Known for

Temples, arcades, ramen restaurants, Tokyo Tower, electronics, anime, cherry blossoms…

This is Tokyo.

Tokyo is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. The city is full of interesting and iconic landmarks, as well as endless shopping opportunities. Whether you’re looking for lively nightlife or tranquil gardens, Tokyo has it all. Tokyo has something to offer everyone, and this guide will help prepare you for your visit!

Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a seasoned traveller, getting the most out of a city can be daunting. This guide will help you explore the best that Tokyo has to offer, as well as providing tips and tricks to help you navigate the Tokyo metro system.

Looking for something in particular? Use the quick-links below to jump to the exact section that you need.

Tokyo Metro

Metro map and getting around

Tickets

Fare Adjustments

Additional Tokyo Metro Info

Fun fact

Other Transport

How to get from Narita airport

Things to Do in Tokyo

Weather

Currency

Tipping

Internet

Using the Tokyo Metro

Tokyo is one of the biggest cities in the world so knowing the best way to get around is essential if you want to get the most out of it. The metro and railways are the quickest ways to get about and are easy to use too when you know the basics.

There are 3 main types of metro and railway line within central Tokyo. The JR line, Toei lines and Tokyo metro lines. All 3 are interchangeable when you’re in the city. There might be minor differences in price but other than that it’s easy to change from one to the other without much effort.

The Tokyo Metro is often hailed as the best metro system in the world, partly due to its trains running on time, all the time. In fact, the trains are so rarely late that if they are, the staff at each station distribute a train delay certificate which can be shown to a boss, a teacher, or person in charge so that they believe your excuse of your train being late!

The metro map and getting around

Tokyo’s metro map can be a little overwhelming so we recommend downloading the Mapway app so you have something you can keep with you and refer back to when you need it. As a bonus, our version of the Tokyo Metro map’s unique layout makes it easier to read too.

With the addition of the “nearest station” feature, you’ll quickly get a grasp on where you are and where you’re going. You can also plan routes across Tokyo and see how long they’ll take. It also works offline, so there’s no need to worry about Wifi or data.

Tickets and travel cards

On the Tokyo Metro passengers can use regular tickets, coupon tickets and unlimited ride passes. There are also rechargeable cards that can be topped up at the ticket machines and used to tap in. The two types of cards, the Pasmo and the Suica, work in exactly the same way, they are simply sold by different companies (as well as being different colours).

The Tokyo Subway Ticket is available for visitors to Tokyo. This ticket offers 24-72 hours of unlimited rides on all Tokyo Metro and Toei Subway lines. More information can be found here.

The Japan Rail Pass, which is also known as the JR Pass, is a rail pass for visitors from overseas which is valid for travel on all major forms of transport provided by the Japan Railways Group, with a few exceptions. For more information on the JR Pass check out their website here.

Where to buy a ticket

There are ticket machines at every station. You can buy individual tickets as well as topping up the Pasmo and Suica cards. If you don’t already have a Pasmo or Suica card you can buy one at Narita and Haneda airports. They are also available at certain metro and rail stations from the ticket machines.

Fare adjustments

Tickets come in units of ¥170, ¥200, ¥240, ¥280 and ¥310. If you aren’t sure which one to buy for your journey, you can actually buy the cheapest and adjust the ticket at the end of your journey.

In metro and train stations you will see “fare adjustment” machines. Similar to ticket machines, these can read a passenger’s ticket and tell them how much should be added to reach the appropriate total for the journey they have made.

The same thing can also be done with the Pasmo and Suica cards. You can get on the metro even if you don’t have enough money on your card, you will just have to add the fare on before you pass through the barriers at the other end.

Fun fact: While not quite as quick as the bullet trains, the Skyliner is one of Japan’s fastest trains, reaching speeds of 160 km/h.

Operating hours

Despite Tokyo feeling like a city that doesn’t sleep, the metro isn’t 24 hours. Most metro trains start at about 5am and the final trains leave at about midnight. If you’re unsure about exact timings, try to finish your journeys by 23:30pm and you should be fine.

Accessibility

The Tokyo Metro is very accessible and the staff are very quick to provide a ramp for wheelchair users getting on the train. There are lifts for every platform and most central metro stations have escalators.

On the train carriages there is also priority seating. If it is free, you can sit here but you should give up your seat if there is someone who needs it such as an elderly person or someone with a disability.

Mobilephones on the metro

A common sight on Tokyo metro trains and other transport are signs that request passengers to turn their phones on silent. It’s also requested that passengers refrain from taking calls as this can disturb other passengers.

Women-only carriages

Another sign you might spot is the pink “women-only” sign on some carriages. During the morning rush hour only women, elementary school students and young children can use these carriages. At other times these are free for everyone to use but if you’re unsure about whether or not you can use one, it’s best to avoid them.

Japan’s rail system and slime mould

The Japanese rail system was designed by a huge team of dedicated and talented engineers over countless hours, to make Japan’s rail system one of the world’s most efficient. However, they could have just asked some slime mould to do it for them!

