{"id":8289,"date":"2026-11-06T08:00:13","date_gmt":"2026-11-06T07:00:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/news.travel.orange.com\/what-to-do-tokyo"},"modified":"2026-11-06T08:00:13","modified_gmt":"2026-11-06T07:00:13","slug":"what-to-do-tokyo","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/news.travel.orange.com\/en\/what-to-do-tokyo","title":{"rendered":"What to Do in Tokyo: The Districts You Can&#8217;t Miss"},"content":{"rendered":"<style>.sayna-article .quick,.sayna-article .tip{background:#f4f7fb;border-left:4px solid #467AFF;border-radius:8px;padding:14px 18px;margin:20px 0}.sayna-article .tip{background:#fff7ef;border-left-color:#ff7900}.sayna-article .h{font-weight:700;font-size:1.05em;margin-bottom:6px;color:#0a0a0b}.sayna-article table{border-collapse:collapse;width:100%;margin:18px 0}.sayna-article th{background:#eef1f7;text-align:left;padding:10px 12px;font-weight:700;border-bottom:2px solid #dfe3ec}.sayna-article td{padding:10px 12px;border-bottom:1px solid #eef1f7}.sayna-article .faq details{border-bottom:1px solid #e5e8ee;padding:4px 0}.sayna-article .faq summary{font-weight:600;cursor:pointer;padding:9px 0}.sayna-article .cta-box{background:#fff5ec;border:1px solid #ffd8b0;border-radius:12px;padding:22px;text-align:center;margin:26px 0}.sayna-article .cta-box a{display:inline-block;background:#ff7900;color:#fff;padding:12px 26px;border-radius:8px;text-decoration:none;font-weight:700;margin-top:8px}<\/style>\n<div class=\"sayna-article\">\n<div class=\"quick\">\n<div class=\"h\">\u26a1 In short<\/div>\n<p>To <strong>visit Tokyo<\/strong>, plan at least 3 days. The <strong>must-see districts<\/strong>: Shibuya and its crossing, Shinjuku for nightlife, Asakusa and the Senso-ji temple, Harajuku for fashion, Akihabara for manga, Ginza for luxury. Our insider tip: add <strong>Yanaka<\/strong>, the old Tokyo spared by the wartime bombing. Get a <strong>Suica<\/strong> card on arrival, and keep a connection active in the metro.<\/p>\n<div class=\"tip\"><span class=\"h\">Stay connected on arrival<\/span> Set up your <a href=\"https:\/\/travel.orange.com\/en\/buy-a-sim\/offers\/japan\">eSIM for Japan<\/a> before you go: 100% online activation, no physical SIM to swap.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<nav aria-label=\"Contents\" class=\"toc\">\n<div class=\"h\">Contents<\/div>\n<ol>\n<li><a href=\"#districts\">The districts to explore<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#experiences\">Experiences not to miss<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#stay\">Where to stay in Tokyo<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#threedays\">Tokyo in 3 days<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#trips\">Day trips from Tokyo<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#around\">Getting around Tokyo<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#connected\">Plan your visit &amp; stay connected<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/nav>\n<p>Tokyo is less a city than a dozen cities pressed together. Each district has its own mood, crowd and rhythm. You can go from a crossing drowning in neon to a silent back lane in two metro stops.<\/p>\n<p>Here is the essential version, without the filler: the real <strong>must-see districts of Tokyo<\/strong>, a 3-day itinerary that holds up, the day trips worth taking, and one district most guides forget.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"districts\">The districts to explore<\/h2>\n<p>The district where you spend your time changes the whole trip. Here is how I rank them.<\/p>\n<h3>Shibuya<\/h3>\n<p>The famous crossing, the busiest on earth, where thousands of people stream across at every light. Go once by day, but the right moment is after dark, when the neon and the giant screens come on. For the view from above, Shibuya Sky, the open-air observatory atop the Scramble Square tower, earns its ticket. Just outside the station, the statue of the dog Hachiko is the meeting point for all of Tokyo.