This Way to Tokyo

Osaka is an easy destination to plan for. Nagoya is also easy. Fukuoka and Hiroshima are also pretty easy.

Kyoto is a little more difficult but compared to Tokyo, it’s still relatively easy.

Planning a trip to Tokyo can be daunting, and a lot of that has to do with its size. It isn’t just one city but a massive metropolis that’s home to 23 wards, 26 cities, 5 towns, and 8 villages. How can you possibly fit all that in four, five, even six days?

Spoiler alert, you can’t, so don’t even try.

I’ve been to Tokyo many times, the longest stay being over three weeks, and even that didn’t feel long enough. And that was after I had already been to the city’s top tourist attractions! There just never seem to be enough hours in the day in this city.

Tokyo is exciting, but it can also be exhausting, especially when planned poorly or unrealistically, so a strategic approach is a must when visiting Japan’s capital for the first time.

In this guide, I hope to simplify and make sense of all that is Tokyo, to help you make the most of your time in this stimulating, sometimes overwhelming, yet endlessly captivating city.

GUIDE TABLE OF CONTENTS

TOKYO AT A GLANCE

Almost every first trip to Japan starts with Tokyo, the country’s capital. It’s an intriguing blend of ultramodern, traditional, ceremonial, quirky, and cutting edge that you can’t find anywhere else in the world, not even in Japan. Osaka is similar in some ways, but it isn’t quite like Tokyo.

Tokyo is often described as the world’s largest city, but that distinction can be a little misleading. Firstly, Tokyo isn’t just one city but a metropolis comprised of multiple wards, cities, towns, and villages. With a population of roughly 14 million, Tokyo Metropolis is the official administrative entity of Tokyo and classified as one of Japan’s 47 prefectures.

The “world’s largest city” title actually describes the Tokyo Metropolitan Area (aka the Greater Tokyo Area). It has a population of around 41 million and includes Tokyo Metropolis and parts of six neighboring prefectures (Chiba, Gunma, Ibaraki, Kanagawa, Saitama, and Tochigi).

Visitors to Tokyo will be spending most of their time in the eastern half of Tokyo Metropolis. Made up of 23 special wards (among them Shibuya, Shinjuku, and Sumida), this is the heart of Tokyo and the focus of this guide.

BEST TIME TO VISIT TOKYO

Like any major city in Japan, Tokyo is a year-round destination. Mostly indoors, its top attractions aren’t season-specific so you’ll find lots to do no matter what time of the year you go.

Having said that, Japan experiences four seasons so spring and fall are the most popular times to visit. Sakura trees are typically in full bloom by early April while late November to early December is usually best for fall colors.

If you’d like to experience a festival, then May is an ideal month to visit Tokyo. Sanja Matsuri and Kanda Matsuri are both celebrated in mid-May. Sanja Festival is held annually while Kanda Festival takes place in odd-numbered years.

WHERE TO STAY IN TOKYO

Choosing where to stay is one of the most important decisions you’ll need to make in Tokyo. Thanks to its extensive metro system, getting around won’t be a problem but unless money isn’t an issue, then you’ll need to find a good balance between cost and convenience.

Centrally located areas like Shinjuku and Shibuya are convenient but they’re typically pricier. You can find cheaper places to stay in outlying areas but be prepared to spend more time in transit.

On my last trip, I stayed in Kawaguchi in neighboring Saitama Prefecture and I spent at least 2-3 hours on the metro everyday. It was exhausting and seriously cut in to my actual sightseeing time.

Listed below are some of the best areas to stay in Tokyo with a brief rundown on pros and cons. Click on the link for a live version of the map. (Please note that marked areas are approximations only)

RED – Shinjuku
PURPLE – Shibuya
BLUE – Roppongi
YELLOW – Ginza
GREEN – Tokyo Station
ORANGE – Ueno
PINK – Sumida

SHINJUKU

Shinjuku is one of the best and most convenient areas to stay in Tokyo. It’s a major transportation hub with thousands of restaurants, bars, shops, and tourist attractions. You could honestly stay in Shinjuku during your entire time in Tokyo without getting bored. There is so much to see and do there.

