Tokyo, Japan

Essential for a first Tokyo trip

• Sensoji and Asakusa
• Shibuya
• Shinjuku
• Meiji Jingu
• One major garden or museum
• At least one food-focused experience

Worth considering

• Tokyo Skytree
• Ginza
• Tsukiji Outer Market
• Tokyo National Museum
• teamLab Borderless
• Akihabara
• Odaiba
• Ueno

Better for repeat visitors

• Yanaka
• Koenji
• Shimokitazawa
• Kichijoji
• Okutama
• Tokyo's less-visited western areas

A practical route could focus on Asakusa + Sensoji + Shibuya + Shinjuku.

Two to three days is enough for a first overview. You can combine historic Tokyo, modern districts, food, shopping and one or two major attractions.

Four to five days is a better pace for first-time visitors. You can add museums, gardens, additional neighborhoods and a more relaxed food itinerary.

A week works well if Tokyo is your main destination or if you want to add day trips such as Kamakura, Hakone, Yokohama or Nikko.

Most international visitors arrive through Haneda or Narita. Haneda Airport (HND) is generally more convenient for central Tokyo because it is much closer to the city. Narita International Airport (NRT) is farther away but has excellent rail and bus connections.

Tokyo is Japan's main high-speed rail hub. Shinkansen services connect the city with destinations including Kyoto, Osaka, Nagoya and other parts of Japan. Tokyo Station and Shinagawa are particularly useful for some Shinkansen journeys.

Long-distance highway buses connect Tokyo with other Japanese cities and can be useful when price is more important than speed.

For most travelers, use trains and subway services as your main transportation. Walking is useful when exploring individual neighborhoods. Taxis are convenient but usually cost more than public transportation. Buses can be useful for areas not served directly by subway or major rail lines.

A prepaid transportation IC card can make everyday travel easier because you do not need to calculate the fare for every journey.

The Tokyo Subway Ticket provides unlimited travel on Tokyo Metro and Toei Subway lines for 24, 48 or 72 hours. It does not cover every railway line in Tokyo, so do not buy it automatically. Compare your planned routes first.

Choose your area based on your itinerary rather than assuming one neighborhood is best for everyone. Best for first-time visitors: Shinjuku Best for nightlife: Shinjuku or Shibuya Best for traditional Tokyo: Asakusa Best for luxury: Ginza Best for museums and families: Ueno Best for Shinkansen access: Tokyo Station or Shinagawa

Tokyo is one of the world's great food cities. Try:

Tsukiji: seafood, sushi and market foods. Shinjuku: ramen, izakaya and late-night dining. Asakusa: traditional restaurants, tempura and soba. Ginza: sushi and upscale Japanese dining.

Tipping Tipping is generally not customary in Japan.

Dietary requirements Vegetarian, vegan and other dietary options are increasingly available, but travelers with strict dietary requirements should research restaurants before arriving.

Tokyo does not have to be prohibitively expensive, but it is not consistently cheap either. Accommodation is usually the biggest variable. To control costs:

• Use public transportation for most longer journeys
• Compare hotel areas against actual rail connections
• Eat some meals at casual restaurants, food halls or convenience stores
• Mix paid attractions with parks, shrines, neighborhoods and viewpoints whose current access rules fit your dates
• Compare taxi costs before using them for late-night trips, luggage transfers or routes poorly served by trains

Luxury hotels, premium sushi, fine dining and high-end shopping can increase costs quickly.

Japan's entry requirements depend on your nationality, passport, purpose of travel and length of stay. Some nationalities are exempt from short-term tourist visas, while others need to obtain a visa before travel. Before departure, check the applicable requirements from Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other official Japanese government sources. Also check customs requirements and consider completing the required information through Visit Japan Web before arrival. Do not rely on an old visa article or a third-party website because Japanese entry rules can change.

Tokyo is generally straightforward for tourists, but visitors should still use normal urban precautions. Keep valuables secure in crowded places, follow transportation rules and monitor weather warnings during typhoon season. Important emergency numbers:

Police: 110 Fire/Ambulance: 119 During earthquakes, typhoons or other emergencies, follow instructions from local authorities and transportation operators.

A few habits make travel in Tokyo easier: Keep your voice low on public transportation. Queue where indicated. Follow signs regarding photography. Do not assume tipping is expected. Avoid eating while walking in crowded market areas unless permitted. Follow temple and shrine instructions. Dispose of rubbish appropriately. Be especially considerate in residential neighborhoods. At Tsukiji Outer Market, visitors are asked to avoid obstructing professional buyers and to eat food inside shops or designated areas rather than walking through crowded lanes while eating.

Kamakura Best for temples, history and coastal scenery.

Yokohama Best for waterfront attractions, Chinatown and an easy change of scenery.

Hakone Best for hot springs, mountain scenery, museums and views toward Mount Fuji when conditions allow.

Nikko Best for temples, shrines and nature.

If your Tokyo trip is only three days, stay in the city rather than trying to force a day trip into the itinerary.

Do not underestimate travel time between neighborhoods. Group nearby attractions together. Use trains rather than taxis for most daytime journeys. Keep some cash available even though cards and electronic payments are widely used. Check attraction reservation requirements before visiting. Start popular attractions early when possible. Avoid packing too many neighborhoods into one day. Allow extra time for major stations. Check weather forecasts during summer and typhoon season. If visiting during cherry blossoms or major holidays, book accommodation early. Use official attraction websites for hours and ticket information. Check applicable immigration and customs requirements before flying.

For couples: Combine gardens, food, shopping, skyline views and evening neighborhoods. For families: Ueno, Asakusa, museums, parks and selected entertainment attractions work well. For food travelers: Build the trip around neighborhoods rather than eating only near major tourist landmarks. For first-time visitors: Stay near a major rail hub and focus on a few districts each day. For repeat visitors: Explore neighborhoods outside the standard Shibuya-Shinjuku-Asakusa route. For budget travelers: Use public transportation, casual restaurants and lower-cost attractions whose current access rules fit your dates. Tokyo is easiest to enjoy when you stop trying to see everything. Choose a few neighborhoods, understand how the transport system works and leave enough time to eat, walk and explore between the major attractions.