Things to do in Tokyo: top sights and where to go
Tokyo is a set of districts linked by the metro: Asakusa with Senso-ji and the Skytree in the east, the Imperial Palace, Ginza and Tsukiji in the centre, Harajuku with Meiji Jingu, Shibuya and Shinjuku in the west — each 15–30 minutes apart by train. Give the first day to the centre and east, the second to the west; Mount Fuji and Disneyland each need a separate day.
Sights
Roppongi Hills
Tokyo, Japan
1 h 30 min≈ ¥2,200 online / ¥2,400 on site (winter 2026–27)viewsmuseumsevening
Tokyo itineraries
Tokyo travel guide
Before you go: Asakusa and Shibuya, shrines and viewpoints, a Mount Fuji day trip, the airports, the metro and Suica, money and weather.
Tokyo on your own: the essentials
- How many days
- 4–5 days: the city plus Fuji or Kamakura
- When to go
- Late March–May and October–November
- Visa
- Depends on your passport — many are visa-exempt
verifyingi
From reliable travel sources; we are still checking it against an official one. Double-check before you go. - Currency
- Japanese yen (JPY); carry some cash
- Airports
- Haneda (HND) ≈ 30 min, Narita (NRT) ≈ 1 h to the centre
- Getting around
- Metro and JR with a Suica or Pasmo card
- Arrival
- Fill in Visit Japan Web before you land
- Cherry blossom
- Usually late March to early April
- Tipping
- Not done in Japan
- Time zone
- UTC+9 all year
officiali
Confirmed by an official source: the venue, a ministry or the operator.
Key facts
Sourcei
Wikipedia, “Tokyo Skytree”Sourcei
Wikipedia, “Sensō-ji”Sourcei
Wikipedia, “Mount Fuji”Sourcei
UNESCO World Heritage List, No. 1418Things to do in Tokyo
The top things to do in Tokyo are Senso-ji in Asakusa with Skytree nearby, Shibuya Crossing, Meiji Jingu and Takeshita Street in Harajuku, Shinjuku with its garden and the free Government Building views, the Imperial Palace, Ginza and Tsukiji, Akihabara, and Ueno Park with the National Museum. Mount Fuji and Kamakura make day trips. Every place with its YesGo score is in the list above.
| Asakusa | Senso-ji, Skytree | ½ day |
|---|---|---|
| Ueno | Ueno Park, National Museum, Ameyoko | ½ day |
| Centre | Imperial Palace, Ginza, Tsukiji | ½ day |
| Shibuya, Harajuku | Shibuya, Meiji Jingu, Takeshita | ½ day |
| Shinjuku | Gyoen, Govt Building, Kabukicho | evening |
| Akihabara | Akihabara | 2 h |
| The bay | Odaiba, teamLab, Toyosu | ½ day |
| Out of town | Fuji, Takao, Disneyland | 1 day |
Rather not plan it yourself? The list above has ready itineraries for 1–3 days, with places in a sensible order.
Tokyo airports to the city
Tokyo has two international airports: Haneda (HND), almost in town — 25–35 minutes to the centre by monorail or Keikyu train — and Narita (NRT), ≈ 60 km out, about an hour by Narita Express or Skyliner.
| Monorail, Keikyu | Haneda — centre | ≈ 25–35 min |
|---|---|---|
| Narita Express | Narita — Tokyo, Shinjuku | ≈ 55–80 min |
| Skyliner | Narita — Ueno | ≈ 45 min |
| Limousine Bus | Airports — hotels | ≈ 1–1.5 h |
Buy a Suica or Pasmo card, or add one to your phone, at the airport — it makes the whole city easier.
Where to stay in Tokyo
For a first time in Tokyo, stay in Shinjuku or Shibuya for nightlife and the JR Yamanote loop line; in Asakusa or Ueno for quieter, cheaper old Tokyo; or near Tokyo Station and Ginza for bullet trains to Kyoto and the airports. A station nearby matters most.
| Shinjuku | First visit, nightlife, trains | A huge station |
|---|---|---|
| Shibuya | Cafés, shops, buzz | Pricier |
| Asakusa, Ueno | Old Tokyo, budget | Quieter at night |
| Tokyo Station, Ginza | Shinkansen, airports | Expensive |
Tokyo weather by month
The best time to visit Tokyo is spring, late March to May, for cherry blossom, and autumn, October to November, for red maples. June is the tsuyu rainy season, July and August are ≈ 30–31 °C and humid, and September brings typhoons. Winter is dry and sunny at ≈ 10–12 °C by day.
°CiLong-term averages, °C: day and night air, sea water near the shore, rain — rainy days a month. Any given year can be warmer or cooler. Tap a month for details below. | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Day | 10° | 11° | 14° | 19° | 23° | 26° | 30° | 31° | 27° | 22° | 17° | 12° |
| Night | 1° | 2° | 5° | 10° | 15° | 19° | 23° | 24° | 21° | 15° | 9° | 4° |
| Rain | 5 | 6 | 10 | 10 | 11 | 13 | 12 | 9 | 12 | 10 | 7 | 5 |
Warm — 20 °C and above by dayBest time to go: March–May and October–November
- day ≈ 10°
- night ≈ 1°
- rain 5 days
About 10°, dry and sunny.
- day ≈ 11°
- night ≈ 2°
- rain 6 days
About 11°, plum blossom.
- day ≈ 14°
- night ≈ 5°
- rain 10 days
About 14°; cherry blossom late in the month.
- day ≈ 19°
- night ≈ 10°
- rain 10 days
Cherry blossom and ≈ 19° — the best time.
