Tokyo Travel Guide & Map

What to expect in Tokyo

A heady mix of old and new, Tokyo is one of the world’s great destinations. The ancient Japanese culture is still very much alive here and, amid the rush and bustle of modern life, traditional behaviour is observed, making this city all the more fascinating to its visitors.

Tokyo Map

Use this interactive map to explore a huge range of accommodation in Tokyo - all available on Expedia. Click on a hotel to see the hotels in that area.

When to visit Tokyo

When to go to Tokyo?
Spring (March to May) is cherry blossom season and very pretty, but can be rainy. Summer is hot and humid with a short rainy season in June; July is a time of summer festivals. Autumn is the most colourful and sunny season, and an ideal time for a visit. Winter is cool, crisp and dry. Snow is rare.

Are we there yet? Tokyo Flight times
From Sydney : around 9.5 hours.
From Melbourne : around 10.5 hours.
From Brisbane : around 9 hours.

Must-see sights

The Imperial Palace East Gardens and Plaza
Sensoji Temple
Zojoji Temple
Meiji Jingu (ancient Shinto shrine)
The view of Mt Fuji from the observation deck of the Tokyo Metropolitan Building or the Tokyo Tower (go early in the day).
Ueno Park with its shrines, temples, cherry trees and the National Museum.
The Ginza (especially Namiki-dori avenue) and Shibuyu (young, very hip) districts; the Shinjuku shopping and entertainment district.

Insider Tips

For an ancient and beautiful garden, visit Rikugien or Koishikawa-Korakuen.Take a stroll through Shitamachi (Asakusa ward)Buy an obento (boxed lunch); great value, delicious and a gorgeous to look at too. Eat it in one of the city’s beautiful parksVisit the food hall at Isetan in ShinjukuTime your Tokyo trip with one of the city’s many colourful festivals.Showa Kinen park is a blaze of colour in autumn.Spending a night at a ryokan (traditional inn) offers a unique Japanese experience.Learn a few words of Japanese - ‘thank you’ is a good place to start. Carry a phrase-book when you’re out and about.Taxi fares are very high. Take the subway; it’s clean, fast, efficient - but make sure you have an English-version map.Ride the Tokyo-Osaka bullet train (Shinkansen) for views of Mt Fuji. The trip is three hours each way. Or take a 40-minute bullet-train trip to Hakone.Don’t take photos in the baggage area at Narita.