Japan’s capital runs on precision and appetite: hyper-efficient trains, neighbourhoods that feel like separate cities, and more Michelin stars than anywhere else on earth — from ¥1,000 ramen counters to omakase temples in Ginza. Four to five days is ideal; three still works if you start early and accept day-trip triage.
When is the best time to visit Tokyo?
| Month | Weather | Crowds | Prices |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | Cold; 2–10°C | Mid | Mid |
| February | Cold; 2–10°C | Low–mid | Low–mid |
| March | Cool, sakura starts; 5–14°C | Rising | High |
| April | Mild, sakura peak; 10–19°C | Peak | Peak |
| May | Warm; 15–24°C | High (GW) | Peak (GW) |
| June | Warm, humid; 19–26°C | Mid–high | Mid–high |
| July | Hot, humid; 23–30°C | High | High |
| August | Hot, Obon; 24–31°C | High | High |
| September | Warm; 21–27°C | Mid–high | Mid–high |
| October | Mild, clear; 15–22°C | High | High |
| November | Cool, autumn colour; 10–17°C | High | High |
| December | Cool–cold; 5–12°C | Mid–high | Mid–high |
How much does Tokyo cost?
| Band | Daily (USD) | Daily (JPY, approx.) | What you get |
|---|---|---|---|
| Budget | $60–$90 | ¥9,000–¥14,000 | Capsule/hostel, convenience meals, subway days |
| Mid-range | $100–$180 | ¥15,000–¥27,000 | Business hotel, ramen to izakaya mix, IC transit |
| Luxury | $250–$450+ | ¥38,000–¥70,000+ | Luxury hotel, omakase, private guides / taxis |
Tokyo: your questions, answered
How many days do you need in Tokyo?
Four to five days is the sweet spot: Asakusa and old east, Shibuya–Harajuku–Shinjuku, Ginza plus a day trip to Nikko, Kamakura or Hakone. Three full days still covers the headline neighbourhoods if you start early.
Add nights for Disney, teamLab without rushing, or our [Tokyo Eats guide](/eats/tokyo).
When is the best time to visit Tokyo?
Late March to early April brings cherry blossom; mid-October to November delivers clear skies and autumn colour. Avoid Golden Week, Obon and New Year when domestic travel peaks and hotel rates jump.
Is Tokyo expensive to visit?
Tokyo is mid-to-high for a developed capital. Budget $100–$180 per day mid-range: business hotels often $90–$160, superb ramen under $12, and subway days around $6–$10 with an IC card. Fine dining and cocktail bars are the budget breakers.
What is the best area to stay in Tokyo?
Shinjuku or Shibuya for first-timers; Asakusa for temple-side calm; Ginza/Tokyo Station for shopping and shinkansen days. Stay on the Yamanote Line when in doubt.
Do you need a JR Pass for Tokyo only?
Usually no. A Suica/Pasmo covers metro and JR local lines inside the city. JR Pass maths improve when you add long shinkansen legs to Kyoto or Osaka — price those separately.
Is Tokyo good with kids?
Yes — trains are stroller-hostile at times but safe, and teamLab, Ueno zoos/museums and character cafés keep younger travellers engaged. Book hotels near a major station to protect nap schedules.
Should you visit both Tokyo and Kyoto?
Ideally yes on a first Japan trip. Tokyo is contemporary sprawl and food density; Kyoto is temples and traditional streetscapes. Shinkansen links make a 2–3 night Kyoto add-on realistic — see our [Kyoto guide](/destinations/kyoto).
Top experiences in Tokyo
- 1
Senso-ji at dawn
Asakusa’s great temple before the Nakamise stalls fill — still and photogenic by 7am.
- 2
teamLab Planets
Barefoot immersive art in Toyosu; book timed tickets weeks ahead on weekends.
- 3
Shibuya scramble & backstreets
Cross the world’s busiest intersection, then lose an hour in Nonbei Yokocho’s alley bars.
- 4
Meiji Shrine & Harajuku
Forest calm beside Takeshita’s youth culture — the contrast is the point.
- 5
Tsukiji outer market breakfast
Tamagoyaki, uni bowls and knife shops; Toyosu holds the wholesale auction now.
- 6
Shinjuku neon & Golden Gai
Yakitori alleys into tiny bar hops — go with a guide once if language worries you.
- 7
Imperial Palace East Gardens
Green reset in the centre; free and quieter than temple circuits.
- 8
Akihabara or Shimokitazawa
Otaku megastores or vintage side streets — pick your subculture.
- 9
Day trip to Kamakura or Nikko
Great Buddha coast or shrine cedar avenues — leave early.
- 10
Onsen day in the city or Hakone
Tattoo policies vary; book private baths when needed.
How to get to Tokyo
Narita (NRT) and Haneda (HND) both serve Tokyo. Haneda is closer to the centre; Narita remains a major long-haul gateway. From NRT, the Narita Express or Keisei Skyliner reach central hubs in roughly 45–60 minutes; from HND, the Keikyu Line or Tokyo Monorail connect in about 15–30 minutes to core transfer points.