Highlights in Shinjuku include Shinjuku Gyoen, Omoide Yokocho, Golden Gai, and the free observation decks at the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building.

Hotels in Shinjuku tend to be pricier but this is to be expected from such a centrally located commercial area. If you can, then I suggest trying to book your accommodations months in advance.

You can search for accommodations in Shinjuku on Booking.com or Agoda. If you can find one that suits you, then I suggest booking a hotel close to Shinjuku Station. Check out some of the top-rated hotels in the area:

SHIBUYA

Shibuya is another lively and centrally located commercial area in Tokyo. It’s similar in feel to Shinjuku, though perhaps with a younger crowd. It’s also a major transportation hub with plenty of shops, restaurants, cafes, and tourist attractions.

Highlights in Shibuya include the famed Shibuya crossing, the Hachiko statue, Harajuku, Meiji Shrine, and Shibuya Sky.

Like Shinjuku, hotel prices in Shibuya tend to be higher so it’s best to book your accommodations as early as possible.

You can search for accommodations in the Shibuya area on Booking.com or Agoda. If you can, try to find a hotel near Shibuya Station. Check out some of the top-rated hotels in Shibuya:

GINZA

You can think of the Ginza District as Tokyo’s equivalent to Fifth Avenue in New York City. It’s a bougie neighborhood that’s home to luxury hotels, big name brands, and high-end restaurants. If you’ve come to Tokyo to do some luxury shopping, then this is probably where you’ll want to be.

Highlights in Ginza include Ginza Six, Tokyu Plaza Ginza, and the Uniqlo 12-floor flagship store. Ginza is mostly about high-end shopping but the famed Tsukiji Outer Market isn’t too far from here.

As you’d expect, hotel prices in Ginza tend to be higher. But if you’re looking to stay here, then money is probably less of an issue. Even the district’s name – Ginza – sounds expensive.

If you’d like to stay in Ginza, then you can search for accommodations on Booking.com or Agoda. Check out some of the top-rated hotels in Ginza:

TOKYO STATION

Just north of Ginza is Tokyo Station, the city’s main transportation hub. It’s the city’s most important train station and gives you direct shinkansen access to cities like Kyoto, Osaka, Hiroshima, and Nagano. If ease of transportation is paramount to you, then the area around Tokyo Station is one of the best places to stay in the city.

Aside from its convenient transportation options, the area is home to many department stores and countless restaurants. Ginza, the Imperial Palace, and MOMAT are within walking distance while Akihabara and Tsukiji Outer Market are just a quick bus or train ride away.

Like Shinjuku, hotels around Tokyo Station tend to be on the pricier side because of its prime location and excellent transportation connections.

You can search for accommodations around Tokyo Station on Booking.com or Agoda. Check out some of the top-rated hotels in the area:

ROPPONGI

Roppongi is another well-known upmarket area in Tokyo. Unlike the Ginza shopping district, it’s more of an entertainment district with lots of great museums, Michelin-starred restaurants, luxury shopping centers, and night clubs.

I remember walking in Roppongi and being stunned by how many luxury cars I saw on the street. Every other car driving by seemed to be a Lamborghini, Porsche, or Ferrari! Roppongi doesn’t have the same energy as Ginza but that may be a good thing for people looking for a quieter, more exclusive stay in Tokyo.

Some of Roppongi’s top attractions include the Mori Art Museum, the National Art Center, Tokyo Tower, and Zozoji Temple.

Visit Booking.com or Agoda to search for accommodations in Roppongi. Here are some of the top-rated hotels in the area:

UENO

If you’d like to stay in a more traditional part of Tokyo, then Ueno may be for you. It isn’t as glitzy as Shinjuku, Shibuya, or Ginza but it puts you close to some of Tokyo’s top cultural attractions like Tokyo National Museum, Ueno Park, Ameyoko Market, and Senso-ji. Plus, accommodations in Ueno are generally cheaper.

