Tokyo, the capital of Japan, combines history and modernity perfectly. It is the top destination for travelers to experience as a birthday/graduation gift, annual trip, or bucket list trip, especially for families with teenagers and couples.
Tokyo offers unique experiences suitable for everyone, such as a ninja experience, admiring the iconic Mount Fuji, having fun in anime shops and theme parks, staying at a traditional ryokan, and visiting traditional shrines.
In this article, we'll explain everything you need to know for planning a trip to Tokyo, including how to budget, when you should visit, top things to do, and more.
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- 1. Top 5 Things to Do in Tokyo
- 2. How Long to Spend in Tokyo
- 3. How Much Does a Tokyo Trip Cost?
- 4. Best Times to Visit Tokyo
Top 5 Things to Do in Tokyo
Plentiful experiences and charming attractions await you in Tokyo, and we know that it can be hard to choose what you want to do. Below are some of our suggested activities in and around Tokyo, based on our experience of traveling and planning vacations in the city.
1) Visit shrines and temples to experience the traditional side of Tokyo
Sensoji Temple in Tokyo, Japan
Except for the modern buildings, Tokyo boasts many representative shrines and temples with a long history that are worth visiting. Century-old Senso-ji and Meiji Shrine are attractions you should not miss. Take a rickshaw ride or walk through Asakusa district to feel the old vibe of Tokyo, where you can explore and pray at the most atmospheric Shinto site in Tokyo — Meiji Shrine, surrounded by towering trees.
2) Immerse yourself in a ninja experience in Tokyo
Ninja experience in Tokyo
Ninjas are often depicted in movies and anime around the world. In Tokyo, you have the opportunity to experience a fun-filled activity that is popular with kids and adults. You could suit up in a classic ninja outfit and learn about ninja culture, techniques, and weapons from an instructor, immersing yourself completely in the experience.
7-Day Japan Essence Tour Tokyo - Kyoto - Osaka
9-Day Japan Highlights Tour Tokyo - Hakone - Kyoto - Osaka
11-Day Traditional Japan Tour Osaka - Hiroshima - Kyoto - Tokyo
12-Day Tokyo, Hakone, Kyoto, Osaka and Himeji Tour
3) Soak up the anime atmosphere to fulfill your anime dream
Tokyo is a paradise for anime lovers. It's the perfect place to fulfill your children's interest in anime. A variety of family-friendly anime theme parks, such as the Pokémon Center, Tokyo Disneyland, and J-World, could captivate you with anime characters and fully immerse you in a fun atmosphere. You could also enjoy yourself in all kinds of anime cafés that offer interesting food based on anime characters.
You can just tell us your preferences and requirements and our Japan travel consultant will customize a tour for you.
4) Stay at a Japanese-style ryokan with an onsen in Hakone
Japanese-style ryokan
Hakone, located about 2 hours from Tokyo, is a popular destination known for its ryokans (old-style inns) with onsens (hot-spring baths) and picturesque scenery. Staying at a traditional Japanese-style ryokan is definitely one of the top things to do near Tokyo. Not only can you relax in a hot spring, but also you can sleep on a tatami and enjoy a high-class kaiseki meal to top off your experience.
