The Grantourismo Travel Guide To
Tokyo
Japan
Tokyo Travel Guide
Stay in Tokyo
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Best Tokyo Hotels for First Time Visitors from Mid-Range to Boutique and Luxury
Best Tokyo hotels for first time visitors are lodgings close to train stations in essential Tokyo neighbourhoods to explore like Shinjuku, Shibuya, Roppongi, and Akasaka. These are our picks of…
Our Home Away from Home in Tokyo
Tokyo wasn’t on our original Grantourismo itinerary. From Venice we were set to head via London to Bangkok, but we cancelled our Thailand plans last month due to the crisis…
Accomodation
Insurance
Eat in Tokyo
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Japanese Food in Tokyo – Motsuyaki, Yakitori and Yakiniku are What You Need to Eat
Japanese food in Tokyo for most culinary travellers means sushi, soba, tempura, and ramen – fish, seafood and noodles – but when I fantasise about eating Japanese food in Tokyo,…
World’s Best Food Destinations According to World’s Best Chefs
These are the world’s best food destinations according to the world’s best chefs, the places they said provided their fondest food memories and favourite eating experiences, from markets they loved to memorable meals. These…
Drink in Tokyo
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Time Travelling in the Gritty Alleys of the Golden Gai
I’m not going to name names, so don’t ask. But a Tokyo-based guide recommended to us emailed me to say he was away on a tour while we were in…
Sake 101 – Tokyo Sake Tasting at Hasegawa and a Sake Brief with Local Sake Expert
We’ve always loved sake – since we used to hit the karaoke bars with friends in Sydney’s Kings Cross years ago. We wouldn’t think of eating Japanese food with anything…
Explore Tokyo
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Tsukiji Outer Market, Tokyo — A Food Lover’s Idea of Food Shopping Paradise
Tsukiji Outer Market is a must after visiting the Tsukiji Fish Market proper. The Outer Market shops specialise in everything from Japanese handmade knives and kitchen supplies to cooking ingredients…
Best Tokyo Neighbourhoods – From Laidback Akasaka to Atmospheric Asakusa
The best Tokyo neighbourhoods are the laidback and local areas like Akasaka and the atmospheric Asakusa. While they rarely get a mention in magazines and with no notable sights to…
Experience Tokyo
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Tsukiji Fish Market Closes Today – Tokyo’s Legendary Fish Market Moves to Toyosu
Tsukiji Fish Market closes today, marking the end of an era. The legendary Tokyo fish market, which opened in 1935, will move to the new Toyosu Fish Market opening nearby…
Cat Cafes and Other Tokyo Eccentricities
It’s no secret that the Japanese love the kawaii or cute character Hello Kitty, but also wildly successful has been a more tangible rendering of cats – cat cafes. While pet…
Book Tokyo Tours
Absorb Tokyo
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Best Food Museums and Exhibitions in the World for Food Lovers
The best food museums and exhibitions in the world for food lovers include everything from Parma’s museums dedicated to pasta, cheese, salami, and wine to London’s Victoria and Albert Museum’s…
Omoide Yokocho in Shinjuku – A Mouthwatering Walk Down Memory Lane
Omoide Yokocho or Memory Lane in Shinjuku, Tokyo, is also called Shonben Yokocho or Piss Alley. Home to dozens of smoky yakitori and motsuyaki joints, noodle bars and izakayas, its…
Shop Tokyo
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Aloha Yanaka! Vintage Tokyo Atelier in One of the City’s Oldest Edo Period Quarters
Strolling the leafy lanes of the atmospheric quarter of Yanaka is like stepping back in time. Dotted with historic temples and traditional low-rise wooden houses, this laidback area is one…
Tokyo Take-Homes: Kitsch Keepsakes for Kids (and Big Kids)
My, how the souvenirs for kids sold in Tokyo have changed since my mother returned from Japan when I was a kid in the early ’70s, bringing back suitcases bursting…
Tokyo Resources
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When it’s Okay to Blow Your Travel Budget
Writing our Gold Coast on a Budget post got me thinking about when it’s okay to blow your travel budget. While you might be intent to stretch your funds to stay on…
Tokyo Reflections and Travel Tips
Our two-week stay in Japan’s capital was so different to other destinations we’ve stayed so far on our Grand Tour and there were so many lessons we learned for slow travellers and…
Tokyo Essentials
WHEN TO GO
Mar-May & Oct-Nov Best time for good weather to be out sightseeing and spring is cherry blossom season.
Jun-Aug Rainy season starts in June and is hot and humid, but starts to improve in August for late summer festivals.
Dec-Feb Cool and dry weather with blue skies but really cold overnight temperatures.
HEALTH
Note that while you cannot be refused treatment at a hopital or clinic, you will be charged and get reimbursed from your insurance. If you need treatment, do call your insurer. Local clinics called naika is for general medical problems where they will send you to a specialisy for further treatment. Recommended Vaccinations
VISAS
Japan has Visa Exemption Arrangements with 68 countries and regions which allwos you a 90 day stay with no special requirements for activities such as commerce and conferences. While proof of onward travel (or financial means of onward travel are required, it’s rarely asked for. Visit the Exemption of Visa page for a complete list of visa regulations.
CURRENCY
CURRENT EXCHANGE RATES
$1.00 USD = 143.38 Yen
$1.00 AUD = 93.88 Yen
€1.00 EUR = 138.93 Yen
£1.00 GBP = 155.69 Yen
The Japanese currency is the Japanese Yen ¥ (JPY). Using ATM machines in Japan is complicated, but significantly easier in large cities such as Tokyo. The reason is that many Japanese banks only accept Japanese ATM cards. Look for banks that have ‘international ATM’ signs in their windows or go to a 7-Eleven convenience store where they have Seven Bank ATMs that accept Visa, MasterCard, American Express etc.
LANGUAGE
JAPANESE IS THE OFFICIAL LANGUAGE OF JAPAN.
ELECTRICITY
ELECTRICITY IN TOKYO IS 100 VOLTS. 50 CYCLES/SEC.
WEATHER
CURRENT TOKYO WEATHER
TRANSPORTATION
AIR/LAND/SEA
Tokyo’s main airport, Narita International Airport (NRT) is about one hour from Tokyo city by express train with departures every 30 to 60 minutes. To get to other Japanese destinations, it’s advisable to compare flights to shinkansen (bullet trains). Once in Tokyo, the Tokyo Metro system is brilliant, consisting of line letters (‘G’) for Ginza, circled with a colour and each station has a number. Choices of tickets depends on whether you’re doing an airport run to a several day stay, see the ticket information on this site.
Tokyo Daily Costs
BUDGET
Daily Budget Up To:
US$75
- Guesthouse dorm bed: US$28+
- Bowl of ramen joint noodles: US$8+
- 24-hour subway pass: US$5:50
MID RANGE
Daily Budget From:
US$76–220
- Air-con hotel room: US$150
- Museum Entry Fee: US$6
- Isakaya (pub/eatery) meal for 2: US$60
LUXURY
Daily Budget From:
US$220+
- Four/five star hotel room: US$320+
- Private coctail bar custom coctail: US$30+
- Jiro Omakase Tasting Menu: US$275+
