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Tokyo skyline at night with the lit Tokyo Tower

No. 3 Top 100 City Destinations 2025

Tokyo

Japan

A megacity of neon and quiet shrines, where centuries-old tradition meets the future.

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Photo: David Kernan, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Overview

Tokyo is No. 3 in Euromonitor International's Top 100 City Destinations Index 2025 and is Asia's highest-ranked city in the index. Japan's capital lies on Tokyo Bay at the centre of one of the world's largest metropolitan areas.

Tokyo has no single centre. It is a patchwork of distinct neighbourhoods: the neon and nightlife of Shinjuku and Shibuya, the old-town temples of Asakusa, the upmarket boutiques of Ginza and the anime and electronics shops of Akihabara. It is also one of the world's great food cities and has long had more Michelin-starred restaurants than anywhere else.

Kaminarimon, the Thunder Gate of Sensō-ji temple in Asakusa
Kaminarimon, the Thunder Gate of Sensō-ji temple in Asakusa. Photo: Zairon, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
Crowds on the Shibuya Scramble Crossing at night
Crowds on the Shibuya Scramble Crossing at night. Photo: Benh LIEU SONG (Flickr), CC BY-SA 2.0, source

Best time to go

Late March to early April is cherry blossom season. October and November bring crisp, clear days and autumn colours.

June is the rainy season, and July and August are hot and humid. Typhoons are most likely in late summer and early autumn. Winters are cool and mostly dry and sunny.

Top sights

  • 1

    Sensō-ji

    You reach Tokyo's oldest temple, in Asakusa, through the giant red lantern of the Kaminarimon (Thunder Gate). The Nakamise-dōri shopping street beyond is lined with stalls selling snacks and souvenirs.

  • 2

    Meiji Jingu

    This Shinto shrine next to Harajuku is dedicated to Emperor Meiji and Empress Shōken. It was completed in 1920 and sits in a large planted forest.

  • 3

    Shibuya Crossing

    One of the world's busiest pedestrian crossings: crowds surge from every direction each time the lights change. Viewing decks such as Shibuya Sky look down on the scramble.

  • 4

    Tokyo Skytree

    At 634 metres it is Japan's tallest structure. Observation decks at 350 and 450 metres give views that can reach Mount Fuji on clear days.

  • 5

    Tsukiji Outer Market

    The wholesale fish market moved to Toyosu in 2018, but the outer market's lanes of food stalls and shops are still a favourite for sushi breakfasts and street food.

  • 6

    Shinjuku Gyoen

    One of Tokyo's largest parks mixes Japanese, English and French garden styles. It is one of the city's best cherry blossom spots.

  • 7

    Imperial Palace East Gardens

    Laid out on the grounds of the former Edo Castle, the East Gardens are free to enter. They close on some days of the week.

Getting there

Tokyo has two international airports. Haneda (HND), close to the city on Tokyo Bay, is linked to the centre by the Tokyo Monorail and the Keikyu Line. Narita (NRT), about 60 km east in Chiba Prefecture, is served by the Narita Express (N'EX), the Keisei Skyliner and airport buses.

Shinkansen (bullet trains) run from Tokyo and Shinagawa stations to Kyoto, Osaka and much of the rest of Japan.

Getting around

The Tokyo Metro, Toei subway and JR East rail networks are fast, punctual and signposted in English. Rechargeable IC cards such as Suica and PASMO, including their mobile versions, work on nearly all trains and buses and in many shops.

The JR Yamanote Line loops around central Tokyo, linking hubs such as Tokyo, Shinjuku, Shibuya and Ueno. Most trains stop running between midnight and 1 am, so plan late nights with that in mind.

Practical tips

Currency
Japanese yen (JPY). Cards and IC cards are widely accepted, but carry some cash for small shops, shrines and temples.
Language
Japanese. Signs on public transport are in English, but English is less widely spoken than in many other big cities, so a translation app helps.
Safety
Tokyo is known as one of the safest big cities in the world, though the usual precautions apply in nightlife districts. Dial 110 for police and 119 for fire or ambulance.
Visa & entry
Citizens of many countries, including the US, Canada, the UK, EU countries and Australia, can visit Japan without a visa for short stays. You can register immigration and customs details in advance on Visit Japan Web. Check the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan (mofa.go.jp) for the current rules.
Tipping
Tipping is not customary in Japan.
Power
100 V; plug types A and B (the same shape as North America, but at a lower voltage).

Official information: GO TOKYO (official Tokyo travel guide). Check opening hours, prices and entry rules there before you go.

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