<\/p>\n<h3>Shinjuku<\/h3>\n<p>A trick a lot of people miss: the observatory at the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building is free, over 200 metres up, and on a clear day the view runs all the way to Mount Fuji. You do not need to pay for the Skytree (around \u00a52,100) or Shibuya Sky (around \u00a53,000) to see Tokyo from on high, unless you want one specific panorama. At night, the Golden Gai packs more than two hundred tiny bars of a few seats each into a maze of alleys; note that some charge a table fee of \u00a5500\u20131,000 reserved for regulars, so look for the signs that welcome visitors. Right next door, Omoide Yokocho fills its lanes with the smoke of grilled yakitori.<\/p>\n<h3>Asakusa<\/h3>\n<p>Traditional Tokyo. The Senso-ji is the city&#8217;s oldest temple, reached along the Nakamise-dori, a long shopping street of craft stalls and snacks. Come early in the morning to have it almost to yourself, before the groups arrive.<\/p>\n<p>Next door, the Kappabashi district lines up shops of kitchenware and Japanese knives, a fine hunting ground for a useful souvenir you will not find elsewhere. And for a free view over the Senso-ji and the Skytree, go up to the Asakusa tourist information centre, whose rooftop terrace is open to all.<\/p>\n<h3>Harajuku, Akihabara and Ginza<\/h3>\n<p>Three opposite moods within a short ride. Harajuku, around the Takeshita-dori, is the heart of young, eccentric fashion. Akihabara is the kingdom of electronics, manga and video games, with multi-storey arcades. Ginza plays luxury and grand department stores, best at the weekend when the main avenue goes pedestrian.<\/p>\n<p>One word on the food halls beneath the department stores, the depachika: under Ginza or Shinjuku, whole basement floors of high-end food stalls, free to browse and perfect for a quality lunch to go. Late in the day, some stalls slash the prices on the day&#8217;s dishes, just like the supermarkets.<\/p>\n<h3>Yanaka, off the radar<\/h3>\n<p>Here is the district you do not read about everywhere. Yanaka was largely spared by the bombing of 1945, which makes it one of the rare pockets of old Tokyo still standing. Wooden lanes, small artisan shops, cats asleep in the sun, and a large, peaceful cemetery lined with cherry trees. Allow half a day to wander away from the crowds. If you need a break after the rush of Shibuya, this is the place.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"experiences\">Experiences not to miss<\/h2>\n<p>Beyond the districts, a few experiences are worth the trip on their own.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>An <strong>immersive digital art museum<\/strong> like teamLab, where the rooms react to your movement. Book your slot online in advance, tickets go fast.<\/li>\n<li>The outer <strong>Tsukiji market<\/strong> at breakfast, for skewers and counter sushi, on an empty stomach and early.<\/li>\n<li>An evening in an <strong>arcade<\/strong> in Akihabara or Shibuya, several floors high, free to enter.<\/li>\n<li>An <strong>urban onsen<\/strong> or a neighbourhood sento at the end of the day, around \u00a5500, the local ritual at its purest.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 id=\"stay\">Where to stay in Tokyo<\/h2>\n<p>The district you sleep in matters more than the hotel itself. My take by traveller type:<\/p>\n<table>\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<th>District<\/th>\n<th>For whom<\/th>\n<th>Our verdict<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>Shinjuku<\/strong><\/td>\n<td>First trip, nightlife<\/td>\n<td>\u2605 Best connected, central<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>Asakusa<\/strong><\/td>\n<td>Traditional charm, small budget<\/td>\n<td>Quieter, cheaper<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>Ginza \/ Tokyo Station<\/strong><\/td>\n<td>Central, business trip<\/td>\n<td>Convenient, calmer<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>Shibuya<\/strong><\/td>\n<td>Young, lively, going out<\/td>\n<td>Vibrant but noisy<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p>For a first stay, sleep in Shinjuku: everything radiates from its station, the busiest in the world, and you get home easily at any hour. If you want calm and a softer rate, Asakusa is an excellent compromise.