Cheap city break Tokyo
Tokyo is where tradition meets the future: serene Shinto temples next to neon-lit Akihabara, bullet trains, conveyor-belt sushi and the best ramen stalls. Flights from Schiphol from €700 return, 8 days
✈️ Plan your trip to Tokyo →Updated on 4 September 2026
When is the best time to go?
March to May for cherry blossom (10-20°C). October to November for autumn colours. Avoid July/August (hot, humid, rain) and Golden Week (first week of May, everything expensive).
The best neighborhoods in Tokyo
- Shibuya The iconic scramble crossing, young fashion.
- Shinjuku 24h, the best neon bars in Golden Gai.
- Asakusa Traditional, Senso-ji temple.
- Harajuku Kawaii-culture, vintage shops.
- Akihabara Anime, manga, electronics.
Top 5 things to do in Tokyo
- Senso-ji temple Tokyo's oldest temple, free. The Nakamise shopping street leads up to it.
- Shibuya Crossing + Sky Free crossing, observation deck €25.
- Tsukiji Outer Market Sushi breakfast €15, opens at 5am.
- Robot Restaurant Surreal dining, €70.
- Mount Fuji day trip Bullet train + bus 2.5 hours, €60.
Flights + transport from the Netherlands
Directly from Schiphol to Narita (NRT) in 11 hour. KLM. Narita Express to center €30 in 60 minutes. Locally: metro €2 per ride, dagkaart €5.
What costs a trip to Tokyo?
Hostels from €25, mid-range hotels €100 to 180 (capsule €40), vacation rentals €120 per night. Food: ramen €6, conveyor-belt sushi €15, kaiseki €60. JR Pass €280 for a week.
Practical: flights, prices and an insider tip
From Schiphol, KLM, Air France and SAS fly direct to Tokyo Narita in about 13 hours; a return starts around 700 euro. Three highlights: teamLab Planets, a digital art museum (3,800 yen, around 24 euro), the Tokyo Skytree with views from 350 metres (Tembo Deck from 1,800 yen on weekdays online, around 11 euro) and the Senso-ji temple in Asakusa (free). Insider tip: book teamLab Planets weeks ahead as tickets sell out fast, and go early to avoid the crowds. Thanks to the weak yen Japan is great value: a mid-range hotel costs around 65 euro per night, business hotels from around 55 euro.
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Frequently asked questions about Tokyo
When is the best time to visit Tokyo?
March to May for cherry blossom (10-20 degrees): Shinjuku Gyoen park and Ueno Park are in full bloom with ideal walking weather. October to November for autumn colours in Nikko and Koishikawa Korakuen garden. Avoid July and August (above 35 degrees, high humidity) and Golden Week (early May, everything pricier and more crowded).
Which neighbourhood is best to stay in Tokyo?
Shinjuku is the most central choice: connections to all districts, capsule hotels from EUR 35, business hotels from EUR 55. For culture choose Asakusa (near Senso-ji, quieter atmosphere). For shopping and nightlife choose Shibuya (scramble crossing, department stores, youth fashion).
How do I get from the Netherlands to Tokyo?
KLM flies daily non-stop from Amsterdam Schiphol to Tokyo Narita (NRT) in approximately 11 to 12 hours; return from approx. EUR 700. From Narita, take the Narita Express to Shinjuku or Shibuya in 60 to 90 minutes (approx. EUR 30). Alternatives: Japan Airlines and Air France with a stopover.
What does a trip to Tokyo cost?
Japan is more affordable than expected thanks to the weak yen: business hotels from EUR 55 per night, capsule hotels from EUR 35. Food: ramen from EUR 6, conveyor belt sushi EUR 12-20, convenience store bento EUR 4-6. Budget for a week: approx. EUR 1,500 to 2,200 per person including flights.
Do I need a Japan Rail Pass for a city trip to Tokyo?
For a city trip to Tokyo only, the JR Pass (approx. EUR 280 for 7 days) is usually not cost-effective: Tokyo's public transport is cheap via the Suica IC card (from approx. EUR 1.50 per trip). The JR Pass is worthwhile if you also plan to visit Kyoto, Osaka or Hiroshima by Shinkansen bullet train.
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