Tokyo travel guide.

Where to stay

Shinjuku and Shibuya put you on the JR Yamanote loop with the widest late-night dining and direct airport rail links. The Tokyo Station and Ginza area suits travelers pairing the city with shinkansen day trips, since long-distance trains leave from Tokyo Station itself.

Asakusa and Ueno on the east side run noticeably cheaper for hotels and sit close to Senso-ji and the Skytree, at the cost of longer rides to the west-side nightlife districts. Our Tokyo hotel prices page lists typical nightly rates by tier and area.

Best time to visit

Late March to early April is cherry blossom season, the most crowded and expensive window of spring. May after Golden Week, and the October to November foliage weeks, offer the same mild weather with lower hotel rates. June brings the rainy season and July and August are hot and humid, which is also when hotel prices dip.

The exact cheapest months for the overall trip, including flights, are covered on our Tokyo trip cost page, and booking lead times are on the when to book Tokyo hotels page.

Getting in from the airport

From Haneda, the Keikyu Line and Tokyo Monorail reach central Tokyo in about 30 minutes. From Narita, the Narita Express serves Tokyo Station and Shinjuku in about 60 to 90 minutes, and the Keisei Skyliner reaches Ueno in 41 minutes, as of August 2026.

Inside the city, an IC card (Suica or Pasmo) covers Tokyo Metro, Toei and JR lines. Tokyo Metro fares start at 180 yen, and the 24-hour, 48-hour and 72-hour Tokyo Subway Tickets undercut per-ride fares for sightseeing-heavy days.

How Tokyo fits a Japan itinerary

Tokyo pairs naturally with Kyoto or Osaka via a 2 hour 15 minute shinkansen ride, or with day trips to Kamakura, Yokohama, Nikko and Hakone. See our Japan travel guide for multi-city planning, rail passes and seasonal notes for the rest of the country.

Airports

• HND. Tokyo Haneda Airport
• NRT. Narita International Airport

How many days is enough for Tokyo?

Four to five nights covers the main neighborhoods plus one day trip. Three nights works for a focused first pass; a week lets you add Kamakura, Nikko or Hakone without rushing.

Which Tokyo airport is more convenient, Haneda or Narita?

Haneda is about 30 minutes from central Tokyo by rail, while Narita takes 60 to 90 minutes. When fares are close, Haneda saves both time and transfer cost.

What is the best area to stay in Tokyo for a first visit?

Shinjuku or Shibuya for transit coverage and nightlife, the Tokyo Station and Ginza area for shinkansen trips, or Asakusa and Ueno for lower hotel prices near the historic east side.

When is the best time to visit Tokyo?

Late March to May and October to November have the best weather. Cherry blossom weeks around early April are the most crowded; May after Golden Week and October have similar conditions with lower prices.

How much does a Tokyo trip cost per day?

About US$90 to US$130 per day for budget travelers, US$130 to US$260 mid-range, and upwards of US$400 for premium trips, as of August 2026. The full breakdown by trip length and traveler type is on our Tokyo trip cost page.

Do people speak English in Tokyo?

Signage on trains and at attractions is bilingual, and hotels and larger restaurants handle English routinely. A translation app covers the rest; no Japanese is required for a standard tourist itinerary.

Is Tokyo walkable or do I need the metro?

Individual districts are very walkable, but they are far apart. Plan on the metro or JR lines between neighborhoods; fares start at 180 yen and an IC card removes ticket-machine friction.

What day trips work best from Tokyo?

Kamakura and Yokohama are under an hour by train, Hakone offers hot springs and Fuji views in about 90 minutes, and Nikko is roughly two hours. All work without a rental car.

Can I use credit cards in Tokyo?

Cards are accepted at hotels, department stores, chain restaurants and convenience stores. Small izakaya, shrines and some ticket machines remain cash-only, so carry some yen.