Sherry's Take
Stay within 5 min walk of a JR Yamanote Line station (Shinjuku, Shibuya, Tokyo Station) — every sight is one loop ride away. Skip Tsukiji for breakfast; the real wholesale action moved to Toyosu.
Best For
CultureFoodiesSolo travelFirst-timersCouples
Go in
MarchAprilOctoberNovember
Avoid if possible
JuneAugust
Where to Stay
Shinjuku
Transit hub, neon, towering hotels, late-night izakaya
Shibuya
Trendy, fashion, the famous scramble, young Tokyo
Asakusa
Old Tokyo, temples, traditional ryokan, river
Ginza
Upscale shopping, sushi temples, business-class hotels
Money-Saving Tips
- 1Suica or Pasmo IC card pays for trains, vending machines, and konbini — load ¥3,000 on arrival.
- 2Konbini meals (FamilyMart, 7-Eleven) at ¥500 are legitimately good and beat the ¥3,000 hotel breakfast.
- 3JR Pass is only worth it with 2+ shinkansen trips — do the math on your specific route first.
Getting Around
- 1JR Yamanote Line loops the city — every major district has a stop, runs every 2–3 min, single fare ¥150–200.
- 2Narita Airport → city: Narita Express ¥3,070 (60 min) or Keisei Skyliner ¥2,570 (41 min). Never take the ¥25,000 taxi.
- 3Last train is around midnight everywhere. Taxis are punishingly expensive after — plan returns accordingly.
Most Common Mistake
Booking in Roppongi because it "sounds central" — it's expat nightlife, not tourist central. Shinjuku or near Tokyo Station are far more useful first-visit bases.
Ideal Stay
5–7 nights
Combine with
- • Kyoto (2.5h by Shinkansen)
- • Hakone (1.5h)
- • Mt Fuji / Kawaguchiko (2h)
