Tokyo

Neighbourhoods, shrines and night crossings

Last reviewed: 13 September 2026

Recommended stay: 3–4 days
Best time to visit: March to May and October to November
Airports: NRT · HND

Tokyo at a glance

Tokyo is a vast capital of distinct neighbourhoods, shrines and bright night-time crossings. Sensō-ji, Tokyo Skytree, Shibuya Crossing, Shibuya Sky, Meiji Jingu, Harajuku, Ginza, Akihabara, Odaiba and teamLab Planets are linked by the subway and JR network. Hakone or Mount Fuji, Kamakura, Yokohama and Tokyo Disney Resort require separate outings. The airports are Narita (NRT) and Haneda (HND). Suica or PASMO simplifies train travel, and light luggage makes stations easier.

Quick information

Recommended stay3–4 days

Best time to visitMarch to May and October to November

AirportsNRT · HND

Budget travelAccommodation and reserved park or mountain days drive costs most strongly. Check prices shortly before your trip instead of relying on a fixed estimate.

Spring and autumn suit Meiji Jingu, Harajuku and Odaiba walks. Summer is humid; keep indoor hours for teamLab Planets and Skytree. Winter is useful for museums if you dress for wind on crossings.

Plan your visit

Airport to centre

JR Narita Express

Limited express from the airport to Tokyo, Shinagawa, Shibuya, Shinjuku and Yokohama

Published rail fareTransport

Must-see sights

Sensō-ji

Tokyo Skytree

Shibuya Crossing

Sights

One-day itinerary

Morning: Visit Sensō-ji and the surrounding Asakusa lanes, respecting worship and photography signs.
Lunch: Have noodles or another simple lunch in Asakusa before continuing towards Tokyo Skytree.
Afternoon: Explore the Skytree area and choose a booked observation visit if visibility suits; then take the train to Shibuya.
Evening: See Shibuya Crossing and have dinner nearby, leaving other distant districts for another day.

Itineraries

Best areas to stay

Asakusa / Skytree edge
Asakusa
A more traditional district with good transport; Shibuya is reached by subway.
Best for
Sensō-ji and a first temple stay
Shibuya / Harajuku
Shibuya
Busy and central. Keep luggage compact on station stairs.
Best for
Crossings, Meiji Jingu and evenings
Ginza
Useful with children in the evening; Asakusa needs a subway ride.
Best for
A calmer shopping stay
Odaiba / waterfront
Odaiba
Needs a planned train journey for Shibuya and Sensō-ji.
Best for
teamLab Planets and family indoor days

Approximate budget

Budget
Varies
per day, per person
Simple rooms, convenience meals and IC-card journeys; excludes travel to Tokyo.
Mid-range
Varies
per day, per person
Comfortable room, restaurants, trains and selected towers.
Comfort
Varies
per day, per person
Central stays, frequent dining, private transfers and a reserved Disney or Hakone day.

Airports

Last reviewed: 13 September 2026

NRT
Narita International Airport
60 km from city centre
HND
Tokyo International Airport (Haneda)
18 km from city centre

Airport to city transport

Last reviewed: 13 September 2026

OptionTimePrice

NRT

JR Narita ExpressNRTTrains use Narita Airport Station for Terminal 1 and Airport Terminal 2 Building Station for Terminals 2 and 3. All seats are reserved, so keep your ticket handy.
Limited express from the airport to Tokyo, Shinagawa, Shibuya, Shinjuku and Yokohama
Published rail fare
Details
Trains use Narita Airport Station for Terminal 1 and Airport Terminal 2 Building Station for Terminals 2 and 3. All seats are reserved, so keep your ticket handy.
Keisei SkylinerNRTUses the same two airport stations as the Narita Express. Nippori and Ueno connect to the JR Yamanote Line and to the Tokyo Metro.
Limited express from the airport to Nippori and Keisei Ueno
Published rail fare
Details
Uses the same two airport stations as the Narita Express. Nippori and Ueno connect to the JR Yamanote Line and to the Tokyo Metro.
Airport limousine busNRTTickets are sold at the bus ticket counter in the arrivals area. Useful with heavy luggage when your hotel is on a served route.
Direct coaches from the terminals to Tokyo hotels and stations
Published operator fare
Details
Tickets are sold at the bus ticket counter in the arrivals area. Useful with heavy luggage when your hotel is on a served route.
Licensed taxiNRTTaxi stands are at each terminal and no reservation is needed. Ask the driver to confirm the fare before you set off.
Door-to-door journey; time depends on traffic
Fixed fare by Tokyo zone; tolls are charged separately
Details
Taxi stands are at each terminal and no reservation is needed. Ask the driver to confirm the fare before you set off.

HND

Keikyu Line to ShinagawaHNDCheck the station name for your terminal: Terminals 1 and 2 share one station, and Terminal 3 has its own. Shinagawa is a good change point for Shinjuku, Shibuya and Tokyo Station.
Direct rail link from the airport to Shinagawa, where the JR Yamanote Line continues across Tokyo
Published rail fare
Details
Check the station name for your terminal: Terminals 1 and 2 share one station, and Terminal 3 has its own. Shinagawa is a good change point for Shinjuku, Shibuya and Tokyo Station.
Tokyo Monorail to HamamatsuchoHNDA good choice if your hotel is near Hamamatsucho, Shiodome or Tokyo Station. The monorail serves both airport station areas, so pick the stop for your terminal.
Monorail from the airport to Hamamatsucho, with a change to the JR Yamanote and Keihin-Tohoku lines
Published rail fare
Details
A good choice if your hotel is near Hamamatsucho, Shiodome or Tokyo Station. The monorail serves both airport station areas, so pick the stop for your terminal.
Airport limousine busHNDBuy a ticket before boarding. Terminals 1 and 2 have stops on the ground floor, and Terminal 3 has its own boarding lane. Some routes are currently suspended, so check the operator's list for your area.
Direct coaches from the terminal to selected hotels and stations
Published operator fare
Details
Buy a ticket before boarding. Terminals 1 and 2 have stops on the ground floor, and Terminal 3 has its own boarding lane. Some routes are currently suspended, so check the operator's list for your area.
Licensed taxiHNDUse the general taxi stand. If you booked a taxi through an app or by phone, go to the separate stand for reserved taxis.
Door-to-door journey; time depends on traffic
Metered fare
Details
Use the general taxi stand. If you booked a taxi through an app or by phone, go to the separate stand for reserved taxis.

Getting around

Last reviewed: 13 September 2026

OptionTimePrice

JR, subway and walkingTap in and out. Individual neighbourhoods are compact, but the city is not. Odaiba and teamLab Planets require a separate train journey. Keep luggage light on station stairs.
Best for Shibuya, Harajuku, Ginza, Asakusa and Akihabara
Suica or PASMO rules
Details
Tap in and out. Individual neighbourhoods are compact, but the city is not. Odaiba and teamLab Planets require a separate train journey. Keep luggage light on station stairs.
TaxiA car is unnecessary in the centre. Check the last trains before you leave.
Useful for late returns and hotel journeys with bags
Official fare
Details
A car is unnecessary in the centre. Check the last trains before you leave.

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Tokyo at a glance

Quick information

Plan your visit

Airport to centre

Must-see sights

One-day itinerary

Best areas to stay

Asakusa / Skytree edge

Shibuya / Harajuku

Ginza

Odaiba / waterfront

Approximate budget