Old and new in one afternoon
Senso-ji in Asakusa, then the glass towers of Shinjuku by evening. Tokyo does contrast without trying.
Tokyo, Japan — Is It the Right Destination for You?
Tokyo Tower above the skyline on a clear day
Best months: Mar–May & Oct–Nov
Photo: Rebecca Clarke on Unsplash
Photo: Susann Schuster on Unsplash
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Once-in-a-Lifetime Culinary Pilgrimage
Overview
Tokyo at a Glance: What It Is Really Like
One of the most electrifying cities on earth — ancient shrines sit alongside neon-lit skyscrapers, and the food culture alone justifies the journey. From three-Michelin-star omakase to perfect midnight ramen.
Tokyo is not one city so much as a dozen, stitched together by the best public transport on earth. Set aside a day for each: Asakusa's old temples, Shibuya's crossings, Shinjuku's late-night alleys, Yanaka's low-rise lanes. Load a Suica or Pasmo card on day one and stop thinking about fares. Eat well for very little, with a bowl of ramen around $6.30 (¥1,000; ≈ €5.65 / £4.95) and rice balls from any convenience store. The trade-off is scale: you will walk more than you plan, and cherry blossom and autumn leaf weeks bring crowds that no timetable can fix. English signs thin out fast away from the main lines, so keep a translation app handy.
Three highlights worth the trip
Neighbourhood eating
Standing sushi bars, ramen counters and basement food halls. The best meals are often unlabelled and under a rail line.
Day trips on rails
Hakone is about 30 minutes by Shinkansen to Odawara, Nikko about 1 hour 50 minutes, and Karuizawa about an hour. Fuji views depend on the season: good from November to February, rare in summer.
Best time
Best Time to Visit Tokyo: A 12-Month View
Best months for most visitors: Mar–May & Oct–Nov. Good weather, thinner crowds and fairer prices.
- JanOff (Off-peak)
- FebOff (Off-peak)
- MarPeak (Peak season)
- AprPeak (Peak season)
- MaySweet (Sweet spot)
- JunOff (Off-peak)
- JulOff (Off-peak)
- AugOff (Off-peak)
- SepSweet (Sweet spot)
- OctSweet (Sweet spot)
- NovPeak (Peak season)
- DecOff (Off-peak)
- Sweet = best balance of weather, crowds and price
- Peak = busiest and dearest (or hottest)
- Off = quiet; check weather and closures
May and late September to October are the best value for weather.
Late March to April (cherry blossom) and November (autumn leaves) are the busiest times.
January and February are cold but bright, with highs of 9–10°C / 48–50°F (48–50°F) and lows near freezing, the clearest skies for Mount Fuji views and cheaper rooms.
Booking window: reserve flights and stays 2–3 months ahead for Mar–May & Oct–Nov, and 4–6 months ahead for peak season (Mar–Apr, Nov).
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Weather
Weather and Seasonal Conditions in Tokyo
Right now in Tokyo
Current temperature loads here when your browser can reach Open-Meteo.
Weather data: Open-Meteo Historical & Live API. A single reading for the main town or area, not the whole destination.
Typical daytime highs
Peak season about 31°C / 88°F; shoulder season about 18°C / 64°F.
Rain: Moderate; wet June and typhoon-season autumn.
Regional breakdown
Tokyo and Kanto plain
Humid summers (highs about 30–31°C / 86–88°F), a wet June and typhoon season in late summer and early autumn. March to May and October to November are the comfortable months.
Hakone and the Fuji area
Cooler and cloudier than the city. Fuji is most visible on crisp winter mornings (November to February); from June to August haze and cloud hide it most of the time.
What each season feels like
Daytime highs run about 14–19°C / 57–66°F (57–66°F) in March, April and November, with crowds at Ueno, Shinjuku Gyoen and Meguro River. Hotels often cost 30 to 60 percent more, and the best rooms sell out three to five months ahead.
May brings highs of about 23°C / 73°F (74°F) and long, mostly dry days, with the post-Golden Week lull from about 8 May. September has typhoon and humidity risks (highs still about 27°C / 81°F), but October is mild, with highs around 21°C / 70°F (71°F) and rooms noticeably cheaper than blossom or foliage weeks. These are the months to choose if you want comfort without peak pricing.
June to August is hot, humid and rainy, with a rainy season in June and July, though flights can be cheap. December is quiet until the year-end holidays.
