Cheap flights to Tokyo, Japan

Tokyo Travel Guide

Tokyo is one of Japan’s most influential and cultural cities. It’s not only the capital of Japan; it’s a melting pot of diversity and history. Tokyo travelers will be mesmerized by the city’s abundance of things to do, but if you’re looking for authentic Japanese traditions and quiet neighborhoods, a flight to Tokyo is not for you. Tokyo is a crowded, busy, and futuristic city that is full of ideas and inventions. Of course, there are some traditions that Tokyo still embraces – traditional tea ceremonies, flower arranging and public baths still take place and Tokyo boasts a wealth of museums and Japanese art.

Tokyo is located on Honshu, Japan’s largest island. The city is actually a cluster of small towns (called wards) run individually, but grouped together to form one city. Each community has its own history and culture, and each tells its own story. Tokyo is one of the 47 prefectures of Japan, home to the Imperial Family and Imperial Palace, seat of government and home to over 13 million people, making it one of the most densely populated cities on the planet.

To get a feel for the bustling metropolis, visit the Tsujiki market, one of the busiest wholesale fish markets in the world, where you can see fresh produce from the highly skilled and dedicated Japanese fishing industry. Or, visit the kimono shop at the Daimaru department store, where the prices will leave you scraping your jaw off the floor. For a bird’s eye view, whizz up to the observatory of the Tokyo Tower, from where you can even see Mount Fuji and Mount Tsukuba. And for a bargain, head to the colorful Akihabara (or Electric Town), the best place for electronic, computer and anime and otaku items. For moments of calm, stroll through the East Gardens of the Imperial Palace or visit Meiji Jingu, the Shinto shrine just behind Harajuku station.

For the first-time traveler, Tokyo is a shopper’s haven, so be sure to pack an extra bag with you on your flight. From high-tech toys to designer clothes, it’s impossible not to bring back a little gift from Tokyo. As Japan’s financial center, new designs and developments are being crafted and produced every day. Business moguls pay top dollar for Tokyo’s inventions including computers, cars and gadgets that have become common staples in many American households. If you’re a gadget-guru, you’ll hit the jackpot when you get a flight to Tokyo. Just look around your flight – it’s likely the person sitting next to you is using the newest gadget for communicating with the Western world. Take a moment and let it sink in – you’ve just gotten a glimpse of the future and it starts on your flight to Tokyo. 

The best part about Tokyo? Its people. The city may be cramped and hectic, but the people are friendly and can show tourists the true beauty that lies within Tokyo. The city is also home to millions of students, making the city affordable and fashionable; it truly has something for everyone. While you’re here you may also want to take in the nightlife for which Tokyo is famous; trendy clubs and fine-budget dining are the way to go. Whether you visit the city for business or for pleasure, there’s much to see and do that it may seem overwhelming to figure out where to start. Here are some tips to help you plan and enjoy the smoothest possible trip to Tokyo.

Getting to and around the city of Tokyo

Tokyo has two major international airports, Tokyo International Airport, commonly known as Haneda Airport (HND) or Tokyo Haneda Airport, and Narita International Airport (NRT), also known as Tokyo Narita Airport. Tokyo Narita International Airport (NRT) handles more than 35 million passengers each year. The primary hub for flights in and out of Japan, the airport is served by all major international airlines with connections to hundreds of cities worldwide. Haneda Airport, however, is the closest airport to Tokyo. Train and bus services connect the two airports. Here are a few tips for getting to where you need to go from each of these two airports.

Haneda Airport:

Haneda Airport is about 13 miles south of Tokyo, and Keikyu and Tokyo Monorail services run from Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 allowing direct access to the city center in fifteen minutes. You can also board Keisei direct suburban trains which can take you to the center of Tokyo in about an hour or so. If you are renting a car you can drive to the city within thirty minutes, traffic permitting. Regular bus services operate from the airport but tend to be a slower (if less expensive) option than the trains; it will get you to the city center in about forty minutes. Taxis are also available at the information desk in the airport terminal, but these are the most expensive option.

Narita International Airport:

Narita International Airport is a little less than 50 miles east of Tokyo and one hour and thirty-five minutes by train and subway, and one hour’s drive by rental car. The train station can be found in Terminal 2. Taxis are also available with fixed rate fares – expressway tolls are a surcharge. If you book in advance before your flight to Tokyo you can use the limousine bus, a door to door service which drops people off at a set list of hotels. Tickets can also be purchased at the ticket counter at the basement level of the airport.