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My experience with Alisa at Asia Highlights has been excellent. I wanted to customize my trip to South Korea and Japan. I made several changes and asked many questions which she answered promptly. My trip included only hotels and transportation because I wanted to explore on my own. This gave me the option to book my own tours if I want. I selected Asia Highlights because of the great reviews and booked because Alisa was helpful in planning my trip. JBC, Feb 2024 | Japan Tour
Alisa did a fantastic job, answering all my questions and catering to what I want for our upcoming Japan tour. The itinerary was so detailed! We are so excited for our trip! Theresa Beltran, Feb 2024 | The experience of working with Bert was…
The experience of working with Bert was amazing! Everything is clear! The route he introduced and planned for the travel in Japan was amazing! Polina Fedorina, Feb 2024 | Outstanding Agent
We haven't taken our trip to Japan yet with Asia Highlights, but I am so impressed by the thoroughness, communication skills, and attention to detail of their hard working agent, Claire Wong. I sent an inquiry to Asia Highlights and immediately I was given Claire as my agent. She designed a trip for my family that works for us and my communications with her via WhatsApp have been excellent. She always gets right back to me with answers and suggestions. Her English is perfect. Because of Claire, I have a very high regard for Asia Highlights, and I'm glad that I chose this company for our trip to Japan. Edwin Lowe, Feb 2024 | Japan Trip Planning
Although our travel plans will not materialize for another 2 months, we had the absolute pleasure of working with Bert Hu in putting our trip to Japan together. Bert was extremely professional in meeting our needs and tailoring a trip to our interests. Bert was also quite patient and helpful when we had to change a few details and add a couple days. I'm sure I'll have more wonderful things to say after our experience in Japan. John, Feb 2024 | Bert Hu knowledgeable travel adviser.
Hello! My trip adviser Bert Hu gave very clear instructions about the my travel plan to Japan. He is very knowledgeable and guided me step by step. I highly recommend Bert Hu as a personal travel adviser. Thank you for making my future trip easily accessible. Fatema Mohammedi, Feb 2024 | Awesome
Such a great company to help us find our next family trip. We have been working with Bert Hu he is very informative and helpful. Looking forward to continuing doing business and our travels to Japan. Shaunda, Feb 2024 | It is my first time in Japan
It is my first time in Japan, I am glad that i found Asian highlights especially meeting claire the travel agent! She is amazing. She is very helpful all through out the process, she respond quickly to all my inquiry. She made the process so smooth. During the trip, I have to praise the company for giving us amazing accomodations and the best tour guides. Claire made everything happened. There are few bumps and she solve it right away.She was honest about the things that she can not provide. It is my first time to ask for help from a travel agency , I am glad I found Asia highlights. If I will plan tour in the future I will definitely ask help for this company. I recommended this company to my family and friends! Thankyou once again. More power! Keep it up Claire! Cc, Jan 2024 | Claire has listened carefully
Claire has listened carefully to our ideas and has created a highly customized journey for us. She has been very responsive and has shown a deep knowledge of travel options in Japan. Michael Brandenburg, Jan 2024 | Sharon from Asia Highlights
I highly recommend Sharon and her tour guidance.She is very patient and utmost polite.I absolutely loved coordinating my iteniery with her although I was unable to travel to Japan this time.She is an absolute gem and I recommend her to make your Japanese holiday an extraordinary and hassle free experience. Tess Thomas, Jan 2024 | 10 Day Family Vacation in Japan
We had the absolute best time in Japan! Jennifer was our wonderful tour guide in Tokyo and Ho was our amazing tour guide in Kyoto and Osaka. We can’t thank them both enough for making our 10 day sightseeing trip truly a trip of a lifetime!! Sabrina Wilmoth, Jan 2024 | Trip to Japan
Family trip to Japan. Excellent itinerary, allowed for seeing many different sights in multiple cities in Japan. The tour was well-paced with enough time to explore on our own in the evenings. Tour guides were knowledgeable, had great attitudes and were accommodating, willing to modify our plans to allow us to see other sights if we wanted to as well. The vans were large and comfortable for the longer drives and water was always provided. May, Nov 2023 | Fall in Japan
