Tokyo is the heart of Japan and one of the most fascinating cities in the world. It is a place where modernity collides with tradition, and futuristic skyscrapers stand side by side with intimate temples and hidden gardens. The capital of Japan amazes with contrasts at every step.
Tokyo is bustling intersections like those in Shibuya, elegant shopping districts such as Ginza, and calm corners of Asakusa, where time seems to flow more slowly. It is also the largest city in the world in terms of population, full of endless attractions, culinary discoveries, and countless ways to spend time. In this guide you will find practical tips that will help you navigate Tokyo, discover its hidden gems, and fully enjoy the unique atmosphere of the city that never sleeps. Whether you are planning a short visit or a longer stay, Tokyo surprises at every turn with its energy, diversity, and extraordinary charm.
And just like other cities in Japan, it is worth dedicating more time to it. We spent a total of about four days in Tokyo and managed to reach many of the most interesting places. Below you will find links to detailed guides covering all the districts of the city that we visited.
TOKIO – SZCZEGÓŁOWE PRZEWODNIKI
ASAKUSA IN TOKYO – TEMPLES AND SURROUNDINGS >
UENO PARK, OKACHIMACHI AND AKIHABARA – DISTRICTS OF NORTHERN TOKYO
SHINJUKU IN TOKYO – THE DISTRICT THAT NEVER SLEEPS >
SHIBUYA AND YOYOGI PARK – A GUIDE TO THE HEART OF TOKYO >
TOKYO TOWER AND OTHER ATTRACTIONS OF THE MINATO DISTRICT >
SOUTHERN TOKYO ISLANDS >
HOW TO GET TO TOKYO ?
Tokyo is the best-connected city in Japan, so getting here is easy – whether you are arriving from abroad or traveling within the country.
BY PLANE
Tokyo is served by two main international airports:
- Narita (NRT) – the main airport for international flights, located about 60 km from central Tokyo. From the airport, you can easily reach the city by the Narita Express train (about 1 hour) or by limousine bus to various districts of Tokyo.
- Haneda (HND) – closer to central Tokyo (about 20 km), serving both domestic and international flights. From Haneda, you can reach the city center by metro or train in less than 30 minutes.
Practical tip: It is worth buying an IC card (Suica or Pasmo) already at the airport. It allows convenient use of the metro, trains, and buses throughout Tokyo. More information about the cards below.
BY EXPRESS TRAIN FROM MAJOR JAPANESE CITIES
If you are traveling from other parts of Japan, Tokyo is excellently connected by Shinkansen high-speed trains. From Kyoto or Osaka, you can reach Tokyo Station in about 2.5–3 hours. This is exactly how we arrived here from Osaka.
BY BUS
For budget travelers, there are numerous overnight bus connections from other cities in Japan. The journey takes longer than the Shinkansen but is much cheaper.
BY CAR
Driving into Tokyo is possible, but due to traffic jams and high parking fees, it is not practical for tourists. It is better to rely on public transportation, which in Tokyo operates almost flawlessly.
HOW TO GET AROUND THE CITY?
Tokyo is a huge city, but getting around is actually simple thanks to its well-organized public transportation system. Google Maps and timetables work very well. It’s just important to check your route before going down into the subway, as GPS can sometimes get lost underground. All signs are displayed not only in Japanese but also in English, so navigation is generally easy. The only potential issue is the direction of travel, so it’s important to follow exactly what Google Maps indicates – the correct platform, time, and direction.
SUBWAY AND TRAINS
Tokyo has several railway and subway networks, together forming one of the best-connected systems in the world. Lines are marked with colors and letters, and stations have signs in English.
Practical tip: Avoid traveling during rush hours (around 7:30–9:30 AM and 5:00–7:00 PM), as trains are extremely crowded at these times. Download a public transport planning app, such as Google Maps or Navitime, which shows exact routes, transfers, and travel times.
TICKETS – IC CARD
For tourists, the most practical options are SUICA or PASMO. These are rechargeable electronic cards that can be used on trains, subways, and buses. The ICOCA card, available in Osaka, also works in Tokyo.
Japan’s IC card systems are interconnected, so a single card can be used in multiple cities, including Osaka, Tokyo, and even Kyoto. Cards are issued regionally: in Tokyo, you usually get SUICA or PASMO, and in Osaka, ICOCA. However, all these cards work across both cities afterward.
Note: IC cards do not work on intercity routes (e.g., Tokyo ↔ Osaka Shinkansen). In very rare local transport systems, some exceptions may exist that don’t accept all IC cards, but this mainly applies to small private lines.
BUSES
The bus network is extensive but harder to navigate for those who don’t read Japanese. IC cards also work on buses, so you don’t need to buy paper tickets.
ON FOOT OR BY BICYCLE
In many districts (e.g., near parks or along the Sumida River), renting a bike is convenient and fast. In the city center, traffic is heavy, so cycling is less practical. Tokyo is full of hidden alleys and interesting streets; walking allows you to discover many places the metro doesn’t reach.
TAXIS
Taxis are safe and clean but expensive. Fares start at around 410–430 JPY for the first 1–2 km. They are best used as a backup option (e.g., if the last metro has left) or for groups.
TOKYO – WHERE TO EAT?
In Tokyo, you can literally eat everywhere. Restaurants, bars, and small eateries are tucked between office buildings, under train tracks, in basements, on top floors of skyscrapers, and along every side street. Even a random unmarked spot can serve food at a very high level, while chain bars or konbini (7-Eleven, Lawson, FamilyMart) often surprise with quality.
