Tokyo blends cutting-edge cityscapes with peaceful parks, intimate lanes, and a rich sense of history. You can move from neon-lit districts to quiet traditional neighbourhoods in a single afternoon.
Discover Tokyo
Discover Tokyo
Why visit Tokyo?
What to expect
Expect a clean, efficient city with distinct districts, each with its own character, from buzzing shopping hubs to creative quarters. Trains run punctually, streets feel safe, and small details are carefully considered.
Plan your trip
Tokyo is an ideal first step into Japan, with excellent connections to regions such as Kansai, Tohoku, and Hokkaido. Plan a few days in the capital, then use the city as a base for day trips and onward rail journeys.
Top sights in Tokyo
Shibuya Crossing
Stand by the famous scramble crossing to watch the lights change and hundreds of people flow past illuminated billboards and lively streets.
Tokyo Skytree
Ride up to the observation decks for panoramic views across the city, stretching to Mount Fuji on clear days.
Asakusa and Senso-ji area
Stroll through traditional streets around the Senso-ji temple precinct, with old-style buildings and a lively main approach lined with small shops.
Odaiba waterfront
Explore this modern bayside district with wide promenades, futuristic architecture, and views across Tokyo Bay and the city skyline.
Meiji Jingu and Harajuku
Walk through a forested park to a grand shrine setting, then step into nearby Harajuku for fashion-forward streets and small boutiques.
Ueno Park and museums
Spend time in spacious Ueno Park, home to several major museums and a zoo, with a relaxed atmosphere and seasonal blossoms.
Akihabara district
Browse multi-storey shops devoted to electronics, games, and pop culture, and soak in the colourful signage and lively side streets.
Experience Tokyo's everyday rhythm
Getting around
Use the JR lines and Tokyo Metro for fast, reliable travel between major districts, then switch to local trains or buses for quieter neighbourhoods. For the last mile at night, taxis are easy to find at stations and main streets.
Local life & culture
Daily life in Tokyo feels orderly yet creative, with commuters, students, and artists sharing the same streets. Explore contrasting neighbourhoods, from business areas around Marunouchi to relaxed residential quarters and indie hubs like Shimokitazawa.
Where to unwind
Escape the buzz in gardens such as Shinjuku Gyoen or the Imperial Palace outer grounds, ideal in the soft light of early morning or late afternoon. Along the rivers and bayside walks, you can enjoy wider views and cooler breezes.
A taste of Tokyo
Street food & local specialties
Try favourites such as ramen, yakitori, and savoury pancakes in areas like Shinjuku, Asakusa, and around busy station hubs, where small shops and counters line the streets.
Casual & modern dining hubs
Head to commercial districts like Shibuya, Shinagawa, and Ikebukuro, where malls and station complexes gather many casual eateries, letting you sample different dishes in one visit and share plates with friends.
Signature & scenic dining
Book a table in high-rise restaurants in districts such as Shinjuku or Roppongi for wide city views, or choose venues along the waterfront in Odaiba or Tokyo Bay for a calmer backdrop to your meal.
Retail therapy in Tokyo
Malls & lifestyle hubs
Find international brands, local designers, and lifestyle stores in large complexes around Shinjuku, Shibuya, and Tokyo Station, where shopping is combined with dining, cinemas, and rooftop spaces.
Markets & local crafts
Browse for crafts, stationery, and textiles in neighbourhoods like Asakusa, Nippori, and Kappabashi, where many small shops specialise in traditional goods and everyday items with a local touch.
Evening retail scene
After dark, areas such as Ginza, Shinjuku, and Akihabara glow with illuminated storefronts and late-opening shops, all connected by extensive train and subway lines that make night-time browsing easy.
Best time to visit Tokyo
Spring (March to May, shoulder season) brings mild weather around 10°C to 20°C (50°F to 68°F), with clear days that suit walking and seasonal blossoms. Summer (June to September, peak season) is warm and humid, with temperatures typically between 22°C and 31°C (72°F to 88°F), and longer daylight hours. Autumn and winter (October to February, low season) are cooler, from about 3°C to 18°C (37°F to 64°F), with crisp air and many bright, dry days.