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"threedays\">Tokyo in 3 days<\/h2>\n<p>Short on time? Here is a route to <strong>visit Tokyo in 3 days<\/strong> without rushing, organised east to west to cut down on travel.<\/p>\n<table>\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<th>Time<\/th>\n<th>Day 1: Traditional east<\/th>\n<th>Day 2: Modern west<\/th>\n<th>Day 3: Culture &amp; going out<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>Morning<\/strong><\/td>\n<td>Senso-ji &amp; Nakamise-dori (Asakusa)<\/td>\n<td>Crossing &amp; Shibuya Sky<\/td>\n<td>Akihabara, arcades &amp; manga<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>Midday<\/strong><\/td>\n<td>Ueno district &amp; its park<\/td>\n<td>Harajuku &amp; Takeshita-dori<\/td>\n<td>Lunch in Ginza<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>Afternoon<\/strong><\/td>\n<td>Yanaka, lanes of old Tokyo<\/td>\n<td>Shinjuku &amp; the free observatory<\/td>\n<td>Ginza &amp; department stores<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>Evening<\/strong><\/td>\n<td>Dinner near Ueno<\/td>\n<td>Golden Gai &amp; Omoide Yokocho<\/td>\n<td>Day trip (D4) to Kamakura or Nikko<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<h2 id=\"trips\">Day trips from Tokyo<\/h2>\n<p>Tokyo also makes a good base. Four day trips are worth the journey:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Nikko<\/strong>, about 2 hours north: richly decorated shrines, including the Tosho-gu, UNESCO-listed, in a setting of mountains and forest. Spectacular in autumn.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Kamakura<\/strong>, 1 hour south: the great bronze Buddha (Daibutsu) over 11 metres tall, Zen temples and a gentler seaside feel than the capital.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Hakone<\/strong>, about 1 hour 30: hot springs (onsen), Lake Ashi and, in fine weather, a clear view of Mount Fuji.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Mount Fuji<\/strong> and the Five Lakes, to see the volcano up close. Check the forecast on the morning, as it often hides behind cloud.<\/li>\n<li>A tip: Fuji shows itself most clearly in winter, when the dry air opens up the horizon. On some clear mornings you can even spot it from Shinjuku&#8217;s free observatory, without leaving the city.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 id=\"around\">Getting around Tokyo<\/h2>\n<p>First move on arrival: get an IC card, the <strong>Suica<\/strong> or the <strong>Pasmo<\/strong>. Rechargeable, it works with a single tap on every train, metro and bus, and at many shops too. You can add it to your Apple Wallet before you fly, which saves the queue at the airport machine.<\/p>\n<p>To find your bearings, remember one line: the <strong>JR Yamanote<\/strong>, the pale-green loop on the maps. It circles Tokyo, around thirty stations in a little over an hour, and serves most of the major districts, from Shibuya to Shinjuku via Ueno and Tokyo Station. As long as you know where you are on that loop, you will not get lost. The metro fills in the rest.<\/p>\n<p>From Narita airport, two clear options. The <strong>Keisei Skyliner<\/strong> reaches Ueno in about forty minutes, handy if you stay on the east side. The <strong>Narita Express (N&#8217;EX)<\/strong> runs straight to Shinjuku and Shibuya, a little longer but with no change. From Haneda, closer in, count around twenty minutes by monorail then a transfer onto the Yamanote.<\/p>\n<p>One practical note: some stations are dug very deep, and the signal drops in the tunnels. With reliable data, you keep your connections and your route in front of you, even underground.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"connected\">Plan your visit to Tokyo: stay connected<\/h2>\n<p>In Tokyo, everything runs through your phone: transport apps to chain connections, menu translation, observatory bookings. A reliable connection changes the whole trip, especially in a city where you are forever hopping from one line to the next.