Kanto · Prefecture Guide

Tokyo Travel Guide

World-class city where ancient temples meet neon-lit towers — something extraordinary awaits every traveller

🏙️ 14M Residents🌸 Cherry Blossoms: Late March🚄 Shinkansen Hub🗼 47 UNESCO Sites Nearby🍣 Most Michelin Stars Worldwide

🗾 About Tokyo

Okay, so Tokyo — where do I even start?! It's massive, it never sleeps, and honestly? It's the most fun city I've ever been to. One minute you're standing in front of a 300-year-old shrine, and literally next door there's a neon-lit arcade, a Michelin-starred ramen spot, and a FamilyMart that's been open since forever. The trains run perfectly on time (yes, really), the food is insane, and you can walk around at 3am without a care in the world. Shopaholics, foodies, history nerds, anime fans — Tokyo's got something that'll make every single one of you lose your mind. In the best way. 🗼✨

🌏
Location
Honshu island, central Japan
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Language
Japanese (English widely used in tourist areas)
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Currency
Japanese Yen (JPY) — cash still preferred
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Time Zone
JST (UTC+9) — no daylight saving
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Best Season
Spring (Mar–May) & Autumn (Oct–Nov)
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Main Airports
Narita (NRT) & Haneda (HND)
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Getting Around
Metro, JR lines — IC card (Suica) essential
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Power Plug
Type A, 100V / 50–60Hz

✈️ Getting There

Tokyo is served by two international airports and is the hub of Japan's Shinkansen bullet-train network, making it the easiest gateway to the rest of the country.

✈️ From Narita Airport (NRT)
  • Narita Express (N'EX) — Direct to Shinjuku / Shibuya in 60–90 min. ¥3,070. Fastest and most comfortable.
  • Keisei Skyliner — To Ueno in 41 min. ¥2,570. Great for budget travellers.
  • Limousine Bus — Door-to-door to major hotels. 70–120 min depending on traffic. ¥3,200.
🛫 From Haneda Airport (HND)
  • Tokyo Monorail — To Hamamatsucho in 18 min. ¥530. Connects to JR Yamanote Line.
  • Keikyu Line — To Shinagawa in 13 min. ¥300. Cheap and fast.
  • Taxi / Ride-share — 30–40 min to central Tokyo. ¥4,000–¥6,000.
🚄 From Other Japanese Cities
  • Osaka/Kyoto → Tokyo — Tokaido Shinkansen Nozomi: ~2 hrs 25 min. ¥13,620 (non-reserved).
  • Hiroshima → Tokyo — ~3 hrs 50 min by Nozomi shinkansen.
  • Nagoya → Tokyo — ~1 hr 40 min by Nozomi shinkansen.
  • Sapporo → Tokyo — ~5 hrs by Hokkaido Shinkansen.
🚇 Getting Around Tokyo
  • Suica / Pasmo IC Card — Buy at airport machines. Works on all trains, buses, and in convenience stores.
  • JR Yamanote Line — Loops past Shinjuku, Harajuku, Shibuya, Shinagawa, Tokyo, Ueno, and Ikebukuro.
  • Tokyo Metro + Toei — 13 subway lines cover every corner of the city. Day passes from ¥600.
  • Taxi — Flag-down from ¥500 base. Uber also operates in Tokyo.
💡 Travel TipBuy a Suica card at the airport vending machine as soon as you land — it works on every train, bus, and subway in the Greater Tokyo area, and you can tap to pay at most convenience stores and vending machines.

📖 Recommended Travel Guides

Deep-dive guides to help you plan every aspect of your visit — from top sightseeing spots to the best restaurants and seasonal events.

