A first timers’ guide to Tokyo

Last Updated on June 15, 2025 by Laura

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Tokyo. It took me five years to finally step on one of your busy streets. A dream that came true and still feels almost surreal. Tokyo is one of the biggest cities in the world. Planning a decent itinerary, especially for newly visitors can be sometimes daunting. I know, I’ve been there too. While my trip got cancelled two times in a row in the past five years, I was a Japan first timer who was trying to figure out a city that has 14 millions inhabitants. This first timers guide to Tokyo is the result of all my research and will address all the issues that I firstly had myself as a first time visitor. A companion for your trip planning and discovery of this beautiful city.

There are probably a million guides on Tokyo out there. So, what makes this guide special? I wanted to craft a guide exclusively for people who are visiting Japan, and Tokyo for the first time. People who don’t want just to read the top things to do without knowing the context of the city. People who want to give a background to their trip. I am giving a different cut to this guide, similar to the one I did for my first timers guide to Prague but tailored for Tokyo.

Planning for Tokyo. A touchdown to reality

First timers guide to Tokyo – Shinjuku at night

Tokyo is the capital of Japan. Home to more than 14 million people, is one of the biggest cities on Earth. It’s perfectly normal to feel confused, even distressed at the idea of visiting such a big place in the space of a couple of days.

The planning grief stages

I think the stages of travel planning for Tokyo are similar to those of grief passing from “I want to do it all” to the anger stage of “why I can’t do it all?” to the depression stage of “I wish to have more time” and finally accepting that you need to play with the cards you have and plan around those. As the Japanese themselves say: shoganai しょうがない (you can’t do much about it!).

Therefore, one of the biggest suggestions I can give you, as a first time traveller to Tokyo myself, is don’t go crazy about your itinerary. Don’t get desperate at the idea that 3, 4, 5, 7 days are not enough to see Tokyo. Yes it’s true, they are probably not enough because even people that live there for years still don’t know well the city. Therefore, focus on the privilege that you have X days in Tokyo and use them the best as you can, with the things you wish to see and the memories you want to create.

When you will start planning for your trip to Tokyo, you will immediately note the imbalance between the immense amount of things to do and see and the limited time you have. Here the overwhelming feeling might creep into your brain, but you must stop it and focus on what you like. Don’t care about temples but crazy about manga? Good. Skip them all and plan an itinerary around this. Are you a foodie lover? Fantastic, make this the focus of your visit. The more “you” is your visit, the more you will feel that even in the shortest time you could have, your visit will be wholesome.

Tokyo at glance

First timers guide to Tokyo – Shibuya Scramble

Part of the beautiful Kantō region, Tokyo is one of the most populous urban areas in the world. Made by 23 special wards, each one with its own distinctive character and history, Tokyo is is an eclectic and incredible places to visit with a unlimited number of opportunities for shopping, sightseeing, dining and entertainment. Looking at the ultramodern city we visit today, its very hard to think about at Tokyo in terms of ancient historical heritage, similar to the one that is still clearly visible in Europe. Nevertheless, Tokyo isn’t always been tall skyscrapers and densely populated areas.

Indeed, even Tokyo (at the time called Edo) was once a feudal territory. Much (all?) of this is now disappeared but if you are keen to see some historical architecture head to Asakusa. Particularly to Senso-ji Temple. This is one of the oldest sites in the city (completed in 645) still existing. The Imperial Castle area, has, as well, some well-preserved medieval architecture. Nevertheless, aside from these two areas, much of contemporary Tokyo urban planning started in the late 1870s with the Meiji restoration. In 1871, the feudal domain system was replaced by a prefectural system, and Tokyo Prefecture was established out of parts of former Musashi Province.

Nevertheless, Tokyo as we know it today, is a product of a post WWII modernisation and westernisation. Notable earthquake-resistent buildings were built during this period, shinkansen were introduced and new neighbourhood were created to accommodate the expanding population in the mid 1960. Today, Tokyo is a world centre for art, food and architecture. It’s a place of intense contrast where tradition meets with innovation. Sometimes can be overwhelming but is 100% worth a visit.

A first timers guide to Tokyo. All you need to know

In this section you will find some basic information for your visit to Tokyo. From how to arrive from the airport to getting around and how to get yourself connected. For a first time visitor to Tokyo (particularly if coming from western countries), all off this might seem overwhelming. Nevertheless, you’ll just need to have all these information in one place and cross them from your list one by one.

Japan Immigration QR Code. A game changer for your trip to Japan

Something you need to do a few days before your flights to Japan (and that you will thank me later) is obtaining an immigration QR code. This a simple code linked to your passport that will save you lot of time at the immigration checks by avoiding filling never-ending papers and can be used also for tax-free shopping. Please note that you can obtain the QR code regardless your passport has a visa on arrival or need further clearance. Indeed, this is for all travellers.

How to get an immigration QR code for Japan

First timers guide to Tokyo – Getting a QR code for taxes

To obtain a QR code, you must create an account and register your details in the Visit Japan Website. The form will require many details about your visit, including your dates of stay and your first hotel/accommodation. You must consider this form as your airport clearance so you must insert all the details as accurately as possible. Once you have completed all the steps, you can download your QR code from the app. You can display it on your phone or print a copy.

How to use the immigration QR code once at the airport

Your QR code will save you a lot of time as instead of filling many paperwork (starting from the card you receive on the plane), you can head directly to the immigration boarder and show the QR code to the police officer. As you have pre-filled all the information that you’ll generally need to provide at the boarder check, your passage will be very smooth. Passing the visa check took us about 5 mins each. Please note there is not a specific queue for QR code owners in HND. However, while many people have to stop to fill the paperwork, you can proceed straight to the police booths. This will save you a lot of time!

How to use the QR code for tax-free purchases

Once you have received your visa sticker, go back to the Visit Japan Website. Click the section “preparation for tax-free purposes” here you will receive a Tax-free QR Code that you can use when purchasing tax-free items. To note that the QR is not a replacement for a passport and certain shops won’t accept this alone without the passport. Therefore, I would recommend bringing a passport with you when shopping.

Arriving from the airport. Haneda vs Narita, which one is better?

First timers guide to Tokyo – Haneda Airport

Tokyo has two main airports: Haneda and Narita. Your arrival airport will largely depend on the airline you choose and the part of the world you are flying from. If you are confused on which airport is better to fly to, read below! In this section, there will be a breakdown of each airport. This will help you planning your trip to Tokyo.

Haneda Airport (HND)

Haneda Airport is a modern and efficient hub with 3 terminals, one of which has been recently upgraded to International arrival/departures. It’s very close to Tokyo, about 20–30 minutes by train/coach or taxi. This makes it a much more convenient airport to fly if you have a shorter stay, less time or you have a business trip. Indeed, it’s very well-connected to the city and transit is quite smooth. We fled via Haneda and we loved how quick was to get into Tokyo!

