First Time in Tokyo — Complete Guide 2026

Before You Fly — The Three Things to Sort

Three decisions made before departure save hours of stress and money on arrival.

Getting from the Airport to Tokyo

Narita Airport (NRT) — most international flights

Narita is 60–80km from central Tokyo. Your options:

• Narita Express (N'EX) — ¥3,070 to Shinjuku, ~90 minutes. The most comfortable option. Buy at the JR ticket office in arrivals.
• Limousine Bus — ¥3,200, goes directly to major hotels, no luggage hassle. Takes 90–120 minutes depending on traffic.
• Keisei Skyliner — ¥2,570 to Ueno or Nippori, ~40 minutes. Fastest and cheapest option if your hotel is on the east side of the city.
• Taxi — ¥20,000–25,000. Only worth it if you have a lot of luggage and are splitting the cost.

Haneda Airport (HND) — closer to the city

Haneda is 20km from central Tokyo — much more convenient than Narita. The Tokyo Monorail (¥500, 18 minutes to Hamamatsucho) and the Keikyu Line (¥300–600, direct to Shinagawa and Shinjuku) both get you into the city quickly. A taxi costs ¥5,000–8,000 depending on destination.

Getting Around Tokyo

Tokyo's public transport system is the best in the world. It is also initially the most confusing. Here's what you need to know:

The metro — all you need 90% of the time

Tokyo has two metro systems — Tokyo Metro (9 lines) and Toei (4 lines) — plus the JR network (including the Yamanote loop line that connects all major hubs). In practice, just use Google Maps. Set your destination, select "Train" and it will give you the exact platform, the number of stops and the exit to use. Follow it exactly.

Your Suica card covers everything. Tap in, tap out. The fare is calculated automatically. Never think about which ticket to buy.

The Yamanote Line — learn this first

A loop line connecting: Shinjuku → Shibuya → Ebisu → Meguro → Gotanda → Osaki → Shinagawa → Tamachi → Hamamatsucho → Shimbashi → Yurakucho → Tokyo → Akihabara → Okachimachi → Ueno → Uguisudani → Nippori → Nishi-Nippori → Tabata → Komagome → Sugamo → Otsuka → Ikebukuro → Mejiro → Takadanobaba → Shin-Okubo → Shinjuku. Most tourists spend 80% of their time at stops on this line.

Taxis

Safe, metered and honest — but expensive. Start at ¥730 and go up fast. Use for late nights when trains stop or for luggage-heavy situations. Japan Taxi app works in English.

Where to Stay for a First Visit

The best areas for a first trip to Tokyo — each suits a different traveller:

• Shinjuku — best transport hub, huge choice of hotels at all prices, never boring. Slightly chaotic. Best for: everyone.
• Asakusa — most traditional area, closest to old Tokyo, excellent budget options including ryokan. Best for: culture seekers and budget travellers.
• Shibuya — young, fashionable, central. Good mid-range options. Best for: first-timers who want to be in the thick of it.
• Ginza — upscale, quiet, excellent transport links. Best for: luxury travellers and those who want easy airport access.

Read the full where to stay guide for budget comparisons and specific hotel recommendations.

What to Eat — A First-Timer's Roadmap

Tokyo overwhelms the senses — in the best possible way

Day 1 lunch: Ramen

Order via the vending machine at the entrance, sit at the counter, eat in silence, leave quickly. That's the ritual. Budget ¥800–1,200. Ramen guide →

Day 1 dinner: Izakaya

Find a busy izakaya near your hotel, sit down, order a beer immediately and then work through the menu slowly. Point at things if you can't read the menu — staff are used to it. Budget ¥2,000–4,000 per person with drinks. Izakaya guide →

Any morning: Convenience store breakfast

Onigiri at ¥140, hot coffee at ¥150, a tamagoyaki sandwich at ¥250. Better than most hotel breakfasts and one of the genuine pleasures of Tokyo life. Konbini guide →

One day: Sushi

A kaiten (conveyor belt) lunch at Uobei or Sushiro costs ¥1,500 and is genuinely excellent. Or book a counter omakase for ¥8,000–15,000 if you want the real thing. Sushi guide →

Japanese Customs — What You Need to Know

Tokyo is exceptionally tolerant of tourists who don't know the rules. But knowing them makes the experience significantly better:

• Remove shoes when entering traditional restaurants, ryokan and some homes. Look for a step at the entrance and shoe racks — the signal is clear.
• Don't eat or drink while walking. Eating at a stall is fine; walking down the street eating is considered rude.
• Be quiet on the metro. Phone calls are avoided, music is in earphones, conversation is low. Follow the carriage's lead.
• Queue properly. Yellow lines on platforms show where to queue. Stand on the left of escalators in Tokyo (right in Osaka).
• Both hands when exchanging cards or gifts. Receiving something with two hands is respectful.
• No rubbish bins. Tokyo has almost no public bins — carry a small bag for your waste.

Common Mistakes First-Timers Make

How Much Does Tokyo Cost?

Tokyo is not as expensive as its reputation suggests — especially for food and transport.

• Budget traveller (hostel, konbini meals, ramen): ¥6,000–9,000/day (~€35–55)
• Mid-range (3-star hotel, restaurant meals, some paid attractions): ¥15,000–25,000/day (~€90–150)
• Comfort (4-star hotel, sit-down meals, day trips): ¥30,000–50,000/day (~€180–300)

Read the full Tokyo budget guide with a complete breakdown of costs.

Your First Week — Suggested Plan

If you have 7 days, here's the framework that works for most first-timers. For a complete day-by-day schedule with specific timings and recommendations, read the full 7-day Tokyo itinerary.

• Day 1: Arrival, Shinjuku orientation, Golden Gai in the evening
• Day 2: Asakusa (Senso-ji), Ueno, Akihabara
• Day 3: Shibuya crossing, Harajuku, Omotesando
• Day 4: Day trip — Hakone or Kamakura
• Day 5: Ginza, Tsukiji outer market, teamLab Planets
• Day 6: Shimokitazawa, Nakameguro canal, Ebisu
• Day 7: Return to your favourite spot, Narita Express

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