Weather data: Open-Meteo Historical & Live API (live reading). Typical highs and season notes are our own summaries. How we verify →
Safety
Is Tokyo Safe? The Five-Government Check
Last updated: government levels come from our editor-verified table (October 2026). When the live UK FCDO check succeeds, its exact UTC time appears in the panel below. The banner takes the most cautious of the five agencies, so a live UK warning always outranks a green entry in our table and any part-country warning shows as red. We never show a level we haven’t checked. How we verify →
🏛️ Official Government Warnings
Government levels: editor-verified table, October 2026 How we verify →
Five official agencies, one view. Ratings change, so each pill opens the agency’s own page for today’s level.
- UK FCDOStandard precautions, or regional adviceCheck today’s rating →
- US State DeptLevel 1 to 4Check today’s rating →
- AU SmartravellerLevel 1 to 4Check today’s rating →
- Japan MOFAStreet-level, transit and petty-crime alertsCheck today’s rating →
- South Korea MOFABlue, Yellow, Red, Black by provinceCheck today’s rating →
Summary of what the agencies publish
Tier 5/5 · Very low risk. Normal precautions: very low crime, drink-spiking risk in nightlife districts, earthquake awareness advised.
The UK FCDO has no advice against travel to Tokyo. Its page says civil disturbance is rare and there is no recent history of terrorism, though attacks cannot be ruled out. It warns about drink spiking and credit card fraud, with Kabukicho, Roppongi, Shibuya and Ikebukuro named as high-risk zones, and about North Korean missile launches, earthquakes and strict drug laws. Read the official pages for your passport country before booking and again before departure.
Our plain-English summary of what the UK FCDO, US State Department, Australian Smartraveller, Japan MOFA and South Korea MOFA publish. We quote no live ratings from memory; each button above opens the agency's own page.
Editorial Opinions & Street-Smart Reality
Our opinion, not an official warning
Regional nuance: The UK FCDO notes earthquakes, typhoons and North Korean missile launches, and says civil disturbance is rare. Nothing in Tokyo itself is a no-go area.
- Drink spiking, overcharging and card fraud after touts steer you into bars in Kabukicho, Roppongi, Shibuya and Ikebukuro (our notes follow the FCDO)
- Rush-hour crowding on trains, including women-only carriages at peak times; the FCDO also notes inappropriate behaviour on commuter trains
The concerns that are real: The real risk is drink spiking and huge card bills after street touts invite you into bars in Kabukicho, Roppongi, Shibuya and Ikebukuro, so never follow street invitations and carry only what you need. Know your hotel's earthquake procedures, bring enough cash for small shops, and check medication rules before flying.
What headlines overstate: Earthquake and tsunami headlines make Tokyo sound precarious, but the city is built and drilled for them, and most visitors never feel one. Crime is very low, and lost wallets are often handed in.
Written by our editors from general travel knowledge and kept apart from the agencies above. How we verify →
Costs
Daily Costs in Tokyo: Three Ways to Travel
Backpacker
$70 (≈ €60 / £55) per person per day
$490 (≈ €440 / £390)7 days, solo
$870 (≈ €780 / £690)7 days, couple (total for two, shared room)
What it covers: Capsule hotel or hostel bed, konbini breakfasts, ramen and teishoku set lunches, day passes for Tokyo Metro, and free sights such as Meiji Shrine grounds and Shibuya Crossing.
Where a day's money goes (solo)
- Accommodation$32 (≈ €30 / £25)
- Food$21 (≈ €19 / £17)
- Transit$11 (≈ €9.82 / £8.66)
- Activities$7 (≈ €6.25 / £5.51)
Mid-Range (default)
$150 (≈ €135 / £120) per person per day
$1,050 (≈ €940 / £830)7 days, solo
$1,864 (≈ €1,660 / £1,470)7 days, couple (total for two, shared room)
What it covers: Business or boutique hotel near a Yamanote line station, sit-down izakaya dinners, entry to places like teamLab or Tokyo Skytree, Suica fares and a day trip to Kamakura.
Where a day's money goes (solo)
- Accommodation$68 (≈ €60 / £55)
- Food$45 (≈ €40 / £35)
- Transit$23 (≈ €20 / £18)
- Activities$15 (≈ €13 / £12)
Boutique
$330 (≈ €290 / £260) per person per day
$2,310 (≈ €2,050 / £1,820)7 days, solo
$4,100 (≈ €3,650 / £3,250)7 days, couple (total for two, shared room)
What it covers: Five-star hotel in Ginza or Marunouchi, omakase sushi or kaiseki dinner, private guides, taxis between neighbourhoods and a day trip to Hakone or Nikko by private car.
