Tokyo

Discovering Tokyo: A Comprehensive Guide for First-Time Visitors

Welcome to the bustling metropolis of Tokyo, Japan. Home to roughly 14 million people in the city proper and 37 million across its greater region, Tokyo is simultaneously the world’s largest metropolitan area, one of its safest, and one of its most easily navigated by visitors who do not read a word of Japanese. It is also a city of astonishing variety: centuries-old shrines tucked behind neon towers, cedar-lined Shinto forests inside the ring road, and quiet sushi counters with a five-seat capacity down the street from 24-hour electronics stores. This guide is a practical companion to your first visit.

Where to Stay

Tokyo is vast; base yourself near one of the Yamanote Line ring-rail stations for easy access to everywhere else.

Luxury

  • Park Hyatt Tokyo — Shinjuku Park Tower. The Lost in Translation hotel with panoramic city and, on clear days, Mt. Fuji views.
  • The Peninsula Tokyo — Marunouchi, opposite the Imperial Palace, elegant and superbly located for Tokyo Station.
  • Aman Tokyo — Otemachi Tower, serene and minimalist, with a beautiful Japanese-garden spa.
  • Hoshinoya Tokyo — an urban ryokan in Otemachi with tatami rooms and a rooftop onsen.

Mid-Range

  • Hotel Gracery Shinjuku — Kabukicho, famously topped with a giant Godzilla head. A short walk to Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden.
  • Shibuya Stream Excel Hotel Tokyu and Shibuya Tokyu REI — quiet modern rooms adjoining Shibuya Station.
  • Remm Akihabara / Remm Roppongi — smart mid-range options, each room with its own massage chair.
  • Hotel Niwa Tokyo — a traditional-style hotel in Jinbocho with a lovely garden courtyard.

Budget

  • Khaosan World Asakusa Tokyo — clean and affordable accommodations in the historic Asakusa district, a short walk from Senso-ji.
  • Book and Bed Tokyo — famous capsule-hostel concept built into bookshelves, with branches in Ikebukuro, Asakusa and Shinjuku.
  • Nui.Tokyo Central Hostel and UNPLAN Kagurazaka — design-driven hostels with lively café-bar spaces.

Where to Eat

High-End

  • Sukiyabashi Jiro — the world-famous sushi counter popularised by Jiro Dreams of Sushi. The Ginza branch stopped accepting walk-ins years ago; book via a concierge or a luxury hotel’s lifestyle service.
  • Ryugin — three-Michelin-starred modern kaiseki in Roppongi, one of Tokyo’s finest dining rooms.
  • Den — inventive, playful contemporary kaiseki where the chef might hand you a bento box labelled “DFC — Den Fried Chicken.”

Mid-Range

  • Ichiran Ramen — Hakata-style tonkotsu ramen in single-seat booths; customise everything on a paper slip.
  • Ippudo — another excellent tonkotsu chain with multiple branches.
  • Afuri — famous for its yuzu-shio (salt-and-yuzu) ramen.
  • Uobei (Shibuya) — a conveyor-belt-style sushi restaurant where every plate arrives by bullet-train delivery rails.
  • Tempura Kondo, Ginza Kyubey, Tsukiji Outer Market stalls — easy reservations for world-class sushi and tempura.

Budget

  • Tsukiji Outer Market — dozens of small shops selling tamago skewers, uni, tuna sashimi, fresh seafood skewers and matcha ice cream. Go hungry, early.
  • Depachika — the basement food halls of department stores like Isetan Shinjuku and Takashimaya Nihonbashi, for world-class takeaway.
  • Gyukatsu Motomura, Coco Ichibanya, Matsuya and Yoshinoya — solid, reliable chains for rice bowls and cutlet meals.
  • Omoide Yokocho (Shinjuku) — atmospheric 1940s-style alley of tiny yakitori counters west of Shinjuku Station.

What to Visit

Senso-ji and Asakusa

Tokyo’s oldest temple, founded in 645, with the bright red Kaminarimon Gate, shopping street Nakamise-dori, and the five-storey pagoda. Visit early morning or after dusk for far fewer crowds.

Meiji Jingu and Harajuku

A great Shinto shrine in a 170-acre forest, adjacent to the teen-fashion chaos of Takeshita-dori, the boutiques of Cat Street, and the elegant designer boulevard of Omotesando.

