Tokyo Travel Guide
Complete guide to Japan's vibrant capital - culture, food, and modern wonders
Tokyo Travel Guide
Experience the perfect blend of ancient tradition and cutting-edge technology in Japan’s dynamic capital.
Best Time to Visit
Spring (March-May)
- Cherry blossoms (late March-early April)
- Mild temperatures (10-20°C / 50-68°F)
- Popular season (book early)
- Golden Week crowds (late April-early May)
Fall (September-November)
- Autumn foliage (November)
- Comfortable weather
- Clear skies
- Festival season
Summer (June-August)
- Hot and humid (25-35°C / 77-95°F)
- Rainy season (June-July)
- Summer festivals
- School vacation crowds
Winter (December-February)
- Cold but clear (0-10°C / 32-50°F)
- Fewer tourists
- Winter illuminations
- Ski season nearby
Getting There
Airports
Narita Airport (NRT)
- Main international airport
- 60km from city center
- Narita Express (N’EX): ¥3,070, 60 minutes
- Keisei Skyliner: ¥2,520, 45 minutes
- Airport Limousine Bus: ¥3,200, 90 minutes
Haneda Airport (HND)
- Closer to city (20km)
- More convenient
- Keikyu Line: ¥500, 30 minutes
- Tokyo Monorail: ¥500, 30 minutes
Rail Pass
JR Pass (for multi-city travel)
- 7 days: ¥29,650 (~$200)
- 14 days: ¥47,250
- 21 days: ¥60,450
- Must buy before arriving in Japan
- Worth it if visiting other cities (Kyoto, Osaka)
Getting Around
Trains & Subway
IC Cards (Suica/Pasmo)
- Rechargeable smart cards
- Works on all trains, buses, convenience stores
- ¥500 deposit + initial charge
- Tap in and out
Lines:
- JR Yamanote Line (loop around city)
- Tokyo Metro (9 lines)
- Toei Subway (4 lines)
- Private lines (Keio, Odakyu, etc.)
Tips:
- Last trains ~midnight
- Rush hour 7-9 AM, 5-7 PM (avoid!)
- Women-only cars during rush hour
- Google Maps works perfectly
Taxis
- Clean and safe
- Expensive (¥500 base + ¥90/280m)
- Doors open automatically
- Many drivers don’t speak English
- Show address in Japanese
Biking
- Rental bikes available
- Mostly flat terrain
- Watch for narrow streets
- Park in designated areas
Neighborhoods & Districts
Shibuya
Famous For:
- Shibuya Crossing (world’s busiest intersection)
- Hachiko statue
- Youth fashion and culture
- Shopping and nightlife
Must-See:
- Scramble crossing photo
- Shibuya Sky (observation deck)
- Center Gai street
- Nonbei Yokocho (alley bars)
Shinjuku
Famous For:
- Tokyo’s busiest station
- Skyscrapers and nightlife
- Golden Gai (tiny bar district)
- Kabukicho (red light district)
Must-See:
- Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building (free observation deck)
- Shinjuku Gyoen (garden)
- Omoide Yokocho (Memory Lane)
- Robot Restaurant (touristy but fun)
Harajuku & Omotesando
Famous For:
- Kawaii culture
- Fashion and street style
- Crepes and trendy cafes
- Youth culture epicenter
Must-See:
- Takeshita Street (colorful shops)
- Meiji Shrine
- Yoyogi Park (street performers on Sunday)
- Omotesando (luxury shopping)
Asakusa
Famous For:
- Traditional Tokyo
- Senso-ji Temple
- Old town atmosphere
- Traditional crafts
Must-See:
- Senso-ji Temple and Nakamise shopping street
- Tokyo Skytree (nearby)
- Sumida River cruise
- Traditional restaurants
Akihabara
Famous For:
- Anime and manga culture
- Electronics
- Maid cafes
- Otaku paradise
Must-See:
- Multi-story anime shops
- Retro game stores
- Electronic gadgets
- Themed cafes
Ginza
Famous For:
- Luxury shopping
- Fine dining
- Art galleries
- Upscale entertainment
Must-See:
- Department stores (Mitsukoshi, Wako)
- Tsukiji Outer Market
- Kabuki-za Theatre
- Sunday pedestrian street
Odaiba
Famous For:
- Waterfront entertainment
- Rainbow Bridge views
- TeamLab Borderless (digital art museum)
- Shopping malls
Must-See:
- Life-size Gundam statue
- Palette Town Ferris Wheel
- Oedo Onsen Monogatari
- View of Tokyo Bay
Top Attractions
Senso-ji Temple
Details:
- Tokyo’s oldest temple (628 AD)
- Free entry
