How to Get to Tokyo
Check which airport your flight uses before anything else. Haneda is in the city, about 20 minutes by train from the centre. Narita is out in Chiba, closer to an hour away. Both are simple, but the options are completely different.
From Narita (NRT)
The Keisei Skyliner is the fastest train, reaching Nippori in about 36 minutes and Ueno a few minutes later. It suits anyone staying in Ueno, Asakusa or on the east side. The cheaper Keisei Access Express takes longer but runs straight through to Asakusa and Nihombashi without a change. The JR Narita Express (N'EX) takes around an hour to Tokyo Station and continues to Shinagawa, Shibuya, Shinjuku and Yokohama, all seats reserved, with luggage racks. For Shinjuku and Shibuya it's the one to pick. Limousine buses go to many big hotels, but they depend on traffic.
From Haneda (HND)
The Keikyu line reaches Shinagawa in around 11 minutes, and some trains run through onto the Asakusa subway line to Nihombashi and Asakusa. The Tokyo Monorail runs to Hamamatsucho, where you change to the JR lines. Both are cheap. For a late arrival, a taxi from Haneda to the centre is short and not unreasonable.
Suica and PASMO
Plain Suica and PASMO cards went back on sale in March 2025 after the chip shortage. Visitors have their own versions too. The Welcome Suica card, valid for 28 days, is sold at JR offices and machines at both airports. Welcome Suica Mobile, an iPhone app launched in March 2025, is valid for 180 days. The Tourist PASMO, launched in May 2026, is sold at the airport station counters and needs your passport. On an iPhone you can also add an ordinary Suica to Apple Wallet. Most Android phones bought abroad can't, so get a card.
Getting around
JR lines (above all the Yamanote loop), Tokyo Metro and the Toei subway cover the city, and your IC card works on all of them. Visitors can buy a Tokyo Subway Ticket for 24, 48 or 72 hours, which covers the Metro and Toei lines but not JR. Trains stop around midnight. Pick your station exit in the map app before you arrive: Shinjuku alone has more than 200.
Is a JR Pass worth it?
Not for Tokyo alone. The national pass only pays off on long trips, and its price goes up again from 1 October 2026. For day trips, the three-day JR Tokyo Wide Pass covers routes to Nikko, Karuizawa and the Fuji Excursion train to Kawaguchiko. See our day trips guide.
Entry rules
Many nationalities can visit Japan visa-free for short stays. Fill in Visit Japan Web before you fly to get the QR codes for immigration and customs. JESTA, the planned online travel authorisation, isn't running yet and is expected in fiscal 2028. Check the current rules for your passport, and ignore sites that already claim to sell it.