Tokyo, Japan: travel guide
Japan's sprawling capital and the world's most populous metropolitan area. Tokyo dazzles with neon-lit neighborhoods, ancient temples, futuristic architecture, world-class cuisine, cutting-edge fashion, and impeccable public transport.
- Country
- Japan
- Currency
- JPY
- Time zone
- Asia/Tokyo
- Nearest airport
- TYO
Top places to visit in Tokyo
Senso-ji Temple & Nakamise Shopping Street
Temple · 4.7 rating · about 1.3 h
Tokyo's oldest and most visited temple, founded 628 AD. The giant Kaminarimon Gate with its 700 kg red lantern is Tokyo's most iconic image. The 250-metre Nakamise-dori arcade leads to the main hall where incense curls above 30 million…
Meiji Jingu Shrine
Temple · 4.6 rating · about 1 h
Tokyo's paramount Shinto shrine, dedicated to Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken. Set inside a 70-hectare forested garden of 70,000 donated trees in Harajuku. Receives 3 million visitors on New Year's Day — Japan's single largest annual…
Shibuya Crossing & SHIBUYA SKY Observatory
Viewpoint · 4.7 rating · about 1.5 h · entry JPY 2,200
The world's busiest pedestrian crossing — up to 3,000 people cross simultaneously. SHIBUYA SKY on floors 45–47 of Shibuya Scramble Square offers 360° open-air Tokyo panorama from Mt Fuji to Tokyo Skytree, with the crossing visible directly…
Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden
Nature · 4.6 rating · about 1.5 h · entry JPY 500
A 58.3-hectare oasis blending French formal, English landscape, and Japanese garden styles in central Shinjuku. Over 1,000 cherry trees create Tokyo's finest hanami in late March. The Greenhouse holds tropical rarities and the large open…
Tokyo National Museum, Ueno
Museum · 4.6 rating · about 2 h · entry JPY 1,000
Japan's oldest and largest museum (est. 1872) in Ueno Park. Houses 110,000+ objects across 5 buildings — the world's most comprehensive collection of Japanese art. National Treasures include 8th-century swords, Noh costumes, lacquerware,…
teamLab Borderless (Azabudai Hills)
Museum · 4.7 rating · about 2.5 h · entry JPY 3,200
Reopened 2024 at Azabudai Hills. The world's most visited single-artist museum — a labyrinth of digital art with no map and no set route. Artworks overflow between rooms: mirror-infinity orchid forests, breathing light spheres, and…
Tokyo Skytree
Viewpoint · about 2 h · entry JPY 2,100
634 m broadcasting tower in Sumida with two observation decks (Tembo Deck 350 m, Tembo Galleria 450 m) and the Solamachi mall at its base.
Tsukiji Outer Market
Market · about 1.5 h
Warren of stalls and small eateries around the former wholesale fish market — fresh seafood, tamagoyaki, knives and street food.
Ueno Park
Nature · about 2 h
Sprawling public park with cherry blossoms, Shinobazu Pond, Ueno Zoo and a cluster of national museums.
Akihabara Electric Town
Cultural · about 2 h
Neon district for anime, manga, video games, electronics, maid cafes and arcades.
Ghibli Museum (Mitaka)
Museum · about 2.5 h · entry JPY 1,000
Whimsical museum in Mitaka dedicated to Studio Ghibli — dated timed tickets required, no photography inside.
Tokyo Tower
Viewpoint · about 1.5 h · entry JPY 1,200
333 m red-and-white lattice tower in Minato with Main Deck (150 m) and Top Deck (250 m) observatories.
Things to do
- Kimono Rental & Harajuku / Asakusa Photoshoot Cultural · 4 h · from JPY 5,600 per person
- Shibuya Crossing & Neon Night Walking Tour Walking Tour · 2.5 h · from JPY 3,700 per person
- Tsukiji Outer Market Food Tour & Sushi Workshop Food Tour · 3 h · from JPY 13,800 per person
- Sumo Morning Practice Visit at Beya Cultural · 2 h · from JPY 11,100 per person
- Mt Fuji & Hakone Day Trip Day Trip · 10 h · from JPY 14,000 per person
- teamLab Planets Toyosu Attraction · 2 h · from JPY 3,800 per person
- Asakusa Rickshaw Tour Tour · 0.5 h · from JPY 9,000 per person
- Street Go-Kart Tour Shibuya Tour · 2 h · from JPY 10,000 per person
Day trips and tours
- Mt. Fuji & Hakone Day Trip from Tokyo 12 h · from JPY 18,500
- Tokyo Highlights Full Day — Asakusa, Harajuku, Shibuya & teamLab 10 h · from JPY 14,800
Where to stay in Tokyo
- Shinjuku about JPY 8,000 per night
Bustling hub with hotels and nightlife
- Shibuya about JPY 7,500 per night
Famous district with shopping and culture
- Asakusa about JPY 5,000 per night
Historic area with temple and traditional culture
- Shinjuku–Shibuya about JPY 18,000 per night
The hyperactive heart of modern Tokyo — Shinjuku has the world's busiest station, neon-lit Kabukicho entertainment district, and excellent transport connections. Shibuya offers iconic crossing and Harajuku shopping.…
- Asakusa–Ueno about JPY 10,000 per night
Old Tokyo (Shitamachi) neighbourhood — rickshaws, incense smoke, craft shops and Senso-ji temple. Calmer and more traditional than Shinjuku. Excellent budget and mid-range hotel options. Good Skytree access.
