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Tokyo's technological leaps and passion for everything new have made the rest of the world sit up and take notice. A city made of smaller cities, Tokyo's neighbourhoods are individual and unique in what each can offer, from cultural sights to vast shopping malls. Get ready for a whirlwind of modernity and tradition in the neon-lit Japanese capital.
Japanese Yen (JPY)
¥100 ~ US$0,90
110 Police
119 Fire & Ambulance
Japan Times, The Daily Yomiuri
Asahi/International Herald Tribune
Tokyo Journal
Metropolis magazine
Banks are open Mon–Fri between 9am–3pm, major banks/branches are closed on Saturday and Sunday and closed national holidays. Shops are generally open Mon–Sun between 10am–8pm.
13.96 million (2021)
Tokyo TIC
Marunouchi Trust Tower North 1F, 1-8-1 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
+81 3 5220 7055
Open daily from 10am to 7pm
JR EAST Travel Service Center (Tokyo Station)
1-9-1 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
Open daily from 7:30am–8:30pm
The City
Before you set your foot outside the hotel door, be aware of Tokyo’s complicated address system. Very few streets have names and instead are identified by numbers indicating building, block and area. 1-11-18, Shibuya, Shibuya-ku would therefore translate as the 18th building of the 11th block of the 1st area of Shibuya in Shibuya ward. Invest in a bilingual map of Tokyo and don’t hesitate to ask police for directions, as even the locals can get confused.
Once you have grasped the navigation system, Tokyo is a delight to get around. The metro is super efficient, the city is clean and people are courteous and friendly. Though addresses may be confusing, Tokyo is divided neatly into 23 wards, each with a certain distinctive characteristic. Visit Asakusa for old-town charm and temples, Ginza for shopping, Mecca and Akihabara for electronics galore. Blend old and new to get a taste of Tokyo’s great diversity.
Variety is Tokyo’s key. Few other world cities are as wonderfully idiosyncratic. International and local influences intertwine in cuisine, festivals, music, galleries, shopping and even accommodation. Bizarre and fast-moving, yet peaceful and intrinsically religious, Tokyo’s identity is above all, distinctly Japanese, despite existing as a world of its own.
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Do & See
Whether you’re a techno buff or want to take in some more traditional Japanese sights and sounds, this city can offer it all. Visit splendid Shinto shrines or indulge in some shopping on Tokyo’s equivalent of Fifth Avenue.
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Meiji-jingu
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Tokyo National Museum
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Kabuki-za
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Sumo Wrestling
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Senso-ji
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Mori Art Museum
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Edo-tokyo Museum
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Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden
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Ueno Zoo
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Tokyo Great Cycling Tour
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Tokyo Disneyland
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National Museum of Nature and Science
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Rainbow Bridge
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Japanese Cooking Classes
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Shibuya crossing
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Yebisu Beer Museum
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Dining
Boasting more than 300.000 restaurants, cafes, and food stalls, the only problem when going for dinner in Tokyo is too much choice. Japanese food is famous for its clean and fresh taste, but here you can really delve into the depths of this oriental cuisine. Sample the best sushi before moving on to more adventurous fare in an izakaya or yatai street stall.
High-end dining can be expensive, but in restaurants such as the New York Grill, there is no doubt that you are paying for the very best in terms of cuisine and, in the former, spectacular views. Many of the more pricey venues offer great deals for lunch, so it is worth making the most of these culinary delights earlier in the day. Book ahead for most places, especially during the weekends and watch out for a particular eating etiquette. Sticking your chopsticks into your rice vertically is a funerary custom!
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Chinese Café Eight
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Teshigotoya Seigetsu
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New York Grill
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Elio Locanda Italiana
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Brasserie Aux Amis
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Pizzakaya Roppongi
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Toh-Ka-Lin
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Nirvanam
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Aronia de Takazawa
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Burger Mania Hiroo
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Kobe Beef Kaiseki 511
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Salsita
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Ise Sueyoshi
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Tsuta
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Matsuya Ueno
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Ikinari Steak
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Cafés
Cafe culture is thriving in Tokyo, where novelties such as the manga craze have taken over many venues. In addition, the Japanese are caffeine fanatics and kissaten, literally, a "tea-drinking shop" that is also a coffee shop, has been set up on every corner to cater to this demand.