Top 20 Sightseeing Spots in Tokyo
Sightseeing
Top 20 Sightseeing Spots in Tokyo
Best Restaurants in Tokyo: Lunch & Dinner
Gourmet
Best Restaurants in Tokyo: Lunch & Dinner
Tokyo Leisure & Entertainment Guide
Leisure
Tokyo Leisure & Entertainment Guide
Tokyo Nature Escapes: Parks & Mountains
Nature
Tokyo Nature Escapes: Parks & Mountains
Tokyo Romantic Spots for Couples & Honeymooners
Honeymoon
Tokyo Romantic Spots for Couples & Honeymooners
Tokyo Hidden Gems: Off the Beaten Path
Sightseeing
Tokyo Hidden Gems: Off the Beaten Path
Tokyo Girls' Trip: Shopping, Beauty & Best Experiences
Leisure
Tokyo Girls' Trip: Shopping, Beauty & Best Experiences
Tokyo Family Trip: Disneyland, Ghibli & Kids' Activities
Leisure
Tokyo Family Trip: Disneyland, Ghibli & Kids' Activities
Tokyo Honeymoon: Luxury Stays & Romantic Dining
Honeymoon
Tokyo Honeymoon: Luxury Stays & Romantic Dining
Tokyo Solo Travel: The World's Best City for One
Leisure
Tokyo Solo Travel: The World's Best City for One
Tokyo Goshuin Guide: Temple & Shrine Stamp Tour
Sightseeing
Tokyo Goshuin Guide: Temple & Shrine Stamp Tour
Tokyo Mystery & Escape Room Guide
Leisure
Tokyo Mystery & Escape Room Guide
Best Hotels & Ryokan in Tokyo
Accommodation
Best Hotels & Ryokan in Tokyo
Tokyo Anime & Manga Guide: Ghibli, Pokémon & Pilgrimage Sites
Pop Culture
Tokyo Anime & Manga Guide: Ghibli, Pokémon & Pilgrimage Sites
⛩️

Sightseeing

5 spots
Senso-ji Temple
📍 Asakusa, Tokyo Year-round

Senso-ji Temple

Tokyo's oldest and most iconic temple, founded in 645 AD. Walk through the thunder-gate Kaminarimon, browse the lantern-lined Nakamise shopping arcade, and reach the grand main hall — one of Japan's most visited religious sites.

Temple History Nakamise Street Free Entry
Shibuya Scramble Crossing
📍 Shibuya, Tokyo Year-round

Shibuya Scramble Crossing

The world's busiest pedestrian crossing — up to 3,000 people cross at once under a blaze of neon signs. Best experienced from the Starbucks window or the rooftop of Shibuya Sky observation deck. A defining symbol of modern Tokyo.

Iconic Night Views Shopping Youth Culture
Meiji Jingu Shrine
📍 Harajuku, Tokyo Year-round

Meiji Jingu Shrine

A serene Shinto shrine dedicated to Emperor Meiji, set within a tranquil forested park of 70,000 trees in the heart of Harajuku. The towering wooden torii gate and gravel paths create a peaceful escape from the city bustle.

Shinto Shrine Forest Walk Imperial Free Entry
Tokyo Imperial Palace East Gardens
📍 Chiyoda, Tokyo Year-round

Tokyo Imperial Palace East Gardens

The residence of Japan's Imperial Family, surrounded by wide moats and stone walls in central Tokyo. The East Gardens are open to visitors and reveal the remains of Edo Castle alongside beautifully manicured lawns and seasonal flowers.

History Gardens Free Entry Photography
Tokyo Skytree
📍 Sumida, Tokyo Year-round

Tokyo Skytree

The world's second-tallest structure at 634 m offers sweeping panoramic views of the Kanto plain — on clear days you can see Mount Fuji. The base complex houses a mall, aquarium, and dozens of restaurants.

Observatory City Views Shopping Modern
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Gourmet

6 spots
Ginza Omakase Sushi
📍 Ginza, Tokyo Year-round

Ginza Omakase Sushi

Ginza hosts some of the world's finest sushi counters where chefs craft each piece to seasonal perfection. The omakase (chef's choice) experience — where you simply trust the chef — is unmatched anywhere on earth. Book well in advance.

Omakase Premium Counter Sushi Reservation Required
Tsukiji Outer Market Morning Tour
📍 Chuo-ku, Tokyo

Tsukiji Outer Market Morning Tour

The outer market around the former Tsukiji Fish Market remains a vibrant hub of seafood restaurants and specialty food shops open from 5 a.m. Experience the morning ritual of premium tamago-yaki (rolled omelette) shops, fresh-grilled tamagoyaki sushi, and sashimi breakfast sets alongside wholesalers stocking Tokyo's finest restaurants.

Sushi Seafood Market Morning
Tsukiji Outer Market
📍 Tsukiji, Tokyo Year-round

Tsukiji Outer Market

The outer market of the former world's largest fish market is still the best place in Tokyo for ultra-fresh sushi, grilled scallops, tamagoyaki egg rolls, and sashimi at any hour of the morning. Arrive early for the freshest picks.

