Why go à TOKYO?
The good reasons to go à TOKYO
Electrify yourself in a megalopolis
More than ever, Tokyo is the city of the future between robotization and innovative architecture.
Getting lost between reality and virtual
Mangas, video games or augmented reality, the boundaries between worlds are disappearing.
A unique gastronomy
Unknown flavours, new ingredients, the taste buds travel far from the beaten track
Enjoy the 5-star reception
The art of service coupled with a very safe city = a perfect equation for a beautiful stay
A change of scenery to invigorate yourself
Other culture, other ways, we discover a whole art of living. An elixir of youth!
Follow the way of the warrior
Katana, martial art or meditation, we put our steps in those of warriors of a past age.
Giving in to a shopping frenzy
Everything is gathered in Tokyo to make us crack: beautiful objects or pop and kawaii products.
Experience the majesty of nature
Nature reminds us of its presence, both grandiose and wild, even in the city.
Engage in traditional arts
Flowers, tea, ukiyo-e or pottery, Japanese arts reveal a whole philosophy of Beauty
Wonder in a sanctuary
We rub shoulders with the history of Buddhism and shintō in temples nestled in the heart of the city.
Good to know when visiting TOKYO
Timetable
Opening times vary from establishment to establishment, but most museums and parks are open between 10am and 5pm. Weekends are often busier, especially for temporary exhibitions. Each venue has its own closing day, so check in advance. As for temples and shrines, they generally open at 8am and close around 4 or 5pm, except during festivals when opening times may be extended.
To be booked
Private tours of the Imperial Palace and special tours of Toyosu Market should be booked online in advance. Some museums and theaters are also very popular, and it's advisable to buy tickets well in advance, e.g. for the Ghibli Museum, the TEAMLAB Museum of Digital Art and certain temporary exhibitions. Since the Covid-19 epidemic, online booking and prepayment have become the norm. In some cases, this saves time and reduces ticket prices. It is advisable to visit each establishment's website a few days (or even weeks) before your visit to check booking conditions.
Budget & Tips
The free tours of Asakusa and Ueno are a good opportunity to discover the city with locals, as are those of the National Diet. If you're planning several museum visits, the Grutto Pass (¥2,500) entitles you to discounts and free admission to 95 museums and galleries in Tokyo(www.rekibun.or.jp). It can be purchased directly at the museums concerned, at certain tourist offices or online. Note also that some attractions, such as Shibuya Scramble Square, offer online pre-sales at lower prices. Don't hesitate to check the information on the websites.
Many things to do in Tokyo, such as visiting temples and shrines or taking part in festivals, are free. Some galleries are too, such as Design Festa Gallery (in Harajuku), Scai the Bathhouse (in Yanaka) or 3331 Arts Chiyoda (in Akihabara).
Main events
Every season is full of festivals, most of them linked to temples and shrines. For more information, see the Agenda section of this guide.
Smokers
Smoking is banned in the vast majority of public places.
Tourist traps
In museums, small boutiques and workshops, do-it-yourself activities (origami, paper, wooden objects, etc.) are all the rage. While some offer a real opportunity to try your hand at Japanese crafts, others are sometimes far too expensive for what's on offer. You be the judge.
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Discover TOKYO
We all have echoes of Japan, through words like manga, geisha, sushi, zen or karate, which have been exported around the world and sketch the first images of a fantasized Japan. A visit to Tokyo means discovering all the worlds that lie behind these terms, grasping the thousand and one forms that Japanese society takes beyond all our preconceived ideas, and, perhaps, getting carried away in a whirlwind of new things. Closely linked to Buddhism and neighboring China, the history of the archipelago, which was relatively closed to foreign influences for almost 300 years, has led to the emergence of a culture apart, whether artistic, culinary or social. Japanese concepts such as wabi-sabi and Zen never cease to question and fascinate. A trip to Japan is the perfect opportunity to grasp a little of this culture, and here we give you a few keys.