- day ≈ 23°
- night ≈ 15°
- rain 11 days
About 23°, Golden Week.
- day ≈ 26°
- night ≈ 19°
- rain 13 days
Tsuyu rainy season.
- day ≈ 30°
- night ≈ 23°
- rain 12 days
Heat ≈ 30°, humid.
- day ≈ 31°
- night ≈ 24°
- rain 9 days
The hottest month.
- day ≈ 27°
- night ≈ 21°
- rain 12 days
About 27°, typhoons.
- day ≈ 22°
- night ≈ 15°
- rain 10 days
About 22° — excellent.
- day ≈ 17°
- night ≈ 9°
- rain 7 days
About 17°, red maples.
- day ≈ 12°
- night ≈ 4°
- rain 5 days
About 12°, illuminations.
Golden Week in early May and Obon in mid-August are peak domestic travel — trains and hotels cost more.
Things to do in Tokyo at night
Tokyo at night is neon in Shinjuku and Shibuya, izakaya alleys, and city views from Skytree, Tokyo Tower and Shibuya Sky. The free Government Building deck in Shinjuku stays open into the evening.
- Shibuya Crossing — at its busiest after dark.
- Kabukicho — Shinjuku’s neon and Omoide Yokocho alley.
- Tokyo Tower — lit orange, great from Shiba Park.
- teamLab Planets — immersive art, open late.
What to eat in Tokyo
Tokyo has more Michelin-starred restaurants than any city, but the best food is often simple: sushi at Tsukiji and Toyosu, ramen, tempura, yakitori under the Yurakucho tracks and sweets in department-store food halls.
- Sushi — at Tsukiji Outer Market or small counter bars.
- Ramen — every district has its style; order at the ticket machine.
- Monjayaki — Tokyo’s runny cousin of okonomiyaki, in Tsukishima.
- Konbini — onigiri and bento from convenience stores.
Tokyo ticket prices
Senso-ji, Meiji Jingu, Shibuya Crossing, the Government Building deck and Ueno Park are free. You pay for Skytree and Tokyo Tower, Shinjuku Gyoen, the National Museum, teamLab, the Ghibli Museum (booking required) and Disneyland.
| Tokyo Imperial Palace | 62 | 1 h 30 min | free |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tokyo Tower | 56 | 1 h | Main Deck ¥1,500; Top Deck ¥3,300 online |
| Tokyo Skytree | 53 | 1 h 30 min | from ¥1,800 (350 m), from ¥3,000 (both) |
| Meiji Jingu | 50 | 1 h | free; Gyoen garden paid |
| Hamarikyu Gardens | 36 | 1 h | ¥300; over-65s ¥150 |
| Kabuki-za | 35 | 1 h 30 min | single act ¥1,600–10,800 (Nov 2026) |
| Tokyo National Museum | 35 | 2 h | ¥1,000; students ¥500 |
| Roppongi Hills | 35 | 1 h 30 min | ≈ ¥2,200 online / ¥2,400 on site (winter 2026–27) |
| Tokyo Disneyland | 33 | 4 h | ≈ ¥7,900–12,400 by date |
| Shinjuku Gyoen | 33 | 1 h 30 min | ¥500; under 15 free |
| teamLab Planets | 32 | 1 h 30 min | from ¥3,800, timed entry |
| Ghibli Museum | 26 | 2 h | ¥1,000, advance booking only |
Free — 18 places: Shibuya Crossing, Kabukicho, Akihabara, Ginza, Mount Fuji, Senso-ji, Takeshita Street, Tsukiji Outer Market and more.
Tips
- Book the Ghibli Museum and teamLab ahead — tickets go on sale a month out and sell out.
- Fuji is clearest on winter mornings; in summer clouds often hide it.
- Avoid the metro at rush hour, 8–9 am — it is packed.
FAQ
Is Tokyo worth visiting?
Absolutely — ancient temples beside neon districts, superb food, spotless transport and easy day trips to Fuji and Kamakura.
Do I need a visa for Japan?
It depends on your passport: many nationalities are visa-exempt for short stays, others apply for a visa or eVISA. Check the official rules for your passport.
What to do in Tokyo in one day?
Asakusa and Senso-ji in the morning, the Imperial Palace and Ginza at midday, Shibuya and a viewpoint in the evening.
Where should I stay in Tokyo for the first time?
Shinjuku or Shibuya on the Yamanote line, or near Tokyo Station for trains to Kyoto.
When is cherry blossom in Tokyo?
Usually late March to early April, for about a week; forecasts publish the exact dates.
What is the weather like in Tokyo in November?
About 17 °C by day and 9 °C at night, dry — red maple season.
How do I get from Narita Airport to Tokyo?
By Narita Express to Tokyo or Shinjuku in about an hour, or Skyliner to Ueno in about 45 minutes.
How do I use public transport in Tokyo?
Tap a Suica or Pasmo card (or phone) on metro, JR and buses; top it up at machines.
How do I get from Tokyo to Mount Fuji?
By bus from Shinjuku to Lake Kawaguchiko in about 2 hours, or on a day tour.
What to do in Tokyo with kids?
Tokyo Disneyland, teamLab Planets, Ueno Zoo, the Ghibli Museum and Odaiba.
Sources and fact-check
- UNESCO World Heritage List, No. 1418 (Fujisan)
- Wikipedia, “Tokyo”; “Tokyo Skytree”; “Sensō-ji”; Tokyo climate (1991–2020 normals)
- Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO)
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan — visa information