Fresh Seafood Street Food Morning Tuna
Tsukishima Monjayaki Street
📍 Tsukishima, Tokyo Year-round

Tsukishima Monjayaki Street

Tsukishima is the home of monjayaki — Tokyo's runnier cousin of okonomiyaki — cooked on iron griddles at your table. Over 70 restaurants line Nishi-Nakadori Street, making this the definitive place to try this hard-to-find local specialty.

Monjayaki Tokyo Original DIY Cooking Local Favorite
Omoide Yokocho (Memory Lane)
📍 Shinjuku, Tokyo Year-round

Omoide Yokocho (Memory Lane)

A narrow alley of tiny yakitori stalls and izakaya pubs just steps from Shinjuku Station. Smoke, sizzling skewers, and sake pour from these decades-old establishments that survived post-war reconstruction. An unmissable taste of old Tokyo.

Yakitori Izakaya Retro Night Out
Shinjuku Ramen Alley
📍 Shinjuku, Tokyo Year-round

Shinjuku Ramen Alley

Shinjuku is packed with legendary ramen shops — from the rich tonkotsu broth of Ichiran to the thick-noodle tsukemen of Fuunji. The underground ramen alleys near Kabukicho offer a gritty, neon-lit bowl any time of night.

Ramen Tsukemen Budget-friendly Late Night
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Nature

5 spots
Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden
📍 Shinjuku, Tokyo Spring / Autumn

Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden

One of Japan's finest public gardens blends French formal, English landscape, and Japanese traditional styles across 58 hectares. Home to 1,000 cherry trees, it is the most popular hanami (blossom viewing) spot in Tokyo each spring.

Cherry Blossoms Garden Picnic Seasonal
Mount Takao (Takao-san)
📍 Hachioji, Tokyo Year-round

Mount Takao (Takao-san)

The most visited mountain in the world (3M+ visitors/year) rises just 599 m yet rewards hikers with stunning views of Mount Fuji on clear days. Multiple trails suit all fitness levels, and a cable car makes the summit accessible to everyone.

Hiking Autumn Leaves Mt. Fuji View Day Trip
Inokashira Park
📍 Kichijoji, Tokyo Spring / Autumn

Inokashira Park

A beloved park surrounding a large pond in the charming Kichijoji neighbourhood. Rent a rowboat or swan pedalo, stroll under the cherry blossom canopy in spring, and visit the nearby Studio Ghibli Museum — Japan's most beloved animation studio.

Cherry Blossoms Boating Street Art Ghibli Museum
Okutama Valley & Lake
📍 Okutama, Tokyo Summer / Autumn

Okutama Valley & Lake

Tucked in the far western reaches of Tokyo Prefecture, Okutama offers rugged mountain valleys, crystal-clear rivers, and one of the Kanto region's most spectacular autumn foliage displays — all within 90 minutes of central Tokyo by train.

Hiking Kayaking Autumn Leaves Escape the City
Hamarikyu Gardens
📍 Shiodome, Tokyo Year-round

Hamarikyu Gardens

A 300-year-old feudal garden where seawater tidal ponds meet the glass towers of Shiodome. Board a water bus here to cruise up the Sumida River to Asakusa. A traditional teahouse on the central island serves matcha and wagashi sweets.

Tidal Garden Tea House Photography Seasonal Flowers
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Leisure

7 spots
Tokyo DisneySea
📍 Urayasu, Chiba (Tokyo area) Year-round

Tokyo DisneySea

Ranked the world's most beautiful theme park — DisneySea exists only in Japan. Seven themed ports surround a central volcanic island, with the Mediterranean Harbor, Indiana Jones Adventure, and Fantasprings (The Little Mermaid area) as standouts.

Theme Park Family Full Day Unique Worldwide
teamLab Borderless (Azabudai)
📍 Minato-ku, Tokyo

teamLab Borderless (Azabudai)

Reopened in 2024 at Azabudai Hills, teamLab Borderless is a 10,000 m² labyrinth of continuously evolving digital artworks that flow between rooms without borders. Visitors wander freely through interactive light environments, moving through spaces where art reacts to their presence — a genuinely mind-expanding experience unlike anything else in Tokyo.

Digital Art Immersive Technology Contemporary Art
teamLab Planets Tokyo
📍 Toyosu, Tokyo Year-round

teamLab Planets Tokyo

Walk barefoot through rooms filled with infinite crystal universes, koi fish swimming around your feet, and flowers blooming at your touch. teamLab's borderless digital art installations redefine what a museum can be — utterly unmissable.

