Japan Spot Guide

Tokyo

The world's largest metropolis — where ancient temples meet neon-lit skyscrapers, Michelin-starred ramen shops sit beside 400-year-old shrines, and every neighborhood tells a different story.

🗾 Explore Tokyo's Areas ↓

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Population

14 Million

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Best Season

Spring & Autumn

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Daily Budget

¥5,000 – ¥25,000

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Recommended Stay

4 – 7 Days

Neighborhoods

Explore Tokyo by Area

Tokyo is a city of neighborhoods, each with its own personality. Tap an area to dive into our detailed guide.

Guide Available

Shibuya

Tokyo's most iconic district — the scramble crossing, Shibuya Sky, world-class shopping, and neon-lit nightlife.

Nightlife Shopping Iconic Food

Guide Available

Shinjuku

Tokyo's busiest hub — Golden Gai's tiny bars, Kabukicho's neon jungle, and the serene Shinjuku Gyoen gardens.

Nightlife Transport Hub Gardens Bars

Guide Available

Harajuku & Omotesando

Tokyo's fashion capital — Takeshita Street's kawaii culture, Meiji Shrine's ancient forest, and luxury boutiques.

Fashion Shrine Kawaii Cafes

Guide Available

Asakusa

Old-world Tokyo — Senso-ji Temple, Nakamise shopping street, Tokyo Skytree views, and traditional street food.

Temple Traditional Street Food Skytree

Guide Available

Akihabara

Electric Town — anime megastores, retro game shops, maid cafes, and Japan's pop-culture epicenter.

Anime Gaming Electronics Otaku

Guide Available

Roppongi

Art and nightlife — Mori Art Museum, teamLab exhibitions, Tokyo Tower views, and international dining.

Art Nightlife Tokyo Tower Dining

Guide Available

Ginza & Tsukiji

Luxury meets tradition — high-end department stores, the outer Tsukiji fish market, and Tokyo's finest sushi.

Luxury Sushi Shopping Seafood

Guide Available

Ueno

Culture and nature — world-class museums, Ueno Park's cherry blossoms, Ameyoko market, and Ueno Zoo.

Museums Cherry Blossom Market Budget

Guide Available

Ginza

Tokyo's upscale heart — luxury brands, historic department stores, art galleries, and Michelin-starred dining.

Luxury Shopping Fine Dining Art

Guide Available

Ikebukuro

Entertainment hub — Sunshine City's aquarium and observatory, Otome Road's anime culture, and diverse dining.

Anime Shopping Family Views

Guide Available

Odaiba

Futuristic waterfront — life-size Gundam, teamLab digital art, Rainbow Bridge views, and seaside shopping malls.

Waterfront Digital Art Shopping Gundam

Guide Available

Akasaka

Political and culinary district — Hie Shrine's red torii tunnel, State Guest House, and upscale dining scene.

Shrine Fine Dining Historic Michelin

Guide Available

Ebisu

Sophisticated district — Yebisu Garden Place, world-class museums, craft beer culture, and upscale dining.

Art Museums Craft Beer Fine Dining Upscale

Guide Available

Jiyugaoka

European-style village — trendy boutiques, artisan cafes, tree-lined streets, and charming shopping alleys.

Shopping Cafes European Fashion

Guide Available

Daikanyama

Refined lifestyle district — Tsutaya Books flagship, Hillside Terrace architecture, stylish brunch cafes, and boutique shopping.

Books Brunch Architecture Boutiques

Guide Available

Shimokitazawa

Tokyo's vintage & indie hub — vintage clothing stores, small theatres, curry cafes, and BONUS TRACK (visited by BTS RM).

Vintage Indie Cafes Sub-culture

Guide Available

Nakameguro

Tokyo's cherry blossom No.1 — Meguro River sakura tunnel, Starbucks Reserve Roastery, stylish riverside cafes and boutiques.

Cherry Blossom Cafes Riverside Chic

Guide Available

Kichijoji

Tokyo's most livable neighborhood — Inokashira Park, Ghibli Museum, Harmonica Yokocho alleys, and cozy shopping streets.

Park Ghibli Local Family

Guide Available

Kagurazaka

Little Paris of Tokyo — cobblestone alleys, French bistros, geisha district traces, and hidden shrines including Kengo Kuma's Akagi.

Parisian Alleys French Hidden

Must-See

Top 8 Tokyo Attractions

The essential experiences that define a trip to Tokyo — from ancient temples to futuristic observation decks.

