Airport to Tokyo & your first 24 Hours

I’m always exhausted when I arrive in Japan and I bet most of you will be too.
After the long journey including many hours of flying (probably with one, maybe even two layovers), it can feel like you’ve already done enough. But the journey isn’t over yet: This is how you handle the first few hours and set the tone for a calm, confident trip.

Choice of Airport

Tokyo has two airports: Narita and Haneda.

Haneda Airport (HND) is generally the better option, and I would always recommend choosing this one if your airline offers it. It is located about 30-45 minutes from central Tokyo, which makes it both more convenient and usually cheaper when it comes to transportation into the city.

Narita Airport (NRT) is located 60-90 minutes from the city center. It is a major hub for international flights, so there is a good chance your flight will land here.

Getting into the city is straightforward regardless of which airport you arrive at. Both airports offer budget friendly, mid range, and more premium transportation options, so you can choose what fits your comfort level and travel style best.

Haneda

1. Budget Keikyu Line train

Priced at around ¥500 for an adult using an IC card, with a total travel time of roughly 30 minutes to a JR line connection, this is my recommendation. It’s affordable, fast and reliable. However, keep in mind that it may require one transfer and can feel overwhelming with luggage during rush hour.

Tickets can be purchased at the platform or by simply tapping in with your IC card. More about this in my "Before you go" travel tip.

The route:

• Haneda Airport -> Shinagawa Station (Keikyu Line) -> Shibuya Station (JR Yamanote Line)

1. Mid range Airport Limousine Busses

The bus is a more comfortable option than the train, though slightly more expensive and sometimes slower depending on traffic. A major advantage is that it goes directly to central areas like Shibuya station.

Current price is approximately ¥1300 for adults.

The official website displays boarding points, timetables and allows you to purchase tickets in advance: Keikyu Airport Limousine

You simply board at the airport and get off at the stop closest to your accommodation. From there, you may continue by foot, JR line or metro depending on where you’re staying.

The route:

• Haneda Airport -> Shibuya Station (West Exit) -> Shibuya Station (Shibuya Fukuras) -> Cerulean Tower Tokyu Hotel -> Shibuya Mark City

1. Premium Taxis

The final option is grabbing a taxi. Personally, this is not my first choice, but it is undeniably the most convenient (and pricey).

When you exit the airport, you’ll see taxis waiting to take you directly to your hotel. The journey typically takes 20 to 30 minutes depending on traffic. Prices usually range from around ¥9,000 to ¥12,000 or more.

The route:

• Haneda Airport Terminal -> Accommodation

Narita

1. Budget: Keisei Line (Regular train) + JR line or Subway

This is the most affordable way to reach central Tokyo from Narita. However, it requires at least one transfer and can feel crowded, especially during peak hours.

Travel time is approximately 90 to 110 minutes depending on your final destination. The cost is usually around ¥1,300 to ¥1,500.

Tickets can be purchased at the station, or you can simply use your IC card.

Link to the official site: Keisei Train timetable

The route

• Narita Airport terminal -> Nippori Station + JR Yamanote line / -> Ueno station + Subway

1. Mid range Limousine Busses

Just like Haneda, Narita offers Airport Limousine Buses. These are generally the most comfortable option if you’re traveling with heavy luggage. Current prices range between ¥3,100 and ¥3,600 for adults, making this a more expensive but convenient choice. The bus goes directly to major areas and hotels across Tokyo, reducing the need for transfers.

Link to the official site: Narita Airport Limousine Busses

The route

Narita Airport terminal -> all major train stations in Tokyo

1. Premium JR Narita Express (N'EX).

Personally, this is the premium option I choose If I land at Narita: The N’EX train. It’s for sure worth it to pay a bit more for reserved seating, proper luggage space and a calm start to your trip after a long flight. The Narita Express runs approximately every 30 to 60 minutes and requires a separate ticket with seat reservation. You can purchase this at the JR office after clearing immigration.

Travel time to Tokyo Station is about 53 minutes, making it one of the fastest and most comfortable options.

