Best Tokyo Travel Guides of 2025

Wilson Cook Avatar
Wilson Cook
Last Updated: May 11, 2023

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Tokyo Travel Guides are the perfect companion for anyone planning a trip to the bustling capital city of Japan. These comprehensive guides offer detailed information on the city's top attractions, best restaurants, and hidden gems that only locals know about. From the famous Shibuya Crossing to the serene gardens of Shinjuku Gyoen, these guides cover it all. They also provide helpful tips on navigating Tokyo's complex transportation system and recommendations for accommodations that fit any budget. Whether you're a first-time visitor or a seasoned traveler, Tokyo Travel Guides are a must-have for exploring this vibrant city.

At a Glance: Our Top Picks

Lonely Planet Japan 17 (Travel Guide) Cover #TOP 1
Lonely Planet Japan 17 (Travel Guide)
ftb score rating icon 9.9
Learning Japanese Workbook for Beginners: Hiragana Katakana And Kanji - Quick and Easy Way to Learn the Basic Japanese Up-to 300 Pages (EXPANDED EDITION) Cover #TOP 2
Learning Japanese Workbook for Beginners: Hiragana Katakana And Kanji - Quick and Easy Way to Learn the Basic Japanese Up-to 300 Pages (EXPANDED EDITION)
ftb score rating icon 9.8
Moon Japan: Plan Your Trip, Avoid the Crowds, and Experience the Real Japan (Travel Guide) Cover #TOP 3
Moon Japan: Plan Your Trip, Avoid the Crowds, and Experience the Real Japan (Travel Guide)
ftb score rating icon 9.6

Top 10 Tokyo Travel Guides

Lonely Planet Japan 17 (Travel Guide)

Milner, Rebecca
Bartlett, Ray
Bender, Andrew
Forge, Samantha
McLachlan, Craig
Morgan, Kate
O'Malley, Thomas
Richmond, Simon
Tang, Phillip
Walker, Benedict
d'Arc Taylor, Stephanie
Mar 8, 2022
Lonely Planet Japan 17 (Travel Guide) Cover
Lonely Planet Japan 17 (Travel Guide)

Lonely Planet Japan 17 (Travel Guide) is an up-to-date guidebook with detailed information on what to see and skip in Japan. It features over a thousand temples in Kyoto, onsens scattered across the archipelago, and Japan's sublime cuisine. The guidebook offers planning tools for family travelers, insider tips, and cultural insights. It covers Tokyo, Mt Fuji, The Japan Alps, Honshu, Kyoto, Kansai, Hiroshima, Sapporo, Hokkaido, Shiko-ku, Kyushu, and Okinawa with over 150 maps. Overall, it is a comprehensive guide for exploring top sights and taking roads less traveled in Japan.

Learning Japanese Workbook for Beginners: Hiragana Katakana And Kanji - Quick and Easy Way to Learn the Basic Japanese Up-to 300 Pages (EXPANDED EDITION)

Reality, Just
Jul 17, 2021
Learning Japanese Workbook for Beginners: Hiragana Katakana And Kanji - Quick and Easy Way to Learn the Basic Japanese Up-to 300 Pages (EXPANDED EDITION) Cover
Learning Japanese Workbook for Beginners: Hiragana Katakana And Kanji - Quick and Easy Way to Learn the Basic Japanese Up-to 300 Pages (EXPANDED EDITION)

The Learning Japanese Workbook for Beginners: Hiragana Katakana And Kanji - Quick and Easy Way to Learn the Basic Japanese Up-to 300 Pages (EXPANDED EDITION) is an ideal resource for anyone who wants to learn the Japanese language. This newly revised and updated edition includes additional reading and writing exercises, updated stroke order and kanji, and expanded content. The book covers the Japanese writing system, stroke order diagrams, writing instructions, hiragana and katakana writing practice, daily vocabulary, and 103 kanji symbols required for JLPT Level N5. Upon completion, learners will be able to read simple texts in Japanese and use basic vocabulary in everyday communicative situations. Overall, this book is an excellent tool for beginners looking to explore the rich and mysterious culture of Japan through language learning.