Some districts have an especially high concentration of eateries, making them perfect for spontaneous culinary adventures or food-walking tours:
- Shinjuku – One of the city’s largest food hubs, from tiny izakaya in Golden Gai, through ramen shops, to entire floors of restaurants in skyscrapers.
- Shibuya – Offers a casual vibe with a huge selection: ramen, sushi, snack bars, and cafés.
- Ginza – Known for upscale and elegant cuisine, but also home to many excellent smaller restaurants.
- Ueno / Ameya-Yokocho area – Packed with eateries, street food, and casual bars for quick bites.
- Asakusa – Great for traditional Japanese food and snacks in a historic atmosphere.
- Roppongi / Ebisu – Famous for evening dining, bars, and a more international food scene.
SAFETY AND RULES
SAFETY
Tokyo is considered one of the safest major cities in the world. Street crime is low, and walking around even late at night is generally safe. Lost items are often returned through lost-and-found offices, and wallets or phones can frequently be recovered intact. Despite its formal appearance, Tokyo is a friendly and helpful city. Even without knowing the language, locals often assist with gestures, maps, or brief explanations. Showing basic respect for local rules is enough to feel comfortable and safe.
BEHAVIOR IN PUBLIC PLACES
Japan places great importance on order and social etiquette. These rules are not intrusive, but they are naturally observed by residents. Public spaces are quiet and calm. Loud conversations on trains are discouraged, phone calls are considered rude, eating while walking is rare (except at festivals or street food stalls), and trash is taken home, as public bins are scarce.
QUEUES AND PUNCTUALITY
Queuing is sacred: for trains, elevators, restaurants, or even escalators, people line up neatly without pushing. Punctuality and following platform markings are essential in public transport.
TIPPING
In restaurants and bars, a few simple rules apply: do not stick chopsticks upright in rice, do not pass food from hand to hand using chopsticks, and tipping is not practiced—it may even embarrass the staff.
TRASH
Street bins are limited. People carry their trash with them and dispose of it properly (e.g., in stores). Waste sorting is important, even in hotels.
WHAT ELSE INTERESTING CAN YOU FIND IN TOKYO?
Below (and at the beginning of the guide) you’ll find links to all the most interesting districts of Tokyo and all their attractions (even those we didn’t visit). However, there is one place I wanted to show you that isn’t in any guidebooks: the Central Station and its surroundings.
CENTRAL STATION – EXTERIOR VIEW
This is one of Japan’s most important transport hubs and simultaneously a place where history meets the ultramodern rhythm of the city. For many travelers, it is the first encounter with Tokyo, immediately revealing the city’s scale and grandeur. The building on the Marunouchi side stands out with its characteristic brick façade, inspired by European architecture. It is one of the few structures in central Tokyo that survived earthquakes and World War II bombings, and after extensive renovations, it now looks as it did in the early 20th century. The contrast between the historic façade and the surrounding glass skyscrapers is highly symbolic of Tokyo.
MAIN HALL INTERIORS
In terms of transportation, the station is enormous: JR lines, the metro, and most Shinkansen lines connecting Tokyo with the rest of the country stop here. For travelers in Japan, it is often the starting point for longer journeys. However, the station is not just about trains. Its underground levels house an extensive shopping and dining area with restaurants, cafés, and shops offering regional products.
STATION SURROUNDINGS
The area around Tokyo’s Central Station is one of the most prestigious and orderly in the city. Directly outside the Marunouchi exit stretches a zone of wide avenues, office buildings, and premium hotels. Here you’ll find the headquarters of major Japanese companies, elegant restaurants, and cafés geared toward business meetings. Despite the heavy daytime traffic, the area remains clean, calm, and very safe.
IMPERIAL PALACE
Just a few minutes’ walk from the station lies the Imperial Palace, surrounded by extensive gardens and a moat. This green space in the very heart of the city provides a striking contrast to the glass skyscrapers of Marunouchi and is a popular spot for walks and jogging.
Unfortunately, due to the extreme heat and the prospect of waiting a long time to enter, we decided to skip the visit.
WHERE TO STAY IN TOKYO?
Choosing accommodation in Tokyo mainly depends on how you want to spend your time. The city offers everything, in every district. Public transport in the city is so fantastic that it doesn’t really matter where you book your accommodation.
We stayed in one of the APA hotel chain properties, but this is not something I would recommend. The rooms were very small, and on top of that the breakfasts were terrible. Every day it was the same: either a sweet American-style breakfast or ramen.
If you decide to book accommodation in Tokyo, we recommend using the portal:
- Booking.com , which we have used and tested dozens of times, or
- Agoda, which works great in Asia (it’s worth checking both platforms).
Through any link on this page you can book accommodation with a 15% discount!
Enter the dates you’re interested in and book safely:
JAPAN – COUNTRY GUIDE > (in preparation)
TOKIO – GUIDE AND PRACTICAL INFORMATION >
- ASAKUSA IN TOKYO – TEMPLES AND SURROUNDINGS >
- UENO PARK, OKACHIMACHI AND AKIHABARA – DISTRICTS OF NORTHERN TOKYO
- SHINJUKU IN TOKYO – THE DISTRICT THAT NEVER SLEEPS >
- SHIBUYA AND YOYOGI PARK – A GUIDE TO THE HEART OF TOKYO >
- TOKYO TOWER AND OTHER ATTRACTIONS OF THE MINATO DISTRICT >
- SOUTHERN TOKYO ISLANDS >