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Last update: 20 Oct 2026
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Tokyo Summary
These place ratings give you a quick overview of how well a destination matches different types of trips.
‘Best for’ scores:
The specific interest scores show where this place really shines – whether it's ideal for hiking, food & drink experiences, museums or other activities. These highlights help you understand what makes the destination special at a glance.
‘Your personal’ scores:
This reflects how well a place matches your personal preferences. You can adjust the importances of travel topics or other personal requirements categories in your account settings.
‘Suited for’ badges:
These give you a quick overview of how well a destination suits specific types of travellers, to help you find the places that match your lifestyle, preferences or travel situation.
Suited for
Japan – Quick facts
| Power Grid: |
100 V, 50 Hz Plug: Type A
Type A:
 Read about power adapters |
|---|---|
| Currency: |
Japanese Yen (JPY) £1 ≈ JP¥210 |
| Cashless info: |
Rating 4/5
Cashless payments are becoming more common, especially in cities, with some shops still preferring cash. Be prepared for occasional cash-only situations in rural areas.
Save with a travel credit card |
| eSIM providers: |
Best value: Saily Flexibility: Airalo Read our in-depth comparison |
| Tipping: | Tipping is not customary in Japan and can be considered rude. Excellent service is the norm, and tipping is unnecessary in most places. |
|---|---|
| Public drinking: | Public drinking is legal and commonly accepted, particularly during festivals and events. |
| Public smoking: | Smoking is prohibited in indoor public places but allowed in designated outdoor areas. Some restaurants may have smoking sections. |
| New Year (January) |
One of the most important holidays, expect crowded temples and high prices. Plan ahead. |
|---|---|
| Golden Week (April-May) |
The busiest travel time, expect high demand for accommodation and transport. |
| Obon (August) |
A time to honour ancestors, many businesses close, and transport can be crowded. |
| Emergency contact: | Emergency Number: 110 (Police), 119 (Fire & Ambulance) |
|---|---|
| Taxi apps: | Uber, JapanTaxi, DiDi |
| Other: | Japan is a country of respect, so understanding local customs and etiquette is important. Public transport is efficient, but can be crowded during peak hours. |
Best times to travel
The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.
Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.
Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.
Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.
Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.
for Tokyo, Japan
Cherry blossoms late March to early April, autumn leaves mid November to early December
Golden Week (late April to early May) and Obon (mid August) bring crowded trains and higher prices
New Year, 29 December to January 3: many shops and restaurants closed
Don't miss
- 🍣 Savour sushi at a local eatery
- 🤼 Attend a sumo wrestling match in the famous Ryōgoku Kokugikan
- 🌆 Enjoy panoramic city views from observation decks
- 🖼️ Visit the teamLab digital art museum
- 🌳 Relax and enjoy a picnic in Shinjuku Gyoen Park
- 🚶🏻 Watch rush hour crowds at Shinjuku, the world's busiest station. Enter a train if you are brave enough
- 🌸 See the Cherry Blossom evening light-up at Meguro river
You've been here?
Log in to manage your own bucket list! Why travel to Tokyo?
Tokyo is a set of districts that each have their own character, so a few days here can feel like visiting several different towns. Asakusa is the old downtown where the temple of Senso-ji draws crowds down a lane of snack and souvenir stalls. Shinjuku is the business district with skyscrapers and tiny bars in the side streets. Shibuya and Harajuku bring youth culture and trendy shopping while Ginza has luxury flagship stores and Akihabara has electronics, games and anime. Green and quiet corners are easy to find. Meiji Jingu is in a forest next to Harajuku and parks such as Shinjuku Gyoen, Ueno and Yoyogi are popular for picnics in spring. Koishikawa Korakuen is a good garden to visit in autumn. In summer there's one of Japan's largest fireworks displays on the Sumida River. Food is a reason in itself. The city has Michelin-starred restaurants and also ramen counters where a bowl costs around JP¥1,000 (£4.74). Spring brings cherry blossoms and autumn brings foliage. Summers are hot and humid and winters are dry and cold, so spring and autumn are the most comfortable seasons for walking between the sights. Check the one-week weather forecast before you plan outdoor days.
🏙️Cities & Regions
-
1
Shinjuku
Tokyo's major entertainment and business hub, built around the world's busiest train station. Skyscrapers are to the west, while Kabukicho and the tiny bars of Golden Gai light up the northeast after dark. -
2
Akihabara
Tokyo's electric town, a compact shopping district of electronics stores, anime and manga shops, retro game stores and arcades around the station. The main street goes car-free on Sunday afternoons, which makes browsing easier. -
3
Odaiba
A man-made island in Tokyo Bay lined with malls, entertainment complexes and a waterfront beach park. You can ride an automated train across Rainbow Bridge and watch the city skyline light up from the shore. -
4
Shibuya
A shopping and entertainment district in southwest Tokyo built around one of the city's busiest rail stations. You can walk the scramble crossing, go up a skyscraper observation deck and eat late into the night.
