Neon signs glowing above a crowded Tokyo street at night

Japan · The Capital

Tokyo

Neon skylines and quiet shrines, world-class sushi and tiny backstreet bars. Discover Tokyo neighborhood by neighborhood, with private guides and the best tables, planned by our Japan specialists.

  • 634 m Tokyo Skytree
  • 628 Senso-ji founded
  • 1 hr to Kamakura by train

Hassle-Free Dream Travel!

Google ★★★★★ 5.0 · 601 reviews
Patricia DiMichele
★★★★★
I would not have been able to take this trip to Spain with my sons without CeCe's thorough planning. She guided me through all the planning decisions that needed to be made, made all the necessary arrangements and reservations and then helped us when we had some travel issues while we were there. Most importantly she listened to what we wanted and designed the trip around that. And everything we needed on the trip was easily accessed by all of us on the Axus app!
Jim Kelly
★★★★★
Jordan Hall and the Travel Byrds team did a fantastic job helping us plan and execute our recent trip to Octoberfest, Dolomites, Lake Como, and Tuscany. Jordan is very knowledgeable and organized, and guided us all the way through the process. I highly recommend Jordan and her team, and we will definitely use her for all future trips.
Jennifer Polito
★★★★★
Thank you so much to Kika for setting up our vacation and taking all the headache out of getting us ready to go. We love working with you every time and we appreciate you so much!
Jennjfer Metz
★★★★★
Christina was amazing. She was always available for questions or concerns both before and during our trip to Greece. She and her team made sure our trip was exactly what we wanted. We were able to cancel an adventure with no problem while we were already on our vacation. Our trip was so awesome due to Christina and her team! We will use Travel Byrds again!
Sally Purdy
★★★★★
Monica Bowen, from Travel Byrds provided excellent service for our trip to Ireland and Scotland. Everything was perfect from all our hotels and one vrbo/airbnb to the most fabulous driver Loraine Doyle! All the activities we chose to partake in from her numerous suggestions were fabulous! Thank you!
Heidi Loughran
★★★★★
We laid out an idea of a trip to Ireland for a week and then on to Italy for a week. Alex took it from there! She booked our flights, our transfers, our excursions, our hotels, our rental car. She conferred with us every step of the way. She kept within our budget. She had tips and travel wisdom we would have never known on our own. She was completely available for any questions we had even while on our trip. Our excursions were Trinity College, the Guinness Storehouse (it was sold out on arrival but we had booked ahead at Alex’s recommendation!) We saw Connemara and Killarney National Park, Kylemore Abbey, the Cliffs of Moher, Dingle Peninsula, Cork, Blarney Castle. All went without a hitch. In Italy she booked an all day boat ride on the Amalfi Coast that was exquisite. She booked St Peter’s Basilica, the Vatican, Vatican museum, colosseum, forum Palantine Hill in Rome with passes that took us to the front of the line, a rental car to drive to Lanciano and the Adriatic. She booked our trains to Rome and Florence. She booked the Uffizi in Florence and a wine tour in Tuscany. All the tickets are held in one place on the Travel Byrds app that you don’t need Wi-Fi to pull up. No scrambling to find tickets. Recommendations and information about each site is provided. Each hotel she booked was absolutely lovely with incredible service. We could not have found these places on our own. I will never travel again without Alex. I want to shout it from the rooftops! You will save money, save headaches and see things, experience the world far better than if you try it on your own! Thank you Alex for your travel wisdom, kindness, and for making our dream come true!
Mary Foster
★★★★★
I met Christina (CeCe) when I joined a group to travel to Madagascar and the Seychelles recently. The trip was action packed, well paced, and entirely enjoyable. CeCe was on the ball each and every day to handle the needs of our group. The accommodations, tour guides, experiences and restaurants she arranged included many local places we visited and allowed us to immerse ourselves in the local cultures and people. It was an unforgettable trip and I will never forget CeCe and all she did for all of us (especially me and my travel partner!). She is a treasure and knows what she's doing!
Loren Wray
★★★★★
Excellent service for folks who love to vacation but hate the details involved. My travel bird researched and booked my entire vacation leaving me to simply show up and enjoy! The price of the service also, cannot be beat. I strongly recommend Erika and Travel Byrds.
Ryan Myers
★★★★★
We used Travel Byrds for the first time this summer to help plan a family trip to Italy and Tera was wonderful! She really took the time to listen to our needs and was patient as we inevitably made several changes to our plan. The trip was amazing and her help did not end when we left. I would highly recommend Tera and the Travel Byrds!
Lauren Merrill
★★★★★
Ashley was amazing to work with while planning our honeymoon! We felt super safe while getting to our resort with the private transportation she booked and we stayed at a beautiful resort that was perfect for us! We highly recommend Ashley!
Melissa Brown
★★★★★
I had never worked with a travel advisor before and wasn't sure what to expect. From my first conversation with Ashley, I immediately felt comfortable. She listened to what I wanted, gave me different options and helped me work through them without making anything feel overwhelming. Once we decided, she handled EVERYTHING. I didn't realize how much time and stress goes into planning a trip until I didn't have to do it myself! No hours of research, comparing endless options, nervously double-checking reservations or keeping track of confirmation numbers. Ashley handled it all, and everything we needed while traveling was organized right in the app. I'm honestly kicking myself for not using a travel advisor sooner. The entire experience was so much easier, and I can't wait to work with her again.
Carina Brown
★★★★★
