All DestinationsAfricaTanzaniaAsiaIndiaSouth AmericaCosta RicaOur PicksPantanalIrkutskCommander IslandsOlkhon IslandLake BaikalKurile Lake
All JourneysJourney ThemesBig Cat SafarisBirdingGreat MigrationLandscapesMarine WildlifeNorthern LightsPolar ExpeditionsPrimate TreksRare SpeciesWildlifeBirdsCheetahElephantsJaguarLeopardLionMarine MammalsPenguinPrimatesPumaRhinosSnow LeopardTravel StylesPrivate JourneysPhotography ExpeditionsSlow TravelLuxury Lodges & CampsConservation-Led TravelFamily AdventuresOn FootSmall Group JourneysFly-In SafarisSignature Journeys
JournalGalleryFilmsBrochures
EnquireTravel CalendarFirst-Time Safari GuidePacking GuideFAQ
Our StoryConservationPressGuest ReviewsContact
Enquire
Home  /  Japan  /  Tokyo
Capital & gateway · Japan

Tokyo

Japan's vast, hyper-modern capital — the arrival hub for the wildlife of Hokkaido, Nagano and Yakushima.
Getting there
Haneda (HND) and Narita (NRT) are the hubs; domestic flights to Hokkaido and beyond
Best for
Arrival/departure, world-class food and culture, the gateway to the wildlife regions
The land
An immense, ultra-modern metropolis on Honshu's Pacific coast
Good to know
Domestic flights link Tokyo to Hokkaido's wildlife in under two hours
What it is
Tokyo is Japan's gateway — a vast, hyper-modern capital and the arrival hub for the wildlife of Hokkaido, Nagano and Yakushima.
One of the world's great cities, Tokyo blends neon modernity with temples, gardens and an unmatched food scene. For wildlife travellers it is the hub: from here, short domestic flights and trains reach the snow monkeys of Nagano, the wild peninsulas of Hokkaido, and subtropical Yakushima.
PhotoTokyo — capital & gateway.
The reason to come

The capital hub

Tokyo pairs a world-class city with reach to every wildlife region.

Food & culture

One of the planet's great food and culture cities.

Gardens & temples

Quiet temples and gardens amid the metropolis.

Gateway

Flights and trains to Hokkaido, Nagano and Yakushima.

Worth knowing

The gateway metropolis

Tokyo is the modern hub from which Japan's wildlife regions are quickly reached.
PhotoThe Tokyo skyline.
When to come — honestly

When to go

December – February
Best
Crisp winter days, the gateway to the winter wildlife season.
Year-round
Good
A year-round arrival hub.
March – May
Good
Cherry-blossom season in the capital.
Context

The national hub

Tokyo is the arrival hub and flight gateway to the wildlife regions.

It opens or closes most Japan itineraries.

We use Tokyo as the hub, with quick connections to Hokkaido, Nagano and Yakushima.

Beyond the obvious

More to Tokyo.

PhotoFood & culture

Food & culture

World-class dining.

PhotoTemples & gardens

Temples & gardens

Amid the metropolis.

PhotoGateway

Gateway

Flights to the wildlife regions.

Why Wild Voyager

We time Japan's winter wildlife to the day.

Japan's winter wildlife — dancing cranes, sea eagles on the drift ice, fish owls, snow monkeys — peaks in narrow windows. We plan the route and timing and work with the best local photo specialists and lodges to put you in the right place at the right moment.

Handpicked stays

We choose the lodge and guides that fit your goals, not whatever is left.

We time it right

We build your visit around the season and the wildlife that delivers.

Journeys

Trips through Tokyo

10 Days · 9 Nights

Snow Monkeys & Winter Wildlife
14 Days · 13 Nights

Japan Wildlife Complete
14 Days · 13 Nights

Japan Photography Expedition
16 Days · 15 Nights

Wild Japan Ultimate
15 Days · 14 Nights

Yakushima & Hokkaido
Where to stay

Where you’ll stay in Tokyo

Signature Collection
PhotoAman Tokyo
Signature

Aman Tokyo

A serene urban sanctuary high above the city, Tokyo's most refined hotel.
Luxury Collection
PhotoFour Seasons Otemachi
Luxury

Four Seasons Otemachi

A sleek modern Four Seasons with sweeping skyline views over the imperial gardens.
Classic Collection
PhotoPalace Hotel Tokyo
Classic

Palace Hotel Tokyo

An elegant hotel beside the Imperial Palace moat, calm and central.
Wildlife you may see
Primates

Plan your Tokyo trip.

Start in the capital before the wildlife regions. Tell us your dates and we will build the route around it.

Plan a trip

Field notes, now and then.

Where to go · When to go · Wildlife in season

A few times a year, never more. Unsubscribe anytime. See our Privacy Policy.