Tokyo Travel Guide

Tourist Guide
Tokyo
Tokyo
Tokyo
Tokyo showing a high-rise building, a city and night scenes
Tokyo

Tokyo Travel Guide Video

Futuristic and fascinating, Tokyo is a world city that should be on everyone's travel agenda.

One of the world's largest cities – 30 million people call Tokyo home – is a city of contrasts. Few other places in the world are such a jumble of science-fiction-style skyscrapers bristling with modernity next door to narrow alleys packed with dark, smoky restaurants and ancient temples. Though Tokyo was shaken badly by the March 2011 earthquake, the city sustained remarkably little damage, and now life is fully back to normal.

The first Tokyoites settled here around 10,000 BC and Edo, as it was known, remained a sleepy fishing village for thousands of years. But Edo was to grow to become the world’s largest city. In 1868, Edo was renamed Tokyo, meaning Eastern Capital, as the country embarked on a massive round of empire building, which eventually led to the calamitous World War II. Half the city was completely destroyed in air raids, and what was left now coexists with a thoroughly modern city.

On arrival, the first thing you should do is head up to the top of a skyscraper to get the lay of the land. From the Rainbow Bridge, Tokyo Tower, Mori Tower and Tokyo Skytree, you can admire the city's iconic landmarks and even see all the way to Mount Fuji.

Tokyo's fascinating street life is one of the city's highlights: head to the city's liveliest district Shinjuku to experience its atmosphere. The Roppongi Hills complex in the heart of the city is another unmissable sight with great nightlife and entertainment options galore.

Although thoroughly modern, Tokyo has not forgotten its past. The Tokyo National Museum has a vast collection with some artifacts dating back 12,000 years. Learn more about Japan's emperors at the Tokyo Imperial Palace, which has been home to shoguns and emperors for centuries. Visit the Yasukuni shrine, which commemorates the 2 million citizens who gave their lives for their country during the Meiji Restoration. Traditional Buddhist spirituality dates back thousands of years and can be explored at the Sensoji Temple

Despite its huge population, Tokyo has plenty of open spaces. The world-famous cherry blossoms are in bloom in late March and early April, and Shinjuku Gyoen is a popular destination if you want to admire the blooms.

Where to stay in Tokyo

Shinjuku showing night scenes, a city and nightlife

Shinjuku

4.5/5(751 area reviews)

Known for its fantastic nightlife and popular shops, there's plenty to explore in Shinjuku. Check out top attractions like Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden and Hanazono-jinja, and jump on the metro at Shinjuku-sanchome Station or Shinjuku-nishiguchi Station to see more of the city.

Shinjuku
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Shibuya

5/5(173 area reviews)

Shibuya is highly notable for its popular shops, and you might want to visit top sights like Shibuya Crossing and Meiji Jingu Shrine. See more of Tokyo by jumping on the metro at Shibuya Station or Meiji-jingumae 'Harajuku' Station.

Shibuya
Ginza featuring a city, skyline and street scenes

Ginza

4.5/5(100 area reviews)

Enjoy the popular shops in Ginza. Ginza Six is a worthwhile stop, and you can jump on the metro at Ginza Station or Higashi-ginza Station to see more of Tokyo.

Ginza
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Ueno

4.5/5(38 area reviews)

Travellers choose Ueno for its ample dining options. Hop aboard the metro at Ueno-okachimachi Station or Ueno-hirokoji Station and check out top sights like Ameyoko Shopping District.

Ueno
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Asakusa

5/5(47 area reviews)

Asakusa is popular for its abundant dining options, and if you're looking for more to see and do, you might think about a trip to Sensoji Temple or Asakusa Shrine.

Asakusa
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Minato

4.5/5(68 area reviews)

Tokyo Tower and Tokyo Bay are top sights in Minato, and you should be sure to explore the popular shops. Hop aboard the metro at Sengakuji Station or Shirokane-takanawa Station to see more sights in the area.

