Tokyo

Travel Guide
Tokyo
Futuristic and fascinating, Tokyo is a world city that should be on everyone's travel agenda.

One of the world's largest cities – 30 million people call Tokyo home – is a city of contrasts. Few other places in the world are such a jumble of science-fiction-style skyscrapers bristling with modernity next door to narrow alleys packed with dark, smoky restaurants and ancient temples. Though Tokyo was shaken badly by the March 2011 earthquake, the city sustained remarkably little damage, and now life is fully back to normal.

The first Tokyoites settled here around 10,000 BC and Edo, as it was known, remained a sleepy fishing village for thousands of years. But Edo was to grow to become the world’s largest city. In 1868, Edo was renamed Tokyo, meaning Eastern Capital, as the country embarked on a massive round of empire building, which eventually led to the calamitous World War II. Half the city was completely destroyed in air raids, and what was left now coexists with a thoroughly modern city.

On arrival, the first thing you should do is head up to the top of a skyscraper to get the lay of the land. From the Rainbow Bridge, Tokyo Tower, Mori Tower and Tokyo Skytree, you can admire the city's iconic landmarks and even see all the way to Mount Fuji.

Tokyo's fascinating street life is one of the city's highlights: head to the city's liveliest district Shinjuku to experience its atmosphere. The Roppongi Hills complex in the heart of the city is another unmissable sight with great nightlife and entertainment options galore.

Although thoroughly modern, Tokyo has not forgotten its past. The Tokyo National Museum has a vast collection with some artifacts dating back 12,000 years. Learn more about Japan's emperors at the Tokyo Imperial Palace, which has been home to shoguns and emperors for centuries. Visit the Yasukuni shrine, which commemorates the 2 million citizens who gave their lives for their country during the Meiji Restoration. Traditional Buddhist spirituality dates back thousands of years and can be explored at the Sensoji Temple

Despite its huge population, Tokyo has plenty of open spaces. The world-famous cherry blossoms are in bloom in late March and early April, and Shinjuku Gyoen is a popular destination if you want to admire the blooms.

Tokyo Travel Guide Video

Where to stay in Tokyo

Tobu Hotel Levant Tokyo
Tobu Hotel Levant Tokyo
3.5 out of 5
1-2-2 Kinshi, Sumida-ku, Tokyo, Tokyo-to
The price is S$167 per night from 25 Sep to 26 Sep
S$167
per night
25 Sep - 26 Sep
Stay at this 3.5-star hotel in Tokyo. Enjoy free WiFi, 3 restaurants, and breakfast. Our guests praise the spacious rooms and the property condition in our reviews. ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (1,075 reviews)
"Booked a room with the Skytree view. Beautiful view! Walking distance to JR and subway. A mall with great food options. So convenient. Highly recommend this hotel. Will go back to this hotel"

Reviewed on 17 Sep,2023

Tobu Hotel Levant Tokyo
Hotel Gracery Shinjuku
Hotel Gracery Shinjuku
4 out of 5
1-19-1 Kabukicho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, Tokyo-to
The price is S$216 per night from 24 Sep to 25 Sep
S$216
per night
24 Sep - 25 Sep
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Tokyo. Enjoy free WiFi, 14 restaurants, and breakfast. Popular attractions Tokyo Dome and Tokyo Tower are located nearby. Discover ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,008 reviews)
"Amazing, but wish the terrace was open during our stay"

Reviewed on 21 Sep,2023

Hotel Gracery Shinjuku
Shinjuku Granbell Hotel
Shinjuku Granbell Hotel
4 out of 5
2-14-5 Kabuki-cho, Shinjuku, Tokyo, Tokyo-to
The price is S$179 per night from 17 Oct to 18 Oct
S$179
per night
17 Oct - 18 Oct
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Tokyo. Enjoy free WiFi, a rooftop terrace, and breakfast. Popular attractions Tokyo Dome and Tokyo Tower are located nearby. Discover ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,000 reviews)
"Very good everything"

Reviewed on 18 Sep,2023

Shinjuku Granbell Hotel
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Citadines Shinjuku Tokyo
Citadines Shinjuku Tokyo
3.5 out of 5
1-28-13 Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, Tokyo-to
Stay at this 3.5-star business-friendly aparthotel in Tokyo. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast, and a 24-hour fitness center. Our guests praise the spacious rooms in ...
9/10 Wonderful! (2,411 reviews)
"Entire front office is run by foreigners"

Reviewed on 16 Sep,2023

Citadines Shinjuku Tokyo
Oakwood Hotel & Apartments Azabu Tokyo
Oakwood Hotel & Apartments Azabu Tokyo
3.5 out of 5
3-10-5 Higashiazabu, Minato, Tokyo, Tokyo
Stay at this 3.5-star aparthotel in Tokyo. Enjoy free WiFi, a fitness center, and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the bathrooms in our reviews. Popular ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (162 reviews)
"Excellent if you like a bit of quiet"

Reviewed on 6 Sep,2023

Oakwood Hotel & Apartments Azabu Tokyo
Oakwood Premier Tokyo
Oakwood Premier Tokyo
4.5 out of 5
1-8-2 Marunouchi, Chiyoda, Tokyo, Tokyo-to
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury aparthotel in Tokyo. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast, and a fitness center. Popular attractions Tokyo Dome and Tokyo Tower are located ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (1,029 reviews)
"Best place for work space in Tokyo with great staff! Thanks for another great stay!"

Reviewed on 2 Sep,2023

Oakwood Premier Tokyo
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

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Reviews of Tokyo

4.7
Top destination
5 - Excellent
959
" "5 - Excellent 71.5137956748695%
4 - Good
358
" "4 - Good 26.69649515287099%
3 - Okay
23
" "3 - Okay 1.715137956748695%
2 - Disappointing
1
" "2 - Disappointing 0.07457121551081283%
1 - Terrible
0
" "1 - Terrible 0%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
21 May 2020

Loved every minute

5/5 - Excellent

M
21 Mar 2020

Tokyo's a great place.

5/5 - Excellent

Steve
12 Mar 2020

My 60th birthday wish list. A great place. Everything I thought it was. Also went to Hiroshima and Kyoto. Check the rail pass. Mine cost just over £200 but I spent over £600.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
6 Mar 2020

Nothing to say. People knew that Tokyo is one of the best cities in this world.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
4 Mar 2020

I love Tokyo. Good food and nice staff.

5/5 - Excellent

David
2 Mar 2020

Tokyo is a unique city for its size. I can’t imagine a European or US version of the city working as well as Tokyo does. It’s a place to allow the city channel you and follow how it’s set up.