The city has been the vibrant heart of Japan for over 400 years, and is a crossroads where tradition meets modernity. We work tirelessly to promote Tokyo to attract domestic and international tourists, as well as to support travel professionals and media representatives.
Company Name : Tokyo Convention & Visitors Bureau
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22 Sep 22
NEWS
Japan to allow visa-free, independent touristsJapan will finally lift more of its Coviid border curbs next month. From October11, it ...Read more -
21 Sep 22
Partner News
Get more out of the city with The Tokyo PassJust as foreign tourism to Japan begins to open up and visits become easier, ...Read moreJust as foreign tourism to Japan begins to open up and visits become easier, Tokyo has created and launched The Tokyo Pass to enhance and improve the visitor experience for everyone coming to the city.
The Tokyo Pass offers visitors an affordable smartphone app bundling handy tourist hints & tips, useful information about the city, top sightseeing spots and entry into more than 35 of Tokyo's most popular visitor attractions.
Visitors can also combine The Tokyo Pass with a Tokyo Subway Ticket, offering unlimited journeys on Tokyo's vast underground transport network for 2, 3 or 5 days.
The Tokyo Pass also provides details of cultural events and various area guides to this huge metropolis, allowing visitors to explore everything Tokyo has to offer and meet locals along the way. -
28 Jun 22
NEWS
Tokyo-Saipan flights to restartThe long grounded air link between Tokyo and Saipan will restart on September 1, 2022 ...Read more -
19 Sep 21
NEWS
Tokyo Marathon postponed until 2022The continuing state of emergency has led to another postponement of the Tokyo Marathon. It ...Read more -
10 Aug 21
NEWS
After the Tokyo Games: InsideJapan’s top Tokyo tips for first timersby James Mundy The Olympics have come to a close and the world's media is ...Read moreby James Mundy The Olympics have come to a close and the world's media is heading home. It was not only fans that didn't get to see Tokyo this summer due to Covid restrictions, but the athletes too. Fortunately, Tokyo is still be there as the Olympics buzz dies down - but when you're on holiday in one of the world's biggest cities, how are you supposed to know where to start? To help you get your bearings, Japan travel specialists InsideJapan are sharing some of their top Tokyo tips for first timer visitors. Head to the top A stay in a traditional ryokan guest house is always recommended in Japan - except for when you're in Tokyo, that is. This city is best sampled from a high-rise hotel with a view. If you can't find anywhere lofty to stay for the night, however, there are plenty of other opportunities to take in views of the sprawling metropolis. Tokyo's 634 metre-high Skytree serves up city views as far as the eye can see - and you might even see Mount Fuji on a clear day from its 450 metre-high viewing deck (at a cost of 3,100 yen/approximately £22). Not only that, but there are some incredible free views too - one of the best being the view from the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building, standing at 242 metres tall. Its 202 metre-high observation decks offer views that stretch from the city to the mountains. Searching high… High-rise, neon Shinjuku is arguably the beating heart of Tokyo. As the city's transport hub, it is also a hive of activity - with food, bars, karaoke boxes, gaming centres and much more. Head to the upmarket Takashimaya department store's food basement for a massive array of beautifully presented food. On the south side, Tokyu Hands is where you'll find floors of gadgets and stationery - and Don Quixote on the east side sells an interesting array of the quirky and useful. ...and low For those who want a taste of traditional Tokyo, head to the old Yanesen district. This is old-fashioned low-rise Tokyo with family run shops making and selling senbei rice biscuits, green tea and coffee shops, textile shops and old craft stores too. There are various small temples dotted around the area and many a cat can be seen. This is a traditional Tokyo and a breather from the crowds. Temple run The old Asakusa district is home to the famous Sensoji temple. The entrance to the temple complex is marked by the imposing Kaminarimon 'Thunder Gate' with a long line of stores along the Nakamise-dori selling everything from rice biscuits, geta sandals, kimono and more but it is the temple that's impressive. If you head there in the early evening, you can avoid the crowds and see the temple buildings lit up. Garden city Hamarikyu garden is a 17th century garden that sits serenely with the Sumida River on one side and the skyscrapers of Shiodome on the other. Stroll the gardens or sip a green tea in the tea house for a moment of calm. There are plenty of other gardens too with Rikugien being a quiet strolling garden being a favourite, especially during autumn leaf season (Mid Nov-early Dec).