Heading to Tokyo from Haneda Airport

The best way to reach Tokyo from Haneda Airport is by train. Indeed, you can take both Monorail or the Keikyu Airport Line. Both connect to the Yamanote Line and take around 30/35 mins to reach central areas such as Asakusa or Tokyo Station. The cost is usually between ¥500 and 600. If you have many luggage, the best way is taking the limousine bus. This usually takes 40/60 mins depending on the traffic. Tickets are sold directly at the airport from the convenient vending machines and the cost is between ¥720–¥1,200. Lastly, if you want more comfort, you can use a taxi. This can take 30/40 mins but the cost is quite high (between ¥5,000–¥7,000).

Narita Airport (NRT)

Narita Airport il located in the greater area of Tokyo. This means that is not immediately close to the city and usually takes 60 to 90 minutes transport. Nevertheless, Narita has traditionally more international flights landings and it’s slightly cheaper to fly compared to Haneda. Therefore, offers a good balance for those who have longer trips or want to save some money.

Heading to Tokyo from Narita Airport

The best way to reach Tokyo from Narita Airport is by train. Indeed, you can take both the Narita Express (JR) towards Tokyo Station/Shibuya or the Keisei Skyliner towards Ueno. Trains usually take between 50 and 70 minutes. The cost is between ¥3,070 – 2,570.If you have many luggage, the best way is taking the limousine bus. This usually takes 90–120 minutes depending on traffic and the cost is ¥3,200. Same as Haneda, tickets are sold directly at the airport from the vending machines. Taxi are available at Narita too. However, be aware that the cost is quite high (usually between ¥20,000–¥30,000, maybe more depending where you have to go).

Getting an IC card

First timers guide to Tokyo – Suica card example

One of the most important things to do when arriving in Tokyo (and in Japan in general) is getting an IC transport card. IC cards in Japan are used for public transportation and small purchases. There are various types depending on which region you are travelling (Suica, Pasmo or ICOCA). All of them are valid nationwide and can be used interchangeably (see below table for more details on their difference).

What IC card is better?

If you arrive in Tokyo, Suica will be your go-to IC card. You can opt for a physical Suica card (to pick up at the airport) with a ¥500 deposit (that can be returned). A physical Welcome Suica (only for tourists), no deposit needed and is valid only one year. Lastly, you can opt for a Mobile Suica (iPhone/Android). We opted for this last option and was the most convenient one. Indeed, no deposit is needed, you can top up the card with your phone, you can connect your shinkansen tickets and it’s immediately ready to use. Therefore, no need to get around the airport to find a Suica machine.

Please note that physical Suica need to be charged in their designed machines that work only with cash (very similar to the T-money card in South Korea).

Ta-q-bin. A life saving service

One of the things I discovered in Japan and that I’m not sure why isn’t adopted worldwide, is the Ta-q-bin 宅急便. Translated roughly as “door-to-door”, Ta-q-bin is a service that basically delivers things from one place to another. Japan is probably the world champion of door-to-door delivery service. Nonetheless, one of the top anime of Studio Ghibli is the famous Majo no Takkyūbin, aka Kiki’s delivery service and her black cat symbol of the largest delivery company in Japan, Yamato Transport.

We discovered Ta-q-bin a little out of necessity because our flight was landing at 10 am, our hotel check-in was at 3 pm and we didn’t know what to do with our luggage while exploring the city from the start.

Luggage Delivery Service between Tokyo Hotels and Airport

While searching online, I found this airport delivery service on Klook that was exactly what I was searching for! Someone carrying my luggage from the airport to my hotel without me doing the job. It was also quite cheap as we paid £25 ($33) for two quite large luggage. The company is called Airporter and all you need to to is taking your luggage to the JAL counter at Terminal 3, show your Klook confirmation, fill the paperwork for your luggage and say bye bye. When we checked our at our hotel in the night, the luggage was already there.

If you want to use this service, I warmly recommend you to book this via Klook here. You can also have a little discount if you use my code HISTORIAN25.

Luggage Delivery Service between Tokyo and other cities.

We used the Ta-q-bin service also on another occasion. This time we decided to send our luggage from our hotel in Tokyo to our hotel in Kyoto. In this case, we just headed to our hotel reception a few days before we had to leave and asked if they offered a ta-q-bin service. They said they had a Yamato desk and we needed to send the luggage at least 2 days before. All we needed to was filling out some forms and pay for the service. This time, we paid a little more (£45/$60) because the distance was, of course, more.

Please note that if you need to send your luggage to another distant city, you’ll need at least a two-day delivery service. There might be some companies offering a same-day but you’ll need to do a deeper research. So, we had to check-in in the new hotel on the 12th April and we sent the luggage away on the 10th. Both our luggage had the airtags so we could keep a track of them, but anyway we received notifications of their movements via email too.

Cashless or not?

Before my departure, I’ve read many blogs suggesting not to take any cash because almost everything is cashless in Japan. However, this is not entirely true. Indeed, we found that many small shops, street food stalls and 100% of all the temples and shrines that we visited only accepted cash. Therefore, if you are heading to Japan, bring some Yen with you or withdraw some cash at the airport.

Tip: I’ve noted that not all the ATMs accept foreign credit cards. We run out of cash in Shibuya and tried several cash machines without success. If you have the same issue, find a 7/11 mart and usually their ATM machines accept foreign credit cards.

Getting around Tokyo

First timers guide to Tokyo – Catching the Keikyu Line at Haneda Airport

Getting around Tokyo seems a little overwhelming at the beginning (particularly to new visitors). I mean just looking at the transport map can cause an headache! However, despite a few times we took a wrong turn and exited the wrong side of the station, it wasn’t that bad. I was already picturing myself lost forever in Shinjuku, but it didn’t happen. Maybe living in a city like London with an extensive underground system helped a little in my navigations skills. However, I believe that if you stick to the directions, you’ll be fine. In this section, you will find a breakdown on Tokyo’s transportation system and a few tricks on how not to get lost.

Tokyo Trains & Subway

Tokyo is served by one of the world’s most extensive net of trains and metro lines. Visitors can use both JR train lines and Tokyo subway train lines interchangeably with the Suica card (or any other IC card). Tokyo subway lines include both Tokyo Metro (9 lines) and Toei Subway (4 lines). All the subways easily connect to the JR East train lines (if not on the same station, you’ll need to walk a few minutes).

An essential difference by the Subway lines and the JR East train lines is that the first connects within the city, possibly extending in the Tokyo greater area, the second covers both central and suburban areas extending well far outer Tokyo. Here below you will find a schematic breakdown of each of them.

Tokyo Subway

First timers guide to Tokyo – Tokyo subway

Key Information

• Tokyo Metro (9 lines, private company)
• Toei Subway (4 lines, operated by Tokyo city government)
• Runs mostly underground
• Covers central Tokyo neighbourhoods
• Not covered by the JR Pass
• IC cards (Suica/Pasmo etc.) can be used
• Use Subway: for short, direct routes within the city.

