Luxury holidays in Tokyo

When to go

To catch the blossoming of the cherry trees – sakura – make sure to visit in spring time (March–May); November is also gorgeous. Spring and autumn are the most pleasant times of the year due to lower humidity.

Getting there

• Planes

  Tokyo is served by two airports: Haneda and Narita. Haneda Airport – also known as the Tokyo International Airport – is in Hanedakuko, Ota (www.haneda-airport.jp), and mainly handles domestic flights. Narita Airport is the primary international airport in Japan (www.narita-airport.jp). An express service exists between the two airports.

• Boats

  Traveling to destinations near the water is best done on sight-seeing ferries to avoid the hectic trains and subways. Asakusa and Ryogoku are both accessible by boat.

• Trains

  Shinjuku station, Tokyo’s most busy rail hub, should be avoided during peak time. The JR Yamanote Line serves most of the city centres. Tokyo can also be accessed by the shinkansen, the bullet train.

• Automobiles

  If you’re looking to hire out a car in Tokyo, an international driving permit is required. If you do intend to drive, consider getting used to the layout of the city on a quiet Sunday morning beforehand.