Secret Guide to Tokyo

A bustling city known for its buzzing atmosphere, neon lights, delicious food, stunning views, and incredible street fashion – Tokyo is a dream holiday destination for many. Known as ‘the city that never sleeps’ for its vibrant nightlife, 24-hour stations, restaurants, and konbini (convenience stores), it caters to all sorts of travellers, from friend groups wanting an unforgettable trip to honeymooners wanting a romantic getaway.

If you’re planning a trip to Japan, skip the tourist-filled locations and enjoy a more authentic experience of this amazing city with our secret travel guide.

Shinjuku

Best Time of Year to Go to Japan: Tokyo Weather by Month

Japan is an incredible holiday destination year-round, with each season offering a different side to the country’s beauty and culture. The best time to visit Tokyo depends entirely on the type of holiday you’re looking to experience – its climate is characterised by four distinct seasons:

Winter

Winter, between December and February, offers crisp, dry, and often sunny days. The temperature ranges from 5ºC to 10ºC with rare snowfall at the end of the season. This is the perfect time to travel for those wanting to discover Japan’s Christmas magic with Tokyo’s Christmas Market and light illuminations around the city. Try a Nabe (hotpot), a hearty meal and staple to keep the cold away during Japanese winters. If you’re travelling during Christmas, ditch the roast dinner and follow the local tradition of eating KFC – make sure to place your order in advance due to high demand!

Spring

From March to May, springtime in Japan is arguably the most popular travel period, ushering in droves of tourists looking to experience the country’s iconic sakura (cherry blossom) season. The whole city resembles a Monet painting, dusted in pink petals with clear blue skies, and the temperature stays between a comfortable 10ºC and 18ºC with daily sunshine and light breezes. Make sure to time your travels well, as the season only lasts one to two weeks, with peak blooms forecasted for late March to early April.

Summer

Summertime in Tokyo, between June and August, boasts a vibrant atmosphere with lively festivals, firework shows, and lush greenery. The weather is hot and humid, often exceeding 30ºC with occasional rain showers. Thanks to the city’s optimal location, you can enjoy all the hallmarks of an unforgettable summer holiday: take a day trip to one of the quieter surrounding beaches, like Onjuku or Takahama; go to one of the city’s many amusement parks; or enjoy a stroll and picnic at a local park – make sure to try kakigori, a delicious and refreshing shaved ice dessert.

Autumn

In Autumn, Tokyo becomes a breathtaking landscape of red maple and yellow ginkgo leaves. From September to November, the weather mellows down to 10ºC/20ºC, while remaining comfortable enough for strolls and sightseeing. The season hosts a wealth of festivals, from the Fukuro Matsuri to the Bakeneko Festival, perfect for travellers seeking cultural immersion.

Ginza

Best Place to Stay in Tokyo

Tokyo is a vast city, home to 23 districts, each with its own unique atmosphere. If you’re visiting for the first time, Shinjuku is the best place to stay, as it offers transport links throughout the city, incredible nightlife, shopping, and dining. For a quieter stay, opt for a more upscale location like Ginza or near Tokyo Station, which offer just as many amenities with fewer crowds.

When choosing an accommodation type, consider your budget and your travel group; if you’re travelling alone with a smaller budget, we recommend guesthouses or capsule hotels, which usually provide all the amenities you need and are located centrally. For bigger groups, we recommend larger serviced apartments or house rentals, and for couples wanting a secluded, romantic stay, boutique hotels.

For travellers wanting to skip the hassle of finding accommodation altogether, Secret Escapes offers a range of long-haul package holidays to Tokyo, including flights, stays, and excursions.

What are Ryokan-Style Hotels?

If you’re after a more authentic and culturally immersive stay in Tokyo, opt for a ryokan. These traditional Japanese homes offer a cosy, quiet refuge from the city’s bustle with tatami-matted rooms and low furniture. Many of these homes feature onsen baths (hot springs) so you can relax after a long day spent sightseeing. A hallmark of the ryokan stay is the kaiseki dinner, a multi-course meal, and a traditional Japanese breakfast, frequently served in your room.

Harajuku

Alternatives to Harajuku

Harajuku is Tokyo’s fashion capital, renowned for its colourful street art, quirky clothing stores, and boutiques. Located between Shinjuku and Shibuya, the area is constantly filled with tourists and locals showing off their unique fashion sense.

If you’re after a less busy fashion district, head to Shimokitazawa. This trendy neighbourhood in Setagaya is known as one of the city’s best spots for thrift shopping while offering a more laid-back vibe than the city centre. You’ll find vintage clothing shops, live music venues, and a relaxed cafe culture.

Located near Shibuya, Daikanyama is home to designer boutiques and upscale clothing stores. Often called the ‘Brooklyn of Tokyo’, this area offers a quieter atmosphere than Harajuku with trendy cafes, green spaces, and its famous multi-building bookshop, Daikanyama T-Site.

Tokyo After Dark: Best Views and Couple Hotspots

Known as a ‘24-hour city’, Tokyo offers just as many gems to see after hours, if not more. After a long day of shopping and sightseeing, wind down by enjoying a panoramic view of the city. The open-air Sky Deck at Roppongi Hills Mori Tower, i-Link Tower in Ichikawa city, and Bunkyo Civic Center offer the best views of Tokyo at night.

Couples looking for a quiet tipple before turning in for the night will find a wide range of hidden bars tucked throughout the city. Head to No Room For Squares, a jazz bar hidden inside a Coca-Cola fridge door, Janai Hotel Bar is concealed behind a painting, which opens only to those who can solve the puzzle on their Instagram page, and Bar A10 is hidden behind a row of green lockers in Shibuya; pull on the locker marked A10 to enter.

Have Your Dream Japan Trip with Secret Escapes

Enjoy a bucket-list trip to Japan at a fraction of the cost with Secret Escapes’ incredible offers. With our Tokyo package holiday deals, which combine flights, accommodation, and excursions at an unbeatable price, avoid the fuss of trip planning and focus on making lifelong memories.

For more travel advice and inspiration, deep dive further into the Escapist magazine, or get in touch for more information on our worst-kept secret deals.

Japan deals