Our Asheville girls trip was the perfect combination of nature, great food and beautiful scenery. Ashley built the itinerary around exactly what we wanted. We ziplined through the fall foliage, explored the Blue Ridge Parkway, hiked trails that matched our abilities, toured the Biltmore and took in the views from Chimney Rock. She also found amazing local restaurants and handled our reservations. Watching the sunset over the mountains during dinner at the Omni Grove Park Inn was unforgettable. The best part was never having to ask, "What do you want to do today?" Everything was thoughtfully planned, but we still had the freedom to enjoy the trip at our own pace. We could just be present and enjoy our vacation instead of spending it figuring out what to do next.
Cindy Keys
★★★★★
Gina Radar agent and Travel Byrds did an exceptional job making sure everything worked seamlessly during my recent trip to Italy/Greece. Personalized service and worry free! I highly recommend Gina and Travel Byrds!
Alli M
★★★★★
Tera and Flora were absolutely amazing to work with! We could not have had a better experience with them and the amazing trip they planned for us! I wish I could give more than 5 stars. They helped us plan our Honeymoon to Italy and through their app they have everything laid out for you along with guidance and advice depending on where you are going! They were very adaptive to any alternatives we wanted to make and were so quick to make bookings for us. Highly highly recommend Travel Byrds for a perfectly planned trip!!
Kim Kaas
★★★★★
Maggie did it again!! A trip to Hawaii should not be considered without Maggie and Travel Byrds to assist with making it a trip you will never forget! Thank you for helping us create memories to last a lifetime!
Ariyah Robinson
★★★★★
Jeffrei did a wonderful job planning my birthday trip! She gave us wonderful recommendations for Cancun. She listened to our preferences and found us the perfect resort fit within our budget!
Shannon Housley
★★★★★
I cannot say enough wonderful things about Erin at The Travel Birds! This was my first time ever using a travel agent, and as someone who is admittedly a bit of a control freak when it comes to travel, handing over the planning was a big deal for me. I typically spend hours researching and planning every detail of our trips myself. But when we decided to spend 12 days traveling through Ireland—and I knew I would also be driving—I started feeling a little overwhelmed trying to coordinate the itinerary, accommodations, transportation, and all of the details that go along with a trip like this. That’s when Erin stepped in, and I am SO glad she did. She took care of everything and planned an absolutely wonderful vacation for us while staying within our budget. It was such a relief knowing that all of the details had been thought through and taken care of, and I was actually able to look forward to the trip instead of stressing over planning it. Erin was incredible to work with, and the entire experience completely changed my mind about using a travel agent. I would 100% recommend Erin and The Travel Birds to anyone planning a vacation—especially if you want someone you can trust to handle the details and make the process easy. I can confidently say I’m officially converted! Erin and The Travel Birds will be planning our future vacations from here on out. ❤️✈️
Patricia DiMichele
★★★★★
I would not have been able to take this trip to Spain with my sons without CeCe's thorough planning. She guided me through all the planning decisions that needed to be made, made all the necessary arrangements and reservations and then helped us when we had some travel issues while we were there. Most importantly she listened to what we wanted and designed the trip around that. And everything we needed on the trip was easily accessed by all of us on the Axus app!
Jim Kelly
★★★★★
Jordan Hall and the Travel Byrds team did a fantastic job helping us plan and execute our recent trip to Octoberfest, Dolomites, Lake Como, and Tuscany. Jordan is very knowledgeable and organized, and guided us all the way through the process. I highly recommend Jordan and her team, and we will definitely use her for all future trips.
Jennifer Polito
★★★★★
Thank you so much to Kika for setting up our vacation and taking all the headache out of getting us ready to go. We love working with you every time and we appreciate you so much!
Jennjfer Metz
★★★★★
Christina was amazing. She was always available for questions or concerns both before and during our trip to Greece. She and her team made sure our trip was exactly what we wanted. We were able to cancel an adventure with no problem while we were already on our vacation. Our trip was so awesome due to Christina and her team! We will use Travel Byrds again!
Sally Purdy
★★★★★
Monica Bowen, from Travel Byrds provided excellent service for our trip to Ireland and Scotland. Everything was perfect from all our hotels and one vrbo/airbnb to the most fabulous driver Loraine Doyle! All the activities we chose to partake in from her numerous suggestions were fabulous! Thank you!
Heidi Loughran
★★★★★
We laid out an idea of a trip to Ireland for a week and then on to Italy for a week. Alex took it from there! She booked our flights, our transfers, our excursions, our hotels, our rental car. She conferred with us every step of the way. She kept within our budget. She had tips and travel wisdom we would have never known on our own. She was completely available for any questions we had even while on our trip. Our excursions were Trinity College, the Guinness Storehouse (it was sold out on arrival but we had booked ahead at Alex’s recommendation!) We saw Connemara and Killarney National Park, Kylemore Abbey, the Cliffs of Moher, Dingle Peninsula, Cork, Blarney Castle. All went without a hitch. In Italy she booked an all day boat ride on the Amalfi Coast that was exquisite. She booked St Peter’s Basilica, the Vatican, Vatican museum, colosseum, forum Palantine Hill in Rome with passes that took us to the front of the line, a rental car to drive to Lanciano and the Adriatic. She booked our trains to Rome and Florence. She booked the Uffizi in Florence and a wine tour in Tuscany. All the tickets are held in one place on the Travel Byrds app that you don’t need Wi-Fi to pull up. No scrambling to find tickets. Recommendations and information about each site is provided. Each hotel she booked was absolutely lovely with incredible service. We could not have found these places on our own. I will never travel again without Alex. I want to shout it from the rooftops! You will save money, save headaches and see things, experience the world far better than if you try it on your own! Thank you Alex for your travel wisdom, kindness, and for making our dream come true!
