Tokyo Travel Guide

First Time in Tokyo

Arrival from Narita or Haneda, IC cards and cash, the 2026 tax changes, closing days that catch visitors out, and the etiquette that makes Tokyo run — everything a first-timer needs before landing.

Tokyo is one of the easiest big cities in the world to visit: safe, clean, punctual and astonishingly well organized. But it has its own logic, and a little preparation turns a slightly bewildering first day into a smooth one. Here is what to know before you land, including the changes that came into effect in 2026.

Arriving: Narita or Haneda. Tokyo has two international airports. Haneda is close to the city, and trains (the Keikyu line and the Tokyo Monorail) or a taxi will get you to central Tokyo in about half an hour. Narita is much farther out, around an hour or more by the Narita Express to Tokyo Station, Shinjuku and Shibuya, or by the Keisei Skyliner to Ueno; airport limousine buses serve many major hotels from both airports. If you are staying in Asakusa or near the Toei Asakusa subway line, some trains run directly from both airports. Taxis from Narita are very expensive.

Money and payments. Japan has become much more card-friendly, and most hotels, department stores, chain restaurants and convenience stores take cards and mobile payments. But cash is still essential for small restaurants, market stalls such as those at Tsukiji, temples, shrines and some taxis. ATMs at 7-Eleven convenience stores and post offices reliably accept foreign cards. Tipping is not part of the culture and can cause confusion; excellent service is simply expected.

IC cards and getting around. Get a rechargeable IC transit card — Suica or PASMO, including the visitor versions and mobile versions in your phone's wallet — and tap in and out of trains, subways and buses. They also work in convenience stores, vending machines and many shops. The Yamanote Line, the green loop line of Japan Railways, connects most major districts; the subway network fills the gaps. Google Maps and other apps give exact routes, platforms and even which carriage to board.

Taxes and fees that changed. Since 1 July 2026, Japan's international tourist tax, charged when you leave the country, has risen to 3,000 yen per person; it is usually included in your airline ticket. Tokyo's accommodation tax is still a small flat per-person, per-night charge on rooms above a modest price threshold; from April 2027 it switches to a 3 percent rate on stays above 13,000 yen per person per night, and it will extend to private rentals. The Japan Rail Pass rose in price on 1 October 2026, which makes doing the math before buying more important than ever — see our guide to getting around Tokyo. Many shops offer tax-free shopping to visitors who show a passport, subject to minimum spends.

Closing days that catch visitors out. Tokyo runs every day, but individual sights do not. Tsukiji Outer Market closes on Sundays, national holidays and most Wednesdays. The Imperial Palace East Gardens close on Mondays and Fridays. The Tokyo National Museum and many other museums close on Mondays (or the next weekday after a Monday holiday). The Ghibli Museum closes on Tuesdays, and teamLab Borderless on the second Tuesday of each month. Around New Year, from roughly 29 December to 3 January, many museums, gardens and small businesses close, while shrines are at their busiest.

Booking ahead. A few attractions need advance tickets, and some sell out: SHIBUYA SKY's sunset slots, teamLab Planets and Borderless, the Ghibli Museum (released on the 10th of the month before), Tokyo DisneySea and Disneyland, and popular restaurants, especially sushi counters. Everything else — temples, shrines, markets, neighborhoods and parks — is walk-in.

Etiquette that matters. Japanese etiquette can seem intimidating, but visitors are given plenty of grace. A few things make a real difference. Queue in an orderly line for trains and step aside for people exiting. Keep phone calls off public transport and set your phone to silent. Do not eat while walking in the street, especially in markets and at temples; eat at the stall or a designated area. Carry your rubbish with you, since public bins are rare. Remove your shoes when asked — in ryokan, some restaurants, temples and fitting rooms — and never wear toilet slippers outside the bathroom. At temples, bow and pray quietly; at shrines, bow twice, clap twice and bow once. In onsen and public baths, wash thoroughly before entering the water, and check the tattoo policy in advance.

Staying connected and safe. Buy an eSIM or rent a pocket Wi-Fi before you arrive; free Wi-Fi exists but is patchy. Tokyo is very safe, though in Kabukicho and Roppongi you should ignore street touts offering bars and clubs. Earthquakes are a fact of life: if one occurs, follow staff instructions and the announcements, which are given in English on most public transport. Tap water is safe to drink.

Language. Many signs, menus and station announcements are in English, and translation apps fill the gaps. Learn a few words — arigato gozaimasu for thank you, sumimasen for excuse me — and you will find people unfailingly helpful. Pointing at plastic food displays and menu photos works perfectly well. The overall rule: be quiet, be patient, follow what locals do, and you will fit right in.

Your first evening. Arrive, drop your bags, and resist the urge to sleep. Take a short walk to the nearest station area, buy a snack and a drink at a convenience store to get used to the routine, and eat a simple dinner at a ramen or set-meal restaurant near your hotel. If you have the energy, ride to a viewpoint — the free observation decks of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building in Shinjuku are open into the evening — and watch the city glitter below. Go to bed at a normal local time, and you will wake early, ready for a dawn visit to Senso-ji or Tsukiji while the city is still quiet.