First time in Tokyo

Congratulations! Visiting Tokyo is really exciting! But we know it can be difficult to plan your first time in Tokyo.

What should you see and what are the must things to do in Tokyo? There is just too much, right? Which is why we created this ultimate Tokyo guide for you. And deal with the important things such as Why Tokyo, when to come, where to stay and how to do it the smart way. Which of course includes how much does it cost.

Tokyo a mix between new and the old

First, we must admit we love Tokyo!

It is one of these amazing places, where the old still meets the new. We just love walking around and seeing a Temple right next to a tall skyscraper and it is not unusual seeing a woman dressed in a Kimono riding the train among all the businessmen and Holidayers. And although we have lived in Tokyo for quite some time, it is still a bit magical…

It is also often hard to understand that this is a city with a population of nearly 14 Million People! Yes, Tokyo is one big city, but the beauty of it is you will never feel it. As with all of Japan, Tokyo is so organized and everyone is so polite. Even the famous rush hour is amazingly civilized. Give it a try if you are curious. Though we do recommend to avoid it, as it is not comfortable at all.

And last but not least, Tokyo is a great place to eat! It as more Michelin starred restaurants than any other place in the world. And everything tastes great in Tokyo, well all of Japan really. And when we say all we do not just talk Sushi or Ramen. Walk into any restaurant and you will find amazing food, not just Japanese but also other cuisines such as Italian, French or Mexican. Just have a look at some of our Restaurant Reviews to get a taste. So if you are a foodie then Tokyo will make your heart beat just that little bit faster!

Best time to travel to Tokyo

The great thing is, you can come to Tokyo at any time of the year. And every season has its unique charm. Of course, most people would like to see the cherry blossoms, which bloom in late March/early April. Which makes this the most expensive time to visit. And Autumn attracts many visitors for its autumn foliage change. If you decide to come in Fall check out our best places to see the autumn leaves in Tokyo.

If there is on time of the year we think might be a bit difficult for some people, that would be late June to early September, due to the high humidity. At the same time, many summer festivals happen right then.

Have a look at our Best time to visit Tokyo to find the perfect time for you!

How long should I stay in Tokyo?

This is the big question, to be honest, although living here, we find new and exciting things every day. So you could stay a week or a month, we promise you, you would enjoy it every day, with new things to explore. But thinking a little more realistically, if you could allocate a minimum of 3 days, you would be able to cover most things. Have a look at our 1 Day Tokyo Itinerary and 2 Day Tokyo Itinerary for some suggestions on what to do in Tokyo and how to spend your time smart.

If you do need specific advice or help planning your trip, contact us we cannot wait to hear from you!

What should I see or do the first time in Tokyo?

Tokyo is really one of these places you can find it all. The Temples, the Gardes, Shopping miles, Iconic places, Anime, Markets and more. It is also highly individual depending on your interest. But our suggestion is if you also visit Kyoto, keep the more traditional things for Kyoto and experience Tokyo through its Art, Architecture, Neighbourhoods, and of course its People.

Make sure to have a look at the Tokyo events calendar before you come, as well as our Tokyo itineraries to give you some ideas of what is possible in a few given time frames.

How expensive is Tokyo?

Funnily enough, Tokyo is really not that expensive! Of course, we all heard the story of the 20$ Melon, but most people coming to Japan are quite surprised that it is not as expensive as they thought it would be. Now that is a great surprise, isn’t it?

Now, being the Capital prices are a bit higher than in the rest of Japan, but that will just make your trip even more affordable in the long run. To give you a few examples of prices in Tokyo, let’s have a look at a daily Tokyo travel Budget.

Daily sample Budget for Tokyo

This is a pro person estimate spending per day in Tokyo updated in November 2019. We do not include Accommodation here, as it varies way too much and we will talk about it in a bit more detail later on.

Tokyo Trip Pricing

• Average Lunch: 1000¥ (Ramen 800¥, Konbini 500¥, Lunch Set 1200¥..)
• Average Dinner: 3000¥ (Yakitori 2000¥, Izakaya 3000¥…)
• Public transport: 1200¥ (Less if you have the JR Pass, but about 200¥ per ride)
• Average Admission to a place of interest: 800¥ (Garden 300¥, Museum 1000¥..)
• Adhoc Expenses: 600¥ (water 120¥, snack 200¥..)
• Total: 6600¥ (But can easily be done around 3000¥)

Of course, these are averages and you will always be able to find cheaper and more expensive options anywhere. If you like to get a better idea about Restaurants and prices, check out our extensive Restaurant Reviews. You will find prices, menus, genuine pictures and you can be sure you either get an English menu or something close to it. Meaning there are at least some pictures to help you order.

Where Should I Stay In Tokyo?