JR East Train Lines

First timers guide to Tokyo – JR East trainlines

• 36 lines operated within Tokyo
• Yamanote Line is the most famous one circling around Tokyo main areas
• Runs above ground
• Covers both central and suburban areas
• Covered by the JR Pass
• IC cards (Suica/Pasmo etc.) can be used
• Use JR East: For longer journeys, airport transfers, or if you’re using the Japan Rail Pass

Need to help with Shinkansen bookings? Read my detailed guide about shinkansen trains here.

Buses in Tokyo

Differently than Seoul, we didn’t use that many buses in Tokyo. Maybe because the subway system is so good that for our itinerary we didn’t need them. However, if you need to reach some not well-served area (particularly residential areas) and you don’t want to walk. Taking a bus is a good option.

There are 3 different bus categories in Tokyo:

• Toei Buses (都営バス). Run by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government. They cover central Tokyo, especially areas like Shibuya, Asakusa, Ueno, and Tokyo Tower. They are recognisable by their green and white colour. They have a flat fare of ¥210 (adult), ¥110 (child). IC cards are accepted
• Private Bus Operators. Include companies like Keio Bus, Odakyu Bus, Tokyu Bus, and Kanto Bus. Serve suburban and residential areas of Tokyo and connections to train stations. Fares vary slightly by distance. Also accept IC cards.
• Community/Local Loop Buses. Very short-range distances, low-cost buses serving neighbourhoods. Some popular lines are Hachiko Bus (for Shibuya area) or the Megurin (for Taito/Asakusa). Fares are as low as ¥100. IC cards are accepted.

Tips for getting around Tokyo

Although getting lost is a bit part of the adventure, it can also be problematic if you have to be in a certain place at a certain time. Some tips I can give you from personal experience are:

• Google is your best friend. Differently than South Korea where Google just doesn’t work, in Japan works pretty well (I mean in Shibuya it can get a little confused by all the skyscrapers but you can still figure a way). Google is very accurate about the best directions and which means of transport you need to take. It gives you also an estimate of the price you need to pay which is not bad! If Google suggests you as specific car where to board, take that suggestion as it will save you a lot of time when exiting the station/change train.
• When inside the stations (particularly inside Shibuya, Shinjuku and Tokyo Stations). Follow the directions on the ceiling/floors. These will get you most of the time where you have to go. In doubt, look for the info booths and ask help.
• Memorise your exit station and follow the direction for that exit. Don’t attempt the “well I might exit here and see outside”. Because despite being in the correct destination, a wrong exit can take you at 20 mins walk from where you have to go (true story). Indeed, stations like Shinjuku have more than 200 exits. So, it’s pretty easy to get it wrong.
• Avoid peak travel times, when possible. Indeed, the word crowd in Tokyo has a whole new meaning.
• Enjoy the experience. Got lost? Don’t panic. Japanese people are some of the kindest you can find and there will always be someone ready to help you.

Sim card and Wi-fi in Japan

One of the most important things you need to do for your trip to Tokyo (and Japan), is having a good Wi-fi connection. This is essential to get you safely around and for use any app you might need (e.g. apple pay, etc.). There are some pretty good public Wi-fi spots around Tokyo but I won’t rely much on them because some require a Japanese mobile number to register.

To get connected in Japan you can have 3 main options.

Rent a portable Wi-fi device

We used the rental wi-fi device in South Korea and it’s a pretty good option. Especially if you are a group of 2-4 people because with a small price you can connect more devices from one single router. Portable wi-fi are usually inexpensive starting from ,1,5 $ per day to 5$ per day depending on the company. One usually can pick-up this at the airport and return it the same way.

As usual, I do recommend booking this via Klook as they have very convenient prices and we had a good experience before. This portable Wi-fi service can be rented from multiple airports in Japan and prices start at $3,5 per day!

Buy an e-sim for your device

For this trip we opted for an e-sim. We chose this option mainly for reason of time as each additional stop at the airport (e.g. pick up a Suica or taking a wi-fi device) would have taken precious minutes away from our morning exploration in Tokyo. Therefore before our departure we bought an e-sim and we activated this once we arrived in Tokyo. This was the first time I used an e-sim and I think I will never buy a physical sim anymore! It’s so convenient!

For our trip to Japan, we bought the Moshi Moshi by Airalo e-sim and it was fantastic! We read great reviews about it and we decided to go for it. It was super quick and never missed connection everywhere we went. It was also quite inexpensive as I paid about $20 for a 30GB sim for 30 days. I even didn’t use them all.

E- sims are very practical and easy to instal if you have IOS or Android. Moreover, you don’t need to stop at the usually overcrowded sim counter at the airport and use this time to get directly to your train.

If you want to buy an Airalo Japan e-sim, here you can find the best offers!

Buy an physical sim for your device

If you are not into e-sim or your phone doesn’t support one, you might need to pick-up a physical one at the airport. You can find many counters in the arrival hall and you’ll need to figure out what is the best sim card for your needs. Some recommended sim cards are Mobal and Sakura Mobile that have an extensive 4G and 5G coverage and good tourist offers.

No Gaijin Policy

If at the word gaijin you immediately recall the tv series Shogun, the association is not completely wrong. Indeed, gaijin means “foreigner” and despite Japan is no longer in its feudal age, some places remain still inaccessible to foreign people (regardless if they live in Japan or not). Indeed, you’ll need just a walk between the mazed alleys of Shinjuku or touring some small villages to start seeing a display of “no foreigners here” “no gaijin” “Only Japanese”.

I would say that 7 out 10 times this is due to communication issues. Indeed, most of “Japanese only” places are often small business with non-English speaking staff. Maybe the owners are elderly or simply don’t know how to interact in a language that is not Japanese. Because Japanese are very polite and service centred, being not able to accommodate the requests of possible clients is seen as rude towards the clients. Therefore, they prefer to avoid in full any possible embarrassing situation.

Of course, there might be places who don’t like foreign people and that’s it, but most of the time is just a matter of language skills.

Get me in! How to get your attraction tickets in Tokyo

First timers guide to Tokyo – Sumida

If your trip to Tokyo will be heavily based on the city’s top attractions such as Team Lab, Shibuya Sky or the Ghibli Museum you’ll need to come prepared and do your homework BEFORE your trip. Indeed, all of these places have a very limited number of tickets that magically disappear as soon as they are released. Therefore, planning last minute or trying to visit on the day not only is not possible, but it will ruin your plans as you won’t be allowed in.

Tips on how secure tickets for attractions in Tokyo

As I first timer in Tokyo, on my bucket list there were a few places I didn’t want to miss. I’m lucky to say that I managed to get access to all the attractions I wanted to visit in Tokyo. This includes Shibuya Sky at sunset time of which tickets infamously disappear in seconds after they are released. How did I do it? Meticulous planning and on the clock booking management. If you want a chance to snatch those tickets, I warmly recommend you to follow these steps below.

