Tokyo
Discover Tokyo in 2026: honest costs from $100/day, best hotels from $60, top attractions, insider tips. Realistic guide for first-time visitors.
Tokyo is the world's most populated urban area, a sprawling metropolis where ancient temples share streets with neon-lit skyscrapers. Expect efficient trains, incredible food at every price point, and neighborhoods that shift dramatically every few blocks. Spring cherry blossoms and fall colors offer peak beauty, though any season works. Budget $100-150 daily for comfortable travel, less if you stick with convenience stores and local ramen shops.
Last Updated: January 11, 2026
📋 Tokyo at a Glance
Tokyo doesn't feel like one city. It feels like a dozen cities that grew into each other, each with its own personality.
Step off the train in Shinjuku and you're hit with towering screens, crowds that move like rivers, and noise that never stops. Walk 15 minutes to Meiji Shrine and you're standing in ancient forest silence, with only gravel crunching underfoot. Take the train two stops to Harajuku and teenagers in rainbow wigs pose for photos on Takeshita Street. Another few stops lands you in Asakusa, where temple smoke drifts over centuries-old market stalls.
This city of 14 million people in the metro area works. Trains run every three minutes. Vending machines dot every block. Convenience stores sell hot meals at 3 AM. Street crime barely exists. You can leave your phone on a restaurant table to save your seat, and nobody blinks.
The cost? Tokyo isn't cheap, but it's not the budget destroyer it once was. Ramen shops feed you well for $7. Capsule hotels cost $30. Museums charge $10 or less. You can blow $500 on dinner or survive comfortably on $100 a day.
This guide cuts through the overwhelm. Real costs. Honest limitations. The stuff locals actually do.
🌸 When to Visit Tokyo
The best time to visit Tokyo is March to May for cherry blossoms and comfortable temperatures, or October to November for fall colors and clear skies. Summer brings brutal heat and humidity with temperatures often exceeding 31°C. Winter stays mild but gray. Golden Week (late April to early May) and New Year (late December to early January) see massive crowds and price spikes.
Tokyo Climate Overview
Tokyo has four distinct seasons, each with trade-offs that matter.
Spring kicks off with plum blossoms in late February, building to the famous cherry blossoms (sakura) in late March through early April. The exact timing shifts each year, and the Japanese weather service tracks the "cherry blossom front" as it moves north across the country. When the trees bloom, parks fill with blue tarps and groups drinking under the petals until midnight.
"The cherry blossom viewing parties get surprisingly rowdy. It's not the quiet, contemplative experience you might expect."
— Visitor feedback, TripAdvisor
Temperatures in spring hover around 15-20°C, perfect for walking without sweating. The downside? Everyone knows it's peak season. Hotels jack up prices by 40-50%. Popular temples like Senso-ji in Asakusa see lines stretching an hour just to take photos.
"I've traveled all over Asia and Tokyo's summer humidity is genuinely next level. Plan indoor activities for midday or you'll be miserable."
— r/JapanTravel, Reddit
Summer hits hard. July and August bring humidity that makes your clothes stick to your skin within minutes. Temperatures reach 31°C or higher, but the humidity makes it feel like 35-40°C. Air conditioning runs constantly.
Fall from October through November brings relief. Temperatures cool to 15-20°C. The leaves turn brilliant red and gold in parks and temple gardens. The air clears, giving you views of Mount Fuji on lucky days. This rivals spring for the best weather, minus the sakura crowds.
Winter stays surprisingly mild for such a northern latitude. Temperatures range 5-10°C. Snow rarely falls, though occasional cold snaps drop temps below freezing at night.
Worth noting: avoid Golden Week (April 29 to May 5) and New Year (December 29 to January 3) unless you enjoy fighting through crowds of domestic tourists.
