Flights to Tokyo

 

Tokyo is the capital of Japan and has one the largest populations in the world, with 13 million. The city encompasses the southwestern part of the Kanto region, the Izu Islands and the Ogasawara Islands.

It is an exciting, vibrant city where old meets new. Here, ancient buildings like the opulent Meiji Shinto Shrine and the Imperial Palace rub shoulders with structures like Skytree, the world’s tallest broadcast tower and observation deck, and dramatic, neon-lit skyscrapers.

Tokyo is a mecca for shopping. Options include Akihabara, a town renowned for its plethora of electronics stores; Tsukiji, a popular open-air wholesale food market; and Ginza, a retail district renowned for its famous shops.

The city has experienced great tragedy, including a devastating earthquake in 1923 and intense bombing during World War II. But it has endured all that to become a global economic and cultural powerhouse. Fascinating museums are plentiful, including the Tokyo National Museum, Nihon Minkae (Japanese Open-Air Folk House Museum), Okhotsk Sea Ice Museum of Hokkaido, and the Paper Museum.

 

Tokyo has two international airports. Tokyo International Airport (HND), commonly called Haneda Airport, is the primary base for domestic airlines, but it also serves some international airlines, including Delta Air Lines. It is located in Ota, about eight miles from central Tokyo. The airport has three terminals, one international and two domestic. A monorail provides transportation between terminals. There are plenty of dining choices, including Port-Side Kitchen, Nanrinka, Mos Café, Kabob Stand, Tsurutontan udon noodles, and Takafuku sukiyaki.

Narita International Airport (NRT) handles about 50 percent of Tokyo’s international passenger service, including flights on Delta Air Lines. It is located about 37 miles from central Tokyo. The airport has two terminals and two airside satellites. A free shuttle bus provides transportation between terminals. Dining options include Sushi Yuraku and Restaurant Avion.

 
Tokyo International Airport (Haneda)
  • Flat-rate taxi service picks up passengers on the lower level in the middle lane.
  • Rail service is provided via the Keikyu line to multiple destinations in Tokyo. Upon arrival, follow signs to Keikyu Railways. After purchasing tickets, take the elevator or escalator to the appropriate platform, depending on your destination.
  • Keikyu Limousine Bus service provides direct access to destinations without transfers.

Narita International Airport

  • Metered and fixed-fare taxis pick up passengers outside Baggage Claim in the middle lane.
  • Rail service is provided via the Narita Sky Access line on the Keisei line and the JR line. Rail stations are located outside Terminals 1 and 2.
  • Multiple bus services provide transportation to various destinations throughout Tokyo. For details, visit a Train and Bus Ticket Sales counter. There is one in every terminal.

Explore Tokyo’s oldest temple, Senso-ji, established in 645 AD by the Tendai sect of Buddhism. It was destroyed during World War II and rebuilt soon after. Look for the massive red-and-black paper lantern at the entrance and the dramatic, five-story pagoda inside. Senso-ji is the site of Tokyo’s largest festival, Sanja Matsuri, which takes place in the spring over the course of three or four days.

Immerse yourself in the thriving, playful youth culture in the neighborhood of Harajuku, famous for its colorful street art and quirky fashion scene. Cosplay shops selling anime-inspired costumes and vintage clothing stores line Takeshita Street. There are lots of bars and restaurants, too, as well as the Watari Museum of Contemporary Art.

Visit Meiji Shrine, dedicated to Tokyo’s first emperor of modern Japan, Emperor Meiji, and his consort Empress Shoken. Located beside Harajuku Station, the shrine was established in 1920 after the emperor’s death. It was destroyed during World War II but rebuilt. Despite its busy, urban locale, it is a peaceful, spacious site including a large forested area with walking paths.

Party late into the night at Roppongi, a bustling nightlife district packed with restaurants, bars, nightclubs, cabarets, and hostess clubs. It’s popular with tourists, students, and the expatriate community, and caters to a young crowd.

Tokyo Palace Hotel offers luxury accommodations in a historic setting overlooking the Imperial Palace moat. The cool, modern design creates a serene atmosphere for hotel’s 290 guest rooms and suites, many with balconies and stunning views of the Imperial Palace grounds and Tokyo’s futuristic skyline. There are 10 restaurants on site, as well as a spa, and a program of unique tours and cultural experiences.

Japan is always on the cutting edge of technology, and where better to experience the latest developments than Henn na Hotel, a hotel run by completely by robots? Here, robotic dinosaurs check you in at the reception desk and robotic fish swim in the pond. The six-story hotel has 100 guestrooms and is located near Tokyo Disney Resort.

Tokyo is famous for its capsule hotels, tiny, economical pods designed solely for sleeping, with shared bathrooms and showers. Try an upscale, stylish version at First Cabin Hotel, which sports an aviation theme. There are seven locations in Tokyo, all located near train stations and tourist sites.

Tokyo has a humid subtropical climate featuring warm, humid summers and cool winters. The city receives a whopping 60 inches of rain a year. The hottest months are July and August when average highs are in the mid- to high-80s, with average lows in the low-70s. The coldest months are January and February when average lows are in the low- to mid-30s, and average highs hover around 50 degrees. Rain falls primarily from March through October, when rainfall averages between 9-12 inches a month. Tokyo receives very little snowfall, averaging less than four inches a year.