Shibuya

Shibuya Scramble Crossing

The world's busiest intersection — up to 3,000 people cross at once under a canopy of neon lights.

          🎫 Free
          🕐 24h
        

Asakusa

Senso-ji Temple

Tokyo's oldest and most visited temple (645 AD). The iconic Kaminarimon gate and Nakamise shopping street are unmissable.

          🎫 Free
          🕐 6:00–17:00
        

Harajuku

Meiji Shrine

A serene Shinto shrine hidden within 170 acres of forest — a peaceful escape in the heart of Tokyo.

          🎫 Free
          🕐 Sunrise–Sunset
        

Shibuya

Shibuya Sky

Tokyo's #1 observation deck at 229m. Open-air rooftop with 360° views of the entire city and Mt. Fuji.

          🎫 ¥2,000
          🕐 10:00–22:30
        

Sumida

Tokyo Skytree

The world's tallest tower (634m) with observation decks at 350m and 450m. Stunning night views and a massive shopping complex below.

          🎫 ¥2,100+
          🕐 10:00–21:00
        

Azabudai

teamLab Borderless

A mind-bending digital art museum where immersive light installations blur the boundary between art and viewer.

          🎫 ¥3,800
          🕐 10:00–21:00
        

Tsukiji

Tsukiji Outer Market

Tokyo's legendary seafood market. Fresh sushi, tamagoyaki, and street food — the ultimate morning food crawl.

          🎫 Free
          🕐 5:00–14:00
        

Shinjuku

Golden Gai

Six narrow alleys packed with 200+ tiny bars, each seating only 6-10 people. A legendary nightlife experience.

          🎫 Free (drinks extra)
          🕐 Evening–Late
        

Plan

5-Day Tokyo Itinerary

A balanced itinerary covering Tokyo's highlights — from iconic landmarks to hidden gems. Adjust based on your interests.

Day 1

Shibuya & Harajuku — Modern Tokyo

Start at Shibuya Scramble Crossing, visit Hachiko Statue, then walk to Harajuku's Takeshita Street. Explore Meiji Shrine's ancient forest, shop at Omotesando, and end with sunset at Shibuya Sky.

Shibuya Crossing Meiji Shrine Takeshita Street Shibuya Sky

Day 2

Asakusa & Ueno — Traditional Tokyo

Morning at Senso-ji Temple and Nakamise Street. Walk along the Sumida River to Tokyo Skytree. Afternoon at Ueno Park's museums and Ameyoko market for local bargains.

Senso-ji Tokyo Skytree Ueno Park Ameyoko

Day 3

Shinjuku & Akihabara — Energy & Pop Culture

Morning at Shinjuku Gyoen gardens. Afternoon exploring Akihabara's anime shops and arcades. Evening bar-hopping in Golden Gai and exploring Kabukicho's neon streets.

Shinjuku Gyoen Akihabara Golden Gai Kabukicho

Day 4

Ginza, Tsukiji & Roppongi — Food & Art

Early morning sushi at Tsukiji Outer Market. Explore Ginza's luxury shopping. Afternoon at teamLab Borderless or Mori Art Museum. Evening views from Tokyo Tower.

Tsukiji Market Ginza teamLab Tokyo Tower

Day 5

Day Trip — Kamakura or Nikko

Take a day trip to Kamakura (1 hr) for the Great Buddha and beach vibes, or Nikko (2 hrs) for ornate shrines in a mountain forest. Both are easily reached by train from Tokyo.

Great Buddha Enoshima Toshogu Shrine Lake Chuzenji

Pro Tips

Tokyo Travel Tips

Essential knowledge to navigate Tokyo like a local and make the most of your trip.

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Get a Suica/PASMO Card

Buy an IC card at any station for seamless tap-and-go travel on all trains, subways, and buses. Also works at convenience stores and vending machines. Saves time vs buying individual tickets.

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Convenience Stores Are Amazing

7-Eleven, Lawson, and FamilyMart are lifesavers. ATMs that accept foreign cards, quality meals for ¥300-600, free Wi-Fi, clean restrooms, and they're open 24/7. Don't sleep on konbini onigiri.

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Last Train Is Around 12:30 AM

Tokyo's trains stop running around midnight. Check your last train time on Google Maps. If you miss it, options include karaoke rooms, internet cafes, or taxi (expensive — ¥3,000+ to most areas).

