Tokyo is one of Japan’s most influential and cultural cities. It’s not only the capital of Japan; it’s a melting pot of diversity and history. Tokyo travellers will be mesmerized by the city’s abundance of things to do, but if you’re looking for authentic Japanese traditions and quiet neighborhoods, a flight to Tokyo is not for you. Tokyo is a crowded, busy, and futuristic-city that is full of ideas and inventions. Of course, there are some traditions that Tokyo still embraces – traditional tea ceremonies, flower arranging and public baths still take place and Tokyo boasts a wealth of museums and Japanese art.
For the first-time traveller, however, Tokyo is a shopper’s haven. Pack an extra bag with you on your flight to Tokyo – from high-tech toys to designer clothes, it’s impossible not to bring back a little gift from Tokyo. While you’re here, take in the nightlife that Tokyo is famous for – trendy clubs and fine-budget dining are the way to go. Thanks to the millions of students that reside in Tokyo, the city is affordable and fashionable and has something for everyone. The best part about Tokyo? It’s people. Take time on your flight to Tokyo to talk to your neighbor – the city may be cramped and hectic, but the people are friendly and can show tourist the true beauty that lies within Tokyo.
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Winter is cold in Tokyo and the temperature occasionally drops below freezing. Spring has pleasant warm days. Summer is hot and muggy. It gets cool again in the fall, with temperatures ranging from 15-22 degrees Celsius. August is the warmest month with high humidity and temperatures in the mid-20s, and January is the coldest with temperatures just below zero. The monsoon season lasts about a month starting around mid-June. Typhoons are widespread in Japan in September.
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Peak Season:
Spring and fall are the most temperate seasons and the best time to book flights to Tokyo. Despite the heat and humidity of the summer, Tokyo flights and hotel rates rise in the summer. Many local festivals are celebrated in Tokyo in July, and the school summer vacation runs from the end of July through August. Peak travel times for Tokyo flights and rooms in Tokyo tend to fall around Japanese holidays when reservations need to be booked far in advance.
Off Season:
The New Year’s celebration is January 1 through 3, which is a busy travel time, but the rest of January, February, and March are quiet. Sightseeing attractions are not very busy and the weather is chilly, but this is the best time to find cheap flights to Tokyo.
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Narita International Airport (NRT)
Distance:64km from Tokyo
Drive time:1 hour
The fastest way to get to town is the JR Narita Express (NEX) train to Tokyo Station. The train ride takes about an hour. However, if you have a lot of luggage or want to go directly to your hotel, the limousine bus is a good option.
Haneda Airport (HND)
Distance:16km southwest of Tokyo
Drive time:varies
The fastest and cheapest way is to take the Tokyo Monorail from Haneda Airport to Hamamatsucho Station. From Hamamatsucho Station, change to a JR train or take a taxi to your destination.
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Tokyo is known internationally for having great public transportation. It’s clean, safe and efficient. Tourists usually stick to the subway or Japan Railways (JR). The subway has 13 different lines that run from 5 am to midnight. Avoid rush hour if possible as it can get extremely crowded. You can buy a Tokyo Combination Ticket which offers unlimited rides on the Tokyo trains, subway and bus lines for one day.
Taxis are safe, clean and comfortable, but among the highest-priced in the world. Drivers rarely speak English, so it’s a good idea to have your destinations written in Japanese before boarding.
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- Tokyo is the largest city in the world. The city is made up of a series of small towns and neighborhoods, each with its own history, flavour, and atmosphere, organized into 23 wards. Depending on how you like to explore a city, you may want to make a plan as to which districts/wards you want to visit and sights you want to see before arriving.
- Experiencing the best of what Tokyo has to offer is inexpensive and often free, such as a walk through Shitamachi around Asakusa, the Buddhist temple Sensoji, the Meiji-jingu Shinto shrine, the Harajuku shopping area, and the Tsukiji fish market. Get a good guide book to both check out which sites are free and to plan your visit to Tokyo.
- The Tokyo Tourism Info Web site lists the top attractions in Tokyo, with links to information on festivals, shopping, eating, and entertainment in Tokyo.
- In Tokyo it’s very easy to eat on a budget. Two options are a set lunch and obento. A set lunch is a fixed-price meal that usually includes an appetizer or soup, main dish with one or two side dishes, and sometimes dessert. Set lunches are called teishoku,seto coursu, or coursu in Japanese. Some restaurants also offer set dinners although they cost a bit more than a set lunch. Getting an obento (box lunch) is a “must do.” A typical obento contains fish or chicken, side dishes, rice, and pickled vegetables. But the best part is the presentation, it should be beautiful enough to “eat with the eyes”.
- For nightlife and entertainment, Tokyo has Kabuki, No, Bunraku puppet drama, music, dance, classical and popular music, strip joints, massage parlours, peep shows, bars, restaurants, and so on. But even as the night wears on and the revellers become more and more inebriated, the city remains fairly safe. You will get lost in Tokyo — everyone does, even Tokyo cab drivers. Always go out armed with street and subway maps. They are readily available in Tokyo, and the Tokyo Convention and Visitors Bureau gives out free maps. When you do get lost, ask for help and directions. Don’t be shy about asking again as you’re following the directions. Unless you’re fluent in Japanese or the person you asked is fluent in English, misinterpretation of the directions is a possibility. You may also want to buy a phrase book that has English transliterations of Japanese (romaji), and Japanese characters (kanji and kana). Then you can also point to the Japanese words to get help.
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Tokyo - Narita Airport (New Tokyo International) (NRT) Location: The airport is located 66km north-east of Tokyo. Time Difference: PST+17; EST+14. Contacts: Switchboard: + 81 (0)476 322 802. Flight Information: + 81 (0)476 34 5000.
Terminal Transfer: A free shuttle bus connects the two terminals.
City Transfer: Each airport terminal has a separate railway station. Different train services on the JR or Keisei lines serve Tokyo and surrounding destinations. The journey to Tokyo takes one hour; if possible book a seat in advance. Buses connect to the domestic airport and hotels in the city centre; the journey takes between one and two hours. Taxis are not advised as, due to the distance, the fares are very high. Fixed fare taxis are available, however. The tourist information desk in the arrivals hall can help travelers with their transport needs.
Car Rental: Rental cars can be organized at the airport, though most visitors wisely avoid driving in Tokyo and instead take the efficient public transport.
Facilities: The facilities at New Tokyo Airport are extensive and include shops (including duty-free), banks, ATMs, currency exchange bureaux, massage, baby-changing areas, a pet hotel, beauty salons and left luggage. A variety of restaurants catering for Japanese, Chinese and Western tastes are available, including a new revolving Sushi Bar. Both terminals have shower facilities and Day Rooms (bedrooms which can be hired by the hour). There are Internet cafes situated throughout the airport, as well as Wi-Fi.
Car Parking: There are several multi-story car parks at the airport.
Website:www.narita-airport.or.jp/airport_e
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