Tokyo Travel Guide: Neon Streets, Quiet Temples and Street Food

Tokyo is a city of contrasts: serene shrines beside glowing skyscrapers, tiny cafes beside giant department stores. Plan a mix of both.

Top things to see and do in Tokyo

Shibuya Crossing

Watch thousands of people cross at once, then look down from a nearby viewpoint.

Senso-ji in Asakusa

Tokyo’s oldest temple, with a lively shopping street leading to the gate.

Meiji Shrine

A forested walk to a peaceful shrine in the middle of the city.

Tsukiji outer market

Fresh seafood, tamago and snacks make a perfect breakfast stop.

Akihabara

A paradise for electronics, games and pop culture.

Shinjuku Gyoen

A spacious garden that is especially beautiful during cherry blossom and autumn leaf seasons.

Best time to visit

Late March to April for cherry blossoms and October to November for autumn colours are the favourites. Summer is hot and humid.

How to get there

Tokyo has two major airports and an extremely efficient rail network. A rechargeable transit card makes getting around simple.

Practical tips for Tokyo

• Carry some cash; many small places do not accept cards.
• Be quiet on trains.
• Learn basic etiquette at shrines and temples.
• Allow time for food stops.

Dinner in the sky in Tokyo

After a day of sightseeing, there is no better way to end the trip than a table suspended high above the ground. FlyDining pairs a pre-set menu with open views, and each session seats up to 24 guests.

Sky dining connection. Tokyo has its own FlyDining page where you can see session timings, current prices and availability: FlyDining in Tokyo. Seats are sold only online at flydining.com.