If I had to pick one place in Japan to visit again, it would be Tokyo. I spent 5 days here and personally, I didn’t think it was long enough. Honestly, I could spend an entire month there without running out of things to do.

I greatly underestimated the size of the city. To put it simply, Tokyo is massive, and the attractions are quite spread out. Which is why I’ve put together this handy guide. If it’s your first time visiting Tokyo (or second, or third) this guide will tell you everything you need to know.

Where should I visit?

Like I mentioned above, Tokyo is a huge city. I’m not going to list every single region because I’d probably bore you to death. Instead, I will mention some of the most popular regions for visitors to Tokyo.

Shinjuku

Shinjuku is what most people imagine when they think of Tokyo – neon lights and billboards, crowded streets, tall skyscrapers and music coming from every direction. It has the perfect mix of modern and traditional Japanese culture. Shinjuku is a great area for restaurants, shopping, and entertainment, especially if you’re wanting to experience Tokyo’s nightlife.

Top attractions in Shinjuku

• Robot restaurant – Flashing lights, lasers, dancers, ninjas, and mechanical robots. This is a truly unique experience and possibly one of the craziest shows I have ever seen.
• Kabukicho – Possibly one of the largest red-light districts in Asia. The streets of Kabukicho are lined with karaoke bars, restaurants, movie theatres, gaming arcades, and of course, red-light establishments.
• Golden Gai – 6 small alleyways lined with 200 bars. Golden Gai is home to some of the tiniest drinking establishments in Japan. Most bars are only a few feet wide, fitting a maximum of 5 or 6 customers. It is a really cool place to experience Japanese nightlife.

Shibuya

Shibuya is probably most well known for the Shibuya crossing – the world’s busiest pedestrian crossing. The atmosphere of Shibuya is quite similar to Shinjuku. The bustling city is full of entertainment options, good shopping, and great restaurants.

Top attractions in Shibuya

• Shibuya crossing – This is probably the number one reason people visit Shibuya. But if you’re wanting to get some cool snaps from your trip, it is one of the best places to take photos (just try not to get trampled by pedestrians).
• Centre Gai – A pedestrian-only street lined with clothing stores, restaurants, karaoke bars, and cafes. It is a very popular area for the younger crowd in Japan (as well as tourists).
• Roof-top bars – The views of Shibuya are amazing, and they’re even more impressive from above. Bellovisto bar is located 40 floors above the ground and just happens to be one of my favourites.

Harajuku

Harajuku is a small area within Shibuya. The area is best known for its fashion scene and eccentric subculture. The streets are lined with vintage stores, hype streetwear brands, and some of Tokyo’s trendiest cafes.

Top attractions in Harajuku

• Meiji-jingu Shrine – A shinto shrine located amongst acres of forest. Meiji-jingu is the perfect place to relax and escape the nearby hustle and bustle of Harajuku.
• Takeshita Street – If you want to check the eccentric fashion in Harajuku, definitely visit Takeshita. The street is filled with stores selling the kawaii clothing that Japan is known for.
• Themed cafes – You’ve probably heard of Tokyo’s famous animal cafes, and Harajuku is the perfect place to visit one. The area has owl cafes, cat cafes, hedgehog cafes, rabbit cafes and even a cafe where you can hold a snake.

Ginza

Home to some of the largest department stores in Tokyo, Ginza is the mecca of shopping. The area has some of Tokyo’s best luxury boutiques and high-end retail stores. In fact, the main attraction in Ginza is the shopping itself. There are also plenty of trendy cafes and bars to try out.

Top attractions in Ginza

• Chuo Dori Street – As I mentioned, shopping is the main attraction in Ginza, and Chuo Dori street is the place to do it. The street is lined with a variety of clothing stores and restaurants, perfect for a day of retail therapy.
• Art galleries – Ginza has so many art galleries that you’re likely to find one on every street. And trust me, they are worth the visit.
• Hamarikyu Gardens – Often described as an oasis for escape, the Hamariikyu Gardens are located in the middle of Ginza. The area is the perfect place if you need a break from shopping.

Asakusa

Asakusa is a historical part of Tokyo and is most famous for its temples. in particular, Senso-ji temple. Being a very traditional area, it is one of the best places to try Japanese food. If you’re keen to try an Izakaya – a Japanese pub serving food and alcohol – Asakusa is the perfect place to do so.

Top attractions in Asakusa

• Senso-ji temple – Possibly the number one reason people visit Asakusa is to see this amazing Buddhist temple. Senso-ji is Japan’s oldest temple and one of the most photographed sights in the whole of Tokyo.
• Nakamise Dori – One of Japan’s oldest shopping streets and the best place in Tokyo to buy souvenirs. It is also the perfect spot to try some Japanese street food.
• Tokyo Skytree – If you want to see Tokyo from above, the Skytree is the place to do it. At 643 metres tall, Tokyo Skytree is the world’s tallest tower. The views from the top are absolutely incredible.

Ueno

Much like Asakusa, Ueno is a great place to visit if you want to experience Old Tokyo. Ueno is most well known for the huge park in the centre of the city. The Ueno-Koen park is one of the most popular in Tokyo, especially during Spring when the cherry blossoms begin to bloom. Ueno is also home to a number of museums, a zoo and plenty of local restaurants to try out.

