Best Time to Visit
March to May (cherry blossoms) and October to November (autumn foliage)
Language
Japanese
Currency
Japanese Yen (JPY)
Time Zone
JST (UTC+9)
Airport
Narita International (NRT) and Haneda Airport (HND)
Population
14 million (city proper), 37 million (metro area)
Climate
Humid subtropical, avg 5-30°C depending on season
Safety Rating
Very Safe (Level 1)
Getting Around
Tokyo Metro and JR lines cover the entire city; get a Suica or Pasmo IC card
Tokyo's oldest Buddhist temple in Asakusa, founded in 645 AD. Free entry. The Nakamise shopping street leading to the main hall has 90+ stalls selling traditional snacks and souvenirs. Allow 1.5-2 hours. Best visited early morning to avoid crowds.
The world's busiest pedestrian crossing, where up to 3,000 people cross simultaneously. Free to experience. Best viewed from the Starbucks on the 2nd floor of Tsutaya building or the rooftop of Shibuya Scramble Square (entry ~2,000 JPY / ~$13). Allow 30-60 minutes.
Serene Shinto shrine set in 175 acres of forested parkland in the heart of Harajuku. Free entry. Open sunrise to sunset. Allow 1-1.5 hours. The torii gate walk through the forest is unforgettable.
Bustling market with 400+ shops and stalls serving the freshest sushi, tamagoyaki, and street food. Free to enter. Open daily ~5AM-2PM. Best visited before 10AM. Try the tuna tasting at Sushi Dai or Daiwa Sushi (expect 1-2 hour queues).
Neon-drenched district dedicated to anime, manga, electronics, and gaming culture. Free to explore. Highlights include multi-floor arcades, maid cafes (~1,500 JPY / ~$10 entry), and retro game shops. Allow 2-3 hours.
One of Tokyo's most beautiful parks spanning 144 acres with Japanese, English, and French garden sections. Entry: 500 JPY (~$3.30). Open 9AM-4:30PM (closed Mondays). A top cherry blossom spot in late March to early April.
Immersive digital art museum relocated to Azabudai Hills in 2024. Tickets: 3,800 JPY (~$25) adults, advance booking essential. Allow 2-3 hours. The Infinity Mirror Room and waterfall projections are the highlights.
A hidden gem neighborhood that survived WWII bombing, preserving old Tokyo's charm. Free to explore. Wander narrow lanes past traditional wooden houses, visit Yanaka Cemetery (famous for cherry blossoms), and snack at Yanaka Ginza shopping street. Allow 2 hours.
Arrive at Haneda or Narita airport and transfer to your hotel in the Shinjuku area. If landing at Narita, take the Narita Express (3,250 JPY, 90 min) to Shinjuku Station. Spend the evening getting your bearings in the neon-drenched streets around the station.
Airport transfer to Shinjuku(1-1.5 hours)
Pick up a Suica IC card at the airport station kiosk (500 JPY deposit + top up 3,000 JPY to start)
Walk through Omoide Yokocho (Memory Lane)(1.5 hours)
Tiny yakitori alleys just north of Shinjuku Station — squeeze into a 6-seat counter at Asadachi and order the kushiyaki set (1,200 JPY). The smoke and lanterns make it feel like 1960s Tokyo
Evening stroll through Kabukicho entertainment district(1 hour)
Neon overload at its finest. Check out the Godzilla head on the Toho Cinema building and peek into the Robot Restaurant area (booking not necessary, just soak in the atmosphere)
Start in Tokyo's oldest neighborhood, then contrast it with the neon-drenched anime and gaming culture of Akihabara. Both are on the east side, so no zigzagging today.
