Tokyo

Late October to early November is the sweet spot — clear skies, autumn colour, and pleasant temperatures. Early April brings cherry blossom but heavy crowds and high prices. Avoid June (rainy season) and August (humid).

At least 5 nights; ideally 7–10. Less than 5 and you'll only graze the surface. More than 10 and you'll want to pair it with Kyoto or a Hakone overnight.

Less than most Western capitals for food — excellent meals start around $15 USD. Hotels are the budget swing: plan for $130/day on a budget, $280/day mid-range, $700+ for luxury stays. Public transit is cheap; taxis are not.

Tokyo first if you only have one week. It's a more complete introduction to modern Japan. Add Kyoto if you have 10+ nights — the cities are 2h 15m apart by Shinkansen, and Kyoto's temple-and-tradition register is a strong counterpoint to Tokyo's neighborhoods.

Shibuya or Shinjuku for the classic Tokyo experience — easy transit, lots of restaurants, walkable to the famous sights. For something quieter, Marunouchi or Ginza put you near the imperial palace and trains. Shimokitazawa is the cool-second-time-visitor pick.

Narita Express (N'EX) is the fastest at ~60 min for about ¥3,070 ($20 USD), runs direct to Tokyo, Shinjuku, and Shibuya stations. The Keisei Skyliner to Nippori/Ueno is slightly cheaper at ¥2,570 and faster (41 min). Taxis cost ¥20,000–25,000 — only worth it for late-night arrivals.

On a clear winter morning, yes — best views are from the Tokyo Skytree, Shibuya Sky, or the Bunkyo Civic Center observatory (free). Summer haze hides it most days. For a proper Fuji visit, day-trip to Hakone or Kawaguchi-ko.

Yes — Tokyo is famously easy with kids. The transit is clean and frequent, public spaces are stroller-friendly, kid-friendly attractions abound (Ghibli Museum, teamLab Planets, Sumida Aquarium, Tokyo DisneySea). Restaurants are accommodating; convenience stores stock everything you'd need.

Yes — Tokyo consistently ranks among the safest large cities globally. Walking alone at night, including in nightlife districts, is normal. Women-only train cars run during rush hour on most lines. Standard urban awareness is enough.

Carry around ¥10,000 ($65 USD) per day in cash. Big restaurants, chain stores, and hotels accept cards, but small restaurants, shrines, taxis (sometimes), and traditional shops are cash-only. ATMs at 7-Eleven and Japan Post Bank accept foreign cards.

No — tipping isn't part of Japanese culture and can occasionally cause confusion. Service is included in the price. Some upscale ryokans or guides may accept tips in an envelope, but it's never expected.

Hakone (90 min) for hot springs and Mount Fuji views. Kamakura (1 h) for temples and a giant Buddha. Nikko (2 h) for shrines and waterfalls. Yokohama (30 min) for Chinatown and the harbor. Kawagoe (45 min) for an Edo-era street.

Yes — cold but rarely below freezing, often sunny, and dry. December lights up Roppongi and Marunouchi. January-February is the cheapest time to visit. Pack layers; central Tokyo doesn't get snow most years.

Comfortable walking shoes are non-negotiable — you'll cover 15–25k steps a day. Light layers (cafés and trains are heated/cooled aggressively). A foldable umbrella. Cash + a card that works at ATMs. A pocket WiFi router (rent at airport) or a Japan eSIM if your phone supports it.

The Yamanote loop line and the subway cover everywhere you'd want to go. Get a Suica card at the airport — tap in, tap out, works on every line. Apple Wallet / Google Wallet now hold virtual Suica. Taxis are clean but expensive; reserve them for late nights or with kids.

No. Train signs, station announcements, and most chain-restaurant menus are in English. Smaller spots may be Japanese-only — Google Translate's camera mode handles menus. Learning ありがとう (arigatou) goes a long way.

Yes — Tokyo's tap water is safe, clean, and frankly excellent. Bottled water is sold everywhere but unnecessary. Many restaurants serve filtered water by default.

Mid-June to mid-July is the rainy season — humid, gray, and wet. Late July through August is hot and humid (35°C+ / 95°F+) with the heat radiating off concrete. The first week of May (Golden Week) and the New Year holidays have everything closed or fully booked.

Flights: 3–4 months ahead for cherry blossom season (March–April) and autumn (October–November). 6–8 weeks is usually fine off-season. Hotels: as soon as you've decided. Tokyo's best hotels — especially ryokans — book out 2–3 months ahead in peak weeks.

Different products. Tokyo is denser, more layered, with deeper craft and food traditions; Seoul is younger, faster, with more nightlife and stronger street fashion. If you like restraint, Tokyo. If you like energy, Seoul. Many travelers do both — 4 hours apart by flight.