Things to see and do on a trip to Tokyo

Tokyo is one of the most spectacular cities in Japan where tradition and the most advanced technologies coexist. Each neighborhood is a tourist attraction in itself. Busy streets full of luminous signs, skyscrapers and food stalls in every corner, a world apart if we compare it with Europe. Among all the things to do and see in Tokyo, temples, markets and parks are some of the favorite stops for tourists, but there is so much more as we will tell you in this post.

Passporter helps you organize your travel itinerary so you don’t miss a thing. Find out everything there is to do in the city and how to get around efficiently. We also give you some tips for getting around in a country so different from your own, where every little detail counts. Are you a foodie? Then Tokyo is the city for you. Sushi, Takoyaki, Ramen, Yakitori and Gyozas are just some of the dishes you can taste in the wide variety of restaurants in the city. Get your pencil and paper ready and let’s get started.

What are the best places to visit in Tokyo?

1. Akihabara, the neighborhood in Tokyo

This neighborhood is for the modern streets full of stores and neon lights. It is undoubtedly the most impressive corner in Tokyo. On Sundays and holidays, access to traffic is cut off and avalanches of people flood the neighborhood for shopping, going out for a drink or just strolling. So we recommend you to go during these days, to see it in its purest form.

The main street is Chuo-Dori, where there is more atmosphere. One of the main attractions of this area, although it may not be for all tastes, are the maid cafes, cafes where the waitresses are dressed as maids. Also common are the Cosplay Purikura, places where you can dress up as your favorite anime characters and take pictures with filters.

2. Toyosu Fish Market

The Toyuso market is the most important market in the city. So, it is one of the obligatory stops for tourists. Although it is a very modern market, it still retains the tradition of the old Tsukiji market, an emblem of Tokyo that closed recently. In the Toyuso market, besides being amazed by the great variety of stalls and ingredients so different from ours, you can see the tuna auction from one of the viewpoints. There are also sushi stalls where you can try the freshest fish in the city.

3. The Sensoji temple in Tokyo

The Sensoji temple is an emblem of the Asakusa district and a must see in Tokyo. This Buddhist temple gathers several buildings of interest inside such as a 5-story pagoda, halls, smaller temples, and beautifully manicured gardens. The complex is always open, but the main hall can only be visited from 6:00h to 17:00h. Admission is free of charge.

It is recommended to go very early because being a very touristy place fills up quickly. It is also worth going at night, when the lanterns are illuminated. Adjacent to the temple is Nakamise Street, the oldest shopping street in Tokyo and that will transport you to the past.

4. Shibuya, Hachiko’s neighborhood

Shibuya is another of the trendiest neighborhoods to visit in Tokyo. It is the nerve center of the city where you will see tall skyscrapers filled with offices, stores, neon and a lot of hustle and bustle in general. One of the most famous spots is the Shibuya Crossing with five crosswalks where thousands of people pass by every day.

The main attractions of the neighborhood are the statue of Hachiko, the viewpoint of Mag’s Park, Center Gai Street and the shrine of Konno Hachimangu Shrine and Toyosaka Inari, with entrance is free. In the same neighborhood you can hire guided tours in English that will tell you in detail about everything you should visit.

5. Harajuku

In the middle of the main street, Takeshita-dori, it is not uncommon to meet people in costumes as this neighborhood is famous for its kawaii tradition shared by thousands of young people in the country. One of the most beautiful places in the neighborhood is Yoyogi Park, where you can relax on the lakeside lawns. Guided tours are also organized in the neighborhood and we also recommend you to visit the Meiji Shrine.

Travel Tip: To organize your trip we recommend using Passporter totally free. You can be inspired by the experiences of other travelers, choose the places that interest you most, create the travel route with a geolocated map, upload all important documents such as reservations and invite your friends so that everyone can participate in the organization of the trip.

What to see around Tokyo

1. Yokohama

Yokohama is the second most populous city in Japan and one of the main economic centers of the country thanks to its commercial port, which in turn has influenced the mix of cultures that is reflected in every corner of the city. A clear example is China Town, the largest Chinatown in Asia. Yokohama has a lot to offer, and one of the most recommended visits is to Minato Mirai 21, one of the most modern business and entertainment areas in the country. The city is a 30-minute train ride from Tokyo and the ticket costs 550 yen.

2. Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park

This national park offers several interesting activities in the middle of the nature. Besides being able to walk through its forests and enjoy the views, we can visit Lake Ashi by boat with the Mount Fuji in the background. In the Hakone area there are also hot springs that have been used by both locals and travelers for thousands of years. And today they are the main tourist attraction of the area. Among the peaks and valleys there are some small lodgings called Ryokan that are traditional of the area and highly recommended to spend a couple of nights. From Tokyo it takes 1 hour and a half to get there and the trip (with transfer) costs 1190 yen.