🏯Places worth seeing
-
1
Sensō-ji
Tokyo's oldest Buddhist temple, founded in the 7th century in Asakusa. A red lantern gate and the Nakamise shopping street lead to the main hall and a five-storey pagoda, with free entry to the grounds. -
2
Tokyo Skytree
A {{distance:m:634}} broadcasting tower in Sumida, east of central Tokyo, with observation decks at {{distance:m:350}} and {{distance:m:450}}. The lower deck has a glass floor and Mount Fuji can be seen from it on clear days. -
3
Tokyo Tower
A {{distance:m:333}} steel broadcasting tower in Minato Ward, opened in 1958, with observation decks at {{distance:m:150}} and {{distance:m:250}}. The tower is lit through the year, so evening visits come with a bright city view. -
4
Meiji Jingu Shrine
A Shinto shrine in central Tokyo set in a forest of roughly 100,000 trees. It honours Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken and is a calm walk away from the busy streets of Harajuku. -
5
Shibuya Crossing
A scramble intersection outside Shibuya Station where traffic stops and upwards of 1,000 people can cross from every direction at once. It's free and always open, with the best views from the Shibuya Sky deck. -
6
Imperial Palace
-
7
Mori Art Museum
-
8
Tokyo Metropolitan Government Main Building 1
🎡Places for activities
-
1
Ueno Zoo
Japan's oldest zoo, set inside a sizeable Tokyo park alongside museums and a pond. More than 3,000 animals live here while a seventeenth-century pagoda is among the enclosures. Allow half a day for the visit. -
2
Mitaka Forest Ghibli Museum
-
3
Tokyo Dome City
-
4
Tokyo Disneyland
-
5
teamLab Planets
-
6
Sumida Aquarium
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7
Tokyo National Museum
🏞️Natural landmarks
🛍️Shopping
🍽️Eat & Drink
-
1
Tsukiji Outer Market
Tsukiji Outer Market is Tokyo’s historic food district for sushi, seafood bowls, grilled scallops, tamagoyaki and other ready-to-eat specialities from dozens of vendors. It is in Tsukiji, a short walk from Tsukiji Station or Tsukijishijo Station. -
2
Sushi no Midori Ginza
Sushi no Midori serves generous, good-value nigiri, sashimi and set sushi in a lively sit-down setting. Its Ginza branch is near Ginza-itchome Station, a short walk from Ginza Station and Yurakucho Station. -
3
Sometaro
Sometaro serves okonomiyaki and monjayaki cooked on tabletop grills in a preserved, retro-style building. It is in Asakusa, about a 10-minute walk from Senso-ji Temple and Asakusa Station. -
4
Daikokuya Tempura
Daikokuya is a long-running Asakusa tempura restaurant known for Edo-style tempura and tendon rice bowls finished with a dark, sweet-savoury sauce. It is on Asakusa’s Denboin-dori, near Senso-ji Temple. -
5
Kamiya Bar
Kamiya Bar is a historic casual bar serving Denki Bran, its signature herbal brandy-based drink, alongside simple Western-influenced Japanese dishes. It is beside Kaminarimon Gate, directly across from Asakusa Station. -
6
Ningyocho Imahan Honten
Ningyocho Imahan specialises in sukiyaki and shabu-shabu with carefully selected wagyu beef, prepared in a traditional setting. It is in Ningyocho, near Ningyocho Station and the historic Ningyocho shopping streets. -
7
Kaneko Hannosuke Nihombashi Honten
Kaneko Hannosuke serves a piled-high tendon bowl of freshly fried seafood and vegetables over rice with its sweet soy-based sauce. It is at 1-11-15 Nihombashi Muromachi, near Mitsukoshimae Station and Nihombashi’s historic core. -
8
Kanda Matsuya
Kanda Matsuya is a traditional soba restaurant serving handmade buckwheat noodles, tempura and sake-friendly small dishes. It is in Kanda-Sudacho, about five minutes on foot from Awajicho and Ogawamachi stations. -
9
Tokyo Ramen Street
Tokyo Ramen Street gathers several specialist ramen shops offering varied regional styles, including shoyu, tonkotsu and tsukemen. It is in the basement of Tokyo Station Ichibangai, beside the Yaesu underground central exit. -
10
Toritake Shibuya
Toritake is a busy old-school yakitori restaurant known for charcoal-grilled chicken skewers, including large tsukune meatballs. It is near Shibuya Station’s west side, a short walk from the Hachiko exit and Shibuya Crossing.
