Travel to Tokyo and around with an expert

Anna Kraskovska

Welcome travel fans! I’ve been traveling around the world for 20 years and most of my trips were to Asia. I think I have been crazy about Japan since I was a child and I will be happy to share this passion with you…

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A few words about Tokyo and around

The Tokyo region is an iconic tourist destination with a population of about 27 million people. It’s a region of futuristic cities, sacred temples, gorgeous natural sites, remarkable restaurants and bars, incredible food experience, charming mountain villages, and unique museums. It’s a region that can’t be skipped being an ultimate entry gate into fabulous and unique Japanese culture.

Must-visit sights

Natural Beauties and Lakes

Arakurayama Sengen Park

If you want to see the iconic view of Mount Fuji, this is the place to go. There are some small shrines here as well, but the main point people come for is an observatory deck. It’s a place of tranquility and serenity.

Nikko National Park

Explore the beautiful attractions around Nikko, a place of natural beauty and World Heritage Sites. It is an amazing park with a rich history, magical nature, and a wide range of year-round activities to explore.

Hakone

Its proximity to Tokyo makes it a prime location for anyone wanting to go on an all day hiking trip or spending a few nights relaxing among the beautiful mountains and natural scenery. Don’t forget to have the black Onsen Egg!

Fuji Five Lakes

The Fuji Five Lakes—known locally as Fujigoko—are Yamanakako, Kawaguchiko, Saiko, Shojiko and Motosuko. Fujigoko is known as a lake resort area for hiking, fishing, camping and snow sports. Most people come here for Mount Fuji's great views and postcard pictures taken from Lake Kawaguchi in particular.

Tourist Attractions

Tokyo Skytree

Enjoy an essential Tokyo experience from the tallest building in Japan, the Tokyo Skytree tower (634 m). You will fall in love with this view!

Matsumoto-jō Castle

Originally known as Fukashi Castle, Matsumoto Castle is one of Japan's premier historic castles that attracts many tourists every year. It is also known as the "Crow Castle" due to its black exterior and should not be missed if you are in the Nagano area.

Asakusa and Sensoji Temple

Asakusa is one of the most popular sightseeing areas in Tokyo while Sensoji Temple is one of the most famous temples in Japan, also the oldest one in Tokyo. It attracts about 30 million visitors every year. The oldest shopping street in Japan, called Nakamise Dori, is located beyond Kaminari-mon gates and leads to the temple's main hall.

Kamakura

Kamakura is a seaside city 1 hour away from Tokyo. It is an ancient city with a beautiful sea, mountains and rich historical heritage. Surrounded by mountains and facing the sea, Kamakura also offers historical culture, being one of the oldest cities in Japan.

Cities

Tokyo

Tokyo is probably the most desired destination for every travel fan. It is futuristic, a bit crazy, full of the most weird and wow attractions you have ever seen.

Yokohama

Yokohama is the second-largest city in Japan with a population of over 3 million people. It is one of the biggest port towns in Japan situated on the western coast of Tokyo Bay also known for its great food, the largest Chinatown in Japan, beautiful parks, special Japanese ice-cream, 100 types of sake and one of Japan’s leading beer breweries.

Saitama

Saitama remained in the shadow of Tokyo for a long time due to its close location and preserved its charm without being not overvisited as Tokyo. It’s a land of hidden “gems” famous for many shrines and temples, fabulous nature sights, delicious food and sake breweries.

Nagano

Nagano City is the capital of Nagano prefecture, called a temple town and the most convenient point to explore lots of amazing destinations in Central Japan.

Attractions For Kids

Tokyo Disneyland

Disneyland is the land of your childhood! It is a huge complex where you can play, eat & stay. It offers a huge number of attractions, restaurants, shops, hotels to stay and plenty of services.

Yokohama Hakkeijima Sea Paradise

Welcome to the island ocean leisure facility renowned for its aquarium and marine amusement park, for a great mix of entertainment, education and the excitement!

