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Top things to do in Tokyo

Attractions, tours and activities in Tokyo

Tokyo: the city's best neighbourhoods

Find a great area to stay in Tokyo

About Tokyo

Including tips for the best time to visit Tokyo

Japan's capital is home to over 13 million people and a variety of diverse districts, making it one of the world's most intriguing megacities. Its blend of old-world charm and new-age innovations means it has something for everyone.

To soak up Tokyo's traditions and culture, there's no better place to start than the ancient temples of Asakusa, the Meiji Shrine (in Harajuku) and Chiyoda's Imperial Palace. Tsukiji Market is a sight to behold for its vast amount of seafood with close to 2,000 tonnes being traded daily. It's also a great place to enjoy a sushi breakfast, while meat, fruit, vegetables and flowers are also for sale.

The city is home to some stellar museums like Tokyo's National Museum, which houses a large collection of Japanese art, as well as samurai swords and colourful kimonos. Film lovers will appreciate the Ghibli Museum, showcasing the work of world-renowned animator Miyazaki Hayao. Pieces includes original sketches, a rooftop garden and life-size recreations of film sets.

To take in the best views over the city, take a trip up the Tokyo Skytree – one of the tallest structures in the world. The observation deck offers a 360-degree view, while other floors offer a restaurant and shopping mall. If you've got time to do more, catch a sumo wrestling show in Ryōgoku, or visit Tokyo Disneyland, which features a huge selection of rides and attractions.

Tokyo is served primarily by Narita Airport, located 70 kilometres north-east of the city. The quickest way to travel between there and the city is by taking the Skyliner electric railway, with journeys taking less than 45 minutes. Some international flights operate from Haneda Airport but most flights are domestic.

Tonight

From £41 per night

Next weekend

From £122 per night

Most popular time to visit October–December
Cheapest time to visit January–March
Local currency ¥1,000 = £5.77
Language Japanese
Average weekend price £7 per night
Average weekday price £7 per night
Typical stay 2 nights

Points of interest in Tokyo

Stay near the top sightseeing spots in Tokyo

Latest articles featuring Tokyo

Inspiration and insider tips for what to do in Tokyo

Sushi, hot pots and street treats in Tokyo

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Top 10 hotels with the best WiFi in Tokyo

The high-tech futuristic capital where good WiFi is a number one priority.

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Tokyo’s 6 best overlooked museums

Museums worth a 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th look.

tokyo museums fine-art-museums quirky-museums culture alternative-culture

What to read and watch before visiting Tokyo

Whimsical novellas, gritty film noir, dystopias and dreams of sushi.

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A guide to Tokyo’s neighbourhoods: part one

Find cherry blossom, temples, karaoke and hot springs in Tokyo's diverse neighbourhoods.

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Tokyo reviews

What other travellers say about Tokyo

10

Tokyo is the biggest city in the world.

27 May 2023

Tokyo is the biggest city in the world. Very clean and everything functions well. Prepare to have some cash. Not every place is accepting credit cards. Easily one can spend 1 or 2 weeks in Tokyo or nearby. There are so many different districts to explore. Don't be afraid of the crowds, just go within the flow. Get data only sim card and you'll be able to surf in the Internet. Get also Suica/Pasmo IC-card to make your daily transportation smooth.

Jari
Jari Finland
10

Tokyo is trully a dream destination.

27 May 2023

Tokyo is trully a dream destination. It's amazing and we really had a lot of fun except for the confusing part of subway system. hahaha! The people are very polite, rich culture and great food.

Pazzie
Pazzie Philippines
10

Intimidating at first but we soon learned the subways and...

23 May 2023

Intimidating at first but we soon learned the subways and became very good at navigating using Google Maps. The city is so clean! We loved the efficiency of the trains. You can get anywhere you want to in Tokyo by either walking or taking the train. Would definitely recommend visiting Tokyo to anyone! We felt very safe. I would recommend bringing some yen from home to get you started just in case you can’t find an ATM right away (but they are in all 7-11). Buy a Suica card from the machine at the train stations and keep yen on hand to refill them as the machines don’t take credit cards or debit. Otherwise, credit cards are accepted everywhere. Wander around! Get lost! It’s an adventure :)

Marcelle
Marcelle Canada
10

Tokyo it might be a busy city but it is just amazing the...

21 May 2023

Tokyo it might be a busy city but it is just amazing the lifestyle there. people were so polite and welcoming. the best part of Tokyo its how you can take the underground and go to the mountains. it is amazing how well connected it is

Bee
Bee United Kingdom
10

Nice city where you have a lot of things to do.

21 May 2023

Nice city where you have a lot of things to do. Great visits, views and nightlife with affordable and very good food Public transport are very convenient with a lot of places linked by the metro and you can easily find a station without walking much. Plus the selling machine for drink are very convenient and not so expensive

Mathieu
Mathieu France
10

Beautiful city with so much to see.

19 May 2023

Beautiful city with so much to see. I highly recommend going to Tokyo Tower, it is so worth it and best time to go is just before sunset...the views are incredible. Also highly recommend eating at Burger Revolution Tokyo Wine & Bar for the Kobe burgers....yummo and the staff is awesome! Everyone was so helpful and very nice and we really enjoyed our stay. Shopping is amazing with endless places to go and tons of food options as well. The beautiful shrines and gardens too are incredible. We walked through Hibaya Park on our way to the Imperial Palace and it was stunning. Be sure to wear comfortable shoes of course!

Anonymous

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