Tokyo Travel Guide: Your First 72 Hours in Japan's Capital

Tokyo is the city that will break every expectation you have about what a city can be. Simultaneously the most futuristic and most traditional metropolis on earth, it blends bullet trains and robot restaurants with centuries-old temples and tea ceremonies. With 14 million people and the most Michelin-starred restaurants of any city on the planet, Tokyo is a destination unlike any other.

Getting Your Bearings

Tokyo is enormous — roughly the size of greater London but with twice the population. Pick up a Suica or Pasmo IC card at the airport and you'll be able to use it on virtually every train, bus, and even in convenience stores. Each neighborhood has its own personality: Shibuya for the famous scramble crossing, Shinjuku for neon nightlife and gardens, Asakusa for traditional temples, and Harajuku for wild street fashion and crepes.

Must-Do Experiences

Crossing Shibuya Crossing at peak hours is a rite of passage — up to 3,000 people crossing simultaneously. Grab a spot at the Starbucks overlooking it for the full effect. Visit Senso-ji Temple in Asakusa at dawn before the crowds arrive. The Tsukiji Outer Market for fresh sushi at 7am is a Tokyo institution. The Tokyo Skytree viewing deck on a clear day, with Mount Fuji visible in the distance, is breathtaking.

Food: Where to Begin

Eating in Tokyo is one of life's great pleasures. Conveyor belt sushi is cheap and excellent. Convenience store food (7-Eleven, Lawson, FamilyMart) is genuinely good in Japan — the onigiri and hot foods are a revelation. Standing noodle bars near train stations serve incredible ramen and soba for under $8. You could eat for two weeks without repeating a cuisine.

Day Trips From Tokyo

Nikko (2 hours north) has ornate shrines and waterfalls. Kamakura (1 hour south) has the iconic Great Buddha. Mount Fuji — whether you climb it in summer or admire it from Hakone's ryokans — is within easy striking distance.

Practical Tips

Get a pocket WiFi or SIM card at the airport. Most restaurants have plastic food displays — just point if the language barrier is an issue. Tipping is not practiced in Japan and can cause offense. Carry cash — many traditional establishments are cash-only. Give Tokyo more time than you think you need. Most visitors who come for a week wish they'd stayed two.