Once you’ve settled in to your hotel and are ready to explore, you’ll soon realize why Tokyo is known internationally for having great public transportation. It is clean, safe and efficient. Tourists usually stick to the subway or Japan Railways (JR). The subway has 13 different lines that run from early morning to late evening. Avoid the rush hours if possible as they can get extremely crowded. You can buy a Tokyo Combination Ticket which offers unlimited rides on the Tokyo trains, subway and bus lines for one day. Taxis are safe, clean and comfortable, but among the highest-priced in the world. Drivers might not speak English, so it’s a good idea to have your destinations written in Japanese before boarding.

Tips for your stay in Tokyo

• Tokyo is the largest city in the world. The city is organized into 23 wards, made up of a series of small towns and neighborhoods, each with its own history, flavor, and atmosphere. Depending on how you like to explore a city, you may want to make a plan as to which districts/wards you want to visit and sights you want to see before arriving.
• Experiencing the best of what Tokyo has to offer is inexpensive and often free, such as a walk through Shitamachi around Asakusa, the Buddhist temple Sensoji, the Meiji-jingu Shinto shrine, the Harajuku shopping area, and the Tsukiji fish market. Get a good guide book to both check out which sites are free and to plan your visit to Tokyo.
• In Tokyo it’s very easy to eat on a budget. Two options are a set lunch and obento. A set lunch is a fixed-price meal that usually includes an appetizer or soup, a main dish with one or two side dishes, and sometimes dessert. Set lunches are called teishoku, seto coursu, or coursu, in Japanese. Some restaurants also offer set dinners although they cost a bit more than a set lunch. Getting an obento (box lunch) is a “must do.” A typical obento contains fish or chicken, side dishes, rice, and pickled vegetables. But the best part is the presentation, it should be beautiful enough to “eat with the eyes”. 
• For nightlife and entertainment, Tokyo has traditional Kabuki, Noh and the puppet theater Bunraku. There’s also less traditional entertainment, such as gentleman’s clubs, massage parlors, peep shows, bars, restaurants, and so on. But even as the night wears on and the revelers become more and more inebriated, the city remains fairly safe.
• You will get lost in Tokyo – everyone does – even the most seasoned Tokyo cab drivers. Always go out armed with street and subway maps. They are readily available in Tokyo, and the Tokyo Convention and Visitors Bureau gives out free maps. When you do get lost, ask for help and directions. Don’t be shy about asking again as you’re following the directions. Unless you’re fluent in Japanese or the person you asked is fluent in English, misinterpretation of the directions is a possibility. You may also want to buy a phrase book that has English transliterations of Japanese (romaji), and Japanese characters (kanji and kana). Then you can also point to the Japanese words to get help. Or, you can download a translation app to your phone.

Finding Flights from Tokyo

If you’re planning to extend your holiday in another worldly city or need to travel outside of Tokyo, Cheapflights can help. Narita International Airport is the primary hub for flights out of Japan, with outbound flights departing at all hours of the day or night, and is served by all major international and U.S. airlines with connections to hundreds of cities worldwide. Finding your departure flight should be no problem at all.

You can find terrific flight deals for popular routes from Tokyo at https://www.cheapflights.com.sg, https://www.cheapflights.com.my, https://www.cheapflights.com.ph, or https://www.cheapflights.com.hk.

If you’re in need of transportation to Haneda International Airport, Keihin Kyoko Bus service offers shuttle bus rides that drop off at your desired terminal, limo service and car service. Taxis are another option however, they can be difficult to flag down during high traffic times, which could lead to late arrivals at the airport. Scheduling a shuttle or car ride twenty-four hours prior to your departure will help ensure you arrive on time. Ride-sharing services such as Lyft and Uber also operate in Tokyo, but it’s a good idea to use the app’s ride-schedule feature to guarantee a timely pick-up. Traffic is always pretty busy in Tokyo, so planning accordingly will save you time and prevent any last-minute mishaps. This is especially true if traveling to Narita International Airport, which is further away. The train and subway are also options for transportation to Narita International Airport as well.

Once you choose a destination and departure city, be sure to check out our Tokyo airport guides for detailed travel information and helpful tips.