Tokyo
Tokyo deserves 4–5 nights minimum, ideally more — it's less a city than a cluster of distinct cities stitched together by an extraordinary train network. Base yourself in Shinjuku or Shibuya (central, well-connected) or Asakusa (calmer, closer to the old-town feel). Fly into Haneda if you can — it's dramatically closer to central Tokyo than Narita. Budget roughly $60–110/day per person before accommodation.
Tokyo is not one city — it's a dozen distinct neighborhoods that happen to share a train map, each with its own personality, and trying to 'do Tokyo' in two days is a bit like trying to 'do Europe' in an afternoon. Most first-timers underestimate it badly. Here's how to actually give it the time it deserves.
How many days do you need in Tokyo?
Four to five nights is a realistic minimum for a first visit — enough for one or two neighborhoods a day plus a day trip. Seven-plus days is genuinely not too many; Tokyo has a way of quietly eating your itinerary, mostly by way of a train platform ramen stall you didn't plan for.
Which neighborhood should you stay in?
| Neighborhood | Best for | Vibe |
|---|---|---|
| Shinjuku | First-timers, nightlife, easy transit | Dense, neon, endless izakaya alleys |
| Shibuya | Energy, shopping, the famous Crossing | Loud, youthful, always moving |
| Asakusa | A calmer, old-Tokyo feel | Temples, traditional shops, closer to Narita direction |
| Ginza | Upscale shopping and dining | Polished, quieter at night, pricier |
Get an IC card (Suica or Pasmo) loaded onto Apple Wallet or Google Wallet before you land if your phone supports it — it works on every train, subway, and bus in the city and skips the ticket-machine queue entirely. See our transport guide for the full IC card breakdown.
Narita or Haneda — getting from the airport
Haneda is the easier, faster option if your flight has a choice — it's roughly 30–40 minutes from central Tokyo by monorail or the Keikyu line. Narita is further out (60–90 minutes), but the Narita Express and Keisei Skyliner both run direct, comfortable trains into the city.
| Airport | Option | Approx. time / cost |
|---|---|---|
| Haneda | Tokyo Monorail → Hamamatsucho | ~20 min, ~$4 |
| Haneda | Keikyu Line → Shinagawa | ~15 min, ~$3 |
| Narita | Narita Express (N'EX) → Tokyo Station | ~60 min, ~$22 |
| Narita | Keisei Skyliner → Ueno | ~40 min, ~$18 |
What's actually worth seeing
- Senso-ji, Asakusa — Tokyo's oldest temple, best visited right at opening (before 8am) to see it without a river of tour groups down Nakamise shopping street.
- Shibuya Crossing — the world's busiest pedestrian crossing; the Starbucks or Shibuya Sky observation deck above it gives you the view everyone's phone is up for.
- Meiji Shrine — a genuinely peaceful forest walk in the middle of the city, right next to Harajuku's chaos, which makes the contrast part of the experience.
- teamLab digital art (Borderless or Planets, depending which is running) — immersive light installations that photograph beautifully and, unusually for a 'photo spot,' are also worth seeing in person. Book tickets online in advance; they do sell out.
Easy day trips from Tokyo
- Kamakura — a seaside town with a giant bronze Buddha, about an hour south by train. A relaxed half-day out.
- Nikko — ornate mountain shrines and waterfalls, about two hours north. A full-day trip, not a half-day.
- Hakone — hot springs, a pirate-ship lake cruise, and (weather permitting) Mount Fuji views, about 90 minutes southwest.
- Fuji Five Lakes — the classic Mount Fuji viewpoint region, roughly 2 hours by bus or train. Go on a clear morning; the mountain hides behind clouds more often than photos suggest.
Mistakes worth avoiding
- Trying to see all of Tokyo's neighborhoods in 2–3 days — pick 3–4 and go deep instead of skimming everything.
- Standing on the wrong side of the escalator (left in Tokyo, right in Osaka) — a small thing, but it's the fastest way to get a pointed look from a commuter in a hurry.
- Skipping the IC card and buying paper tickets at every station — it works but wastes real time during rush hour.
Stay near a JR Yamanote Line stop for easy access everywhere
Compare Tokyo hotelsWhere to stay in Tokyo — hotels
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