Tokyo is a world unto itself, and it’s an absolute must-see for any travel lover. Soak in the traditional Japanese culture, learn about modern life in the city, become a real-life cartoon character and people watch until your head spins. Not to mention the unique, eclectic, and delicious selection of restaurants. There’s no place like Tokyo…so here’s my ultimate Tokyo travel guide!
Best Time To Visit: Tokyo can be visited all year round and each season has its own beauty. The most popular time to visit Tokyo is during April (Sakura blossom season) and November (Fall foliage season). We visited Tokyo many times but can’t deny the best time to visit Tokyo is during the cherry blossom season when the whole of Japan is celebrating the sakura festival. It is always my best ever memory of visiting Japan.
Connected with the internet: It is very important for staying online to look for location, and navigation when traveling in Tokyo. Prepaid SIM Card is a great option for a solo traveler to Tokyo. But if you are traveling in a group, renting pocket wifi will be an ideal option where it is cheaper and can connect up to a few devices. Both SIM Card and Pocket Wifi can be reserved in advance and picked up once you arrive at the airport. Beware that you may run out of the pocket device or get at a higher price if you’re only looking for it at the last minute
Getting Around in Tokyo
You’ll most likely want to use public transportation to get around—it’s so organized and clean, compared to other major cities—so your first step to getting settled into Tokyo should be familiarizing yourself with the transport map. Grab a bilingual one and start planning your adventures!
To get your bearings in this crazy city, it’s good to know the basic geography of the area. The city of Tokyo has twenty-three wards, and each ward is made up of several districts. When you are planning your daily adventures, you’ll want to figure out which wards have interesting districts, and then map out your route
Check out my (1 Day Private Charter Tokyo Sightseeing Tour English Speaking guide) Attach link while planning your trip!
Tokyo has some amazing neighborhoods, and where to stay will depend on what you’re most interested in doing! Here are some of Tokyo’s more popular areas:
Senso-ji Temple:
Sensō-ji is an ancient Buddhist temple located in Asakusa, Tokyo, Japan. It is Tokyo’s oldest temple, and one of its most significant. Formerly associated with the Tendai sect of Buddhism, it became independent after World War II
Tokyo Skytree:
Tokyo’s most visited tourist destination, Asakusa is known for the great historical site complex and the old downtown atmosphere. The area attracts both Japanese and foreign tourists all year around.
Meiji Jingu Shrine:
Meiji Shrine, located in Shibuya, Tokyo, is the Shinto shrine that is dedicated to the deified spirits of Emperor Meiji and his wife, Empress Shōken
Shibuya Crossing:
The intersection is a popular location for movies and media taking place in Tokyo. It has appeared in the films Lost in Translation and The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift, while making appearances in numerous music videos, newscasts, and animated programs. As a famous representation of modern Japan, photographers and videographers are almost constantly circling the intersection, climbing on guard rails and perching on subway entrances in an effort to find the best vantage point.
Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden:
Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden, one of the largest and most popular parks and gardens in Tokyo, is a Tokyo’s oasis with lots of greenery while it is located in the center of the metropolitan area Shinjuku. There are some types of gardens such as Japanese traditional and French one in the park, and you can see beautiful cherry blossoms in spring and autumn leaves in autumn. Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden is the best green spot to escape the noise of the city and enjoy nature in Tokyo!
Hachiko:
Meet Tokyo’s most famous pooch, Hachikō. This Akita dog came to Shibuya Station every day to meet his master, a professor, returning from work. After the professor died in 1925, Hachikō continued to come to the station daily until his own death nearly 10 years later. The story became legendary and a small statue was erected in the dog’s memory in front of Shibuya Station.