This is going to be pretty essential because it will eat most of your budget and also is going to affect your experience here in Japan to an extent you may not be aware of.

And we are not saying more expensive is better, no, we do not believe that at all. But we do believe there are things that bring value to a trip and accommodation in Japan is one of these things. What we suggest is to get at least one Ryokan experience into your Trip and if you can make it an Onsen. You will love it and it will transform your Japan experience.

There is nothing compared to waking up on a futon in a traditional Japanese room. And we truly believe it is one of the things you do not have to spend crazy money on either. And if you dare ad a Capsule Hotel onto your stay, they are unique and great fun!

Because we love traveling, we review the best value Hotels, Hostels, and Ryokans each year and compile our best accommodation in Japan. Have a look we also made a Page showcasing only the best accommodation in Tokyo and you can see them arranged by price. We hope that is helpful…

But which area in Tokyo is best to stay?

To be honest, we feel if you stay close to the JR Yamanote Line you have made a good choice.

The Yamanote Line is a circular line connecting pretty much all neighborhoods to each other. So staying within close reach to it, will ensure easy traveling while you are staying in Tokyo.

You may want to check our Tokyo itineraries, it will give you an idea of places to visit and also distances. You will get recommendations for great places to see and what to do.

How easy is it to travel around Tokyo?

Tokyo is huge. And we generally give people the advice to plan at least an hour to get anywhere.

But the great part is, Tokyo has one of the best Public Transport systems and they have been making changes as part of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic planning to make it even more foreigner-friendly! With English translations everywhere, announcements being made in several languages, at some stations, and many of the Staff now speaking a little English, there is no need to be worried.

We do recommend to get one of the widely used Prepaid train cards called “Pasmo” or “Suica” as they will take the hassle out of buying a ticket each time.

Also, as you are likely to visit other cities in Japan, we do recommend getting a Japan Rail Pass before you arrive. It is a great way to save money on traveling especially if you take the Shinkansen.

How safe is Tokyo really?

Yes, Japan is really one of the safest places you can travel to. People are genuinely helpful and honest. You will be surprised to what extent. People leave their bags and go to use the bathroom or phones on the table while going to the cashier. It really is a different world. Nevertheless, we do not recommend doing the same and it is always great advice to be careful and use your best judgment in any situation.

Can I use an ATM in Tokyo?

Yes, you can!

But not every ATM will work. They have to accept international bank and credit cards which Post Bank or local Japanese Banks may not do. But don’t worry almost every convenience store does. We were always able to withdraw money from an ATM at 7-11. And these “Konbinis” short for convenience store here in Japan are literally around every corner.

Should I hire a tour guide or buy tickets in advance?

In our opinion, there is a lot of information out there so you can have a great time planning your trip to Tokyo by yourself. But with limited time on your hands and the obvious language barrier having someone to guide you or help you with your planning can add invaluable experiences to your trip and really make it unforgettable.

When we came to Tokyo the first time we were lucky to have a friend here helping us with transport to the Hotel, booking of tickets and most importantly took us out for a Meal. To be honest with the Jetlag it would have been a huge challenge. And one reason why we created this Platform is to help you get across those few hurdles.

Of course, if you are an avid traveler, love to explore and don’t mind not understanding Menus ect this may not apply for you. But generally, we would recommend hiring a tour guide in one of the following cases:

• When you arrive to get your bearings
• If you have very limited time, to make the best out of it
• If you have a special interest, your guide can create a custom itinerary
• To get local knowledge, see things off the Beaten Track
• Get the insider view, ask questions you may not usually get an answer to
• Learn a few basic manners that will make your trip more enjoyable

And the best part, there are many guides in Tokyo. From Airbnb Experiences to small Tour Guide Companies or Individuals you can definitely find someone to help you with what you need! And then explore the rest of Tokyo. Feel free to contact us, if you are interested in hiring a private guide for your trip, we would be happy to help you out.

You can also join us on our weekly Tokyo Sake tasting with Sake sommelier or join our friends at Arigatou Tours for some unforgettable walking tours and explore Tokyo in a Fun and interactive way!

Decision made I am coming to Tokyo! But how?

Many Travellers struggle with this, especially as Tokyo has two main airports Narita International Airport (NRT) and Haneda Airport (HND). And to add to the confusion, both have international arrivals and departures.

The obvious choice for anybody living in Tokyo is Haneda. As it is closer to the city and easier to access. But not all Airlines fly to Haneda, so it is good to check.

And of course, Flights can vary in price but also in the time that it takes, so it is always best to compare, we found Booking Buddy quite helpful.

The end…

..or the beginning for you!

We hope this will give you a better overall Idea and will get you started in your planning. But this is really the exciting bit, right?

And the best part, you will enjoy Japan and especially Tokyo no matter what. As it is one of the most amazing places to visit!!!