Is Tokyo worth visiting?
Yes, you'll find numerous reasons to visit Tokyo, and it's a city that everyone should see. We had an amazing time here. During our first trip to Tokyo in the winter of 2013, we fell in love with its diverse neighborhoods, endless shopping scene, amazing restaurants, and uniquely Japanese culture. We've been back several times since then to experience it even more.
Whether you're a traveling as a family, a couple, or a backpacker, this city has a lot to offer. Any local will tell you what makes it special is the amazing museums and fantastic food.
Tokyo is loved by visitors for many reasons, and is routinely on national "best of" lists, including U.S. News Worlds Best Places to Go in 2023.
Tokyo is the high tech, ultramodern capital city of Japan. It's filled with neon lights and high reaching skyscrapers, but there are also many hidden temples and historic neighborhoods tucked away. You can spend your days wandering through green parks and your nights singing karaoke in one of the many bars around town.
Tokyo Fish Market
5 Reasons to Visit Tokyo
1. Museums
This iconic city is filled with recognizable landmarks and world class museums including the Meiji Shrine, the Sensō-ji Temple, and the Tokyo Skytree.
2. Food
With an astonishing number of Michelin star restaurants, this is one of the most interesting and impressive food destinations in the world. Not all restaurants are high end though. You'll find plenty of cheap eateries that offer their own rewarding culinary experience. Must try local dishes include okonomiyaki, ramen, and of course, sushi.
3. Nightlife
The professional urgency that you feel during the day morphs into a vibrant, laid back city at night. The neon lights turn on and locals head out to destress. There are karaoke bars, casual pubs, high energy nightclubs, and more. Popular areas for nightlife include Roppongi, Shibuya and Shinjuku.
4. Music
The music scene features both national and international artists and the music style is as eclectic as the city itself. You'll find many underground venues, vintage record stores, and local bars that have each created their own niche.
5. Shopping
The city is known for its electronics, anime products, and trendy fashion brands. Many neighborhoods are also shopping districts with malls or markets throughout. Prices can be steep, but products are generally high quality. For some of the city's best shopping, head to Shinjuku, Shibuya, or Ginza.
Is Tokyo worth visiting in the Summer?
Summer is the high season for travel in Tokyo, so expect more visitors and higher prices. This destination is quite touristy, so in the high season it's busier than usual. You'll see larger crowds and longer lines, as well as higher prices. On the other hand, there's plenty to see and do at this time of year because everything is open.
The weather in Tokyo is fairly warm during summer, and stays around 26°C (78°F). But it can get as warm as 29°C (84°F) at times, too. It's also quite rainy during this season, so be prepared.
The activities of the city are numerous, and this is a great time of year to explore all of them. From family-friendly attractions to romantic getaways, as well as budget-friendly things to do, there's something for everyone. Famous landmarks, museums, tours, and more are all available. You'll also find it quite easy to get around on foot, because this is a very walkable city, especially in the nice weather. You'll find plenty to do during summer, as you'll be able to browse through museums, discover the big city activities, and enjoy an evening out.
Summer Weather in Tokyo
| Avg Temp (°C/°F) |
Avg Rain (mm/inches) |
|
| July | 26°C (78°F) | 127 mm (5 in) |
| August | 27°C (81°F) | 148 mm (5.8 in) |
| September | 23°C (74°F) | 180 mm (7.1 in) |
Is Tokyo worth visiting in the Autumn?
This is the shoulder season for travel in Tokyo. This destination is quite touristy, so in the shoulder season you'll still come across plenty of touriss. However, the prices tend to be a little cheaper.
Keep in mind that it can be fairly rainy during autumn, and temperatures hover around 18°C (64°F).
Autumn is a great time of year to explore the numerous museums and landmarks around town. They are fun for the whole family as well great for couples. During this season it's fun to experience the gorgeous scenery, the famous sights and museums, and the big city activities. Also, you can listen to some live music.
Autumn Weather in Tokyo
| Avg Temp (°C/°F) |
Avg Rain (mm/inches) |
|
| October | 18°C (64°F) | 165 mm (6.5 in) |
| November | 13°C (55°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) |
| December | 8°C (46°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) |
Is Tokyo worth visiting in the Winter?
The weather in Tokyo can be quite cold during winter, and averages around 5°C (42°F). But be prepared for much lower temperatures, too.
The low season for travel in Tokyo is during the winter. This destination is quite touristy, but in the low season you'll see fewer crowds and much better prices.
