Tokyo Holidays

Enjoy our lowest-priced travel months!

Tokyo, the capital of Japan, is where tradition meets tech, sushi meets skyscrapers, and cherry blossoms meet neon lights. This buzzing metropolis offers something for everyone.

Tokyo Holiday Highlights

Skyline views that look straight out of a sci-fi movie
Sushi, ramen and street food you'll still be thinking about on the flight home
Cherry blossom parks, ancient temples and futuristic city vibes all in one place
Ridiculously efficient trains that somehow make the London Underground look prehistoric
Anime, arcades and gaming districts that are basically adult playgrounds

The best places to visit in Tokyo

Tokyo isn’t just one giant city – it’s a patchwork of completely different neighbourhoods, each with its own vibe. Whether you’re after nightlife, food, shopping or quieter cultural spots, here are some of the best areas to explore on your Tokyo holiday.

Shibuya

The Tokyo you’ve seen on TikTok. Giant crossing, flashing billboards, rooftop bars and shopping streets that stay busy long after midnight. Great for first-timers who want to be right in the middle of the action.

Shinjuku

Bright lights, karaoke bars, tiny late-night ramen joints and some of Tokyo’s best nightlife. It’s chaotic in the best possible way, with massive department stores by day and neon madness after dark.

Asakusa

One of Tokyo’s most traditional areas, home to Senso-ji Temple, old-school snack stalls and quieter streets that feel worlds away from the skyscrapers. Brilliant for culture lovers and first-time Japan trips.

Akihabara

Anime, gaming, retro arcades and enough electronics shops to keep tech lovers busy for days. If you’ve ever wanted to spend three hours inside a claw-machine arcade, this is your moment.

Ginza

Luxury shopping, sushi counters, rooftop cocktail bars and polished city vibes. Think designer stores, sleek hotels and some of Tokyo’s best food spots.

Ueno

Relaxed, green and packed with museums, markets and family-friendly attractions. Ueno Park becomes one of the city’s best cherry blossom spots in spring.

Odaiba

Tokyo’s futuristic waterfront playground with shopping malls, entertainment complexes and huge views across Tokyo Bay. Great for families and groups.

Where is the best area to stay on your Tokyo holidays 2026?

Tokyo is massive, but picking the right neighbourhood makes a huge difference. Whether you want nightlife, food, family-friendly attractions or a quieter base, here’s where to stay depending on your travel style.

Family holidays - For family-friendly hotels, easier transport links and loads to do nearby, Ikebukuro and Ueno are brilliant picks. You’ll have parks, shopping centres, arcades and easy train access without feeling quite as hectic as central Shibuya.
Groups - If your holiday plans involve karaoke at 2am, neon-lit bars and convenience store snack runs after a night out, Shinjuku is where it’s at. Shibuya’s another top choice if your group wants nightlife, shopping and rooftop bars all within walking distance.
Couples - For couples, Ginza and Asakusa strike a great balance between romantic city vibes and quieter evenings. Think sushi dinners, riverside walks, cocktail bars and temples lit up at night.

Good to know

🤩 Fun fact: Tokyo has more Michelin-starred restaurants than any other city in the world.
🌸 Best season to visit: Late March to early April for cherry blossom season, or October and November for cooler weather and autumn colours.
💴 Money Talk(s): Tokyo can be surprisingly affordable if you eat like a local. A ramen bowl is usually around £5-8, convenience store snacks are cheap and brilliant, and train journeys within the city often cost less than £2.
🚆 Transport tip: Grab a Suica or Pasmo travel card as soon as you land, they make trains, subways and even convenience store shopping ridiculously easy.

Local lingo

Hello - Konnichiwa
Thank you - Arigatou gozaimasu
Excuse me - Sumimasen
Goodbye - Sayonara
Where is the station? - Eki wa doko desu ka?
How much is this? - Kore wa ikura desu ka?

Tokyo Hotels 2026 / 2027

Tokyo hotels range from sleek skyscraper stays with skyline views to compact city hotels right by the train stations. Whether you want a lively Shinjuku base, a quieter local neighbourhood or easy airport access, there’s a Tokyo stay with your name on it.

Couples

Citadines Shinjuku Tokyo - Modern apartments in one of Tokyo’s most exciting neighbourhoods, with loads of restaurants, bars and late-night food spots nearby. Great if you want a stylish base with a little extra space.

Tobu Hotel Levant Tokyo - A polished hotel with incredible Tokyo Skytree views and excellent transport links. Ideal for couples who want quieter evenings without being far from the city buzz.

Families

Metropolitan Tokyo Ikebukuro - A family-friendly pick with spacious rooms by Tokyo standards, direct transport links and loads of nearby shopping and dining. Ikebukuro’s also great for arcades and entertainment without the intensity of Shinjuku.

the b suidobashi - A handy base near Tokyo Dome City and family attractions, with easy subway access for exploring the rest of the city.