Senso-ji Temple and Nakamise shopping street(2 hours)
Arrive by 8AM to beat tour groups. Walk the Nakamise-dori and try freshly made melon pan (200 JPY) and age-manju fried buns (100 JPY) from the stalls
Explore Asakusa backstreets and Kappabashi Kitchen Street(1.5 hours)
Kappabashi (10-minute walk from Senso-ji) is where chefs buy their knives — pick up a handmade Japanese knife from Kama-Asa (from 5,000 JPY). The plastic food sample shops are pure fun
Lunch at Sometaro okonomiyaki(1 hour)
DIY okonomiyaki on a grill at your table in a charming 80-year-old wooden house. Pork and seafood version around 1,100 JPY. 2-minute walk from Senso-ji
Akihabara Electric Town exploration(3 hours)
Take the Tsukuba Express one stop. Hit Super Potato for retro games across 5 floors, browse manga at Mandarake Complex, and try a maid cafe (entry around 1,500 JPY including a drink). The multi-floor arcades with crane games are dangerously addictive
A full day in Tokyo's fashion and pop culture epicenter, all within walking distance along the JR Yamanote Line's western arc.
Meiji Shrine morning visit(1.5 hours)
Enter through the massive torii gate on Omotesando — the forest walk feels impossibly serene for central Tokyo. Write a wish on an ema wooden plaque (500 JPY). Free entry, open from sunrise
Takeshita Street and Harajuku fashion walk(1.5 hours)
The famous pedestrian street packed with crepe stands, kawaii shops, and cosplay fashion. Try a rainbow cotton candy from Totti Candy Factory and explore the backstreets of Cat Street for vintage shops
Lunch on Omotesando Boulevard(1 hour)
Tokyo's Champs-Elysees. Grab a bowl at Afuri ramen in Harajuku (yuzu shio ramen, 1,000 JPY) — the citrus broth is lighter than typical Tokyo ramen
Shibuya Crossing and Hachiko Statue(1 hour)
Cross the world's busiest intersection, then watch from the 2nd-floor Starbucks in Tsutaya building or the free observation deck at Shibuya Scramble Square (rooftop SHIBUYA SKY, 2,000 JPY)
Dinner and nightlife in Shibuya(2 hours)
Eat at Genki Sushi (conveyor belt, plates from 140 JPY) in Shibuya Center-gai for fun and cheap sushi, then explore the izakayas under the train tracks at Nonbei Yokocho
From the freshest seafood in Japan to cutting-edge digital art, today covers Tokyo's central and southern areas.
Tsukiji Outer Market breakfast(1.5 hours)
Arrive by 7:30AM. Skip the famous Sushi Dai (3-hour wait) and go to Sushi Zanmai instead for excellent value (chef's omakase from 2,500 JPY). Try tamagoyaki (sweet egg omelette, 200 JPY) from any of the stalls
Ginza window shopping and department stores(2 hours)
Walk up Chuo-dori (pedestrianized on weekends). The basement food halls (depachika) of Mitsukoshi and Ginza Six sell exquisite bento boxes, wagashi sweets, and free food samples
Lunch at a standing soba shop near Ginza(30 minutes)
Try Yomoda Soba for handmade buckwheat noodles — the chilled seiro soba (450 JPY) is perfect for a quick refuel
TeamLab Borderless at Azabudai Hills(2.5 hours)
Book tickets online well in advance (3,800 JPY adults). The Infinity Mirror Room and cascading waterfall projections are the highlights. Wear white clothing for the best interaction with the light
A slower-paced day exploring Tokyo's green spaces and one of its best-preserved historic neighborhoods. A welcome breather mid-trip.
Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden(2 hours)
Entry 500 JPY, open 9AM. Three distinct garden styles — Japanese traditional, English landscape, and French formal. In cherry blossom season (late March), this is ground zero. Bring a bento box from a konbini
Lunch at Fuunji tsukemen(45 minutes)
Legendary dipping ramen near Shinjuku Station (South Exit). Rich fish-pork broth, chewy noodles. Use the vending machine to order — the standard tsukemen is 900 JPY. Expect a 15-minute line
Yanaka District afternoon walk(2.5 hours)
Take the JR Yamanote Line to Nippori. This neighborhood survived WWII bombing and feels like old Tokyo. Walk Yanaka Ginza shopping street (try the menchi-katsu from Suzuki), visit Yanaka Cemetery (beautiful tree-lined paths), and browse the small galleries. Free to explore
Sento (public bath) experience at Jakotsuyu(1 hour)
One of Asakusa's last traditional public baths, with natural hot spring water. Entry 520 JPY. Wash thoroughly before entering the communal tubs. An authentic local experience
Explore Tokyo Bay's modern waterfront, from the world's largest wholesale fish market to the futuristic artificial island of Odaiba.
