Japan
Tokyo
Our notebook to help you plan your trip to Tokyo: the right season, where to stay and our ideas to make the most of it.
A huge, fascinating city, really well served by train and metro. Temples, neon lights and gardens sit side by side, and with a big station near your hotel, everything becomes easy.
Best weatherIn spring and autumn: cherry blossoms, then red and golden autumn leaves.
A question?
Wéa answers about this destination: neighbourhoods, seasons, ideas.
When to go
Every season has its charm. Here's how to choose yours, depending on what you want to experience.
Cherry blossoms
In late March-early April, it's hanami under the cherry trees in Ueno and Meguro, then come the azaleas and wisteria.
Matsuri and fireworks
June is rainy, then summer brings neighbourhood festivals and the big Sumida River fireworks in late July.
Autumn leaves
It's mild, the maples turn red in the gardens and Mount Fuji comes back into view.
Bright winter
Often clear skies, illuminations, New Year at the shrines, plum blossoms from February and fewer visitors.
Where to stay
The right neighbourhood depends on what you're after. Here are our favourite places to stay.
Shinjuku
A giant station, skyscrapers, restaurants and bars open late. Super handy and full of energy.
Shibuya
Young and lively, with its famous crossing. Well placed for shopping and nightlife.
Tokyo Station and Ginza
Elegant and central, next to the trains to the rest of the country. Very comfortable.
Asakusa
Temples and a more traditional vibe. Old Tokyo.
Ueno
Museums, a park and a station well linked to the airport.
Our favourites
What we love there: its history, its landscapes, its flavours and its festivals. Take your time, it's all there to enjoy.
Asakusa and Sensō-ji
Tokyo's oldest temple welcomes you through the great Kaminarimon gate and its red lantern. Nakamise Street, just in front, is full of little shops and sweet treats.
Ideal for Japanese culture
Shibuya and Shinjuku
The Shibuya crossing, where hundreds of people cross at once, is a symbol of the city. At night, the neon lights of Shinjuku and its little izakaya alleys are fascinating.
Ideal for the atmosphere
Meiji Shrine
In the middle of a huge forest right in the city, this Shinto shrine is a haven of calm. You pass under tall wooden torii gates before reaching the main hall.
Ideal for a zen break
Cherry blossoms and Mount Fuji
In late March and early April, the cherry trees bloom in Ueno or along the Meguro River: it's hanami. And on a clear day, a trip towards Mount Fuji is unforgettable.
Ideal for nature lovers