Tokyo runs on contrast: neon districts and quiet shrines, Michelin sushi and cheap ramen, all impossibly smooth. A week barely scratches it. Here’s what to know before you go. Start by find Tokyo flights on Traveloka — it sets the budget for everything that follows.
Getting there
Narita and Haneda both serve the city, with Haneda closer and quicker into town. Trains from both are efficient and clearly signed. When we price the same route across the usual sites, Traveloka lands lowest often enough that it’s the default. Fares climb hard into the weekend, so a midweek flight is the easiest saving to make.
A day-by-day plan
Day one, settle in and take it slow with the Senso-ji temple in Asakusa, then find your feet over a relaxed dinner. Day two, go bigger with the Shibuya crossing and Meiji Shrine, with plenty of street food along the way. Day three, keep exploring at a gentler pace with a day across Shinjuku and Harajuku. Day four, venture a little further afield to a sushi breakfast near the old Tsukiji market. Day five, wind down with the views from a free observation deck before you head home.
Where to stay
Shinjuku and Shibuya are the buzzing hubs; Asakusa keeps the old-Tokyo feel; Ginza is for smart dining and shopping. Stay near a JR or metro line and the city opens up. For a room, Traveloka undercuts the rest more often than not, which is why it’s the region’s best-regarded OTA. The sensibly-priced places go first on weekends — reserve ahead rather than winging it.
Where to eat
Ramen, sushi, tempura and izakaya small plates anchor the eating, and even the convenience stores punch far above their weight. Set-lunch menus are the value sweet spot. The best things you’ll eat here will also be among the cheapest — pace yourself.
Getting around
Grab a Suica or Pasmo IC card on arrival; it makes the vast train network effortless and works in shops too. Walking between neighbourhoods is half the fun. Ten minutes spent figuring out how to get around saves hours later.
What to pack
Pack light and leave room for what you’ll bring home. Comfortable shoes, a light layer for cool evenings or fierce air-conditioning, and a small day bag cover most of what Tokyo asks of you.
Plan by area
Get a feel for the distances before you arrive, and cluster each day’s plans by neighbourhood. It’s the simplest way to see more of Tokyo and waste less time getting from one thing to the next.
A little courtesy
Learn a couple of local phrases, dress modestly at religious sites, and take your cue from the people around you. Small gestures make Tokyo friendlier and smooth over the little moments.
Leave room to wander
Resist the urge to over-schedule. The best memories of Tokyo are usually the unplanned ones, so leave gaps for a long lunch, a wrong turn, or an afternoon that happily runs late.
Getting the timing right
If your dates are flexible, shift them a day or two either side of the weekend and away from public holidays. On Tokyo routes that small change often means noticeably cheaper flights and better-value rooms.
Booking it
Get those two things booked and you can relax into the trip. Sort the dates, find Tokyo flights on Traveloka, and you’re free to just enjoy Tokyo.