Tokyo Travel Guide
Fly Like a Super Pig to Any One of the below page Sections:
Top Attractions
Cheap Flying Tips
Where to Stay
Things to Do
Your Guide to Tokyo
Tokyo, Japan is one of the top tourist destinations in the world. The capital prefecture of Japan draws over ten million international tourists each year. With an exciting nightlife and historic overtone, most can find themselves captivated by this magnificent city.
Tokyo is an incredibly experience-rich city with numerous things to keep you amazed and entertained. From historical monuments to impressive theme parks, here is your guide to Tokyo.
Top Attractions in Tokyo
Tokyo has an incredible number of attractions, ranging from historical to modern. Good food, interesting history, technological marvels, and more entertainment than you will ever be able to experience in a single trip are all in one place, awaiting your arrival.
However, there are some attractions that can be considered must-sees. Among them are Yushima Tenmangu, the Ghibli Museum, and Yomiuri Land. So, once you have settled in, it is time to hit the road and check out these top attractions.
Yushima Tenmangu
Yushima Tenmangu is an ancient shrine that was established in 458 AD to provide a place of worship for the deity Ame-no-Tajikarao-Mikoto, a powerful character in Japanese mythology.
Later, the shrine was expanded to include Sugawara no Michizane, an ancient scholar heralded as the God of Learning. Students are known to flock to this site to pay their respects and ask for help and guidance during exam time.
If you do not want to wait in long lines, it is recommended that you visit on a weekday. Also, since it is open to the public with no need to buy tickets, it is a great place to visit without needing to plan ahead.
Ghibli Museum
The world-renowned animation gurus at Studio Ghibli are responsible for six of Japan’s ten highest-grossing anime films, making them a recognizable name. However, they also have a world presence, having made conforming classics, such as:
- Spirited Away
- Ponyo
- My Neighbor Totoro
A shrine in its own right to master animation director Hayao Miyazaki, the Ghibli Museum is home to colorful exhibits, a bookstore, and even a theater in which you can view Studio Ghibli’s exclusive short films.
Admission is 1,000 Yen (or $9 USD) for adults, and you can buy tickets directly from their website.
Yomiuri Land
Home of the second-fastest roller coaster in the world, Yomiuri Land is a day trip for the books. Stroll through the “Goodjoba!!” exhibit of the park during the day to learn about the car, fashion, food, and stationery industries. Kids and teens alike can customize their own mini car and take it for a test spin.
Or, if fashion is more your wheelhouse, hop on the Spin Runway and build your own lookbook to see yourself in action on your very own runway.
| Adults (18-64) | Students (12-17) | Children (6-11) | Preschoolers (3-5) | |
| Park Admission Only | 1,800 JPY ($18 USD) | 1,500 JPY ($15 USD) | 1,000 JPY ($10 USD) | 1,000 JPY ($10 USD) |
| One-Day Pass Admission + All-You-Can-Ride | 5,500 JPY ($53 USD) | 4,400 JPY ($43 USD) | 3,900 JPY ($38 USD) | 3,400 JPY ($33 USD) |
| Nighttime Admission | 1,500 JPY ($15 USD) | 800 JPY ($8 USD) | 500 JPY ($5 USD) | FREE |
| Night Admission + Unlimited Rides on Night Attractions | 2,500 JPY ($24 USD) | 1,700 JPY ($17 USD) | 1,700 JPY ($17 USD) | 1,700 JPY ($17 USD) |
The great thing about Yomiuri Land is that you do not have to pay crazy amounts if you just want to stroll through and admire all the sights they have to offer. The same is true if you just want to ride a couple of rides or are just looking for a fun spot to grab a bite to eat and shop.
The Experience Flying Into Tokyo Airports
One of the first decisions you will make when planning your trip to Tokyo is which airport to fly into.
With two equally robust international airports to choose from, Narita and Haneda, your decision will primarily depend on the ticket price and the commute time to where you plan to stay.
Using Shibuya Crossing as a reference point for “downtown,” it will take you about an hour and a half to drive there from Narita, and only around 40 minutes if you drive from Haneda.