Scrambling for words
Shibuya 'scramble' is the Bladerunner-esque crossing where hundreds of people cross at one time, surrounded by huge video screens. Head there at dusk as the lights come on for maximum impact. Or, for another view, head to Shibuya Scramble Square for a 360 view of Shibuya in its glory from a roofless 260m high viewing platform. There are big crossings all over Tokyo, but Shibuya is the most impressive. Top tip: Never cross on the red man. Always wait for the green man or you will get very disapproving looks or even arrested.
Art & Culture
There's always a good exhibition in Tokyo. The Yayoi Kusama Museum displays the artist's familiar polka dot contemporary style in Waseda and for the classic art lovers, the woodblock print work at the contemporary looking Sumida Hokusai Museum is impressive. The teamLab Borderless digital museum blows minds with its interactive digital displays. All perfect rainy-day material.
Don't miss out on…
If you haven't found what you wanted in one of the many vending machines in the city, head to an Izakaya 'traditional pub' for a drink and a bite to eat. This is a proper Japanese experience and where the locals let their guard down. Often selling beer, sake and local spirits along with a range of snack food including sushi, okonomiyaki, gyoza, salad, fries and more, these places sometimes offer a 'tabi-nomihodai' or 'eat and drink as much as you like' from as little as 3000 yen (approx. £21) for a couple of hours. This is Japan at its most sociable.
Training is best
The best way to get around Tokyo and indeed Japan is by train. There is a huge network of overland and subway trains across the city with a whopping 882 train stations in the Metropolis. They are frequent, they run on time to the second, they are clean and indeed part of the experience. An IC card (similar to Oyster card) is the best way to pay, and travel is cheap with journeys costing from 170yen (approx.£1.10).
And for those that have been to Tokyo before and are looking for a fulfilling day trip out of the city, take a look at our blog piece here for easy but very different trips out of Tokyo.
InsideJapan offers Insider knowledge and insight for people to discover some of the lesser-known and most memorable parts of Tokyo and Japan, creating self-guided cultural adventures and a range of off-radar small group tours.
www.InsideJapanTours.com
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26 Jul 21
NEWS
Missing out on the Japan experience during the Tokyo OlympicsSpecialist tour operator InsideJapan look beyond the Games to travelling again by James Mundy ...Read moreSpecialist tour operator InsideJapan look beyond the Games to travelling again by James Mundy The only thing that has been certain throughout the pandemic is that nothing is certain. However, the Tokyo Olympic Games kicked off, albeit without domestic or international spectators. One thing certain is that it is a great loss for the brand and the fans of the Games who don't get to experience the magic of Tokyo and Japan. With another State of Emergency declared in Tokyo aiming to slow the spread of the Delta variant, the Games is not popular in Japan. After being the first ever Games to be postponed back at the beginning of the pandemic, it is now the first to be held without fans too. From when you leave that plane in Tokyo, things are different. The sounds are different - there's a jingle for everything - everyone is immaculately presented in a uniform, the signs look different, the vending machine snacks are unrecognisable, the trains are organised and on time, everything is clean. It is all just very noticeably different, and eyes widen with excitement despite the jetlag and all before you leave the airport. Go back to 2002 and FIFA's holding the World Cup in Japan and then more recently with a dedicated Rugby World Cup in 2019, speak to anyone that was there and they will tell you how good it was, not because of the event, but because of Japan. They will regale stories about their experiences of staying in a traditional ryokan guest house, getting naked with other bathers in an 'onsen' hot spring bath, a funny night out at an Izakaya 'traditional pub' (followed by karaoke of course), the fact it wasn't as expensive as they thought, the amazing trains and the amazing toilets - never cease to amaze people. They will talk about the fact that they went to Kyoto and saw temples, or Kanazawa and its beautiful gardens, or when they headed into the mountains to a hot spring town and the fact that there was a lot more countryside and less neon cities than they thought there would be. Every visitor will also mention the people and the welcome that they got from Japan that made the visit and the event so special and memorable. These and other experiences of a first-time visitor to