You can search for accommodations in Ueno on Booking.com or Agoda. Check out some of the top-rated hotels in the area:

SUMIDA

Like Ueno, Sumida is a great place to look for cheaper accommodations in Tokyo. It’s situated to the east of Asakusa, across the Sumida River. Until fairly recently, tourists had few reasons to go to Sumida but Tokyo Skytree changed all that.

Sumida isn’t as centrally located as some of the other places on this list but it is a quiet area that’s home to a few places of interest. Aside from Tokyo Skytree, other notable attractions include Edo-Tokyo Museum, Tobu Museum, and the Ryogoku Sumo District.

You cam search for accommodations in Sumida on Booking.com. Check out some of the top-rated hotels in the area:

RELATED ARTICLE: Luxury Experiences in Tokyo

THINGS TO DO IN TOKYO

Visit a Temple or Shrine

Tokyo’s dichotomy of cutting edge and traditional is part of what makes the city so fascinating. And there’s no better place to appreciate the latter than at its many Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines.

Senso-ji (pictured below), Tokyo’s oldest temple, is easily the most famous but it’s also the most crowded. Meiji Shrine is just as well-known but it offers a more serene experience thanks to its location in a forested park area.

There are many other temples and shrines in Tokyo but some of the most notable include Zozo-ji, Tennoji, and my personal favorite – Gotokuji. Gotokuji Temple is the birthplace of the auspicious beckoning cat charm.

If you’re visiting Tokyo for the first time and had time for just one, then it would have to be Senso-ji. You can easily visit Senso-ji Temple on your own, but if you’d prefer to go with a guide, then you may be interested in this Asakusa walking tour.

Take a Stroll in a Landscaped Garden

Tokyo is exciting, but it can also be exhausting. There’s no better place to enjoy a few relaxed hours to recharge than at a landscaped garden. In Tokyo, there a few you can visit.

Some of the most popular landscaped gardens in Tokyo include Shinjuku Gyoen, Rikugien (pictured below), and Koishikawa Korakuen. The Imperial Palace East Gardens are free to enter while Kiyosumi Gardens offer something a little more off-the-beaten-path.

Personally, enjoying matcha with wagashi at a landscaped garden is one of my absolute favorite things to do in Japan.

Get Lost in Tokyo’s Many Cool Neighborhoods

Tokyo is home to many interesting tourist attractions but let’s be honest, you don’t need to visit them to have an amazing time in Tokyo. You’ll be just as happy exploring its many cool neighborhoods like Shinjuku, Shibuya, Ginza, and Akihabara.

Those are some of the most well-known – and unmissable if you’re on your first trip to Tokyo – but there are many other interesting neighborhoods you may not have heard of like Shimokitazawa, Koenji, Jimbocho, and Daikanyama. Check out my article on Tokyo’s coolest neighborhoods for more.

Eat the Freshest Seafood at Tsukiji Market

Tokyo is no stranger to good seafood but some of the freshest (and cheapest) can be found at the iconic Tsukiji Market.

Tsukiji Market has been a staple on Tokyo itineraries for decades, thanks to the tuna auctions held in its inner market. The auctions were moved to Toyosu Market in 2018 but Tsukiji’s outer market remains as busy as ever. It’s a great place to enjoy cheap seafood in a slightly frenzied but fun environment.

It’s easy enough to visit Tsukiji Market on your own, but if you’d prefer to go with a guide, then you may be interested in this Tsukiji Market food tour.

Visit a Museum

Given Tokyo’s immense size, it’s no surprise that the city is home to dozens of outstanding museums catering to a diverse array of interests.

If you like art, then be prepared to spend an entire day in Roppongi. Known collectively as Art Triangle Roppongi (ATRo), Mori Art Museum, Suntory Museum of Art, and The National Art Center (pictured below) are a slick trio of art museums located within minutes of each other in Roppongi Hills.