Top 3 Tips to Fly Cheap to Tokyo
Flying is notoriously expensive, but there are a few tips for you to stay frugal on your flights to Tokyo.
1. Be flexible with your schedule.
Booking your trip a few months or more in advance can save you thousands. Also, book your trip before or after Golden Week, which is between late April and the first few weeks of May. This is when a slew of national holidays take place, so everyone will be trying to get into the city.
2. Fly into Narita.
As long as you do not mind the commute, picking Narita could save you money. Narita is an older airport and is located about an hour and a half outside the downtown area, making it slightly more inconvenient. However, that also makes it a cheaper landing destination for traveler
3. Sacrifice some benefits for extra cash.
Some airlines offer cheaper flights in exchange for getting less frequent flier points, or potentially none. Keep in mind that many of these deals include a “no cancellation” policy.
Popular Areas of the City to Stay
Shinjuku
If you are looking forward to as much shopping and eating as your wallet and stomach can handle, book a place in Shinjuku. Shinjuku is a bustling urban hub that is home to thousands of eateries and dozens of shopping centers and department stores. Check out the Isetan Department Store, known for its hand-made Japanese kitchenware.
Roppongi
Looking for a ritzier Tokyo experience? Head on over to the Roppongi district and get ready to party like Gatsby. Known for its boisterous nightlife and range of fine dining, this is where the “big money” goes for some much-needed downtime.
Ebisu and Meguro
Ebisu and Meguro is a smaller community that is beloved by locals and considered the “hip” place to live. If boutique shopping and leisurely taking in the beautiful sights is more your thing, book a spot in this iconic area.
Popular Hotels in Those Areas
If you are the type of traveler that just wants to unpack and relax with a ready-made staff on call, then a hotel is the way to go, rather than a hostel or a BnB. Of course, the important part is finding a place that suits your needs, both location-wise and budget-wise.
There are a plethora of options no matter your destination, with Shinjuku, Roppongi, and Ebisu and Meguro offering a wide variety of hotels.
Shinjuku
In Shinjuku, the hotels to know are the Park Hyatt Tokyo, the RIHGA Royal Hotel Tokyo, and the Shinjuku Prince Hotel.
- Upscale: Park Hyatt Tokyo offers nearly every amenity you could want while living in luxury. With a pool with panoramic views, concierge service, and so much more, you may not even want to leave your room. See options on Expedia.com.
- Mid-Range: RIHGA Royal Hotel Tokyo is located outside Okuma Garden, right downtown, and boasts a full spa, pool, and sauna. They also have six in-house restaurants and bars, from a casual garden room to the finest Kyoto cuisine, which was established in 1928. See options on Expedia.com.
- Budget-Friendly: Offering paid private parking on site with city views, the Shinjuku Prince Hotel is a fantastic bargain that is only a short walk away from the Financial District and the booming nightlife that can be found there. See options on Expedia.com.
Roppongi
In Roppongi, the hotels to know are the New Otani Tokyo Garden Tower, the Hotel Grand Arc Hanzomon, and the Hotel Asia Center of Japan.
- Upscale: The New Otani Tokyo Garden Tower provides flat-screen TVs in every room and offers both room service and airport transportation. Within walking distance to several tourist hot-spots, such as the Imperial Palace and Yasukuni Shrine, staying here will ensure you do not miss any of the sights. See options on Expedia.com.
- Mid-Range: Visit the National Museum of Modern Art, and then walk home to the Hotel Grand Arc Hanzomon. With a 24-hour front desk and concierge on-site, your needs will not go unmet here. See options on Expedia.com.
- Budget-Friendly: Hotel Asia Center of Japan is set in a quiet neighborhood just outside of Roppongi. It is perfect for someone just looking to rest their head and fuel up with a free breakfast in the morning before heading out to a day of sightseeing. See options on Expedia.com.
Ebisu and Meguro
In Ebisu and Meguro, the hotels to know are the Westin Tokyo, the Hotel Princess Garden, and the Mustard Hotel Shibuya.
- Upscale: With 418 guest rooms and 20 suites to choose from, the Westin Tokyo located in upscale Ebisu offers a 24/7 fitness center and is close to several business districts and the National Museum of Nature and Science. See options on Expedia.com.