Attraction tickets booking tips for Tokyo

1. Plan your itinerary and make sure to know exactly which day and time you want to visit each place (E.g. Shibuya Sky). Make sure the attraction fits within the itinerary of the whole day/half day as you don’t want to run from one side to another of the city. For example if you want to visit the Tokyo Skytree make sure to fit this within your visit to Asakusa/Sumida as they are pretty close.
2. Research each attraction and check on what day the tickets are released and on which platform are released. Check also if you need to register for that platform and do this in advance to save time during the booking process. Some attractions release tickets a month before, some others on a specific day of the week etc. Make sure you know this information.
3. Save the ticket release date and time in your calendar with a reminder a day before so that you remember that it’s time to book. I personally use “reminders” on IOS and it’s my go to app when I have to book tickets.
4. On the releasing date, make sure you are logged in the booking system before the time of release (this is particularly important for Shibuya sky tickets) as some platforms doesn’t allow you to buy tickets if you are not registered or logged in. Doing this last minute will take time and you will loose your tickets. Once the time is arrived, refresh the screen and buy your tickets (or at least try your luck as other thousand of people will probably try at the same time as you).

Attractions in Tokyo when and how to book them

To help you with your bookings, I summarised here a short list of the most popular attractions in Tokyo with information on how to book their tickets and when these will be released. This is something I wish to find somewhere but I had to do 100% of this research. However, you won’t need to do it! So, save the list below!

TeamLab Borderless / Planets

• Type of attraction: Museum/immersive art
• Cost: Planets ¥3,800/4,600 per person: Boarderless ¥4,200/5,000 per person
• Tickets release: 3 months before, online only. E.g. Tickets for August 25 are released late May 25.
• Availability: tend to sell fast, particularly at peak times (early morning, late evening) and in peak periods (April, October). Better to book in advance to avoid disappointment.
• Booking: via main website. Here for Boarderless and here for Planets. You can book also via Klook here for Boarderless and here for Planets. If you use HISTORIAN25 at checkout you can get a discount!

Tokyo Skytree

• Type of attraction: Observation deck
• Cost: ¥3,100 for combo tickets (upper and lower deck) – ¥2,100 (only lower deck). On the day tickets cost more.
• Tickets Release: 30 days before
• Availability: tend to sell fast, particularly at sunset times can be sold out (5-7 pm). Good availability for morning times.
• Booking: Tokyo Skytree website or Klook for Tokyo Skytree (use my discount above!)

Shibuya Sky

• Type of attraction: Observation deck
• Cost: ¥ 3,000 after 3:00 p.m.,¥ 3,700 JPY
• Tickets Release: 2 weeks before
• Availability: Limited but not impossible to get for morning tickets. Afternoon and sunset times are very difficult to get. Almost sold out in minutes.
• Booking: for sunset tickets, I recommend directly on the main website (you must register in advance to have a chance) Shibuya Sky booking platform. For morning tickets is ok (and easier) to book them on Klook here.

Ghibli Museum

• Type of attraction: Museum/park
• Cost: ¥ 1,000
• Tickets Release: Tickets become available for purchase at 10 a.m. (JST) on the 10th of each month for the subsequent month.For example, tickets for February 1st through February 28th go on sale at 10a.m.(JST) on January 10th. Tickets are valid only for the specified date and time of entry, with no set exit times.
• Availability: Low. Tickets are sold out pretty fast therefore is better to register on the platform before and be ready at the time of tickets release.
• Booking: Online only via the official website here Ghibli Museum Ticket Booking.

Tokyo Disneyland & DisneySea

• Type of attraction: Amusement park
• Cost: Disneyland ¥ 8,400 per person / DisneySea ¥8,400 per person
• Ticket Release: 2 months in advance
• Availability: Good but availability might get tight during Golden Week / Peak travel period
• Booking: Via the official Disney website or via Klook website (use HISTORIAN25 for a discount!)

Additional attractions you might want to book in advance

The above are usually the top booked attractions in Tokyo and certainly the ones that easily sell out during peak travel times. However, you might want to consider an advance booking also for Sumo Tournaments (usually held in Jan, May, and Sept). Tickets get booked fast and is better to plan ahead. Kabuki Theatre: there is usually some last-minute availability but for the best seats is always better to book in advance.

Lastly (although not strictly an “attraction”), I would recommend pre-booking any high-end sushi restaurant such as Sukiyabashi Jiro or Sushi Saito. These places are very difficult to get in and often require a reservation via the concierge of the hotel months in advance.

Travelling with children in Tokyo

Personally, we decided not to take our children on this trip. It seemed quite a long journey for them (they are still 4yo) and my itinerary wasn’t children friendly. However, for those who want to carry children with them (particularly small children), you might want to tweak your itinerary to accommodate some children needs. Indeed, Tokyo can be children friendly but it needs some research beforehand.

Tips for travelling with children in Tokyo

If you want to take children with you, keep these tips in mind:

• There is a lot to walk. We roughly walked 30k steps a day despite using the public transport. Small children can get easily tired so you might need to reduce your daily sightseeing or carry a stroller with you.
• There are a lot of staircases and not all the subways are accessible to strollers.
• You’ll need to research hotels that can host families. Hotel in Japan have notoriously small rooms and many of them are not very children friendly. Therefore is better to search this typology in advance.
• Certain areas of Tokyo might be overwhelming to children. Particularly the ones with many neon lights, extreme crowds and excessive number of shops. Children might be overstimulated and children with special needs might find difficulties to adapt.
• Tokyo is a world food capital but children might not appreciate this. The type of baby/children food available might not be the one they are used to and they might refuse to eat. Many restaurants don’t have a children menu you’ll need to search beforehand family friendly restaurants.
• This seems quite obvious but I write it just in case. Izakayas don’t accept children. Also some sushi restaurants don’t accept children. Just so you know.

When is the best period to visit Tokyo

Tokyo is one of those places that would be amazing to visit all-year around. However, Summers (from late June onward) tend to be very hot and humid with a high percentage of rain. Spring and Autumn are considered the best season to visit Tokyo. Particularly because of the cherry blossoms/autumn foliage but also because temperatures tend to be mild. Not too cold and not too hot, making it the ideal set up for exploration. Winters can be rigid but Tokyo with the Christmas lights must be really fantastic to see!!

A first timers guide to Tokyo what to look for

First timers guide to Tokyo – Various parts of Tokyo

After setting the basis for your trip is now time to create your itinerary. For my first visit to Tokyo I had just five days where to fit as much as possible of this incredible city. Did I feel like I’ve seen it all? No. However, I know that I checked off all the things (or at least most of them) that were on my bucket list since a decade.

This first timers guide to Tokyo is not here to tell you what you must visit or not on your first visit. Indeed, if there is something I learnt in 20+ years of travelling myself is that not everyone bucket list is the same. What is a must-visit place for me isn’t necessarily for you. Of course, there are places that are inevitably considered as an “highlight” of a destination, but it’s up to you to see if they are really worth in your first visit. The list below reflects what I think a first-timer visitor should look out for its first visit to Tokyo, regardless of the “best things to do”. The guide includes four different categories encompassing various aspect of Tokyo but also unexpected findings, underrated locations and food to try. Enjoy!