The local tour guides in each city were so friendly and knowledgeable. They took care of us like we were family. The accommodations and meals were exceptional. We would definitely use this tour company again for future travel needs. , Nov 2023 | Alisa Liu is a star to work makes Asia Highlights even better
Alisa Liu was my contact person for Asia Highlights. She was remarkably punctual, she was thoughtful, and she handle an emergency on my end, with grace and patience. She recommended great hotels in Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka Japan that put us in the center of the action. The guides she choose were personable, punctual a knowledgeable about their cities. Brent Zadorozny, Oct 2023 | Excellent service
Started using Asia Highlights to plan my trip to Japan. Sharon was very helpful, giving me all the information I would need for the tour. I would definitely use Asia Highlights again, when planning another trip to Asia. Rachel Nelson, Oct 2023 | Japan tour
Our airport pick-up went very smoothly. Our guide, Vivian, on the second day was very nice, very accommodating, took into account our preferences. In Osaka, our trip to the castle was a very long walk with lots of steps to climb and quite honestly wasn’t very interesting. But Dotonburi is a must-see and we enjoyed that very much.Our trip to Hiroshima was very memorable. I highly recommend it. Our guide, Etsuko, was very knowledgeable and kind. The trip to Miyajima island, on the other hand, wasn’t too memorable. Our next city, Kyoto, is a truly wonderful place to visit. All the temples we went to were very interesting and very distinctive from each other (Kinkakuji temple, Nijo castle, Sanjusangendo temple,Kiyumizo temple, Fushimi Inari shrine, Kasuga Taisha shrine, Tojaidi temple). The sake tour was a downer and wouldn’t recommend it.Our guide, Ritsuko, was a darling. She was very knowledgeable too and kind and warm and easy to talk to. Our last tour in Tokyo was a rainy day and Sue, our guide, was able to change our tour to the next day. She was so efficient and so accommodating and so kind and very knowledgeable too. Mrs Cristina Hidalgo Loris, Oct 2023 | Very good tour of Japan
Very good tour around Japan for 10 days, including Tokyo, Hakone and Kyoto. Excellent guides and experiences. Albee, the tour organiser, was always available to sort out changes to itinerary or extra requests. Guy Slimmon, Oct 2023 | Everything is good
All of the hotels were wonderful and our guides were super friendly, knowledgeable and flexible. We had a 10 day trip that included multiple cities and lots of different sights, we squeezed in as much as we could, including a 2 day hiking trip to Mt. Fuji (our guide Sun Nan was awesome!). Our guide in Tokyo, Jennifer, was lovely and our guide for 2 days in Kyoto, Dennis, was also super great. We did a food tour in Osaka with Vivian which was niceSallie Fujimoto-Swun Ideale Tran, Oct 2023 | Thank you for the wonderful experience…
Thank you for the wonderful experience we all truely enjoyed. From the beginning (making first contact with Sharon from Asia Highlights) to the end (Saying good bye to our amazing guide Lilly) the experience was top notch. Great communication while preparing the trip and excellent local knowledge of our tour guide. I can highly recommend Asia Highlights and would not hesitate to use them again for our next trip. Dany Gruosso, Oct 2023 | Vacations in Japan
The guides Jessie and Vivian were very kind and professionals and the drivers as well. In a future vacation we will get in touch with Asia Highlights without a doubt. Hilda Andrade, Oct 2023 |
5) Appreciate iconic Mount Fuji
Mount Fuji
Mount Fuji, the symbol of Japan, is best appreciated from Lake Kawaguchi, located about 2 hours away from Tokyo. Various activities allow you to immerse yourself in the breathtaking scenery of Mount Fuji and provide unforgettable experiences, such as light hiking, taking a cable car ride, and biking.
8-Day Tokyo, Hakone, Kyoto, Hiroshima and Osaka Tour
10-Day Japan Cherry Blossom Private TourTokyo - Kawaguchiko - Kyoto - Nara - Osaka
How Long to Spend in Tokyo
Ideally, you should spend at least 2 full days experiencing the best of Tokyo. To discover more of Tokyo and visit popular places around it, such as Hakone and Lake Kawaguchi, you would need an extra day or two. If you have a vacation of 7–10 days, you could explore Kyoto or Osaka too.
3–5 Days in Tokyo
5-Day Tokyo Highlights Tour A Quick Sketch of Tokyo
With 3–5 days in Tokyo, you could explore the major highlights, have some authentic experiences, and enjoy an in-depth Tokyo trip.
Day 1: Explore Meiji Shrine and Asakusa to experience the old vibe of Tokyo, take a stroll around the anime center in Akihabara, and dress up like a ninja to experience ninja techniques and weapons.
