Tokyo

PrefectureJapan, Asia

Tokyo is a STATE in Japan, Asia.

Tokyo is a dazzling metropolis where ancient traditions seamlessly blend with futuristic innovation. As Japan's capital and the world's most populous metropolitan area, Tokyo offers an electrifying urban experience unlike any other. Travelers can explore serene historic sites like the Meiji Shrine and Senso-ji Temple, then dive into the neon-lit wonderlands of Shibuya Crossing and Akihabara's electronics district. The city's culinary scene is legendary, from Michelin-starred sushi counters in Ginza to humble ramen shops in Shinjuku. Tokyo's distinct neighborhoods each have unique personalities: the upscale shopping of Ginza, the youth culture of Harajuku, the electronic wonderland of Akihabara, and the historic charm of Asakusa. Beyond the urban sprawl, Tokyo offers natural escapes like the Imperial Palace East Gardens and Mount Takao. The city's efficient public transportation makes exploring effortless, while its renowned cleanliness and safety create a welcoming environment for international visitors.

Best time to visit Tokyo

Spring (March-May) for cherry blossoms and mild weather; Autumn (September-November) for pleasant temperatures and fall foliage. Spring offers hanami (cherry blossom viewing) festivals but is crowded. Autumn provides comfortable sightseeing weather with vibrant colors. Summer (June-August) can be hot and humid with rainy season in June-July. Winter (December-February) is cold but sunny with fewer tourists.

October

Now

Typical for October

Weather
Mild 15-22°C, pleasant

Travel notes

Crowds
Medium
Prices
Medium

Best weather; autumn colors begin.

Know before you go

Getting there

NRT

Narita International Airport

International

60 km away

HND

Tokyo Haneda Airport

International

15 km away

NGO

Chubu Centrair International Airport

International

260 km away

KIX

Kansai International Airport

International

400 km away

Getting around

"Tokyo's public transportation is world-class. The extensive subway and train network (JR Yamanote Line circles major districts) is the most efficient way to travel. Purchase a Pasmo or Suica IC card for seamless travel across trains, subways, and buses. Taxis are clean and reliable but expensive. Ride-sharing apps are limited; Uber primarily functions as a taxi-hailing service. Navigation apps like Google Maps, Japan Travel by Navitime, and Japan Official Travel App are essential. Walking is excellent in most areas with clear signage."

Stay connected

WiFi speed

30 Mbps

Mobile data

Excellent

WiFi

Widely available in cities, free in many stations and cafes

Local SIM

Local SIM available at airport from $10

Calling code

+81

Stay safe

Overall

9/10

Extremely safe overall. Scam risk is low but present in nightlife districts.

Night safety

8/10

Extremely safe overall. Scam risk is low but present in nightlife districts.

Transport

9/10

Scam risk

7/10

"Tokyo is one of the world's safest major cities with extremely low violent crime rates. Safe areas include virtually all tourist districts, though standard precautions against petty theft in crowded areas are advised. Areas to exercise caution include Kabukicho in Shinjuku at night (though heavily policed) and Roppongi due to occasional reports of drink spiking in some establishments. Common scams are rare but include overcharging at some bars in Roppongi and Shinjuku. Lost items are often returned through police boxes (koban). Earthquake preparedness information is available in most hotels."

Entry and health

Health information

"Tokyo has excellent medical facilities with many English-speaking doctors. Major hospitals include St. Luke's International Hospital and Tokyo Medical and Dental University Hospital. No specific vaccinations are required for entry, but routine vaccines should be up-to-date. Common health concerns include seasonal allergies (especially cedar pollen in spring) and heatstroke in summer. Travelers should have comprehensive health insurance as medical costs can be high. Pharmacies (yakkyoku) are widely available, but some medications common elsewhere may require a prescription in Japan."

Culture

Local customs

"Remove shoes when entering homes, traditional inns (ryokan), and some restaurants. Bow slightly when greeting. Speak quietly on public transportation. Do not eat while walking. Tipping is not customary and can cause confusion; excellent service is standard. Present business cards with both hands. Avoid blowing your nose in public. Use both hands when giving or receiving items. Dress modestly when visiting temples and shrines."
Japanese

Costs and practicals

Currency

Japanese Yen (JPY) · ¥

Cost level

Mid-range

Meals

$10-15 | a cheap local meal costs around $10-15

Hotels

$80-150 | budget hotels range $80-150/night

Local transport

$2 | local subway ride ~$2

Cost notes

Tokyo can be expensive, but budget options exist. Convenience store meals are cheap and good.

Timezone

Asia/Tokyo +09:00 (GMT)

More facts

Population

14,000,000

Area

2,194 km²

Government

Metropolitan prefecture with a governor and metropolitan assembly

ISO code

JP-40

Type

Prefecture

Frequently Asked Questions

Also known as: 东京都/東京都, Токіо, Dunghgingh, ටෝකියෝ, टोकियो, Префектура Токіо, Tokiu, โตเกียว, Токіё, Tukiu, 130001, Táłtsʼá Hiníyíní, Токіа, Tóiceo, ਟੋਕੀਓ, Tokija, టోక్యో, توکیو, টকিঅ', तोक्यो, Токио, ଟୋକିଓ, ٽوڪيو, Tokjo, .tokios., تۆکیۆ, Tokio, 東京都, Τόκιο, Tokijas, ടോക്കിയോ, 東亰, Tóquio, Tokyo, Tòquio, Tokium, טאקיא, طوكيو, Tókio, Metropoli di Tokyo, டோக்கியோ, とうきょうと, توكيو, 东京都, 东京, ITokyo, Տոկիո, တိုကျိုမြို့, JP-13, Tōkyō, តូក្យូ, Тѡкио, Toquio, טוקיו, Đông Kinh, ޓޯކިޔޯ, Tókýó, ٹوکیو, 도쿄도, ཊོ་ཀི་ཡ, Tang-kiaⁿ, Tōkio, 東京, Tocium, Tokió, ಟೋಕ್ಯೊ, ཐོ་ཁེ་ཡོ།, ໂຕກຽວ, ቶክዮ, টোকিও, Tōkyō-to, टोक्यो, ტოკიო, Ome, Ome-chhi, Omė, Oume, awmh, awmh twkyw, ome si, qing mei, qing mei shi, xo mea, Ôme-chhī, Ōme, Оме, Օմե, أومه, اومه، توکیو, โอเมะ, 青梅, 青梅市, 오메 시

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