🎈Events
-
Cherry Blossom Viewing (March-April)
You can see cherry blossoms in many places in Tokyo during the season. The most famous ones are at the Meguro River or in Chiyoda around the Imperial palace. They also have light ups at night which is beautiful to see - expect big crowds though. -
Sumida River Fireworks Festival (July)
-
Sanja Matsuri (May)
-
Tokyo Marathon (February)
-
Shibuya Halloween (October)
Knowledge before you go
- Tipping isn't practised in Japan and service is already included.
- The Tokyo Subway Ticket for visitors costs JP¥800 (£3.79) for 24 hours and covers Metro and Toei lines only.
- Carry some cash since many small eateries and old shops still don't accept cards.
- Avoid the morning and early evening rush hours on the Yamanote and other busy lines when you can.
How to travel to Tokyo
Tokyo has two main airports. Haneda is close to the centre with the Keikyu Line reaching Shinagawa in about 14 minutes for JP¥330 (£1.56). The Tokyo Monorail is another option from the terminals and connects to the Yamanote Line. Narita is farther out. The Narita Express runs direct to Tokyo, Shinagawa, Shibuya and Shinjuku in 75 to 80 minutes for roughly JP¥3,200 (£15.17). The Keisei Skyliner reaches Nippori or Ueno in about 41 to 44 minutes for JP¥2,580 (£12.23). Limousine buses stop at many hotels and suit heavy luggage but traffic can slow them down. The Shinkansen links Tokyo Station with Kyoto, Osaka and the rest of the network in a few hours.
Access summary
- From Narita (NRT): Narita Express or Skyliner trains, about 1 hour.
- From Haneda (HND): Monorail or Keikyu trains to central Tokyo, 20–30 minutes.
- From Osaka: Tokaido Shinkansen bullet train to Tokyo Station, about 2.5–3 hours.
Check your route from anywhere
Where to stay in Tokyo
Choose by transit rather than by sights. Shinjuku and Shibuya are lively and well connected with many hotels and plenty of food. The area around Tokyo Station and Ginza is polished and handy for the Shinkansen and day trips. Asakusa and Ueno are older neighbourhoods with cheaper rooms and a quieter feel. Rooms are small by international standards. Business hotels are the standard choice and capsule hotels and guesthouses suit a tight budget. Cherry blossom season, Golden Week and the autumn weeks fill up first. Book early for those dates and look near a Yamanote Line station if you want the easiest connections to everything else.
Hotel recommendations
*by rating and popularity. Commissions have no influence on the rankings.
How to get around Tokyo
Central Tokyo is too big to cover on foot, though each district is easy to walk once you arrive. Shinjuku and Shibuya are on the west side, Tokyo Station and Ginza are in the east and Asakusa and Ueno are to the northeast, so most days include a few train rides between areas.
Trains and undergrounds:
The JR network includes the Yamanote Line, which loops through Shinjuku, Shibuya, Ueno and Tokyo Station. Tokyo Metro and Toei undergrounds fill in the gaps. Most trains stop around midnight so check the last train before a late dinner. Stations are huge, so follow the line colours and exit numbers on the signs.
Cards and tickets:
A Suica or PASMO card works on trains, undergrounds and buses and on most transport across Japan. Visitors can also buy a Tokyo Subway Ticket, which covers Metro and Toei lines but not JR and is sold for 24, 48 or 72 hours. A card is simpler if you'll ride JR lines often.
Buses, taxis and bikes:
Buses help outside the centre and take the same Suica or PASMO card. Taxis have English signage and are an option after the last train. Bicycles are practical in the compact central area.
Food in Tokyo
Food in Tokyo goes from standing counters and ramen shops to Michelin-starred restaurants, so there's a meal for almost any budget. Several of the city's classics began in Edo, as Tokyo used to be called.
Sushi:
Tokyo is where Edomae sushi began and the range is wide. Standing counters sell pieces for a few hundred yen while omakase meals cost much more.
Ramen:
Shoyu ramen is the local style with a clear chicken or pork broth and thin noodles. A bowl runs about JP¥800 – 1,200 (£3.79 – 5.69).
Tempura:
Tempura started in Edo and a tendon rice bowl in Asakusa or Ueno is a cheap way to try it.
Monjayaki:
Monjayaki is the city's savoury pancake and it's usually cooked on a griddle at the table. Tsukishima has a street full of shops for it.