Where a day's money goes (solo)
- Accommodation$149 (≈ €135 / £115)
- Food$99 (≈ €90 / £80)
- Transit$50 (≈ €45 / £40)
- Activities$33 (≈ €30 / £25)
Cost source: Audited Local Lodging Taxes, Rail Tariffs & Dining Averages (our own estimates, flights excluded). How we verify →
Source: Should I Go's own estimates, October 2026, in USD per person excluding international flights; euro figures are rough conversions. A couple shares a room, so accommodation drops 25% per person. Prices move, so treat these as a planning range, not a quote.
Trip Budget Calculator
Estimated total: $0 (≈ €0 / £0)
Estimate in USD per trip, excluding international flights. Two or more travellers share rooms, so accommodation drops 25% per person. Budget and luxury tiers are scaled from the mid-range figure.
Cost source: Audited Local Lodging Taxes, Rail Tariffs & Dining Averages (our own estimates, flights excluded). How we verify →
Where to base yourself
Four Regions and Cities in Tokyo
Asakusa and Ueno
Older Tokyo: temples, shitamachi lanes and cheaper hotels. Good for early starts.
Shinjuku and Shibuya
Neon, transit hubs and nightlife. Convenient but loud, so choose a side street.
Tokyo Station and Ginza
Best for bullet-train access and polished shopping. Higher prices.
Nikko or Kamakura
Shrines in the forest at Nikko, beaches and a bronze Buddha at Kamakura. Each fills a day.
Itineraries
Three Itineraries for Tokyo
Tokyo essentials
- Day 1: Asakusa and Senso-ji, then Ueno Park and the museums.
- Day 2: Meiji Shrine, Harajuku and Shibuya Crossing at dusk.
- Day 3: Tsukiji outer market, Ginza and a late ramen in Shinjuku.
Getting between stops: JR Yamanote Line loops the main hubs; get a Suica or Pasmo card at the airport.
Tokyo with a day out
- Day 1: Asakusa and the Sumida River.
- Day 2: Shibuya, Harajuku and Meiji Shrine.
- Day 3: Nikko by train for the shrines.
- Day 4: teamLab Planets in Toyosu or teamLab Borderless in Azabudai Hills (book ahead), or the Odaiba waterfront.
- Day 5: Shinjuku Gyoen and Golden Gai.
Getting between stops: Tobu limited express or Shinkansen via Utsunomiya to Nikko takes about 1 hour 50 minutes each way; Metro and JR inside the city.
Tokyo to Kyoto
- Days 1–4: the five-day loop above, trimmed.
- Day 5: Shinkansen to Kyoto, then Fushimi Inari at dusk.
- Days 6–7: temples, Arashiyama and Nishiki Market.
Getting between stops: Tokaido Shinkansen from Tokyo Station to Kyoto, about 2 hours 15 minutes on a Nozomi train (Osaka about 2 hours 30 minutes).
Routes and timetables change. Confirm transit times with the operator before you book.
Do and stay
Things to Do and Where to Stay in Tokyo
Top things to do
- Shibuya Crossing
- Senso-ji Temple
- Tsukiji Outer Market
- teamLab Borderless
- Shinjuku Gyoen
Insider tips
- Get a Suica card for seamless metro travel
- Book teamLab ahead: Planets (Toyosu, barefoot water walk, $24 (¥3,800; ≈ €21.40 / £18.90)) and Borderless (Azabudai Hills, $23–30 (¥3,600–4,800; ≈ €20–27 / £18–24)) are different venues
- Visit Senso-ji at dawn before the crowds arrive
- Try at least one ramen counter
- Go to Tsukiji Outer Market between 9:00 and 11:30 am, and not on a Sunday, national holiday or closed Wednesday
- For Mount Fuji views, go November to February and sit on the right side of the Shinkansen heading toward Kyoto
Neighbourhoods to choose from
Shinjuku
Best for: First-timers
Pros: The busiest rail hub in Japan, with direct trains to both airports, endless food and nightlife, and easy day trips toward Kawaguchiko and Hakone.
Watch for: Enormous, crowded and noisy, and Shinjuku Station is a maze. Kabukicho nearby has touts and overpriced bars after dark.
Asakusa / Ueno
Best for: Value
Pros: Cheaper hotels and hostels, old Tokyo atmosphere, Senso-ji at dawn and good direct links from Narita by Keisei Skyliner to Ueno. Quieter evenings.
Watch for: Further from Shibuya and Shinjuku nightlife, and many restaurants and shops close by about 9pm. Few late-night options.
Shibuya / Ebisu
Best for: Nightlife and food
Pros: Trendy bars, record shops and some of the city's best restaurants, with the Yamanote line and Ginza line at the door and a lively late-night scene.
Watch for: Pricey rooms, steep hills and crowds around the crossing. Rooms in the busiest streets can be small and noisy.
