What to Book Ahead of Time in 2024 // Tokyo, Japan

TravelAsiaJapan
Written By Janice Rohrssen

Tokyo is one of the world’s top 10 most visited cities, and for good reason — there is an endless list of things to do. The city itself is home to more than 13 million people, and its metropolitan area houses more than 37 million. The area is 2,194 km², which is almost double the size of New York City. There’s nothing else on earth like it.

But with all the visitors in the world trying to go to the same 20 places, things get booked out far ahead of time. So I’ve compiled a list to help make booking popular destinations for your trip a little bit easier.

Hopefully you are so looking forward to your trip that you’ve found this page more than a month out from your travel dates. Some destinations in Tokyo are only available by lottery, and those lotteries can open (and close) more than a month before you go. Other popular restaurants open reservations a month or two before dates, and tickets get sold out within minutes.

I’ve included direct links and other booking links (eg. Klook) that may provide more options than listed on the website. I’ve also listed the locations generally in order of booking urgency.

General:

  • Japan Rail Pass (JR Pass): With the price on the JR pass in late 2023, this might not be worth it anymore. Use this calculator to see if it’s worth it for your travels.

  • Hotels/Restaurants

    • For a list of restaurants you should book and how to book them, I’ll be writing another blog post on the topic.

    • For now, Omakase, Table All, and Pocket Concierge are the best resources outside of a hotel concierge for booking high-end restaurants directly

  • Shinkansen (bullet train): While not absolutely necessary, probably best to book this ahead if you want to sit with a group or on the side that sees Mt. Fuji going to/from Tokyo. On the way to Tokyo, Mt. Fuji is visible on the left side (D & E seats in Ordinary, or C & D seats in Green), and when traveling to Kyoto/Osaka, Mt. Fuji is located on the right side.

    • To book tickets online, you need an account, and to register an account, you need a credit card. The only card I could get to work (after trying 2 different Visas and a debit Visa) was our American Express card.

  • Data: If you want to use data while abroad, Japan’s sim cards are fairly expensive (~$10 per 1 GB for 30 days). Airalo is much cheaper ($8.50 for 3 GB for 30 days), and way more convenient, if you don’t need a phone number to go with your data. Airalo also offers Asia-wide plans, if you’re traveling to more than just Japan. Use JANICE4259 for $3 off your first purchase.

Tokyo:

  • Imperial Palace: Applications are accepted from 5am on the first day of the month preceding the tour date. They also have free Guided Tours that require a separate application

    • Eg. Entry/tour applications for June 2024 will be available from April 1

  • Toyosu Tuna Auction Experience: Lottery system (1 month before - check dates for entrance window)

  • Ghibli museum: Tickets go on sale at 10am JST on the 10th of each month for the following month. Book on Klook

    • Eg. Tickets for February go on sale on January 10

  • Tokyo Disneyland / DisneySea: Tickets go on sale at 2pm JST for two months later. These weren’t sold out when I looked, but prices do vary by day. Book on Klook

  • TeamLabs Planets: Available ~2 months in advance.

    • Eg. Tickets for June will be available starting late-March

  • TeamLabs Planets: Available ~2 months in advance.

    • Eg. Tickets for June will be available starting early April

  • Shibuya Sky: Available a month in advance. Often sells out for day-of tickets, and sunset tickets usually sell out within an hour of them coming online. Book on Klook

  • Pokémon cafe: Tickets are released 1 month in advance. Reservations disappear within minutes of release.

  • Kirby Cafe: Tickets are released on the 10th of the month before at 6pm JST. Reservations disappear within minutes of release.

  • Final Fantasy Eorzea Cafe: Reservations are accepted from 12pm PST one month in advance.

  • Tokyo Cruise: Reservations can be made from the first day of the previous month.

  • Harry Potter Studio Tour: Opened in June 2023. Tickets go on sale ~3 months before. Book on Klook

  • Walking Tours (eg. Asakusa): Booking available 10-14 days before the tour.

  • Yokohama:

  • Robot Restaurant: Permanently closed

Kyoto:

  • Geisha/Maiko Tea Ceremony: At least a month in advance (tickets open far in advance).

  • Katsura Imperial Villa: Tickets are available 3-4 months in advance

  • Sagano Scenic Railway: Train from Kyoto to Arayashima. Tickets are available 1 month in advance.

  • Aonoyoshi Sightseeing Train: This very Instagrammable train goes between Nara, Osaka, and Kyoto, but only has a few runs a day. When booking, make sure you’re booking the right train between your destinations (the company has other trains). Tickets are available 1 month in advance.

  • Kimono Rental: If you’re going during a high season, you probably want to reserve a time for a fitting. Book on Klook

  • Kyoto Imperial Palace: Open to walk-in visitors year-round. Book a tour

  • Fushimi Inari Shrine: Free, but show up early. Book a tour

  • Arashiyama Bamboo Forest: Free, but show up early. Book a tour

Osaka:

Nagoya:

Janice Rohrssen
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