Moon Japan: Plan Your Trip, Avoid the Crowds, and Experience the Real Japan (Travel Guide)

DeHart, Jonathan
Oct 4, 2022
Moon Japan: Plan Your Trip, Avoid the Crowds, and Experience the Real Japan (Travel Guide) Cover
Moon Japan: Plan Your Trip, Avoid the Crowds, and Experience the Real Japan (Travel Guide)

Moon Japan is an excellent travel guide for those who want to experience the natural beauty and rich culture of Japan. It provides flexible itineraries, outdoor adventures, and the best local flavors that Japan has to offer. The book also includes useful tips for navigating public transportation and detailed maps. Written by American expat and longtime Tokyo local Jonathan DeHart, this guide offers honest insights and practical advice for travelers. With its thorough background information and helpful tools, Moon Japan is a must-have for anyone planning a trip to Japan.

#TOP 4

Lonely Planet Experience Japan 1 (Travel Guide)

Tan, Winnie
Dayman, Lucy
Fay, Tom
Fong, Todd
Milner, Rebecca
Taylor, Edward J.
May 17, 2022
Lonely Planet Experience Japan 1 (Travel Guide) Cover
Lonely Planet Experience Japan 1 (Travel Guide)

The Lonely Planet Experience Japan 1 is a must-have travel guide for anyone looking to explore Japan in an authentic way. The book offers insider knowledge from local experts who share their love for the real Japan, offering fresh perspectives on the country's traditions, values, and modern trends. The guide includes in-the-know tips, fun insights, and a handy seasonal trip planner to help you build your own unique trip. The comprehensive selection of maps and beautiful full-color photography will inspire you as you plan your unforgettable journey. This book is an essential guide for all explorers looking to immerse themselves in the Japanese way of life.

Tokyo Maze - 42 Walks in and around the Japanese Capital: A Guide with 108 Photos, 48 Maps, 300 Weblinks and 100 Tips (Japan Travel Guide)

Schwab, Axel
Riester, Jane
Jan 5, 2022
Tokyo Maze - 42 Walks in and around the Japanese Capital: A Guide with 108 Photos, 48 Maps, 300 Weblinks and 100 Tips (Japan Travel Guide) Cover
Tokyo Maze – 42 Walks in and around the Japanese Capital: A Guide with 108 Photos, 48 Maps, 300 Weblinks and 100 Tips (Japan Travel Guide)

Tokyo Maze – 42 Walks in and around the Japanese Capital is a comprehensive travel guide that offers readers an in-depth view of Tokyo. The guide features 42 walking tours to 500 sights, taking readers to places that are often overlooked. The guide includes 108 photos, 48 maps, and over 100 insider tips to aid readers in their pre-trip preparations and during their stay. The author, who has spent over 25 years in Japan, offers readers a unique perspective on the country. The guide is an excellent resource for both tourists and those planning to live in Tokyo for a while.

Japanese Hiragana and Katakana Made Easy: An Easy Step-By-Step Workbook to Learn the Japanese Writing System

Lingo Mastery
Mar 16, 2022
Japanese Hiragana and Katakana Made Easy: An Easy Step-By-Step Workbook to Learn the Japanese Writing System Cover
Japanese Hiragana and Katakana Made Easy: An Easy Step-By-Step Workbook to Learn the Japanese Writing System

Japanese Hiragana and Katakana Made Easy is an excellent workbook for those who want to learn the Japanese writing system. The book utilizes the latest teaching methods and both common and not-so-common vocabulary to help readers learn the concepts behind each Japanese character and its origins. With special writing practice blocks and audio listening exercises, readers can practice writing and speaking like a native until they master their stroke order for Hiragana and Katakana. The book is entertaining and easy to follow, making it a great resource for anyone looking to enhance their resume, travel to Japan, or simply learn a new language.

