Tokyo is the ideal stopover destination. Being one of the world’s most famous capital cities it is absolutely packed with things to do and see. No matter what your interests, you’ll have plenty to do on a visit to Tokyo. There are skyscraper districts for those who admire city skylines, massive shopping areas, museums, galleries, beautiful public parks, wonderful restaurants, and a huge number of historical attractions such as temples and traditional Japanese gardens.

Must see Tokyo sights:

Tokyo is a huge city with a rich culture and long history. There are so many must-see places that to list them all here would be impossible. However, for a few of the best you could start by visiting Senso-Ji Temple in the Asakusa district. This is Tokyo’s largest temple complex which houses several main structures as well as a pagoda and a famous entrance gate which is the focal point of a once-yearly national ceremony. The temple is rich with traditional architectural design and also houses a number of shrines in its grounds.

The Tokyo Tower is another possibility. It was built to resemble the Eiffel Tower and can be ascended for fantastic views over the city. Whilst this costs money, there is a free alternative. In the West Shinjuku district of the city are the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Offices which rise to over fifty stories and house a viewing deck on the 50th floor. It is free to enter, but the views are said to be less spectacular than those from the Tokyo Tower.

Not far from here lies Shinjuku Gyoen – a public garden which you can spend several hours wandering through. It is divided into three main areas which are all traditional styles of garden including a Japanese garden, an English garden, and a French garden. Those who are only passing through briefly may wish to give the English and French gardens a miss and just enjoy the Japanese part which also houses a Taiwanese-style Pavilion and a tea-house in which you can take part in a traditional tea ceremony. There is a nominal entry fee to the garden which is well worth paying if you have an interest in this element of Japanese culture.

Travelling to the Ginza district will give you the chance to visit Tokyo’s top department stores from which many expensive souvenirs can be bought. Here it is also possible to catch a Kabuki Theatre show which can be done relatively cheaply provided you are willing to queue up early for tickets and watch from the back rows for the duration of only one act.

Tsukiji Fish Market is located close by to Ginza and hosts one of the world’s largest fish markets every day, except for Sunday, starting at 5am. The market finishes at 10am but the busiest time is before 8am, so for the best experience be prepared to get up early.

Another fantastic place to visit is Ueno Park. Located in the northern area of the city, a little above Asakusa district, this huge park is host to a number of fantastic sights. There are several noteworthy temples and Shinto shrines in the park which are worth having a look at, and there are some major museums here too. The Tokyo National Museum is at the northern end of this large park and houses a fine collection of East – Asian artefacts. Of particular note are the collections of samurai armour and swords, old paintings and calligraphy, wood-block prints, and a notable selection of ancient Buddhist artefacts. However, one should note that this museum does not provide much information on the objects which it displays meaning that those hoping to learn some facts about the items which they see there will be disappointed.

Ueno Park is also home to the National Museum of Western Art and the National Science Museum. You can also go boating on the huge Shinobazu pond here and may spot some excellent street-performers too.

Many people will be keen to visit the Imperial Palace of Japan’s royal family which is situated in the heart of Tokyo. However, it is worth noting that you cannot see much of the palace at all, with very limited views of some buildings possible from the outside of its grounds. There is a Japanese garden of considerable beauty located within the grounds of the palace and this is accessible by members of the general public, although it is not open every day. As well as this visiting the Imperial Palace does allow for some impressive views of the Tokyo skyline which some may be interested in.

Main Areas of Interest:

The main areas of interest in Tokyo can be broken down fairly well by the districts which make up the central city.

Asakusa is home to the largest temple in Tokyo along the entrance to which lies a long row of shops selling all manner of traditional products from kimonos to sweets, wood-block prints, and religious paraphernalia. Near here is a famous street known for its cooking shops which are both wholesale and retail, and another street famous for its shops which sell goods of religious significance. The Asahi Beer building is also in this part of Tokyo and is a famous landmark the design of which is said to represent a glass of Asahi beer.

Ueno lies just above Asakusa and is home to Ueno Park as well as a large shopping area which lies beneath a major elevated railway line. The shops here are many and varied. Some sell cheap clothing, others food.

Shibuya lies in Western Tokyo and is a popular area amongst young people. Here you can find all the most up-to-date goods including fashion boutiques. Near to Shibuya lies Harajuku which is known throughout the world for the dressed-up parades of incredibly image-conscious youngsters as well as a few from the older generations. With outfits that are eccentric to the extreme this is a sight worth seeing. Besides the Harajuku area is Yoyogi park, another place where the young come to enjoy themselves throughout the year.

Shinjuku is home to the city’s most prominent skyscraper district. For those who wish to experience the feeling of being amongst skyscrapers this is the place to come. Here you will also find the Shinjuku Gyoen garden, and the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Offices.

Akihabara district, in central Tokyo, is famously called “The Electric City”. Here you can find a vast array of shops specialising in electronic goods at relatively cheap prices. The streets of Akihabara are also full of neon signs and the area buzzes with the sounds of technology.

If you wish to explore the many department stores and exclusive boutiques of Tokyo then a visit to Ginza is essential. This district also houses a variety of high-class unique shops. This is the place to go if you want to catch a Kabuki play. To the south east of Ginza is the Tsukiji Fish Market and also close by is the Imperial Palace.

Where to Stay in Tokyo:

Hotels range in price widely as you’d expect in any capital city around the world. Those on a budget can expect to pay around £30 to £40 pppn. An alternative option is to stay in a youth hostel. Most youth hostels are of a decent standard and the cheapest cost as little as £10 pppn.

On a mid-range budget hotels cost anything from £50 to £100 pppn. High-end budgets can go from this to almost any amount depending on the kind of accommodation you are looking for.

