Practical guides to Tokyo. Each guide tells you how to get there, what it costs and how much time to allow. Every guide to a place says clearly whether it is based on our own visit or on research, and researched guides show where the information comes from and when we last checked it. Practical guides, such as phrases and etiquette, are marked too.
Browse by topic
Plan & Essentials
Before and during your trip
When to go, money, phones, safety, phrases and tips for families.
Getting Around
Airports, trains and Suica
From Narita and Haneda into the city, and how to use trains and IC cards.
Where to Stay
Choose your area
Compare neighborhoods, then see hotels we have researched in each one.
Day Trips
Day trips from Tokyo
Places you can reach and enjoy in a day, with train routes and costs.
Culture
Temples, shrines and traditions
Etiquette, hot springs and the seasons: cherry blossoms, autumn leaves and winter.
Latest guides
- Ryogoku Kokugikan: Sumo Tournament Dates, Tickets and the Sumo Museum
- Kabukicho: Godzilla Head, Night Walks and Avoiding Touts
- Asakusa Culture Tourist Information Center: Free View, Hours and Services
- MIYASHITA PARK: Rooftop Park, Shibuya Yokocho and Hours
- Hachiko Statue: Where to Find It, the True Story and Meeting Tips
- Takeshita Street: Crêpes, Shops and Tips for the Crowds
- Imperial Palace East Gardens: Hours, Gates and What to See
- Kabukiza Theatre: Tickets, Single-Act Seats and How to Get There
- Kamakura vs Hakone: Which Day Trip from Tokyo?
All guides
Plan & Essentials
- Best Things to Do in Tokyo: 49 Ideas for Every Kind of Trip
- Can You Drink Tap Water in Tokyo? Safety, Taste and Tips
- Do I Need a Visa for Japan? Visa-Free Countries and Rules
- Earthquake Safety in Tokyo: What to Do Before, During and After
- Essential Apps for Japan: Maps, Trains, Payments, Translation and Safety
- Free Things to Do in Tokyo and Easy Ways to Save Money
- How Many Days in Tokyo? 1 to 7-Day Itineraries Compared (2026)
- How to Use a Japanese Toilet: Bidet Buttons, Flushing and the Sound Button
- Is Tokyo Safe for Tourists? What to Watch For and Who to Call (2026)
- Japan eSIM, SIM or Pocket Wi-Fi? Staying Connected in Tokyo
- Japan Public Holidays 2026 and 2027 (and the Busiest Times to Travel)
- Japanese Phrases for Travelers: What to Say in Tokyo
- Lost and Found in Tokyo: What to Do If You Lose Something
- Money in Tokyo: Cash, Cards, ATMs and Tax-Free Shopping (2026)
- Seeing a Doctor in Tokyo: Hospitals, Helplines and Emergency Numbers
- Smoking in Tokyo: Street Bans, Fines and Smoke-Free Restaurants
- Solo Travel in Tokyo: Safety, Dining Alone and Practical Tips (2026)
- Tax-Free Shopping in Japan: The New Refund System (from November 2026)
- Things to Know Before Visiting Japan: Money, Plugs, Manners and Safety
- Tipping in Japan: Do You Tip, and What to Do Instead
- Tokyo Events by Month: Festivals, Seasons and Sumo
- Tokyo in 1 Day: The Best One-Day Itinerary
- Tokyo Itinerary for 2 Days: East and West Tokyo
- Tokyo Itinerary for 3 Days: A First-Timer’s Route
- Tokyo Itinerary for 5 Days: Classic Sights, a Day Trip and a Free Day
- Tokyo Itinerary for 7 Days: A Week in Tokyo with Two Day Trips
- Tokyo Itinerary: 4 Days
- Tokyo Travel Budget: How Much Does a Trip to Tokyo Cost?
- Tokyo Travel Updates: New Rules, Closures and Changes (November 2026)
- Tokyo Weather by Month and the Best Time to Visit
- Tokyo with Kids: Trains, Baby Care and Places Children Love
- Trash in Tokyo: Why There Are So Few Bins and How to Throw Things Away
- Typhoons in Tokyo: When They Hit and What Travelers Should Do
- Visit Japan Web: How to Set Up Your Arrival QR Code
Getting Around
- Cycling in Tokyo: Bike Share, Rules and New Fines (2026)
- Driving in Japan as a Tourist: International Driving Permits and Road Rules
- Haneda Airport to Central Tokyo: Train, Monorail, Bus or Taxi
- How to Ride Trains in Tokyo: IC Cards, Lines and Manners
- How to Use Suica in Tokyo: Welcome Suica, iPhone and Topping Up
- Japan Rail Pass: Prices, Coverage and Whether It Is Worth It
- Luggage in Tokyo: Coin Lockers, Storage and Delivery
- Narita Airport to Tokyo: Skyliner, Narita Express or Bus?