Japanese Short Stories for Beginners: 20 Captivating Short Stories to Learn Japanese & Grow Your Vocabulary the Fun Way! (Easy Japanese Stories)

Lingo Mastery
Lingo Mastery
Aug 7, 2020
Japanese Short Stories for Beginners: 20 Captivating Short Stories to Learn Japanese & Grow Your Vocabulary the Fun Way! (Easy Japanese Stories) Cover
Japanese Short Stories for Beginners: 20 Captivating Short Stories to Learn Japanese & Grow Your Vocabulary the Fun Way! (Easy Japanese Stories)

Japanese Short Stories for Beginners: 20 Captivating Short Stories to Learn Japanese & Grow Your Vocabulary the Fun Way! (Easy Japanese Stories) by Lingo Mastery is an excellent resource for those wishing to learn the Japanese language. The book contains 20 easy-to-read, compelling, and fun stories that allow readers to expand their vocabulary and improve their grasp of the language. Each chapter contains a story based on real-life situations, followed by an English translation, summaries in both Japanese and English, vocabulary lists, and tricky questions to test comprehension. This book is a must-have for anyone looking to learn Japanese in an engaging and effective way.

#TOP 8

DK Eyewitness Top 10 Tokyo (Pocket Travel Guide)

DK Eyewitness
Jan 24, 2023
DK Eyewitness Top 10 Tokyo (Pocket Travel Guide) Cover
DK Eyewitness Top 10 Tokyo (Pocket Travel Guide)

DK Eyewitness Top 10 Tokyo is a must-have travel guide for anyone planning to visit Japan’s vibrant capital. The book provides insider tips and advice for staying safe, as well as top 10 lists of Tokyo’s must-sees, including Imperial Palace Grounds, Edo-Tokyo Museum, Meiji Shrine, and Ueno Park. It also covers Tokyo’s most interesting areas, with the best places for sightseeing, food and drink, and shopping. The themed lists, easy-to-follow itineraries, laminated pull-out map of Tokyo plus seven full-color area maps make it a perfect companion while out and about. The book is an excellent resource for travelers looking to explore Tokyo’s culture, history and attractions.

#TOP 9

Streetwise Tokyo Map - Laminated City Center Street Map of Tokyo, Japan (Michelin Streetwise Maps)

Michelin
Michelin
Dec 12, 2017
Streetwise Tokyo Map - Laminated City Center Street Map of Tokyo, Japan (Michelin Streetwise Maps) Cover
Streetwise Tokyo Map - Laminated City Center Street Map of Tokyo, Japan (Michelin Streetwise Maps)

The Streetwise Tokyo Map is an essential tool for travelers visiting the bustling city. This laminated pocket-sized travel map includes an integrated subway map with lines and stations, making it easy to navigate Tokyo's complex transportation system. The map also features detailed insets of Tokyo's most important districts, including Shinjuku, Shibuya, Ginza, and Harajuku. With its comprehensive coverage and easy-to-use design, the Streetwise Tokyo Map is a must-have for anyone exploring this vibrant city.

Tokyo Vice: An American Reporter on the Police Beat in Japan

Adelstein, Jake
Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group
Oct 5, 2010
Tokyo Vice: An American Reporter on the Police Beat in Japan Cover
Tokyo Vice: An American Reporter on the Police Beat in Japan

Tokyo Vice: An American Reporter on the Police Beat in Japan is a gripping true-crime book about an American investigative journalist's encounter with the Japanese organized crime syndicate, the yakuza. Jake Adelstein, the author, spent twelve years covering the dark side of Japan, from murder to human trafficking, and even fiscal corruption. The book describes Adelstein's initiation into the seedy world of Japanese culture and how he rose from being a cub reporter to a seasoned journalist with a price on his head. Tokyo Vice is a groundbreaking account of the yakuza that is both informative and entertaining. It is a must-read for anyone interested in true-crime books.

Buying Guide Image

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. How much is a tour guide in Tokyo?

Normally, the average guides in Tokyo cost about US$ 35-45. Some tour guides in Tokyo can cost less or more, depending on whether they are licensed or not, and more or less experienced.

2. Do you need a guide in Japan?

If you don't want to trouble yourself with the details and hassle of traveling, hiring a guide in Japan is very recommended. You don't have to worry about language difficulty issues, transportation issues and figuring out the directions.

Editor's Notes

During our tokyo travel guide research, we found 1,000+ tokyo travel guide products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 8,851 customer reviews through our big data system to write the tokyo travel guides list. We found that most customers choose tokyo travel guides with an average price of $15.21.

Written by
Wilson Cook Avatar

Wilson Cook is a talented writer who has an MFA in creative writing from Williams College and has published more than 50 books acquired by hundreds of thousands of people from various countries by now. He is an inveterate reading lover as he has read a vast amount of books since childhood.