Travel Stories

• hotels

• destination practicalities

7 min read • Jun 6, 2022

Japan's capital has plenty of ordinary hotels – but who comes to Tokyo for ordinary?

• art and culture

• art

7 min read • May 11, 2022

From cutting-edge digital art to a world-renown animation museum, Tokyo's art scene has something for everyone.

• activities

• history

6 min read • May 2, 2022

After enjoying Tokyo's charms, we recommend a day trip to see temples and mountains and bathe in hot springs. Here are the top day trips from Tokyo.

• neighborhoods

• destination practicalities

18 min read • Apr 27, 2022

More than any single sight, it’s Tokyo itself that enchants visitors. From Ginza to Shinjuku, here's a guide to Tokyo's diverse, atmospheric neighborhoods.

• budget travel

• connections

7 min read • Apr 20, 2022

Traveling in Tokyo can be expensive, but our thrifty guide will help cut down the costs.

• beaches

• activities

5 min read • Apr 19, 2022

Within two hours of Tokyo are some thriving beach towns, with cafe culture and vibrant surf scenes. Here are the very best.

• wildlife and nature

• activities

6 min read • Apr 19, 2022

Tokyo's beautifully designed parks and gardens take the edge off the concrete jungle of the city. These are the best parks in Japan's capital.

• activities

• budget travel

9 min read • Mar 29, 2022

Tokyo travel can blow the budget but there’s plenty to do that doesn't cost a yen. Here's the best of Tokyo for free.

• festivals and events

• art and culture

10 min read • Mar 21, 2022

Cherry blossom in spring; festivals in summer; foliage in fall; and fewer crowds in winter: choose the best time to visit Tokyo with this seasonal guide.

• art and culture

• tips and advice

6 min read • Mar 2, 2022

If you’re in Tokyo in search of manga and merchandise, here’s exactly where to look.

• cycling

• activities

7 min read • Feb 25, 2022

Tokyo and Osaka are two world-class cities with famous sights and hidden corners that offer something for every traveler

• tours

• activities

6 min read • Feb 9, 2022

Connect multiple Tokyo sights on these wonderfully curated walks that showcase different parts of the city

• hiking

• activities

7 min read • Oct 11, 2021

From forests to waves, there are several natural destinations within 2-3 hours of central Tokyo that will redefine your entire notion of Japan’s capital

• art and culture

• architecture

8 min read • Sep 29, 2021

Prepare for a sensory awakening as we (re)discover an array of iconic destinations and attractions in Tokyo and Osaka – some classic, some brand new

• beaches

• activities

6 min read • Sep 22, 2021

Whether it’s cherry blossoms in spring, cruises in summer, hiking in fall, or the tropical islands in winter, there's plenty in Tokyo for every season.

• tips and advice

• destination practicalities

10 min read • Aug 8, 2021

Tokyo has a reputation as one of the world’s safest and most exciting travel destinations, but there are some things every first-timer needs to know.

• cycling

• activities

6 min read • Jul 30, 2021

As the world begins re-opening to tourism, we can start to dream about some familiar attractions in Tokyo and Osaka

• food

• food and drink

8 min read • Feb 17, 2021

No places better represent the gamut of Japanese culture than Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka, and there's no better way to visit them than via Shinkansen

• local voices

• connections

5 min read • Apr 2, 2020

Get to know Tokyo from a local's perspective; Rebecca Milner shares her favorite places to avoid the crowds and best place for cheap eats.

• history

• art and culture

4 min read • Feb 5, 2020

Beautiful, spiritual and lacking crowds, Mt Takao could be the perfect complement to a Mt Fuji trek, and one of Tokyo’s most enjoyable day trips.

• art

• art and culture

5 min read • Jan 20, 2020

Make the most of your time in Japan by joining a group tour with Lonely Planet Experiences and Intrepid Travel.

• family travel

• connections

5 min read • Jan 14, 2020

Often overlooked as the gateway to Hakone, Odawara has the closest feudal castle to Tokyo and a raft of other historic traditions discoverable in a day.