- Narita vs Haneda: Which Tokyo Airport Is Better?
- Shinkansen Guide: How to Ride the Bullet Train from Tokyo
- Taxis in Tokyo: Fares, Apps, Tipping and Airport Fixed Fares
- Tokyo Station Guide: Shinkansen, Narita Express, Lockers and the Red-Brick Building
- Tokyo to Kyoto and Osaka by Shinkansen
- Tokyo Transport Passes: Tokyo Subway Ticket, 1-Day Passes or Suica?
- Tokyo Water Bus: See the City from the River, Asakusa to Odaiba
Areas
- Akabane Guide: Daytime Izakaya, Gardens and the Fox Parade
- Akasaka Guide: Palace, Shrines and Fine Dining
- Aogashima Island Guide: Living Inside a Volcano
- Asakusa Culture Tourist Information Center: Free View, Hours and Services
- Azabu-juban Guide: Old Shops, Taiyaki and a Garden Park
- Best Things to Do in Asakusa: Senso-ji, Nakamise and the Sumida River
- Chichijima Island Guide: Tokyo’s Tropical Ogasawara Islands
- Chofu and Fuchu Guide: Jindaiji Soba, Roses and Family Days Out
- Daikanyama Guide: T-Site, Log Road and Boutique Streets
- Ebisu and Nakameguro Guide: Yebisu Garden Place, Ebisu Yokocho and the Meguro River
- Fukagawa Guide: Tomioka Hachimangu, Festivals and Clam Rice
- Futako Tamagawa Guide: Riverside Picnics and Shopping
- Ginza and Tokyo Station Guide: Shopping, Gardens and Red Brick
- Hachijojima Island Guide: Tokyo’s Subtropical Escape
- Hachiko Statue: Where to Find It, the True Story and Meeting Tips
- Hachioji Guide: Castle Ruins, Art and Hachioji Ramen
- Hahajima Island Guide: Whales, Coral and Sunsets
- Hamamatsucho Guide: Gardens, Bay Cruises and Ferries to the Islands
- Harajuku and Omotesando Guide: Meiji Jingu, Takeshita Street and Cat Street
- Ikebukuro Guide: Sunshine City, Anime Shops and Department Stores
- Itabashi Guide: Happy Road Oyama, the Tokyo Daibutsu and Fireworks
- Jiyugaoka Guide: Sweets, Cafés and European-Style Streets
- Kabukicho: Godzilla Head, Night Walks and Avoiding Touts
- Kagurazaka Guide: Tokyo’s Little Paris and Old Geisha Alleys
- Kamata and Haneda Area Guide: Winged Gyoza, Black Onsen and Easy Airport Access
- Kanda and Jimbocho Guide: Bookshops, Curry and Shrines
- Kappabashi Guide: Knives, Ceramics and Food Samples
- Kasai Guide: Tokyo Sea Life Park, Bay Views and Free Zoo
- Kita-Senju Guide: Old Post Town, Izakaya and the Arakawa River
- Kiyosumi-Shirakawa Guide: Gardens, Art and Coffee
- Koenji Guide: Vintage Shops, Live Music and Awa Odori
- Kozushima Island Guide: Beaches, Snorkeling and Dark Skies
- Machida Guide: Squirrels, Snoopy Museum and Outlet Shopping
- Mikurajima Island Guide: Swimming with Wild Dolphins
- Mitaka and Musashino Guide: Ghibli Museum, Inokashira Park and More
- Miyakejima Island Guide: Volcano, Lava Fields and Birds
- MIYASHITA PARK: Rooftop Park, Shibuya Yokocho and Hours
- Mt. Takao Guide: An Easy Mountain Day Trip from Tokyo
- Nakano Guide: Nakano Broadway, Anime and Retro Shopping
- Nerima Guide: Harry Potter Studio Tour, Anime History and Parks
- Nihonbashi Guide: Edo’s Bridge, Mitsukoshi and Old Shops
- Niijima Island Guide: Surfing, Hot Springs and Glass Art
- Nippori Guide: Fabric Town and the Gateway to Yanaka
- Nishitokyo Guide: Quiet Parks, an Old Shrine and a Weather Tower
- Odaiba Guide: Rainbow Bridge Views, Seaside Park and Miraikan
- Okutama Guide: Hiking, Rafting and Hot Springs in Tokyo’s Mountains
- Oshima Island Guide: Volcano Hikes and Camellias
