TOKYO TRIP PLANNING · TICKETS
Tokyo: what to book before you fly, and what can wait
Most of Tokyo needs no reservation. A few popular places do: they sell tickets for a set date and time, and some sell nothing at the door. Here are three to sort out before your trip, with the rules as each one states them.
Affiliate disclosure: I may earn a commission if you book through the GetYourGuide links on this page, at no extra cost to you. The Ghibli Museum section has no affiliate links. Prepared with AI assistance and checked against the cited sources.
New: enter your trip dates in the free Tokyo ticket dates tool to see when Shibuya Sky and Ghibli tickets open in your US time zone, with calendar reminders. Going up Tokyo Skytree instead? The Skytree tickets guide covers prices, which deck, and why buying online saves 500 yen.
At a glance
Rules as published on October 5, 2026. They can change; confirm on the official page before you pay.
| Place | How tickets work | When to act |
|---|---|---|
| Ghibli Museum, Mitaka | Advance tickets for a set date and time. The museum says buying tickets to resell is not allowed. | Lawson Ticket: on sale from 10:00 Japan time on the 10th for the following month |
| teamLab Planets | Standard passes have a specified admission time. teamLab says tickets are not sold on-site. | Before you travel, once your dates are fixed |
| Shibuya Sky | Tickets are for an entry time slot. Sunset slots are the ones that go first. | As soon as your date opens, if you want sunset |
Ghibli Museum: plan this one first
The museum lists two sales routes. Through Lawson Ticket online, tickets go on sale from 10:00 Japan time on the 10th of each month for the following month, and are good only for the date and time on the ticket. The other is the Sunrise Tours (JTB) bus tour, which includes admission (museum ticket page, checked October 22, 2026).
Example: for a visit in December, the Lawson sale opens at 10:00 Japan time on November 10. Work out what that is in your time zone and set a reminder.
The museum lists adult tickets (19 and over) at 1,000 yen, with lower prices for children. It also says ticket purchase for resale is not allowed, so use the official routes: Ghibli Museum ticket page.
On-sale times in US hours, the November 4-18, 2026 closure and what to do if your date is sold out: Ghibli Museum tickets: US on-sale times and closed dates.
teamLab Planets: no tickets at the door
teamLab states that tickets are not sold on-site and that standard entrance passes have a specified admission time. You walk through water in part of it: the venue says you experience that artwork barefoot and remove shoes and socks in the locker area, so wear trousers you can roll up.
teamLab lists the venue's run as July 7, 2018 to the end of 2027.
Affiliate link. Opens GetYourGuide search results. You can also buy from teamLab's own site. Compare the date, entry time and cancellation terms before paying.
Shibuya Sky: only sunset is hard
Shibuya Sky is the open-air rooftop above Shibuya Scramble Square. Tickets are for an entry time slot. A September 2026 guide from Japan Travel Kit reports that new dates are typically released about two weeks ahead, that sunset slots sell out fastest, and that daytime and night slots are easier to get.
Official prices, the exact on-sale time in US hours and the cancellation rules are in the Shibuya Sky tickets guide.
- If you want sunset: book as soon as your date opens, and check the sunset time for your month first.
- If you don't mind when: a daytime or after-dark slot gives you the same view with less competition.
- On the day: the rooftop is open-air and windy, and loose items go in lockers.
Affiliate link. Opens GetYourGuide search results. Check which entry time the ticket is for.
What can wait until you arrive
- Senso-ji, Meiji Shrine, and walking around Shibuya, Shinjuku, Harajuku and Asakusa.
- Most everyday restaurants, ramen counters and department-store food halls.
- Trains and subways within the city. Tap a transit card or buy tickets as you go.
Thinking about a day trip to Mount Fuji, Hakone or Nikko? Organised tours run on fixed dates, so look once your itinerary is settled.
Want these slotted into a schedule? See Tokyo in 3 days: a first-timer plan.
Before you book anything
- Lock your flight dates first. Timed tickets are tied to a day and often a time.
- Put one timed booking in a day, two at most, and leave travel time between them.
- Read the cancellation terms on the listing you are buying, not a summary of them.
- You will want mobile data for QR tickets and maps: see the Japan eSIM guide.