Buy a Suica/Pasmo (or mobile) on arrival. Luggage forwarding (takkyubin) from airports to hotels is worth it on sakura weeks. <!-- VERIFY: NEX/Skyliner fares, 2026 -->
| Option | Time to Shinjuku | Cost (approx.) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Narita Express (NRT) | 80–90 min | ¥3,000–¥3,500 | Reserved seats; JR Pass eligible on some products |
| Keisei Skyliner (NRT) | 75–90 min + transfer | ¥2,500–¥3,200 | Fast to Ueno/Nippori |
| Keikyu / Monorail (HND) | 40–60 min | ¥600–¥1,200 | Best value from Haneda |
| Limousine bus | 60–120 min | ¥1,500–¥3,500 | Door-ish to major hotels; traffic variable |
Is Tokyo safe for travellers?
Tokyo is exceptionally safe, with low street crime and reliable late-night transit. Still watch bags in packed trains, and follow disaster signage — earthquake drills and phone alerts are normal, not panic. Cash remains useful at smaller restaurants; ATMs in 7-Eleven and Japan Post are foreigner-friendly.
The Shifu 3-Day Plan for Tokyo
A day-by-day route with named sights, one food experience per day and the tour worth booking.
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1Asakusa, Skytree & old Tokyo
- Morning
- Senso-ji at opening, then Nakamise for ningyo-yaki before tour groups thicken.
- Afternoon
- Tokyo Skytree or Sumida riverside walk, then Ueno Park museums if you want indoor time.
- Evening
- Yanaka’s quiet lanes at dusk, or an izakaya crawl near Asakusa Station.
- Eat this
- Tsukiji outer-market food walk — uni, tamagoyaki and grilled scallops before noon.
2Shibuya, Harajuku & Shinjuku neon
- Morning
- Meiji Shrine through the forest torii, then Omotesando cafés and Harajuku side streets.
- Afternoon
- Shibuya scramble viewpoint, Hachiko, and backstreets toward Daikanyama.
- Evening
- Shinjuku: Omoide Yokocho yakitori, then a highball in Golden Gai.
- Eat this
- Guided Shinjuku izakaya night — skewers, sashimi and standing bars you’d miss alone.
3Imperial Palace, Ginza & day-trip option
- Morning
- East Gardens of the Imperial Palace, then Tokyo Station’s brick warehouses / Kitte.
- Afternoon
- Ginza depachika grazing, or a half-day Kamakura/Enoshima escape if you crave coast.
- Evening
- Farewell omakase or a quieter sushi counter lunch earlier to dodge peak pricing.
- Eat this
- Sushi-making class — rice seasoning, nigiri shaping, then eat your work.
Where to stay in Tokyo
First-timers should base in Shinjuku or Shibuya for train access and evening energy, or Asakusa for a quieter, traditional feel near Senso-ji. Ginza and Tokyo Station suit shoppers and rail day-trippers. Compare Booking and Agoda for business hotels; Hostelworld covers capsule and dorm beds.
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| Neighborhood | Best for | Vibe |
|---|---|---|
| Shinjuku | First-timers & nightlife | Transit megahub, neon evenings, every price band within a few blocks. |
| Asakusa | Culture & quieter evenings | Temple bells, river walks and a more local pace than Shibuya. |
| Ginza / Tokyo Station | Shopping & rail day trips | Department stores, depachika food halls and shinkansen under one roof. |
| Shibuya | Food & younger nightlife | Scramble energy by day, alley bars and late trains by night. |
Shinjuku
Budget
Shinjuku capsule & hostel cluster
Capsule/dorm beds typically from around ¥3,000–¥5,000.
Mid-range
Hotel Gracery Shinjuku
Godzilla-famous tower hotel; efficient rooms.
Splurge
Park Hyatt Tokyo
Lost-in-Translation perch; New York Bar sunsets still earn the rate.
Asakusa
Budget
Khaosan World Asakusa / ryokan hostels
Social hostels and tatami dorms typically from around ¥3,500.
Mid-range
Richmond Hotel Premier Asakusa International
Modern rooms, solid breakfast, short walk to the gates.
Splurge
The Gate Hotel Kaminarimon by HULIC
Rooftop views over Kaminarimon; design-forward.
Ginza / Tokyo Station
Budget
Business hotels near Kyobashi / Hatchobori
Compact twins typically from around ¥10,000–¥14,000.
Mid-range
Mitsui Garden Hotel Ginza Premier
Reliable mid-tier with a skyline lounge.
Splurge
Mandarin Oriental, Tokyo
Above Nihonbashi; spa and skyline dining.
Shibuya
Budget
Millennials Shibuya
Pod-style rooms with a social lounge.
Mid-range
Shibuya Stream Excel Hotel Tokyu
Covered walkways to the Scramble — practical in rain season.
Splurge
Cerulean Tower Tokyu Hotel
Hilltop quiet above the chaos; wide rooms.
Default to Shinjuku if this is your first Tokyo trip — the Yamanote, Metro and night food are on the doorstep. Choose Asakusa for temple mornings and earlier nights. Ginza wins for shopping and shinkansen days. Always cross-check Booking and Agoda; Asia inventory flips winners by a few thousand yen.
Book your Tokyo trip
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Booking.com
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Agoda
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Hostelworld
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