Here is another helpful info, Sae(501st, TK38106)’s article on Facebook. Thanks Sae for admitting the re-post!
I get the same question from a lot of my friends, so I decided to summarize it here.
I hope this helps you with your SWC2025 planning.
About the venue
Venue name: Makuhari Messe
Venue address: 2-1, Nakase, Mihama-ku,Chiba-city, 261-8550 Japan
https://www.m-messe.co.jp/en/
Access from Tokyo Station
30 minutes from Tokyo Station on the Keiyo Line Rapid Service (no transfer)
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10 minutes on foot
Access from Haneda Airport (Use train）
10-15 minutes by Tokyo Monorail from Haneda Airport to Tennozu Isle Station
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15 minutes by Rinkai Line from Tennozu Isle Station to Shin-Kiba Station
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25 minutes from Shinkiba Station to Kaihinmakuhari Station on the Keiyo Line rapid train
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10 minutes on foot
Access from Haneda Airport （Use express bus）
40 minutes by express bus from Haneda Airport to Makuhari Messe Central
Access from Narita Airport（Use train and bus）
45 minutes by Keisei Main Line limited express from Narita Airport to Keisei Tsudanuma Station
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2 minutes by Keisei Chiba Line from Keisei Tsudanuma Station to Keisei Makuhari Hongo Station
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20 minutes by Keisei Bus from Keisei Makuhari Hongo Station to Makuhari Messe Central
Access from Narita Airport （Use express bus）
30-40 minutes by express bus from Haneda Airport to Makuhari Messe Central
About English
I think that there are fewer people in Japan who can use English compared to other countries.
but, English is a compulsory subject up to junior high school students, so if you speak simple English slowly, will be able to understand most of it.
And Google translate is very helpful.
*I’m writing this using Google Translate.
On the trains, information is given not only in Japanese but also in English, and there are English signs on the electric bulletin board as well.
Most of the time trains are punctual.
About tips
There is no tipping culture in Japan, so there is no need to tip at taxis, hotels, and restaurants.
About taxi
Uber is not popular in Japan.
(There are services like Uber that are limited to Japan, but they are difficult to use if you cannot speak Japanese.)
Raise your hand to show that you want to ride a taxi in town.
The hand sign can be either 🖐️
If it does not stop even if you show it, it is often the case that you are on board or forwarded. Don’t give up and try the next taxi.
Makuhari Messe is a famous place, so it will be smoother if you tell the driver “Makuhari Messe” or show the address to the driver.
Also, there are cases where credit cards cannot be used, so it is better to check in advance.
A taxi costs about 410JPY per kilometer, and a late-night charge will be added between 22:00 and 05:00.
Taxi prices in Japan do not vary by negotiation, but rather by distance.
So even if you can’t speak Japanese, you’re unlikely to encounter malicious rip-offs. However, it is recommended that you look at Google Maps when taking a taxi, as it may take a long road instead of a shortcut.
About using credit cards
Credit cards are becoming more popular in urban areas in Japan, but there are still many places where you can only use cash.
Visa and Master cards can be used in many places.
Convenience stores, supermarkets, etc.
Credit cards are often accepted at restaurants and taxis, but sometimes only cash is accepted.
About transportation IC cards（prepaid transportation cards）
If you want to enjoy Japan other than celebration, or if you want to ride trains and buses comfortably, we recommend getting this card.
*Such as Oyster card in UK, Easy Card in Taiwan, Ez-link card in Singapore, T-money card in South Korea
I don’t think transportation IC cards are very popular in America, but most people in Japan use them.
This card is called “Suica” (if purchased at JR) or “PASMO” (if purchased at Tokyo Metro), and can be purchased at station ticket vending machines and manned counters.
This card can be used trains and buses, and can also be used at convenience stores and drink vending machines in stations.
https://www.jreast.co.jp/e/pass/suica.html
https://www.pasmo.co.jp/visitors/en/normalpasmo/
JAPAN RAIL PASS
This is a JR special ticket for foreign visitors to Japan.
https://japanrailpass.net/en/about_jrp.html
About free Wi-Fi
Free Wi-Fi may be available at airports, major cafes, convenience stores, and hotels, but you shouldn’t expect too much.
We recommend buying a SIM that can be used in Japan or getting a pocket Wi-Fi.
In addition, Makuhari Messe offers Free Wi-Fi service in some spaces.
About the weather in April
April is the spring season in Japan.
The best time to see the cherry blossoms is from March to the first half of April, but they may still be in bloom.
It will be warm during the day as the temperature often exceeds 20 degrees.
