Tokyo: what to book before you go, and the days the sights are shut

💡 The Short Version: teamLab Planets (from ¥3,800) and teamLab Borderless (from ¥3,400) sell timed entry online; Planets sells no walk-up tickets at the door. The Ghibli Museum (¥1,000) sells exclusively through Lawson Ticket, releasing each month’s slots at 10:00 JST on the 10th of the preceding month, and is closed on most Tuesdays. Mondays are the main closure day: the Imperial Palace East Gardens, Shinjuku Gyoen, and the Tokyo National Museum shut, and the East Gardens shut on Fridays as well. Tokyo Skytree charges ¥500 more at the physical ticket counter, so book online in advance. Tax-free shopping changed on 1 November 2026 to an airport refund scheme. UK, US, Canadian, Australian, and EU passport holders require no visa for tourist visits up to 90 days. All prices are in Japanese yen (¥).

What to book before you go

Tokyo rewards meticulous advance planning. Several of the city’s signature cultural attractions enforce strict visitor quotas and timed entry slots that sell out weeks in advance. The table below lists official ticket windows and direct booking portals:

Additional specialized cultural activities require advance booking: Kabuki at Kabukiza sells single-act tickets (Hitomakumiseki) online and at the box office, street kart tours require an International Driving Permit (IDP) obtained before departure, and high-end sushi counters require reservation platforms detailed in our omakase in Tokyo guide.

The historic red-brick facade of Tokyo Station Marunouchi building illuminated at dusk. Photo: Kakidai, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Weekly closures and seasonal opening hours

Tokyo sights adhere to predictable weekly closing days that must be factored into your daily schedule:

The Monday closure rule

If your visit coincides with a Monday, assign that day to the west side of Tokyo. Shinto shrines and commercial hubs—including Meiji Jingu, Shibuya Crossing, Shibuya Sky, and Shinjuku night walk—remain fully open. Two prominent feudal stroll gardens—Rikugien and Koishikawa Korakuen (covered in Tokyo museums and gardens)—also stay open on Mondays.

Entry rules and visa requirements for Japan

Japan maintains visa-waiver agreements with over 70 countries and territories. Entry requirements are governed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan:

Immigration entry procedures

Upon landing at Narita or Haneda airports, international travellers pass through automated biometric entry kiosks where digital facial photographs and dual index-fingerprint scans are captured. Immigration officers place an official “Temporary Visitor” (Tanki Taizai) adhesive stamp in your passport. Keep your physical passport with you at all times: Japanese statutory law requires foreign tourists to produce an original passport upon request by a police officer, with spot-checks occurring occasionally at major transit stations (see is Tokyo safe?).

Money, contactless payments, and tax-free shopping

• Cash is still essential: While cards are common, small ramen bars, shrine food stalls, laundromats, and local izakayas accept only physical yen. International cash withdrawals operate smoothly at Seven Bank ATMs inside 7-Eleven convenience stores (open 24/7 with zero local fees) and Japan Post Bank ATMs. See our complete guide to money in Tokyo.
• Credit & debit cards: Contactless Visa and Mastercard payments are accepted at major convenience chains, hotels, and department stores. Always choose to be billed in local Japanese yen (¥) rather than your home currency to avoid unfavorable dynamic currency conversion fees.
• Digital IC transit cards: The rechargeable Suica and Pasmo transit cards are the universal currency of Tokyo transit. Add a digital Suica or Pasmo directly to Apple Wallet on your smartphone for seamless gate tapping and convenience store payments (see Tokyo public transport).
• Tipping culture: Tipping is not practiced in Japan. Leaving cash on a restaurant table or attempting to tip taxi drivers will cause confusion or polite embarrassment, with staff chasing you down the street to return forgotten money. Read the social customs in Tokyo etiquette.
• Tax-free shopping reform (1 November 2026): Japan has shifted from an instant counter discount to an airport refund system. Travellers spending ¥5,000 or more before tax in a single store pay the full price including 10% consumption tax, then claim the refund at digital kiosks in airport departure halls before baggage check-in. Detailed rules, consumables packaging, and terminal locations are set out in tax-free shopping in Japan.