Kids’ Ninja Village

The Kids Ninja Village is a ninja theme park in Nagano prefecture created for kids and the young at heart. Come to live out your ninja fantasy!

Snow Monkey Park

Snow Monkey Park in Nagano is home to Japanese macaques who come down from the mountains to warm up in the hot springs and visited by thousands of tourists every year.

Museums

TeamLab Planets Tokyo

It’s an amazing digital art exhibit created by a Japanese digital-art group TeamLab Planets. It houses seven multi-sensory, full-body immersive art displays that combine touch, sight, sound and forward-thinking creativity to formulate an experience unlike any other.

NYK Hikawa Maru

A floating museum HIKAWA MARU is a Japanese ocean liner that was launched in September 1929 to run regular Trans-Pacific voyages from Japan to Seattle. In 1961 after 238 voyages Hikawa Maru was permanently berthed at Yamashita Park, Naka-ku, Yokohama as a floating museum, hotel and restaurant.

Ghibli Museum

The wonderful Ghibli Museum attracts a huge number of visitors. Studio Ghibli created beloved animated films, such as “My Neighbor Totoro”. The Museum is dedicated to the studio’s work and welcomes you in its wonderland.

Togakushi Ninja Museum

The Togakushi Ninja Museum in Togakushi, very close to Nagano City, is dedicated to the ancient art of ninjutsu, authentic weapons like shuriken and ninja-to, and to the warriors who trained in the surrounding mountains.

Expert tips in and around Tokyo

The Tokyo region is not just Tokyo city

I encourage you to consider Tokyo not only as a great destination but a start point for visiting other great places, even those which are located in other prefectures (like Nagano or Saitama, for instance)

Public transport

The most convenient and efficient transport in Tokyo is Subway.

Getting around Tokyo is also very easy, especially if you have purchased IC cards (Suica or Pasmo). However, a car is essential for visiting remote sights of this wonderful region.

Rent a car

To cover the most interesting sights of the Tokyo region, especially Saitama and Nagano prefectures and be mobile, I recommend renting a car. Most of the “gems” are located a bit far from each other, so a car is just essential.

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Trip Budget

For a couple in Tokyo (Capsule: $305; Ryokan: $621; Hotel: $523 Car rental is optional and not included)

Budget per day	Cost, $
Accommodation “Capsule” (single capsules in female and men dormitories)	95$ (excl.taxes)* *”Capsule Hotel Anshin Oyado Shinbashi Shiodome” capsule hotel, Tokyo
Accommodation “Ryokan” (traditional Japanese room with 2 futons)	$411 (incl. superb breakfast)* *”Cyashitsu Ryokan Asakusa”
Accommodation “Hotel” (Double room with 1 large bed)	$313 (incl. superb breakfast)* ”Solaria Nishitetsu Hotel Ginza”
Meals	from $35* per pax = $70x2 times=$140 *good meal course in a restaurant
Entertainment	from $35*x2 = $70
Car rental Toyota Rent a Car	from $54 (incl. taxes)* *Mini/Compact class, 5 seats

For 4 in Tokyo (Ryokan: $853; Hotel: $955 Car rental is optional and not included)

Budget per day	Cost, $
Accommodation “Ryokan” (traditional Japanese room with 4 futons)	$433 (incl. superb breakfast)* *”Cyashitsu Ryokan Asakusa”
Accommodation “Hotel” (Double room with 1 large bed + 1 twin room with 2 single beds)	$535 (incl. superb breakfast)* ”Solaria Nishitetsu Hotel Ginza”
Meals	from $35* per pax = $140x2 times=$280 *good meal course in a restaurant
Entertainment	from $35*x4 = $140
Car rental Toyota Rent a Car	from $90 (incl. taxes)* *Toyota, Standart class, 5 seats

How to get to the Region

The main point of entry to Japan is Tokyo and the majority of international flights come here.

By plane: There are 2 international airports in the Tokyo region that usually receive all the comers (Haneda Airport and Narita International).

If your point of entry to Japan is Narita International Airport there are at least 4 ways to get to the city.

