Ultimate stopover guide: Where to eat, drink, stay and play in Tokyo

Here's how to make the most of your limited time in the Asian metropolis.

Hotel Villa Fontaine Premier: If you're transiting through Haneda Airport and prefer to sleep as close to the tarmac as possible then you can't look past this beautifully designed hotel with direct access to Terminal 3. Rooms are contemporary with all creature comforts and many offer Tama River and/or Tokyo Bay views.

The airport is connected to Keikyu train line and the Tokyo monorail line, meaning you can easily access different parts of the city, but if you're short on time, you can check out some great facets of the country right here at the hotel: Il Ristorante Tokyo serves up authentic local fare, while Izumi Tenku no Yu is a natural hot spring located at the hotel, which offers an onsen experience with river views. From $570 per room, per night; hvf.jp

Hotel Indigo Tokyo Shibuya: There's no dearth of bustling neighbourhoods and excellent hotels in various parts of Tokyo, but if you're in the city for just a day or so and want to get straight to the point, check into this property, located just a four-minute walk from Shibuya Scramble Crossing - often referred to as the Times Square of Tokyo.

Fill your eyes (and tummy) with wonder - the area is dotted with excellent shops, restaurants and bars, then switch off in one of the compact but utterly quiet guestrooms with queen bed and city views. From $489 per room, per night; ihg.com

Hamasushi: Love a sushi train? Hamasushi is an institution, with about 500 outlets all over Japan, and about 50 in Tokyo alone, with the ones in Takadanobaba and Kamata the best. The little morsels doing the rounds are made using the freshest and most delicious ingredients, but the best part about this restaurant is the price: most plates costs just $1. Imagine! en.hama-sushi.co.jp

Denny's: Travelling with kids and just want to get it right? Stick to this local chain, with about 70 outlets in Tokyo. Its exhaustive menu is a mash-up of Japanese classics and Western favourites, so you can slurp on your miso soup followed by a bowl of soy-marinated wild-caught tuna with udon noodles, and still keep the young ones happy with burgers, pizzas and pastas. dennys.jp

RyuGin: No one puts Tokyo in the corner when it comes to fine dining. Three of its restaurants appear on the World's 50 Best Restaurants list, and the city also boasts the highest number of Michelin-starred restaurants anywhere in the world - 194! But if you only have time (and money!) for one, our vote goes to the three-Michelin-starred RyuGin, located mere steps from Tokyo Imperial Palace. The restaurant proudly states on its website that it has no Facebook or Instagram presence - it doesn't need to. The pull of Kagawa-born owner-chef Seiji Yamamoto is such that tables book out up to three months in advance, with people lining up to lighten their wallets by about $800 (per person) for the multi-course "Japan's Richness on a Plate" menu that doesn't cater to dietaries. nihonryori-ryugin.com

Rooftop Bar at Andaz Tokyo: The cocktails and sake scene in Tokyo is off the charts, too, with plenty of cosy, moody joints, but if you're in the city for only a short time, one great way to check out the sights is from a rooftop bar like this.

Perched on the 52nd floor of the Andaz Tokyo hotel, this establishment has an extensive menu of wines, gins, cocktails, whiskies, bar food and - even - cigars. Go there before sunset to nab a spot on the open-air terrace for front-row views. restaurants.andaztokyo.jp

Take a toilet break: Public bathrooms are not an afterthought here, thanks to the Tokyo Toilet project, which features 17 washrooms - designed by some of the world's best-known architects (from local legend Kengo Kuma to Australian hotshot Marc Newson) - in the city's Shibuya district. They formed the backdrop of Wim Wenders' award-winning and Oscar-nominated 2023 flick, Perfect Days. So it's very of-the-moment - and very Japanese. tokyotoilet.jp

Pick a fight: If you're in Tokyo in January, May or September, you don't want to miss the sumo wrestling spectacle at the Ryogoku Kokugikan stadium, which can accommodate crowds of up to 10,000 people. But even outside of those months, you can get your sumo on by visiting the Sumo Museum located inside the stadium.

Disney day out: There are Disneylands all over the world but there's only one DisneySea. It's one of the two parks at the Tokyo Disney Resort and features experiences you won't find anywhere else - a musical boat-cruise ride called Sindbad's Storybook Voyage among them. tokyodisneyresort.jp

Read more on Explore:

You will never run out of things to do when stopping over in Tokyo, but if you have a bit of extra time and are really keen to go beyond the big-city attractions, here are a few excellent options.

Yamanashi: Want to enjoy sweeping views of Mount Fuji - the country's tallest mountain? Head to Yamanashi. It's about two hours by bullet train from Tokyo and if you want to stay a bit longer, don't forget to read our guide.

Chichibu: Just 90 minutes north-west of Tokyo by train, this city is best known for the Chichibu Kannon Pilgrimage route, which weaves its way through stunning scenery, connecting 34 historic temples. One great way to experience its natural beauty if you're short on time is to simply sign up for a boat ride on Arakawa River, which winds through dramatic rock formations and unforgettable autumn colours at the right time of the year (late October to mid November).

Hakone: It's a bit further out - about three hours north of Tokyo - but a visit to this town at the entrance to Nikko National Park is totally worth the effort. Explore historic shrines, visit ancient temples, hike through majestic landscapes complete with wild monkeys and dial up the Zen factor at one of the region's natural hot springs.

Explore more: japan.travel