Airport transit to central Tokyo

Comparing express rail lines and airport limousine buses from Tokyo’s international runways:

• From Narita International Airport (NRT):
  • Keisei Skyliner: High-speed 160 km/h train reaching Nippori in 36 minutes and Keisei Ueno in 41 minutes for ¥2,570 (advance online e-tickets cost ¥2,310). Fastest route for east-side hotels in Ueno, Asakusa, or Ginza.
  • JR Narita Express (N’EX): Direct service without transfers to Tokyo Station (53 minutes at the fastest, ¥3,140) and Shinjuku (75 minutes, ¥3,330). The discounted round-trip N’EX ticket costs ¥5,200 for foreign passport holders (valid 14 days).
  • Low-Cost Airport Bus (TYO-NRT): Frequent direct coaches to Tokyo Station and Ginza for ¥1,300 one-way (¥1,500 early morning or late night). Complete route comparisons are in Narita Airport to Tokyo.
• From Haneda Airport (HND):
  • Tokyo Monorail: Elevates across Tokyo Bay to Hamamatsucho Station in 13 minutes for ¥520 (IC fare ¥519), transferring smoothly to the JR Yamanote Line.
  • Keikyu Airport Line: Direct rapid trains to Shinagawa Station in 11 to 14 minutes for ¥330 (IC fare ¥327), or through-running onto the Toei Asakusa subway line for Ginza and Asakusa.
  • Limousine Bus: Direct coach drop-offs at major hotel lobbies in Shinjuku and Shibuya from ¥1,000 to ¥1,400. Full details are in Haneda Airport to Tokyo.
• Mobile connectivity: Order an eSIM online before departure to access navigation apps immediately upon touchdown: consult our provider comparison in eSIM for Japan.

Urban rail transport and transit passes

Tokyo’s rail network is operated by two subway operators (Tokyo Metro and Toei Subway) alongside the heavy-rail network of East Japan Railway (JR East):

• The Tokyo Subway Ticket: Available exclusively to foreign tourists in 24-hour (¥1,000), 48-hour (¥1,500), and 72-hour (¥2,000) variants. It grants unlimited travel on all 13 Tokyo Metro and Toei Subway lines. It does not cover JR lines.
• The Japan Rail Pass (JR Pass): Following nationwide price increases, a 7-day Ordinary JR Pass costs ¥50,000. It is uneconomical for travel centered on Tokyo, even when including regional day trips to Nikko or Kamakura. See our calculations in is the Japan Rail Pass worth it?.

Curated multi-day itineraries

Tailor your daily sightseeing with our step-by-step itineraries built around booking windows and geographic clusters:

• Tokyo in one or two days: Essential split between the historic eastern district (Senso-ji, Ueno, Skytree) and the high-energy western commercial core (Meiji Jingu, Shibuya Crossing, Shinjuku).
• 3 days in Tokyo: The definitive first-timer circuit combining Asakusa, Ueno, Shibuya Sky at sunset, Shinjuku izakaya alleys, the Imperial Palace East Gardens, and digital art at teamLab Planets.
• 5 days in Tokyo: Adds cultural immersion in Ryogoku (sumo stables and museum) or the Ghibli Museum in Mitaka, plus a scenic day trip outside the capital.

Self-guided walking tours

Explore Tokyo at ground level along these curated walking itineraries:

• Asakusa, Ueno, and Yanaka walk: A 6.9-kilometre historic walk connecting Senso-ji temple, Ueno Park museums, and the preserved post-war wooden merchant atmosphere of Yanaka Ginza.
• Meiji Jingu, Harajuku, and Shibuya walk: A 5.0-kilometre route transitioning from tranquil sacred forests down Takeshita Street, across tree-lined Omotesando, and finishing at Shibuya Crossing.
• Shinjuku night walk: A 3.5-kilometre evening itinerary weaving through the smoky yakitori alleys of Omoide Yokocho, the neon entertainment streets of Kabukicho, and the intimate tiny bars of Golden Gai.

Day trips from Tokyo

Escaping the urban sprawl into Japan’s surrounding mountains, hot spring resorts, and coastal temples:

Read our complete comparative guide in day trips from Tokyo.

Food, dining, and nightlife

Tokyo is the culinary capital of the world, boasting more Michelin-starred establishments than any other metropolis, balanced by tens of thousands of casual ramen counters and yakitori stalls:

• Culinary overview: Discover regional specialities, etiquette, ordering tickets, and signature dishes in our comprehensive guide to where to eat in Tokyo.
• Food markets: Sample freshly torched seafood skewers and rolled omelettes at Tsukiji, or tour the modern tuna auction galleries in Tsukiji and Toyosu markets.
• Guided food tours: Explore izakaya alleys, sake tastings, and backstreet noodle shops with an expert bilingual guide in Tokyo food tours.
• Edomae sushi: Learn counter etiquette, seasonal fish calendars, and reservation methods in omakase sushi in Tokyo.