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Cash Is Still King

Many restaurants, especially small ramen shops and izakayas, are cash-only. Always carry ¥10,000-20,000 in cash. 7-Eleven ATMs accept most foreign cards with no fee.

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Get Pocket Wi-Fi or eSIM

Reliable internet is essential for Google Maps navigation. Rent a pocket Wi-Fi at the airport (¥500-800/day) or buy an eSIM before arrival. Free Wi-Fi is spotty outside stations and cafes.

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No Tipping, No Eating While Walking

Tipping is not practiced and can be considered rude. Eating while walking is generally frowned upon (except at street food markets). Always look for a spot to stand and eat.

Transport

Getting Around Tokyo

Tokyo has the world's most efficient public transport system. Here's how to navigate it.

Train & Subway Lines

JR Lines Tokyo Metro Toei Subway

The JR Yamanote Line (green loop) connects all major areas: Shibuya, Shinjuku, Ikebukuro, Ueno, Tokyo, and Shinagawa. Tokyo Metro and Toei Subway cover everything else. Use Google Maps for real-time routing.

IC Cards & Passes

Suica PASMO

Suica/PASMO — Rechargeable IC cards. Tap in/out at gates. Works on all trains, buses, and at stores. Buy at any JR station kiosk.
Tokyo Subway Ticket — ¥800/24h, ¥1,200/48h, ¥1,500/72h. Unlimited Metro + Toei rides. Available at airports.

From Airports

Narita Airport → Narita Express (NEX) to Tokyo/Shibuya/Shinjuku, ~60-90 min, ¥3,250
Narita Airport → Skyliner to Ueno, ~36 min, ¥2,520
Narita Airport → Airport Limousine Bus, ~85 min, ¥3,200
Haneda Airport → Tokyo Monorail to Hamamatsucho, ~13 min, ¥500
Haneda Airport → Keikyu Line to Shinagawa/Shibuya, ~20-35 min, ¥300-500

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

How many days do I need to visit Tokyo?

We recommend at least 4–5 days to cover Tokyo's highlights. Spend 1 day each in Shibuya/Harajuku, Shinjuku, Asakusa/Ueno, and Akihabara/Ginza. Add extra days for day trips to Kamakura, Nikko, or Mt. Fuji. A full week allows a relaxed pace with deeper exploration of neighborhoods.

What is the best time to visit Tokyo?

The best times are spring (late March – April) for cherry blossoms and autumn (October – November) for colorful foliage and comfortable weather. Summer (June – August) is hot and humid with rainy season in June–July. Winter (December – February) is cold but clear, with fewer crowds, lower prices, and beautiful illuminations across the city.

Should I get a Japan Rail Pass for Tokyo?

For Tokyo-only travel, a JR Pass is NOT cost-effective. Instead, get a Suica or PASMO IC card for convenient tap-and-go travel on all trains, subways, and buses. If you plan day trips to Hakone, Nikko, or Kamakura, consider a Tokyo Wide Pass (¥15,000 for 3 days). The full JR Pass is only worth it if you're also traveling to Kyoto, Osaka, or other distant cities.

What is the daily budget for Tokyo?

Budget travelers can manage ¥5,000–8,000/day (hostels, convenience store meals, free attractions). Mid-range budgets of ¥15,000–25,000/day cover business hotels, restaurant meals, and paid attractions. Luxury travelers should budget ¥40,000+/day. Transportation typically costs ¥800–1,500/day with an IC card.

Is Tokyo easy to navigate without speaking Japanese?

Yes, Tokyo is one of the most tourist-friendly cities in Asia. All train stations have English signage, Google Maps works perfectly for navigation, and many restaurants have English menus or picture menus. Download Google Translate with the Japanese offline pack for signs and menus. Most convenience stores and hotels have English-speaking staff.

What areas should first-time visitors stay in?

Shinjuku is the top recommendation — it's Tokyo's largest transport hub with easy access everywhere, plus abundant hotels, restaurants, and nightlife. Shibuya is great for younger travelers and nightlife. Asakusa offers traditional atmosphere at lower prices. Tokyo Station area is ideal for bullet train connections. The key rule: stay near a JR Yamanote Line station for maximum convenience.

Explore Japan

Other Cities

Continue your Japan adventure beyond Tokyo with our city guides.

Kyoto

Ancient capital · Temples, geisha, bamboo groves · Coming Soon

Osaka

Japan's kitchen · Street food, nightlife, USJ · Coming Soon