Japan will be missing from this Games. The governing bodies that insisted that this Games goes ahead despite the extraordinary circumstances will have denied thousands of athletics fans the opportunity to experience this uniquely different country and culture. It was supposed to be an event that the country would be proud of. Thankfully, Japan is very much a First World nation and will perhaps not suffer as much as other poorer nations might have done through being forced to hold a people-less Games. Another unfortunate certainty is that the pride of Japan will have been damaged through not being able to hold a 'normal' Games. The Olympics was an opportunity to 'relaunch' Japan and the recovered Tohoku region which had suffered after the great Tsunami back in 2011. It would have been the chance to highlight the beauty and richness of rural Japan, sitting north of Tokyo. There is no doubt that Japan would have gone out all (starter) guns blazing for the Games and pulled out all the stops - they may still do, but we won't get to experience it live. If there is another thing certain, it is that Japan always blows expectations out of the water and is always better than the imagination allowed for. There is hope that international TV coverage will show Tokyo and Japan in a favourable light and that it will still get pulses racing for millions of people, thousands of miles away across the globe. There is still hope that it will ignite a flame for the desire to know more about this 'otherworld' and culture which can't quite be grasped through a TV screen and that coverage will capture imaginations and leave people wanting to know more. It is a great shame though for the Olympics that through the governing body's insistence that the show must go on, that they have damaged their brand and a massive opportunity to allow fans to experience their event in a place like no other. They have denied people the chance to experience Japan.
Japan specialist tour operator, InsideJapan began running small group tours during the FIFA World Cup and had its most successful year-to-date helping thousands of people over to Japan for the Rugby World Cup back in 2019. However, having not sent anyone travelling since March 2020, they cannot wait to help people discover the country and 'get beneath the surface' of the culture again.
Taking people to lesser-known areas of Tokyo or the sights of Kyoto are what InsideJapan does well. But it is the jumping on a local train, bus or cable-car or even donning walking shoes to take in ancient walking trails across the mountains of central Japan, staying in local guest houses in unassuming villages, calling at local shrines, refuelling on local speciality food and omotenashi Japanese hospitality. It is the off-radar cities, towns and their people that offer those memorable moments. It is what InsideJapan does best. Japan is best seen up close and experienced first-hand. It will be your favourite place. That's how InsideJapan happened.
InsideJapan are the original independent Japan travel specialists.
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08 Jul 21
NEWS
Tokyo Olympics to go ahead without spectatorsEvents at the Tokyo Olympics will go ahead in empty stadiums. The games will go ...Read more -
21 Jun 21
NEWS
Tokyo Olympics events will have a 10,000 capacity limitDespite constant warnings from health experts Tokyo Olympics organisers said spectators will be allowed in ...Read more -
20 Jun 21
NEWS
Government adviser calls for spectator-free Tokyo OlympicsA senior Covid government adviser says the Tokyo Olympics should be held without any spectators. ...Read more -
08 Jun 21
NEWS
Foreign media will be tracked by GPS at Tokyo OlympicsOverseas journalists covering the Tokyo Olympics will have their movements tracked by GPS. It is ...Read more -
16 Mar 20
Partner News
The Grand Opening of Shibuya MIYASHITA PARKOpening right next to the iconic Shibuya Scramble is the new and improved Shibuya ...Read moreOpening right next to the iconic Shibuya Scramble is the new and improved Shibuya Miyashita Park. The park itself will be combined with a commercial shopping facility and hotel, all of which are collectively referred to as “MIYASHITA PARK.” The park on the rooftop of the building will serve as a soothing green space in the bustling commercial district of Shibuya. Originally established as Miyashita Park in 1930, the facility was redesigned in time for the Tokyo 1964 Olympic Games to look as if it "floated" above Shibuyagawa River. In 2011, Miyashita Park was transformed into a sports park that Tokyoites used extensively for skateboarding and bouldering. Now, Miyashita Park has been reimagined as a pioneering "multi-dimensional" city park with a creative design and diverse functions.The image is a rendering for illustrative purposes only.
