Tokyo Travel Guide: Neon Districts, Train Systems & 2026 Logistics

Choosing where to stay in Tokyo often comes down to whether you want to wake up near centuries-old temples or in the middle of the neon and noise. Basing yourself in Asakusa puts you close to Senso-ji Temple, and getting there early in the morning before the tour groups arrive is genuinely worth setting an alarm for.

Asakusa sits apart from Tokyo's western commercial districts, though, so if your plans lean toward Shinjuku's nightlife, the Shibuya Crossing, or the city's best shopping and restaurants, staying somewhere along the Yamanote loop line on the west side will save you a lot of back-and-forth. Our hotel booking guide can help you think through which area fits your actual itinerary rather than just picking based on photos.

Tokyo has two airports, and which one your flight uses is worth checking before you book a hotel. Narita (NRT) takes most long-haul international flights but sits about 40 miles outside the city, meaning roughly an hour on the Narita Express to reach central Tokyo. Haneda (HND) is much closer in, with a monorail ride of about 20 minutes into the city centre.

If you're planning to take the bullet train onward to Kyoto or Osaka, it's worth knowing that oversized luggage needs an advance reservation on the Shinkansen — worth sorting out before travel day rather than at the station. Our fare tracking tool can help you watch for a good deal while you decide which airport works best.

Senso-ji Temple in Asakusa is the classic first stop, and the surrounding Nakamise shopping street is worth a slow walk even if you're not buying anything. Shibuya Crossing is one of those things that sounds silly on paper — just watching people cross a street — but it's genuinely worth seeing at least once. The Tsukiji Outer Market still has some of the city's best seafood breakfast spots, even though the main wholesale market moved to Toyosu.

Akihabara rewards fans of electronics and anime with a genuinely dense concentration of shops, while a day trip out to Hakone or Nikko offers hot springs, mountains and a break from the city if you have the time. Booking a slot to see the observation deck at TeamLab Planets or a similar digital art installation is worth doing in advance, since the popular ones sell out.

Four to five days lets you see the major districts without feeling rushed, plus a day trip out of the city if you want one. Spring (cherry blossom season) and fall are the most popular times to visit, with correspondingly higher prices — if you can travel in June or February instead, you'll find better rates and thinner crowds.

First-time visitors will get the most out of a base near Shinjuku or Shibuya, close to the main sights and easy train connections. Culture and history fans should spend real time in Asakusa beyond just a quick photo stop. Anime and gaming fans will want to build in a half-day for Akihabara. Foodies can easily plan an entire trip around ramen shops, izakayas and the Tsukiji market alone. Travellers continuing on to Kyoto or Osaka should check bullet train schedules and luggage rules before their trip.