Traveling to Tokyo city: Japan’s Vibrant Capital

JAPAN Tokyo is the world’s most populated metropolis. To make the most of the shopping, entertainment, culture, and fine cuisine on offer, it’s crucial to take some time to plan your visit in advance.

From world-class museums to beautifully kept gardens, bars and restaurants, and districts such as Asakusa, Shibuya, and Ginza, there’s something on offer for all visitors.

This handy guide not only explains the best things to see and do in Tokyo, but also details the entry rules for Japan and what you should prepare before you travel.

Do you need a Japanese visa for Tokyo?

Visa rules for Japan depend on your nationality. Travelers from around 50 countries, plus all EU nationals, can visit visa-free for 90 days. This includes citizens of the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.

Passport holders from Brunei and Qatar can visit for 30 days without a visa, and travelers from Indonesia and Thailand can stay for 15 days.

If your nationality doesn’t have a visa exemption, you need a visa for Japan. The eVisa is the fastest and easiest way to get an entry permit for tourism or business. Once your visa is approved, you’re ready to explore Tokyo.

If you’re traveling for work or studies, you need to get another type of visa.

Top things to see and do in Tokyo

Meiji Shrine

The monument is Tokyo’s most elaborate and celebrated Shinto shrine. It’s dedicated to the glorified spirits of Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken who reigned from 1868 to 1912 and embody Japan’s transition from a feudal to a modern country.

Visitors can take part in typical Shinto activities such as making offerings, making wishes, and buying charms.

Tokyo National Museum

The Tokyo National Museum is not only the largest art museum in Japan, it’s also one of the biggest in the world. It contains over 110,000 items focused on Japanese culture including Buddhist sculptures, ancient pottery, samurai swords, and traditional kimonos.

It’s impossible to see everything in a single day as the collection is so vast. If you have limited time, the Japanese Gallery on the 2nd floor is a particular highlight.

Rikugi-en

Rikugi-en is considered Tokyo’s most elegant garden. It was completed in 1702 and portrays scenes from classical literature and mythology. The wooden walkways, stone bridges, trickling streams, and charming teahouses make for a fantastic day out.

There are regular events held at Rikugi-en as well as free guided tours in English. One of the highlights is a huge cherry blossom tree which is spectacular during spring.

Golden Gai

The district is a popular spot for artists, writers, and musicians. It’s a collection of micro-bars which are atmospheric and visually stunning. Each bar is totally unique and run by an eccentric ‘master’ or ‘mama’ who are generally very welcoming and charming.

Some of the bars prefer to only serve local customers but there are more and more lively bars, designed for international bar hoppers. They are easy to identify as they display information in English.

teamLab Borderless

The perfect place to discover the more modern, edgier side of Japanese art. The new museum features 60 artworks which blur the distinction between art and the viewer. Exploration is one of the central themes and many of the pieces are interactive.

Moving between the rooms, such as the Forest of Lamps and the Crystal World, gives you the sensation of moving through a fantasy role-playing game. The Athletics Forest is designed especially for children and allows them to design animated creatures.

Shinjuku Gyoen

Shinjuku Gyoenis is one of the capital’s largest and most-loved parks. Beautifully-kept lawns, landscape gardens, huge ponds, and spectacular trees and flowers, make the park the perfect escape from urban Tokyo.

Visitors can also visit the pavilions, including the Taiwan Pavilion (Kyu Goryotei), a greenhouse featuring tropical plants, an art gallery, and a fantastic restaurant. During the spring it’s one of the best places in Tokyo to see the cherry blossom.

Asakusa (Senso-ji)

Asakusa was Tokyo’s most important entertainment district during the Edo Period. It was known for its large red light district and ‘kabuki’ theatres. The buzzing atmosphere evolved over the centuries as cinemas, bars, and restaurants began popping up.

Today, the main attraction is a Buddhist temple built in the 7th century, which leads on to a shopping street with a variety of traditional cafes and souvenir shops. Rickshaw tours are available but the area can easily be explored on foot.

Arriving at Toyko Airports with a Visa for Japan

There are 2 airports in Tokyo that receive international arrivals:

Tokyo International Airport is a domestic airport with some international flights, located in Ōta, 14 kilometers south of Tokyo Station, the capital’s main railway station. It’s the primary base of Japan's two major domestic airlines, Japan Airlines, and All Nippon Airways.

New Tokyo International Airport is Toyko’s primary airport for international flights and is located in Narita, 60 kilometers east of Tokyo. As Narita handles around 50% of all of Japan’s international passenger traffic, the majority of international visitors to Tokyo will arrive at New Tokyo International.

All visitors must show a valid passport and be prepared to answer questions about their travel plans. Border officials may ask to see your onward travel tickets or hotel reservations.

Non-visa-exempt travelers arriving at either airport should also present a copy of an approved visa.

Transportation from Tokyo’s airports

As Japan’s capital city, airport arrivals in Tokyo have a number of transport options.

From New Tokyo International Airport, you can choose from 2 public train services to the city: the Narita Express and the Narita Line Rapid Train/Sōbu Line Rapid Train.

The Narita Express gives direct access to major stations across Tokyo, including Tokyo Station in 60 minutes, Shinjuku Station, and Shibuya Station.

It takes around 90 minutes to reach Tokyo Station on the Narita Line Rapid Train/Sōbu Line Rapid Train, although it’s significantly cheaper than the Narita Express.

Travelers who arrive at Haneda International Airport are able to reach destinations across central Toyko by using either the Keikyu or JR Yamanote train lines or the Tokyo Monorail. However, all of these options require a transfer to reach the major Tokyo train stations.

Major Embassies in Tokyo

It’s always a good idea to be aware of your country’s diplomatic representation at your travel destination in case of emergency. Here are the details of the consular offices of the United States, China, and Australia:

U.S. Embassy Tokyo