The Sacred

First timers guide to Tokyo – Chingodo Shrine and Senso-ji

Despite its futuristic appearance and reputation of an ultra-technologic destination, Tokyo still preserves a deep spiritual connection with its traditional beliefs. Blending within a sea of shiny skyscrapers, Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples link the old and new of the city in a way that is unique only to Japan. There is no way of understanding Tokyo (and Japan) without diving into its deep spiritual heritage. Tokyo’s oldest shrines were established during the Heian to Kamakura Periods (794–1333). However, it was only during the Meiji period (1868–1912) that Shinto shrines were restructured into a state-supported hierarchy with the aim of creating a national identity.

Visiting Japan and Tokyo’s shrines and temples is like opening a window into a past that is no longer visible but still lies at the core of the city’s heritage. If you want to get closer to this side of Tokyo, here are some suggestions for your visit.

Temples and shrines hopping in Tokyo

If you are really into Tokyo history and passionate about sacred architecture, temple/shrine hopping around the city could be a nice activity. And don’t listen to the people who say that temples are all the same because it’s simply not true. Tokyo alone counts a mix of around 4,000 Shinto Shrines and Buddhist Temples. I guess that visiting all of them is not feasible not only for first visitors but even for people who live in the city unless they have real dedication. Therefore, the best one could do is organise a day or two where to check-off some major sites and have a sense of Tokyo historical heritage. Here below you’ll find a small list of shrines/temples I loved in Tokyo and that you could save for your visit.

Meiji Jingu 明治神宮

First timers guide to Tokyo – Meiji Jingu Shrine barrels

Possibly the most famous shrine in Japan, Meiji Jingu rise in the middle of a sacred forest in one of the most crowded areas of Tokyo: Shibuya. If I hadn’t visit this myself, I couldn’t believe the fact that as soon as you cross the first huge torii gate every sound from the city magically disappears and you look like completely immersed in the nature.

Established around 1920 in honour of Emperor Meiji, this shrine is not just a sacred place, it’s a symbol of Japan’s transformation from a feudal society into a modern state.

I would recommend visiting during the early morning as first stop of the day because the light is really beautiful and it’s (slightly) less crowded. The visit usually takes 2-3 hours depends if you want to add the Meiji Garden (optional and this cost 500 yen) or/and the Meiji Museum (same). Access to the main shrine if free.

You can enter from various access points but the most straightest routes start from Yoyogi station or from Harajuku station. We personally entered through Yoyogi and exited from Harajuku towards Takeshita street.

A few unmissable spots are:

• The sacred barrells
• The Big Torii Gate
• The Meiji Gyoen (the garden, extra cost but we loved it)
• Temizuya (the purification fountain)
• The main shrine
• The sacred trees within the main shrine

Senso-ji 浅草寺

First timers guide to Tokyo – Senso-ji Temple

Founded in 645 AD, Senso-ji is the oldest temple in Tokyo. It’s dedicated to Kannon, a deity of compassion. The legend says the temple was founded when two fishermen found a statue of Kannon in the Sumida river and enshrined it in their own house that eventually grew into Senso-ji. The original temple was unfortunately destroyed during the WWII and rebuilt in 1951–58.

The temple can be accessed freely all-year-around. There are many point of access but as a first-time visitor you might want to do the official pilgrimage route starting from the iconic Nakamise-Dori street. This pass throughout several stalls that used to sell pilgrims souvenirs and sacred objects but now are mostly sweet and modern souvenir shops.

Before crossing the massive Hōzōmon entrance is good to follow the purification practice like washing your hands and mouth in the fountain and burning the incense at the Jokoro and heal your body with the smoke.

A few unmissable spots are:

• Kaminarimon (Thunder Gate)
• Nakamise-dōri Street
• Hōzōmon (Treasure House Gate)
• Main Hall (Hondō)
• Five-Storied Pagoda
• Asakusa Culture Centre Terrace (for a good viewpoint of the temple!)

Yasukuni Shrine 靖国神社

Yasukuni-jinja Shrine is one of the most controversial shrines in Japan. Indeed, it established in 1869 by Emperor Meiji to enshrine and honour the spirits (kami) of those who died in service to Japan. Nevertheless, the enshrined spirits include includes 1,068 convicted war criminals, 14 of whom were Class A war criminals from WWII (enshrined secretly in 1978). This created a huge controversy as A Class criminals in Japan are those who committed “crimes against peace”. Therefore the enshrinement seems against the purpose of the shrine itself. The controversy involved particularly the visit of the Prime Minister who should keep a separation between politics and religion at all times and seems controversial to visit and pay homage to known criminals.

Currently, there are over 2,466,000 enshrined kami (deities) listed in the Yasukuni’s Symbolic Registry of Divinities. This list includes soldiers, as well as women and students who were involved in relief operations in the battlefield or worked in factories for the war effort between 1867 and 1945. We personally didn’t have enough time to visit this shrine, but if one is focusing his visit on Tokyo’s heritage, this place should definitely be on the list.

Hie Shrine 日枝神社

First timers guide to Tokyo – Hie Shrine

The Hie Shrine was originally built to protect the Edo Castle during the 12th–13th centuries (the date of its foundation is still uncertain as some theories claim it was in 1478 some other in 1362). The shrine was relocated and severely damaged during the WWII and the current structure dates to 1958. The shrine is designated as National Treasure.

Hie Shrine is mostly famous as a smaller (and less crowded) version of Kyoto’s Fushimi Inari. Indeed, also here you can find many amazing red torii aligned on a vertical staircase. Of course, Fushimi Inari is much bigger but if you aim at a photo spot that has less crowd, this is the place. Moreover, the shrine is really beautiful!

A few unmissable spots are:

• Torii Gates (Senbon Torii)
• Treasure Hall and the 31 swords (particularly notable the rare naginata of used by female warriors)
• Ceiling Painting on the shrine

Zojo-ji and Gokoku-ji

If you are interested in Buddhist temples, Zojo-ji temple near the Tokyo Tower and Gokoku-ji temple in Bunkyō are some of the most important in Tokyo. Zojo-ji Temple used to be one of the most important Buddhist temples in Tokyo with over 120 buildings. It was established between 809-884 but badly damaged in WWII loosing most of its structures. One of the most important sites of the temple is the Mausoleum of Tokugawa Shōguns where 6 of the 15 Tokugawa Shōguns are buried.

Gokoku-ji temple is located slightly out of central Tokyo in Bunkyō. Built in 1681, it was regarded as one of the most beautiful architectural examples of the Edo period. Although is not confirmed, it is thought Gokoku-ji temple being one of the oldest (if not the oldest) temples in Tokyo.

Collect Goshuin Stamps

First timers guide to Tokyo – Goshuin stamp collected at Senso-ji

If you want to take your shrine/temple visit to the next level, you can start a goshuin collection. If you never heard about this word before, I briefly guide you here (but I’m planning to write a more detailed guide soon!). A goshuin is an handwritten calligraphy stamp given to visitors at Buddhist temples and Shintō shrines around Japan. Is serves as a spiritual memento and proof of pilgrimage or worship. It’s often written by a monk or priest and represents your spiritual connection with the temple visited.