A short-sleeved T-shirt or thin long T-shirt will suffice. It can be windy.
It will be cool at night, so I think will need a Jacket.
Sae’s recommended spots
Tokyo Disneyland/Tokyo DisneySea
The nearest station is Maihama station.
20 minutes by Keiyo Line from Kaihinmakuhari Station to Maihama Station (no transfer)
15 minutes by Keiyo Line from Tokyo Station to Maihama Station (no transfer)
Tokyo Disneyland has a Star Wars attraction called Star Tours.
You can see Japanese-speaking Star Wars characters!
I used to see Darth Vader and Stormtrooper trooping, but I haven’t seen it in years.
Tokyo DisneySea plans to open a new area called Fantasy Springs in 2024.
(Frozen Kingdom of Arendelle, Peter Pan’s Neverland, Rapunzel’s Forest)
https://www.tokyodisneyresort.jp/en/index.html
TOY SAPIENS (Hot Toys flagship store)
About 30 minutes by train from Tokyo Station, near Shibuya Station and Harajuku Station.
For a limited time, exhibiting costumes used in movies.
There have been Black Panther, Spider-Man and Star Wars events in the past.
https://www.toysapiens.jp/english/
KOTOBUKIYA（Akihabara）
There is a Kotobukiya store in Akihabara, which was also exhibited at the Star Wars Celebration.
5 minutes by train from Tokyo Station.
https://en.kotobukiya.co.jp
Super Nintendo world（USJ）
Located in Osaka, about 3 hours from Tokyo by Shinkansen and train.
https://www.usj.co.jp/web/en/us
Warner Bros. Studio Tour Tokyo – The Making of Harry Potter
Asia’s first Warner Bros. Studio Tour Tokyo will be the world’s largest indoor Harry Potter facility.
About 50 minutes by train from Tokyo Station.
https://www.wbstudiotour.jp/en/
Ghibli Park
Located in Nagoya, about two and a half hours from Tokyo by Shinkansen and train.
https://ghibli-park.jp/en/
Mitaka no Mori Ghibli Museum
30 minutes by train from Tokyo Station.
https://www.ghibli-museum.jp/en/
Seibuen
Here, there is a Godzilla and King Ghidorah attraction called Godzilla the Ride.
There are no big attractions other than Godzilla, but you can enjoy old Japanese shopping streets.
1 hour and 15 minutes by train from Tokyo Station.
https://www.seibu-leisure.co.jp/amusementpark/index.html
*Japanese explanation only
Nijigen no Mori
Because it is located on Awaji Island in Hyogo Prefecture, it is far from Tokyo but has many attractive areas.
There is Dragon Quest Island, Godzilla’s zip line, NARUTO & BORUTO’s Shinobi area, and Crayon Shin-chan Adventure Park.
https://nijigennomori.com/en/
Sanrio Puroland
Hello Kitty theme park, all indoors.
1 hour by train from Tokyo Station.
https://www.puroland.jp/lang/en/
Godzilla Head and Statue
① Godzilla Head (Shinjuku)
At TOHO Cinemas Shinjuku (Shinjuku, Kabukicho), a Godzilla head is installed on the top of the building so that it is the same size as the setting of the early movie.
15 minutes by train from Tokyo Station.
② Godzilla Statue (Hibiya Godzilla Square)
The old Godzilla statue made in 1995 to commemorate the 40th anniversary of Godzilla’s birth was relocated to “TOHO Cinemas Hibiya” in 2018, and a new Godzilla statue based on Godzilla from “Shin Godzilla” (2016) was installed.
Near Hibiya Godzilla Square is Yurakucho Marion, which appeared in the movie.
The Japanese Theater, which was destroyed during the first film, Godzilla (1954), later became Yurakucho Marion, and was destroyed again by Godzilla in the 16th film, Godzilla (1984).
10 minutes by train from Tokyo Station.
DiverCity Tokyo Plaza
A life-size RX-0 Unicorn Gundam is on display.
Equipped with a gimmick that transforms between Unicorn Mode and Destroy Mode, you can see how the life-size Unicorn Gundam transforms along with the giant monitor, surrounding lighting, and sound production at the scheduled time.
There is a Gundam base on the 7th floor of DiverCity Tokyo Plaza, where you can purchase gunpla.
30 minutes by train from Tokyo Station.
https://mitsui-shopping-park.com.e.act.hp.transer.com/
Star Case
The famous vintage SW shop near Koenji station 30 minutes from Tokyo station.
http://starcase.jp/