Live Accommodation Map
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Trade-offs
Advantages and Honest Disadvantages of Tokyo
Advantages
- Very low street crime and trains that run to the minute.
- Food ranges from a few dollars to Michelin level without leaving the neighbourhood.
- Efficient transit makes day trips easy.
- Strong cherry-blossom and autumn-colour seasons.
Honest disadvantages
- Hotel rooms are small and prices rise sharply in cherry-blossom season; budget rooms run about $32–76 (¥5,000–12,000; ≈ €28–68 / £25–60) a night and mid-range $95–221 (¥15,000–35,000; ≈ €85–197 / £75–174).
- Distances are big; moving between districts eats time.
- Cash still matters at smaller places, and many menus are Japanese-only.
- Spring and autumn crowds at famous sights can be dense.
- Mount Fuji is hidden by haze and cloud for most of the summer, so do not plan a trip around a view.
Final verdict
Final Verdict: Is Tokyo the Right Destination for You?
Who Will Love Tokyo
- Urban explorersYou like a city you can wander for a week without repeating a street, with a rail pass in your pocket.
- Food obsessivesEvery district has its own specialities, from tonkatsu to tiny kissaten coffee counters.
- First-time Asia travellersSafety, signage and punctual transport make Tokyo a gentle start in the region.
Who Should Consider Somewhere Else
- Nature-only travellersIf you want mountains and open air, the Swiss Alps reward that more directly. Try Swiss Alps instead →
- Travellers on a very low budgetDaily costs add up quickly. Thailand is far cheaper for comparable comfort. Try Thailand instead →
- People seeking quiet beachesTokyo is dense and busy. Fiji is a calmer sea-and-sun choice. Try Fiji instead →
Editorial opinion from Should I Go, written from general travel knowledge and reviewed periodically. Verify prices, entry rules and advisories before you book.
Know Before You Go
- Airport to city centreFrom Narita, the Skyliner takes about 36 minutes to Ueno ($16 (¥2,580; ≈ €14.50 / £12.80) at the counter, $14.60 (¥2,310; ≈ €13 / £11.50) booked ahead online) and the Narita Express 55–60 minutes to Tokyo Station ($19.80 (¥3,140; ≈ €17.70 / £15.60); $21 (¥3,330; ≈ €18.80 / £16.60) to Shinjuku or Shibuya; N'EX round trip $32.80 (¥5,200; ≈ €29.30 / £25.85), valid 14 days). Haneda is about 15–20 minutes by Keikyu line or monorail, for $1.90–3.30 (¥300–520; ≈ €1.70–2.95 / £1.50–2.60).
- Visa & entry rulesUK passport holders can get a visa on arrival for up to 90 days (per the FCDO); your passport must be valid for your stay and you need a blank page. Other nationalities vary, so check yours and complete the online customs form before you land.
- Cash, cards & ATMsCash is still common at small shops and temples, and foreign cards can fail. Post offices, 7-Eleven and JP Post Bank ATMs accept some foreign cards (FCDO).
- Tap water & healthTap water is safe to drink.
- Tipping customNo tipping. It can cause confusion or offence.
- #1 local scam to watch forTouts in Kabukicho, Roppongi, Shibuya and Ikebukuro steering you into bars (drink spiking and huge card bills; FCDO): never follow street invitations.
Typical costs and rules change; confirm with official sources before you travel.
Getting From the Airport Into Town
- Route: Narita airport (NRT) by Keisei Skyliner to Ueno or Nippori, or Narita Express to Tokyo, Shinjuku and Shibuya; Haneda airport (HND) by Keikyu line to Shinagawa or the Tokyo Monorail to Hamamatsucho.
- Time: About 35–60 minutes from Narita, about 15–20 minutes from Haneda
- Fare: Narita: Keisei Skyliner to Ueno or Nippori $16 (¥2,580; ≈ €14.50 / £12.80) at the counter or machine, $14.60 (¥2,310; ≈ €13 / £11.50) one way or $28.40 (¥4,500; ≈ €25.40 / £22.40) return if booked ahead online; Narita Express to Tokyo Station $19.80 (¥3,140; ≈ €17.70 / £15.60), to Shinjuku or Shibuya $21 (¥3,330; ≈ €18.80 / £16.60), or the N'EX TOKYO Round Trip Ticket $32.80 (¥5,200; ≈ €29.30 / £25.85) (valid 14 days). Haneda: roughly $1.90–3.30 (¥300–520; ≈ €1.70–2.95 / £1.50–2.60), Keikyu to Shinagawa ¥300, monorail to Hamamatsucho ¥520. Approximate.