You'll like that you can take public transit easily in the winter, too. You can get around quickly while avoiding bad weather if needed. This is a great time of year to browse the museums, taste delicious cuisine, and dance the night away. Also, you can check out the live music scene and the big city activities.
Winter Weather in Tokyo
| Avg Temp (°C/°F) |
Avg Rain (mm/inches) |
|
| January | 5°C (42°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| February | 6°C (42°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| March | 9°C (47°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) |
Is Tokyo worth visiting in the Spring?
Spring is the shoulder season for travel in Tokyo. This destination is quite touristy, so in the shoulder season you'll still come across plenty of touriss. However, the prices tend to be a little cheaper.
Keep in mind that it can be fairly rainy during spring, and temperatures hover around 14°C (58°F).
The city this time of year is absolutely beautiful. Admire the gardens, parks, and fantastic architecture, too. You'll find plenty to do during spring, as you'll be able to find the best deals at the shops, spend time at the museums, and take in the beautiful scenery. Also, you'll be able to listen to some live music and enjoy the evening activities.
Spring Weather in Tokyo
| Avg Temp (°C/°F) |
Avg Rain (mm/inches) |
|
| April | 14°C (58°F) | 125 mm (4.9 in) |
| May | 19°C (66°F) | 138 mm (5.4 in) |
| June | 22°C (71°F) | 186 mm (7.3 in) |
Related
What is Tokyo most famous for?
Tokyo is most famous for its ultramodern skyscrapers, neon lights, historic temples, lively karaoke bars, and peaceful parks. People visit this impressive city for its great museums, food, nightlife, music, and shopping. It is often described as cutting edge, high tech, high energy, vibrant, iconic, and eclectic.
What is the most famous sight in Tokyo?
The most popular sight in Tokyo is The Sensō-ji Temple. You can see prices and costs for this and other sights in Tokyo on our travel costs page.
Or, see tickets, activities, and tours for The Sensō-ji Temple and other attractions here.
How touristy is Tokyo? Is it a popular city to visit?
Tokyo is a popular city for tourists and travelers. Here are some of the most popular activities and tours. (Prices in US Dollars)
- Half-day Kawaii Tour in Harajuku: $117
- Authentic Kimono Culture Experience Dress, Walk, and Capture: $65
- Samurai Training--My class is not a tourist trap: $163
- Easy Japanese Speaking Experience with Locals in Shibuya: $53
- Starting / Ending at Your Hotel 3hr Private E-bike Tour in Tokyo: $143
- Private Ginza Architecture Walking Tour: $130
- Matcha and Kimono Experience in Tokyo: $55
- Full-Day Private Guided Tour in Tokyo: $293
How long should I spend in Tokyo?
The ideal length of time for a trip to Tokyo is at least three or as many as seven days. Since Tokyo has a variety of activities such as nightlife, music, shopping, and museums, most people need this much time to see and do everything here.
If you have a specific amount of time for your trip, see our advice about how much time to spend here: Should I spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Tokyo?, Should I spend 3, 4, or 5 days in Tokyo?, and Should I spend 1 or 2 weeks in Tokyo?.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.
Expert Advice from Local Travelers
We're asking our community members and registered users to contribute their experiences about Tokyo.
Why would you recommend Tokyo to budget travelers? Or, why not?
Tokyo is an amazing city, but you can expect to pay dearly for most things. There are plenty of affordable and delicious restaurants around though.
I'm always caught off guard by the prices in Tokyo, but there are ways to get by on a budget. Skip some of the more expensive activities and eat street food or at cheap eateries whenever possible.
What makes Tokyo a budget-friendly destination? Or not?
I tried my best to find an affordable mid-range hotel in my budget but it was tough. Tokyo is amazing, but it is also expensive. The restaurants were pretty pricey, too, especially in the central areas. I think public transit was the only real money-saver, and it's really quick, too.
We took public transportation the whole time we were there, which probably saved us the most money.
I did my best to stay on a tight budget here and found a hostel that was pretty comfortable, but very tight in space. I also ate at a lot of those cheaper noodle and ramen places where you pay at a machine and the cook makes your meal really fast. They are so delicious and not too expensive.
How can you save money during your time in Tokyo?
We found Tokyo to be an expensive city, but the food is so amazing, you can enjoy eating out, even at the cheapest places.
What was your favorite thing about Tokyo?
It's dynamic and high-tech.
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