Overview
Tokyo is less a single city than a network of dense, walkable villages connected by the most sophisticated transit system in the world. A first trip should focus on neighborhoods, not landmarks.
Best Time To Visit
Late March to mid-April for cherry blossoms; October and November for clear cool days. Avoid August's humidity and the June rainy season.
Popular Attractions
- Shibuya Sky at dusk
- Yanaka's old streets and cemetery
- TeamLab Planets
- The Nezu shrine wisteria in April
- Standing sushi at Tsukiji outer market
Transportation
Get a Suica or Pasmo card and top it up. JR and Metro are separate networks; Google Maps handles transfers correctly. Taxis are excellent but expensive.
Accommodation
Shinjuku for convenience, Asakusa for older Tokyo, Nakameguro for a residential feel. Business hotels (APA, Toyoko Inn) offer clean rooms from ¥12,000.
Budget
$150-$220 per person per day covers a mid-range trip. Food is cheaper than most Western capitals if you eat where locals eat.
Food
Ramen shops for lunch, izakaya for dinner. Kaiseki once, if the budget stretches. Convenience-store food (7-Eleven, Lawson) is genuinely excellent for early mornings.
Culture
Quiet on trains - no phone calls. Cash is still king at small restaurants. Tipping is not practiced and can cause confusion.
Safety
Among the safest large cities on earth. Solo late-night walking is normal. Standard urban awareness applies.
Practical Tips
- Buy a portable Wi-Fi router or eSIM at the airport
- Trains stop by midnight; know your last one
- Most museums are closed Mondays
- Ordering by pointing at plastic food displays is expected