To me personally, it was one of the best souvenir I could get from my trip to Japan and I warmly recommend to get one too if you are into Japanese heritage.

Things to know before getting a goshuin

First timers guide to Tokyo – Limited edition Goshuin at Chureido Pagoda, Mt. Fuji

Here are some information you must know before getting a goshuin.

• Goshuin can be collected ONLY in special stamp books called Goshuin-chō. These are sold exclusively within the temple premises (most of the time inside the Goshuin office).
• Not all the temples/shrines have Goshuin offices but the most polite way to ask where you can find one is Goshuin office doko desu ka? Major sites have big signs with indications where to find those offices.
• Differently than non-religious stamps (e.g. Eki stamps), goshuin are not free. They usually have a minimum cost that range between ¥300–¥500 (¥1000 for special edition/limited time goshuin). Payment is always in cash, so have your money ready.
• Depending on the site/day and level of crowd, you might need to wait some time before your stamp is ready. Some shrines might ask you to leave your booklet there and collect this at the end of your visit.
• Filming/photographing the monks while they are painting the goshuin is strictly forbidden in most sites but not in all of them. I found that in Kyoto were less strict than Tokyo and some sites didn’t even have a sign with no photos.
• Respect always the goshuin etiquette, accept the book with both hands and thank the monk for the stamp.

How to read a Goshuin

A goshuin stamp includes multiple words/phrases as well as several stamps. This is usually what to expect to find on your page and how to read it.

• The name of the temple or shrine (centre)
• Date of your visit (top left)
• A red seal stamp (朱印) (centre)
• A prayer phrase, such as “奉拝” (hōhai – “respectful worship”) (top right)
• Sometimes the name of the deity or Buddha enshrined in the temple/shrine (bottom left, not always present as additional stamp)

Go Matsuri

Knowing the sacred side of Tokyo couldn’t be completed without taking part to a Matsuri festival. The word matsuri comes from matsuru (祀る), meaning “to worship” or “to enshrine.” Traditionally, Matsuri are Shintō religious festivals held to honour kami (deities or spirits) and to pray for good harvests, health, protection, and prosperity. Buddhist temples have different types of festivals that share some similarities with matsuri. Matsuri festivals are held in Japan at least since the 8th century. Nevertheless, is from the Edo period that festivals became an urban celebration incorporating kabuki-style performances, music, and floats (dashi or yatai) decorated with lanterns and fabrics.

Matsuri festivals are generally held during late spring/early summer between May and June. Therefore, if your intention is to participate in one of these celebrations, make sure to plan accordingly.

Top 3 matsuri festivals in Tokyo

Tokyo is home of 3 of the most important matsuri festival in Japan.

Kanda Matsuri is held at Kanda Myōjin Shrine every 2 years (usually in Mid May). Is considered one of the biggest Tokyo’s festivals and features a day-long parade of about 300 people (and horses!), elaborate floats, portable shrines, dances and music. Celebrations go forward for about a week and procession go through Nihonbashi, Akihabara, and Marunouchi business districts.

Sanno Matsuri is celebrated at the Hie Shrine. As the Kanda Matsuri, also Sanno is celebrated on a biennale base (celebrated usually in June and alternated with the Kanda one). Sanno Matsuri’s parade features a procession of about 500 people dressed in period costumes and 3 portable shrines that are carried around central Tokyo. Also for the Sanno Matsuri, celebrations go around for about a week. The procession go through the Imperial Palace, Tokyo Station, Nihonbashi and Ginza.

Fukagawa Matsuri is one of the top three festivals celebrated in Tokyo this time at the  Tomioka Hachiman Shrine. It’s known also as the “water throwing festival” because people throw water at the portable shrines when these are carried around the city. Fukugawa Matsuri is celebrated annually in August on a smaller scale. Nevertheless, every 3 years has a full celebration with over 50 floats and more than 300,000 people attending.

The Futuristic

First timers guide to Tokyo – Shinjuku

A huge part of Tokyo’s charm it’s the contrast between heritage and innovation. Shrines are often surrounded by skyscrapers and there is a certain visual appealing about this. One can literally spend a peaceful time in the grounds of Meiji Jingu gardens and be overwhelmed by the sounds and madness of Shibuya in the space of a few hours. For decades, Tokyo has been regarded as the city of future. The place where innovation grew and breaded before heading into the world. It is still like this in 2025 with many other futuristic metropolis emerging? Not sure. Living myself in another metropolis that is London, I found a fair share of similarities between the two cities (despite Tokyo felt way more safer and organised than London) and possibly this helped to not being completely overwhelmed by Tokyo’s overloaded layout.

To a certain degree it’s true. Tokyo still keep its fame of futuristic city especially for those who come from places such as Europe, where “old and historical” architecture dominate most of their cities’ skyline. To those visitors, Tokyo can still make a huge impact on how futuristic it looks compared to Rome, Prague or Athens (these are just random examples).

In this section, I will share what I think people visiting Japan for the first time could find futuristic and never seen before in their life. This will help you mix up new and old for your visit.

Odaiba

First timers guide to Tokyo – Gundam exhibit

Originally developed for maritime defence in the 1850s, Odaiba was “re-planned” as a futuristic entertainment and shopping district in the late 90s. It is located on a man-made island and connected to Tokyo by the Rainbow Bridge and Yurikamome Line.

If you decide to visit Odaiba, I strongly recommend to start your visit by taking the Yurikamome Line. Indeed, this is Tokyo’s first fully automated and driverless transit system, controlled entirely by computers with no drivers on board. So, if you want a taste of Tokyo’s futuristic feeling, this is probably a good way to start! The train crosses also the nice Rainbow Bridge which is one of the top places to see in Tokyo. If you want to make the most of Odaiba, you might want to spend an entire day here checking the life-sized 19.7m Gundam transforming at set times or wandering around the new technologies displayed at Miraikan (National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation). If you don’t have much time, but still want to enjoy a futuristic experience, then a must visit in Odaiba is certainly TeamLab Planets (see below for this).

Tokyo’s digital art museums

First timers guide to Tokyo – Team Lab Panets and Boarderless

If you want a pinch of future in Tokyo, one of the best way to taste this is a digital art museum. While there’s plenty of choices in Tokyo, (some memorable mentions go to Miraikan and Digital Art Theater by NAKED Inc.) the undiscussed king of digital art is certainly TeamLab. This is an international art collective including several artists, programmers, engineers, CG animators, mathematicians and architects who use digital technologies to create art.

Visiting Tokyo and skipping one of the TeamLab’s museums means missing out a really incredible experience. In Tokyo there are two permanent installation that people can visit. TeamLab Planets in Odaiba and TeamLab Boarderless at MORI Building Digital Art Museum. Both of them are worth a visit and I loved them both for different reasons.