Where to stay in Tokyo

Choosing the right neighbourhood base shapes your entire trip:

• Where to stay in Tokyo: Comprehensive district breakdown comparing Shinjuku (unbeatable train connections and nightlife), Tokyo Station / Marunouchi (tranquil, central, direct airport trains), Ginza (luxury shopping and dining), and Asakusa (historic charm and budget hotels).
• Shinjuku or Shibuya: A head-to-head comparison of Tokyo’s two great western entertainment giants, detailing station complexity, dining scenes, and airport limousine bus connections.

Seasonal guides and festivals

• Best time to visit Tokyo: Detailed 30-year climatological monthly averages, seasonal temperature curves, rainfall patterns, and official public holiday dates.
• Cherry blossom in Tokyo: Average flowering dates (late March to early April), bloom forecasts, and the top hanami spots in Shinjuku Gyoen, Chidorigafuchi, and Nakameguro.
• Golden Week in Tokyo: Navigating the four-holiday block between 29 April and 5 May, mandatory bullet train reservations, and Monday museum schedule shifts.
• Tokyo in summer: fireworks and festivals: Beating the August heat, watching the Sumida River Fireworks, and experiencing Fukagawa Hachiman water-splashing festivals.
• Autumn leaves in Tokyo: Prime late-November viewing dates for golden ginkgo avenues and illuminated red maple gardens at Rikugien and Koishikawa Korakuen.
• Tokyo Christmas lights: Marvel at millions of festive LEDs along Roppongi Hills Keyakizaka, Tokyo Midtown, Marunouchi Naka-dori, and the Shibuya Blue Cave.
• New Year in Tokyo: Critical year-end shutdown dates (28 December to 3 January), midnight temple bell ringing (Joya no Kane), and Hatsumode shrine pilgrimages.

Speciality guides and single-sight deep dives

• High-altitude views: Compare Skytree, Tokyo Tower, Shibuya Sky, and the free Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building in our Tokyo observation decks guide.
• Budget travel: Save money with our curated checklist of top free things to do in Tokyo.
• Traditional arts & bathhouses: Experience theatrical performances in kabuki in Tokyo and soak in historic communal waters in onsen and sento in Tokyo.
• Single sights: Explore detailed histories and visiting tips for Senso-ji in Asakusa, sacred forests in Meiji Jingu, the pedestrian scramble at Shibuya Crossing, and samurai defenses in the Imperial Palace East Gardens.

Comparing Tokyo with other world cities

• Food capital comparisons: Best food city breaks compares Tokyo’s ramen counters and sushi bars against Europe’s top dining capitals.
• Family adventures: Best city breaks with kids evaluates Tokyo’s safety, theme parks, and transport accessibility against family holiday destinations worldwide.
• Solo exploration: Best solo city breaks ranks Tokyo’s solo ramen dining booths and female-friendly capsule hotels against other safe destinations.
• First trip to Asia: Best Asian cities for a first trip evaluates Tokyo’s English signage, transit ease, and cleanliness for first-time visitors to the region.
• Museums: Best museum city breaks compares the Tokyo National Museum and Ghibli Museum with premier art capitals.
• Tokyo or Osaka: Tokyo vs Osaka sets the capital’s sprawling skyline against Osaka’s energetic street-food culture, connected by a 2 hour 21 minute Shinkansen ride.
• Combining with Kyoto: Take the Tokaido Shinkansen bullet train in 2 hours 15 minutes to Kyoto; plan your Kansai stay with our Kyoto: what to book in advance and 3 days in Kyoto itineraries.

Itineraries

Day-by-day plans for a first visit.

Itinerary

Tokyo in 2 Days: Itinerary and What to Book

With one day in Tokyo, choose the west (Meiji Jingu, Harajuku, Shibuya Sky) or the east (Senso-ji, Ueno, Skytree). With two days, do both. Exact hourly schedules, Monday closures, transit connections, and guided city tours from ¥2,000.

