Tokyo Travel Guide

  Location: Tokyo Bay, the south of Kanto Plain, Honshu Island; in the eastern Japan
  Area: about 2,194 square kilometers (542,149 acres)
  Population: more than 14 million
  Prefecture: Tokyo Metropolis
  Climate: subtropical oceanic monsoon climate

Tokyo, the capital of Japan, is the center of Japan’s politics, economy, culture, transportation and more. Located by Tokyo Bay, Tokyo is quite east in the country. The city was firstly constructed in the middle of 15th century, and later it became the political center of Japan since 1603 AD. As the capital in Japan and one of the populous metropolises all over the world, Tokyo owns a well-developed transportation network. It’s also famous for the fashion and shopping, while the luxury skyscrapers and more modern scenes are perfectly combined with the old temples, shrines as well as traditional neighborhoods. What’s more, nature discovery is also fascinating around the city.

Tokyo Attractions - Best Places to Visit

Tokyo has many attractions for travelers to visit, including the modern buildings, commercial districts, museums, ancient temples and shrines with historical architecture, parks for natural landscapes, and theme parks. Thus, Tokyo attract a lot of visitors from home and overseas. Besides, Mt. Fuji nearby, the divine mountain of Japan, is unmissable when travelling to Tokyo.

  See also: Tokyo Attractions Map

Tokyo Photos & Tokyo Videos

Tour Planning & Top Things to Do

With many attractions to visit, Tokyo is a nice destination for travelers. Apart from the attractive spots for cherry blossoms and red leaves, there are more things to do to fill your days in Tokyo up. You can visit the major scenic spots around Tokyo in 2-3 days; with a few days more, farther attractions in the outskirts and colorful events are also interesting to explore. Sanja Matsuri in mid-late May, Kanda Matsuri in mid-May, and more Shinto festivals will give a bustling carnival in their traditional way, while Sumida River Fireworks Show is a splendid symbol in summer. If you have an interest in sumo wrestling, the national sumo tournaments in Tokyo Ryogoku Kokugikan Stadium is also good in January, May and September respectively.

Tokyo Weather & Best Time for Sightseeing

Distinctive with four seasons climatically, Tokyo has the sweltering summer and frigid winter. As by sea, the humidity is always high even though it turns to be comparatively dryer in winter. At the end of spring and the beginning of summer, Tokyo ushers in the rainy season. Although the summer is hot, there are some afternoon cloudbursts in Tokyo. Typhoons may hit the shore during September particularly, while it is possible to meet strong winds in winter.

March to May & October to November, just mild spring and autumn, is the best time to visit Tokyo. The charming cherry blossoms and fall foliage are the most beautiful sceneries in Tokyo and even the entire country.

Tokyo Transportation

As getting to Tokyo, you will witness and marvel at the developed transportation network sincerely. Except for Narita Airport and Haneda Airport, All the transport facilities are well-connected, extending to Narita Airport, Haneda Airport and environs. It’s easy to go anywhere of the city via the metro and railways, aided by buses, taxi, and ferry to offshore islands.

Food in Tokyo

Tokyo is quite nice city as travelers could try all kinds of Japanese food that they expect to find. Soba noodles, ramen, tempera, yakitori, eel rice, Japanese beef, etc. are all unmissable. Especially, freshly-made Edomae sushi is the pride of Tokyoites, which is in a pretty traditional style. Also, monjayaki is a great food specialty in Tokyo, as the mixture of ingredients and paste is fried on an iron plate, can be made into different shapes and even some words.

Foodie streets in Tokyo are also busy every day to serve visitors with good food and snacks. Golden Gai, full of izakaya and bars, is famous to experience the Japanese wine culture; and Omoide Yokocho is well-known likewise with small restaurants. Ueno Ameya Yokocho, Shibuya Yokocho, Ebisu Yokocho, etc. are all popular food streets around Tokyo.