and Shinjuku for Digital Nomads
Digital nomads should look at Shibuya or Shinjuku for coworking spaces and reliable Wi-Fi. The Shibuya Stream building has a free coworking lounge, and nearby cafes like Fuglen Tokyo offer strong coffee and outlets. Monthly apartment rentals via services like Sakura House start around $1,000 in these areas.
🌆 Roppongi: Nightlife and Luxury
Roppongi is the go-to for upscale nightlife, with clubs like V2 Tokyo and high-end bars. Luxury hotels such as the Grand Hyatt Tokyo start at $400 per night, while business hotels like the Roppongi Plaza Hotel offer rooms from $100. The area is also close to art museums like Mori Art Museum.
🚃 Getting Around: Station Proximity Matters
Staying near a Yamanote Line station (Shinjuku, Shibuya, Tokyo, Ueno) saves time and money on transit. A 24-hour metro pass costs 800 yen and covers Tokyo Metro and Toei lines. Avoid staying too far from a station, as taxis are expensive (starting at 420 yen for the first kilometer).
💰 Price Tiers and Budget Tips
Budget travelers can find capsule hotels or hostels for $20-40 per night in areas like Asakusa or Ueno. Mid-range business hotels (Toyoko Inn, APA Hotels) average $80-120 per night. For luxury, expect $300-600 per night in central districts. Book early for cherry blossom season (late March to early April).
honestly the guide nailed it but i'd throw in nakameguro for anyone visiting in spring. the canal walk during cherry blossom season is insane, way less crowded than ueno or shinjuku gyoen. plus there's a killer onigiri spot called Onigiri Bongo that sells out by noon, and the area has a ton of tiny wine bars and vintage shops. rooms at the Claska hotel start around $120 and it's a quick hop to shibuya on the tokyu line
solid write-up, covers the big ones well. for my money, if you're a food nerd, staying near a good tsukemen or ramen spot is a legit strategy. i booked a hotel in takadanobaba once just cause i wanted to be walking distance from Taishoken, the tsukemen birthplace. that area is also full of student bars and cheap eats since Waseda Uni is there, rooms at the b:CONTE hotel run like $90 a night and it's two stops from Shinjuku on the Yamanote. way less tourist crush than Shibuya for late-night bowls
This is a solid breakdown, really covers the main bases well. One thing I'd add for anyone staying in Shinjuku is that the station itself can be overwhelming even for locals, so picking a hotel on the west side near the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building is a good hack. The views from the free observation deck there are just as good as the paid ones, and you avoid the chaos of the east exit. For cheap eats in that area, the basement floor of Takashimaya department store has incredible takeout bento boxes under 1,000 yen that beat most convenience store meals.