Parents traveling with kids can kill a few hours at the National Museum of Nature and Science while fans of Studio Ghibli will undoubtedly visit the popular Ghibli Musuem. If oddball museums are more your thing, then you cannot miss the Meguro Parasitological Museum.

Experience teamLab

These hugely popular multimedia exhibits by the teamLab art collective have been a social media favorite ever since Borderless first opened in Odaiba in 2018. Branded as the world’s first digital art museum, it was a groundbreaking concept that allowed visitors to interact with an immersive series of ever-evolving digital artwork.

At present, there are two teamLab museums in Tokyo – teamLab Borderless and teamLab Planets. I took the picture below from the original Borderless in Odaiba but that museum has since been relocated to Azabudai Hills near Roppongi.

One teamLab experience is enough for me so I don’t intend to go to Planets, but the unique experience of wading through a water-based installation does sound intriguing. You’ll need to remove your shoes and roll up your pants to do so.

teamLab tickets remain some of the hottest in Tokyo so booking them in advance is recommended (teamLab Borderless | teamLab Planets).

See Tokyo From Above

Just how massive of a city is Tokyo? Climb up to the observation deck of Tokyo Skytree and see for yourself.

Measuring 634 meters (2,080 ft) in height, Tokyo Skytree is a television broadcasting tower that’s currently the tallest structure in Japan. It has two observation decks – one at 350 meters (1,148 ft) and another at 450 meters (1,476 ft) – offering the most spectacular bird’s eye views of Tokyo.

Tokyo Skytree is the tallest but other structures offering similar views include Tokyo Tower and Shibuya Sky. If you’d rather not pay for the view, then the free observation decks at the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building are probably your best option.

You can get tickets to the observation decks at the gate or in advance through Klook: Tokyo Skytree | Tokyo Tower | Shibuya Sky.

Go Izakaya Hopping at a Yokocho

You can get a drink anywhere in Tokyo but few venues are more atmospheric than a yokocho, a narrow alleyway or network of alleyways filled with tiny bars, restaurants, and izakayas. They’re a vestige of post-war Japan when black market stalls for goods and food popped up throughout the country, usually around train stations.

There are a few yokochos you can visit in Tokyo, but one of the most well-known is Omoide Yokocho, conveniently located just outside Shinjuku Station. Not far from there is the equally popular Golden Gai. It technically isn’t a yokocho but a similar network of small alleyways crammed with over 200 tiny bars and restaurants.

Other notable yokochos you can visit in Tokyo include Harmonica Yokocho (Kichijoji), Sankaku Chitai (Sangenjaya), and Ebisu Yokocho.

It’s easy enough to visit a yokocho on your own but if you’d like to go with a guide, then you may be interested in one of these izakaya tours (Get Your Guide | byFood).

Discover the Underground World of Depachikas

I’ll never forget my first depachika experience. My best friend took me to a Hankyu depachika in Osaka and introduced me to USD 200 designer melons. I didn’t get to try them of course, but I’ve never looked at fruit the same way since.

Much more than just expensive fruit, depachikas are high-end food markets located in the basement of luxury department stores. They’re home to a wide range of high-quality gourmet food products like beautifully packaged sweets, bento boxes, top-quality beef, baked goods, designer fruit, and premium spirits.

There are dozens of depachikas you can visit in Tokyo. Some of the most notable include the Isetan in Shinjuku, the Mitsukoshi in Ginza, and the Daimaru inside Tokyo Station.

Embrace Your Inner Otaku

The quickest translation for otaku is “geek”, but it means more than that. It refers to someone with an all-consuming passion for something, usually anime or video games, but it can apply to other hobbies and subcultures as well. Personally, I like to think of myself as a Japan otaku.

The first place that comes to mind when you think of otaku culture in Tokyo is Akihabara, a virtual wonderland of anime stores, gaming arcades, maid cafes, and electronics shops.

Serious collectors, however, flock to Nakano Broadway, a multi-story shopping complex teeming with shops selling all kinds of collectibles like vintage toys, posters, books, trains, dolls, and luxury watches.

