Tokyo Travel Guide 2026: Everything First-Time Visitors Need
Introduction
In 2025 Japan welcomed a record 40+ million foreign visitors — and Tokyo was the centre of that surge. The city is busier than it has been in decades, but still works smoothly thanks to Japan’s remarkable infrastructure.
This guide covers what you actually need to plan a successful first trip to Tokyo: visa, transport, where to stay, what to eat, and how to navigate the basics.
The basics
- Currency: Japanese yen (¥ / JPY). $1 ≈ ¥150 (April 2026)
- Language: Japanese. English is increasingly common in tourist areas, signs and major stations are bilingual
- Voltage: 100V, Type A plugs (same as the US)
- Tipping: Not done. Service is included
- Tap water: Safe to drink
- Safety: One of the safest large cities in the world
- Time zone: JST (UTC+9), no daylight saving
Visa
Most travellers can enter Japan visa-free for stays up to 90 days — see our Japan Visa Guide for the full list and recent additions (Brazil, Saudi Arabia eVISA, Peru, etc.).
Getting from the airport
From Narita (NRT)
| Option | Time | ¥ |
|---|---|---|
| Narita Express (N’EX) → Tokyo Station | ~60 min | ¥3,070 |
| Keisei Skyliner → Ueno/Nippori | ~36 min | ¥2,520 |
| Limousine Bus → Shinjuku/Shibuya | ~90 min | ¥3,200 |
From Haneda (HND)
| Option | Time | ¥ |
|---|---|---|
| Tokyo Monorail → Hamamatsuchō | ~13 min | ¥500 |
| Keikyu Line → Shinagawa | ~11 min | ¥300 |
Tip: If you’re choosing your flight, Haneda saves you 1-2 hours of commute.
Transport in Tokyo
Get an IC card immediately
Suica or PASMO — rechargeable cards usable on every train, metro, bus, konbini and vending machine. Add it to Apple Wallet or Google Wallet, or buy a physical one at any major station.
Note: Foreign-only versions (Welcome Suica, PASMO Passport) are valid 28 days and don’t refund the deposit but don’t require a Japanese phone number.
Tokyo subway passes
| Pass | Coverage | Price |
|---|---|---|
| 24-hour | Tokyo Metro + Toei Subway | ¥800 |
| 48-hour | Tokyo Metro + Toei Subway | ¥1,200 |
| 72-hour | Tokyo Metro + Toei Subway | ¥1,500 |
Available at Narita, Haneda and major hotels — show your passport.
Apps to install
- Google Maps — works perfectly for trains, includes platform numbers
- Tokyo Metro app — clearest subway-only routing
- Visit Japan Web — pre-fill immigration & customs forms before landing
Where to stay (best neighbourhood for first-time visitors)
| Area | Best for | Vibe |
|---|---|---|
| Shinjuku | First-time, easy access | Skyscrapers, food, shopping, Robot Restaurant area |
| Shibuya | Trendy, walkable | The famous scramble, Harajuku next door |
| Tokyo Station / Marunouchi | Day trips | Best base for Shinkansen, business district |
| Ginza | Mid-range, refined | Department stores, Michelin restaurants |
| Asakusa | Traditional, cheaper | Sensōji, ryokans, easy on the wallet |
| Roppongi | Nightlife | International, expensive, less family-friendly |
Avoid: Akasaka and Iidabashi (boring), Akihabara as a base (great to visit, less ideal to sleep).
Top areas to visit
Day 1 — Classic Tokyo
- Shibuya Crossing + Hachikō statue
- Harajuku (Takeshita Street, Meiji Shrine)
- Shinjuku (Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building free observatory + Omoide Yokochō for dinner)
Day 2 — Traditional & food
- Asakusa (Sensōji Temple, Nakamise shopping street)
- Tokyo Skytree (¥2,100, sunset for best views)
- Akihabara (electronics, anime, gaming) for the evening
Day 3 — Cool & quirky
- Tsukiji Outer Market (sushi breakfast, 5 AM start optional)
- Ginza (department stores, Itoya stationery)
- TeamLab Planets / Borderless (book in advance)
Day 4 — Day trip
Pick one:
- Mt. Fuji + Lake Kawaguchiko (best Mt. Fuji views, JR + bus)
- Hakone (onsen + ropeway, with Hakone Free Pass)
- Nikko (UNESCO temples, ~2 hours by train)
- Kamakura (Great Buddha + beach, ~1 hour)
Food essentials
| Don’t miss | Where |
|---|---|
| Conveyor-belt sushi | Sushiro, Kura Sushi (chains, ¥120/plate) |
| Tonkotsu ramen | Ichiran, Ippudo (chains everywhere) |
| Tonkatsu (pork cutlet) | Maisen (Aoyama) |
| Konbini onigiri | 7-Eleven, Lawson, Family Mart (¥150-¥250) |
| Wagyu beef | Yakiniku Like (chain) for affordable |
| Matcha sweets | Tsujiri (Ginza), Nakamura Tōkichi (Asakusa) |
Stay connected
Bullet train day trips
Money tips
- 7-Eleven and Japan Post ATMs accept international cards 24/7
- Carry ¥10,000-¥20,000 in cash; many small shops are cash-only
- Tax-Free — show your passport for purchases over ¥5,000 in a single store, save 10%
- IC cards work in vending machines, konbini, and on every train
Final tips
- Book hotels 2-3 months ahead for cherry blossom (late March-early April), Golden Week (late April-early May), and autumn leaves (October-November)
- Don’t try to do too much — Tokyo is huge, give each area at least half a day
- Keep your passport on you — required for tax-free shopping and some tickets
- Don’t bring tipping cash — you won’t use it
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