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Itinerary

3 Days in Tokyo: Itinerary with What to Book

Three days in Tokyo: Asakusa, Ueno and Skytree on day one, Meiji Jingu, Shibuya and Shinjuku on day two, the Imperial Palace gardens and teamLab Planets on day three. What to book before you fly, which day each sight closes, and how to fit the plan round a Monday or a Friday.

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Itinerary

Tokyo Itinerary 5 Days: What to Book and When

Five days in Tokyo: the east and west sides, the Imperial Palace gardens and teamLab Planets, a day for the Ghibli Museum or Ryogoku and sumo, and a day trip to Mount Fuji, Hakone, Nikko or Kamakura. What to book before you fly, and the Monday, Tuesday and Friday closures.

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Which ticket to buy

The official ticket, the tours that include entry, and which sells out first.

Tickets

teamLab Tokyo Tickets: Planets or Borderless

teamLab Planets in Toyosu (from ¥3,800) is a barefoot water walk ending late 2027. teamLab Borderless in Azabudai Hills (from ¥3,400) is a permanent mapless museum. Prices and rules.

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Tickets

Shibuya Sky Tickets: Price, Slots and Sunset

Shibuya Sky sells 20-minute timed slots released at midnight Japan time: ¥2,700 before 15:00 and ¥3,400 from 15:00. Who sells them, locker rules, and weather closures.

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Tickets

Tokyo Skytree Tickets: Tembo Deck, Galleria, Price

Tokyo Skytree's Tembo Deck (350 m) is from ¥1,800 and the combined ticket with Tembo Galleria (450 m) from ¥3,000. Buying at the 4th-floor counter adds ¥500, so book online.

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Tickets

Tokyo Tower Tickets: Main Deck, Top Deck, Price

Tokyo Tower's Main Deck (150 m) is ¥1,500 for adults. The Top Deck Tour (250 m) is ¥3,300 online and ¥3,500 at the counter. Hours, stations, and booking advice.

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Tickets

Ghibli Museum Tickets: How to Book from Overseas

Ghibli Museum tickets cost ¥1,000 for adults and sell only through Lawson Ticket, at 10:00 Japan time on the 10th of the month before. No ticket is sold at the museum and resale is banned. Release dates to January 2027, closed days to March 2027, and how to get to Mitaka.

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Tickets

Tokyo Disneyland and DisneySea Tickets: Prices

Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea tickets use date-based pricing from ¥7,900 to ¥10,900, released online at 14:00 Japan time two months ahead. How to book.

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Tickets

Tokyo Sumo Tickets: Tournaments, Seats and Shows

Grand sumo tournaments take place at Ryogoku Kokugikan in January, May, and September. Ticket release dates, seat types from ¥3,500, and year-round sumo shows.

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Tickets

Harry Potter Studio Tour Tokyo: Tickets and Tips

Warner Bros. Studio Tour Tokyo is at Toshimaen in Nerima: adult tickets from ¥6,600, timed and non-refundable, 2 minutes' walk from the station. The Magical Winter season runs 13 November 2026 to 11 January 2027. Prices, changes and how to get there.

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Day trips from Tokyo

Out and back in a day, with the tours compared against going on your own.

Day trip

Day Trips from Tokyo: Fuji, Hakone, Nikko, Kamakura

Mount Fuji, Hakone, Nikko, Kamakura, Yokohama, Kawagoe, and Mount Takao compared on train travel times, fares in yen, pass coverage, and tour costs.

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Day trip

Mount Fuji Day Trip from Tokyo: Train, Bus or Tour

Mount Fuji and Lake Kawaguchiko are 1 hour 53 minutes from Shinjuku by the Fuji Excursion (¥4,200) or ¥2,200 by highway bus. Trains, bus lines, tours, and climbing rules.

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Day trip

Hakone Day Trip from Tokyo: Freepass, Route and Tours

Hakone is 80 minutes from Shinjuku on the Odakyu Romancecar. The Hakone Freepass is ¥7,100 for two days. The loop route by train, cable car, ropeway, and pirate ship.

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Day trip

Nikko Day Trip from Tokyo: Train, Pass or Tour

Nikko is 1 hour 50 minutes from Asakusa on Tobu's Spacia train. The Nikko Pass is ¥8,000 for all areas or ¥3,000 for the World Heritage area. Toshogu tickets and tours.

