A complete, honest guide to Tokyo, Japan — where to go, what to eat, how to get around and the day trips worth your time. Tradition meets the future.
Tokyo is a highlight of East Asia, and few cities reward curiosity like Tokyo, where centuries-old shrines sit minutes from neon-lit crossings. Whether you have a long weekend or a full week, this guide helps you plan a trip that balances the must-sees with the moments that make a place stick.
Top things to do in Tokyo
These are the sights most first-time visitors build their trip around. Tap each one to add it to your shortlist — it saves as you browse.
Perfect 2–3 days in Tokyo
A simple, unhurried plan you can shape around your own pace.
The essentials
Hit the headline sights first — Senso-ji Temple and Shibuya Crossing. Break for lunch and try ramen, then spend the evening soaking up the atmosphere of Shinjuku.
Go deeper
Go beyond the highlights: see Meiji Jingu and teamLab Planets, then explore Shibuya & Harajuku at a slower pace. Leave time to sit in a café, browse a market and eat where the locals do.
Beyond the city
With a third day, head out of town — Mount Fuji & Hakone (hot springs and lake views beneath Japan's iconic peak) is the easy favourite, or swap in Nikko (ornate shrines set among waterfalls and cedar forest).
Ready to book? Turn your Tokyo shortlist into reality
Skip-the-line tickets, guided tours and day trips for the sights you've saved — booked through Viator (a Tripadvisor company). We may earn a commission.
Book Tokyo experiences →Tokyo on a budget — costs & money tips
Tokyo is one of the more expensive cities by global standards. Here’s roughly what to budget, per person per day, by travel style — these are indicative estimates to plan around, not fixed prices, and they exclude international flights. Use the currency selector near the top of the page to convert.
dorms/hostels, street food, public transport, mostly free sights
private room or 3★ hotel, a mix of cafes and restaurants, a few paid attractions
4★ hotel, restaurants, taxis when handy, tours and tickets
What things cost in Tokyo
- Accommodation£55–£170 / night
- Food£28–£75 / day
- Local transport£8–£20 / day
- Typical attraction£15–£45 / entry
See how Tokyo compares with 126 other cities →
Saving money in Tokyo
- Accommodation is the budget-breaker here — book early, consider hostels/aparthotels, or shoulder-season dates.
- Supermarket and bakery meals are excellent value; reserve restaurants for a deliberate treat.
- A transport pass and free viewpoints/parks keep daily spend sane in an expensive city.
Estimates assume mid-2020s prices and a typical exchange rate; high season, festivals and last-minute booking push costs toward the upper end.
Local intelligence — Tokyo at a glance
A quick orientation for Tokyo. Sunrise and sunset are live for today; connectivity and nomad-friendliness are Wander360 estimates to set expectations, not precise scores.
Staying safe in Tokyo
Most visits are trouble-free. Use the same street sense you would in any busy city: keep an eye on belongings in crowds and on transport, use licensed taxis or a rideshare app, agree fares in advance where meters aren’t used, and be wary of unsolicited “help” at ATMs or stations. For up-to-date, authoritative guidance always check your own government’s travel advisory (UK FCDO · US State Dept) before you travel.
For getting around Tokyo specifically, see the Getting around section on this page.
Where to stay & neighbourhoods in Tokyo
Tokyo is really a collection of distinct districts, and where you base yourself shapes the whole trip. Here’s each main neighbourhood — what it’s like and who it suits:
Shinjuku
Towering nightlife, department stores and the calm of Gyoen park.
Shibuya & Harajuku
Youth fashion, vintage lanes and Takeshita Street.
Asakusa
Old-Tokyo atmosphere, temples and riverside walks.
Once you’ve picked an area, you can book tours & tickets in Tokyo further down the page.
Food & drink in Tokyo
Tokyo holds more Michelin stars than any city on earth, but the real joy is everyday: ramen counters, conveyor-belt sushi, tempura and izakaya plates washed down with cold beer.
Build your Tokyo food list — tap the dishes you want to try:
Getting around Tokyo
The metro and JR network is dense, punctual and easy with a prepaid Suica or Pasmo card; trains stop around midnight, so plan late nights around them.
🚇 Public transport
Usually the fastest and cheapest way around Tokyo. Grab a rechargeable travel card or use contactless where supported, and download the local transit app for live times.
🚶 On foot
The centre of Tokyo is best explored on foot — it’s how you stumble on the small things. Wear comfortable shoes and keep a map app handy.
🚕 Taxis & rideshare
For late nights, luggage runs or awkward cross-town hops, ride-hailing apps are usually cheaper and clearer than flagging a cab. Confirm the car and plate before getting in.
✈️ From the airport
Check the official airport transfer options before you land — there’s almost always a train or express bus into Tokyo that beats a taxi on price.
Best time to visit Tokyo
Spring (late March–April) for cherry blossom and autumn (October–November) for crisp air and colour are the standout seasons; summers are hot and humid. Prices and crowds tend to follow the weather, so the shoulder seasons often give the best value.
Highlighted months are the sweet spot for visiting Tokyo.
Day trips from Tokyo
When you’re ready to venture beyond the city, these make for rewarding day trips:
- Mount Fuji & Hakone — hot springs and lake views beneath Japan's iconic peak
- Nikko — ornate shrines set among waterfalls and cedar forest
Practical tips for Tokyo
🧭 Where to base yourself
For a first visit, Shinjuku is a smart base — towering nightlife, department stores and the calm of Gyoen park. If that’s not your style, Shibuya & Harajuku works well too (youth fashion, vintage lanes and Takeshita Street).
🍽️ Eat like a local
Don’t leave Tokyo without trying ramen, sushi, tempura or yakitori. Skip the obvious tourist spots and eat where you see locals queueing.
✨ Don’t miss
Make time for Senso-ji Temple and Shibuya Crossing. With a spare day, Mount Fuji & Hakone (hot springs and lake views beneath Japan's iconic peak) is well worth the trip.
💰 Money & payments
Cards and contactless are widely accepted in Tokyo, but carry some local cash for markets, small cafés and tips. Tell your bank you’re travelling and check foreign-transaction fees.
📶 Staying connected
A local eSIM or SIM is cheap and makes maps, transport and translation effortless across Tokyo — set it up before you arrive or at the airport.
🛡️ Stay aware
Keep an eye on your belongings in crowds and on transport in Tokyo, as you would in any busy city, and keep a digital copy of your passport.
Frequently asked questions
How many days do you need in Tokyo?
Three to four days is enough for Tokyo’s highlights — the main sights plus time to wander Shinjuku — with an extra day for a trip to Mount Fuji & Hakone if you can spare it.
What is the best time of year to visit Tokyo?
Spring (late March–April) for cherry blossom and autumn (October–November) for crisp air and colour are the standout seasons; summers are hot and humid.
What food is Tokyo known for?
Tokyo holds more Michelin stars than any city on earth, but the real joy is everyday: ramen counters, conveyor-belt sushi, tempura and izakaya plates washed down with cold beer.
Where should I stay in Tokyo?
Shinjuku is a great first-time base (towering nightlife, department stores and the calm of Gyoen park). Shibuya & Harajuku is another good option for youth fashion, vintage lanes and Takeshita Street.
What are the best day trips from Tokyo?
Two rewarding day trips are Mount Fuji & Hakone (hot springs and lake views beneath Japan's iconic peak) and Nikko (ornate shrines set among waterfalls and cedar forest).
How do you get around Tokyo?
The metro and JR network is dense, punctual and easy with a prepaid Suica or Pasmo card; trains stop around midnight, so plan late nights around them.