Mary Foster
★★★★★
I met Christina (CeCe) when I joined a group to travel to Madagascar and the Seychelles recently. The trip was action packed, well paced, and entirely enjoyable. CeCe was on the ball each and every day to handle the needs of our group. The accommodations, tour guides, experiences and restaurants she arranged included many local places we visited and allowed us to immerse ourselves in the local cultures and people. It was an unforgettable trip and I will never forget CeCe and all she did for all of us (especially me and my travel partner!). She is a treasure and knows what she's doing!
Loren Wray
★★★★★
Excellent service for folks who love to vacation but hate the details involved. My travel bird researched and booked my entire vacation leaving me to simply show up and enjoy! The price of the service also, cannot be beat. I strongly recommend Erika and Travel Byrds.
Ryan Myers
★★★★★
We used Travel Byrds for the first time this summer to help plan a family trip to Italy and Tera was wonderful! She really took the time to listen to our needs and was patient as we inevitably made several changes to our plan. The trip was amazing and her help did not end when we left. I would highly recommend Tera and the Travel Byrds!
Lauren Merrill
★★★★★
Ashley was amazing to work with while planning our honeymoon! We felt super safe while getting to our resort with the private transportation she booked and we stayed at a beautiful resort that was perfect for us! We highly recommend Ashley!
Melissa Brown
★★★★★
I had never worked with a travel advisor before and wasn't sure what to expect. From my first conversation with Ashley, I immediately felt comfortable. She listened to what I wanted, gave me different options and helped me work through them without making anything feel overwhelming. Once we decided, she handled EVERYTHING. I didn't realize how much time and stress goes into planning a trip until I didn't have to do it myself! No hours of research, comparing endless options, nervously double-checking reservations or keeping track of confirmation numbers. Ashley handled it all, and everything we needed while traveling was organized right in the app. I'm honestly kicking myself for not using a travel advisor sooner. The entire experience was so much easier, and I can't wait to work with her again.
Carina Brown
★★★★★
Our Asheville girls trip was the perfect combination of nature, great food and beautiful scenery. Ashley built the itinerary around exactly what we wanted. We ziplined through the fall foliage, explored the Blue Ridge Parkway, hiked trails that matched our abilities, toured the Biltmore and took in the views from Chimney Rock. She also found amazing local restaurants and handled our reservations. Watching the sunset over the mountains during dinner at the Omni Grove Park Inn was unforgettable. The best part was never having to ask, "What do you want to do today?" Everything was thoughtfully planned, but we still had the freedom to enjoy the trip at our own pace. We could just be present and enjoy our vacation instead of spending it figuring out what to do next.
Cindy Keys
★★★★★
Gina Radar agent and Travel Byrds did an exceptional job making sure everything worked seamlessly during my recent trip to Italy/Greece. Personalized service and worry free! I highly recommend Gina and Travel Byrds!
Alli M
★★★★★
Tera and Flora were absolutely amazing to work with! We could not have had a better experience with them and the amazing trip they planned for us! I wish I could give more than 5 stars. They helped us plan our Honeymoon to Italy and through their app they have everything laid out for you along with guidance and advice depending on where you are going! They were very adaptive to any alternatives we wanted to make and were so quick to make bookings for us. Highly highly recommend Travel Byrds for a perfectly planned trip!!
Kim Kaas
★★★★★
Maggie did it again!! A trip to Hawaii should not be considered without Maggie and Travel Byrds to assist with making it a trip you will never forget! Thank you for helping us create memories to last a lifetime!
Ariyah Robinson
★★★★★
Jeffrei did a wonderful job planning my birthday trip! She gave us wonderful recommendations for Cancun. She listened to our preferences and found us the perfect resort fit within our budget!
Shannon Housley
★★★★★
I cannot say enough wonderful things about Erin at The Travel Birds! This was my first time ever using a travel agent, and as someone who is admittedly a bit of a control freak when it comes to travel, handing over the planning was a big deal for me. I typically spend hours researching and planning every detail of our trips myself. But when we decided to spend 12 days traveling through Ireland—and I knew I would also be driving—I started feeling a little overwhelmed trying to coordinate the itinerary, accommodations, transportation, and all of the details that go along with a trip like this. That’s when Erin stepped in, and I am SO glad she did. She took care of everything and planned an absolutely wonderful vacation for us while staying within our budget. It was such a relief knowing that all of the details had been thought through and taken care of, and I was actually able to look forward to the trip instead of stressing over planning it. Erin was incredible to work with, and the entire experience completely changed my mind about using a travel agent. I would 100% recommend Erin and The Travel Birds to anyone planning a vacation—especially if you want someone you can trust to handle the details and make the process easy. I can confidently say I’m officially converted! Erin and The Travel Birds will be planning our future vacations from here on out. ❤️✈️