- Open 6 AM - 5 PM
- Asakusa district
Experience:
- Kaminarimon Gate (Thunder Gate)
- Nakamise shopping street
- Fortune telling (omikuji)
- Incense smoke for good health
Meiji Shrine
Details:
- Dedicated to Emperor Meiji
- Free entry
- Open sunrise to sunset
- Harajuku/Yoyogi area
Experience:
- Walk through massive torii gates
- Forest path to shrine
- Traditional weddings (lucky to see)
- Write wishes on ema tablets
Tokyo Skytree
Details:
- 634m tall (tallest structure in Japan)
- Tickets: ¥2,100-3,400
- Two observation decks (350m and 450m)
- Book online to skip lines
Tips:
- Sunset timing best
- Clear days for Mt. Fuji views
- Shopping and aquarium at base
Tsukiji Outer Market
Details:
- Famous fish market
- Open early morning to afternoon
- Free to walk around
- Food stalls and restaurants
Must-Try:
- Fresh sushi breakfast
- Tamagoyaki (egg omelet)
- Grilled seafood skewers
- Tea and kitchen tools
teamLab Borderless/Planets
Details:
- Digital art museums
- Tickets: ¥3,200-3,800
- Book weeks in advance
- 1-2 hours to explore
Experience:
- Interactive installations
- Walk through water
- Immersive projections
- Instagram heaven
Food & Dining
Must-Try Foods
Ramen
- Rich broth with noodles
- Varieties: tonkotsu, miso, shoyu
- ¥800-1,200
- Ichiran, Ippudo, Afuri
Sushi
- Conveyor belt (kaiten-zushi): ¥100-500/plate
- Mid-range: ¥3,000-8,000
- High-end: ¥10,000+
- Sushi Zanmai, Uobei, Sukiyabashi Jiro
Tempura
- Battered and fried seafood/vegetables
- Set meals: ¥1,000-5,000
- Tsunahachi, Tempura Kondo
Yakitori
- Grilled chicken skewers
- Izakaya (pub) food
- ¥150-300 per stick
- Pair with beer or sake
Tonkatsu
- Breaded pork cutlet
- Served with cabbage and rice
- ¥1,000-1,500
- Maisen, Butagumi
Okonomiyaki
- Savory pancake
- Mix of cabbage, meat, seafood
- ¥800-1,500
- Sakuratei, Sometaro
Wagyu Beef
- Japanese premium beef
- Yakiniku (BBQ) or teppanyaki
- ¥3,000-20,000+
- Worth the splurge
Japanese Curry
- Comfort food
- Thicker than Indian curry
- ¥600-1,000
- CoCo Ichibanya, Go Go Curry
Dining Experiences
Conveyor Belt Sushi
- Plates pass by on belt
- Color-coded prices
- Push button for bill
- Fun and affordable
Izakaya
- Japanese pub
- Small plates for sharing
- Drink culture
- Salary worker hangout
Standing Bar
- Quick drinks and snacks
- Cheaper prices
- Social atmosphere
- Try sake varieties
Department Store Basements (Depachika)
- Food halls
- Beautiful presentation
- Sample stations
- Take-away bentos
Budget Options
Convenience Stores
- 7-Eleven, Lawson, FamilyMart
- Onigiri (rice balls): ¥100-200
- Bento boxes: ¥400-600
- Hot food, fresh quality
Chain Restaurants
- Yoshinoya (beef bowls): ¥400
- Tenya (tempura): ¥500
- Sukiya, Matsuya
- Fast, cheap, filling
Ramen Shops
- Quick meal
- Vending machine ordering
- Counter seating
- Under ¥1,000
Shopping
Electronics
Akihabara
- Yodobashi Camera (8 floors)
- Sofmap, Bic Camera
- Tax-free shopping
- Latest gadgets
Fashion
Harajuku/Shibuya
- Street fashion
- Vintage stores
- Independent brands
- Uniqlo flagship
Ginza
- Luxury brands
- High-end department stores
- International designers
Souvenirs
Traditional:
- Kimono/yukata
- Japanese tea sets
- Chopsticks
- Fans (sensu)
- Furoshiki (wrapping cloth)
Food:
- Kit Kats (unique flavors)
- Matcha products
- Sake
- Snacks from convenience stores
Pop Culture:
- Anime/manga goods
- Studio Ghibli items
- Nintendo products
- Character goods
Markets
Ameya Yokocho (Ueno)
- Street market
- Clothing, food, souvenirs
- Bargaining possible
- Local atmosphere
Cultural Experiences
Onsen (Hot Springs)
Etiquette:
- Shower thoroughly first
- Enter bath naked (no swimsuits)
- Don’t put towel in water
- Keep noise down
- Tattoos may not be allowed
Tokyo Options:
- Oedo Onsen Monogatari (Odaiba)
- LaQua Spa (Korakuen)
- Thermae-Yu (Shinjuku)
Tea Ceremony
Where to Try:
- Hamarikyu Gardens
- Meiji Jingu
- Cultural centers