Major Events and Holidays 2026
- Jan 12: Coming of Age Day (成人の日)
- Feb 11: Foundation Day (建国記念の日)
- Feb 23: The Emperor's Birthday (天皇誕生日)
- Mar 20: Vernal Equinox Day (春分の日)
- Apr 29: Shōwa Day (昭和の日)
- May 3-5: Golden Week (憲法記念日, みどりの日, こどもの日)
- Mid-May: Sanja Matsuri (三社祭) - Tokyo's largest festival at Asakusa
- Late July: Sumidagawa Fireworks Festival (隅田川花火大会)
✈️ How to Get to Tokyo
Tokyo is served by two major airports: Narita International (NRT), 70km east of the city, handles most international flights; Haneda Airport (HND), just 14km south, increasingly handles international routes and all domestic flights. Both connect to central Tokyo via train, bus, or taxi. The Shinkansen bullet train network links Tokyo Station to Osaka, Kyoto, Hiroshima, and northern cities.
Most international travelers land at Narita. The airport sits nearly 70km from central Tokyo, which sounds far until you experience how efficiently the trains run. The Narita Express (N'EX) reaches Tokyo Station in 60 minutes for ¥3,070, with departures every 30 minutes. The Keisei Skyliner offers slightly cheaper tickets (¥2,520) and runs to Ueno in 41 minutes.
Budget travelers can take the Keisei Main Line for around ¥1,050, though it takes 70-90 minutes with multiple stops. Airport limousine buses cost ¥3,200 and take 90-120 minutes depending on traffic and your destination hotel.
Haneda Airport changed the game for Tokyo access. Now handling major international routes from Asia, Australia, and North America, it sits just 14km from central Tokyo. The Tokyo Monorail connects to Hamamatsucho Station in 13 minutes for ¥500. The Keikyu Line offers another option, reaching Shinagawa in 11 minutes for ¥300.
"Haneda is genuinely the easiest international airport I've used anywhere. You can be in your hotel within 45 minutes of landing."
— Traveler feedback, Google Reviews
The Shinkansen bullet train network makes Tokyo a hub for the entire country. Multiple departures per hour connect to Osaka (2.5 hours, ¥13,320), Kyoto (2 hours 15 minutes, ¥13,320), and Hiroshima (4 hours, ¥18,380). Northern routes reach Sendai, Niigata, Nagano, and eventually Sapporo.
Highway buses offer budget options from nearby cities. Expect to pay ¥3,000-8,000 and sit for 5-8 hours depending on the route. The buses run overnight, which saves a hotel night but arrives early when most hotels won't let you check in. Driving into Tokyo makes zero sense unless you're on a road trip—the expressway tolls alone cost more than train tickets.
🚃 How to Get Around Tokyo
Tokyo's train and subway network is the backbone of city transport, with JR's Yamanote Line forming a loop around central districts. Single rides cost ¥140-310 depending on distance. IC cards like Suica and PASMO work on all trains, subways, and buses. Taxis start at ¥500 but climb quickly. Walking works surprisingly well in compact neighborhoods.
The JR Yamanote Line becomes your mental map of Tokyo. This green loop line circles central Tokyo, hitting major stations like Shinjuku, Shibuya, Harajuku, Ueno, Akihabara, and Tokyo Station. One complete loop takes 60 minutes. Most travelers rarely venture beyond the Yamanote circle and the few stops extending from it.
The subway system adds layers underneath. Tokyo Metro operates nine lines, while Toei runs four more. They criss-cross the Yamanote area, filling gaps and connecting neighborhoods the JR lines miss. Signs appear in English at every station. Announcements play in Japanese and English on most lines.
Buy a Suica or PASMO card at any station for ¥2,000 (¥1,500 credit, ¥500 deposit). Tap in, tap out, and the system calculates your fare automatically. These cards also work at convenience stores and vending machines. You can now also use contactless credit cards on newer gates, though IC cards offer transfer discounts that credit cards don't.
"The Tokyo train system looks intimidating on paper but makes perfect sense after a day or two. Just follow the colored lines and station numbers. You'll figure it out faster than you think."
— r/JapanTravel, Reddit
Trains run from 5:00 AM to 1:00 AM daily. Miss the last train and you're stuck taking a taxi (expensive), waiting at a 24-hour spot like a manga cafe, or walking. Lots of people walk.