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Day trip

Kamakura Day Trip from Tokyo: Great Buddha, Enoshima

Kamakura is under an hour from Tokyo by JR for ¥1,040 each way, or ¥1,640 for Odakyu's Enoshima-Kamakura Freepass. Great Buddha prices, Enoden trams, and tours.

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Day trip

Yokohama Day Trip from Tokyo: What to Do in a Day

Yokohama is 25 minutes from Shibuya on the Tokyu Toyoko Line for ¥310. Chinatown, the Cup Noodles Museum (¥500, closed Tuesdays), and Sankeien Garden (¥700).

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Day trip

Kawagoe Day Trip from Tokyo: Little Edo by Train

Kawagoe is 30 minutes from Ikebukuro on the Tobu Tojo Line for ¥490. Tobu's Kawagoe Discount Pass is ¥710, Seibu's pass ¥1,800. The warehouse streets, Kitain, and candy lanes.

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Day trip

Mount Takao Day Trip from Tokyo: Hike and Trains

Mount Takao is 47 minutes from Shinjuku on the Keio Line for ¥430. The 599-metre summit is 90 minutes on foot via Trail 1 or half that with the cable car. Trails, Yakuo-in, and onsen.

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Where to stay

Areas and hotels, chosen for a visitor rather than a resident.

Where to stay

Where to Stay in Tokyo: Best Areas for Visitors

For a first visit, stay in Shinjuku, where the Narita Express arrives in one seat and the Hakone line starts, or by Tokyo Station for the Shinkansen. Asakusa and Ueno suit the Skyliner and old Tokyo, Ginza the centre, Shibuya the nightlife. The areas compared by station, with hotels and the private-lodging permit rule.

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Where to stay

Shinjuku or Shibuya: Where to Stay in Tokyo

Stay in Shinjuku for direct airport buses, day trips to Hakone and Mount Fuji, and the Ghibli Museum. Stay in Shibuya for youth culture, Shibuya Sky and nightlife. Detailed transit comparisons, neighbourhood differences, and vetted hotels.

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Airport transfers

From the airport to the centre, every option priced and timed.

Airport

Haneda Airport to Central Tokyo: Train, Bus, Taxi

Haneda is 15 to 30 minutes from Shinagawa, Hamamatsucho and Tokyo Station. The Tokyo Monorail to Hamamatsucho is ¥520 every four minutes, Keikyu reaches Shinagawa in 11 minutes, and limousine buses cost ¥1,000 to ¥1,400. Full transit guide and fares.

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Airport

Narita Airport to Central Tokyo: Train, Bus, Taxi

From Narita, the Keisei Skyliner reaches Nippori in 36 minutes and Keisei Ueno in 41 for ¥2,580, or ¥2,310 as an e-ticket. The Narita Express runs one-seat to Tokyo (¥3,140), Shinjuku and Shibuya (¥3,330). Limousine buses are ¥3,100 or ¥3,600 and taxis are a fixed ¥29,000 to ¥32,500.

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Getting around

Tickets, passes and the transport a visitor actually uses.

Getting around

Tokyo Public Transport: Suica, Pasmo and Metro Passes

A Suica or Pasmo card pays for the metro, JR lines and buses. The 72-hour Tokyo Subway Ticket is ¥2,000 but covers only Tokyo Metro and Toei, not JR. Contactless bank cards work at the metro gates but not on JR. Which ticket to buy for three days, with the card deposits and the rules.

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Getting around

Is the Japan Rail Pass Worth It? Tokyo Guide

The Japan Rail Pass costs ¥50,000 for 7 days online and excludes the Nozomi, the subway and the Skyliner. Why it rarely pays for Tokyo-based itineraries, mathematical price comparisons, and high-value passes like the JR Tokyo Wide Pass (¥16,000).

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What's on, month by month

Festivals, holidays and closures that change a visit.

Events

Best Time to Visit Tokyo: Month by Month Weather Guide

Tokyo month by month from the Japan Meteorological Agency's averages: January is the driest and coldest, September and October the wettest, August the hottest. With cherry blossom, Golden Week, Obon, autumn leaves and the public holidays of 2027 that close or crowd the sights.

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Events

Tokyo Cherry Blossom 2027: Dates & Hanami Spots

Tokyo's cherry blossom normally begins on 24 March and reaches full bloom on 31 March, by the Japan Meteorological Agency's standard tree. The 2027 forecast is published in winter. Where to see it: Shinjuku Gyoen, Chidorigafuchi, Meguro River, Ueno Park, with hours and prices.