When presented with oat flakes arranged in the formation of cities around Tokyo, brainless, single-celled slime moulds built a network of nutrient-chanelling tubes that strikingly resemble the Japanese rail system. The research is now being applied to help future and existing rail networks become more efficient. If you want to learn more about this, follow this link to a news article discussing the study and it’s findings.

Reference: Tero et al. 2010. Rules for Biologically Inspired Adaptive Network Design. Science 10.1126/science.1177894

Image courtesy of Tero et al. 2010

If there is an emergency call 110 for the police, call 119 for an ambulance and the fire department.

Alternative transport

Bus

The buses in Tokyo are a bit more difficult to work out than the metro. However this depends on how much information is available at an individual stop (and whether any of it is in English).

Digital signs on the buses are displayed in both Japanese and English. When you’re on the bus you will need to listen very carefully for the name of your stop and press the button next to your seat to request the driver to stop.

Fares are ¥210 per adult. You can pay by depositing the fare into the box as you get on. There are also ticket machines on the bus and you can use a Suica or Pasmo card if you have one.

Shinkansen/ Bullet train

Japan is famous for its bullet trains, known locally as the Shinkansen. If you’re staying within Tokyo you won’t have any need to use one but these high speed trains are a great option for travelling to other cities in Japan. To use one you will need to purchase a ticket and reserve a seat at a major train station. They are also covered by the JR Rail Pass.

Taxi

If you need a taxi, look out for the light on the vehicle’s dashboard as red means it’s available and yellow means it’s occupied. It’s very unlikely you’ll find a driver that can speak English so it’s useful to have your destination written down if possible.

Alternatively you can use a ride-sharing app which will help get around the language barrier and also give you a fare estimation before you travel.

How to get from Narita airport

Narita is Tokyo’s international airport so if you’re arriving from outside Japan, this is where you’re most likely to land. Getting the train is one of the quickest and simplest ways to get from the airport. The railway station is underneath the airport and very easy to get to. Simply follow the signs, which are in both Japanese and English.

It’s possible to buy a ticket from a vending machine at the station or tap in using one of the contactless cards (such as the Pasmo). This will let you through to the platform where you can just jump on the Limited Express train. However this won’t be the quickest way to get to central Tokyo.

The main options are the Limited Express on the Keisei Electric Railway, the Narita Express and the Skyliner. The Narita Express and Skyliner both have reserved seating so you will need to book in advance. These can be bought on the day, however you will need to either use a specific company ticket machine or ticket desk. In fact the Skyliner even has it’s own dedicated platforms.

Also available from the airport are taxis, ride sharing services and the Airport Limousine Bus. The bus runs once an hour and is the cheapest way to travel to Tokyo.

Things to Do in Tokyo

Tokyo has a unique mix of traditional and modern. You can shop for the latest electronics in a department store then go for a short walk and see a temple that’s over a thousand years old. One way to tackle this huge city is to head for a district and see what’s there. But if you’re feeling overwhelmed, we’ve got a few recommendations for you.

Tokyo Sky Tree

Tokyo Skytree is a broadcasting and observation tower in Sumida. It became the tallest structure in Japan in 2010 and reached its full height of 634 meters in March 2011. Currently it is the third tallest structure in the world, after the Merdeka 118 and the Burj Khalifa.

Harajuku

If shopping for quirky objects and alternative fashion is your thing then you should definitely spend some time in Harajuku. There are also food carts here selling crepes with lots of different and delicious fillings.

Sensoji Temple

The Buddhist goddess of mercy, Kannon, is depicted in gold in Tokyo’s busiest temple. According to legend, two fishermen dragged the golden statue of Kannon miraculously out of the nearby Sumida-gawa in AD 628. Since then, the statue hasn’t moved, but it’s never been seen by the public.

Akihabara

A top destination for gamers, anime fans and movie geeks. The shops in Akihabara are filled with rare gems and mountains of merchandise that you won’t find anywhere else. It’s also a good place to find an arcade, which are always good fun.

Yoyogi Park

Yoyogi-ken, a sizable grassy area, always has a swarm of people lounging around it on a beautiful, warm Saturday afternoon. It’s a great spot for a picnic and maybe the only place in the city where you can throw a frisbee without worrying about hitting someone.

Shibuya Crossing

Shibuya Crossing is a popular scramble crossing in Shibuya, Tokyo. With up to 3,000 people crossing at once, the intersection is the busiest pedestrian crossing on the planet. If your not up for being part of the large crowd, grab a seat upstairs in a nearby cafe for a great view of the crossing.

Tokyo National Museum

If you only have time for one museum, then make sure you visit the Tokyo National Museum. The largest collection of Japanese art in the world may be seen here, including magnificent kimonos, Buddhist sculptures, samurai swords, colourful ukiyo-e (woodblock prints), and ancient pottery.

Nakano Broadway

The entrance to Nakano Broadway is fairly hidden and the inside might not look that special at first glance, but trust us, there are some real treasures here. Rare books, quirky clothing and retro toys can all be found here.

Asakusa

Asakusa was Tokyo’s primary entertainment hub for many years. When the neighbourhood was outside the city limits during the Edo Period (1603–1867), Asakusa was home to kabuki theatres and a sizable red light district.

