24 Hours in Tokyo
The city's daily rhythm from first train to last
β‘ Quick Answer
Tokyo is NOT a 24-hour city like New York. Trains stop around midnight-1 AM and don't restart until 5 AM. But konbini are always open, some izakayas run all night, and there's a thriving "missed the last train" culture of karaoke boxes and manga cafΓ©s.
π Hour by Hour
Early morning
Tsukiji Outer Market opens for the freshest sushi. First trains start running. Temples and shrines are peaceful and empty. Perfect for photography without crowds.
Rush hour begins
Tokyo's legendary commuter crush. Avoid Yamanote Line major stations if possible. Train pushers (oshiya) help pack passengers in. Not for the claustrophobic.
Business starts
Offices fill up. Banks open at 9 AM (close at 3 PM!). Rush hour eases. Museums and attractions start opening. Coffee shops are busy with morning meetings.
Tourist prime time
Attractions fully open. TeamLab, Skytree, temples get busy. Department stores open at 10. Perfect time for popular spots before lunch crowds.
Lunch rush
Ramen shops have lines out the door. Business district konbini mobbed. Popular restaurants packed. Consider early (11:30) or late (1:30) lunch.
Afternoon lull
Post-lunch calm. Many restaurants close until dinner (check hours!). Good time for museums, shopping. Cafes fill with people avoiding heat/cold.
Evening rush
Second rush hour begins. Izakayas start filling with after-work crowds. Golden hour light perfect for Shibuya/Shinjuku photography.
Dinner peak
Izakayas and restaurants at peak. Salary workers drinking with colleagues. Neon lights blazing in entertainment districts. Great energy in the streets.
Night life begins
Last train countdown starts. Late-night ramen shops fill up. Golden Gai and Shinjuku bars buzzing. Entertainment districts fully alive.
Last train rush
The famous "last train" (shΕ«den) departures. Stations suddenly packed with tipsy workers. Miss it and you're stuck until 5 AM.
Dead hours
Trains stopped. Options: taxi (expensive), karaoke (common), manga cafΓ© (cheap sleep), izakaya (some 24h), or just wander Kabukicho. Tokyo's quiet hours.
π Missed the Last Train? Your Options
π€ Karaoke (γ«γ©γͺγ±)
Β₯1,500-3,000 for all-night package with drinks. Comfortable, fun, and socially acceptable. Many have food too.
π Manga CafΓ© (ζΌ«η»ε«θΆ)
Β₯1,500-2,500 for private booth with reclining seat, manga, drinks, showers. Budget travelers' secret.
πΊ All-Night Izakaya
Keep drinking and eating until morning. Check if they're 24h (η΅ε€εΆζ₯). Golden Gai has options.
π Taxi
Expensive but direct. Β₯5,000-15,000+ depending on distance. Late night surcharge (22:00-05:00) adds 20%.
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Last updated: December 2024.