Shibuya Crossing, Shibuya Sky and Yoyogi Park

The world-famous Scramble Crossing photographed from Starbucks above Tsutaya, or from the new open-air Shibuya Sky observation deck on top of Shibuya Scramble Square. The adjacent Yoyogi Park is great for Sunday people-watching, including the occasional Elvis impersonator.

Tokyo Skytree and Senso-ji

Senso-ji, Tokyo’s oldest temple, provides a glimpse into Japan’s religious history; the 634-metre Tokyo Skytree just across the Sumida River provides panoramic views from its 350- and 450-metre observation decks.

Shopping Districts: Ginza and Harajuku

Ginza is known for its luxury boutiques, classic department stores like Mitsukoshi and Matsuya, and Michelin restaurants; Harajuku offers more unique and trendy fashion stores.

Entertainment: Akihabara, Nakano and Shinjuku

Akihabara is the hub of otaku culture, with countless anime and manga shops, maid cafés and arcade buildings like Sega Akihabara 1. Nakano Broadway is a more low-key Akihabara-style mall. Shinjuku is Tokyo’s neon heart — the twin Metropolitan Government Buildings have free observation decks, and the alleys of Golden Gai and Shinjuku Nichome reward late-night wandering.

teamLab Planets and Odaiba

teamLab Planets TOKYO in Toyosu is a barefoot, knee-deep immersive digital-art experience — book online well in advance. Odaiba across Rainbow Bridge has beaches, the giant Gundam statue, and skyline views.

Imperial Palace East Gardens

A calm, free walk through the former Edo Castle grounds, five minutes from Tokyo Station.

Activities

Exploring the Nightlife of Shinjuku and Roppongi

Golden Gai’s 200 tiny bars for atmospheric nights; Shinjuku Nichome for LGBTQ+ nightlife; Roppongi for international clubs and upscale bars. The Tokyo Tower is nearby, providing another great view of the city.

Experiencing a Sumo Wrestling Tournament

If your visit coincides with one of the three Tokyo tournaments (January, May, September) at the Ryogoku Kokugikan, don’t miss it. Outside tournament months, book an early-morning sumo-stable practice visit — memorable and surprisingly accessible.

Visiting Odaiba

Odaiba is a man-made island filled with shops, restaurants, and attractions such as the teamLab Borderless (reopened at its new Azabudai location), the giant Gundam, and easy beachfront walks.

Cherry Blossoms or Autumn Colours

Late March to early April for sakura at Ueno Park, Shinjuku Gyoen, the Meguro River and the Imperial Palace moat. Mid to late November for the golden ginkgos at Meiji Jingu Gaien’s Icho Namiki.

Day Trips

  • Kamakura — 1 hour south, Great Buddha, Zen temples, coastal town.
  • Nikko — 2 hours north, UNESCO-listed Toshogu Shrine and waterfalls.
  • Hakone — 90 minutes west, hot springs, pirate-ship lake cruise and Mt. Fuji views.
  • Mount Fuji (Fuji Five Lakes) — for serious Fuji views, stay a night in Kawaguchiko.

Other Tips

  • Transport. Tokyo’s trains are unmatched. Buy a Suica or PASMO card (or add one to Apple Wallet); tap in and out of virtually every train, metro, bus and convenience store. The JR Yamanote Line loops past most major districts. A Japan Rail Pass only makes sense if you are doing long shinkansen journeys.
  • Cash and cards. Most chain restaurants, hotels and department stores accept cards; many small izakayas and shrines are cash-only. Use the ATMs at 7-Eleven (Seven Bank) or Japan Post, which reliably accept foreign cards.
  • Language. Signage is bilingual, menus often multilingual. Google Translate’s camera mode handles the rest.
  • Etiquette. Do not tip (it can cause confusion or offence). Do not speak loudly on trains, eat while walking (except at matsuri or food stalls), or blow your nose in public. Remove shoes when entering homes, temples and ryokans.
  • Connectivity. Buy a data SIM or pocket Wi-Fi on arrival at Narita or Haneda; eSIM providers like Airalo or Ubigi also work.
  • Safety. One of the safest megacities in the world. Lost wallets are routinely handed in.

We hope this guide helps you make the most of your visit to Tokyo. Safe travels, and enjoy your adventure in Japan’s extraordinary capital.