Meet the city

The Tokyo Highlights

Tokyo is a collection of very different neighborhoods. Tap through to explore its highlights.

Crowds crossing the famous Shibuya scramble crossing in Tokyo from above

The beating heart of modern Tokyo

The Shibuya scramble crossing is one of the most famous intersections in the world. Watch it from above, then wander to Harajuku for street fashion and the tree-lined Omotesando boulevard.

Shibuya Sky, a rooftop observation deck, offers sweeping views to Mount Fuji on clear days.

  • Shibuya Sky at sunset
  • Harajuku and Omotesando
  • Reserved tables in Shibuya’s best bars
A huge wooden torii gate on the forest path to Meiji Shrine in Tokyo

A forest in the city

Meiji Shrine, completed in 1920 and dedicated to Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken, sits in a forest of around 100,000 trees right next to Harajuku.

Walk beneath giant wooden torii and, if you’re lucky, see a traditional wedding procession.

  • Morning visits for peace and quiet
  • A guide to explain Shinto rituals
  • Pair with Harajuku next door
Tokyo Skytree seen through pink cherry blossoms

Old Tokyo meets new

Senso-ji in Asakusa is Tokyo’s oldest temple, founded in 628, approached along the bustling Nakamise shopping street.

Across the river, the 634-meter Tokyo Skytree is Japan’s tallest structure, with observation decks high above the city.

  • Senso-ji early in the morning
  • Rickshaw rides through Asakusa
  • Skytree observation decks
Cherry blossoms overhanging the Chidorigafuchi moat with rowboats in Tokyo

Gardens, moats and cherry blossoms

The Imperial Palace is the home of Japan’s emperor. Its East Gardens are open to visitors, and the surrounding moats are lined with cherry trees.

In spring, the Chidorigafuchi moat is one of Tokyo’s best cherry-blossom spots, especially from a rowboat.

  • East Gardens walking tour
  • Chidorigafuchi in cherry season
  • Marunouchi’s elegant hotels nearby
Neon signs glowing above a busy Tokyo street at night

Neon, izakaya and tiny bars

After dark, Shinjuku glows. Explore the lantern-lit alleys of Omoide Yokocho and the hundreds of tiny bars of Golden Gai.

A local guide makes it easy to find the best yakitori, sake and late-night ramen.

  • Izakaya and bar-hopping tours
  • Golden Gai’s tiny bars
  • Views from the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building

Beyond the city

The Best Day Trips from Tokyo

Fast trains make it easy to escape the city. Filter by distance, then tap “Read more” for our tips.

