Tokyo: getting there via Haneda and Narita, neighbourhoods, temples, tickets and the new tax rules in 2026

Tokyo suits you if you want to combine temples, shrines, observation towers and museums and like getting around by train and subway. In 2025 the city government counted around 28.65 million foreign guests, more than ever before. In a survey by the city, nearly nine in ten guests from abroad said they had enjoyed Japanese food in Tokyo.

In 2026 it is mainly the taxes that change. Since 1 July, the departure tax has generally been 3,000 yen, paid through the flight ticket. For purchases from 1 November 2026, consumption tax on tax-free shopping is refunded only after the customs check on departure. From 1 April 2027, Tokyo will charge 3% of the accommodation price as a tourist tax, as soon as it reaches 13,000 yen per person and night.

Tokyo suits you less if you tolerate heat badly: in August the mean daily high is 31.3 °C. September and October are the wettest months, and in September most typhoons approach. At New Year, in Golden Week and around Obon in August, prices rise sharply, according to JNTO.

Getting there and from the airport into the city

With 693,071 passengers from Germany, Tokyo ranked 37th among foreign destinations in 2025, counted at the main German airports for Haneda and Narita together. Three quarters of them flew to Haneda. More than half departed from Frankfurt, a good quarter from Munich. October was the most in demand, January the least (Federal Statistical Office; total of both airports and breakdowns: own analysis).

Haneda (HND): Keikyu in 11 minutes to Shinagawa

At Haneda, international flights use Terminal 2 or 3 depending on the airline; check this in advance (as of September 2026). Keikyu runs through to the Toei Asakusa subway line. According to the journey time table, from Terminal 3 it takes 11 minutes to Shinagawa, 20 to Tokyo Station and 34 minutes to Asakusa. From Terminals 1 and 2, 3 to 5 minutes are added in each case.

To Shinagawa the journey costs 330 yen, 327 yen with an IC card, because Keikyu then charges to the exact yen (as of September 2026). The first train from Terminal 3 to Shinagawa leaves at 5:26, the last at 0:08, on weekdays and at weekends alike.

Monorail, bus and taxi from Haneda

The Tokyo Monorail takes 13 minutes to Hamamatsucho, with a train on average every five minutes. From Terminal 3 the journey costs 520 yen, 519 yen with an IC card (Monorail fare table, as of September 2026). The Airport Limousine Bus runs to Shinjuku station, among other places, for 1,400 yen and at night for 2,800 yen (as of 26 September 2026). New timetables apply from 1 October 2026.

For taxis from Haneda, the Tokyo taxi association gives fixed fares per ward, with tolls on top; the current table has applied since 20 April 2026. To Chiyoda ward with the Imperial Palace you pay 7,600 yen, to Shibuya 8,500 yen and to Shinjuku 9,000 yen. Between 22:00 and 5:00 higher night fares apply, to Shinjuku for example 10,700 yen. For Chuo with Ginza, Minato with Roppongi, Shinagawa and Koto, the table gives no fixed fare.

Narita (NRT): Skyliner, Narita Express or bus

From Narita you need around 1 hour 35 minutes by train to Shinjuku and 1 hour 25 minutes to Asakusa. So it says on GO TOKYO, the visitor portal of the Tokyo Convention & Visitors Bureau.

The Keisei Skyliner runs three times an hour, and all seats are reserved. From Airport Terminal 2·3 station it takes 41 minutes to Keisei-Ueno, and it also stops at Nippori. Fare and Skyliner supplement together cost 2,580 yen (own sum, as of September 2026). Without a Skyliner ticket you pay 300 yen more when boarding.

The Narita Express (N'EX) of JR East runs without a change to Tokyo Station and to Shinagawa, Shibuya, Shinjuku and Yokohama. To Tokyo it takes 53 minutes by the fastest train. The regular return fare with a reserved seat to Tokyo is 6,280 yen, the N'EX TOKYO Round Trip Ticket, valid for 14 days, 5,200 yen (as of September 2026). You thus save 1,080 yen (own calculation).

The low-cost buses cost 1,500 yen to Tokyo Station and to Ginza; this price does not apply on early and late flights (as of September 2026). The fixed-fare taxi costs from 29,000 yen to the wards of Chuo, Chiyoda and Taito, and from 31,500 yen to Shinjuku and Shibuya. Tolls are added, and between 22:00 and 5:00 a surcharge.