Watch Sumo

How can one country contribute so much cultural coolness to the world? Thanks to Japan, we have samurais, ninjas, geishas, and Sumo. I’ve been obsessed with Sumo wrestling ever since I binge watched the Sanctuary series on Netflix.

Ryogoku District in Sumida is known as Tokyo’s Sumo Town. It’s home to the Sumo stadium (Ryogoku Kokugikan), many top-ranked Sumo stables, and dozens of restaurants serving chanko nabe – the high-calorie hot pot dish that wrestlers eat to maintain their massive bulk.

Sumo tournaments are held at Ryogoku Kokugikan every January, May, and September but you can watch a Sumo practice (Magical Trip | Wabunka) at any time of the year.

Cultural or Quirky? Experience Something Unique in Tokyo

Japan is one of the most culturally captivating countries in the world. From enjoying tea with a geisha to fixing broken pottery using the art of kintsugi, Japan offers experiences that you can’t have anywhere else. If you’d like to enjoy a unique culturally immersive experience in Tokyo, then you need to check out Wabunka.

If quirky is more your thing, then perhaps you’d rather go go-karting in a Pikachu costume or step into the playful world of a maid cafe. Yes, they may be touristy, but they’re undeniably fun and so uniquely Japanese!

Take a Cooking Class

If you like to cook and have a fondness for Japanese food, then why not take a cooking class? I’ve taken many cooking classes around the world, including one in Tokyo, and the experience always gives me a better understanding and appreciation for the local cuisine.

From making sushi to crafting wagashi and packing the cutest bento boxes, you’ll have dozens of cooking classes to choose from in Tokyo on airKitchen and byFood.

DAY TRIPS FROM TOKYO

These are some of the most popular but be sure to check my article on fun day trips from Tokyo for more recommendations.

Kawagoe

Located in Saitama Prefecture, less than hour away from central Tokyo, Kawagoe is one of the easiest day trips you can make from the capital. Nicknamed “Little Edo”, it’s a former castle town known for its well-preserved warehouses and traditional architecture, none more eye-catching than its old bell tower standing tall in the heart of the Old Town.

Many of the old buildings along the town’s main street have been converted into restaurants, shops, and teahouses. Eating street food is a must here, along with satisfying your sweet tooth at the many traditional candy shops along Kashiya Yokocho.

It’s easy to visit Kawagoe on your own, but you may want to check out Get Your Guide or Klook for a list of tours and travel deals to Kawagoe.

Kamakura and Enoshima

Thanks to their proximity, Kamakura and Enoshima are among the most popular day trips you can make from Tokyo. They’re located less than half an hour apart by train in Kanagawa Prefecture.

Kamakura is famous for its many interesting temples and shrines (hence the nickname “Kyoto of Eastern Japan”) while Enoshima is a small island known for its cluster of shrines, caves, and sweeping ocean views. Connected by bridge to the mainland, the area around Enoshima is one of the most popular beach destinations near Tokyo.

You’ll need to start early but you can visit both on the same day. If you’d prefer to go with a guide, then there are a few tours (Get Your Guide | Klook) that can take you to both Kamakura and Enoshima with transportation already included.

Kawaguchiko

Lake Kawaguchi is arguably the most popular day trip destination from Tokyo, and with good reason! On a clear day, this lake and onsen town in Yamanashi Prefecture offers some of the most spectacular views of the iconic Mt Fuji.

Aside from basking in the views of Mt Fuji, popular activities in Kawaguchiko include cycling around the lake, visiting one of several museums in the area, and soaking in an onsen.

Visit Get Your Guide and Klook for a list of tours and attraction deals around Lake Kawaguchi.

Hakone

Hakone is another destination that offers iconic views of Mt Fuji. The views may not be as close as they are from Lake Kawaguchi, but you’ll have lots more to see and do in Hakone.

Hakone is an atmospheric area known for its many onsen resorts, temples, hiking trails, and art museums. Located about two hours southwest of Tokyo, many people visit Hakone on a day trip but I do recommend staying the night to fully appreciate the place. Visiting for the day will feel quite rushed.