Top attractions in Ueno

• Ueno-Koen Park – As one of the most popular parks in Tokyo, Ueno-Koen Park is a must. The park is busiest during spring as it is one of the best places to see the Cherry Blossoms.
• Tokyo National Museum – If you’re interested in Japanese history, definitely check out the Tokyo National Museum. With over 110,000 items to see, there is bound to be something for everyone.
• Ameya-Yokocho – A open-air market with hundreds of stalls selling everything you could think of. If you’re a fan of cheap food, clothing, shoes, and souvenirs, Ameya-Yokocho is the place for you.

Wow, Tokyo sounds awesome, but how do I get there?

Tokyo has two main airports, Narita International Airport, and Haneda International Airport. I’ve had a lot of people ask me, which airport is better to fly into?

To be honest, it doesn’t make that much difference. Tokyo is easily accessible from both airports with plenty of transport options to take you into the city.

Narita Airport

Narita is much further out of the city than Haneda airport. Despite this, a larger number of international airlines fly into Narita. The biggest pro about flying into Narita is the multiple transport options that take you into Tokyo.

• The Narita Express – This is the fastest way to get to Tokyo (without having to change trains). It is possibly the most expensive but will get you into the city in under an hour.
• Keisei Skyliner – This option will get you to Ueno in just 40 minutes. However, you will need to take another train from Ueno to get to Tokyo station. It can be pricey but is one of the quickest transport options
• Narita Line Rapid Train – The slower and cheaper option. The Rapid Train takes around 1.5 hours to reach Tokyo.
• Shuttle Bus – By far the cheapest option, but can also be the slowest, especially in peak hour traffic.
• Taxi or private transfer – If you don’t want the hassle of moving heavy suitcases onto public transport, taxi’s are always an option. Just keep in mind they can get pretty pricey.
• Helicopter – Yes, you can actually get a helicopter to Tokyo. And yes, it is expensive.

If you’re after detailed information and pricing for the above transport options, check out the Narita Airport website. Or if all else fails, use Google maps. It will come in handy more often than you think.

Haneda Airport

Haneda Airport is much closer to Tokyo than Narita Airport. Most domestic flights (and some international airlines) in Japan will fly into Haneda. The airport may be closer to Tokyo, however, there are less public transport options than Narita.

• Train – Possibly one of the quickest and cheapest options. The Keikyu Train Line will take you from the airport to Shinagawa station. Here you will need to change to the Yamanote line to reach places like Central Tokyo, Shibuya, and Shinjuku.
• Monorail – Another really fast option for getting to Tokyo. Again, you will need to change train lines part way through your journey to reach most destinations in Tokyo.
• Bus – If you’re on a tight budget, bus is the cheapest transport option. Depending on where you need to go, the journey can take anywhere from 30 minutes to 2 hours.
• Taxi – Expensive, but convenient if you don’t want to juggle heavy suitcases.

The Haneda Aiport website actually has a route master that allows you to plan a route to Tokyo. You just choose your destination, preferred form of transport, and time you’d like to depart. The route master then suggests the fastest, easiest and cheapest options for your commute.

Navigating the transport system

So you’ve made it into Tokyo, but you need a way to get around the city right? Luckily, you have quite a few options, but what is best?

Trains and subways

Trains and subways, in my opinion, are the best way to get around Tokyo. At first, Tokyo’s railway system can be super confusing. However, once you get the hang of it, trains are definitely the easiest and fastest way to make your way around the city.

If you intend on staying in Tokyo for a few days, I would recommend getting a Suica card. It is basically a prepaid travel card that can be used across all train lines in Japan. You simply tap your card at the ticket gates before and after your journey, and the fare is automatically deducted. Sucia cards can be purchased from any JR ticket office in Japan. If the card runs out of money, you can easily top it up using the machines at the train station.

If you’re visiting more than one city in Japan, buying a Japan Rail (JR) pass might be worth it. JR passes allow unlimited travel on all train lines operated by Japan Rail. Upfront, JR passes seem a little expensive. However if you want to check if it’s worth buying a pass, you can use Hyperdia to work out exactly how much each train will cost you. If the cost of buying single tickets is more than buying a Japan Rail pass, then easy, a JR pass is the way to go.

Buses

Buses can be really handy for destinations that aren’t close to a train station. However, for first-time visitors, they can be pretty confusing. If you get really stuck, ask one of the locals or just tell the driver where you need to go.

Bus fares in Tokyo are fairly cheap. If you’re on a tight budget, they are the most cost-effective way to travel long distances (just be prepared for the uncomfortable ride).

Taxis

Taxis in Tokyo can be really efficient, especially upon arrival when you need to carry your luggage to the hotel. However, I wouldn’t rely on taxi as your main form of transport as they can get quite expensive.

So there you have it, my first-timers guide to Tokyo. If you haven’t checked it out already, make sure to read my post on things you need to know before visiting Japan. Is Tokyo on your bucket list? Let me know in the comments below.

Until the next adventure,
Jetsetter Soph