Flights to Tokyo
Neon-lit Shinjuku, quiet shrines in Asakusa, and the best food city on earth—Tokyo is one long, direct flight from the West Coast and a short train ride from either airport.
- Currency
- Japanese yen (JPY)
- Language
- Japanese
- Time zone
- Japan Standard Time (UTC+9, no daylight saving)
- Plug type
- Type A / B (100 V)
- Main airport
- Tokyo Haneda (HND)
Overview
Tokyo is less a single city than a patchwork of distinct neighborhoods stitched together by one of the world's most punctual rail networks. The JR Yamanote Line loops through most of them: Shinjuku with its skyscrapers and tiny Golden Gai bars, Shibuya and its famous scramble crossing, Harajuku's fashion streets beside the forested Meiji Jingu shrine, and Ueno's park and museums. East of the loop, Asakusa keeps an older Tokyo alive around Senso-ji, the city's oldest temple, with the Tokyo Skytree rising across the Sumida River.
Food is reason enough to go. You can eat standing-room ramen near a train station, graze the outer market at Tsukiji, sit at a department-store food hall in Ginza, or book a counter seat at a sushi bar months ahead. Convenience stores alone are a revelation for first-timers.
For US travelers, Tokyo is also unusually easy to reach. Haneda, close to the city center, now handles many nonstop flights from North America, while Narita remains a major gateway for both Japanese and US carriers. Once you land, a rechargeable IC card or your phone's digital wallet gets you onto almost every train, subway and bus, and day trips to Nikko, Kamakura, Hakone or Mount Fuji's Five Lakes are easy by train or bus.
Highlights of Tokyo
Senso-ji and Nakamise-dori
Tokyo's oldest temple anchors Asakusa, approached through the Kaminarimon gate and a lane of snack and souvenir stalls; go early morning or after dark to avoid crowds.
Shibuya Crossing and Shibuya Sky
Watch the scramble crossing from street level, then head up to the open-air Shibuya Sky deck for sunset views that can stretch to Mount Fuji on clear days.
Meiji Jingu
A wooded Shinto shrine a short walk from Harajuku Station, dedicated to Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken—an instant change of pace from nearby Takeshita Street.
Tsukiji Outer Market
The wholesale fish market moved to Toyosu in 2018, but Tsukiji's outer market still packs its lanes with stalls selling tamagoyaki, fresh seafood and kitchen knives.
Day trip to Hakone or Nikko
Hot springs, lake cruises and Fuji views in Hakone, or the ornate Toshogu shrine in Nikko, are both reachable from central Tokyo by train in about two hours or less.
Where to stay
Shinjuku
A transport megahub with a huge range of hotels, late-night dining in Omoide Yokocho and Golden Gai, and Shinjuku Gyoen garden—ideal for first-timers who want to be connected to everything.
Shibuya and Harajuku
Youthful and energetic, with shopping, nightlife and Meiji Jingu on the doorstep; great for travelers who want to be in the thick of it.
Asakusa and Ueno
Traditional atmosphere, Senso-ji, Ueno Park's museums and generally better-value hotels, plus the Skyliner from Narita stops at Ueno.
Ginza and Marunouchi
Polished and central near Tokyo Station and the Imperial Palace, with department stores and upscale hotels—convenient for Shinkansen day trips and business travelers.
Airports and getting into town
From Haneda, the Keikyu Line reaches Shinagawa and the Tokyo Monorail reaches Hamamatsucho in about 15–20 minutes, with easy transfers to the JR Yamanote Line. From Narita, the JR Narita Express runs to Tokyo Station in about an hour (continuing to Shinjuku and Shibuya), and the Keisei Skyliner reaches Nippori in about 36 minutes. Airport Limousine Buses serve major hotels and stations from both airports, and taxis are plentiful, though a Narita taxi into the city is a long ride.
Best time to visit
Late March to early April brings cherry blossoms to Ueno Park, Chidorigafuchi and the Meguro River, while mid-October through November offers crisp, clear days and autumn foliage at places like Rikugien and Meiji Jingu Gaien's ginkgo avenue. The rainy season (tsuyu) usually runs from early June to mid-July, followed by hot, humid summers, and typhoons are most likely from August through October. Winter is cold but dry and sunny, with the clearest views of Mount Fuji.
Airlines flying to Tokyo
Popular routes to Tokyo
Travel tips from our desk
- Load a Suica or PASMO onto your phone's wallet (or buy a physical card) to tap through trains, subways, buses and convenience stores.
- Trains mostly stop running between around midnight and 5 am, so plan nights out around the last train or budget for a taxi.
- Use luggage forwarding (takkyubin) from the airport or your hotel to send big bags ahead, since stations can be crowded and stairs are common.
- Carry some cash: card and contactless acceptance is widespread in Tokyo, but small restaurants, shrines and market stalls may still be cash-only.
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Explore Singapore →Flights to Tokyo — frequently asked questions
Are there nonstop flights from the US to Tokyo?
Yes. Japan Airlines, ANA, United, American and Delta fly nonstop from multiple US hubs such as Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, Chicago, Dallas/Fort Worth and New York, and Air Canada flies nonstop from Vancouver and Toronto.
Should I fly into Haneda or Narita?
Haneda is much closer to central Tokyo (about 15–30 minutes by train to many areas), so it's usually more convenient; Narita is farther out but still well connected by the Narita Express and Skyliner and often has more flight options.
When is the best time to visit Tokyo?
Spring (late March to early April) for cherry blossoms and autumn (October–November) for mild weather and foliage are the most comfortable seasons; June–July is rainy and August is hot and humid.
How do I get from the airport to central Tokyo?
Take the Keikyu Line or Tokyo Monorail from Haneda, or the Narita Express or Keisei Skyliner from Narita; Airport Limousine Buses serve major hotels from both airports.
Do I need a rail pass for Tokyo?
Not for getting around the city itself—an IC card like Suica or PASMO is simplest. A Japan Rail Pass only makes sense if you're planning several long-distance Shinkansen trips; compare it with individual tickets first.
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