The Great Buddha of Kamakura, a giant bronze seated statue, under a blue skyAbout 1 hr

Kamakura

Japan’s medieval capital by the sea, home to the Great Buddha, a bronze statue more than 13 m tall cast in the 13th century.

Read moreShow less

Add Enoshima island for coastal views and seafood.

Yokohama’s waterfront skyline and Ferris wheel at duskAbout 30 min

Yokohama

Japan’s second-largest city, with a waterfront skyline, the country’s largest Chinatown and the Cup Noodles Museum.

The wooden Toki no Kane bell tower in Kawagoe under a blue skyAbout 30–60 min

Kawagoe

Known as “Little Edo,” with old merchant houses, a historic bell tower and sweet-potato snacks.

The red torii gate of Hakone Shrine standing in Lake AshiAbout 1.5 hrs

Hakone

Hot springs, volcanic valleys, art museums and Lake Ashi with its torii gate standing in the water.

Read moreShow less

We recommend at least one night in a ryokan to enjoy it properly.

Kegon Falls plunging down a green cliff in NikkoAbout 2 hrs

Nikko

The ornate Toshogu Shrine, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the 97-meter Kegon Falls in the mountains.

Mount Fuji framed by cherry blossoms above a calm lakeAbout 2 hrs

Fuji Five Lakes

The classic postcard views of Mount Fuji across Lake Kawaguchi, especially in cherry-blossom and autumn seasons.

Know before you go

How to Do Tokyo Well

Tokyo is safe, clean and efficient, and a few tips make it easier still.

Getting around

Trains and an IC card

Load a Suica or Pasmo card on your phone for trains and convenience stores. For day trips, we arrange private drivers or guides.

Where to stay

Pick your neighborhood

Marunouchi and Ginza are elegant and central, Shinjuku and Shibuya are lively, and Roppongi is great for art and dining.

Dining

Book the counters

The best sushi and kaiseki counters book up weeks ahead and often need a Japanese phone number. We handle it.

Etiquette

Quiet trains, no tipping

Keep phone calls off the train, queue neatly and don’t tip; great service is simply standard.

Luggage

Send your bags ahead

Luggage forwarding sends suitcases between hotels so you can travel light on the bullet train.

Cash

Carry some yen

Cards are widely accepted, but small shops, shrines and older restaurants may be cash only.

Work with One of Our Travel Experts

The average person takes over 11 hours researching their vacation. Take that time back and let us handle the nitty gritty of reading reviews, asking questions, comparing hotels and more.

Mount Fuji rising behind the red Chureito Pagoda

After a true deep dive into your requests, your travel agent will come back with a variety of suggested hotels, activities, and surprise experiences. You tell us which ones fit you best and we'll work through the logistics!

The vermilion gate of Fushimi Inari Shrine in Kyoto

You'll be equipped with an itinerary complete with the details of your trip. If anything happens along the way, you can relax knowing your travel agent will take care of everything!

The vermilion torii of Itsukushima Shrine standing in the water at Miyajima

Good to know

Tokyo FAQs

How many days do I need in Tokyo?

Three to four days covers the main neighborhoods. Add a day for each day trip, such as Kamakura, Hakone or Nikko.

Is Tokyo expensive?

It can be, but it’s also great value: a superb bowl of ramen costs little, and service is excellent everywhere. We’ll balance splurges and everyday finds.

Is Tokyo good for families?

Very. It’s safe and clean, with Disney resorts, teamLab digital art museums, parks and endlessly fascinating streets.

When is the best time to visit Tokyo?

Late March to early April for cherry blossoms, and October to November for comfortable weather and autumn color. See our best time to visit Japan guide.

How do I get from Tokyo to Kyoto?

The Tokaido Shinkansen bullet train takes about two hours and fifteen minutes on the fastest service.

Your Japan journey

Keep exploring Japan

Begin your journey

Your Dream Japan Getaway

Tokyo is a feast of culture, food and energy. Tell us about the trip you’re dreaming of, and one of our Japan specialists will start designing it with you.

  • A tailor-made itinerary, designed around you
  • Bullet trains, guides and luggage forwarding handled
  • Hand-picked hotels and ryokans with exclusive perks

Complimentary consultation

Start Planning Your Tailor-Made Trip by Contacting One of Our Japan Specialists

1Details
2Trip type
3Date & time

Tell us about you

So we know who we’re chatting with.

First Name
Please enter your first name.
Last Name
Please enter your last name.
Phone
Please enter a valid phone number.
Email
Please enter a valid email address.
Scroll to Top