inspo & info

Both offer stunning views of Tokyo, both are accessible to tourists, and both appear on dozens of Tokyo bucket lists. But they're very different experiences - and for most visitors, one will suit your itinerary far better than the other. After visiting both observation decks multiple times, we have a clear winner. Here's why.

Three days in Tokyo, done right. This tried-and-tested 3-day Tokyo itinerary covers Shibuya, Harajuku, Shinjuku, Ueno, Asakusa, and Odaiba - with practical transport tips, ideas for arrival day, leaving day and rainy days, plus everything you need to book in advance. Built on 30 years of Tokyo travel, this is the itinerary we actually use.

Tokyo's most famous temple doesn't have to mean fighting through selfie sticks. Here's how to visit Senso-ji the right way - with tips on timing, what to see, and avoiding the mistakes most visitors make

Tokyo has so many super observation decks - and some of the best ones are completely free. From the record-breaking height of Tokyo Skytree to the budget-friendly Metropolitan Government Building, here's our guide to the 10 best observation decks in Tokyo plus a few extra tips for getting those views in

Tokyo is a relatively new port on cruises stopping in Japan. Before we get into logistics, though, there is one important thing to flag: many Japan cruise itineraries list "Tokyo" as a port when the ship is actually docking in Yokohama, thirty kilometres to the south. Here's everything you need to know about Tokyo International Cruise Terminal, how to get to/from the city, where to stay and what shore excursions are worth your time.

What makes Ginza a great neighbourhood to stay in Tokyo and which areas are best? Ginza is great for first-timers to Tokyo, for families and for visitors that want laid-back but classy nightlife. Ginza is also superbly connected, so you can get to anywhere in Tokyo quickly. The area has a fantastic range of accommodation but you have to move quickly. Here are our favourite areas, hints and recommendations for booking hotels in Ginza.

Planning a trip to teamLab Planets TOKYO in Toyosu? This fully immersive digital art museum is a must-visit, but tickets sell out weeks in advance. From wading through water to exploring the infinite crystal universe, find out everything you need to know before you go. Learn how to get there, the best time to visit, ticket prices, and essential tips for clothing in our ultimate teamLab Planets guide, updated for 2026

Which is better: TeamLab Planets or TeamLab Borderless? This is the question we get asked most whenever we mention TeamLab in our Tokyo content, and, honestly, it's a good one. Both museums are created by the same art collective. Both feature amazing digital installations. Both sell out weeks in advance. And both are genuinely unlike anything else in Tokyo. So how do you choose? We definitely have our favourite. Read on and we'll tell you why

If you are planning a day out in Odaiba, you are probably already looking at how to get there. There are a couple of ways (including the waterbus from Asakusa) but most guides will point you toward the Yurikamome Line, Tokyo’s fully automated, driverless transit system. But it's more than just a way to get from A to B: the views as you're looping your way through the Tokyo Bay area and crossing Rainbow Bridge are pretty fabulous. Here's the low-down on making the most of thos

Forget about Sky Tree, Shibuya Sky and even the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building: Odaiba Beach and Odaiba Marine Park is where you'll get what we think are the best views of the city... and for free, too! If you haven't seen Rainbow Bridge and the Tokyo skyline from Odaiba Marine Park, you're absolutely missing out. Here's everything you need to know.

How dangerous is Kabukicho? Can I take my kids there? Should I Kabukicho is officially classified as an entertainment district, with bars, cinemas, restaurants... Kabukicho is also home to host and hostess clubs, love hotels, and establishments offering adult services — the industries that earn it the "red-light district" label. Here's our take on why you should visit Kabukicho but what to avoid while you're there.

Kabukicho is where Tokyo lets its hair down completely, and the result is one of the most exhilarating urban spectacles on the planet. But the district has been getting a bad rap of late, so is it still worth visiting? Here's our take: what to see and do, where to stay, best times to visit and how to stay safe - watch out for that giant, smoke-breathing lizard!

LAST CHANCE ALERT: The Unicorn Gundam statue in Odaiba is being retired at the end of August 2026 after nearly nine years. If you want to see it in person, time is running out. Read on for what’s happening, what to expect, and what comes next.

Getting from Tokyo Station to Narita Airport sounds straightforward - but get your timing wrong and you'll be sprinting through check-in. Here's everything you need to know: the fast way, the cheap way, the stress-free way, and the one mistake that catches first-time visitors out.

But we were all wrong to have ignored Hamarikyu Gardens for so long. In a city that can boast some gorgeous parks, Hamarikyu really is special. This magnificent traditional Edo-era Japanese garden features a truly unique tidal pond, fed by the waters of Tokyo Bay, with meticulously manicured landscapes, quaint teahouses, and the glittering skyscrapers of Shiodome providing a dazzling, modern backdrop. It's easy to lose yourself completely in other Japanese gardens but this on

Taking the bullet train from Tokyo to Osaka isn't cheap, so you want to get it right. There have been some changes, too, to Shinkansen luggage rules, for example. Here's our essential guide to taking the Shinkansen to Osaka from Tokyo in 2026, from which train to book, bullet train prices, where to get on in Tokyo, connecting in Shin-Osaka Station and including our number one tip specially for the Tokyo to Osaka bullet train that nobody else is telling you!

Every month in Tokyo has a case to be made for it. We're going to try in this guide to give you an honest account of each one, based on our own experience - the weather, the crowds, the costs, the events, and the things that nobody else tends to mention. If you're used to a warm climate, you'll find January and February uncomfortably cold. On the other hand, if you're from a more temperate climate, the heat and, above all, the humidity of the Tokyo summer will have you exhau

Narita Airport has a reputation problem. Not an unfair one, either. At roughly 60 kilometres from central Tokyo, it is further from the city it serves than almost any other major international airport in the world. For a country whose infrastructure is legendary, that distance can feel like a rude introduction. The good news is that Japan has done what Japan does: engineered its way around the problem. There are more ways to get from Narita into Tokyo (or of course from Tokyo

If you're visiting Tokyo for the first time and are maybe on a tight schedule, you might be tempted to cram in all of the highlights you see on social media. But what you don't see (much) on social media are Tokyo's amazing, world-class museums. To be honest, it's pretty difficult narrowing down Tokyo's museum's to a must-see few, but here are some of what we think are outstanding museums you can't miss plus a few on the quirky side that you can boast to your friends about wh

So, you're starting your Japan trip in Haneda and are wondering how to make your way to your accommodation? We've made that journey countless times but every trip, travel group and situation is different. Here's our 2026 guide to taking the train, limousine bus or private transfer from Haneda into Tokyo city centre so you can work out what the best way is for you. Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you click through and make a purchase, I may earn a small comm