During the past decade, Tokyo has seen the emergence of the 24-hour manga kissaten, which offers comic books, internet access, and even a place to sleep for cartoon addicted night owls. Manga, literally translated as "crazy drawings", total almost 40 per cent of everything published in Japan. Magazines can amount to 5 or 6 hours of reading time each, which perhaps indicates the need for around the clock access in manga cafes.
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Zarigani Café
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Dean & Deluca
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Sakurai Japanese Tea Experience
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Bars & Nightlife
Most socialising done in Tokyo is away from home, hence the infinite number of venues that offer alcohol in the city, from the ubiquitous izakaya to the more exclusive glitzy bars. The nightlife in Tokyo has something to offer everyone. Whether you are looking for a hedonistic party, superclub sounds, or chilled-out beats, it’s all here for the taking. Lounge about or dance the night away at Tokyo's best clubs.
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Golden Gai
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New York Bar
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The Room
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H2 International Bar
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Odeon Tokyo
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Mogambo Tokyo
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Geronimo Shot Bar
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Shopping
Shopping in this city has become more of an art than a simple pleasure. If you’ve got cash to spend then this is the paradise of all shopping paradises. Shopping malls and department stores abound and specific areas are often devoted to certain wares to make life easier.
Roppongi is more than just hundreds of shops - it is a mini city of restaurants, clubs, cafés, cinemas, hotels and museums. It is where the expat crowd in particular, party, eat, drink, shop and hang out and is about as far from traditional Japan as is possible. Roppongi Hills, a mall comprising most of the above, is at the centre of this hive of activity and attracts a good percentage of Tokyo’s serious shoppers. Housing high street, boutique and designer brands, you can safely expect to find everything you’re looking for. .
If you want to avoid more mainstream bookstores and spend some time looking for some hidden literary treasures, Kanda is where to go. Browse among the second-hand shops that line Yasukuni Dori and you’re bound to stumble upon a few gems. Good Day Books is Tokyo’s oldest and most famous used English book store and you can spend hours here among the 40.000 second hand and new copies.
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Roppongi Hills
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Isetan Shinjuku Store
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Ginza Mitsukoshi
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Shibuya 109
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Oriental Bazaar
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Laox: Duty Free Flagship at Akihabara
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Ginza
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Harajuku
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Aoyama
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Akihabara
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Kappabashi Dori
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Don Quijote
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Tourist Information
Narita International Airport
Two airports serve Tokyo: Narita International Airport and Haneda International Airport (mainly internal flights).
Narita Airport is accessible by the Narita Express Train (N'EX) which is the fastest way to get from the city centre to the airport. It takes approx. 60 minutes to Tokyo Station and 41 minutes to Ueno Station.Trains depart approx. every half hour. You may consider getting a N'EX TOKYO Round Trip Ticket in the JR EAST Travel Service Centers and from JR Ticket Offices at Terminal 1 or 2.This ticket allows you to transfer to any other JR stations within Tokyo once. Narita Express Trains: www.jreast.co.jp
The Kesei Skyliner trains go from Narita to Ueno/Nippori station in approx. 45 minutes.
Skyliner: www.keisei.co.jp/keisei/tetudou/skyliner/us/ae_outline/index.php
For a cheaper choice, the Access Express goes to Higashi-Ginza station in approx. 65 minutes.
Access Express: www.keisei.co.jp/keisei/tetudou/skyliner/us/nrt_access/index.php
Limousine buses run regularly from Narite airport to key points in the city in approx. 75-125 minutes.
Limoushine Bus: www.limousinebus.co.jp/en/
Taxis are available for the 70 km journey but fares are astronomical.
Address: Narita Internation Airport, Tokyo
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Website: www.narita-airport.jp/en
More Information:
Haneda Airport
Haneda Airport is served by the Tokyo Monorail in approx. 20 minutes to Hamamatsucho Station leaving every 10 minutes almost around the clock. You may consider getting a 24/48/72 hours Welcome! Tokyo Subway Ticket to travel with Tokyo Metro and Toei Subway in the Keikyu Tourist Information Centre.