- Roppongi and Azabudai Guide: Art, teamLab Borderless and City Views
- Ryogoku Guide: Sumo, the Edo-Tokyo Museum and Chanko-nabe
- Ryogoku Kokugikan: Sumo Tournament Dates, Tickets and the Sumo Museum
Experiences
- Anime and Manga in Tokyo: Where Fans Should Go
- Aquariums in Tokyo: 5 Aquariums Compared (2026)
- Arcades in Tokyo: Where to Play, Prices and Tips (2026)
- Art Aquarium Museum GINZA: Tickets, Hours and Last Day (January 6, 2027)
- Baseball in Tokyo: Giants at Tokyo Dome or Swallows at Jingu
- Cat Cafes in Tokyo: How They Work and Where to Go (2026)
- Christmas in Tokyo 2026: Illuminations and Christmas Markets
- Ghibli Museum Tickets: When They Go on Sale and How to Buy
- Hama-rikyu Gardens: A Seawater Pond and Teahouse Below the Skyscrapers
- Harry Potter Studio Tour Tokyo: Tickets, Prices and How to Get There
- Hibiya Park: Fountains and Flower Beds Between Ginza and the Imperial Palace
- Inokashira Park: Pond Boats, a Small Zoo and the Walk to the Ghibli Museum
- Jindai Botanical Gardens: Roses, a Big Greenhouse and Tickets
- Kabuki in Tokyo: Kabukiza Tickets and English Subtitles (2026)
- Kabukiza Theatre: Tickets, Single-Act Seats and How to Get There
- Karaoke in Tokyo: How Karaoke Boxes Work and What They Cost (2026)
- Kasai Rinkai Park: Free Seaside Park with a Ferris Wheel and Aquarium
- Kiyosumi Gardens: Stepping Stones Across a Pond for ¥150
- Koishikawa Korakuen: A 1629 Garden Next to Tokyo Dome
- Kyu-Furukawa Gardens: A Stone Mansion and Terraced Rose Garden
- Kyu-Shiba-rikyu Gardens: A ¥150 Edo Garden 1 Minute from Hamamatsucho
- Kyu-Yasuda Garden: A Tidal-Pond Garden Next to the Sumo Arena
- LEGOLAND Discovery Center Tokyo: Rides, 4D Cinema and LEGO Tokyo
- Mukojima-Hyakkaen: Tokyo’s Only Surviving Edo-Period Flower Garden
- Planetarium TENKU: Star Shows for Adults at Tokyo Skytree Town
- Pokémon Center and Nintendo TOKYO: Where to Find Them in Tokyo
- Rikugien Gardens: Tickets, Hours and the 2026 Autumn Light-up
- Sanrio Puroland Tickets: Prices, Reservations and How to Get There
- SHIBUYA SKY Tickets: Prices, Sunset Slots and Tips
- Shinagawa Aquarium: Walk Through a Tunnel Tank and Watch Dolphin Shows
- Shinjuku Gyoen: Three Gardens, Cherry Blossoms and Autumn Leaves
- Showa Kinen Park: Golden Ginkgo, Flower Fields and a Whole Day Outdoors
- Soccer in Tokyo: How to Watch a J.League Match (2026/27 Guide)
- Sumida Aquarium at Tokyo Skytree: Penguins, Jellyfish, Tickets and Access
- Sumo in Tokyo: Tournaments, Tickets and Ryogoku
- Sunshine Aquarium: Penguins Over the Ikebukuro Skyline (Tickets and Access)
- Tama Zoo: Animals in Open Hillside Enclosures (Tickets and Closures)
- Tea Ceremony in Tokyo: Where to Try Matcha the Traditional Way
- teamLab Tokyo Tickets: Borderless or Planets, Prices and Tips
- Theme Parks in and near Tokyo: 8 Parks Compared (2026)
- Tokyo at Night: Night Views, Food Alleys and Getting Home
- Tokyo Bay Cruise on the Symphony: Afternoon Cruise, Prices and Hinode Pier
- Tokyo City View: Roppongi Hills Observation Deck Tickets, Hours and Views
- Tokyo Disney Tickets: Prices, Sale Dates and Which Park
- Tokyo Joypolis: Odaiba’s Indoor Amusement Park (Tickets and Tips)
- Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building Observatory: Free City Views
- Tokyo Observation Decks Compared
- Tokyo Sea Life Park: A Bluefin Tuna Tank and Penguins for ¥700
