Tokyo
The capital of Japan and currently the world’s largest city (by metropolitan population). That fact may deter travelers who tend to avoid city exploring but we recommend giving it a chance.
We flew in and out of Tokyo but spent the majority of our time here at the end of our trip. We planned it this way for a few reasons. One, we were a little nervous that it would be overwhelming to navigate. Two, we weren’t sure if we’d actually enjoy such a big city and didn’t want to start our trip on a ‘bad’ note.
We were pleasantly surprised. The city didn’t feel as busy as we expected even though rush hour in the subway is as busy as you see online. Were there a lot of people, yes…but there are also a lot of green spaces that are quiet and make you forget the hustle and bustle.
Most Recent Visit
April 2025
How to Get Here
Given that Japan is a chain of islands, the most common way to visit is by air. Flying into one of Tokyo’s two international airports, Narita and Haneda, is likely the most affordable option. Haneda is closer to the city, but Narita has more international flight options. If you are also visiting South Korea, there are options to take a ferry to Japan.
We flew on Air Canada from Seattle to Narita via Vancouver, BC which was about 12 hours of actual flight time on the way there and about 10 hours on the way home. As of April 2025, Alaska Airlines is now flying direct from Seattle which is great news for our next trip.
Trip Length
For Tokyo specifically, we would recommend 4-5 days if you are okay with a fast-paced itinerary or 5-7 days if you like a little slower pace.
Where to Stay
There are a range of lodging options in Tokyo and around the country. For a budget experience, try a capsule hotel where you have a small ‘cube’ to sleep in and shared common areas. For a classic cultural experience, stay at a ryokan. Ryokans are traditional inns that offer a unique cultural experience, featuring tatami rooms, kaiseki meals, and typically hot spring baths. Ryokans were slightly more expensive during the time we visited but we plan to try one on our next visit. And of course, hotels ranging from budget to luxury are available. Staying true to our mid-range budget style, we chose ‘chain’ hotels that were located near the train stations (3–10-minute walks). While the rooms and beds were on the small side, we spent so little time in the rooms it wasn’t a problem for us. If you’re the type of traveler that likes to spend some time in the room decompressing or relaxing, you may want to look at more luxurious options. We paid anywhere from $59-$144/night USD (in 2025) and stayed at various Hotel Mystays, Sotetsu Fresa Inns, and APA Hotels (all booked through our Expedia travel agent site).
In Tokyo, we stayed at Sotetsu Fresa Kanda Otemachi which was a quick walk to the train station (past a Lawson’s & Family Mart which is convenient). We didn’t do much in the neighborhood, but it was pretty central for the activities we had planned so it worked well.
What to Do
As the most populated city in Japan, Tokyo has a lot to offer. We barely scratched the surface but here are some of the activities we enjoyed.
Observation Towers
There are many options for this activity. We did 3 of the 5 ‘main’ towers. Check out our blog post “Rating Tokyo Observation Decks” to read more about each option.
Theme Parks/Interactive Experiences
We spent a day soaking in the magic of Tokyo Disney Sea. We lucked out with great weather and while it was busy, we still got to see and do quite a bit. Read more about our experience here.
TeamLab Planets Tokyo lived up to the hype. This interactive art exhibit is also super popular so make sure to book tickets in advance. Early or late timeslots are best to avoid crowds. Read more here.
Tsukiji Market
This is a popular spot on all the social media platforms these days. If you’re a foodie, you won’t want to miss this. We by no means are foodies but we wanted to check out at least one of the food markets to experience the culture of it. Seafood lovers will have the most options here, but we found some great steak and yummy desserts. It does get busy so remember to bring your patience and enjoy wandering slowly through the streets and stop for a treat every once in a while. Remember, it’s rude in Japanese culture to walk and eat so step off to the side while you enjoy if there are no tables at the vendor’s stall.
Shibuya
As mentioned above, we went up Shibuya Sky for a bird’s eye view of the famous Shibuya Crossing. There are other spots like the Starbucks where you can get a closer view for the cost of a coffee and free spots within shopping malls nearby (message us for the location). The crossing itself is something to see. People crossing from many angles. It’s easy to spot the tourists (filming as they walk) while the locals zigzag between the them as they try to carry on about their day.
We visited by day, but it gets even busier by night as the billboards from all the surrounding buildings come to life. Check out the tribute to Hachikō, a faithful companion with an amazing story, on a giant screen and watch out for the go-kart tours passing by on the streets. Even if you’re not planning on shopping, it’s worth spending a little time checking out this area.
Imperial Palace & Grounds
On our last day in Tokyo, we took a 75-minute guided tour of the Imperial Palace and Grounds. As this is the residence of the Imperial family, tours do not enter the building. Tickets are free and can be reserved online starting the first day of the month for the month you are visiting (first come, first serve availability up to 4 days prior to tour). There are two tours daily (Tues-Sat) 10am & 1:30pm but check the schedule as holidays can impact this. You can expect large crowds (note picture below) but overall, this process was smooth. Visitors are split into different groups based on language. From there a guide will take you to various stops within the grounds and provide a history of the Palace as well as the Imperial Family.
The East Gardens are open year-round and are a great stop even if you don’t do the tour. The Imperial Palace grounds are home to the former Edo palace and has been inhabited by the Imperial family since 1869.
Shrines & Gardens
Senso-ji
The oldest established temple in Tokyo, this is a very popular spot. There are a lot of shops lining the way towards the entrance and it can get quite crowded as people make their way to the temple.
Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden
Home to three distinct types of gardens (Japanese, formal, and landscape) this large park in central Tokyo was almost destroyed during WWII. This was a fantastic break from the crowds and city scapes. So many gorgeous sakura (cherry blossom) trees here and I image it would be stunning when the leaves are changing in the fall.
Meiji Jingu Shrine
If you’re really looking for a nature break in the middle of the world’s largest city, consider adding this Shrine to your itinerary. It’s also a good place to get out of the sun on a hot day. The roads and trails cut through the forest surrounding the shrine. Paths are shaded and wide allowing you to enjoy the walk even on a busy day.
Day Trips
Mt. Fuji
One can argue that you can’t come to Tokyo and not see Mt. Fuji (or at least attempt to see it). It’s one of the world’s iconic mountains. The active stratovolcano is the highest peak in Japan. Read more about our experience here.
