Complete Tokyo Travel Guide: Temples, Neighbourhoods and Japanese Food

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Why Visit Tokyo

Tokyo is a city of contrasts where centuries-old temples sit beside futuristic skyscrapers. With over 13 million inhabitants, Japan's capital offers a unique blend of tradition, technology, cuisine and pop culture that you won't find anywhere else.

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Best Time to Visit

Spring (March–May): The best time. Cherry blossoms (hanami) bloom from late March to mid-April. Pleasant 15–22°C.
Autumn (October–November): Spectacular autumn colours (momiji). 15–20°C with clear skies.
Summer (June–August): Intense humid heat (30–35°C) and rainy season in June.
Winter (December–February): Dry cold (2–10°C) but few tourists and clear skies with views of Mount Fuji.

Tip

Book at least 3 months in advance if visiting during cherry blossom season. Hotels sell out fast and prices surge.

Top Neighbourhoods

Shinjuku

The modern heart of Tokyo. Home to the world's busiest train station (3.5 million people daily). Visit the free observatory at the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building (202 metres) and get lost in Golden Gai, a labyrinth of 200+ tiny bars.

Shibuya

Home to the famous Shibuya Crossing, where up to 3,000 people cross at once. The Hachiko statue is at the station exit. Shopping, fashion and nightlife district.

Asakusa

Traditional Tokyo. Senso-ji temple (7th century) is the oldest in the city. Nakamise-dori street is packed with souvenir shops and traditional sweets.

Akihabara

Anime, manga and electronics paradise. Multi-storey shops like Yodobashi Camera and themed cafes (maid cafes from 1,500 JPY / £6 with drink included).

Harajuku & Omotesando

Harajuku is the epicentre of Japanese youth fashion. Takeshita-dori street is full of quirky shops and crepes. Omotesando is the upscale version with luxury boutiques.

Info

Download the "Japan Official Travel App" from JNTO. It includes offline maps, transport information and a translator.

Temples & Shrines

Senso-ji (Asakusa): Tokyo's oldest Buddhist temple. Free entry. Spectacular at night when illuminated.
Meiji Jingu (Harajuku): Shinto shrine dedicated to Emperor Meiji, surrounded by a 70-hectare forest. Free.
Zojo-ji: Buddhist temple with Tokyo Tower as backdrop. Free.
Nezu Jinja: One of Tokyo's oldest shrines, famous for azaleas in spring. Free.

Getting Around

Tokyo's public transport is extremely efficient and punctual. The system combines metro (Tokyo Metro and Toei), JR trains and buses.

Transport Cards

Suica/Pasmo: Rechargeable IC cards that work on all public transport and for payments in shops. Top up at machines in any station.
Japan Rail Pass (JR Pass): If you plan to travel outside Tokyo (Kyoto, Osaka), the 7-day JR Pass costs 50,000 JPY (about £213). Since the 2023 price increase, it's only worth it if you take long-distance Shinkansen journeys.

From the Airport

Narita to Tokyo: Narita Express (N'EX) 3,320 JPY (£14), 60 minutes to Shinjuku/Shibuya (fares rising ~8% in March 2026). Skyliner to Ueno: 2,520 JPY (£11), 36 minutes.
Haneda to Tokyo: Tokyo Monorail to Hamamatsucho: 500 JPY (£2.10), 13 minutes.

Warning

The last train departs around midnight. If you miss it, a taxi to the centre can cost 5,000–10,000 JPY (£21–£43). Another option is to wait in a manga cafe (from 1,500 JPY/night).

Japanese Food

Must-Try Dishes

Ramen: From 800–1,200 JPY (£3.40–£5). Try tonkotsu at Ichiran (Shibuya) or tsukemen at Fuunji (Shinjuku).
Sushi: From 1,000 JPY at kaiten-zushi (conveyor belt). For a premium experience, Tsukiji Outer Market offers sushi omakase from 3,000 JPY (£13).
Tempura: Fried vegetables and seafood. From 1,000 JPY at Tendon Tenya.
Yakitori: Grilled chicken skewers. 100–300 JPY per skewer in the alleys of Yurakucho.
Gyoza: Japanese dumplings. 300–500 JPY per serving.

Cheap Eats

Konbini (convenience stores like 7-Eleven, Lawson and FamilyMart) sell surprisingly good food: onigiri from 120 JPY (£0.50), bento boxes from 400 JPY (£1.70).

Hotels in Tokyo

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Practical Tips

Visa: UK citizens can visit visa-free for up to 90 days. Valid passport required.
Cash: Japan still relies heavily on cash. Many small restaurants and shops don't accept cards. Withdraw yen from 7-Eleven ATMs (no fees with certain cards).
Tipping: Do not tip in Japan. It's considered rude.
Wi-Fi: Rent a pocket Wi-Fi at the airport (from 500 JPY/day) or buy an eSIM before travelling.
Rubbish: There are no bins on the streets. Carry a bag for your rubbish or dispose of it at konbinis.
Shoes: Remove them when entering temples, ryokans and some traditional shops.

Recommended 5-Day Itinerary

Day 1: Shinjuku (free observatory, Golden Gai), Kabukicho.
Day 2: Asakusa (Senso-ji), Sumida River cruise, Odaiba.
Day 3: Meiji Jingu, Harajuku, Shibuya, Ebisu.
Day 4: Akihabara, Ueno (park and museums), Yanaka.
Day 5: Day trip to Kamakura (Great Buddha) or Nikko. Train from Shinjuku, 1–1.5 hours.

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