<\/p>\n<p>Rather than hunting for a SIM at the airport or paying roaming fees, activate an <a class=\"cta-inline\" href=\"https:\/\/travel.orange.com\/en\/buy-a-sim\/offers\/japan\">eSIM for Japan<\/a> before you leave. You are connected the moment you land, on the 4G\/5G network.<\/p>\n<div class=\"tip\">\n<div class=\"h\">\ud83d\udca1 Good to know: making the most of Tokyo<\/div>\n<ul>\n<li>Do Shibuya at night, that is when the crossing comes into its own.<\/li>\n<li>The Shinjuku observatory is free: no need to pay to see Tokyo from above.<\/li>\n<li>Asakusa and Yanaka early in the morning, before the groups: light and quiet.<\/li>\n<li>Add your Suica card to Apple Wallet before you leave.<\/li>\n<li>Keep your eSIM active in the metro to track your connections live.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<p>With Orange, the service trusted by <strong>more than 300 million customers<\/strong>, you travel with peace of mind: <strong>200+ destinations<\/strong> covered, <strong>24\/7<\/strong> human support, and a <strong>full refund<\/strong> if you never use your eSIM.<\/p>\n<div class=\"cta-box\">\n<p>Ready to explore Tokyo without ever losing the thread?<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/travel.orange.com\/en\/buy-a-sim\/offers\/japan\">Discover the Orange Travel Japan eSIM<\/a>\n<\/div>\n<section aria-label=\"Frequently asked questions\" class=\"faq\">\n<h2>Frequently asked questions<\/h2>\n<details open=\"\">\n<summary>What should I do in Tokyo in 3 days?<\/summary>\n<div class=\"a\">Day 1: the traditional east, Asakusa, the Senso-ji and Ueno. Day 2: the modern west, Shibuya, Harajuku and Shinjuku. Day 3: Akihabara and Ginza, or a day trip to Kamakura or Nikko.<\/div>\n<\/details>\n<details open=\"\">\n<summary>What are the must-see districts in Tokyo?<\/summary>\n<div class=\"a\">Shibuya, Shinjuku, Asakusa, Harajuku, Akihabara and Ginza. Add Yanaka, the old Tokyo spared by the bombing, quieter and more authentic.<\/div>\n<\/details>\n<details open=\"\">\n<summary>Where should I stay in Tokyo for a first trip?<\/summary>\n<div class=\"a\">Shinjuku: superbly connected, lively in the evening, central. Asakusa is more charming and cheaper, Ginza calmer, Shibuya younger and noisier.<\/div>\n<\/details>\n<details open=\"\">\n<summary>How do I get around Tokyo?<\/summary>\n<div class=\"a\">A Suica or Pasmo IC card, accepted everywhere, and the JR Yamanote line that loops the major districts. The metro fills in the rest.<\/div>\n<\/details>\n<details open=\"\">\n<summary>Which Tokyo district is best off the beaten track?<\/summary>\n<div class=\"a\">Yanaka, the old Tokyo largely spared by the 1945 bombing. Wooden lanes, artisan workshops and a cemetery lined with cherry trees. Allow half a day to wander somewhere calm.<\/div>\n<\/details>\n<details open=\"\">\n<summary>Do I have to pay to see Tokyo from above?<\/summary>\n<div class=\"a\">No. The Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building observatory in Shinjuku is free, over 200 metres up, with a Mount Fuji view on a clear day. No need to pay for the Skytree (~\u00a52,100) or Shibuya Sky (~\u00a53,000) unless you want a specific panorama.<\/div>\n<\/details>\n<\/section>\n<div class=\"ilinks\">\n<div class=\"h\">Read next<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/travel.orange.com\/en\/buy-a-sim\/offers\/japan\">Japan eSIM<\/a> <span>\u00b7<\/span><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/news.travel.orange.com\/en\/what-to-do-kyoto\">What to do in Kyoto<\/a> <span>\u00b7<\/span><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/news.travel.orange.com\/en\/japan-2-week-itinerary\">Japan 2-week itinerary<\/a> <span>\u00b7<\/span><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/news.travel.orange.com\/en\/japan-travel-tips\">Japan travel tips<\/a> <span>\u00b7<\/span><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/news.travel.orange.com\/en\/japan-internet\">Japan SIM card<\/a>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":30,"featured_media":8288,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_seopress_titles_title":"What to Do in Tokyo: The Districts You Can't Miss | Orange Travel","_seopress_titles_desc":"What to do in Tokyo? 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