Tokyo travel guide

Tokyo is a metropolis where tradition and the future coexist without contradiction: centuries-old temples steps away from skyscrapers and hyper-technological districts. It's a huge city but surprisingly easy to navigate thanks to an extremely efficient public transport network.

Best time to visit

March-May (cherry blossom season) and October-November (autumn foliage) are the most striking periods; summer is hot and very humid.

What to see and do

Shibuya and its famous pedestrian crossing — the iconic image of modern Tokyo.
Senso-ji Temple in Asakusa — the city's oldest temple, in a traditionally charming district.
Tsukiji outer market — street food and extremely fresh fish for breakfast.
Akihabara — a paradise for electronics, manga and anime.
Day trip to Mount Fuji or Hakone — to see Japan's symbol up close.

Indicative budget

Budget roughly €70-100 per day per person for food, accommodation and local transport, flights excluded — cheaper than you'd expect for a capital of this level.

Figures are purely indicative and do not represent real or guaranteed prices.

Getting around

Tokyo's train and metro network is vast and extremely punctual, though run by several different companies: a rechargeable card like Suica or Pasmo makes getting around much easier, avoiding the need to work out the exact fare for every ride. Despite the city's size, the main districts are often enjoyable to explore on foot once you're there.

Where to stay

Shinjuku is a great home base: well connected, with every kind of bar and nightlife; Shibuya is the pick for energy and shopping; Asakusa has a more traditional feel, near Senso-ji temple; Ginza is elegant and central, ideal for high-end shopping.