Central Tokyo

The world's largest metropolitan area: Asakusa, Shibuya and Shinjuku, the highest density of Michelin stars, and Disney—the No. 1 overseas destination for Chinese travelers.

Tokyo Metropolis sits on the Kanto Plain on Japan's main island of Honshu, bordering Tokyo Bay to the east. It comprises 23 special wards, the Tama area and the Izu and Ogasawara islands, and its metropolitan area has more than 37 million people, making it the largest in the world and the No. 1 overseas destination for Chinese travelers. You can think of the sightseeing areas along the Yamanote Line loop. In the northeast, Asakusa, Ueno and Akihabara are the old town and anime-culture district (Senso-ji, Ueno Park and its museums, the Akihabara electronics district). To the east, Tokyo Station, Ginza, Tsukiji and Toyosu form the business, shopping and dining area (the Imperial Palace, Ginza department stores, Tsukiji Outer Market, teamLab Planets). In the south, Minato Ward has Tokyo Tower, Roppongi and Odaiba. In the west, Shinjuku, Shibuya and Harajuku are the center of youth trends and nightlife (Shinjuku Gyoen, Kabukicho, Shibuya Crossing, Meiji Jingu, Takeshita Street). Across the Sumida River to the east stands Tokyo Skytree. Tokyo Disney Resort is in Urayasu, Chiba Prefecture (about 20 minutes from Tokyo Station). Best season: cherry blossoms from late March to early April (Meguro River, Ueno Park, Shinjuku Gyoen, Chidorigafuchi); autumn leaves and ginkgo from mid-November to early December (Meiji Jingu Gaien, Rikugien). Summer is hot, humid and rainy with typhoons, but brings fireworks festivals and matsuri; winter is clear, dry and cold, with beautiful Christmas illuminations. Getting there: Narita Airport (about 40–60 minutes to the city by N'EX or Keisei Skyliner) and Haneda Airport (about 20–30 minutes by Keikyu Line or monorail). In the city, the JR Yamanote Line and subways form the backbone; tap in with Suica/PASMO (which can be added to your phone wallet), and the Tokyo Subway 24/48/72-hour tickets are good value for visitors. Suggested length: 4–5 days for the core sights, plus 1–2 days for Disney, and 1 day each for Kamakura, Hakone and the Mount Fuji area. Notes: Chinese passport holders need a Japanese visa in advance (including the e-visa), and should fill in entry information ahead of time via Visit Japan Web. Cash is still widely used in Japan, and many small shops and shrines don't accept credit cards. The last subway runs around midnight to 1 a.m., and late-night taxis are expensive. Trash cans are scarce, and smoking in public is banned, so look for designated smoking rooms. Reservation-only restaurants and popular attractions such as teamLab and Shibuya Sky should be booked online in advance.

Top sights

Where to eat

Itineraries