Neo4j is a graph database that stores data as nodes and relationships, allowing users to navigate the structure by following relationships or using declarative traverser features. To get started with Neo4j, one can use frameworks like jo4neo to relieve boilerplate code needed for domain object implementation, or use the neo4j.rb Ruby bindings with a REST extension, Scala bindings, Python bindings, and other language bindings. Additionally, there are various tools available such as shell, Neoclipse, batch inserter, and online backup, while query languages like SPARQL and Gremlin offer alternatives for querying Neo4j programmatically or through a query language. The ecosystem also includes frameworks, language bindings, and tools to help users get started with Neo4j, making it a versatile option for various applications and domains.