Getting around: credit card, IC card or travel pass

According to GO TOKYO, trains and buses stop running around midnight. On the Tokyo Metro you pay with “Tap to Ride” directly at the ticket gate, with a contactless credit or debit card, including on a smartphone. It costs as much as the paper ticket. Ten more railways in the region take part, including the Toei subway and Keikyu, three of them only at individual stations; you cannot continue on JR East with it. Only the adult fare applies, and each card only for its holder (as of September 2026).

The rechargeable IC cards Suica and PASMO have been available again without a name since 1 March 2025, against a 500 yen deposit. For short stays, JR East sells the Welcome Suica without a deposit, at machines in Narita and at Terminal 3 in Haneda, among other places. It is valid for 28 days, remaining balance is not refunded, and it can be topped up only with cash yen. TOURIST PASMO is likewise valid for 28 days without a deposit; in Haneda it is sold by Keikyu machines, which also take credit cards (as of September 2026).

Travel passes and combined ticket

The Tokyo Subway Ticket is valid on all Tokyo Metro and Toei subway lines, 24 hours for 1,000 yen, 48 for 1,500 and 72 for 2,000 yen (as of September 2026). The hours run from the first journey. The 24-hour pass for the Tokyo Metro only costs 700 yen; four journeys at the basic fare of 180 yen already cost 720 yen (own calculation).

Japan Rail Pass: more expensive at a travel agency from 1 October

The Japan Rail Pass costs 50,000 yen online for 7 days in standard class (as of September 2026). If you buy through a travel agency abroad from 1 October 2026, you pay 53,000 yen. For the “Nozomi” and “Mizuho” Shinkansen you need a special ticket with the pass.

Where to stay: the neighbourhoods compared

In 2025, according to a survey by the city government, 60.3% of foreign guests visited Shibuya, 54.1% Ginza and 51.8% the area around Tokyo Station. The compass directions follow GO TOKYO (as of September 2026).

Where “—” appears, the sources give no drawback.

Sights: times, prices and rules in 2026

Senso-ji: Tokyo's oldest temple

Senso-ji in Asakusa is the oldest temple in the city and, by its own account, counts 30 million visitors a year. The main hall opens at 6:00, from October to March at 6:30, and closes at 17:00 (as of September 2026). GO TOKYO lists the temple as free. The 250 m long Nakamise, with around 90 stalls, leads to the temple; in the evening it is much quieter there.

Meiji Shrine: no admission, open with daylight

Meiji Shrine in Shibuya ward has no admission charge, and the Inner Garden costs 500 yen (as of September 2026). Opening times follow sunrise and sunset: in October 5:40 to 16:40, in December 6:40 to 16:00. For the shrine alone, the administration reckons about an hour. There is no left-luggage facility for suitcases on the grounds.

Imperial Palace East Garden: free, closed Mondays and Fridays

The East Garden lies on parts of the former Edo Castle, has been open to the public since 1968 and costs no admission. It stays closed on Mondays and Fridays, but is open on public holidays except 23 February; after a public holiday on a Monday it closes on Tuesday instead. It is also closed from 28 December to 3 January. In October it is open from 9:00 to 16:30, from November to February until 16:00, with entry until 30 minutes before closing (as of September 2026). Bags and luggage are checked at the entrance; large items are better left at the hotel or in a locker at the station.

Skytree and Tokyo Tower: prices by day and purchase route

At Tokyo Skytree, the Tembo Deck at 350 m costs from 1,800 yen, and with the Tembo Galleria at 450 m from 3,000 yen. The price depends on the day of the visit. If you only buy at the counter or machine on the 4th floor, you pay a surcharge of 500 yen per ticket (as of September 2026). The Main Deck of Tokyo Tower at 150 m costs 1,500 yen and is open from 9:00 to 23:00, with last entry at 22:30.

teamLab: tickets only in advance

At teamLab Planets in Toyosu the walk-through leads through water, according to the operator until the end of 2027. Tickets are available only in advance with a fixed entry window; the price list gives 4,200 yen for adults, but the price varies by date (as of September 2026). On individual days it stays closed, in 2026 for example on 1 October and 5 November. teamLab Borderless in Azabudai Hills has shown a permanent exhibition since 9 February 2024. Adults pay 3,600 yen there according to the list, likewise varying by date, and 200 yen more on site.

