Japan
Tokyo
Give it at least three days: old Asakusa, Shibuya-Harajuku, Shinjuku nights and a bay-side art morning. We have mapped 4 sights, 1 activity and 1 outdoor spot here, each with a reason to go.
- Places
- 10
- Curated routes
- 1
- Best season
- Mar – May
- Warmest month
- August
- Coolest month
- January
- Wettest month
- October
4 See · 1 Do · 1 Outdoors · 3 Eat · 1 Drink
Japan Golden Route
from our route notes
31°C / 88°F avg high
8°C / 47°F avg high
about 222 mm rain
Climate: NASA POWER 2001–2025 averages.
Things to do in Tokyo
10 places from our curated routes, grouped by what you will do there. Each one has its own page with the address and full notes.
See
The landmarks we would not skip in Tokyo across Asakusa, Harajuku and Shibuya. 3 of them are free.
Photo: Akonnchiroll · CC0SeeSenso-ji
Tokyo's oldest temple, reached through the Kaminarimon gate and Nakamise shopping street.
Tip Come at dawn or after dark for an empty, lit-up temple.
Photo: Arne Müseler · CC BY-SA 3.0 de
Photo: David Kernan · CC BY 4.0SeeShibuya Crossing
The world's busiest scramble crossing, best seen from above and then crossed yourself.
Tip Watch from the Shibuya Sky deck or the Starbucks above.
Photo: Kathy Hung · GoogleSeeShibuya Sky
Open-air rooftop deck 230 m up Shibuya Scramble Square with 360-degree views.
Tip Sunset slots sell out; book a week or more ahead.
Do
Hands-on ways to spend time in Tokyo in Toyosu.
Photo: Phan Tom · GoogleDoteamLab Planets TOKYO
Walk-through digital art installations, some knee-deep in water.
Tip Book timed tickets ahead; wear shorts or roll-up pants.
Outdoors
Trails, views and open space in and around Tokyo.
Photo: Vivian Li · GoogleOutdoorsShinjuku Gyoen National Garden
Large garden mixing Japanese, English and French styles; prime cherry blossom spot.
Tip No alcohol allowed; closed Mondays.
Eat
3 places to eat across Tsukiji, Meguro and Shinjuku, picked for groups who care about the food.
Photo: Kevin Wong · GoogleEatTsukiji Outer Market
Lanes of stalls selling tamagoyaki, grilled seafood and sushi near the old fish market site.
Tip Go 8–11am; many stalls close by early afternoon.
Photo: とんかつ とんき 目黒本店 · GoogleEatTonki
Meguro tonkatsu counter since 1939, cooks working in a calm open kitchen.
Tip Order the hire (fillet) katsu set; closed Tuesdays.
Photo: Hieu Loki · GoogleEatOmoide Yokocho
Smoky postwar alley of tiny yakitori stalls by Shinjuku station.
Tip Small cover charges are common; cash helps.
Drink
1 bar or café in Shinjuku for coffee, a round or a nightcap.
Photo: urbz · CC BY 2.0DrinkShinjuku Golden Gai
Six narrow lanes packed with 200+ tiny bars, each seating a handful.
Tip Many bars charge a seat fee; look for posted prices.
How to fit Tokyo into a trip
Tokyo is stop 1 of 3 on our Japan Golden Route. Follow it as-is or lift Tokyo into your own plan.
Stop 1 of 3
Japan Golden Route
Tokyo, Kyoto & Osaka classics
- Trip length
- 9 days
- Best season
- Mar – May
- Pace
- easy
- Next: Kyoto
Getting here and onward
- Tokyo to KyotoKyoto is about 360 km / 224 mi away in a straight line
Distances are straight-line estimates between destination centers, not road distances.
Tokyo month by month
Average daily highs run from 8°C / 47°F in January to 31°C / 88°F in August. October is the wettest month, with about 222 mm of rain. Outlined months fall in the best season on our routes.
- Jan8° / 47°F average high
- Feb10° / 49°F average high
- Mar14° / 57°F average high, in our recommended season
- Apr19° / 66°F average high, in our recommended season
- May23° / 74°F average high, in our recommended season
- Jun26° / 79°F average high
- Jul30° / 86°F average high
- Aug31° / 88°F average high
- Sep27° / 81°F average high
- Oct22° / 71°F average high
- Nov17° / 62°F average high
- Dec11° / 52°F average high
Average daily highs, NASA POWER 2001–2025 averages. Tokyo weather and the best time to visit →
Near Tokyo
2 other destinations from our guides within about 400 km (249 mi), measured in a straight line.
Tokyo questions, answered
How many days do you need in Tokyo?
Our route notes suggest 3 days in Tokyo. On our Japan Golden Route it is stop 1 of 3 in a 9-day trip. The listed visit times for our 10 places add up to roughly 12 hours, before travel between them, so you will need to choose.
What is Tokyo best known for?
Give it at least three days: old Asakusa, Shibuya-Harajuku, Shinjuku nights and a bay-side art morning. Standouts on our list: Senso-ji (Tokyo's oldest temple, reached through the Kaminarimon gate and Nakamise shopping street); Meiji Jingu (Forested Shinto shrine to Emperor Meiji, steps from Harajuku station); Shibuya Crossing (The world's busiest scramble crossing, best seen from above and then crossed yourself).
When is the best time to visit Tokyo?
Our Japan Golden Route is best Mar – May. NASA POWER 2001–2025 averages put the warmest highs in August (31°C / 88°F), the coolest in January (8°C / 47°F) and the most rain in October (about 222 mm).
What are the best things to do in Tokyo?
Start with Senso-ji, teamLab Planets TOKYO, Meiji Jingu, Shibuya Crossing and Shibuya Sky. Our guide lists 10 places in all, from 4 sights, 1 activity, 1 outdoor spot, 3 places to eat and 1 bar or café.
Where should a group eat in Tokyo?
Our picks: Tsukiji Outer Market; Tonki (Meguro); Omoide Yokocho (Shinjuku). Go 8–11am; many stalls close by early afternoon (Tsukiji Outer Market).
What is near Tokyo?
The closest destinations in our guides are Kyoto (about 360 km / 224 mi) and Osaka (about 392 km / 244 mi). Distances are straight-line estimates, not road distances.
Plan Tokyo with your crew
Open the Japan Golden Route in TripsCircle, invite friends with a link, settle which of these 10 places make the cut with a quick poll, then split costs and share one packing list.
Plan around Tokyo
- Japan travel hub
- Best Restaurants in Japan 13 places
- Best Bars & Cafés in Japan 7 places
- Top Things to Do in Japan 26 places
- Best Outdoor Spots in Japan 10 places
- Tokyo weather by month
More in Japan
- Sapporo 9 places
- Otaru 10 places
- Furano and Biei 9 places