Tokyo Travel Planning & Itineraries
The world's most rewarding city for travelers who like layers. Ancient temples sit beside neon arcades, three-Michelin-star sushi counters share blocks with seven-dollar ramen shops, and a 33-million-person metropolis somehow feels safer and more orderly than most small towns. First-timers are overwhelmed in the best possible way; repeat visitors discover an entirely new Tokyo every trip.
Our AI planner helps you pace your Tokyo days, pick the right neighbourhoods, and build a route that makes sense.
Planning Your Tokyo Trip
Best Time to Visit
May and late September-October are the sweet spots — pleasant weather, smaller crowds, and reasonable hotel prices. Cherry blossom season (late March to early April) and autumn foliage (mid-to-late November) are spectacular but expensive and packed. Avoid Golden Week (April 29 - May 5), Obon (mid-August), and the muggy heat of July-August.
Budget Overview
Budget: $70-110 USD/day (capsule or business hotel, convenience store + ramen meals at Y800-1,200, JR + metro). Tokyo is much cheaper than its reputation suggests if you skip Western food. Mid-range: $180-300 USD/day (3-4 star hotel in Shinjuku/Shibuya, izakaya dinners, mixed activities, Shinkansen day trip). Luxury: $600+ USD/day (Aman Tokyo, Mandarin Oriental, Park Hyatt, omakase sushi, private guide).
Getting There
Fly into Haneda (HND) for city convenience or Narita (NRT) for more flight options. Haneda is 25-40 min from central Tokyo; Narita is 60-90 min. From YYZ, expect 13 hours non-stop on Air Canada or ANA. From Narita, take the Narita Express (N'EX) to Tokyo Station (~Y3,000) or the Keisei Skyliner to Ueno. From Haneda, the Tokyo Monorail or Keikyu Line gets you downtown in 20-30 min for under Y500.
Getting Around
Subway + JR lines are unbeatable. Get a Suica or Pasmo IC card on arrival (tap-to-ride on all trains, buses, and convenience stores). Google Maps works perfectly for transit directions. Taxis are clean but expensive (Y730 base). For day trips to Kyoto/Osaka, the Shinkansen bullet train is the way — a 7- or 14-day JR Pass (~$340 USD) pays for itself if you're doing multiple long-distance legs.
Common Tokyo planning mistakes
Trying to do Kyoto as a day trip
Its 2.5 hours each way on the Shinkansen. Kyoto deserves 3 days minimum. If you only have one free day, do Nikko or Hakone instead.
Not getting an IC card on arrival
Suica or Pasmo cards let you tap through every turnstile, vending machine, and convenience store. Buying single tickets each ride is painful.
Eating only in tourist areas
Asakusa and Shibuya Crossing have mediocre food at high prices. Walk 2 blocks off any main street and youll eat better for half the price.
Skipping convenience stores
7-Eleven, FamilyMart, and Lawson are tourist attractions in Japan. Egg sandwiches, onigiri, and fried chicken are legitimately great.
Tokyo Neighbourhoods
Shinjuku
The biggest, busiest, neon-lit hub. Tokyo's transportation core and the easiest base for first-timers. — best for: first-timers, nightlife, easy transit access
Shibuya
Famous for the scramble crossing and youth culture. Walkable to Harajuku, Omotesando, and dozens of restaurants. — best for: shopping, fashion, energetic city vibes
Ginza
Tokyo's luxury district. Department stores, Michelin restaurants, and the most refined hotels. — best for: luxury travelers, fine dining, repeat visitors
Asakusa
Old Tokyo. Senso-ji Temple, traditional shopping streets, and ryokan-style hotels. Quieter at night. — best for: culture seekers, slower pace, traditional Japan
Roppongi
International business district with the best modern art museums in the city (Mori, National Art Center). Strong dining scene. — best for: art lovers, expat-friendly nightlife
Yanaka
One of the few districts that survived WWII bombing. Old wooden houses, narrow lanes, traditional cafes. — best for: travelers wanting an off-the-beaten-path neighborhood
Tokyo Food & Drink
Sushi Saito
Widely considered the best sushi in the world. Nearly impossible to book without a hotel concierge.