Toyosu Fish Market tuna auction viewing(1.5 hours)
The replacement for Tsukiji's inner market. Free observation decks open from 5:30AM to watch the massive tuna auction through glass windows. Take the Yurikamome Line to Shijo-mae Station
Sushi breakfast at Toyosu(1 hour)
Eat at Sushi Dai's Toyosu location (arrive early for shorter waits) or Daiwa Sushi for an omakase set starting at 4,000 JPY with impossibly fresh cuts
Odaiba exploration(3 hours)
Take the Yurikamome monorail with skyline views to Odaiba. Visit the life-size Gundam statue (free), DiverCity Tokyo mall, and walk along the artificial beach with views of Rainbow Bridge
Dinner at an izakaya in Shinbashi(2 hours)
Shinbashi's under-the-tracks izakayas are where salarymen unwind. Try Torikizoku for 298-yen-per-plate yakitori and beer — it's a chain but wildly authentic. The vibe after 7PM on a weekday is pure Tokyo
Final morning in Tokyo for last-minute shopping and one more incredible meal before heading to the airport.
Breakfast at a konbini (convenience store)(30 minutes)
Your last chance to appreciate that 7-Eleven onigiri (150 JPY) and egg sandwich are genuinely delicious. Grab a Boss coffee from the hot can vending machine outside
Last-minute souvenir shopping at Tokyo Station(1.5 hours)
Tokyo Character Street (underground) has official Studio Ghibli, Pokemon, and Sanrio shops. Tokyo Ramen Street has 8 famous ramen shops. The station's depachika rivals Ginza for food gifts — get Tokyo Banana cakes or Shiro Noirs as omiyage
Airport transfer and departure(1.5-2 hours)
Narita Express from Tokyo Station (3,250 JPY, 60 minutes) or monorail to Haneda (500 JPY, 20 minutes). Allow 3 hours before international flights. Don't spend your remaining yen — use it at airport shops or donate it to charity boxes at departure gates
US, UK, EU, Canadian, and Australian citizens get 90-day visa-free entry. Indian citizens need a tourist visa applied through the Japanese embassy (processing takes 5-7 business days). Always carry your passport — police can legally request ID.
Buy a rechargeable IC card at any station kiosk (500 JPY deposit). Works on all trains, buses, and convenience stores. A 72-hour Tokyo Metro pass (1,500 JPY / ~$10) is great value if you plan to ride 4+ times daily.
Haneda (HND) is 30 minutes from central Tokyo by monorail — far more convenient. Narita (NRT) is 60-90 minutes out; take the Narita Express (N'EX) for 3,250 JPY (~$21) or the budget Keisei Skyliner for 2,520 JPY (~$17). Avoid taxis from Narita — they cost 20,000+ JPY.
Convenience stores (7-Eleven, Lawson, FamilyMart) serve surprisingly excellent onigiri (~150 JPY / ~$1) and bento boxes (~500 JPY / ~$3.30). Standing soba shops near train stations serve bowls for 300-500 JPY. Budget ~3,000-5,000 JPY/day for food.
Despite being a tech capital, many small restaurants, temples, and traditional shops are cash-only. Withdraw yen at 7-Eleven or Japan Post ATMs (they reliably accept foreign cards). Carry at least 10,000-20,000 JPY daily.
Never tip at restaurants, taxis, or hotels in Japan — it can cause genuine confusion or offense. Service charges are included in prices. A polite bow or saying 'gochisousama deshita' (thank you for the meal) is the proper way to show appreciation.
Tokyo experiences minor tremors regularly. Download the Safety Tips app by Japan Tourism Agency for real-time disaster alerts in English. Hotels have emergency instructions in rooms. In an earthquake: drop, cover, and hold on — don't run outside.
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