- Mid-Range: The Hotel Princess Garden is in the perfect location for anyone not wanting to spend a fortune on transportation. With 464 restaurants and 24 attractions within a mile of the hotel, you can forget about having to rent a car or deal with packed subways. See options on Expedia.com.
- Budget-Friendly: Mustard Hotel Shibuya is a minimalist dream in a quiet neighborhood that offers self-serve laundry and even a credit for breakfast in their cafe. See options on Expedia.com.
Popular Airbnb Places in Those Areas
Looking for more of a home away from home? Check out these highly-rated Airbnbs:
- Shinjuku: Have an entire apartment to yourself with up to 4 guests and pets right in the heart of Shinjuku. Laundry is included on-site, and you will not need to wait for the host with self-check-in.
- Roppongi: This cozy apartment just outside Roppongi Hills does not have laundry on-site, but you will be so busy exploring the city that you will not even notice. Free high-speed internet and a home theater are also included.
- Ebisu and Meguro: A visual doorbell, full kitchen, and hot tub make this modern apartment a great place to wind down at the end of the day. It is within walking distance to hip local eateries and shopping too.
Top Things to do in Tokyo
So, you have booked your flight, picked a hotel, and maybe added a few attractions to your itinerary. But what are the absolute must-dos in Tokyo? Make sure you knock at least one of these out before you leave.
- Visit Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden. Take a few hours away from the hustle and bustle of the city and relax in the garden. It is home to traditional Japanese gardens and English and French gardens. Have a picnic under the blooming cherry blossoms or have a cup of tea in one of the garden tea rooms. See options on Tripadvisor.com.
- Visit a ramen vending machine. No need to be skeptical, because this ramen did not come out of a 12-cent plastic package. Take a break from sightseeing and grab a quick lunch at any of the hundreds, if not thousands, of ramen shops in Tokyo. Just order at the machine, and your meal is cooked fresh for you. See options on Tripadvisor.com
- Visit the Sky Circus Sunshine 60 Observatory. Take in unreal views of the city from this observation deck, and when you have gotten your fill of the gorgeous sights, head on in for some insane VR games and experiences. In the Tokyo Bullet Flight, you actually get into a cylinder and virtually fly over the city. See options on Tripadvisor.com
- Go cosplay go-karting. If you are looking for something weird and completely ridiculous to flood your Instagram feed with, a good suggestion is cosplay go-karting. Dress up as your favorite character and go parading through the city in a go-cart. See options on Tripadvisor.com
Coolest Airbnb Experiences in Tokyo
We covered a couple of relaxing AirBnBs above, but what about these fantastic places that are a trip all on their own?
- Get back to nature. Stay in this forest oasis just an hour from Tokyo proper and revel in the lush, calming scenery of this retreat. If you have always wanted to live in a wooded fantasy, book this place now. The owner is also a chef and, upon request, will put together meals accompanied by the perfect wine.
- Take a bath in the sky. Although it only sleeps one to three people, this modern Japanese studio has a little something special for your inner exhibitionist, which is a rooftop bath. Enjoy a glass of wine and bask in the warm bubbles of this pebble-studded unique bath with views of the Tokyo Skytree.
- Rest easy in a quaint retro trailer. Caravan Hotel Tokyo is a tiny trailer smack dab in the middle of a food court. It is within walking distance of shopping, breakfast is right in front of your door, and there are no shared walls with noisy neighbors.
Final Thoughts
As you plan your trip, it is important to remember that Tokyo is a massive city, and where you stay will certainly dictate what you will have time to do. A good reference point is the Yamanote Line, which is arguably the most important line in Tokyo, as it will get you to wherever you want to go. Hopefully, you found this guide helpful, safe travels!
Read More Tokyo Travel Tips
- Best Hotels in Tokyo
- The Best Tokyo Boutique Hotels
- Best Bed & Breakfasts in Tokyo
- The Best Fine Dining Restaurants in Tokyo
- The Top VRBO’s in Tokyo
- Tokyo’s Best Resorts
- Best Dive Shops in Tokyo
- The Top Things to do in Tokyo
