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For a first visit, stay 3 to 4 nights in Tokyo. Families are most comfortable near Tokyo Station or Ginza; couples who want evenings out will love Shibuya. Don’t miss Senso-ji and Tokyo Skytree, Shibuya Crossing and Shibuya Sky, Harajuku, teamLab Planets and Tokyo Disney. Trains are the fastest way around; a private car is easier with children or a lot of shopping.
Tokyo is huge, and many first-time visitors don’t know where to begin. The trick is to stop thinking of it as one city. Tokyo is a collection of neighbourhoods, each with its own character, and once you know which one is which, planning becomes simple.
I was born in Japan and lived there for 26 years before moving to Dubai. This is the Tokyo guide I give to friends here.
Think of Tokyo by area
| Area | What it is like | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Asakusa and Ueno | Old Tokyo: Senso-ji temple, Nakamise Street, close to Tokyo Skytree | Culture, souvenirs, first morning |
| Tokyo Station and Ginza | The shinkansen station, luxury shopping, Japanese sweets | Families, easy travel to Kyoto and the airports |
| Shibuya, Harajuku and Omotesando | Shibuya Crossing, Shibuya Sky, fashion and cafés | Couples, shopping, evenings out |
| Shinjuku | Huge station, city views and nightlife | Night views; families should stay away from Kabukicho |
| Odaiba and Toyosu | teamLab Planets, the waterfront | Children |
Where to stay in Tokyo
Families: Tokyo Station or Ginza. You can walk to the shinkansen for Kyoto, airport trains leave from here, and the area is calm in the evening. Couples: Shibuya if you want shops and restaurants on your doorstep, with Harajuku and Omotesando a short walk away, or Roppongi and Toranomon for many of the city’s luxury hotels.
If you are travelling as a family, Shinjuku is convenient but busy at night, and the nightlife district of Kabukicho is next to the station. Our guide to whether Japan is safe explains more.
Local tip: Japanese hotel rooms are small. For a family, book connecting rooms or a suite early, as they are the first to sell out.
10 places not to miss in Tokyo
1. Senso-ji and Nakamise Street. Tokyo’s oldest temple, reached through a street of snack and souvenir stalls. Go early in the morning, before the tour groups arrive.
2. Tokyo Skytree. Japan’s tallest tower, a short walk or taxi from Senso-ji. On a clear day you can see Mount Fuji.
3. Shibuya Crossing and Shibuya Sky. Walk across the world’s most famous crossing, then watch the sunset from Shibuya Sky, the open-air rooftop above it. Sunset tickets often sell out about a month ahead.
4. Harajuku and Omotesando. Colourful street fashion and crêpes in Harajuku, then designer boutiques and cafés along Omotesando, a few minutes’ walk away.
5. Ginza. Department stores, luxury brands and beautiful Japanese sweets. On weekend afternoons, the main street is closed to cars.
6. teamLab Planets. A digital art museum in Toyosu where you walk through light and water. Children love it. Tickets are for a set time, so book ahead. Some rooms have knee-deep water you walk through barefoot.
7. Tokyo Tower. The red-and-white tower is lovely lit up at night, and the area around it is quieter than Skytree.
8. Tsukiji Outer Market. Stalls of fresh seafood, fruit and Japanese snacks. Go in the morning, as many shops close by early afternoon. Halal options are limited, so choose carefully.
9. Tokyo Disneyland and DisneySea. A favourite for Gulf families. Book tickets in advance and avoid weekends. Halal food is very limited inside the parks, and you can’t eat your own meals inside. Guests with dietary needs may bring their own food into the restaurants (ask the staff at the entrance), and there is a picnic area outside the gates.
10. Akihabara. The centre of anime, games and electronics. Perfect for children and teenagers who love Japanese pop culture.
Getting around Tokyo
- Put a Suica card on your phone. It works on trains, buses and in convenience stores. Our guide to things to know before going to Japan explains how to set it up before you fly
- Avoid the morning rush hour, about 7:30 to 9:30, especially with children or luggage
- Taxis are safe and honest. Show your destination in Japanese, as many drivers speak little English
- Use a private car on days with many stops, with small children or after a big shopping day. Our guide to private drivers in Japan explains prices and how to book
Halal food and prayer in Tokyo
Tokyo has the widest choice of halal food in Japan. You will find halal restaurants around Asakusa, Ueno, Shibuya and Shinjuku, from wagyu to ramen made without pork. Tokyo Camii in Shibuya, one of the largest mosques in Japan, welcomes visitors. Our guide to mosques and prayer rooms in Tokyo lists where to pray near each area. Our guide to whether Japan is Muslim-friendly explains how to find halal restaurants and prayer spaces, and our guide to halal food in Tokyo lists halal wagyu, ramen and sushi by area.
A day trip from Tokyo: Mount Fuji
Lake Kawaguchiko, with the famous view of Mount Fuji behind a five-storey pagoda, is about two hours from Tokyo by car. You can go for the day, but staying one night at a ryokan with a private onsen is even better. See our 7- and 10-day Japan itinerary for how to fit it in, and our guide to how many days you need in Japan.
Plan your Tokyo days with a Japanese local
Want it all arranged for you? Tell us your dates and who is travelling, and we will plan your Tokyo days: the right hotel, tickets booked, halal restaurants reserved in Japanese and a private car where it helps. Start a free chat.
How many days do I need in Tokyo?
Three to four nights is right for a first visit. Add a day if you want to visit Tokyo Disney or take a day trip to Mount Fuji.
What can we do in Tokyo on a rainy day?
teamLab Planets, Tokyo Skytree, the big department stores in Ginza and the shopping centres around Tokyo Station are all indoors. Many are connected to stations, so you hardly need to go outside.
Is it safe to walk around Tokyo at night with children?
Yes. Central Tokyo is well lit and busy until late, and families walk around in the evening. Just avoid the nightlife streets of Kabukicho and Roppongi late at night.
How does tax-free shopping work in Japan?
From 1 November 2026, you pay tax when you buy, show your passport in the shop, and then claim the refund at customs when you leave Japan, before you check in. Keep your purchases with you, as customs may ask to see them.
How do I get from Narita or Haneda to central Tokyo?
Haneda is closer, about 30 minutes to central Tokyo by train or taxi. From Narita, the Narita Express train takes about an hour to Tokyo Station. With a family and luggage, a private transfer is the easiest.
