Tokyo
Tokyo is the world’s largest metropolis, and one of its most exhilarating — a city where centuries-old temples sit in the shadow of neon towers, where a Michelin-starred meal and a £4 bowl of ramen are equally serious pursuits, and where 14 million people move with a calm, clockwork order that astonishes first-time visitors. It can look overwhelming on a map. It almost never is in person.
For most travellers Tokyo is both the arrival point and the highlight of a Japan trip — the place to land, find your feet, and feel the country’s contrasts at full volume before heading on. This guide covers how to spend your time, where to base yourself, how to get around, and the day trips worth saving a day for.
best for:
First arrival and big-city energy
Time needed:
3 - 4 days
Budget:
£££ (cheaper than you would expect)
getting around:
World-class metro (IC card)
Airports:
Haneda (close) or Narita (far)
Best time:
March–May & October–November
Tokyo's districts
Places you don't want to miss
Sensō-ji, Asakusa
Tokyo’s oldest and most atmospheric temple, approached through the lantern-hung Nakamise shopping street. Come early or after dark to feel it without the crowds.
Shibuya Crossing
The world’s busiest pedestrian scramble — pure Tokyo energy. Watch it from above with a coffee, then cross it yourself at least once.
Meiji Shrine
A serene forest shrine in the heart of the city, a few steps from the fashion of Harajuku — the contrast that defines Tokyo in a single walk.
Tokyo Skytree & Tokyo Tower
Two landmarks, two eras. The soaring Skytree offers the highest views; the retro Tokyo Tower is the more nostalgic photograph.
Toyosu & Tsukiji Outer Market
The wholesale tuna auctions moved to Toyosu, but the Tsukiji Outer Market remains the place for an unforgettable seafood breakfast and street food.
teamLab
Tokyo’s blockbuster digital-art museums turn light, water and reflection into immersive, room-filling worlds — book well ahead, as they sell out.
About Tokyo
A unique city
Tokyo’s reputation for being overwhelming is precisely backwards. Yes, it’s vast — but it’s also one of the most orderly, clean and navigable big cities on earth, with English signage in stations, impeccable public transport and a deep instinct for making the visitor’s path smooth. The city rewards both the planner with a packed list and the wanderer happy to get pleasantly lost down a side street.
Tokyo today
Tokyo has welcomed record numbers of visitors, and the headline spots — Shibuya, Asakusa, the teamLab museums — can be busy. The fix is simple: visit the big sights early or late, and give yourself time in the quieter residential neighbourhoods (Yanaka, Shimokitazawa, Kagurazaka), where the city’s everyday charm really lives.
A Few Myths (and Realities)
Myth: Tokyo is impossible to navigate
Reality: The metro and JR Yamanote loop cover the city superbly, signage is bilingual, and a tap-and-go IC card removes all the friction. You’ll have it figured out by day two.
Myth: Tokyo is punishingly expensive
Reality: It can be, but it needn’t be — some of the best food in the world is cheap here, and budget and mid-range hotels are plentiful.
Getting around Tokyo
Tokyo’s rail network is the best in the world, and the only way to travel. The Tokyo Metro and Toei subway lines cover the centre, while the JR Yamanote line loops past most major districts above ground. Buy a Suica or Pasmo IC card on arrival (or add one to your phone) and simply tap in and out — it also works on buses and for small purchases. A nationwide Japan Rail Pass is not worth buying for a Tokyo-only stay; see our guide to [whether the Japan Rail Pass is worth it](https://greatwideopen.blog/destinations/japan/japan-rail-pass-worth-it/).
From the airports: Haneda is much closer to the city (around 30 minutes by monorail or Keikyū line) and worth choosing if you can. Narita is further out (about 60 minutes via the Narita Express or Keisei Skyliner).
Where to stay
For a first visit, base yourself somewhere central and well-connected. Shinjuku and Shibuya put you in the thick of it with superb transport; Tokyo Station / Marunouchi and Ginza are more refined and central for onward travel; and Asakusa offers traditional atmosphere and better value. A fuller neighbourhood guide is coming soon.
When to visit
Spring (late March–April) for cherry blossom and autumn (October–November) for crisp air and colour are the loveliest — and busiest — times. June is rainy, and July–August hot and humid; winter is cold but clear and quiet. For comfort and fewer crowds, aim for late spring after the blossom peak, or autumn.
Day trips from Tokyo
- Hakone — hot springs, lake cruises and the classic view of Mount Fuji.
- Nikkō — ornate mountain shrines and waterfalls amid cedar forest.
- Kamakura — the Great Buddha, coastal temples and a relaxed seaside pace.
- Mount Fuji & the Fuji Five Lakes — Japan’s icon up close, especially clear in the cooler months.
- Kawagoe — “Little Edo,” a preserved old merchant town an easy half-day away.
A final word
Tokyo asks for three or four days minimum, and rewards every one of them. Base yourself centrally, get an IC card in your hand within the first hour, balance the headline sights with time to wander, and save a day for Hakone or Kamakura. Time it for spring or autumn and it’s hard to think of a more thrilling place to begin a trip to Japan.
You may also like
Visiting Japan — the full country guide
Is the Japan Rail Pass worth it?
Kyoto — the cultural heart, two and a half hours away
Visiting Tokyo: FAQs
How many days do you need in Tokyo?
Three to four days suits a first visit — enough for the headline districts, a couple of temples and shrines, the food, and a day trip to Hakone or Kamakura. You could easily fill a week if you slow down.
What's the best area to stay in Tokyo?
For a first visit, somewhere central and well-connected: Shinjuku or Shibuya for energy and transport, Tokyo Station or Ginza for refinement, or Asakusa for traditional character and better value.
How do I get from the airport to central Tokyo?
From Haneda, the closer airport, it's around 30 minutes by monorail or the Keikyū line. From Narita, allow about 60 minutes via the Narita Express or the Keisei Skyliner.
Do I need a Japan Rail Pass for Tokyo?
No. A nationwide Japan Rail Pass isn't worth it for a Tokyo-only stay — a Suica or Pasmo IC card covers the metro, JR lines and buses. The pass only makes sense for longer, multi-city trips, and even then often doesn't pay off.
When is the best time to visit Tokyo?
Spring (late March–April) for cherry blossom and autumn (October–November) for clear, comfortable weather are the best windows. Avoid the June rains and the August heat if you can; winter is cold but quiet.