Izakaya:
Izakaya serve many small dishes with beer or sake and cost roughly JP¥2,000 – 5,000 (£9.48 – 23.71) per person with drinks. They're a good way to try many dishes in one evening.
Department store basements sell bento and sweets and mark them down in the evening, which makes them a good option for a cheap meal.
Budget snapshot
Costs compared to home
We calculate the average costs when travelling to destinations and compare those with the living costs at your home. With this you can get an estimate of how expensive or cheap the destination is for you.
To customise this, you can set up which location and price level are used for the calculations in your account settings.
Daily expenses in Tokyo are around 36% lower than the average across United States. That means you'll spend considerably less on meals and getting around.
Exchange rate trend
The exchange rate price factor shows how expensive or cheap a currency currently is compared to its historical average. It's a quick way to see if a country is currently more or less affordable due to exchange rate changes.
Your exchange rate (GBP to JPY) is 20% better than in recent years. That means travelling now is considerably cheaper compared to the past.
Travel costs
To help you plan your trip, we provide estimated daily costs per person (when travelling as a pair) for different travel styles. These numbers give you an idea of what you might spend each day at this destination, including accommodation, food, transport and activities.
Additionally, we also provide average hotel costs for different travel styles to give you an estimate for the accommodation only.
Please note that these are only estimates. The real costs depend on booking times, season and other factors.
To help you plan your trip, we provide estimated daily costs per person (when travelling as a pair) for different travel styles. These numbers give you an idea of what you might spend each day at this destination, including accommodation, food, transport and activities.
Additionally, we also provide average hotel costs for different travel styles to give you an estimate for the accommodation only.
Please note that these are only estimates. The real costs depend on booking times, season and other factors.
Daily cost summary
Travel style categories explained:
Backpacker:
Staying in hostels or budget hotels, cooking your own meals or eating cheap and choosing low-cost activities.
Mid-range:
Staying in mid-range hotels, eating at a mix of restaurants and casual spots and enjoying a variety of activities.
Luxury:
Staying in luxury hotels, dining out at high-end restaurants and enjoying premium experiences without worrying about the price.
Travel style categories explained:
Backpacker:
Staying in hostels or budget hotels, cooking your own meals or eating cheap and choosing low-cost activities.
Mid-range:
Staying in mid-range hotels, eating at a mix of restaurants and casual spots and enjoying a variety of activities.
Luxury:
Staying in luxury hotels, dining out at high-end restaurants and enjoying premium experiences without worrying about the price.
| Backpacker | Mid-range | Luxury | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 💵 Total costs per day, including accommodation | |||
| 🏨 Accommodation per night, per person | |||
| 🍝 Food per day | |||
| 🚕 Transportation per day |
Food & Drink
| 🍽️ Restaurant Dinner, per person | |
|---|---|
| 🍛 Lunch Set, per person | |
| 🍟 Fast food combo | |
| 🍝 Preparing your own food, per day | |
| ☕ Cappuccino | |
| 🍺 Beer in a restaurant, 0.5 l |
Transportation
| 🚌 Public transport ticket | |
|---|---|
| 🚕 Taxi Ride, 10 km / 6 mi | |
| ⛽ Petrol, 1 l |
Other
| 🎞️ Cinema ticket | |
|---|---|
| 👩⚕️ Doctor's consult | |
| 🤧 Cold medication | |
| 💇 Basic haircut |
Safety information overview
General safety
Tokyo is among the safest big cities in the world with low violent crime and well-lit streets at night. Pickpocketing is rare but possible in crowded stations and at events. Earthquakes and typhoons are the main natural hazards so know your hotel's exit routes.
Health & Medical
Medical care is excellent with major hospitals and many clinics across the city. English is limited outside larger hospitals and international clinics but pharmacies are easy to find. Summers are hot and humid so heat is the main everyday risk. Travel insurance is sensible.
Accessibility
Most underground and JR stations have lifts but large hubs like Shinjuku and Tokyo are huge so allow extra time. Older temples and shrines have gravel paths and steps while pavements are generally smooth and well kept.
Tap water
Tap water in Tokyo is safe to drink like in the rest of Japan. Vending machines and convenience stores sell bottled water and cold drinks on almost every block. Heat in summer makes a refillable bottle worth carrying.
Packing recommendations for Tokyo
Log in to add this place to a travel list and get a summary of all recommended items for your whole trip.
📷
Camera
👟
Comfortable walking shoes
🚰
Reusable water bottle
🕶️
Sunglasses
🎒
Small rucksack
👜
Anti-theft bag
🔋
Power bank
📱
Travel eSIM
🔌
Universal travel adaptor
for electronics
💳
Credit card with no foreign transaction fees
Popular districts of Tokyo
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