Value

APA Hotel Asakusabashi Eki-Kita - Compact, affordable and well-connected for exploring Tokyo on a budget. A great choice if you’re planning to spend most of your time out exploring.

Daiwa Roynet Hotel Nishishinjuku - Modern rooms, excellent transport connections and a quieter location close to central Shinjuku. A solid mid-range option for city breaks.

Tokyo Holidays 2026 / 2027 – Travel Guide

Things to do for Families

Tokyo Disneyland & DisneySea - One of the biggest reasons families visit Tokyo. DisneySea is unique to Japan and regularly ranked among the best theme parks in the world.
teamLab Planets - An immersive digital art experience where you walk through water, mirrored rooms and giant light installations. Kids absolutely love it.
Ueno Zoo and Park - A relaxed break from the skyscrapers with museums, green spaces and family-friendly attractions all in one area.
Tokyo Skytree - Japan’s tallest structure with panoramic city views that stretch for miles on clear days.

Things to do for Couples

Cherry blossom picnics - If you’re visiting in spring, grab snacks from a convenience store and head to Shinjuku Gyoen or Ueno Park for a hanami picnic under the blossoms.
Sunset views from Shibuya Sky - One of the best observation decks in the city, especially at golden hour when the skyline starts lighting up.
Sushi omakase dinner - Tokyo’s food scene is ridiculous, and an omakase sushi experience is one of the city’s best date nights.
Traditional onsen day trip - Escape the city crowds with a hot spring trip to Hakone or nearby mountain towns.

Things to do for Groups

Karaoke nights in Shinjuku - Private karaoke rooms, late-night snacks and questionable singing decisions, basically a Tokyo rite of passage.
Golden Gai bar hopping - Tiny themed bars packed into narrow alleyways in Shinjuku. Brilliant for groups wanting a proper Tokyo night out.
Arcade battles in Akihabara - Retro games, claw machines and multi-floor gaming centres that turn into full-on competitions with your mates.
Street food tours - From sizzling yakitori to fluffy Japanese pancakes, food tours are one of the best ways to experience Tokyo after dark.

More Long Haul Holiday Destinations

Southeast Asia

Thailand
One of Southeast Asia’s most popular holiday destinations for good reason – think island-hopping in Phuket and Krabi, buzzing Bangkok street markets and beach resorts that range from budget-friendly to properly luxurious.

Vietnam
A brilliant mix of culture, coastline and food. Explore Hanoi’s Old Quarter, cruise through Ha Long Bay or head south to Ho Chi Minh City for rooftop bars, markets and seriously good street food.

Indonesia
Bali steals the spotlight with beach clubs, jungle temples and surf towns, but Indonesia’s made up of thousands of islands with volcano hikes, diving spots and laid-back escapes beyond the usual tourist trail.

Malaysia
A destination that does both city breaks and tropical beaches brilliantly. Kuala Lumpur brings the skyline views and food markets, while Langkawi and Penang are favourites for island stays and street food.

Popular Tokyo hotels

More Tokyo hotels

Weather in Tokyo

JAN

10^°C

FEB

11^°C

MAR

14^°C

APR

19^°C

MAY

23^°C

JUN

26^°C

JUL

29^°C

AUG

31^°C

SEP

27^°C

OCT

22^°C

NOV

16^°C

DEC

12^°C

FAQs

Tokyo has a reputation for being expensive, but it can actually suit a wide range of budgets depending on where you stay, how often you eat out and what you plan to do.

Average Tokyo holiday costs from the UK

Trip Style	Average Cost Per Person (7 Nights)
Budget	£1,200 - £1,600
Mid-range	£1,700 - £2,500
Luxury	£3,500+

Typical daily costs in Tokyo

Item	Average Price
Ramen or casual lunch	£5-10
Sushi restaurant dinner	£15-40
Convenience store breakfast	£3-6
Tokyo subway journey	£1-2
Coffee	£3-5
Hotel room	£80-300+ per night

Ways to save money in Tokyo

Stay near major train stations like Shinjuku or Ikebukuro for easier transport
Use convenience stores for breakfasts and snacks
Book flights outside cherry blossom season
Buy a Suica or Pasmo travel card for public transport
Visit free attractions like temples, parks and observation decks

Despite the futuristic skyline and luxury shopping districts, Tokyo can often feel cheaper day-to-day than London once you arrive.

The best time to visit Tokyo depends on the kind of trip you want, but most travellers aim for spring or autumn when temperatures are comfortable and the scenery is at its best.

Best months to visit Tokyo

Month	Why Visit?	Weather
March	Cherry blossom season begins	Mild
April	Peak sakura season and festivals	Warm
May	Sunny weather and fewer crowds	Pleasant
October	Autumn colours and cooler temperatures	Comfortable
November	Crisp weather and clear skies	Cool

Best season for different travellers

🌸 Cherry blossom season

Late March to early April is Tokyo’s most famous travel period, with parks like Ueno Park and Shinjuku Gyoen covered in pink blossom.