Head to the official website for seat reservations and check timetables in advance: JR N'EX website

The route

Narita Airport terminal 1/2/3 -> Tokyo Station

If all of this seems confusing

If this feels confusing, don’t worry. You don’t need to have everything planned in advance. It’s simply helpful to know your options. Even with a language barrier, the Japanese are incredibly kind and helpful. If you feel overwhelmed, head to an information desk. You’ll be absolutely fine!

You're in Tokyo now!

You’ve conquered the most exhausting part of the journey, and now the fun truly begins. My guide assumes you’ve arrived in the morning and made it into the city around 11:00 am. From here, I’ve mapped out the perfect way to spend your first day so you can settle into Japan calmly and confidently, regardless of which area of Tokyo you’re staying in.

This is a general overview that applies to the entire Tokyo area. Personally, I always choose to stay on the western side of the city. You can read more about the benefits in the “Accommodation” travel tip.

1. Coin lockers

The first thing to do is free your hands from carrying your luggage around. Luckily, it’s very easy to store your luggage in hundreds, if not thousands, of locations across Tokyo. I suggest either using Bounce or simply typing “coin locker” into Google Maps.

Bounce is a worldwide app that lets you store your luggage at selected businesses such as hotels, cafes and shops. The price varies depending on the size of your bag and the duration. Bounce is the most convenient option if you have large luggage and want to book in advance. I've explained a handful of smart and money-saving travel apps in the "Before you go" tip!

However, you will most likely stumble upon a physical coin locker before even searching for one. They are spread across Tokyo and can easily be accessed inside train and metro stations. Most of them require an IC card to pay the small fee, but in my opinion, it’s very simple.

Bonus tip: Use these coin lockers if you plan to spend the entire day shopping and need a safe place to store your purchases.

1. Head to a combini

You’re probably excited to visit 7 Eleven, FamilyMart and Lawson, also known as convenience stores, which I completely understand! My advice is to head to the nearest one (you don't need to search it up because you'll stumble across one immediately) and grab an onigiri to keep your energy up. Every store has a different selection, but my recommendations are tuna, shrimp mayo or soy marinated egg!

Other delicious options include something from the bakery section, such as melon pan, or an egg sando if you are extra hungry. Overall, the quality of food in Japan is top notch, and convenience stores are no exception (could honestly eat this for the rest of my life!)

Take my word for it: you will find yourself spending far more time in these stores than you imagined.

Each combini in every prefecture in Japan offers different types of food based on the area so I recommend taking a look every time you visit a new city. It also changes during the seasons!

1. Time to explore and stay caffeinated

I’m going to cut straight to the point: do not visit Shibuya Crossing, The Sensoji Temple or Tokyo Skytree on your first day. Why? Because they are far too overstimulating to fully enjoy while dealing with jet lag. Instead, I suggest heading to Meji Jingu a beautiful and historic shrine located in Yoyogi Park.

Here, you can enjoy a peaceful stroll while also gaining cultural insight. For me, it’s the ideal way to ground myself (so to speak). If lucky, you'll witness a daily Shinto rituals (onikkusai).

Check my map for tons of spots I've saved across all of Japan!

Speaking of Yoyogi Park, it is my favorite place for a stroll, a run or relax in Tokyo. The park is popular and gets crowded quite easily, but it is a wonderful place to be and feels spacious. You won’t believe you are standing in the middle of one of the largest cities in the world.

Take a look at what I’m holding in my right hand: matcha. I could not introduce you to your first day in Tokyo without sharing one of my all time favorite matcha bars, which also happens to serve excellent coffee. I believe that is what they are best known for, but as a non coffee drinker, I can only speak on behalf of the matcha.

Dotcom Space is one of those “if you know, you know” places and luckily it is not too popular yet. I suggest grabbing a coffee or matcha of your choice. My personal recommendation is to try your matcha with soy milk. It is the only way I drink my matcha, and I first discovered it on my first long trip to Japan.

Some cafes charge a small fee of ≈¥100 to swap dairy milk for oat or soy.