State-of-the-art facilities
MIYASHITA PARK consists of a three-story multipurpose complex and a hotel building, with an open-air park on the rooftop of the facility. There is easy access to Shibuya Station from the south side, and Harajuku Station from the north. The building is divided into two blocks, north and south, with a wide range of shopping facilities on each floor. The north block will also feature a hotel which will serve as a convenient base for your stay in Tokyo. The actual park, Shibuya Miyashita Park, is an open-air rooftop park with a modern yet lushly-green feel. The park is divided into two zones. One zone includes a skateboard park, a bouldering wall and a multi-purpose sports area with a sandy court. The other zone has a cafe and open lawn spaces, perfect for those looking for relaxation.
Harmony amid the bustle of the city
Shibuya Miyashita Park will be a perfect place for a stroll, people-watching, or just sitting back and relaxing while sipping a coffee at the cafe. From the observation terrace, you could take in the sunset behind Tokyo's impressive skyline, with passing train windows reflecting the fading light. After relaxing at the park, why not visit Harajuku to see its exciting streets, trendy food, and colorful fashion? Or head to the nostalgic alleyways of Nombei Yokocho for some drinks at retro Japanese bars. Whatever the plan, Miyashita Park will offer you fresh energy for the next stage of your Tokyo adventure.Concept art of Shin-Miyashita Park
Miyashita Park
In order to prevent the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19), various facilities around Tokyo may change their operating days or hours. In addition, some events may be canceled or postponed. Please check official facility or event websites for the latest updates and information.Address South block: 1-26 Shibuya, Shibuya City, Tokyo North block: 6-20 Jingumae, Shibuya City, Tokyo Access Shibuya Station | 3 min on foot JR lines | Ginza Line | Hanzomon Line | Fukutoshin Line | Inokashira Line | Den-en-toshi Line | Toyoko LineHarajuku Station | 11 min on foot JR Yamanote Line Meiji-jingumae Station | 11 min on foot Fukutoshin Line | Chiyoda Line -
17 Feb 20
Partner News
Nature and Technology Team Up at Japan’s First Digital GardenYomiuriland, a Tokyo amusement park with over 55 years of history, is well known ...Read moreYomiuriland, a Tokyo amusement park with over 55 years of history, is well known for the sheer variety of its entertainment offerings. It has white-knuckle rollercoasters, swimming pools, winter illuminations, and much, much more. On March 14, 2020, it is planning to add a new attraction to its lineup: Hana Biyori (also written as "HANA・BIYORI"). Billed as an "entertainment botanical garden," Hana Biyori is housed within a 1,500-square-meter greenhouse, situated next-door to the amusement park. As with most greenhouses, it's full of colorful flowers, trees, and other plant life—with an added touch: digital art. But that's far from all Hana Biyori has to offer. This cutting-edge facility has plenty of surprises in store!Flowers for the Digital Age
The beautiful flowerbeds surrounding the main building give you a taste of what's to come. Inside, you'll be greeted by "flower chandeliers"—over 300 baskets of hanging flowers suspended in mid-air, comprising one of the largest collections in the Kanto area (Tokyo and nearby prefectures). The flowers themselves are stunning, but Hana Biyori puts a new twist on the flower-viewing experience by turning off the lights, plunging the greenhouse into darkness. State-of-the-art projection mapping illuminates the flowers with vivid colors, and animated birds and petals dance across the walls and floor. This is the first permanent facility in Japan to combine living flowers and projection technology, so expect an experience unlike anything you've seen before. Tickets to the amusement park do not cover entry to Hana Biyori. A separate fee will be charged.
Tradition, Refreshments, and…Otters
The flower chandeliers at one end of the greenhouse hang above a cafe. An abundance of windows and plant life create an airy, peaceful atmosphere, making this a great place to take a break. The cafe is bordered on one side by an eight-meter aquarium that is designed to resemble the deep ocean.
