FLIGHTS, ACCOMMODATION AND MOVEMENT IN TOKYO

According to Abbreviation Finder, Tokyo’s public transport network is very comprehensive.

Direct flights from Helsinki

There are good flight connections from Finland to Tokyo, and there are both direct and available flights. Finnair and Japan Airlines operate a direct connection from Helsinki to Tokyo in about ten hours. Direct flights cost around 500 euros at their cheapest.

Lufthansa and Aeroflot, among others, offer machine-exchanged connections. Travel time depends on the length of the machine change but is at least about 12 hours. At its cheapest, you can get plan-changing flights for about 400 euros.

Tokyo has two major airports, Narita International Airport to the east of the city and Haneda International Airport.

There are plenty of public transport links between the airports and the city center, and the best way to get from Narita to the city center is by train or bus. The airport is located about 70 kilometers from the city center, so a taxi ride becomes long and expensive. Haneda, about 30 km from the city center, is also easily accessible by train or bus. Travel time is about 50 minutes.

Accommodation and hotels

Tokyo’s reputation as an expensive city, on the other hand, is true, but it is also possible for a tourist to vacation at a surprisingly low price.

In the giant city, the offer is wide and accommodation can be found from five-star luxury hotels to small inns. An exotic specialty in Japan are the capsule hotels, where there is not enough space for anything other than sleeping.

A mid-priced accommodation in Tokyo costs about one hundred euros a night.

Public transport takes you everywhere

Getting around Tokyo is conveniently done through a comprehensive train and subway network. However, it’s good to remember that subway stations are sometimes very close to each other just a few minutes ’walk away, and while fully packed trains are part of the Tokyo experience, there are likely to be many pleasant surprises on the pedestrian path.

Taxi journeys cost about the same as in Finland, but taxis rarely need to be used except for small hours, when metros and trains are on the night tree.

TOKYO ATTRACTIONS

On a Tokyo vacation, you shouldn’t miss the parks, especially if you’re traveling to the city during the cherry blossom.

Start the day at the fish market

The world’s largest city doesn’t sleep, and the morning of many tourists has also begun at the Tsukiji fish market. However, Tsukiji closed in 2016 and has been replaced by Toyosu Fish Market.

Toyosu is perfect for finding fresh fish dishes, especially sushi. The restaurants in the market area offer fish lovers a sumptuous breakfast, with a few thousand yen on the table getting each other weird and delicious fish from each other.

Imperial garden

Breakfast is nice to digest in a short walk in the Imperial Garden, conveniently located a few stops from Tsukiji.

The eastern parts of the garden are open to the public, but there is plenty to see in them as well. The captivating garden, isolated by walls and water, is surrounded by a walking and jogging path favored by the locals.

Pop in the park and zoo

The journey can be continued to the northeastern parts of central Tokyo towards Ueno, Asakusa and Akihabara. Ueno’s offerings include the world-famous zoo as well as the large Ueno Park, where you can come across performing artists or find yourself in the museum’s queue.

Also not to be forgotten are the lively shopping streets that start in front of the main entrance to Ueno station, which continue all the way to Okachimach station and where you can find practically anything from food to French army sweatpants.

A good place to visit is also the extensive Yoyogi Park near Harajuku Station. Yoyogi Park is also home to Meiji Jingu, one of the city’s most famous shinto temples.

Shop for electronics at Akihabara

A few minutes by metro or train ride from Ueno, you will find Akihabara, famous for its electronics stores, offering the world’s most comprehensive range of new products in the field.

A strong contrast to the techno-thumping of Akihabara game caves and the offerings played by the throwers of the shops is created by Asakusa, a few kilometers away, famous for its temples. Despite the huge flow of tourists, Asakusa still lives on for centuries of tradition.

The most famous single landmark in the area is the Kaminari Gate, but there is also the headquarters of the Asahi brewery, for example.

Shopping in Shinjuku and Shibuya

Shopping can be done almost anywhere in Tokyo, but if the purpose of the trip is just shopping, you should head to either Ginza or western Tokyo, Shinjuku, Harajuku and Shibuya areas.

Ginza and Shinjuku are suitable for more adult tastes, while Harajuku and Shibuya are popular with many young people.

Nightlife in Roppongi

In addition to Roppong, Shinjuku and Shibuya are also the city’s nightlife hubs. However, their offerings differ considerably.

Roppongi attracts partygoers with its stylish nightclubs and good quality restaurants. Shinjuku is full of unparalleled pubs, bars and izakayas. Shibuya’s offerings include modern wine and beer restaurants, which, in addition to a wealth of customers, also leave young people who are tired of shopping to spend the evening in the area.