- Tokyo Skytree Tickets: Prices, Which Floor and How to Save
- Tokyo Tower Tickets: Prices, Hours and Which Deck to Choose
Day Trips
- Ashikaga Flower Park Illumination: Tickets, Hours and Access from Tokyo
- Atami Day Trip from Tokyo: Hot Springs, Free Footbath and Seasonal Events
- Best Day Trips from Tokyo
- Chichibu Day Trip from Tokyo: Laview, Nagatoro and the Night Festival
- CUPNOODLES Museum Yokohama: Make Your Own Cup Noodles
- Easy Hikes Near Tokyo: 5 Mountains Compared (2026)
- Edo Wonderland Nikko Edomura: Tickets, Ninja Experiences and How to Get There
- Enoshima Day Trip from Tokyo: Shrine, Sea Candle and Iwaya Caves
- Fuji-Q Highland: Free Entry, Passes and How to Get There from Tokyo
- Hakone Day Trip from Tokyo: The Classic Loop, Freepass and Hot Springs
- Hitachi Seaside Park: Kochia, Nemophila, Tickets and Access from Tokyo
- Ikaho Onsen from Tokyo: 365 Stone Steps, Golden Water and Day Baths
- Kamakura Day Trip from Tokyo: The Great Buddha, Shrines and the Sea
- Kamakura vs Hakone: Which Day Trip from Tokyo?
- Karuizawa Day Trip from Tokyo: Waterfalls, Old Karuizawa and Kumobaike Pond
- Kawagoe Day Trip from Tokyo: Little Edo, Toki no Kane and Candy Alley
- Kinugawa Onsen from Tokyo: Suspension Bridge, River Boats and Ropeway
- Kusatsu Onsen from Tokyo: Yubatake, Yumomi Show and Day-Trip Baths
- Mother Farm, Chiba: Tickets, Animals and How to Get There from Tokyo
- Mt. Fuji Day Tours from Tokyo: 5 Popular Tours Compared
- Mt. Fuji Day Trip from Tokyo: Lake Kawaguchi and Chureito Pagoda
- Mt. Mitake: Cable Car, Shrine and Rock Garden Hike in Western Tokyo
- Mt. Oyama: Afuri Shrine, Oyama-dera and the Cable Car
- Mt. Tsukuba from Tokyo: Ropeway, Twin Peaks and Getting There
- Naritasan Shinshoji: Narita Temple Trip and Layover Guide
- Nikko Day Trip from Tokyo: Toshogu Shrine, Shinkyo Bridge and Kegon Falls
- Odawara Castle: Tickets, Hours and How to Get There from Tokyo
- Onsen Towns Near Tokyo: 7 Hot Spring Trips Compared (2026)
- Sankeien Garden: Yokohama’s Japanese Garden of Historic Buildings
- Sarushima Island: Tokyo Bay’s Fortress Island Day Trip from Yokosuka
- Shuzenji Onsen: Izu’s Oldest Hot Spring Town, Baths and Autumn Leaves
- The Railway Museum (Saitama): Real Trains and Driving Simulators
- Tobu World Square: Miniature World Landmarks near Kinugawa Onsen
- Yokohama Day Trip from Tokyo: Chinatown, the Waterfront and Minato Mirai
- Yokohama Hakkeijima Sea Paradise: Tickets, Aquariums and How to Get There
- Yugawara Onsen: A Quiet Hot Spring Day Trip from Tokyo
Food & Shopping
- 100 Yen Shops in Tokyo: Daiso, Seria, Can Do and What to Buy (2026)
- Ameyoko: Ueno’s Lively Market Street of 400 Shops and Street Food
- Breakfast in Tokyo: Where to Eat Early, from Onigiri to Tsukiji
- Cafés in Tokyo: Kissaten, Specialty Coffee and Matcha
- Coin Laundry in Tokyo: Prices, Steps and Japanese Terms (2026)
- Convenience Stores in Tokyo: What to Buy and How They Work
- Depachika: Tokyo Department Store Food Halls Explained
- Don Quijote in Tokyo: 24-Hour Store, Tax-Free and What to Buy (2026)
- Ekiben: How to Buy a Station Bento at Tokyo Station (2026)
- How to Eat Out in Tokyo: Ticket Machines, Set Meals and Convenience Stores
- How to Enjoy an Izakaya in Tokyo: Ordering, Drinks and Manners
- Japanese Food to Try in Tokyo: The Dishes, Sweets and Drinks Not to Miss
- Ramen in Tokyo: Types, How to Order and Ramen Manners