National Museum of Western Art: Le Corbusier World Heritage Site

The main building in Ueno Park has been part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site “The Architectural Work of Le Corbusier” since 2016. The permanent exhibition costs 500 yen and is usually free on the second Sunday of the month. The museum is closed on Mondays; if a public holiday falls on a Monday, it closes the day after instead (as of September 2026). From 12 January to 19 March 2027 the permanent exhibition is closed for maintenance work.

Excursions: Nikko and Kamakura

The shrines and temples of Nikko have been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1999, Mount Fuji since 2013. To Nikko, the Limited Express SPACIA of the Tobu Railway runs from Asakusa without a change in about 1 hour 50 minutes. The Toshogu costs 1,600 yen admission there. According to the tourism association, Kamakura is about an hour from Tokyo; the Great Buddha of Kotoku-in sits there in the open air and costs 300 yen admission (as of September 2026).

Best time to travel: climate in Tokyo month by month

The values come from the Japanese weather service JMA, Tokyo station (25.2 m), averages for the years 1991 to 2020.

On average the daily highs in April, May and November are between 16.7 and 23.6 °C. The rainy season lasts on average from 7 June to 19 July. In August, 30 °C is reached on 22.6 days, and on 9.9 nights the temperature does not fall below 25 °C. In September an average of 1.2 typhoons approach the Kanto-Koshin region, more than in any other month. In winter little rain falls; January, with 192.6 hours of sunshine, is the sunniest month.

The cherry blossoms on Tokyo's observation tree open on average from 24 March, in 2026 already from 19 March.

Costs

The table gives only prices from operators and authorities.

Tourist tax: 3% from April 2027

Anyone staying in a hotel or ryokan in Tokyo pays a tax per person per night, measured on the price without meals. Below 10,000 yen nothing is due, up to 14,999 yen it is 100 yen, and from 15,000 yen 200 yen (as of September 2026). From 1 April 2027 the tax is 3% of the accommodation price; below 13,000 yen per person per night it stays tax-free. Guests of private accommodation (minpaku) will then pay too; the interior minister approved the reform on 30 June 2026. Two people staying three nights at 16,000 yen per person per night pay 1,200 yen today, and from April 2027 2,880 yen (own calculation).

Departure and consumption tax

The departure tax of 3,000 yen (since 1 July 2026) is paid through the flight ticket; children under 2 years are exempt. If you bought your ticket before 1 July 2026, you still pay the old rate of 1,000 yen in certain cases. The consumption tax is 10%, and 8% for non-alcoholic food to take away (as of April 2026).

Practical information

Payment is in yen (JPY). Most shops and restaurants accept Visa, Mastercard and American Express cards. Nevertheless, according to the tourism organisation JNTO, cash is still very common, and some small shops or remote ryokan want only cash yen. At more than 26,000 post office machines you can withdraw with common cards such as Visa, Mastercard or Maestro (as of September 2026).

In Tokyo it is 8 hours later than in Germany, and 7 hours during German summer time (own calculation); Japan does not change the clocks. You reach the police on 110, and the fire brigade and ambulance service on 119. The JNTO Japan Visitor Hotline can be reached around the clock on 050-3816-2787.

The current rules on entry, safety and health are given by the German Foreign Office.

Who this is not for

• If you tolerate heat badly: In August, 30 °C is reached on 22.6 days, and on 9.9 nights the temperature does not fall below 25 °C.
• If you want dry weather: From June to October an average of over 150 mm of rain falls per month.
• If you want to avoid crowds: Senso-ji counts 30 million visitors a year, and at New Year, in Golden Week and around Obon trains and hotels are often fully booked.
• If you want to pay by card only: Smaller shops sometimes take only cash, and you can top up the Welcome Suica only with cash.
• If you want to rely on English: In 2025 only just under half of the foreign guests surveyed were satisfied with communication in foreign languages.
• If you want to drink outdoors in the evening: Around Shibuya station that is forbidden from 18:00 to 5:00, and in Kabukicho and Ueno the police warn of touts for rip-off bars.