TeamLab Planets

TeamLab Planet is a huge installation previously in Odaiba now extended in Toyosu. Is more experiential compared to Boarderless because to immerse in the art you’ll need to participate with your own body. Indeed, there are 4 different thematic areas: water, forest, garden and open-air and in each of them visitors will be involved in different body-immersive activities. I just spoil you that in the “water” section you’ll need to remove your shoes and have preferably shorts. I actually really loved this section and in general being involved in the creative rooms.

• Price: depends on the period and time of the visit is between 3,800-4,600 JPY
• How to book: Klook is the easiest way of booking, a bit unsure about their “skip the line” tickets as I didn’t see any skip the line queue when I visited. However, you can go sure with the general admission.
• Tickets release: 3 months before, online only. E.g. Tickets for August 25 are released late May 25.
• Availability: tend to sell fast, particularly at peak times (early morning, late evening) and in peak periods (April, October). Better to book in advance to avoid disappointment.

TeamLabs Boarderless

The concept of Boarderless is completely different from Planets. Indeed, while Planets has a more structured visit, Boarderless is focused on a “free-flow” experience. Indeed, you never actually know if you are following the art or is the other way around. It is called the “museum without a map” because there is no plans, you can just roam around as you wish. Moreover, a bit like in Harry Potter with the Hogwarts’ staircases, the rooms “like to change”. In this regard, even if you visit the same room twice, this will appear different, with different animations and even different smells. One of the challenges is finding the “hidden rooms” as these are placed in the dark and easy to miss.

One of the things I recommend is trying the tea room experience. Is a little expensive but really worth!

• Price: depends on the period and time of the visit is between 3,800-4,600 JPY
• How to book: Also here, Klook is the easiest way of booking
• Tickets release: 3 months before, online only. E.g. Tickets for August 25 are released late May 25.
• Availability: tend to sell fast, particularly at peak times (early morning, late evening) and in peak periods (April, October). Better to book in advance to avoid disappointment.

Akihabara Electric Town

First timers guide to Tokyo – Akihabara at night

A bit unexpectedly Akihabara became one of my favourite places in Tokyo. So much that I visited twice during my stay! For our first timers here, Akihabara is Tokyo’s tech, anime, and gaming capital. It’s characterised by glowing signs (many of them related to games), maid cafés, and retro arcades. Here, passionate gamers can find the latest gaming technologies as well as exclusive previews of games and consoles. Similarly, manga and anime lovers can visit hundreds of related shops as well us hunt for (very expensive) limited editions. What to say. We loved it.

If you have time, I would recommend visiting both at night and day (as we did) because this will grant you a more complete experience. Indeed, Akihabara by night is more for nice restaurants and spending coins at the many arcades (we had so much fun!) as many shops close after 8/9 pm. Akihabara by day is 100% for shopping or hunting special events. We casually bumped into a Gundam special conference while there. If you are searching anime figurines, manga or second-hand consoles, this is the place. Of course, I would recommend an extra luggage.

Shibuya VR skyline

First timers guide to Tokyo – Sunset from Shibuya Sky

One of the most technologically advanced places in Tokyo is Shibuya. Indeed, behind the many skyscrapers and billboards there are many new technologies that make this neighbourhood a place of the future. Indeed, not many visitors know that AR/VR experiences are layered into Shibuya’s cityscape, moreover there are many 3D billboards and even the traffic in Shibuya Scramble is controlled by AI technologies. One of the best way to admire this futuristic part of Tokyo is certainly from one of the many rooftops. Many of those viewpoints are completely free of charge such as Starbucks Coffee Shibuya Tsutaya Store or L’Occitaine Cafe’. Nevertheless, one of the most famous and places in the area is the recently-opened Shibuya Sky.

Shibuya Sky

Shibuya Sky is a 360° open-air observation deck elevating at an height of 229 mt. From here one can literally see the whole city and, if you are lucky, even Mt. Fuji! I personally preferred Shibuya Sky over Tokyo Skytree. Indeed, Shibuya Sky view is completely unobstructed and perfect to observe the city from different angles. I shot here some of my favourite pictures of Tokyo!

The only issue with Shibuya Sky is the access. Indeed, tickets are generally sold out in minutes and not sold on location. Sunset time is particularly hard (and expensive) to get. However, I think it’s worth the effort! Tickets are sold also via Klook but you’ll need to be quick once they go out!

Robot-led experiences

First timers guide to Tokyo – Pepper Parlour Cafe’. Photo Credits: Pepper Parlour

If there is something famous about Tokyo is its Robot-led experiences. Indeed, robots have always been part of the Tokyo imaginary and you can still find them here and there making things (even deliveries such as in our hotel! See below).

Robot experiences in Tokyo

If you are a tech lover and want to experience robot encounter in first person these below are the most unmissable places/experiences.

• Shinjuku Robot Restaurant: This super famous restaurant featured giant robots fights with ninja, neons and a quite loud music. UPDATE: At the moment the restaurant is temporarily closed but rumours say it will open again soon. I will update the blog once I know more.
• Robot Hotels in Tokyo: if you are tired of regular staff check-in and perhaps you trust more a T-Rex robot handling your passport, the hotel chain Henn na Hotels is the best place for you. Henn na Hotel Asakusabashi is particularly famous for its robot check-in but there are also other locations around Tokyo!
• Pepper Parlor Cafe’ Shibuya: this cafe’ is entirely themed with Pepper humanoid robots and inside the restaurant Pepper greets guests, takes orders, and chats with visitors. There is even a sort of dancing demonstration made by the robots at certain times of the day. Not sure about the quality of the food but is definitely a must-do experience for robot lovers!
• Gundam Show in Odaiba: in Odaiba there is a 19.7-meter tall statue of Gundam that transforms between Unicorn Mode and Destroy Mode at specific times during the day. Usually at at 11:00, 13:00, 15:00, and 17:00. For super fans of Gundam, there is a Gundam Factory located in Yokohama (40 mins from Tokyo). Here, a full-scale moving RX-78-2 Gundam (18 m tall) that powers up, kneels, and walks. There is also a themed cafe and AR platform.

Tokyu Kabukicho Tower (Shinjuku)

First timers guide to Tokyo – Kabuchico Tower in Shinjuku

Opened to the public only in 2023, Kabuchiko Tower is one of the latest addictions to the Shinjuku skyline. Elevating at an height of 225 mt, it’s Japan 19th tallest building as well as Japan’s first female-designed skyscraper. The exterior of the building is inspired by the former water fountain of Kani-gawa and by the Buddhist goddess of water. Indeed, the tower was designed with the image of a fountain, while the upper part expresses the force of water stretching to the sky.

Inside, Kabuchiko Tower is one of the largest hotel and entertainment complex towers in Japan with interactive VR maze, AI DJ lounges, neon-clad arcade, theatre and cinema. Even living in London, I’ve never seen anything similar and completely loved it!