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Events

Tokyo Autumn Leaves: Best Spots and Foliage Dates

Tokyo's autumn leaves turn in late November: the Japan Meteorological Agency's standard ginkgo goes yellow around 23 November and the maple red around 28 November, and 2026 forecasts run a few days later. Shinjuku Gyoen, Rikugien and Koishikawa Korakuen, with hours and prices.

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Events

New Year in Tokyo 2027: Closures & Hatsumode

Tokyo's New Year closures: the Imperial Palace East Gardens shut 28 December to 3 January, Shinjuku Gyoen 29 December to 3 January, the Ghibli Museum 27 to 31 December and 1 and 2 January. teamLab Planets and Skytree stay open on shorter hours. Hatsumode at the shrines.

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Events

Golden Week in Tokyo 2027: Dates & Crowds Guide

Golden Week 2027 is Thursday 29 April and Monday 3 to Wednesday 5 May, with Friday 30 April a working day. Which holiday rules change the closing days of the East Gardens, Shinjuku Gyoen and the museums, and what to book early.

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Events

Tokyo in Summer: Festivals, Fireworks and Heat

Tokyo in summer: June is the rainiest month by days (11.6), July is humid (76 per cent) and August has a daily high of 31.3 degrees. The Sumida River fireworks, Obon in mid-August, how the heat changes opening hours, and what to do in the evenings.

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Events

Tokyo Christmas Lights 2026: Illuminations & Dates

Tokyo's Christmas lights in 2026: Christmas Hills runs 5 November to 25 December across Roppongi Hills, Azabudai Hills, Toranomon Hills, Omotesando Hills and Ark Hills; Marunouchi Bright Holiday runs 12 November to 25 December. Where to go, and what else runs in winter.

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Food and drink

Where to eat, what to order and when to book.

Food and drink

Where to Eat in Tokyo: Ramen, Sushi, Izakaya, Tempura

Where to eat in Tokyo, by what you want to order: ramen, sushi, tempura, tonkatsu, soba, izakaya and vegan food, with prices in yen, the closed days, which places are cash only and how a visitor books or queues.

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Food and drink

Tokyo Food Tours Compared: Tsukiji, Shinjuku, Asakusa

Tokyo food tours from ¥6,000 for a 3-hour Shinjuku izakaya crawl to ¥15,000 for a Tsukiji fish market walk, plus ramen tastings, vegan tours and sushi-making classes. Pricing, durations, neighbourhoods and dietary advice.

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Food and drink

Omakase in Tokyo for First-Timers: How to Book

How to book an omakase counter in Tokyo as a visitor: hotel concierges, TableCheck, Omakase.in and Pocket Concierge. Costs at Ginza Kyubey, Tempura Kondo and Udatsu, counter etiquette rules, cancellation penalties and walk-in alternatives.

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Walks

Self-guided routes, stop by stop.

Walk

Asakusa, Ueno and Yanaka Walk, Tokyo: Map and Hours

Walk Tokyo's historic east side across 6.9 km: Senso-ji, Ueno Park, Tokyo National Museum, Yanaka Cemetery, and Yanaka Ginza. Walking map, entry prices, and Monday closures.

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Walk

Meiji Jingu, Harajuku and Shibuya Walk: Map

Walk Tokyo's west side across 5.2 km: Meiji Jingu, Takeshita Street in Harajuku, Omotesando, Shibuya Crossing, and Shibuya Sky. Walking map, timing, and sunset rules.

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Walk

Shinjuku Night Walk: Golden Gai and Omoide Yokocho

Walk Shinjuku after dark across 3.5 km: the free government-building observatories, Omoide Yokocho, Kabukicho, Golden Gai and Hanazono Shrine. Full route map, safety warnings on street touts and bar bills, and guided izakaya tours from ¥6,000.

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More guides

Guide

eSIM for Japan: Phones, Networks and Plans

A Japan eSIM is a data-only plan installed before you fly. Compatible phone models, carrier unlock requirements, NTT Docomo vs SoftBank vs au networks, step-by-step installation, and plans from Nomad and Saily.

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Guide

Tokyo Observation Decks: Skytree, Tower, Sky, Free

Tokyo's observation decks compared: Skytree (from ¥1,800), Tokyo Tower (¥1,500), Shibuya Sky (¥2,700–¥3,400), and free decks at the Metropolitan Government Building.

