Draft for review. Text marked 〈 〉 still has to be confirmed by a real check.
Tokyo: What to Book Before You Go (2026)
Most of Tokyo needs no planning at all. But a handful of places sell out weeks ahead, and if you find out on the day, it's too late. Here they are, sorted by how early you need to act.
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Book these before your trip
Hard. Opens on the 10th of the month before. Book the day sales open.
Pokémon Cafe
Hard. The whole month opens at 18:00 on the 1st of the month before. Book that evening.
SHIBUYA SKY (sunset)
Hard for sunset. Opens 2 weeks before at midnight. Book sunset slots the moment they open.
teamLab Planets
Medium. Opens 〈about 2 months〉 before. Book 1–2 weeks ahead.
Tokyo Disney Resort
Medium. Opens 2 months before at 14:00. Book a month ahead for weekends.
Tokyo Skytree
Easy. On sale more than a month ahead. 〈A few days ahead is usually fine.〉
Arriving
60–80 min to the city
From Narita Airport
Skyliner, Narita Express or bus: pick by where you're staying.
15–50 min to the city
From Haneda Airport
Monorail or Keikyu train. No booking needed.
Getting around
Everyone needs one
Suica or another IC card
Tap in and out on trains, subways and buses. Also works in convenience stores.
Saves money if you sightsee
Tokyo Subway Ticket
Unlimited Tokyo Metro and Toei subway rides for 24, 48 or 72 hours. Pays off after about four rides a day.
Affiliate linkDay trips from Tokyo
2 h by train
Nikko
Shrines in the forest and waterfalls.
Leaving Tokyo
Kyoto 2 h 15 min
Shinkansen to Kyoto and Osaka
How to book online, and which seat faces Mt Fuji.