- Shinjuku Golden Gai and Omoide Yokocho: Tokyo’s Famous Drinking Alleys
- Shipping Souvenirs Home from Japan: EMS, Parcels and What You Can’t Send
- Sushi in Tokyo: How to Eat It, Where to Go & Conveyor Belt Tips
- Takeshita Street: Crêpes, Shops and Tips for the Crowds
- Tokyo Food Tours and Cooking Classes: Types and How to Choose
- Tokyo Souvenirs and Shopping: What to Buy and Where
- Tourist-Friendly Restaurants in Tokyo: 8 Places Compared (2026)
- Toyosu Market Tuna Auction: How to Watch (Free)
- Tsukiji Outer Market and Toyosu Market: A Visitor’s Guide
- Vegetarian, Vegan and Halal Food in Tokyo
Culture
- Autumn Leaves in Tokyo: When and Where to See Them
- Best Museums in Tokyo: Art, History, Science and Ghibli
- Best Parks and Gardens in Tokyo: Edo Gardens, Picnics and Seasons
- Cherry Blossoms in Tokyo: When and Where to See Them
- Edo-Tokyo Museum: Reopened in 2026 (Hours, Prices and Access)
- Edo-Tokyo Open Air Architectural Museum: Walk Inside Old Tokyo Buildings
- Gotokuji Temple: Hundreds of Beckoning Cats in a Quiet Tokyo Temple
- Halloween in Tokyo 2026: Where to Go and Rules to Know
- Hie Shrine: The Hilltop Shrine That Guarded Edo Castle
- Imperial Palace East Gardens: Hours, Gates and What to See
- Imperial Palace Tokyo: East Gardens and the Free Guided Tour
- Japanese Sword Museum: See Samurai Swords as Works of Art in Ryogoku
- Kanda Myojin: Akihabara’s 1,300-Year-Old Shrine
- Kimono Rental in Tokyo: How It Works, Prices and Where to Book (2026)
- Kyu-Iwasaki-tei Gardens: Step Inside the Mitsubishi Founders’ Mansion
- Meiji Jingu: Opening Hours, Access and Etiquette
- National Museum of Nature and Science: Dinosaurs and a Life-Size Blue Whale in Ueno
- New Year in Tokyo: Countdown, Hatsumode, Fukubukuro and What Is Open
- Nezu Shrine: Tokyo’s 1706 Shrine of Red Torii and Azaleas
- Onsen and Sento Etiquette: How to Use a Japanese Bath
- Onsen in Tokyo: Hot Springs in the City and Okutama
- Senso-ji: Tokyo’s Oldest Temple, Hours and Highlights
- Sento in Tokyo: How to Use a Japanese Public Bathhouse
- Shrine and Temple Etiquette in Tokyo: How to Visit and Pray
- Sumida Hokusai Museum: The Great Wave Artist’s Hometown Museum
- Summer in Tokyo: Weather, Heat Tips and Fireworks
- Tattoos and Onsen in Japan: Rules, Options and Where You Can Bathe
- Temples and Shrines in Tokyo: 8 to Visit, Compared (2026)
- THE TOKYO TOILET: 17 Designer Public Toilets in Shibuya
- Tokyo in April 2027: Weather, Cherry Blossoms and Events
- Tokyo in August 2027: Weather, Festivals and Obon
- Tokyo in December 2026: Weather, Lights and Year-End Events
- Tokyo in February 2027: Weather, Plum Blossoms and Events
- Tokyo in January 2027: Weather, New Year and Sumo
- Tokyo in July 2027: Weather, Fireworks and Events
- Tokyo in June: Rainy Season, Weather and What to Do
- Tokyo in March 2027: Weather, Cherry Blossoms and Events
- Tokyo in May 2027: Weather, Festivals and Sumo
- Tokyo in November 2026: Weather, Autumn Leaves and Events
- Tokyo in October: Weather, Halloween and Events
- Tokyo in September 2027: Weather, Sumo and Typhoons
- Tokyo National Museum: Samurai Armor, Swords and Japan’s Treasures
- Winter in Tokyo: Illuminations, Christmas and New Year
- Yushima Tenjin: Tokyo’s Shrine for Exam Luck and Plum Blossoms
- Zojoji Temple: Shogun Graves and the Classic Tokyo Tower Photo