Tokyo is less one city than a cluster of very different ones stitched together by the world's most efficient train network. Shibuya's crossing and Shinjuku's neon give way, a few stops later, to the quiet gravel paths of Meiji Shrine or the narrow retro bars of Golden Gai. It's an easy city for first-time visitors despite the language gap — signage is bilingual, trains run on time to the minute, and it's remarkably safe to explore after dark.
Late March into early April brings sakura season — spectacular but also the most crowded and expensive time to visit, with hotel prices climbing weeks in advance. Autumn (late October–November) offers a quieter equivalent: crisp air, koyo foliage in parks like Rikugien, and steadier hotel rates. Winter is cold but dry and clear, good for city sightseeing without crowds. The rainy season (tsuyu, mid-June to mid-July) and the humid peak of August are the least comfortable stretches for extensive walking.
Home to the famous scramble crossing, dense shopping and a nightlife scene that runs well past midnight.
The city's old downtown, centred on Senso-ji Temple, with rickshaw pullers and craft shops on the surrounding streets.
A short train ride from the centre — thrift shops, small theatres and a slower, bohemian pace.
Tokyo's most polished shopping district, with flagship stores, department-store food halls and some of the city's best sushi counters.
A short train ride from the centre — thrift shops, small theatres and a slower, more bohemian pace than central Tokyo.
One of the few districts to survive both the 1923 earthquake and WWII bombing largely intact — narrow lanes, temples and a genuinely old-Tokyo feel.
A former geisha district with cobbled streets and some of the city's best small, reservation-only restaurants — a contrast to Shinjuku's scale.
Tokyo's oldest temple; go at or before 7am for the approach without crowds.
A forested Shinto shrine minutes from Harajuku's chaos — genuinely calming.
The world's busiest pedestrian crossing — best watched from Starbucks or Shibuya Sky above.
Immersive digital art installations — book timed tickets well ahead, they sell out.
The inner wholesale market moved to Toyosu, but the outer market's food stalls remain excellent.
Tallest structure in Japan; go at dusk to see the city transition from daylight to neon.
An immersive digital-art museum in Toyosu — book timed tickets well ahead, they sell out regularly.
A quiet, beautifully landscaped museum of Japanese and East Asian art in Aoyama, rarely crowded.
An old-fashioned shopping street in the Yanaka district, largely unchanged for decades and popular with local cats.
A tiny grid of alleyways in Shinjuku packed with dozens of miniature bars, most seating only a handful of people.
We recommend 5–7 days in Tokyo — pick the itinerary length that matches your trip.
Get an IC card (Suica/Pasmo, now available digitally on most smartphones) and tap in/out — far simpler than paper tickets.
Worth it only on days with 4+ rides; otherwise pay-as-you-go IC card is usually cheaper.
Individual districts are very walkable; it's the distances between them that need the train.
Reliable but expensive relative to trains — best for late-night trips after the trains stop around midnight.
For day trips to Kyoto, Hakone or Nikko, the bullet train is fast, comfortable and worth the fare.
Per-person daily costs in JPY — Japanese Yen (¥), excluding flights. These reflect real prices at time of writing, not headline averages.
Local transport: 800–1000 JPY (~£4–5) unlimited day pass
5 non-obvious tips for Tokyo — the specific stuff that doesn't make it into a standard guide.
Unlock with PremiumThe specific, non-obvious stuff that doesn't make it into a standard guide.
Japanese konbini (7-Eleven, Lawson, FamilyMart) food is genuinely good, not a last resort — the onigiri, bento boxes and fried chicken are a legitimate, cheap way to eat well between proper meals.
Small taps add up fast — a week of casual Suica/Pasmo use easily outstrips what a day pass would have cost. Worth comparing against a day ticket if you're moving around a lot.
Meiji Shrine and similar major shrines are calmest right at opening — by mid-morning tour groups arrive in numbers.
Despite Tokyo's high-tech reputation, plenty of smaller restaurants and shops are cash-only. Don't rely entirely on cards.
Stand on the left, walk on the right — the opposite convention to Osaka, where it flips. Getting it wrong just gets you a pointed look, not a real problem, but it's a nice bit of local knowledge to have.
5 named scams and tourist traps specific to Tokyo — not generic "be careful" advice.
Unlock with PremiumThe specific things to watch for in Tokyo — named, not generic "be careful" advice.
Some bars, especially in Shinjuku and Roppongi's nightlife strips, add a seating/cover charge (otoshi) that isn't clearly advertised. Check the menu or ask before sitting down if a place looks touristy.
Shinjuku's Kabukicho district has street touts offering "cheap" bars or clubs that turn out to have inflated bills. Politely decline unsolicited invitations, especially at night.
Some restaurants near major stations display "No.1 rated" signage that isn't from any real, independent source. Check actual reviews rather than trusting posted awards.
Taxis are metered and generally honest, but airport-to-city fares add up fast — the train or airport limousine bus is usually far cheaper for the same trip.
Rare compared to other major cities, but unsolicited "free tour" offers near major sights sometimes lead to a pressured shop visit. Not common in Tokyo, but the same general caution applies.
4 specific local tips for Tokyo that don't make it into a standard guide.
Unlock with PremiumThe small, specific things that don't make it into a standard guide.
Go to Tsukiji Outer Market for breakfast, not lunch — half the stalls have sold out or closed by early afternoon.
Ichiran and other famous ramen chains are fine, but the unmarked places with a line of only local businessmen at lunch are almost always better.
Download an offline transit map app before you land — signal in some underground stations is patchy and Tokyo's rail map is genuinely overwhelming the first time.
Meiji Shrine at dawn is a completely different experience to Meiji Shrine at 11am. If you can manage the early start, do it.
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