Buses fill gaps trains don't reach, but they're slower and harder to navigate without Japanese language skills. Fares run ¥210 per ride, paid when boarding.
Taxis wait outside every station, with flag-fall starting at ¥500 for the first 1.096km. After that, it's ¥100 every 255 meters. A 10-minute ride costs ¥1,500-2,000. Late-night surcharges (22:00-5:00) add 20%. The doors open and close automatically, so don't touch them. Walking through neighborhoods like Harajuku, Shibuya, and Asakusa beats taking trains. Distances shrink when you're on foot.
⛩️ Top Attractions in Tokyo
Tokyo mixes ancient temples, imperial gardens, and modern skyscrapers across distinct neighborhoods. Must-see sites include Senso-ji Temple in Asakusa, Meiji Shrine in Harajuku, the Imperial Palace East Gardens, and Tokyo SkyTree. Free attractions outnumber paid ones. Budget ¥1,000-2,000 per major paid site. The city rewards random wandering as much as ticking off tourist checklists.
The city doesn't concentrate its attractions in one convenient cluster. They scatter across neighborhoods, each with its own character.
Senso-ji Temple
Senso-ji Temple in Asakusa anchors Old Tokyo (Shitamachi). The approach through Nakamise Shopping Street leads past stalls selling tourist kitsch and traditional snacks. The temple dates to 645 AD, making it Tokyo's oldest. The massive red lantern at the entrance (Kaminarimon Gate) appears in every Tokyo photo collection. Free to enter, though the crowds never thin out.
Experience: Inside Senso-ji Temple
Step through Kaminarimon Gate and the atmosphere shifts. Incense smoke rises from the giant bronze bowl, thick and sweet. People wave it toward themselves for good luck, creating clouds that drift across the courtyard. The smoke clings to your clothes and hair.
Your feet crunch on gravel as you approach the main hall. Someone nearby shakes an omikuji fortune-telling stick, the wood rattling against wood, until one stick falls out. They read their fortune on tiny folded paper. Bad fortunes get tied to nearby racks, fluttering in the breeze like strange prayer flags.
The temple bell rings somewhere to your left, deep and resonant, cutting through the shuffle of hundreds of feet and the low murmur of prayers. A tour guide's voice rises above the crowd, explaining something in Mandarin. Someone drops coins into the offering box with a metallic clatter.
You breathe in the incense again, mixed now with the savory smell of senbei (rice crackers) being grilled at a nearby stall. The vendor's grill hisses as he brushes soy sauce onto the crackers. Your stomach reminds you it's lunchtime.
The wooden temple buildings feel solid and permanent despite centuries of earthquakes and war. You run your hand along a pillar, the wood smooth from countless hands before yours. Above, the elaborate roof curves dramatically against the sky, its details picked out in red and gold.
Meiji Shrine
Meiji Shrine sits in the middle of a 70-hectare forest in Harajuku, though the forest is entirely man-made, planted when the shrine was built in 1920. The gravel path from the entrance to the main shrine takes 10 minutes to walk. The silence feels almost unnatural after stepping off Harajuku's packed streets. Entrance stays free.
Imperial Palace East Gardens
The Imperial Palace East Gardens open to the public daily except Mondays and Fridays. The grounds showcase classical Japanese landscaping: perfectly manicured trees, stone paths, and ponds that reflect the sky. The palace itself remains closed to visitors except for two days per year (January 2 and the Emperor's birthday). Free admission.
Tokyo SkyTree
Tokyo SkyTree soars 634 meters, making it the world's tallest tower and third-tallest structure overall. The observation decks at 350m and 450m cost ¥2,100 and ¥3,100 respectively. The views stretch to Mount Fuji on clear days, which happens maybe 50 days per year.
"The SkyTree is impressive but honestly the view is just a sea of buildings. Go at sunset if you're going at all."