☀️ Warm weather and sightseeing

May and October are often considered the sweet spot, with lower humidity and comfortable temperatures for exploring.

❄️ Winter city breaks

December brings festive illuminations, quieter attractions and clear views of Mount Fuji on colder days.

💰 Cheapest time to visit

January, February and early June are usually cheaper for flights and hotels compared to spring and autumn peak periods.

Tokyo’s typhoon season usually runs from August to October, with September being the most active month.

Typhoons are tropical storms that can bring:

Heavy rain
Strong winds
Flight delays
Temporary train disruptions

Most typhoons pass without major issues for tourists, but weather conditions can occasionally affect transport and outdoor sightseeing plans.

What to expect during typhoon season

Month	Typhoon Risk
June	Low
July	Moderate
August	High
September	Highest
October	Moderate

Is it still worth visiting Tokyo during typhoon season?

Yes, many travellers still visit during late summer because:

hotel prices can be lower
crowds are smaller
festivals are still running
indoor attractions are excellent

Tokyo is also very well prepared for severe weather, and disruptions are usually handled quickly.

Tokyo is one of the easiest cities in Asia for first-time visitors thanks to its excellent transport, safety and tourist-friendly infrastructure.

Why Tokyo works well for first-time Japan holidays

🚆 Easy transport

The train and subway network is clean, reliable and extremely efficient, with English signage across most stations.

🍣 Food variety

You’ll find everything from Michelin-star sushi restaurants to cheap ramen shops and convenience store snacks.

🛡️ Safety

Tokyo is considered one of the safest major cities in the world, even late at night.

🌸 Mix of old and new

The city combines ancient temples and shrines with futuristic skyscrapers, gaming districts and modern shopping areas.

Good to know before you go

Many hotels have smaller rooms than UK travellers may expect
Rush hour trains can get extremely busy
Cash is still useful in smaller restaurants and local shops
Convenience stores are genuinely excellent for quick meals and essentials

Tokyo can feel overwhelming at first, but most visitors quickly find it surprisingly easy to navigate.

Yes, you can sometimes see Mount Fuji from Tokyo on clear days, especially during winter when visibility is better.

Best places to see Mount Fuji from Tokyo

Location	What To Expect
Tokyo Skytree	Distant skyline views on clear days
Shibuya Sky	Sunset Fuji views in winter
Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building	Free observation deck views
Mount Takao	Hiking spot outside the city
Hakone day trip	One of the best close-up Fuji views

Best time to see Mount Fuji

Winter usually offers the clearest visibility, especially between December and February when humidity is lower.

Best day trips for Mount Fuji views

Popular day trips from Tokyo include:

Hakone
Lake Kawaguchi
Mount Fuji 5th Station
Fuji-Q Highland

These can usually be reached within 2-3 hours from central Tokyo.

Japan uses the Japanese Yen (JPY).

Currency symbol: ¥
Currency code: JPY
Notes: Cash is still widely used, although cards are accepted in most hotels, big restaurants and shops in Tokyo.

Quick tip

Even though Tokyo is very modern, it’s still a good idea to carry some cash for:

Small restaurants
Temples and shrines
Local shops and markets
Vending machines (they’re everywhere)

Tokyo is generally very safe for travellers with allergies, but food labelling and ingredients can be different from what you’re used to in the UK.

Common allergens in Japan

The most common allergens to be aware of include:

Soy (very widely used in sauces and broths)
Wheat (ramen, tempura, sauces)
Sesame
Fish and seafood (especially bonito-based broths)
Eggs and dairy (less common in traditional dishes, but present in modern food)

Important things to know

Many dishes use dashi (fish stock) even if it’s not obvious
Cross-contamination can occur in small restaurants
English allergy labelling is improving but not always consistent
Convenience stores often have clearer ingredient lists than restaurants

Safety tips for travellers with allergies

Carry a translated allergy card in Japanese explaining your restrictions
Use major restaurant chains or hotels for clearer allergen menus
Stick to packaged foods from convenience stores if unsure
Learn key phrases like:
- “I am allergic to ___” → ___ ni arerugii ga arimasu
- “Does this contain ___?” → Kore wa ___ ga haitte imasu ka?

Allergy-friendly dining options in Tokyo

International hotel restaurants (best for clear labelling)
Vegan/vegetarian cafés (often more allergen-aware)
Large chain restaurants with digital ordering systems

Overall

Tokyo is very safe for travellers with allergies, but you’ll need to be slightly more cautious than in the UK, especially with hidden ingredients like fish stock and soy-based sauces.

Most visitors with allergies manage perfectly well with a bit of preparation and translation support.