Flying to Tokyo rewards the organised traveller. Book eight to twelve weeks out for the best fares, and avoid cherry blossom season (late March to early April) unless you enjoy paying peak prices for a crowded Shinjuku Gyoen. The city suits first-timers and repeat visitors equally: there is always another neighbourhood, another bowl of ramen, another train line you have not taken yet.
What works well
- World-class airport
- Excellent BNPL cover
- Unmatched food scene
What to watch
- Book early April
- Pricey in peak season
February is the quiet month, USD 310 from Singapore and a lull before the cherry blossoms start driving prices up. Haneda alone makes the trip worthwhile, fourteen kilometres from Shinjuku and efficient enough that you'll clear immigration before you've finished complaining about the flight. Paidy, Klarna and Afterpay all work here, which matters when the izakaya evenings start adding up. This is a mid-range city dressed as a bargain, and it's fine with that.





