# Tokyo visitor guide

> Tokyo visitor guide: airport Wi-Fi and SIM counters, metro tickets and tap-to-pay, official sight tickets, seasons and where to get help.

Page: https://esimnest.com/japan/tokyo/guide/

This guide covers Tokyo's two airports, Narita and Haneda, and the city-level points a visitor usually needs: getting online at the airports, paying for transit, booking two sights through their own operators, the seasons, and where to ask for help. National SIM and carrier material sits in our Japan country guide, so it is not repeated here. Every fact below comes from an official page read on 4 October 2026; check each page again before you travel.

By eSimNest Team. Facts last checked 2026-10-04 against the official pages listed at the end.

## Getting online at Narita and Haneda

Narita says free Wi-Fi covers all of its terminals and the shuttle buses between them. Turn Wi-Fi on, choose FreeWiFi-NARITA and accept the terms of use that appear on the connection screen. The airport notes that the network needs no security set-up, recommends a VPN for anyone who wants a secure connection, and warns that speed can fall when the network is busy.

Haneda offers a free wireless LAN named HANEDA-FREE-WIFI. Its page says services differ by terminal, the network cannot be used inside shops (lounges are the exception), and connecting may be difficult in some areas.

Narita's counter list covers Terminals 1, 2 and 3 and includes SIM card vending machines. The page says phone rental, Wi-Fi rental and SIM counters are only found before departure passport control, and some Terminal 2 entries carry a 'Before Customs' tag. Haneda says prepaid SIMs for use in Japan are sold from vending machines in Terminal 1. In Terminal 3, an AnyFone Japan counter in the second-floor arrival lobby lists rental and prepaid SIM service from 06:00 to 23:00, and a 24-hour unmanned Wi-Fi rental service stands in front of the Mobile Center store on the same floor. None of these pages mention eSIM sales, so we could not confirm any; install an eSIM profile before you fly.

## Metro, tap-to-pay and visitor tickets

Tokyo Metro sells a Tokyo Subway Ticket that covers every Tokyo Metro and Toei Subway line for 24, 48 or 72 hours from the travel starting time. At the time of checking, the page showed adult prices of 1,000 yen, 1,500 yen and 2,000 yen, and child prices of 500, 750 and 1,000 yen. The page also lists a QR-code version and says that if you have a mobile device and buy several tickets, they can be sent to it.

Tap to Ride works on all Tokyo Metro lines. You touch a credit, debit or prepaid card, or a phone with that card registered, on the gate reader until you hear a beep, without buying a ticket first. Tokyo Metro says the fare is the same as the standard passenger fare for a ticket, in 10-yen increments and at the adult rate, with 70 yen off when you connect between Tokyo Metro and Toei Subway lines and no other discounts. At transfer stations where you leave the gates and re-enter, a new fare applies if the transfer takes more than 60 minutes. The page also says boarding at Nakano Station is not possible with this service.

Toei Transportation's ticket page lists a one-day ticket for Toei Subway and Tokyo Metro, sold at machines in all stations of both, along with day passes for Toei buses and the Toden tram.

## Tickets for Tokyo Skytree and the Ghibli Museum

Tokyo Skytree's own site lists entry to the Tembo Deck on Floor 350 and the Tembo Galleria on Floor 450, plus a combined ticket for both floors. At the time of checking, the page gave adult prices (ages 15 and over) of JPY 1,800 and up for the Tembo Deck, JPY 1,400 for the Galleria and JPY 3,000 and up for the combined ticket, with child prices (ages 6 to 14) of JPY 900 and up, JPY 700 and JPY 1,500 and up. It says Galleria tickets can be bought on the day at the ticket machines inside the Tembo Deck. Children aged five and under enter free. Buying at the fourth-floor ticket counter or ticket machines adds a fee of 500 yen per ticket.

The same site publishes a crowd forecast for the observation deck, built from past data. It says actual crowding can differ with the season, events and long holiday periods, and that opening hours may change without notice.

The Ghibli Museum admits visitors by advance reservation only, and nothing is sold at the museum itself. Tickets for a month go on sale at 10 a.m. Japan time on the 10th of the previous month, and each is valid only for the date and entry time chosen. The page says buying tickets for resale is not allowed. For purchases from overseas it names the English-language Lawson Ticket site and a bus tour from Sunrise Tours JTB that includes the museum.