Digital Art Immersive Instagram Book in Advance
Shibuya Sky Observation Deck
📍 Shibuya, Tokyo Year-round

Shibuya Sky Observation Deck

The open-air rooftop of Shibuya Scramble Square at 229 m offers a 360° unobstructed panorama of Tokyo. Watch the famous crossing become a swarm of tiny figures below while golden hour turns the skyline cinematic. Book evening tickets early.

Rooftop City Views Sunset Photography
Akihabara Electric Town
📍 Akihabara, Tokyo Year-round

Akihabara Electric Town

The world capital of otaku culture — multi-floor shops sell everything from vintage Famicom games to the latest GPUs. Maid cafes, anime figurines, gashapon capsule toys, and retro arcades line every street. Unique to Tokyo, unique to Japan.

Anime Manga Electronics Maid Cafes Gaming
Odaiba Hot Spring Theme Park
📍 Koto-ku, Tokyo

Odaiba Hot Spring Theme Park

Set on reclaimed Odaiba island, this large hot spring facility pipes natural sodium-chloride mineral water from 1,400 m underground, and dresses the entire complex in an Edo-period townscape theme. Yukata-clad visitors stroll food stalls, play carnival games, and relax in indoor and outdoor baths overlooking Tokyo Bay.

Onsen Edo Period Theme Family Entertainment
See all 7 Leisure spots →
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Events

7 spots
Cherry Blossom Season (Hanami)
📍 Parks across Tokyo Late March – Early April

Cherry Blossom Season (Hanami)

Tokyo's most magical season — the city transforms under clouds of pale pink sakura blossoms. Ueno Park, Shinjuku Gyoen, Chidorigafuchi moat, and Meguro River are the top spots. Locals lay out blue tarps, pour sake, and celebrate under the flowers.

Cherry Blossoms Picnic Spring Free
Sumida River Fireworks Festival
📍 Sumida, Tokyo Late July

Sumida River Fireworks Festival

One of Tokyo's oldest fireworks festivals — over 20,000 shells burst above the Sumida River each July. The banks fill with hundreds of thousands of spectators in yukata summer kimono. Book a riverside restaurant seat months in advance for the best view.

Fireworks Summer Yukata Free
Hatsumode at Meiji Shrine
📍 Harajuku, Tokyo January 1–3

Hatsumode at Meiji Shrine

Meiji Shrine receives over 3 million visitors in the first three days of the New Year — Japan's busiest hatsumode (first shrine visit). Buy an omamori charm or ema wishing plaque, listen to the bell at midnight, and experience Japan's most sacred annual ritual.

New Year Shinto Tradition Free
Koenji Awa Odori Festival
📍 Suginami-ku, Tokyo

Koenji Awa Odori Festival

Held the last weekend of August, Koenji Awa Odori is Tokyo's largest dance festival — a frenzied procession of 10,000 dancers in straw hats and yukata weaving through the streets to hypnotic shamisen, taiko, and fue music. Up to 1.2 million spectators line the route in a joyful, chaotic celebration of Japan's most contagious festival tradition.

Dance Summer Festival Traditional Koenji
Comic Market (Comiket)
📍 Tokyo Big Sight, Odaiba August & December

Comic Market (Comiket)

The world's largest self-published comics fair, held twice a year at Tokyo Big Sight. Over 700,000 visitors browse hundreds of thousands of original doujinshi (indie manga) titles, while cosplayers in elaborate costumes transform the plaza into an open-air spectacle unlike anything else in Japan.

Anime Manga Cosplay Doujinshi
📖 Read the Guide →
Koenji Awa Odori Dance Festival
📍 Koenji, Tokyo Late August

Koenji Awa Odori Dance Festival

The largest Awa Odori dance festival outside Tokushima draws one million spectators over two evenings. Over 10,000 performers in traditional costume dance through Koenji's shopping streets to the hypnotic rhythm of shamisen, taiko, and flutes.

Traditional Dance Summer Free Admission Parade
See all 7 Events spots →
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Experience

3 spots
Sumo Stable Morning Practice (Keiko)
📍 Sumida-ku, Tokyo

Sumo Stable Morning Practice (Keiko)

Several sumo stables in Tokyo's Ryogoku district open their morning training (keiko) to small groups of advance-booked visitors from 6–10 a.m. Sitting in silence on cushions around the clay dohyo ring, guests watch wrestlers ranging from novice to champion train with intense focus — the closest any outsider gets to the private world of sumo.