First timers guide to Tokyo – Hotel Groove Shinjuku

We’ve been lucky to call Kabuchiko Tower “home” for a week, indeed we booked our stay at the Hotel Groove located on the 17th Floor. Honestly, this hotel was in the perfect location. Very close to the station (so we didn’t miss any early morning train!), easy to reach from any part of the city and they had robots delivering things in the room which was one of my favourite things! Breakfast was also amazing but we used also the Starbucks at the ground floor of Kabuchiko. One night we had dinner also in the Kabuki Hall and we loved it. There was an anime-themed night and a DJ was playing all 90′ and 80′ anime songs which were quite famous in Italy too! Very fun, really recommended!

The underrated

First timers guide to Tokyo – Jimbocho book town

I really loved Tokyo in every possible corner. However, there is a part of it that I loved because it was completely different, quieter and not touristy at all. Indeed, during my trip I decided to explore Jimbocho. Famous as “book town” Jimbocho is hidden in plain sight. In fact, it’s squeezed in a picturesque neighbourhood of Chiyoda between the Imperial Palace and Tokyo Station. It’s easy to miss out among the top attractions nearby and it’s quite underrated despite being a lovely place to explore.

As historian and book lover myself Jimbocho was on my list for a long time and it became even more on my top places after reading Days at the Morisaki Bookshop that is entirely based on this neighbourhood.

One of the peculiarities of Jimbocho is hosting not less than 200 bookshops and being one of the largest book towns in the world. Bookshops are categorised often in genres and there are also english language books too.

We also loved the large selection of aesthetic book cafes with our favourite being Ataraxia. A hidden gem where you can taste amazing cafe while reading and listening music.

As not many foreigners know this place, there are almost no tourists making this area one of the most underrated in Tokyo.

The seasonal

First timers guide to Tokyo -Chidorigafuchi Moat Boating

There is a strong seasonal element that affect visitor’s first experience in Japan (and consequently in Tokyo). Indeed, one can easily say that you might have two completely different experiences if visiting Tokyo in late March/April vs July/August or Christmas. This not only for climate reasons but also for the city’s appearance itself that changes face and aesthetic to get along with its strong seasonal bond.

In Tokyo, the strongest seasonal changes can be seen both in autumn and spring. Indeed, is not a case these seasons also coincide with the peak travel periods in the country. Autumn with its strong foliage and spring with the cherry blossoms mark Japan’s most visited (and expensive) period to visit. As a first time visitor, you should take in consideration the seasonal aspect of Tokyo because certain places and activities might be available only in specific days of the year. Below, I made a little list of activities and places that are famous for their seasonality and not much considered during a different period of the year.

Spring in Tokyo

First timers guide to Tokyo – Cherry blossoms around Tokyo

Spring is probably one of the busiest periods to visit Tokyo. It was a long-time dream of mine to see the sakura in bloom and I felt immensely happy to see it in person during my trip! Spring visits in Tokyo involve many outdoor walks under the cherry trees, sakura festivals, picnic under the trees (hanami) and boating surrounded by blooming trees. These activities are exclusively for this season so you won’t be able to do them at the same aesthetic condition during a different season. I grouped below some of my favourite spring/cherry blossom activities to do in Tokyo if you are visiting late March or early April.

Cherry blossom week in Tokyo

• Visit the cherry blossom parks and gardens. There are specific parks and gardens in Tokyo that are completely different during the cherry blossoms weeks. These are entirely covered in cherry blossom trees and walk among pink petals, have picnics and take amazing photos. The best parks to visit during this period are Ueno Park (with over a thousand cherry trees!), Shinjuku Gyoen Garden, Sumida Park (one my favourites!), Yoyogi Park and the Meguro river promenade.
• Go boating in the Chidorigafuchi Moat (Imperial Palace). This riverside boating spot is probably one of the most famous in Tokyo for the scenic cherry blossom blooming. The boating event usually go forward for about a week during the peak cherry blossom days. Unfortunately for me, I wasn’t sure to find the cherry blossom on my arrival so I didn’t book the activity. In the end trees were still in bloom but everything was fully booked! So if you want to do this activity, I warmly recommend booking in advance here.
• Participate to a Sakura Matsuri. During the cherry blossom weeks, there are a lot of festivals around Tokyo. Some of the most famous ones are Ueno Sakura Matsuri, Nakameguro Sakura Festival and Chiyoda Sakura Festival.
• Taste all the seasonal sweets and sakura themed dishes. Something I really loved is trying all the sakura-themed dishes in cafes and restaurant or in pop-up stalls. From the sakura mochi to the sakura matcha latte. Everything tasted delicious! Ps: the sakura strawberry latte at Starbucks is fantastic!

Autumn in Tokyo

First timers guide to Tokyo – Meiji Jingu Gaien

Autumn in Tokyo comes with a completely different set of colours and activities to take part/places to visit. Temperatures are chillier but still pleasant to be outdoor and walk among the colourful foliage. Top autumn activities in Tokyo involve foliage spotting, autumn festivals, day trips and seasonal delicacies tasting.

I grouped below some of my favourite autumn activities to do in Tokyo if you are visiting mid October or early November.

Best things to do in Tokyo during Autumn

• Parks and Gardens foliage spotting. Japanese foliage colours during autumn can be particularly intense thanks to a mix of maple and ginko trees changing colours at different times during October/November. The best places to spot this foliage are the numerous parks and gardens around the city. Especially Meiji Jingu Gaien, Rikugien Garden, Koishikawa Korakuen Garden and Showa Kinen Park. These gardens offer also evening foliage illumenation.
• Participate to Autumn Festivals. One of the most important autumn festivals in Tokyo is the Torinoichi Festival at the Ohtori Shrine in Asakusa.
• Try autumn street food. Tokyo’s autumn street food is very tasty and warm. Autumn months are the best for trying some seasonal delicacies such as the roasted sweet potatoes (yaki-imo), kuri (roasted chestnuts), and grilled sanma (Pacific saury).
• Cafe’ hopping and vintage shopping. Autumn is the perfect season for some cafe’ hopping combined with vintage shopping. As temperatures are getting colder, there isn’t anything better to get warm in a local cafe’! The best areas for these are certainly Yanaka, Shimokitazawa, or Daikanyama featuring a mix of traditional and bohemian vibes, these neighbourhoods are my favourite for shopping and cafe! Of course if you are into books, Jimbocho is a top choice too.
• Day trip to Mount Takao. Apparently, something that is very popular during the autumn months is a day trip to Mount Takao. Indeed, this is at just 1 hour from Tokyo and features one of the most spectacular foliage in Japan.

Conclusions

Writing a comprehensive guide to Tokyo is not easy. The city is so immense, beautiful and full of things to do that squeezing everything in one go is challenging and reductive of the many possibilities one can explore for his own trip. I hope this guide can support first timers visitors to overcome that feeling of overwhelming when approaching a place like Tokyo and give other readers some further inspiration. There are still many things to uncover, I know but that’s a starting point. Tokyo is still calling for me and I hope I can take that call again soon.

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