Tokyo: Your Questions Answered
How many days should you spend in Tokyo?
Four to five days is a good first visit, long enough for Asakusa, Shibuya, Shinjuku, a food market and one museum or garden. Add two or three days if you want day trips to Kamakura, Nikko or Hakone, and leave one day free for jet lag and rain. Tokyo rewards slow days more than packed itineraries.
Is Tokyo expensive for tourists?
Less than most people expect, though accommodation costs more than food. A mid-range traveller can manage on about $125 to $180 (≈ €110–160 / £100–140) a day, with ramen at around $6.30 (¥1,000; ≈ €5.65 / £4.95) and a hotel room from about $95–221 (¥15,000–35,000; ≈ €85–197 / £75–174) a night. Prices rise sharply during cherry blossom season. Food, transport and temples are good value; hotel rooms are the main swing factor, so book early.
When is the best time to visit Tokyo?
October and May are the best all-round months, with mild, dry weather and lower prices than cherry blossom or autumn-leaf peaks. If you want blossoms, go in late March or early April and book three to five months ahead. Avoid June to August if you dislike heat and humidity. Check typhoon forecasts if you travel in September.
How much is the train from Narita Airport into Tokyo?
The Keisei Skyliner, the fastest train to Ueno or Nippori, costs $16 (¥2,580; ≈ €14.50 / £12.80) one way at the station, or $14.60 (¥2,310; ≈ €13 / £11.50) one way ($28.40 (¥4,500; ≈ €25.40 / £22.40) return) if you book ahead online. The Narita Express runs direct to Tokyo Station ($19.80 (¥3,140; ≈ €17.70 / £15.60)), Shinjuku and Shibuya ($21 (¥3,330; ≈ €18.80 / £16.60)). Foreign passport holders should look at the N'EX TOKYO Round Trip Ticket at $32.80 (¥5,200; ≈ €29.30 / £25.85), valid for 14 days. Fares change, so check the operator's site before you travel.
How much does a Tokyo hotel cost?
Budget rooms (capsule hotels, hostels and business hotels such as APA Hotels or Toyoko Inn) run about $32–76 (¥5,000–12,000; ≈ €28–68 / £25–60) a night; expect compact rooms built for sleeping. Mid-range (Daiwa Roynet, Richmond Hotels, Hotel Gracery) is about $95–221 (¥15,000–35,000; ≈ €85–197 / £75–174) and gives you more space. Luxury (Tokyo Station Hotel, Aman Tokyo, the Ritz-Carlton) starts around $347–947 (≈ €310–850 / £270–750)+ (¥55,000–150,000+; ≈ €310–846 / £273–746+). Prices climb in cherry blossom season and autumn foliage weeks.
What is the difference between teamLab Planets and teamLab Borderless?
teamLab Planets is in Toyosu (extended through the end of 2027). It is a linear, barefoot walk through knee-deep water, with a flat ticket of $24 (¥3,800; ≈ €21.40 / £18.90). teamLab Borderless is a permanent museum with no set path in Azabudai Hills, with dynamic pricing of $23–30 (¥3,600–4,800; ≈ €20–27 / £18–24) depending on demand. Both need online booking weeks ahead, so pick the one that suits you rather than assuming they are the same.
Can you still visit Tsukiji Market?
Yes, the outer market. The inner wholesale market and the live tuna auction moved to Toyosu in 2018, but Tsukiji Outer Market is open with more than 450 food stalls and restaurants. Most run from 5:00 am to 2:00 pm, and 9:00 to 11:30 am is the best time for visitors. It is closed on Sundays and national holidays, and on some Wednesdays, so check the calendar.
What day trips can you take from Tokyo, and how long do they take?
Hakone is about 30 minutes by Shinkansen from Tokyo Station to Odawara, or 75 to 85 minutes by Odakyu Romancecar from Shinjuku to Hakone-Yumoto. Nikko takes about 1 hour 50 minutes, by Tobu limited express from Asakusa or Shinkansen with a change at Utsunomiya. Karuizawa is about an hour from Tokyo Station on the Hokuriku Shinkansen. Kyoto takes about 2 hours 15 minutes and Osaka about 2 hours 30 minutes on the fastest Nozomi, so a same-day return is a 5-hour round trip; it works but is tiring.
Can you see Mount Fuji from Tokyo?
Sometimes, and less often than marketing suggests. November to February gives the best odds: mornings are crisp and clear, and you can see it from high viewpoints such as Shibuya Sky or the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building, or from the right side of the Shinkansen heading from Tokyo toward Kyoto. From June to August, humidity, haze and cloud hide it most of the time.
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