Tokyo

Tokyo is a city that somehow manages to be both energetic and surprisingly peaceful at the same time. Towering skylines stretch as far as the eye can see, while quiet temples are so still you can hear a pin drop. Bustling markets somehow remind me of The Bee Movie in their efficiency, tiny neighborhood cafés welcome you with a smile (and occasionally a miniature pig), and the most beautifully kept gardens would put Martha Stewart to shame. Somehow, all of it exists side by side, creating a city that never once feels one-dimensional.

I spent months planning these trips long before we ever boarded any plane. This guide is everything that planning taught me—along with a few things I could only have learned once I got there.

My goal isn’t to help you see more—it’s to help you enjoy more of what you see.

Melissa’s Planning Notes for Tokyo

📅 Best Time to Visit
If your schedule allows, visit while U.S. schools are in session. Crowds are lighter, flights are often less expensive, and you’ll have a little more breathing room. Spring, fall, and the winter holidays are busy for good reason—they’re beautiful. Don’t let the crowds stop you from going. Summer can be hot and humid, so if that’s your only option, I’d aim for early summer before the heat really settles in.

🕒 Recommended Stay
Four or five full days gives you enough time to experience several neighborhoods without feeling like you’re racing from place to place. If you’re planning day trips (and there are plenty worth taking), I’d stay six or seven nights in Tokyo.

🚆 Getting Around
The train system is one of the cleanest and most efficient in the world. Learn it, use it, enjoy the peace. You’ll walk more than you ever thought possible, but that’s part of the fun. When your feet have had enough, Uber is worth using.

📷 Photography
Early mornings are always worth the alarm… although, thanks to jet lag, I usually didn’t need one. The crowds are smaller, the light is beautiful, and the city has a completely different feel before everyone wakes up.

💴 Budget
Tokyo can fit a range of budgets. A little planning goes a long way. Set your Google price alerts early for your flights and be ready to jump on a good deal. There are countless worthy hotels to stay at in Japan, book a few early and be ready to switch to another hotel at the last minute as prices fluctuate and deals can be had.

❤️ If I Could Do One Thing Again…
I’d leave more room for magic. Some of my favorite memories weren’t on my itinerary—they were the little streets, neighborhood cafés, and unexpected places we stumbled upon simply because we weren’t in a hurry.

Before You Go…

Tokyo can feel overwhelming at first, but it quickly becomes one of the easiest and safest cities in the world to navigate. Give yourself permission to slow down, look beyond the famous landmarks, and enjoy the neighborhoods in between. Google Maps will become your best friend, I promise. But don’t be afraid to get a little lost from time to time!