Elsewhere, you'll find a display area housing a group of otters! You can take a close look at them, then learn more about their lives by attending a talk or taking part in a feeding session. An on-site shop sells otter-themed toys and goods that aren't available anywhere else. Outside, you'll find a Japanese garden featuring gates that once stood outside Kyoto's Imperial Palace, as well as Buddhist statue designated as Important Cultural Properties. The garden’s traditional layout offers an interesting contrast to the high-tech greenhouse. Altogether, Hana Biyori innovatively fuses the modern and the traditional, creating a new type of botanical garden.
HANA・BIYORI (Yomiuriland)
Address 4015-1 Yanokuchi, Inagi-shi, Tokyo Hours 10:00-17:00 See the official website for more information. Closing days Irregular closing days Access Keio Yomiuri-Land Station Sagamihara Line 10 min on foot, or 3 min via the free shuttle bus Other For updated information on opening hours, days closed, prices, and more, please check the official website. URL HANA・BIYORI (Yomiuriland) In order to prevent the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19), various facilities around Tokyo may change their operating days or hours. In addition, some events may be canceled or postponed. Please check official facility or event websites for the latest updates and information.
The Tokyo Pass also provides details of cultural events and various area guides to this huge metropolis, allowing visitors to explore everything Tokyo has to offer and meet locals along the way. 
Scrambling for words
Shibuya 'scramble' is the Bladerunner-esque crossing where hundreds of people cross at one time, surrounded by huge video screens. Head there at dusk as the lights come on for maximum impact. Or, for another view, head to Shibuya Scramble Square for a 360 view of Shibuya in its glory from a roofless 260m high viewing platform. There are big crossings all over Tokyo, but Shibuya is the most impressive. Top tip: Never cross on the red man. Always wait for the green man or you will get very disapproving looks or even arrested.
Art & Culture
There's always a good exhibition in Tokyo. The Yayoi Kusama Museum displays the artist's familiar polka dot contemporary style in Waseda and for the classic art lovers, the woodblock print work at the contemporary looking Sumida Hokusai Museum is impressive. The teamLab Borderless digital museum blows minds with its interactive digital displays. All perfect rainy-day material.
Don't miss out on…
If you haven't found what you wanted in one of the many vending machines in the city, head to an Izakaya 'traditional pub' for a drink and a bite to eat. This is a proper Japanese experience and where the locals let their guard down. Often selling beer, sake and local spirits along with a range of snack food including sushi, okonomiyaki, gyoza, salad, fries and more, these places sometimes offer a 'tabi-nomihodai' or 'eat and drink as much as you like' from as little as 3000 yen (approx. £21) for a couple of hours. This is Japan at its most sociable.
Training is best
The best way to get around Tokyo and indeed Japan is by train. There is a huge network of overland and subway trains across the city with a whopping 882 train stations in the Metropolis. They are frequent, they run on time to the second, they are clean and indeed part of the experience. An IC card (similar to Oyster card) is the best way to pay, and travel is cheap with journeys costing from 170yen (approx.£1.10).
And for those that have been to Tokyo before and are looking for a fulfilling day trip out of the city, 
Japan specialist tour operator, InsideJapan began running small group tours during the FIFA World Cup and had its most successful year-to-date helping thousands of people over to Japan for the Rugby World Cup back in 2019. However, having not sent anyone travelling since March 2020, they cannot wait to help people discover the country and 'get beneath the surface' of the culture again.
Taking people to lesser-known areas of Tokyo or the sights of Kyoto are what InsideJapan does well. But it is the jumping on a local train, bus or cable-car or even donning walking shoes to take in ancient walking trails across the mountains of central Japan, staying in local guest houses in unassuming villages, calling at local shrines, refuelling on local speciality food and omotenashi Japanese hospitality. It is the off-radar cities, towns and their people that offer those memorable moments. It is what InsideJapan does best. Japan is best seen up close and experienced first-hand. It will be your favourite place. That's how InsideJapan happened.
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