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Guide

Kabuki in Tokyo: Single-Act Tickets at Kabukiza

A full kabuki programme at the Kabukiza runs about four hours, but a single-act ticket lets you watch one act. Single-act seats cost ¥1,600 to ¥3,000 in November 2026; the English audio guide is ¥800. How to book, what to expect, seating levels and theatre etiquette.

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Guide

Tsukiji and Toyosu Markets: Hours, Tuna Auction

Tsukiji is the outer market for street food and sushi after 9:00; Toyosu is the wholesale market with the morning tuna auction, open 5:00 to 17:00. Closed days, viewing gallery access, the monthly auction lottery, and tours from ¥2,000.

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Guide

Senso-ji Temple: Opening Hours and Asakusa Visit

Senso-ji is free, and its main hall is open 6:00 to 17:00 (6:30 from October to March) while the grounds stay open outside those hours. When to go, the Asakusa festivals in November 2026 and May 2027, and walking tours from ¥2,000.

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Guide

Meiji Shrine: Opening Hours, Entry and Etiquette

Meiji Jingu is free and open daily from sunrise to sunset (06:40 to 16:00 in December; 05:00 to 18:30 in June). Monthly hours, forest history, Shinto etiquette, and tours.

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Guide

Imperial Palace East Gardens: Hours and Closed Days

The Imperial Palace East Gardens are free and closed every Monday and Friday, plus 28 December to 3 January. Seasonal hours, Edo Castle ruins, gates, and palace tours.

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Guide

Tokyo Museums: Hours, Prices and Closed Days

Which Tokyo museums and gardens are open on Mondays, and which are not. Tokyo National Museum (¥1,000), National Museum of Western Art (¥500), Edo-Tokyo Museum (¥800), and Shinjuku Gyoen (¥500) close Mondays. Rikugien and Koishikawa Korakuen (¥300) stay open. Hours and free days.

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Guide

Shibuya Crossing: Best Viewpoints and When to Go

Shibuya Scramble Crossing is five crossings in one, free to walk and best watched from above. The free viewpoints (Mark City walkway, Hikarie), paid decks (Shibuya Sky from ¥2,700), Hachiko's story, and exit navigation.

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Guide

Tokyo Street Kart Tours: Licence, Prices, Routes

Street kart tours drive go-karts on Tokyo's public roads in costume. You need a 1949 Geneva Convention IDP or official translation. Routes, prices, and insurance rules.

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Guide

Tokyo Onsen and Sento for Visitors: Tattoo Rules

A Tokyo sento costs ¥550 for an adult, with towels and soap available at the desk. How public communal bathing works step by step, sento vs natural onsen, tattoo-friendly bathhouses, cover-up patches, and private rental baths.

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Guide

Free Things to Do in Tokyo: What Costs Nothing

Tokyo's premier free sights: Senso-ji, Meiji Jingu, the Imperial Palace East Gardens, free skyline observatories in Shinjuku and Bunkyo, and Shibuya Crossing. Includes operating hours, closed days, free museum dates, and guided walks from ¥1,000.

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Guide

Tokyo Etiquette for Visitors: Trains, Shrines, Tipping

The essential Tokyo etiquette rules: phone silence on trains, genkan shoe removal, tatami rules, Shinto shrine purification vs Buddhist temple prayers, chopstick taboos, street smoking bans and why tipping is never done.

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Guide

Money in Tokyo: Cash, Cards, Suica and Tipping

Tokyo remains a cash-reliant city where small vendors, temples, and ramen ticket machines require yen. How Seven Bank and Japan Post ATMs work with foreign cards, why nobody tips, Suica contactless payments, and avoiding ATM conversion fees.

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Guide

Tax-Free Shopping in Japan: New Refund Rules

From 1 November 2026 Japan's tax-free shopping works by refund: you pay 10% consumption tax at the till and claim it back at the airport. Spend ¥5,000 or more per shop, rules on airport customs kiosks, baggage check-in pitfalls, and Ginza shopping.

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Guide

Is Tokyo Safe? Crime, Earthquakes and Typhoons

Tokyo is statistically one of the world's safest megacities, but nightlife districts carry risks of drink spiking, extortion, and touts. Laws on passports, medications, drug zero-tolerance, 23-day detention, and earthquake safety advice.

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