A city like this can offer all kinds of accommodation regardless of budget so provided you plan ahead you shouldn’t have much difficulty finding somewhere to stay which suits your budget. Just make sure that you book somewhere in central Tokyo if you want to make the most of your stopover in the city.

Those who are looking to experience something more traditional in their accommodation could either opt for family run bed and breakfast types of accommodation or look for a Ryokan. Ryokan are traditional Japanese inns in which you sleep on a roll-out futon mattress in a tatami-floored room. Staying at a Ryokan will give you a truly traditional experience. However, be prepared to pay mid-range prices for this type of accommodation. A Ryokan which appears to be cheaper is probably not offering the full traditional experience.

For a family-friendly hotel choice try Best Western Shinjuku Astina Hotel Tokyo which has rooms from £70 pppn and is located very centrally in the Shinjuku district of Tokyo. This, and other hotels, can be found on www.alpharooms.com.

Airport and Transfers:

Those who wish to stopover in Tokyo are best-off flying into Tokyo Narita airport. This airport is located about a 1 hour train journey from Tokyo city centre. It’s also possible to take a taxi from the airport to the city, although it is more expensive than the train.

Trains run at frequent intervals throughout the day so you should have no problem getting to the city quickly. There is a fast train and a slow train, with the slower taking nearly half an hour longer than the fast train’s 1 hour journey. Prices are not bad, at around £10 for a ticket. When returning to the airport be aware that the two terminals have separate stops, so make sure you get off at the right one.

All major airlines fly to Narita airport, which is one of Japan’s two major airports and takes the most international travel. Air NZ, Virgin, British Airways, Alitalia, Japan Air, and nearly all other major airlines can be used to get here.

Shopping:

The department stores of Ginza offer a fantastic selection of goods to anybody looking for souvenirs or more serious purchases. However, these are usually fairly expensive. Alternative shopping areas can be found throughout the city including Shibuya and Asakusa. Asakusa is, perhaps, one of the best areas for traditional goods which make ideal gifts for friends and family.

At the entrance area to Senso-Ji temple in Asakusa you will find a large covered shopping arcade in which you can buy traditional Japanese fans, some laquerware goods, ukiyo-e (woodblock) prints, traditional umbrellas, foods, and many other items. If you would like to purchase items of religious significance you will find stalls at most of the larger temples offering wooden and stone beads and often charms for luck, health, and so on.

A fantastic souvenir item which is lightweight and easy to transport are chopsticks. These range in price and quality considerably and there are enormous amounts of choice in design.

Eating:

It is possible to eat on a very tight budget relying on cheap restaurant foods including simple bowls of noodle soup with various choices of meat or vegetable ingredients.

However, food is a huge part of the Japanese experience and there are a whole variety of choices for those with curiousity for global gastronomy. Whilst it’s possible to stick to noodle soups, you can also try grilled yakitori kebabs, or the famous bento box – a lunch box which comprises a full meal. These are available from nearly every convenience store. If you’re looking for food of top-quality then make your way to the more expensive restaurants of Ginza where prices are high but the quality is fantastic.

Those who wish to try sushi can find many restaurants which offer it, particularly in the Tsukiji Fish Market area. Here there are cheap restaurants as well as some of world-class standards. For some top quality sushi at a reasonable price visit the Edo-Gin restaurant in the Tsukiji area. The staff are friendly and the fish is as fresh as it’s possible to get. Meals here cost around £15 to £30 per person excluding drinks. If your budget can stretch to it order the most expensive set meal on the menu as it provides a huge array of sushi to try in several courses with incredibly generous helpings of fish. A meal here will change the way you think about sushi forever and will no doubt stick with you as the meal of a lifetime.

Guided Tour or Self-Guided Tour:

Whilst many people enjoy guided tours you’re better off navigating by yourself on a stopover. This allows you to decide exactly where you want to go and what you want to do. Using the Tokyo Metro is fairly easy and English-language maps of the metro are available from Narita airport for free. A day ticket on the metro costs around ¥1000 which is about £5. This allows for unlimited journeys on the metro’s two major rail networks. Using the metro will enable you to get anywhere you like in the city within about 45 minutes at the longest. Most journeys on the metro will take no longer than 10 or 15 minutes though.

Suggested Tokyo Stopover Itinerary:

If you only have one day in Tokyo then you might want to start by visiting the Asakusa district. Have a look at the temple and visit the shops there for some fantastic souvenirs. Stop for lunch at one of the many inexpensive restaurants in the area or buy a bento box from a convenience store and walk to a small public park to eat it. In the afternoon you could visit Ueno, or the Imperial Palace and nearby Ginza, and then head over to Tsukiji for a taste of true Japanese sushi for dinner.

With an extra day some time could be spent visiting the museums of Ueno. You may also want to inquire about the possibility of seeing a Kabuki play. The department stores of Ginza are so large and varied that you could happily spend an entire afternoon simply exploring these. You may also want to visit the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Offices for a free view over the city, or take a boat ride on the River Sumida which runs through the city.

Three days would provide you with enough time to have a thorough look around the city. A visit to Harajuku can be worthwhile, particularly on a weekend. It’s also worth exploring the parks and gardens of the city more fully as they are beautiful.

Got a little longer to stay?:

Japan has some amazing places to visit outside of Tokyo, and if you're passing through the airport anyway you're in a great position to be able to take an internal flight or train connection to another part of Japan - you might never get the chance again! For skiers and snowboarders or anybody who just loves mountain resorts, Niseko on Japan's northern most island of Hokkaido cannot be missed. Niseko accommodation is generally luxurious and we recommend a cozy resort home or condominium to really enjoy your stay.