1) Narita Express (JR N’Ex) will take you right into Tokyo Station or a variety of other stations in the city like Shinjuku. It is the fastest and the best option.

2) The Keisei Skyliner will take you to Ueno Station in Tokyo but you can’t use the JR Pass in it because it is a private company.

3) There are also limousine buses between Narita and various pick-up/drop-off points in Tokyo.

4) Taxi (not recommended due to the long distance and high price)

If your point of entry to Japan is Haneda Airport there are also 4 ways to get to the city.

1) Tokyo Monorail will take you to the city for about 13 minutes.

2) The Keikyu Line runs between Haneda and Shinagawa, which is on the JR Yamanote Line and the JR Tokaido Shinkansen Line. The ride will take about 11 minutes.

3) There are also limousine buses between Haneda and various pick-up/drop-off points in Tokyo. The ride will take from 30 to 60 minutes.

4) Haneda is close enough to Tokyo to make a taxi a great option, especially outside of rush hour or on weekends.

For a short trip to Yokohama you can take a train from Tokyo station (for instance) that will bring you to Yokohama in 47 minutes.

If you come to Saitama, catch a train from Shinjuku Station that will bring you to Saitama Omiya Station in about 30 minutes.

If you come to Nagano, take a Shinkansen from Tokyo Station that will bring you to Nagano Station in about 1 h 22 minutes.

Then you can rent a car (Times Car Nagano) to explore not only the city but fabulous Nagano prefecture with its natural sights and hidden “gems”, sacred shrines and temples.

Flight duration

01

Los-Angeles-Tokyo

Direct flight Los Angeles(LAX)-Tokyo (NRT) => 11 h 55 min approx.

02

Miami-Tokyo

flight #1 Miami(FLL)-Atlanta(ATL) => 2 h approx. flight #2 Atlanta(ATL)-Tokyo (HND) => 14 h 30 min approx.

03

New York-Tokyo

Direct flight New York(JFK)-Tokyo(HND) => 14 h 10 min approx.

How much time to spend on your trip

01

Tokyo and around top sights

Purpose: visiting top sights of the region

5-6 days

02

Exciting Tokyo & magical nature of the region

Purpose: visiting Tokyo top sights & natural parks around

7 days

03

Incredible Tokyo region

Purpose: visiting top sights & hidden “gems”

8-9 days

Airports in the Tokyo region

Narita International Airport

1-1 Furugome, Narita, Chiba 282-0004, Japan 〒282-0004 千葉県成田市古込1-1

It is a big Airport that handles both international & domestic flights and is located about 60 km from Tokyo city. It is very clean, comfortable and efficient with many dining and shopping options to satisfy even very demanding passengers.

Haneda Airport

Hanedakuko, Ota City, Tokyo 144-0041, Japan 〒144-0041 東京都大田区羽田空港

Haneda is a very large modern airport located 14 km away from central Tokyo. It handles international and domestic flights as well as Narita International and is full of restaurants, gift shops and vending machines offering food, drinks, toys, games and tickets.

Best Hotels

Solaria Nishitetsu Hotel Ginza

$313 (incl. superb breakfast)

4 Chome-9-2 Ginza, Chuo City, Tokyo 104-0061, Japan 〒104-0061 東京都中央区銀座４丁目９−2

I adore this hotel for its comfortable rooms, very delicious breakfast and amazing location in Ginza. And I don’t understand why it is a 3-star having 5-star ambience.

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Hotel New Grand

from $227

Japan, 〒231-0023 Kanagawa, Yokohama, Naka Ward, Yamashitacho, 10番地

Classic beautiful hotel with excellent customer service

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Kokuya Ryokan Shibu Onsen

from $283 (incl.breakfast)

2200 Hirao, Yamanochi, Shimotakai District, Nagano 381-0401, Japan 〒381-0401 長野県下高井郡山ノ内町平穏2200

Exceptional experience. Definitely worth staying.

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Approximate Itinerary

Day 1

Tokyo top sights