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)
Hotels Sherry Recommends
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
