Japan's capital and the world's largest metropolitan area — neon cityscapes, centuries-old shrines, and the best food scene on earth. Here is everything you need for a first visit.
| Month | High | Low | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 10°C | 2°C | |
| Feb | 11°C | 2°C | |
| Mar | 14°C | 5°C | |
| Apr | 19°C | 10°C | |
| May | 23°C | 15°C | |
| Jun | 26°C | 19°C | |
| Jul | 30°C | 23°C | |
| Aug | 31°C | 24°C | |
| Sep | 27°C | 21°C | |
| Oct | 22°C | 15°C | |
| Nov | 17°C | 9°C | |
| Dec | 12°C | 4°C |
Late March–April for cherry blossoms and November for autumn colors are the sweet spots: mild weather, beautiful scenery. June is rainy season; July–August are hot and humid.
One rechargeable IC card covers nearly every train, subway, and bus — plus convenience stores and vending machines. Tourists can add a digital Suica to Apple Wallet or Google Wallet in minutes.
The JR Yamanote loop line connects most major districts (Shibuya, Shinjuku, Ueno, Tokyo Station). Trains run roughly 5:00–24:00; after midnight your options are taxis or waiting for the first train.
From Haneda: ~30 min by monorail or Keikyu line. From Narita: ~60 min by Skyliner or Narita Express. Avoid taxis from Narita — they cost ¥25,000+.
Four to five days covers the highlights comfortably: one day each for Asakusa/Ueno, Shibuya/Harajuku, Shinjuku, plus a day trip (Kamakura, Nikko, or Hakone) and a flexible day for food and shopping.
Less than its reputation. Meals are cheaper than in most Western capitals (¥1,000 buys a great lunch), and transit is efficient and affordable. Hotels are the biggest cost — book 2–3 months ahead for good rates.
Signage in stations and tourist areas is bilingual, and staff at hotels and major attractions speak basic English. Elsewhere, expect limited English — translation apps and pointing at menus work fine.
Haneda if you have the choice — it is much closer to central Tokyo (30 minutes vs. 60–90 minutes) and has excellent late-night transport options.
Tokyo is one of the safest major cities in the world. Violent crime is rare, and lost items are routinely returned. Use normal city awareness in nightlife districts like Kabukicho, and you'll be fine.