Ghibli Museum

The studio behind popular films like Spirited Away, My Neighbor Totoro, Ponyo, and Princess Mononoke, among numerous others, is housed at this museum, which serves as the hub of the Studio Ghibli universe. In contrast to Disney World, this is a museum rather than a theme park, but the levels of enthusiasm on display are perhaps just as strong.

Golden Gai

Golden Gai is a cluster of tiny bars with capacity for little more than a dozen people. It has been a landmark of Shinjuku for over 50 years. Each is as distinctive and eccentric as the “master” or “mama” who controls it. In a way, Golden Gai, with its low-slung wooden structures and striking aesthetic, is their masterpiece.

Ryōgoku Kokugikan

Ryōgoku Kokugikan is the name given to two different indoor athletic venues situated in Tokyo. It is also known as Ryōgoku Sumo Hall or Kokugikan Arena. The original Ryōgoku Kokugikan, which was situated on the grounds of the Ekin temple in Ryōgoku, first opened its doors in 1909.

Weather

The weather is fairly unpredictable in Tokyo and it can rain quite frequently. June and September are the wettest months so be prepared with an umbrella. Thankfully you can easily find umbrellas for sale in most convenience stores.

In Tokyo the summers are short, hot, humid, and mostly cloudy, while the winters are very cold and clear. Over the course of the year the temperature usually varies from 2°C to 30°C.

The hottest month in Tokyo is August with an average temperature of 26°C and the coldest month is January with an average of 5°C.

Tokyo monthly average temperatures

Currency in Tokyo, Japan

Japan is mainly a cash society. The currency used in Tokyo is the Yen, written internationally as ¥ but sometimes written locally as 円. Notes are for the value of ¥1,000 and higher. Coins come in units of ¥1, ¥5, ¥10, ¥50, ¥100 and ¥500. Vending machines don’t typically accept ¥1 and ¥5 coins so spend them when you can. And if you’re a fan of arcade games and capsule machines keep a hold of your ¥100 coins, you’ll need them!

ISO code: JPY

Symbol: ¥, 円, 圓

Subunit: sen

Banknotes: JPY¥1000, JPY¥2000, JPY¥5000, JPY¥10000

Coins: JPY¥1, JPY¥5, JPY¥10, JPY¥50, JPY¥100, JPY¥500

Did you know? In Tokyo you should generally stand on the left of the escalator, but this rule isn’t true for all of Japan. So if you’re travelling around the country observe what others do.

Tipping

Tipping doesn’t really happen in Japan and attempting to do so will cause confusion. So expect to pay for food and services to the exact Yen. The Japanese believe you are already paying for a good service so there is no need to pay extra by tipping.

If you’re keen to say thank you to someone for helping you during your stay, money placed in an envelope is acceptable and considered more polite than money on its own. Alternatively you can present them with a small gift such a souvenir from your home country.

Internet and Wifi

Free Wifi is available in a number of train stations and public places. Hotels and hostels may also include Wifi with your stay at no extra cost.

Visitors to Japan may want to hire a “Pocket Wifi” or Wifi Sim card for their phone. The Pocket Wifi is available to rent from a number of different companies. It’s a small device that acts as a personal Wifi hotspot, making it ideal if you’re travelling as a group.

Wifi Sim cards are also available for your phone. These replace your normal Sim card and allow you to access the internet. However they don’t work like a normal phone sim card and you won’t be given a Japanese phone number. So any “calls” you make, if any, will have to be done using online apps.

Click here for a Wifi map of free hotspots in Tokyo available to download on iOS and Android

A travel guide to

Tokyo.

Known for

Temples, arcades, ramen restaurants, Tokyo Tower, electronics, anime, cherry blossoms…

This is Tokyo.

Using the Tokyo Metro

The metro map and getting around

Tickets and travel cards

Where to buy a ticket

Fare adjustments

Fun fact: While not quite as quick as the bullet trains, the Skyliner is one of Japan’s fastest trains, reaching speeds of 160 km/h.

Operating hours

Accessibility

Mobilephones on the metro

Women-only carriages

Japan’s rail system and slime mould

Reference: Tero et al. 2010. Rules for Biologically Inspired Adaptive Network Design. Science 10.1126/science.1177894

Image courtesy of Tero et al. 2010

If there is an emergency call 110 for the police, call 119 for an ambulance and the fire department.

Alternative transport

Bus

Shinkansen/ Bullet train

Taxi

How to get from Narita airport

Things to Do in Tokyo

Tokyo Sky Tree

Harajuku

Sensoji Temple

Akihabara

Yoyogi Park

Shibuya Crossing

Tokyo National Museum

Nakano Broadway

Asakusa

Ghibli Museum

Golden Gai

Ryōgoku Kokugikan

Weather

Tokyo monthly average temperatures

Currency in Tokyo, Japan

Did you know? In Tokyo you should generally stand on the left of the escalator, but this rule isn’t true for all of Japan. So if you’re travelling around the country observe what others do.

Tipping

Internet and Wifi