— Visitor feedback, TripAdvisor
Free Attractions
- Tsukiji Outer Market: The famous inner wholesale market moved to Toyosu, but the outer market still thrives with restaurants, knife shops, and tea vendors
- Shibuya Crossing: The world's busiest pedestrian crossing, with up to 3,000 people crossing at peak times
- Yoyogi Park: Green space next to Meiji Shrine, popular for picnics and weekend street performers
- Yanaka: The last remaining oldtown neighborhood that survived WWII bombing, with narrow streets and traditional shops
Museums cluster around Ueno Park. The Tokyo National Museum (¥1,000) houses the world's largest collection of Japanese art. The National Museum of Western Art (¥500) displays European paintings and sculpture.
🍜 Where to Eat in Tokyo
Tokyo holds more Michelin stars than any city globally, yet excellent meals cost as little as ¥500 at standing noodle bars. Convenience store meals (¥300-800) taste surprisingly good. Ramen shops charge ¥800-1,200 for filling bowls. Mid-range izakaya and restaurants run ¥2,000-4,000 per person. Tipping never happens in Japan.
The food scene in Tokyo operates on every budget level simultaneously, and quality stays high across the spectrum.
Convenience stores (konbini) like 7-Eleven, Lawson, and FamilyMart appear every few blocks and sell fresh onigiri (rice balls) for ¥100-150, sandwiches for ¥250-400, and full bento boxes for ¥500-800. The staff will heat them for you. This isn't emergency food. This is legitimate lunch.
"I ate convenience store food for half my meals in Tokyo and never regretted it. The quality rivals actual restaurants in my home country."
— r/JapanTravel, Reddit
Ramen
Ramen shops pop up everywhere, often tucked into basements or side alleys. You buy a ticket from a vending machine at the entrance (buttons have pictures), hand it to the staff, and slurp your noodles at the counter. Most shops specialize in one or two types: shoyu (soy sauce), shio (salt), miso, or tonkotsu (pork bone). Expect to pay ¥800-1,200 for a bowl that fills you completely.
Tokyo is particularly famous for its shoyu ramen, where soy sauce adds depth to chicken or pork broth that's been simmered overnight. The noodles come firm (ask for "katame" if you want them extra firm), and toppings typically include chashu pork, menma (fermented bamboo shoots), nori (seaweed), and a soft-boiled egg.
Izakaya
Izakaya, the Japanese pub-restaurant hybrid, dominates evening dining. Order small plates, drink beer or sake, and keep adding dishes as you go. Chains like Torikizoku serve yakitori (grilled chicken skewers) for ¥319 each, making it easy to eat well for ¥2,000-3,000 per person including drinks.
Sushi
Sushi quality varies wildly by price. Conveyor belt sushi (kaitenzushi) starts at ¥100-150 per plate at chains like Sushiro and Kura Sushi. Mid-range sushi restaurants charge ¥3,000-8,000 for a full meal. Top-end sushi easily exceeds ¥30,000 per person and requires reservations months in advance.
Tokyo Specialties to Try
- Tempura: Battered and fried vegetables and seafood
- Tonkatsu: Breaded pork cutlet
- Monjayaki: A gooey Tsukishima-style okonomiyaki
- Unagi: Grilled freshwater eel
Department store basements (depachika) sell incredible prepared foods, perfect for assembling a picnic. Stores start discounting items around 7:00 PM, with half-price stickers appearing as closing time approaches.
🏨 Where to Stay in Tokyo
Budget capsule hotels and hostels start at ¥3,000-4,000 per night, primarily in Asakusa and Ueno. Business hotels range ¥8,000-15,000 for tiny but functional rooms. Mid-range hotels in Shinjuku and Shibuya run ¥15,000-30,000. Luxury properties near Tokyo Station and in Shinjuku start around ¥40,000. Location matters less than you'd think due to excellent train access.
Tokyo hotel prices have climbed dramatically post-COVID, driven by the tourist boom and general inflation. What used to be bargains now cost real money.
Best Neighborhoods for Tourists
Asakusa: Traditional Tokyo with Senso-ji Temple, budget accommodation, and oldtown charm. Hostels start around ¥3,000 for dorms, ¥6,000-8,000 for private rooms. The neighborhood quiets down early, which some travelers love and others find boring.