## Seasons and weather

The Tokyo Convention and Visitors Bureau describes early spring as still chilly, with May mostly comfortable in short sleeves. June to mid-July is the rainy season, with humidity often above 80 percent. Summer brings intense heat; the page says temperatures can pass 35°C and seldom fall below 25°C after sunset, with sudden afternoon or evening downpours.

Typhoon season begins in August and can disrupt traffic and public transport. Heat above 30°C can linger into September. Autumn leaves start to turn around late October in the Okutama area and then spread across the rest of Tokyo. December is described as autumn-like, with the real cold arriving in January, when temperatures tend to sit between one and ten degrees. Twilight comes around 16:30 and snow is possible.

For crowds, the Skytree page names New Year's, Golden Week and spring break as extended holiday periods that can change crowd levels. We did not find an official calendar of other events on the pages we read.

## Emergency numbers and where to ask for help

GO TOKYO lists 110 for the police and 119 for fire and ambulance. For reporting traffic accidents or stolen items it also gives an English-language police number, 03-3501-0110, and it lists The Japan Helpline, 0570-000-911, as 24-hour all-round emergency assistance. The UK Foreign Office says the Japan National Tourism Organisation runs a Japan Visitor Hotline, open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, for emergency English-language assistance during natural disasters: +81(5)0 3816 2787.

The Tokyo Metropolitan Government runs Tourist Information Centers at six locations. The Haneda Terminal 3 office on the second floor is listed as open 24 hours a day, and Haneda's own page says there is no tourist information desk in Terminal 1. The Metropolitan Government Building office in Shinjuku and the Keisei Ueno office are listed as open 9:30 to 18:30 daily, and the Yaesu bus-terminal office 6:30 to 21:00. Free Wi-Fi is among the services listed.

The Foreign Office warns that Tokyo's entertainment districts carry a higher risk of crime, particularly at night in and around clubs and bars, and names Kabukicho in Shinjuku as the area where most British victims reported being targeted. It advises visitors not to follow street touts into bars, to see a menu with prices before entering a bar or restaurant, and not to leave drinks unattended.

## Official sites you will use in Tokyo

### Airports

- [Narita Airport: Wi-Fi and power outlet spaces](https://www.narita-airport.jp/en/service/internet/power-outlet/): Explains how to join the free airport Wi-Fi in every terminal.
- [Narita Airport: phone, Wi-Fi rental and SIM sales locations](https://www.narita-airport.jp/en/service/internet/rental/): Lists rental and SIM counters and vending machines by terminal, floor and opening hours.
- [Haneda Airport: cell phones, Wi-Fi rental and SIM cards](https://tokyo-haneda.com/en/service/facilities/cellular_phone_rental.html): Describes rental counters and the Terminal 1 prepaid SIM vending machines.
- [Haneda Airport: wireless LAN](https://tokyo-haneda.com/en/service/facilities/wireless_lan.html): Gives the free Wi-Fi network name and where it cannot be used.

### Getting around

- [Tokyo Metro: Tokyo Subway Ticket](https://www.tokyometro.jp/en/ticket/value/travel/index.html): Shows the 24, 48 and 72-hour visitor tickets and their prices.
- [Tokyo Metro: Tap to Ride service](https://www.tokyometro.jp/en/ticket/tap-to-ride/index.html): Explains paying at the gates with a bank card or phone, and its limits.
- [Toei Transportation: tickets](https://www.kotsu.metro.tokyo.jp/eng/tickets/): Compares Toei one-day and combined subway, bus and tram tickets.

### Official tickets

- [Tokyo Skytree: tickets and prices](https://en.tokyo-skytree.jp/ticket/): Lists observation deck ticket types, prices and the counter service fee.
- [Ghibli Museum: tickets](https://www.ghibli-museum.jp/en/tickets/): Explains the monthly advance-reservation system for museum entry.

### Tourist information

- [GO TOKYO: Tourist Information Centers](https://www.gotokyo.org/en/plan/tourist-info-center/index.html): Lists the six official information centers with addresses and opening hours.