Minato
Shinagawa Prince Hotel
Shinagawa Prince Hotel
4 out of 5
4-10-30 Takanawa Minato-ku, Tokyo, Tokyo-to
The price is AU$241 per night from 2 Dec to 3 Dec
AU$241
includes taxes & fees
2 Dec - 3 Dec
Book a stay at this family-friendly hotel in Tokyo. Enjoy free WiFi, 5 restaurants, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the bar in ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (3,436 reviews)
"Great location, helpful staff"

Reviewed on 19 Nov. 2024

Shinagawa Prince Hotel
APA Hotel & Resort Ryogoku Eki Tower
APA Hotel & Resort Ryogoku Eki Tower
3 out of 5
1-11-10 Yokoami, Sumida, Tokyo, Tokyo
The price is AU$116 per night from 9 Dec to 10 Dec
AU$116
includes taxes & fees
9 Dec - 10 Dec
Stay at this 3-star hotel in Tokyo. Enjoy free WiFi, an outdoor pool, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool in our reviews. ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (3,408 reviews)
"Usual small space for Japan, for me room was too hot while corridors were cool - cld not adjust room temp on panel in room. Self check-in was less than desirable for us."

Reviewed on 18 Nov. 2024

APA Hotel & Resort Ryogoku Eki Tower
Hotel Gracery Shinjuku
Hotel Gracery Shinjuku
4 out of 5
1-19-1 Kabukicho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, Tokyo-to
The price is AU$378 per night from 28 Nov to 29 Nov
AU$378
includes taxes & fees
28 Nov - 29 Nov
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Tokyo. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (2,371 reviews)
Good location if you wanna be in the action
"This hotel is located in the middle of the action being that you’re high up there. You don’t really hear the craziness if that’s your thing then this is your Hotel. It was not my thing but best case scenario was this Hotel because you’re so high up that it’s safe quiet and comfortable."

Reviewed on 19 Nov. 2024

Hotel Gracery Shinjuku
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Rhodes Kagurazaka Hotel
Rhodes Kagurazaka Hotel
3 out of 5
1-17 Saikumachi, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, Tokyo
Stay at this 3-star apartment in Tokyo. Enjoy free WiFi, laundry facilities, and slippers. Popular attractions Tokyo Dome and Tokyo Imperial Palace are located ...
7/10 Good! (80 reviews)
"The public dorm rooms are actually really nice, offering a small kitchenette to cook for yourself and whichever friends from around the world you may meet. The Santoku is a little grocery store that's literally adjacent to the building, and everything else is actually within a good distance for walking ..."

Reviewed on 19 Nov. 2024

Rhodes Kagurazaka Hotel
BAY HOTEL Urayasu Station
BAY HOTEL Urayasu Station
3 out of 5
1-15-28 Kitazakae, Urayasu, Chiba
Stay at this 3-star aparthotel in Urayasu. Enjoy free WiFi, a 24-hour front desk, and daily housekeeping. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (477 reviews)
"Closed to train stations."

Reviewed on 15 Sep. 2024

BAY HOTEL Urayasu Station
Citadines Shinjuku Tokyo
Citadines Shinjuku Tokyo
3.5 out of 5
1-28-13 Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, Tokyo-to
Stay at this 3.5-star business-friendly aparthotel in Tokyo. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a 24-hour fitness center. Our guests praise the helpful ...
9/10 Wonderful! (2,630 reviews)
"Good location for Shinjuku and its large park: then. Lots of local restaurants nearby. Connections very good vis nearby stations."

Reviewed on 18 Nov. 2024

Citadines Shinjuku Tokyo
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Activities

Reviews of Tokyo

4.7
Top destination
5 - Excellent
1154
" "5 - Excellent 70%
4 - Good
444
" "4 - Good 27%
3 - Okay
49
" "3 - Okay 3%
2 - Disappointing
3
" "2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
2
" "1 - Terrible 0%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Need at least six days to explore Tokyo.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

The Asakusa area is great to stay. Metro very close

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Tokyo is a beautiful city - more than what we expected. So many things to see and do - highly recommend!

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Went to central. Walked through the shoguns grounds. Beautiful.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

In tokyo. I have walked

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

I love Tokyo. Always friendly great food and lots to do

Cities near Tokyo