- ¥500-2,000
What to Expect:
- Formal preparation of matcha
- Seasonal sweets
- 30-60 minutes
- Quiet contemplation
Sumo Wrestling
Season: January, May, September (15-day tournaments)
- Tickets: ¥2,000-15,000
- Arrive early for lower division matches
- Ryogoku Kokugikan stadium
- Sumo stable morning practice (free, arrive early)
Karaoke
Experience:
- Private rooms (not stage singing)
- Hourly rates: ¥300-500/person
- All-you-can-drink packages
- English songs available
Chains:
- Karaoke-kan
- Big Echo
- Shidax
Day Trips from Tokyo
Mount Fuji & Hakone (1-2 days)
Best Views:
- Lake Kawaguchi
- Hakone area
- Chureito Pagoda
Activities:
- Hot springs
- Scenic cable car
- Pirate ship cruise
- Fuji Five Lakes
Access: JR to Mishima/Odawara, then local trains/buses
Nikko (1 day)
Highlights:
- Toshogu Shrine (ornate temple)
- Sacred bridges
- Lake Chuzenji
- Waterfalls
Access: Tobu Nikko Line (2 hours, ¥2,800)
Kamakura (1 day)
Highlights:
- Great Buddha (Daibutsu)
- Beach town
- Temples and shrines
- Hiking trails
Access: JR Yokosuka Line (1 hour, ¥920)
Yokohama (half day)
Highlights:
- Chinatown
- Minato Mirai waterfront
- Cup Noodles Museum
- Red Brick Warehouse
Access: JR or subway (30-40 minutes)
Practical Information
Money
- Currency: Japanese Yen (¥)
- Cash-based society
- ATMs: 7-Eleven, post offices (accept foreign cards)
- Credit cards accepted in larger places
- Withdraw enough cash
Language
- Limited English outside tourist areas
- Google Translate app essential
- Learn basic phrases:
- Sumimasen (Excuse me)
- Arigatou gozaimasu (Thank you)
- Oishii (Delicious)
- Kudasai (Please)
- Wakarimasen (I don’t understand)
Tipping
- No tipping in Japan
- Service charge included
- Can be considered rude
- Exception: ryokan attendants (optional)
WiFi & SIM
- Rent pocket WiFi at airport
- Buy tourist SIM card
- Free WiFi: Starbucks, convenience stores, stations
- Download offline maps
Safety
- One of safest cities in world
- Lost items often returned
- Low crime rate
- Earthquakes possible (buildings are safe)
- Emergency number: 110 (police), 119 (ambulance)
Etiquette
Do:
- Bow when greeting
- Remove shoes indoors
- Quiet on trains
- Queue properly
- Carry trash (few public bins)
Don’t:
- Eat while walking
- Tip
- Talk on phone on train
- Blow nose in public (go to restroom)
- Stick chopsticks upright in rice
Sample Itineraries
3 Days
Day 1: Traditional Tokyo
- Morning: Senso-ji Temple (Asakusa)
- Afternoon: Meiji Shrine, Harajuku
- Evening: Shibuya Crossing, dinner
Day 2: Modern Tokyo
- Morning: Tsukiji Market breakfast
- Afternoon: TeamLab or Akihabara
- Evening: Shinjuku, Tokyo Metro Building
Day 3: Cultural Experience
- Morning: Ueno Park, museums
- Afternoon: Shopping (Ginza or Harajuku)
- Evening: Roppongi, Tokyo Tower
5 Days
Add to above:
Day 4: Day Trip
- Mount Fuji/Hakone or Nikko
- Return evening
Day 5: Explore More
- Morning: Odaiba
- Afternoon: Sumo or shopping
- Evening: Izakaya experience
7 Days
Add to above:
Day 6: Neighborhoods
- Morning: Yanaka (old Tokyo)
- Afternoon: Shimokitazawa (hipster area)
- Evening: Karaoke
Day 7: Relaxation
- Morning: Hamarikyu Gardens
- Afternoon: Shopping for souvenirs
- Evening: Final ramen, reflect on trip
Budget Guide
Budget Traveler ($50-80/day)
Accommodation: $25-35 (hostel/capsule hotel)
Food: $15-25 (convenience store, cheap eats)
Transport: $5-10 (IC card, walking)
Activities: $5-10 (free temples, one paid site)Mid-Range ($100-150/day)
Accommodation: $50-80 (business hotel)
Food: $30-40 (mix of cheap and restaurants)
Transport: $10-15
Activities: $10-15 (museums, attractions)Luxury ($200+/day)
Accommodation: $100-300+ (hotel)
Food: $50-100 (restaurants, fine dining)
Transport: $20-50 (taxis)
Activities: $30-50Resources
- Japan Guide
- Tokyo Cheapo
- Tokyo Metro App
- Google Maps
- Hyperdia (train schedules)
- Gurunavi (restaurant finder)