Day 2: Buy unique anime products exclusively available in Japan at the Pokémon Center, walk through the bustling Shibuya Crossing, enjoy a breathtaking view of the city from the iconic Tokyo Tower, and experience making sushi by hand in a local's home.
Day 3: Head to Hakone to enjoy a picturesque rural view and spend a night at a Japanese-style ryokan with onsen baths. Experience traditional Japanese accommodation by sleeping on a tatami, sampling high-end kaiseki, and relaxing in a hot spring.
If your time permits, we suggest you add one day to go to Kawaguchiko to visit the magnificent Mount Fuji or have fun at Tokyo Disneyland.
7 Days in Japan
One week in Japan is not a long time but it's enough to cover the highlights of two cities. On a 7-day trip, it's perfect to spend 3 days in both Tokyo and Kyoto, the two must-see cities in Japan.
7-Day Japan Adventure Tour Tokyo - Kyoto
Here is the suggested itinerary, for inspiration:
- Days 1–3: Tokyo (Asakusa, Meiji Shrine, Pokémon Center, ramen-making, and a ninja experience)
- Days 4–6: Kyoto (Fushimi Inari Shrine, geisha, kimono wearing, and a ryokan)
- Day 7: Departure
9–10 Days in Japan
If you have a longer vacation and want to explore the best of Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka, then this itinerary is perfect for you. Spending 5 days in the Tokyo area, 3 days in Kyoto, and 1 day in Osaka would allow you to have a richly-varied, highlight-filled trip in Japan.
9-Day Japan Highlights Tour Tokyo - Hakone - Kyoto - Osaka
Here is the hand-picked itinerary, for inspiration:
- Days 1–3: Tokyo (Asakusa, Pokémon Center, a ninja experience, sushi-making, and Tokyo Disneyland)
- Days 4–5: Hakone (stay at a ryokan with onsen)
- Days 6–8: Kyoto (afternoon tea with geisha, trying on a kimono, a tea ceremony, and feeding deer in Nara)
- Day 9: Osaka (Dotonbori district and sampling street food)
How Much Does a Tokyo Trip Cost?
A private tour in Tokyo includes 4-star hotels, a full-day itinerary, tickets for attractions, a private car, and a private guide.
- For a family (3–5 people): a private tour costs approximately $350–500 per person per day
- For a couple: prices start at approximately $450 per person per day
Our Japan expert will customize your trip based on your requirements, and make the most of your money.
Best Times to Visit Tokyo
Cherry blossoms in spring in Tokyo
Tokyo can be visited all year round as each season provides various benefits and charming views.
The best times to visit Tokyo, when the weather is pleasant and the views are attractive, are in spring (March to May) to enjoy the incredible scenery of cherry blossoms and in autumn (September to November) to appreciate the colorful autumn foliage.
Summer (June to August) is hot and humid in Tokyo, with an average daily high of 31°C (88°F). Summer is the festival season in Tokyo, offering an opportunity to enjoy lively festivals and fireworks celebrations. June is a better time for families to spend their summer vacation as it is cooler and less crowded than July and August.
Winter (December to February) in Tokyo is cold and dry with a daily high of about 10°C (50°F). Nothing is better than staying at a traditional Japanese-style ryokan with an onsen to enjoy the snowy scenery in winter. Christmas and New Year are the busiest times to travel to Tokyo. Hotels and flights are easily booked up. Be sure to plan ahead and make reservations at least 3–6 months in advance.
7-Day Japan Cherry Blossom Mini Group Tour Tokyo - Kawaguchiko - Kyoto - Nara - Osaka
10-Day Japan Cherry Blossom Mini-Group TourTokyo - Kyoto - Osaka
10-Day Japan Cherry Blossom Private TourTokyo - Kawaguchiko - Kyoto - Nara - Osaka
2-Week Japan Itinerary in Cherry BlossomsTokyo - Mt. Fuji - Yokohama - Kyoto - Nara - Osaka - Hiroshima