- Ginza–Marunouchi about JPY 55,000 per night
Tokyo's most upscale central district — Ginza luxury shopping, proximity to Tokyo Station (Shinkansen hub), and the Imperial Palace gardens. Ideal for business travellers and luxury stays.
Hotels
- Park Hyatt Tokyo 5-star · JPY 70,000 to JPY 150,000 per night
- The Tokyo Station Hotel 5-star · JPY 60,000 to JPY 120,000 per night
- Sequence Miyashita Park 4-star · JPY 22,000 to JPY 45,000 per night
- Mimaru Tokyo Ueno East 4-star · JPY 20,000 to JPY 38,000 per night
- Hotel Gracery Shinjuku 4-star · JPY 22,000 to JPY 40,000 per night
- Khaosan Tokyo Origami 2-star · JPY 3,500 to JPY 8,000 per night
Where to eat
- Ichiran Shinjuku Japanese, Ramen · about JPY 1,000 per person
- Gyukatsu Motomura Omotesando Japanese, Gyukatsu · about JPY 1,800 per person
- Fuunji Tsukemen Japanese, Ramen · about JPY 1,200 per person
- Gonpachi Nishi-Azabu Japanese, Izakaya, Yakitori · about JPY 4,000 per person
- Asakusa Imahan Japanese, Sukiyaki, Wagyu · about JPY 12,000 per person
- Sushi Saito (via omakase) Japanese, Sushi · about JPY 45,000 per person
- Kagari Ramen Ginza Ramen, Japanese · about JPY 1,500 per person
- Tonkatsu Maisen Aoyama Tonkatsu, Japanese · about JPY 2,200 per person
Getting around
- Metro main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.
- Transit Pass main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.
- Walking
Every city has walking. 2.5 km ceiling is a placeholder default, not a researched per-city figure -- Singapore is sheltered and air-conditioned, Bangkok often has no pavement.
Safety and scams to avoid
Roppongi bar overcharge
Roppongi · Kabukicho nightlife
Foreign-fronted bar in Roppongi adds drink charges and seat fees you weren't shown; bill arrives at 5–10x expected.
How to avoid it: Stick to bars with clear printed menus and prices on the door. Ask price before sitting.
Friendly Bar / Hostess Club Overcharge
Kabukicho (Shinjuku), Roppongi
A friendly local (sometimes a tout) invites you to a bar or club. After a few drinks the bill arrives for ¥30,000–¥100,000+. The menu had no prices. Bouncers enforce payment.
How to avoid it: Never enter a bar recommended by a stranger. Research bars independently on Google Maps or Tabelog. Insist on seeing a price list before ordering.
Taxi Overcharging (No Meter)
Near Shinjuku, Shibuya and Roppongi stations at night
Unlicensed or tourist-targeting taxis quote a flat fare (¥3,000+ for a ¥800 trip) and refuse to use the meter. Often park away from official taxi ranks.
How to avoid it: Use the official taxi rank at station exits. Confirm the meter is running at journey start. Uber and GO app taxis are safer alternatives.
Free Tourist Map / Attraction Tout
Asakusa, near Senso-ji
Someone hands you a "free" tourist map or guides you to a temple, then aggressively asks for ¥500–¥2,000 as a tip. Refusing escalates to verbal harassment.
How to avoid it: Politely decline unsolicited help from strangers approaching tourists. Official tourist info centers at Asakusa and Tokyo Station are free.
Taxi overcharging at night in Shinjuku
Kabukicho and West Shinjuku late-night taxi ranks
Unmetered or illegally operated "white-taxi" (shirohainsha) drivers solicit passengers outside clubs. They quote fixed prices far above metered rates — often ¥5,000–20,000 for short rides.
How to avoid it: Only use clearly marked official taxis with illuminated roof signs. The meter must run from the moment you enter. Reject any driver who quotes a fixed price up front.
Fake monks asking for donations
Senso-ji (Asakusa), Meiji Shrine, Shinjuku
People dressed in monk robes approach tourists offering a bead or charm, then demand a donation of ¥1,000–5,000. They are not affiliated with any temple and often become aggressive if refused.
How to avoid it: Real Japanese monks do not solicit donations on streets or tourist sites. Politely decline and walk away. Do not accept items handed to you unsolicited.
Bar tab scam in Roppongi
Roppongi bars and clubs
Foreign touts invite tourists into a bar, run up a large tab (often via overpriced "hostess" companions they seat at your table), then present an inflated bill of ¥30,000–100,000+. Physical intimidation may be used to collect.
How to avoid it: Avoid bars recommended by street touts. Research venues on Google Maps first. Ask for a price list before ordering anything. This scam is well-documented in Roppongi.