Quick Answer

Less than its reputation. Trains are cheap, a bowl of ramen or a conveyor-belt sushi plate is a few hundred yen, and konbini food is genuinely good. Budget travellers do well on simple business hotels or hostels; the splurge is optional. Mid-range hotels and the odd nice meal are where the money goes.

Read the full guide: Tokyo Travel Guide (2026): When to Go, Stay & Get Around

What is the best time to visit Tokyo?

Late March to early April for the cherry blossom, and November for the autumn foliage, are the two standout windows: mild, dry and beautiful, but busy and pricier. Late spring and early autumn either side of those are the easy all-rounder. Summer is hot, humid and rainy; winter is cold, clear and the quietest, cheapest stretch.

How many days do you need in Tokyo?

Four to five days lets you cover the big districts (Asakusa, Shibuya, Shinjuku, Harajuku and Ginza) at a sane pace with a day trip to Nikko or Kamakura. Three days works if you move fast and stay on the Yamanote loop. A week lets Tokyo breathe and adds Mount Fuji or Hakone.

Budgeting the wider trip? Compare what Japan costs per day and how much 10 days in Japan costs , or browse the full Travel Answers hub . To keep lodging in check, see where to stay in Tokyo on a budget .