Visiting Tokyo: Your guide to the Tokyo Metropolis
The mere mention of Tokyo brings to mind packed, neon-lit streets, parks lined with cherry blossom trees, enormous fish markets surrounded by hole-in-the-wall sushi bars, and neighbourhoods dense with fashion-forward locals, themed cafes and lavish karaoke bars.
Tokyo is 2000 square kilometres of pure unadulterated wonder, discover it all with our handy Tokyo travel guide. If you’re planning on immersing yourself in one of the world’s most exciting cities, it’s worth being prepped. Our guide to Tokyo has you covered for your flights, how to get to and from the airport and most importantly: where to stay. It’s time to discover Tokyo with our Tokyo travel guide.
Flying into Tokyo
Fly into Tokyo from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Cairns and more. Airlines include Virgin Australia, All Nippon Airlines (ANA), Philippine Airlines and even budget carriers like JetStar. Direct flights from Sydney take around 9 hours 35 minutes.
Check out the major routes below:
Narita Airport
Airlines operating direct flights from Australia to Narita include:
Virgin Australia
Flights to Narita Airport
All Nippon Airlines (ANA)
Flights to Narita and Haneda Airports
Philippine Airlines
Flights to Narita and Haneda Airports
JetStar
Flights to Narita Airport
Qantas
Flights to Narita and Haneda Airport
Haneda Airport
Visas and travel insurance
Australians are eligible for Japan’s visa exemption scheme for short-stays and business travel. Which means you don’t need a visa to travel to Japan for stays of up to 90 days. You’ll automatically be granted a visa on arrival. You simply need a passport that’s valid for the entirety of your stay. That’s it.
Travel insurance is essential. You’ll want to be covered for the usual – lost luggage, delayed flights, and medical issues. If you’re planning on scaling Mount Fuji or doing any other extreme sports during your stay, you’ll need specialist cover.
Getting into Tokyo from the airport
Tokyo has two airports – Narita International Airport and Haneda Airport. Narita is the bigger, with most flights from Australia landing here. Although Haneda has started handling more international flights. Some airlines like All Nippon Airlines (ANA) and Philippine Airlines are landing here now.
Narita International Airport
After touching down in Narita, you have plenty of options to make the 60km journey into central Tokyo.
Narita Express
Fast and comfortable train into central Tokyo (serving Tokyo, Shinagawa, and Shinjuku stations). All seats are reserved, so you’ll need to book in advance. Tickets cost 3000 yen – though this is covered by the Japan Rail Pass if you purchase one. The journey takes around one hour, with trains leaving every 30 to 60 minutes. You can get a NEX Tokyo Round Trip ticket for a round trip from the airport into Tokyo and back within two weeks for 4070 yen (5000 yen from 1st October).
JR Sobu Line
This normal commuter train is slightly cheaper at 1340 yen but will take around 90 minutes into central Tokyo. Trains leave the airport every hour.
Limousine Bus
Like the buses you see in Australia, limousine buses run direct to Tokyo station and depart every 15 minutes. The 100-minute journey will cost around 2800 yen – although tourists can get a round trip ticket for 4500 yen. Limousine buses also run direct to some of the major hotels around Tokyo Station.
Keisei Skyliner
The fastest connection into Tokyo. You’ll be at Nippori Station in 40 minutes. Transfer to the JR Yamanote Line or JR Keihin-Tohoku Line for the 10-minute journey into Tokyo Station. Tourists can ride the Skyliner for 2300 yen.
Keisei Mainline
The journey to Nippori Station takes around 75-90 minutes and costs 1050 yen. Then it’s a quick transfer to Tokyo Station. Be aware, this is a normal commuter train. It gets busy at rush hour and there are no seat reservations.
Taxis and private transfers
You’re 60km away from central Tokyo – a taxi will be expensive and not worth it. If you want to travel in comfort direct to your hotel, book a private transfer online. It should cost around 15,000 yen for a one-way trip.
Haneda Airport
About 30 minutes south of central Tokyo, Haneda Airport is much closer. If you land at Haneda, your transport options include:
Tokyo Monorail
Jump on the Tokyo Monorail at Haneda to Hamamatsucho Station. Take the JR Yamanote or JR Keihin-Tohoku Line to Tokyo Station. It should take you around 30 minutes, with a total cost of 670 yen. It’s covered by Japan Rail Pass too.
Keikyu Railway
Take the Keikyu Airport Line to Shinagawa Station. Change to the JR Yamanote, JR Keihin-Tohoku or JR Tokaido Line to Tokyo Station. Your journey should take around 35 minutes, with a cost of 480 yen.
Limousine Bus
Buses leave every 30 to 60 minutes and take 40-55 minutes to get to Tokyo Station. It will set you back 1000 yen.
Taxi
It will be much cheaper than a taxi from Narita but will still cost you between 5,000 and 11,000 yen. It all depends on your destination and the time of day. But it will get you straight to your hotel after a long journey.
Where to stay
Tokyo is enormous, but so well connected by rail there isn’t really a bad place to stay. However, knowing a neighbourhood’s vibes can really help you narrow down your options. We love these four Tokyo districts in particular because they are close to attractions, linked up, and offer something different depending on what you’re looking for.
Shibuya
YOUTH CULTURE
The epicentre for youth culture in Japan. Shibuya is all about entertainment, shopping, and partying. It’s home to the world-famous crossing (3,000 people cross it every time the lights change), super fashionable locals and plenty of tourists. The food and drinking are great here. It’s the perfect spot for first time visitors to Tokyo who want to be at the centre of things.
Hotels here range from luxury – Cerulean Tower Tokyu Hotel – to mid-range at the Hotel Wing International Premium Shibuya, all the way down to budget options.
Hotels near Shibuya
Harajuku
RELAXED, TRANQUIL & REAL TOKYO
A more-relaxed vibe is on offer in this district to the west of the city. We’re talking no skyscrapers, tree-lined streets, and a chilled atmosphere. The shopping is fantastic – head to Omotesando. It’s one of the best shopping streets in all of Tokyo and the perfect place for people watching. The Meiji-jingu shrine is also well worth a visit.
Also if you’re after a little luxury when it’s time to sleep and relax, this is the neighbourhood for you. The TRUNK Hotel Yoyogi Park is ideal – check out the outdoor swimming pool overlooking the park.
Hotels near Harajuku
Shinjuku
A SLICE OF NEON LIFE
Looking for a slice of real Tokyo? Shinjuku is the ticket. Expect crowds, tight streets and lots of skyscrapers. It’s home to the city’s red light district – Kabukicho, and tourists and locals alike flock to this part of town to enjoy the night life and marvel and the themed ‘love hotels’ you can find here.
To the east of the famous Shinjuku station, you’ll find the iconic narrow neon-clad avenues that are filled with restaurants and bars. To the west of the station are big buildings, government offices, and fancy hotels.
Hotels near Shinjuku
Akihabara
GEEKS GALORE
If you love manga, electronics, tech, and gadgets, this is the spot for you. There’s the Akihabara electronics town and some interesting “maid” cafes. It’s busy, loud and everything you’d expect from Tokyo.
You’ll find a range of good mid-range hotels here. But if you’re after budget accommodation, this is your place. Check out First Cabin Akihabara for one of Tokyo’s famous capsule hotels.
Hotels near Akihabara
Now you’ve got an idea of what to expect in Tokyo, dive deep into a whirlwind 48-hours in the city, learn the ropes of how to get around with our transport guide, so you’re equipped to head to a fish market or experience the might of Mt. Fuji.
Thinking of travelling to Tokyo? Skyscanner can help you find the best flights, hotels and car hire deals for your next trip.