"Ueno offers the best value for location and price. You're on the Yamanote Line and near everything."
— Tokyo Forum, TripAdvisor
Ueno: Similar vibe to Asakusa but with more energy. The park hosts museums and a zoo. Budget hotels cluster around the station at ¥6,000-10,000 per night.
Shinjuku: The epicenter of Tokyo's controlled chaos. Massive train station, skyscrapers, shopping, and nightlife. Business hotels start around ¥10,000, while capsule hotels like 9hours charge ¥5,000-6,000. Kabukicho, the red-light district, sits on the east side and stays lively until dawn.
Shibuya: Young, loud, and trendy. The famous crossing, shopping streets, and nightlife draw crowds constantly. Hotels run ¥12,000-25,000 per night. Great for soaking up modern Tokyo energy, less great for quiet nights.
Ginza/Tokyo Station: Central and expensive. This is business district territory with luxury hotels starting around ¥30,000. Convenient for Shinkansen connections but sterile after business hours.
Ikebukuro: Another major transit hub with cheaper accommodation than Shinjuku. Business hotels charge ¥8,000-12,000. Less touristy, which means more authentic local life.
Booking Tips
- Reserve 2-3 months ahead for cherry blossom season (late March to early April)
- Many hotels add breakfast for ¥1,500-2,000, which may or may not be worth it given cheap convenience store options
- Check if rates include taxes (consumption tax plus local hotel tax)
- Rooms are genuinely tiny by Western standards—what Japanese call "semi-double" barely fits two people
📋 Practical Information
Japan uses the yen (¥), with ATMs at convenience stores accepting foreign cards. US, UK, EU, and many other passport holders receive 90-day visa-free entry. Tap water is safe. Free WiFi remains limited. English signage appears at all stations but shopkeepers rarely speak English. Electrical outlets use Type A/B plugs at 100V.
Money
The Japanese yen trades around ¥150 to $1 USD (rates fluctuate). Cash dominates despite recent pushes toward digital payments. Carry ¥10,000-20,000 for daily expenses. 7-Eleven, Lawson, and Japan Post ATMs accept foreign cards with minimal fees. Credit cards work at hotels, department stores, and chain restaurants, but many smaller shops and restaurants remain cash-only.
Tipping doesn't exist in Japan. Leaving money on the table actually confuses staff and may seem insulting. Service charges are built into prices.
Internet & Connectivity
Free WiFi remains surprisingly limited for such a high-tech country. Train stations and convenience stores offer it, but registration processes can frustrate. Tourist SIM cards sold at airports (¥2,000-4,000 for 7-14 days with unlimited data) solve this problem permanently.
Health & Safety
Tokyo ranks among the world's safest cities. Violent crime barely registers. You can walk anywhere at any hour without concern. Petty theft exists but remains rare compared to other major cities. The biggest risk? Your guard drops so much you forget basic precautions.
Medical care reaches world-class standards but costs real money without insurance. A simple clinic visit runs ¥5,000-10,000. Travel insurance becomes essential.
Visas
Most passport holders (US, UK, EU, Australia, Canada, and many others) receive 90-day tourist stamps on arrival. Your passport needs at least 6 months validity remaining.
Language
English appears on all train signs and maps. Most people under 40 studied English in school but can't speak it conversationally. They can often read English better than speak it. Download Google Translate with offline Japanese. The camera translation feature saves lives in restaurants.
Electricity
Japan uses Type A and B plugs (same as North America) at 100V. Most electronics handle the voltage difference, but check your chargers. British, European, and Australian travelers need adapters.
🙏 Cultural Etiquette in Tokyo
Japanese etiquette emphasizes quiet respect and not disturbing others. Remove shoes when entering homes and some restaurants. Bow slightly when greeting people. Don't talk on phones in trains. Eat and walk separately. Tattoos remain taboo in public baths and some gyms. Tipping never happens. Smoking is banned on most streets except in designated areas.
Tokyo operates on unwritten rules that locals follow automatically but visitors stumble over constantly.
