SherryStay Destination Guide
Tokyo
Neon-lit grid where every neighborhood is its own city.
About Tokyo
Tokyo runs on a quiet, astonishing order that reveals itself only once you stop trying to see it all. The world’s largest city is really thousands of small worlds — a hidden six-seat sushi counter, a lantern-lit alley of yakitori smoke, a centuries-old temple sitting calm beneath supertall glass towers like the new Azabudai Hills, where teamLab’s immersive digital-art galleries reopened in 2024. Cross the roaring Shibuya scramble to the rooftop deck above it, then walk at dawn to the incense of Senso-ji before the crowds arrive. Tokyo holds more Michelin stars than any city on earth, yet some of its finest eating costs pocket change — a convenience-store rice ball, a bowl of ramen — and with the yen so weak, it has rarely been better value for foreign visitors. It can feel overwhelming at first and then, suddenly, deeply calming. Endlessly deep and unfailingly kind to those who explore it slowly, Tokyo rewards curiosity block by block.
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
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.
5–7 nights
- • Kyoto (2.5h by Shinkansen)
- • Hakone (1.5h)
- • Mt Fuji / Kawaguchiko (2h)
Useful Local Hotel Phrases
Japanese- Helloこんにちはkon-nee-chee-WA
- Thank youありがとうa-ree-ga-TOH
- Pleaseお願いしますo-ne-gai-shi-mas
- Check-inチェックインchek-ku-in
- Check-outチェックアウトchek-ku-a-uto
- HotelホテルHO-te-ru
- Receptionフロントfu-ron-to
- Breakfast朝食choh-sho-ku
- Wi-Fiワイファイwai-fai
- TaxiタクシーTAK-shee
- Airport空港koo-koh
- Train station駅E-ki
- Help助けてtas-ke-te
- How much?いくらですかi-ku-ra-des-ka
- Where is...?どこですかDO-ko-des-ka
Tokyo at a glance
- Tokyo is in Japan.
- The nearest airport to Tokyo is Narita (NRT) and Haneda (HND).
- Getting in from the airport takes Haneda ~30 min; Narita ~60–90 min.
- The best way in is Haneda: monorail/Keikyu; Narita: Narita Express or Skyliner.
- A day in Tokyo costs roughly $60–110 per person on a budget, $150–320 mid-range and $600+ at the luxury end.
- Sherry suggests 5–7 nights in Tokyo.
- February is usually the cheapest month to visit Tokyo, April is the busiest, and November offers the best value.
Common questions
- Where should I stay in Tokyo?
- Shinjuku or Shibuya for nightlife and transit, Ginza for upscale, Asakusa for old Tokyo on a budget.
- How do I get around?
- The metro/JR network is superb — get a Suica/Pasmo IC card. A JR Pass helps for day trips.
- How many days?
- 4–5 days for the main districts, day trips (Nikko/Kamakura) and great meals.
- Is English widely spoken?
- Limited, but signage and apps make it easy; staff are very helpful.
- When is the best time to visit?
- Late March–April (cherry blossom) and October–November (autumn leaves).
Where to stay in Tokyo
Looking for hotels in Tokyo? It helps to decide on an area first — our guide to where to stay in Tokyo sets out which neighbourhoods suit which kind of trip.
Around Shinjuku the options include F02 Shinjuku Kabukicho and F02 Shinjuku Kabukicho.
Around Oyama the options include Villa Traditional Designer House Oyama and Cocon House Oyama.
Elsewhere in the city you will also find Palace Hotel Tokyo, Hotel Grand Arc Hanzomon, Hotel W-Bagus (Adult Only), Le Tour Hotel Group - Ueno Apartment Building 1 and Building 2, Kame-Citi by OYO Rooms, Ann's House for 7 people in Ebisu, Start One Home Torigoe Annex, 634 Condo Yotsuya, Iris Tokyo 2, Joy house 2, Esperanza 103 Akabane, Oakwood Residence Shinagawa, Smile House, Ikebukuro House, Higashi-Rokugo House BLACK, Briiant Mk-3 and Marriott Tokyo Kinshicho Tobu.