1. Grab lunch

There is no way I could leave out sushi on your first day in Japan. And if you do not like sushi, hang tight. I have got you covered. I will be sharing plenty of sushi spots in this guide, but for your first day I have two suggestions for conveyor belt sushi. Both places offer an English menu, free water and a touch screen ordering system.

1. Misaki

My first choice for a good reason. It is usually calm, less crowded and mostly filled with businessmen having their lunch. It is slightly more expensive than other conveyor belt sushi places, but trust me, you will be grateful to experience this as your first sushi in Tokyo. It'll be a true reward!

I recommend ordering their lunch set with a nigiri selection and complimentary miso soup.

Cost: ¥1300 tax included

1. @Uobei

If you are not feeling too tired or overstimulated yet, I have a fun choice for you. Uobei is the one place that fully lives up to the following criteria: 1) cheap, 2) short waiting time, 3) the most fun sushi combinations.

I remember coming here on my first trip to Japan in 2020, and it is a spot I continue to revisit.

Prices range from ¥120 to ¥300, with options including different types of salmon, tuna, white fish, meat, vegetables, egg, squid and shellfish. I once had an entire squid. Also, their French fries are actually pretty good.

I often hear mixed opinions about this place but hands down, it is top notch. Just look at the size of that salmon piece!

My favourite order is: 1) fatty salmon belly, 2) hamachi, 3) tuna and 4) salmon roe gunkan.

As for sushi, I have tons of recommendations. I have chosen to save the ultimate best omakase experience for the Tokyo itinerary on the last day! I've wanted to keep it a secret between you and i.

1. Check into your accommodation

By this time, you should be ready to head back to the coin locker, grab your luggage and make your way to your accommodation. Most places allow check in from 3 pm, and depending on where you are staying, whether it is an Airbnb, hostel or hotel, the level of access may vary.

Check out the "accommodation" section in this guide for more information about my favourite areas to stay in, the type of places I personally prefer and how to save a bit of money. Also, feel free to message me here for exact Airbnb choices!

Once you check in, take a moment to freshen up, unpack just the essentials and reset. A quick shower and a change of clothes can really make a big difference after a long travel day.

OBS: If you prefer cold showers, skip this part. Otherwise listen up: Most Airbnbs will not have hot water turned on when you arrive. This can easily be done by locating the digital control panel which you'll find often in the kitchen or bathroom. Press power button 運転 入 or 切 and set the temperature to your desire.

However, don't get too comfortable. If you feel jetlag, try not to fall asleep watching a Netflix series or reading a book. The first day is always the most challenging but key to conquering jetlag is keeping yourself busy hence why I suggest grabbing an early dinner.

1. Dinner

Tokyo is stunning at night and more vibrant than any other big city I have ever set foot in (that includes New York). Head out and enjoy the lights against the dark sky as the evening settles in.

For dinner, I suggest grabbing a hot bowl of udon noodles at Marugame Seimen. This chain restaurant offers “build your own” udon bowls with a variety of tempura toppings and free side dishes, making it an exceptionally good value for money meal. The last time I went, they were even handing out stamp cards for you to collect with every order. So, if you find yourself coming back more than once, make sure to keep those stamps to claim free toppings or even an entire bowl of noodles!

Note that this is a chain restaurant meaning you do not need to go to this exact location I added (also applies to the sushi spots). Simply type "Marugame Seimen" in your Google Maps and head to the nearest one!

1. Late night combini run

I have got one more task for you before you dive into bed to catch up on lost sleep. On your way home from dinner, I suggest stopping by a 7eleven (very important it's not a FamilyMart or Lawson).

I always love ending the night with something sweet, but what I really want you to look for is the supplement section.

The Night Recover drink is the perfect way to help your body adjust to Japanese time. Drink this before going to bed and you will most likely experience a much more comfortable sleep. I usually drink it for the first 3-4 days until I feel fully recovered from the travel day.

I hope you enjoyed your first day in Tokyo. Now set your alarm for 9 am so you do not oversleep, and get ready for your first full day. Check out my itinerary for the best way to spend six unique days in Tokyo followed by Kyoto and Osaka, enjoy every moment and make unique memories for a lifetime! Goodnight!