Why go to Tokyo
Tokyo is many cities in one: the crossing at Shibuya, the old temple of Senso-ji in Asakusa, the gardens of the Meiji Shrine, the lights of Shinjuku, and the electronics shops of Akihabara. It’s very safe and very clean, and the trains run on time.
Most first trips add Kyoto, for temples and gardens, and Osaka, for food. The bullet train from Tokyo to Kyoto takes a little over two hours.
Best time to visit Tokyo
Late March to early April is cherry blossom season, the most beautiful and the busiest time. October to November brings autumn colours and mild weather. June is the rainy season, and July and August are hot and humid. December to February is cold but often clear and sunny.
- January: good time
- February: good time
- March: best time
- April: best time
- May: good time
- June: off season
- July: off season
- August: off season
- September: off season
- October: best time
- November: best time
- December: good time
Tokyo visa for Indians
Visa before you flyLast checked October 2026
Indian passport holders need a visa for Japan. Most people apply through the official Japan visa application centre (VFS Global), and many now receive it as an eVisa linked to their passport.
Apply a few weeks before you travel, and keep your hotel bookings and day-by-day plan ready, as they are part of the application.
Apply only through official government channels or a trusted agent. Look-alike sites charge extra. Rules change, so check again before you book.
Flight time and fares from Delhi
Nonstop flights from Delhi take about 7½ to 8 hours. Haneda is much closer to central Tokyo than Narita, so a flight to Haneda can save you an hour on the way into the city.
Fares rise for cherry blossom season and the Japanese holiday weeks (Golden Week at the start of May, and the New Year). Book early for spring.
Getting from the airport
From Narita, the Keisei Skyliner reaches Ueno in about 45 minutes, and the Narita Express goes to Tokyo Station and Shinjuku. From Haneda, the Keikyu line and the Tokyo Monorail reach the city in 20 to 30 minutes.
How many days you need
A week to ten days for a first trip: four days in Tokyo and three or four in Kyoto and Osaka. A day trip to Mount Fuji or Nikko fits in too.
Food for Indian travellers
Vegetarian food is harder than you’d expect, because many dishes use fish stock (dashi), even when they look vegetarian. Look for shojin ryori (Buddhist temple food) in Kyoto, and use the many Indian restaurants in Tokyo. Learning to say “no meat, no fish” in Japanese helps.