Sumo Stable Visit Morning Traditional Sport
Tokyo Sushi Making Class with Itamae
📍 Chuo-ku, Tokyo

Tokyo Sushi Making Class with Itamae

Under the instruction of a trained sushi chef (itamae), participants learn to season shari rice, slice fish with a yanagiba knife, and shape nigiri, maki, and temaki rolls. Classes in Tsukiji, Asakusa, and Shinjuku run in English for groups of 2–8, ending with eating everything made. The knife skills and rice technique alone transform how participants eat sushi for the rest of their lives.

Sushi Cooking Class Workshop Japanese Cuisine
Tokyo Ramen Cooking Class
📍 Shinjuku, Tokyo

Tokyo Ramen Cooking Class

Small-group ramen cooking classes in Tokyo teach participants to make tonkotsu, shoyu, or miso broth from scratch, hand-pull noodles, and prepare classic toppings including chashu pork and soft-boiled ramen egg. Classes run in English, take 2–3 hours, and participants eat the ramen they cook — the best possible introduction to Japan's most beloved dish.

Ramen Cooking Class Hands-on Japanese Food

💡 Practical Travel Tips

Everything you need to know before and during your visit.

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Best Time to Visit
  • Spring (Mar–May) — Cherry blossom season (late Mar–early Apr) is magical but crowded. Book hotels 3–6 months ahead.
  • Autumn (Oct–Nov) — Crisp weather, stunning fall foliage, fewer crowds than spring.
  • Summer (Jun–Aug) — Hot and humid (30–35°C), but great for festivals (hanabi fireworks) and late-night exploring.
  • Winter (Dec–Feb) — Cold but clear skies. Best time to see Mt. Fuji from the city. Christmas illuminations are stunning.
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Budget Guide
  • Budget (¥6,000–¥10,000/day) — Capsule hotel, convenience store meals, ramen, free sights.
  • Mid-range (¥15,000–¥30,000/day) — Business hotel, restaurant meals, a paid attraction or two.
  • Luxury (¥50,000+/day) — Ryokan or 5-star hotel, omakase sushi, private tours.
  • Many of Tokyo's best experiences — temples, shrines, parks, crossings — are completely free.
🚇
Getting Around
  • Get a Suica IC card at the airport — essential for trains, buses, and shops.
  • Google Maps works perfectly for Tokyo transit navigation in English.
  • Most inner-city journeys cost ¥170–¥300. A daily metro pass (¥600) is worthwhile if you take 4+ rides.
  • Taxis are safe but expensive — use trains whenever possible.
📱
Staying Connected
  • Rent a pocket WiFi at the airport (¥300–¥500/day) or buy a data SIM (IIJmio, Mobal).
  • Free WiFi available at most convenience stores, Starbucks, and major stations.
  • Download Google Translate and enable the camera translation feature — invaluable for menus and signs.
🍱
Food & Dining Tips
  • Convenience stores (7-Eleven, FamilyMart, Lawson) serve genuinely excellent, cheap food 24/7.
  • Many restaurants display plastic food models or picture menus — just point to order.
  • Tipping is not practiced and can cause embarrassment — never tip.
  • Lunch sets (teishoku) at sit-down restaurants are often half the dinner price.
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Etiquette & Culture
  • Eat and drink while walking is generally frowned upon — find a bench or step aside.
  • Remove shoes when entering homes, some traditional restaurants (tatami rooms), and temple inner halls.
  • Speak quietly on trains and set your phone to silent mode.
  • Queuing is taken seriously — always join the line and wait your turn.

🏨 Find Hotels in Tokyo

Compare prices across hundreds of hotels — from budget capsules to luxury ryokan.

Search Hotels on Booking.com →

🎌 Tours & Experiences

Book guided tours, day trips, cooking classes, and cultural experiences.

Browse Tours on Viator →

🗺️ Activities & Attractions

Skip the queues — pre-book entry tickets, day tours, and local experiences.

Explore on GetYourGuide →

🎟️ Things to Do in Tokyo

Discover tickets, transport passes, and unique local experiences in Tokyo with Klook.

Book on Klook →

🚄 JR Pass & Rail Tickets

Pre-purchase your Japan Rail Pass online before you arrive — the easiest way to travel by Shinkansen across Japan.

Buy JR Pass on JRPass.com →
🗺️ Plan