Ichiran Ramen
Solo-booth ramen chain. Shibuya and Shinjuku branches stay open late. Y1,000-1,500.
Afuri
Lighter, citrusy broth. Harajuku and Ebisu locations are the originals. A fine gateway ramen.
Tempura Kondo
Chef Kondo elevated tempura to fine dining. Lunch tasting is Y9,000 — a steal.
Narisawa
Asias 50 Best regular. Foraged ingredients, tasting menu from Y33,000.
Omoide Yokocho
Piss Alley in Shinjuku. Smoky tiny yakitori stalls under the tracks. Bring cash, skip the tourist-menu places.
New York Bar (Park Hyatt)
52nd floor Park Hyatt. Cover charge after 8pm but the view is worth every yen.
Day Trips from Tokyo
Hakone
90 min by RomancecarOnsen town with Mt. Fuji views, the Open-Air Museum, and Lake Ashi pirate ship cruises. Use the Hakone Free Pass.
Nikko
2 hr by Tobu limited expressUNESCO-listed temple complex, lacquered Toshogu shrine, and waterfalls. The opposite of Tokyo — quiet and ancient.
Kamakura
60 min by JRGiant Buddha (Daibutsu), hiking trails between temples, and the beach. Perfect for escaping Tokyo heat.
Mt. Fuji 5th Station
2.5 hr by busIn climbing season (July-August) you can start the summit hike here. Even if not climbing, the views and Lake Kawaguchi are worth the trip.
Ready to build your Tokyo days?
Tell us your dates, pace, and interests — we’ll draft a day-by-day Tokyo itinerary in under a minute.
A Sample Tokyo Itinerary
Here’s a flavour of what our AI planner builds. Generate your own personalised Tokyo itinerary in 60 seconds.
Arrive + Shinjuku / Shibuya
- •Haneda/Narita arrival, IC card pickup
- •Shinjuku Gyoen park + Golden Gai bar alleys
- •Shibuya Crossing at dusk
- •Omakase dinner or ramen at Ichiran
Old Tokyo: Asakusa + Ueno
- •Senso-ji Temple at 7am before the crowds
- •Nakamise Street street food
- •Ueno Park + Tokyo National Museum
- •Yakitori crawl at Omoide Yokocho
Meiji Shrine + Harajuku + Omotesando
- •Meiji Shrine morning forest walk
- •Harajuku Takeshita Street + vintage shopping
- •Nezu Museum + Omotesando architecture walk
- •Kaiseki dinner in Aoyama
Day Trip: Hakone (Fuji views + onsen)
- •Romancecar from Shinjuku
- •Open-Air Museum + Lake Ashi cruise
- •Onsen in Hakone-Yumoto
- •Return to Tokyo for late-night New York Bar drinks
Tokyo Travel FAQ
How many days do I need in Tokyo?
Five to seven days for first-timers. Three days only scratches the surface — you'll spend the first day on jetlag, the second adjusting to the transit system, and only really start to enjoy yourself by day three. If you have less than five days total, Tokyo will feel rushed.
Do I need cash in Tokyo?
Yes, more than you'd expect. Tokyo is increasingly card-friendly but smaller restaurants, temples, some taxis, and many shops are cash-only. Withdraw 30,000-50,000 yen on arrival from a 7-Eleven ATM (always works with foreign cards) and refill as needed.
Is Tokyo expensive?
Less than you'd think. Tokyo can be done on $80-120/day for budget travelers, and even mid-range trips rarely exceed European city prices. Public transit is cheap, ramen and convenience store food is excellent and affordable, and free attractions (parks, temples, neighborhoods to explore) are everywhere.
Should I get a JR Pass?
Only if you're traveling outside Tokyo to other cities (Kyoto, Osaka, Hiroshima). For Tokyo-only trips, the JR Pass is a waste — buy a Suica or Pasmo IC card at any station and use it for all subways, JR lines, and even convenience stores.
Do I need to speak Japanese?
No, but a few words go far. Major tourist areas, hotels, and chain restaurants have English signs and staff who can manage basic English. Smaller restaurants and shops may not — Google Translate's camera mode and a phrasebook will get you through. Learn 'arigato gozaimasu' (thank you) and 'sumimasen' (excuse me/sorry) before you arrive.
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