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Japan · Kantō

Tokyo travel guide

Tokyo is best planned around neighborhoods, not landmarks. A good itinerary clusters Shibuya/Shinjuku one day, Asakusa/Ueno another, and leaves room for Kichijoji or a day trip. Trains run on time; restaurants don't take reservations from foreigners easily — plan walk-in lunches and book dinners in advance.

Plan a Tokyo trip

About Tokyo

Tokyo rewards trips planned in clusters. The city is enormous, but each ward is walkable once you arrive there. The single biggest planning mistake is treating it as one destination — you'll spend half your day on the Yamanote line.

Mornings work well for temples, gardens, and markets (Tsukiji Outer Market, Meiji Shrine, Senso-ji); afternoons for shopping streets and museums; evenings for the food and nightlife in Shibuya, Shinjuku's Golden Gai, or yokocho alleys. Sundays are great for Harajuku; Mondays are when many museums close.

Cash is still useful for small ramen shops and shrine donations even though Suica/Pasmo and contactless are widely accepted. Convenience stores (7-Eleven, Lawson, FamilyMart) have working ATMs that take foreign cards — one of the few reliable cash sources.

Best time to visit

Late March, April, May, October, November

Cherry blossoms peak late March to early April; the weather is mild but crowds are heaviest. October–November brings autumn colors and clearer skies with fewer tourists than spring. Avoid late June through August — hot, humid, and rainy season into typhoon season.

Sample itineraries

3 days

First-time Tokyo, 3 days

  1. Day 1: Asakusa & Ueno (history and gardens)
  2. Day 2: Shibuya, Harajuku, Shinjuku
  3. Day 3: Tsukiji + teamLab + a quiet evening
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5 days

Tokyo with breathing room, 5 days

  1. Day 1: Asakusa, Ueno, Yanaka
  2. Day 2: Shibuya, Harajuku, Shinjuku
  3. Day 3: Tsukiji, teamLab, Ginza
  4. + 2 more days
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7 days

Tokyo deep dive, 7 days

  1. Day 1: Asakusa & Ueno
  2. Day 2: Shibuya, Harajuku, Aoyama
  3. Day 3: Shinjuku & Golden Gai
  4. + 4 more days
Plan this trip

Top picks

What to see

  • Senso-ji Temple

    Asakusa

    Tokyo's oldest Buddhist temple. Best at sunrise before the crowds; the lantern-lit approach via Nakamise-dori is iconic.

  • Meiji Shrine

    Shibuya

    Quiet forest sanctuary minutes from Harajuku Station. Pair with a Yoyogi Park walk and Takeshita-dori afterward.

  • Shibuya Crossing & Sky

    Shibuya

    The crossing itself takes five minutes; pair with Shibuya Sky observatory for the iconic view, especially at sunset.

  • Tokyo National Museum

    Ueno

    Japan's largest collection of Japanese art and antiquities. Honkan building is the highlight.

Where to eat

  • Tsukiji Outer Market

    Tsukiji

    The fish auction moved to Toyosu, but the outer market still runs — best between 7 and 10 a.m. for sushi breakfasts and tamagoyaki.

  • Tokyo Station Ramen Street

    Marunouchi

    Underground arcade with eight regional ramen shops; great rainy-day lunch with quick queues.

What to do

  • teamLab Planets

    Toyosu

    Immersive digital art installation. Book tickets weeks in advance; allow 90 minutes.

  • Golden Gai

    Shinjuku

    Six narrow alleys of tiny bars, six to ten seats each. Some bars charge a cover for non-regulars; respectful tourists are welcome.

Tokyo questions

Planning Tokyo: common questions

  • How many days do I need in Tokyo?
    Three days covers the highlights. Five days lets you add a day trip and slow down. Seven days starts to feel like living there briefly — you can explore lesser-known wards like Yanaka, Kichijoji, and Shimokitazawa.
  • Do I need to speak Japanese?
    No. English signs are common in central wards and on JR trains. Translation apps work well for menus. Learn a few greetings (sumimasen, arigato gozaimasu) — locals appreciate the effort.
  • Is the JR Pass worth it for a Tokyo-only trip?
    Probably not. The JR Pass shines for shinkansen between cities. For Tokyo only, a Suica or Pasmo card on contactless covers buses and all metro lines, including non-JR private lines.
  • What's the best neighborhood to stay in?
    Shinjuku for nightlife and Yamanote line access. Shibuya for shopping and youth culture. Marunouchi/Tokyo Station for business travelers and easy day trips. Asakusa for budget options and traditional atmosphere.
  • Are restaurant reservations required?
    For dinner at well-reviewed places, yes — book a few weeks ahead via your hotel concierge or apps like TableCheck. Lunch is usually walk-in. Sushi omakase always requires reservations.

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