New to Tokyo? Read these guides in this order and you will have everything you need, from choosing when to go to planning each day. Every guide tells you whether it comes from our own visit or from research.
1. Choose when to go
Tokyo changes a lot with the seasons. Check the weather, the busy holidays and what is on each month.
2. Plan your money
Learn how to pay, where to get cash and how the tax-free system works, then see how to keep costs down.
3. Get from the airport
Most visitors arrive at Narita or Haneda. Both have easy trains and buses into the city.
- Just landed? What to do at the airport, step by step
- Narita Airport to Tokyo
- Haneda Airport to Tokyo
4. Get connected and get around
Sort out your phone data and an IC card before you need them.
- Staying connected: eSIM, SIM or pocket Wi-Fi
- How to use Suica
- How to ride trains in Tokyo
- Luggage in Tokyo
5. Choose where to stay
The area you stay in shapes your whole trip. Compare them by transport, budget and atmosphere.
- Where to stay in Tokyo
- Best hotels in Shibuya
- Best hotels in Shinjuku
- Best hotels in Asakusa
- Best hotels near Tokyo Station and Ginza
6. Plan your days
Start with a ready-made plan, then add the areas, experiences and day trips you like.
7. Know the basics
A few customs and words make everything easier, and it is worth knowing what to do in an earthquake.
- How to eat out in Tokyo
- Shrine and temple etiquette
- Japanese phrases for travelers
- Earthquake safety in Tokyo