Check out Get Your Guide and Klook for a list of tours and attraction deals in Hakone. Whether you stay overnight or just visit for the day, the Hakone Freepass can be a great investment. It provides unlimited access to the local transportation network for two or three days, along with discounts to various attractions.

Nikko

The town of Nikko in Tochigi Prefecture is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, famous for its many Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples. A great place for hiking, they’re nestled in a heavily wooded area that becomes especially beautiful in the fall.

The town opens up to an expansive national park spanning three prefectures. There’s plenty to do in Nikko for longer stays but most DIY day trippers will only have time to visit the temples and shrines. Nothing wrong with that considering just how beautiful this place is.

If you’d like to see more of Nikko on a day trip, then consider booking a guided tour with transportation through Get Your Guide or Klook.

VISIT TOKYO FAQs

Is Tokyo expensive?

Yes, it can be, but probably not as much as you think, especially if you’re from the west.

Hotels in centrally located areas like Shinjuku and Shibuya are more expensive but you can save on accommodations by staying in Sumida, Ueno, or Asakusa. If you’re willing to stay further out, then you can potentially pay even less.

I stayed for three weeks in Saitama Prefecture at a big Airbnb for a fraction of what I would have paid in Shinjuku. It took me around 45 minutes to an hour to commute to central Tokyo every day, but I was willing to make that sacrifice for cheaper accommodations.

Food runs the whole gamut in Tokyo. The best restaurants will cost you a month’s rent but you can eat for cheap at konbinis, supermarkets, and bento shops. To lessen waste, prepackaged meals are sold at a discount later in the day, so the closer you buy to closing time, the cheaper your meal will be.

If you’re visiting Tokyo for a short time, then you can save on transportation costs with a Tokyo Subway Ticket. It’ll give you unlimited rides on the Tokyo Metro and Toei Subway lines for 1-3 days.

So yes, while Tokyo is indeed more expensive than most other cities in Asia, it doesn’t have to be. You can travel on a budget and still have an amazing time in Tokyo.

How many days do I need in Tokyo?

This is tough. Tokyo is so big with so much to see and do that no amount of time ever seems enough.

Most people have a limited number of vacation days but if you can manage it, then I’d say at least five days would be good. More if you plan to do day trips.

Is it easy to get around in Tokyo?

Yes, very easy. Though it can be confusing at times, especially for first-time visitors, the metro system in Tokyo is so extensive and efficient that you can get pretty much anywhere using public transportation.

Google Maps will be your best friend in Tokyo. It’s detailed and accurate so use it to plot all your metro or bus rides. And remember, punctuality is important in Japanese culture so if the app says that the train will leave at 9:47 am, then more often than not, it WILL leave at 9:47 am.

As described, the Tokyo Subway Ticket can be a great investment if you plan on using the metro a lot. If you’re staying longer in Tokyo and Japan, then a rechargeable IC card is a must. It won’t give you unlimited rides but it’ll save you the trouble of having to line up and pay for single journey tickets each time. Plus, it’ll work on buses and some ferries too.

Pro tip, avoid using the metro during rush hour if you can. They’re packed tight like sardine cans and can be quite chaotic and stressful.

Is there a language barrier in Tokyo?

Yes, like the rest of Japan, but in my experience, never enough to be a problem.

Signs at metro stations and bus stops have English translations. Many restaurants have English menus. If not, then I use Google Translate.

While it’s true that the majority of Japanese people don’t speak English, it isn’t hard to get by in Tokyo with a reliable internet connection and the right apps.

THE FINAL SAY

Tokyo is one of the most exciting cities I’ve been to and arguably the most difficult to encapsulate into a single travel guide.

Not only is the city massive, but it always feel like there’s something cool and interesting to discover somewhere. Rarely have I exited a train station in Tokyo and gotten bored. On long trips, I’m usually fine staying home on some days but never in Tokyo. FOMO reigns supreme here.

Tokyo can be intimidating at first but plan your trip well and you shouldn’t have anything to worry about.

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