Tokyo

Neon rain. Perfect noodles. No sleep.

Overview

“Rain on neon. Steam from a noodle shop. Keep walking.”

Tokyo is a city of neighbourhoods, each with its own mood, from quiet shrines to neon-drenched crossings.

It is efficient, endlessly deep, and hard to leave once you find your corner.

Eat well, ride the trains and let yourself drift.

Toward the centre: calm, culture, budget, near

When to go

Choose your season.

March

Tokyo in March: weather ideal, crowds busy, prices high.

Darker means more of it. Estimates from each place's best months.

30 minutes
Shibuya Crossing
The world's busiest scramble, best seen from above after dark.
1.5 hours
Senso-ji
Tokyo's oldest temple, reached through a lantern-hung gate.
1.5 hours
Meiji Shrine
A forest path through towering torii in the middle of the city.
2 hours
Tsukiji Outer Market
Tamago, tuna and grilled scallops for breakfast.
An evening
Golden Gai
Narrow alleys of tiny bars, each seating a handful of people.
2 to 3 hours
teamLab Planets
A walk-through art space of water, mirrors and light.

Itinerary

1
Day 1
Asakusa
Walk through the Kaminarimon gate to Senso-ji, Tokyo's oldest temple.
- Senso-ji
2
Day 2
Tsukiji breakfast
Eat breakfast in the Tsukiji outer market: tamago, tuna and grilled scallops.
- Tsukiji Outer Market
3
Day 3
Meiji Shrine and Harajuku
Wander the forest path to Meiji Shrine, then drift through Harajuku's side streets.
- Meiji Shrine
4
Day 4
Shibuya after dark
See Shibuya Crossing at night, then find a quiet bar above the neon.
- Shibuya Crossing
5
Day 5
Shinjuku nights
Tuck into Golden Gai's tiny bars in Shinjuku, each seating a handful of people.
- Golden Gai