Tokyo Monorail: www.tokyo-monorail.co.jp
Keiyu: www.haneda-tokyo-access.com/en/
Buses run regularly from Haneda airport to key points in the city. For Tokyo city centre, it takes approx. 40 minutes.
Keiyu Bus: hnd-bus.com/
Limoushine Bus: www.limousinebus.co.jp/en/
Address: Haneda Airport, Tokyo
Email:
Phone:
Website: www.haneda-airport.jp/inter/en/
More Information:
Passport / Visa
Japan may be visited visa-free for up to 90 days by citizens of all European Union member states, Australia, Canada, the USA, as well as several other world countries. The up-to-date list of visa exemptions by country may be found at: https://www.mofa.go.jp/j_info/visit/visa/short/novisa.html
Citizens of countries not listed as not requiring visa will need to apply in advance via a Japanese mission or consulate closest to them.
Special visa requirements apply to citizens of China and the Philippines, as well as travellers visiting Japan as part of a cruise journey.
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Public transport
Tokyo has one of the most efficient train and subway systems in the world. Trains are clean and fast and all stations have signs in English.
The major train and subway systems are : East Japan Railway (JR), Tokyo Metro, and Toei Subway. There are other railway companies. Each company has its own ticket. A variety of tickets and passes are on offer to make it easier than buying individual tickets for every trip. You can also consider getting a prepaid Suica Travel pass to travel on JR , subways, and buses. These can be purchased at JR ’Green Window’ areas or at ticket machines.
www.tokyometro.jp/en/ticket/types/pass/index.html
www.jreast.co.jp/e/pass/index.html?src=gnavi
The East Japan Railway (JR) is represented by green letters "JR" logo, offering the fastest service but in a higher price. It operated overland train lines are colour-coded, the most frequently used line in Tokyo municipality is the Yamanote line (green).
Tokyo Metro runs by a private company. The subway consists of 9 lines with the light blue letter "M" logo. Subways and trains operate from 5am-midnight.
Toei Subway operates 4 subway lines by the Bureau of Transportation with a green shape logo.
Buses in Tokyo are run by several different companies. It is less confusing to take the subway or train around the city, but bus routes are efficient. Nevertheless, few signs are in English which makes navigation difficult. Bus route guides in English are available at Toei subway stations and hotels.
www.tokyobus.or.jp
Cycling is one of the most common ways to get around in Tokyo, if you’re feeling energetic. Some hotels will hire out bikes, but most will have further information on where to hire elsewhere.
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Taxi
Taxis are expensive but convenient in Tokyo. Weekend rates are even more expensive, as are rides between 11pm and 5am. Taxi stands are located in almost all busy areas and tipping is not expected.
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Post
Post boxes are red in Tokyo and the slot on the left is for domestic mail, the right one for international. English script is acceptable when writing addresses and stamps can be purchased at convenience stores. Post offices are indicated by a red and white ’T’ and are located everywhere. Post office ATMs accept foreign bank cards. The fare for postcards in irregular shapes is different from the regular ones.
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Pharmacy
Pharmacy in Japanese is "Yakkyoku". Generally, pharmacies are open from 9am to 6pm on weekdays and Saturdays, and closed on Sundays, while drugstores are usually open 7days a week and sometimes 24/24.
One of the biggest and popular pharmacy chains is Matsumoto Kiyoshi. They have stores scattered around the whole island and offer original brands of drugs and medicines including cosmetics and beauty products. Other chains in Japan are: SunDrug, Sugi Drug Group and Tsuruha Drug.
Here are some English-speaking pharmacies:
National Azabu Supermarket’s pharmacy
4-5-2 Minami-azabu, Minato-Ku, Tokyo
Opening hours: 8.30am - 9pm (7days a week)
www.national-azabu.com
Yakuju pharmacy
Roppongi Izumi Garden, 1-6-1 Roppongi, Minato-Ku, Tokyo
Monday - Friday:9am - 7pm, Saturday: 9.30am-2pm, 3pm-5pm
Address: 4-5-2 Minami-azabu, Minato-Ku, Tokyo
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Website: www.national-azabu.com
More Information:
Electricity
Japan’s current is 100V AC. Plugs have two flat-sided prongs.
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Telephone
Country code: +81
Area code: 03
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