The Big Rules
- Shoes off indoors: Remove shoes when entering homes, temples, some restaurants (look for a shoe rack at the entrance), and traditional ryokan inns. Wear clean socks or bring indoor slippers.
- Quiet trains: Don't talk on your phone while riding trains. Put your phone on silent. Conversations should stay at whisper level. Priority seating near doors is reserved for elderly, pregnant, and disabled passengers.
- No eating while walking: Buy food, eat it where you bought it or at the store, then continue. This rule bends in festival settings but holds everywhere else.
- Trash: Carry your trash until you find a bin, which are surprisingly rare. Convenience stores have them inside near the entrance.
- Queuing: Lines form for everything, and cutting never happens. Stand on the left side of escalators (in Tokyo) to let people pass on the right.
Chopstick Rules
Never stick chopsticks vertically into rice (this resembles funeral rites). Don't pass food from chopstick to chopstick (also funeral-related). Don't point with chopsticks or wave them around while talking.
Bathing
Public baths (sento) and hot springs (onsen) require washing thoroughly before entering the communal bath. Tattoos often result in being turned away, though some places now accept small tattoos covered with stickers.
Useful Phrases
- Sumimasen (soo-mee-mah-sen): Excuse me / Sorry / Thank you (multipurpose)
- Arigatou gozaimasu (ah-ree-gah-toh go-zai-mahss): Thank you
- Gochisousama deshita (go-chee-so-sama deh-shee-ta): Said after eating, means "it was a feast"
- Otsukare-sama desu (oh-tsu-kah-reh-sama dess): "Thank you for your hard work"
"Japanese people will go to extraordinary lengths to help you if you ask politely. Don't be afraid to ask for help, but learn a few basic phrases first."
— Visitor feedback, TripAdvisor
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
🗺️ Nearby Destinations & Day Trips
1. Nikko (2 hours by train)
UNESCO World Heritage shrines, waterfalls, and mountain scenery. JR Pass covers most of the journey.
2. Kamakura (1 hour by train)
Seaside town with the Great Buddha, dozens of temples, and beach walks. Popular weekend escape.
3. Hakone (1.5 hours by train)
Hot springs, views of Mount Fuji, and the open-air sculpture museum. Best for overnight stays.
4. Yokohama (30 minutes by train)
Japan's second-largest city with Chinatown, waterfront, and museums. Easy half-day trip.
5. Mount Fuji and Kawaguchiko (2.5 hours by bus)
Closest access to Mount Fuji with lake views and hiking trails. Best visited on clear days (October-November).
6. Kawagoe (1 hour by train)
"Little Edo" preserved old town with traditional warehouses and street food. Less crowded than Kamakura.
7. Takao-san (1 hour by train)
Mountain hiking just outside Tokyo with cable car, temple, and beer garden at the summit.
8. Tokyo DisneySea (45 minutes by train)
Unique Disney theme park found only in Japan, generally rated better than Tokyo Disneyland.
💡 Final Tips
Tokyo rewards those who embrace getting lost. The best experiences happen when you miss your stop, take the wrong exit, and end up in a neighborhood you've never heard of.
Download Google Maps offline and grab a Suica card at the airport. That covers 90% of navigation challenges. The rest you figure out by asking.
Eat at convenience stores without shame. The food is good and locals do it constantly. Save your restaurant budget for things konbini can't replicate, like fresh sushi or proper ramen.
Learn to read hiragana and katakana. It takes a few hours and exponentially improves your ability to navigate menus and signs. Kanji knowledge helps but isn't essential.
The Tokyo you'll remember isn't the one in guidebooks. It's the tiny yakitori stand where the chef insisted on pouring your beer. The quiet temple you stumbled on after getting lost. The vending machine coffee at 6 AM before the city woke up. Trust the process. Tokyo makes sense after a few days, even when it doesn't.
📝 Content Transparency
This guide is compiled from verified traveler experiences, official tourism sources, and expert insights. All quotes are paraphrased from TripAdvisor, Reddit, and Google Reviews. Information current as of January 2026. Prices and hours subject to change.