What to see in 2 days in Tokyo

Tokyo is usually the first stop when we organize a trip to Japan and it is normal to spend a minimum of 2 or 3 days there. There is a lot to see in Tokyo and we would need months to get to know the city thoroughly, however, for tourists a week is enough. If you do not have that much time, this is our recommendation. The main attraction of Tokyo lies in its neighborhoods rather than in specific attractions. That’s why we recommend you to walk around the most important neighborhoods of the city and let yourself be carried away by curiosity. The neighborhoods to see in Tokyo are: Akihabara, Shibuya, Odaiba, Ginza, Shinjuku and Asakusa.

Where and what to eat in Tokyo

If you are a foodie, Tokyo is the city for you. For a few yen you can eat authentic and delicious Japanese specialties such as sushi, ramen, yakitori, gyozas, teriyaki among many others. Here are some of our favorite restaurants in Tokyo.

• Katsu Midori Seibu Shibuya: this is a typical conveyor belt sushi restaurant. The good thing is that it is very economical, the prices of the small plates range from 100 to 500 yen depending on the type of fish. It’s usually very crowded, but they serve fast so it’s worth the wait.
• Tempura bowl Tenya Asakusa: this is a fast-food restaurant specializing in tempura bowls of vegetables, fish and shrimp that are accompanied by rice and soup. The menu ranges from 700 to 900 yen.
• Nakiryu: it is the best restaurant in town to eat ramen as it has a Michelin star. There is always quite a queue, but it’s worth it for this delicious dish that costs no more than 11€.

Where to stay in Tokyo

The good thing about Tokyo is that there is such a wide range of accommodation that it won’t be difficult to find a place to stay. However, we recommend booking in advance to find accommodation at a good price and if possible well located. Some of the best areas to look for are Ikebukuro, Shinjuku or Ueno. Here are some accommodations that we recommend in the city.

• Imano Tokyo Hostel: this is a budget hostel 2km from the center that offers both private and shared rooms from 20€ per night. They have their own restaurant and serve breakfast for 5€. It is a simple, clean and very nice place.
• Odakyu Hotel Century Southern Tower: it is one of the most luxurious hotels in Tokyo. It is very well located near the center and has its own bar and restaurant, also provides transportation to the airport. Prices start at €100 and breakfast costs €26.
• Citadines Shinjuku Tokyo: it’s a set of fully equipped apartments with a kitchen and private bathroom less than 2km from the center. It has a fitness room and private parking. The night ranges from 60€ to 80€. They also offer breakfast for €10.

How to get to Tokyo

The closest airports to the city are Narita Airport, 75km from the center, which only receives international flights, and Haneda Airport, 15km away, which receives domestic flights. From Spain we will usually have to make a stopover in another country. Once at Narita Airport there are several options to get to the center.

• Narita Express NEX: it is the fastest way. It takes 1h and costs 3,070 yen.
• JR train: is cheaper and the price depends on the destination.
• Limousine bus: it is similar in price to the Narita Express and drops you off at your hotel.

From Haneda Airport the most common transport is the Tokyo Monorail, which costs about 500 yen. Another very good option to move around Japan is the bullet train, which connects the main cities of the country in a few hours and is really comfortable as it arrives at the central station.

What should I know before traveling to Tokyo

• The official currency of Japan is the yen.
• The best time to travel to Tokyo is spring, when the weather is warm and not yet as expensive as during the summer.
• It is best to avoid exchanging money at the airport, as their prices are high.
• In Japan, they speak Japanese. And since Tokyo is a tourist city, English is spoken in many places and there are also signs in this language.
• The tap water is drinkable.
• For Spanish citizens it is not necessary to have a visa if you travel for less than 90 days. But you must have your passport and be able to prove you have a the hotel reservations and that the trip is a tourist one.
• Hedge yourself against possible medical emergencies: travel insured.
• Carry the name of the hotel written down on paper.
• The country is generally very safe, but just in case be careful with your belongings.

How to prepare what to see on your trip to Tokyo

Register or download the Passporter App and discover all its possibilities.

• Get inspired by the experiences of other travelers.
• Create your own itinerary and add the app’s suggestions into it.
• Add the stops you are most interested in, as well as the restaurants and bars where you want to eat (you can use the points of interest we indicate in this post as a reference).
• Organize your itinerary by route days according to their location on the map (you can be inspired by the routes we present in the post).
• Check the travel budget that the app calculates for you based on your travel stops, restaurants, and leisure activities.
• Make any modifications you need and you’ll be all set for your trip.
• Share your experience. Upload photos of the places you visited on your trip to the app and recommend to other travelers what to see in Tokyo.

If you have doubts about how to do it, you can check our post: How to create your travel itinerary with Passporter.

Frequently asked questions about a trip to Tokyo