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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
Things to Do in Tokyo (2026)
Start your Tokyo journey at the Tokyo Tower (4-2-8 Shibakoen, Minato), which offers panoramic views from its 150-meter observation deck for 1,200 yen. For a more modern perspec… 🗼 Iconic Landmarks
Start your Tokyo journey at the Tokyo Tower (4-2-8 Shibakoen, Minato), which offers panoramic views from its 150-meter observation deck for 1,200 yen. For a more modern perspective, head to the Shibuya Sky observation deck (2-24-12 Shibuya, Shibuya) for 2,000 yen, open until 10 PM. Both spots are less crowded on weekday mornings.
⛩️ Cultural Temples and Shrines
Visit Senso-ji Temple in Asakusa (2-18-9 Kaminarimon, Taito), Tokyo's oldest temple, open daily from 6 AM to 5 PM. For a quieter experience, explore the Meiji Jingu Shrine (1-1 Yoyogikamizonocho, Shibuya), set in a large forested area and free to enter. Arrive early to avoid crowds, especially on weekends.
🍜 Must-Try Food Experiences
Sample authentic ramen at Ichiran Shibuya (1-22-7 Jinnan, Shibuya), where individual booths let you focus on the tonkotsu broth, starting at 1,290 yen. For a unique twist, try conveyor-belt sushi at Uobei Shibuya (1-19-3 Jinnan, Shibuya), with plates from 100 yen. Reservations are not needed, but expect short queues.
🏯 Hidden Neighborhoods
Explore Yanaka, a district that survived WWII bombings, with narrow lanes and traditional shops like Yanaka Ginza shopping street (3-11-1 Yanaka, Taito). For a bohemian vibe, wander Shimokitazawa (Kitazawa, Setagaya), known for vintage stores and indie cafes. Both areas are best explored on foot in the afternoon.
🚇 Getting Around
Use the Tokyo Metro and Toei Subway networks, with a 24-hour pass costing 800 yen for unlimited rides on most lines. The Suica or Pasmo IC cards are rechargeable and work on trains, buses, and even vending machines. Avoid rush hour (7:30-9 AM and 5-7 PM) to travel comfortably.
🌃 Best Evening Spots
Watch the sunset from the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building (2-8-1 Nishi-Shinjuku, Shinjuku), where the free observation deck is open until 10 PM. For nightlife, head to Golden Gai in Shinjuku (1-1-6 Kabukicho, Shinjuku), a maze of tiny bars with a cover charge of around 500 yen. Reservations are recommended for popular bars.
🌸 Seasonal Highlights
Cherry blossom season in late March to early April draws crowds to Ueno Park (5-20 Uenokoen, Taito), with over 1,000 cherry trees. For autumn foliage, visit Rikugien Garden (6-16-3 Honkomagome, Bunkyo) in November, lit up at night for 1,000 yen. Check the Japan Meteorological Corporation's forecast for peak dates.
🎁 Unique Souvenirs
Buy traditional crafts at Kappabashi Kitchen Town (3-18-2 Nishiasakusa, Taito), famous for realistic plastic food samples and kitchenware. For quirky gifts, explore Don Quijote stores, like the one in Shibuya (1-16-5 Udagawacho, Shibuya), open 24 hours and offering everything from electronics to snacks. Prices are reasonable, and tax-free shopping is available for tourists.
honestly this is a solid list, you've hit the major spots. one thing i'd add is that the Tsukiji Outer Market is worth a morning even if the inner market moved to Toyosu. the stalls there for tamagoyaki and fresh uni on skewers are unbeatable, and it gets packed by 9am so go early.
for a cheap meal that slaps, try CoCo Ichibanya for curry rice. there's one near basically every station and you can customize the spice level and toppings. it's not fancy but it's a real Tokyo staple that tourists often overlook.
also if you're into temples, the walk from Senso-ji down Nakamise-dori is fun but the side streets in Asakusa have smaller shrines and old-school snack shops that are way less crowded. i stumbled on a tiny place selling matcha soft serve for 350 yen last time and it was better than the touristy ones.