As a foreigner visiting Japan for the first time, Tokyo can feel somewhat surreal upon arrival. There are tens of millions of people in the city, but a polite and efficient public ethos never makes that number feel overwhelming. There are huge skyscrapers overshadowing the city at some points, with ancient pagodas and temples dotting the landscape elsewhere. Well-kept green areas such as Yoyogi Park and Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden also offer a welcome release from the swell of urbanity.

From the crowded market places to the sprawling entertainment complexes to the niche bars and restaurants of all different types, foreigners could truly spend several lifetimes exploring all there is to be seen and done while they work abroad in Tokyo. You don’t get to be the world’s largest city, after all, without filling in all the seams. Take advantage of the city’s infamously comprehensive and punctual train system to soak in as much of a diversity of Tokyo as possible during your time abroad.

On a last note, it will also be a good idea to train yourself in the basics of Japanese cultural nuances before you disembark for a job abroad in Tokyo. You will learn as you go, but little pieces of knowledge at the outset – such as that leaving tips is considered rude, and to take your shoes off when entering a home –can bring you a long way in your adjustment.