### Safety and emergencies

- [GO TOKYO: disaster and emergency information](https://www.gotokyo.org/en/plan/health-safety/index.html): Gives emergency numbers, disaster apps and medical information sites for visitors.
- [UK Foreign Office: Japan safety and security](https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/japan/safety-and-security): Sets out the UK government's safety advice for travellers in Japan.

### Weather and seasons

- [GO TOKYO: weather and geography](https://www.gotokyo.org/en/plan/weather/index.html): Describes Tokyo's seasons and typical conditions, including rain, heat and typhoons.

Emergency calls: Many travel eSIMs carry data only, and a data-only profile may not place a normal phone call. Keep a voice-capable SIM for emergencies, such as your home SIM or a local plan, and save the local emergency number from this guide.

More: [Japan travel eSIM guide](https://esimnest.com/japan/guide/), [eSIM plans for Japan](https://esimnest.com/japan/).

## Questions

### Is there free Wi-Fi at Narita and Haneda?

Yes at both. Narita names its network FreeWiFi-NARITA and says it reaches all terminals and shuttle buses. Haneda uses HANEDA-FREE-WIFI, which its page says does not work inside shops except lounges.

### Where can I buy a SIM card at the airports?

Narita lists counters and vending machines across Terminals 1, 2 and 3, before departure passport control. Haneda says prepaid SIMs are sold from vending machines in Terminal 1. Neither page mentions eSIM, so set one up before you fly.

### Can I use a bank card instead of buying a metro ticket?

On Tokyo Metro lines, Tap to Ride accepts credit, debit and prepaid cards, or a phone with such a card registered. It cannot be used in combination with other tickets or passes, and the fare charged is the adult fare.

### What do the Tokyo Subway Tickets cost?

At the time of checking, Tokyo Metro listed adult prices of 1,000 yen for 24 hours, 1,500 yen for 48 hours and 2,000 yen for 72 hours. Child prices are half.

### Do I need to book the Ghibli Museum in advance?

Yes. The museum says all admission is by advance reservation, with nothing sold on site. Each month's tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. Japan time on the 10th of the month before.

### Which phone numbers matter in an emergency?

GO TOKYO lists 110 for police and 119 for fire and ambulance, plus 03-3501-0110 for English-language police calls about accidents and theft. The Japan Visitor Hotline, for emergency English-language help during natural disasters, is +81(5)0 3816 2787, per the UK Foreign Office.

### What is Tokyo's weather like in summer?

The tourism bureau says the rainy season runs from June to mid-July, with humidity often above 80 percent. Summer heat can pass 35°C, and typhoon season starts in August.

## Sources

- [Narita Airport: Wi-Fi and power outlet spaces](https://www.narita-airport.jp/en/service/internet/power-outlet/)
- [Narita Airport: phone, Wi-Fi rental and SIM sales locations](https://www.narita-airport.jp/en/service/internet/rental/)
- [Haneda Airport: wireless LAN](https://tokyo-haneda.com/en/service/facilities/wireless_lan.html)
- [Haneda Airport: cell phones, Wi-Fi rental and SIM cards](https://tokyo-haneda.com/en/service/facilities/cellular_phone_rental.html)
- [Tokyo Metro: Tokyo Subway Ticket](https://www.tokyometro.jp/en/ticket/value/travel/index.html)
- [Tokyo Metro: Tap to Ride service](https://www.tokyometro.jp/en/ticket/tap-to-ride/index.html)
- [Toei Transportation: tickets](https://www.kotsu.metro.tokyo.jp/eng/tickets/)
- [Tokyo Skytree: tickets and prices](https://en.tokyo-skytree.jp/ticket/)
- [Tokyo Skytree: crowd forecast](https://en.tokyo-skytree.jp/ticket/congestion/)
- [Ghibli Museum: tickets](https://www.ghibli-museum.jp/en/tickets/)
- [GO TOKYO: weather and geography](https://www.gotokyo.org/en/plan/weather/index.html)
- [GO TOKYO: disaster and emergency information](https://www.gotokyo.org/en/plan/health-safety/index.html)
- [GO TOKYO: Tourist Information Centers](https://www.gotokyo.org/en/plan/tourist-info-center/index.html)
- [Haneda Airport: tourist information](https://tokyo-haneda.com/en/service/facilities/travel_center.html)
- [UK Foreign Office: Japan safety and security](https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/japan/safety-and-security)