With two airports and plenty to see and do, Tokyo isn’t a city to be missed. Lots of airlines fly into the main Narita Airport, and it’s a major hub in Asia. Read on to find out Skyscanner’s five reasons to visit Tokyo (but we’re sure you can discover even more) with our Tokyo travel guide.
1. Palaces, Skystrees & Shrines
Tokyo is a city packed with attractions. One of the most popular places to visit in Tokyo is the Tokyo Skytree. Buy a “fast ticket” online for express admission, to avoid the long queue. The observation deck at the top offers 360-degree views and has a restaurant where you can taste Japanese food while enjoying the panoramic view.
To learn more about the history of Tokyo, head to the Tokyo Imperial Palace. The palace has been the main residence of the Emperor of Japan since 1868. The park surrounding the palace is a popular place for locals to run, walk, and ride bikes. Be sure to book your tour well in advance if visiting during the summer months.
A must-visit place to enjoy Japanese architecture, Shinto history, and to 117-acreenjoy a peaceful escape from the hectic city bustle, is the Meiji Shrine. The shrine is surrounded by trees that are hundreds of years old and block out the sound of the surrounding traffic to create a truly spiritual place.
2. Plenty of Kid-Friendly Things to do
Families visiting Tokyo have no shortage of activities to keep their little ones busy. The National Museum of Nature and Science is one of the most talked about museums in Tokyo. Each floor inside the museum has a hands-on kids area, where they can learn more about the exhibits. All kids of high school age or younger get to explore the museum for free.
Ueno Zoo is another great place for kids. Entrance costs about $6 (600 yen) for adults, $2 for kids between 12 and 15, and is free for kids under 12. You’ll be able to see tigers, gorillas, and pandas, as well as many birds and reptiles.
3. Tokyo Disneyland
Not only for kids, Tokyo Disneyland, an enormous 117-acre theme park located just outside central Tokyo, is easily accessible by train from the city. There are rides for kids of all ages, restaurants with beautifully crafted Japanese snacks and meals. Stay until late to enjoy the evening show “Tokyo Disneyland Electrical Parade, Dreamlights.” Right alongside Disneyland is DisneySea, a marine-themed amusement park offering boat rides and a number of exciting attractions.
4. The Food
Food lovers will be in heaven on a trip to Tokyo. Whether you want to enjoy sushi for every meal, soba and udon lunches, or late night ramen, Tokyo has it all.
For the freshest sushi, head to Tokyo’s Tsukiji Fish Market. Sushi restaurants surround the main hall. Locals head to the market for lunch when prices are lower and the lines are shorter.
Kanda Matsuya is the place to go for authentic soba dishes. The restaurant has been in business since 1924. Sit at one of the wooden tables and enjoy your soba with a side dish, such as tempura or yakitori skewers.
Locals recommend Afuri for the best ramen in Tokyo. Place your order at the vending machine near the front entrance and hand your ticket to one of the waiters. Be sure to try their signature Yuzu ramen, which comes with a slice of pork belly and a soft-boiled egg.
5. Exciting Nightlife
Tokyo comes to life after dark. Shibuya is one of the most popular places for locals enjoying a night out in Tokyo. It’s home to the popular stand-up bars that are increasingly popular around the rest of the city. One of the most popular is Buri. It claims to be the number one stand-up bar in Tokyo and the wait to get to the front of the bar is proof. Head here for unique cocktails and a huge selection of saké.
Shinjuku is the neighborhood to experience Tokyo’s famous Izakaya scene. Izakayas are bars that also serve small plates of food. Look for smoke-filled bars where patrons are all drinking big glasses of beer. Shinjuku is also the area where you can experience unique places like robot restaurants and cat cafés. If you want to enjoy a meal at the Robot Restaurant, be sure to book in advance or be prepared to wait in line.
Tokyo Travel Guide: Getting Around
Tokyo is incredibly well-connected by frequent and efficient underground metro and trains. If you purchase a JR Pass, you can travel around the country and most of Tokyo using the JR train system. If you plan to stay only in Tokyo, daily metro cards allow you to take any line all day, for a set price of $10.
If you choose to rent a car in Tokyo, be sure to remember that vehicles are driven on the left side of the road and traffic is notoriously congested.
Climate
Tokyo has a subtropical climate with hot and humid summers and mild winters. The warmest months are July and August, with temperatures reaching up to 30 degrees. The coldest month is January, which can reach lows of below zero. The rainy period is between March and October, with June being the wettest month of the year.
When to Visit
The best time to visit to experience warm weather and dry days is between March and May or between October and early December. One of the busiest times is in early spring when the cherry blossoms are in full bloom. The cheapest time to visit is during the winter.
Flying to Tokyo
Tokyo has two main airports, Tokyo Narita and Tokyo Haneda. Haneda is 15 kilometres from Tokyo while Narita is about 60 kilometres from downtown Tokyo. Both are easily accessible by bus or train from the center of the city. Narita is the larger airport of the two and offers more cheap international flights per day to the U.S and Europe than Haneda does. Haneda Airport is a better option for internal and regional flights.
