Places to Visit in Tokyo – 15 Best Tourist Attractions
Places to visit in Tokyo offer travelers unique experiences. Tokyo is one of the most populous regions in Japan with a population of 37 million. Tokyo is an amazing city of friendly and polite people. This city is one of the most beautiful and livable cities I’ve ever seen. You will see the reason for this in my Tokyo Travel Guide article. So what are the best things to do in Tokyo during your travel to Japan?
Places to visit in Tokyo – Tourist spots
So what will you see in this Tokyo travel guide? You will see the electronic world of Tokyo, the giant structures of metropolitan life, samurai culture, sumo wrestling, giant fish markets.
Places to Visit in Tokyo
There are many things to do in the capital city of Japan. You can visit beautiful parks and temples. Also, you can taste delicious foods you can only eat in Japan.
You will see interesting cafes that you can only see in Japan. For example cat cafes, manga cafes, maid cafes.
You will witness respectful people and Japanese culture here. Finally, you will get the answer to the question of how a city should be.
With its interesting traditions in daily life, Japan is unlike any other country I have ever seen. I believe Japan should be at the top of the list of must-see places in the world.
From the moment I arrived in Tokyo which has many skyscrapers, I felt like an extra in an anime scene. I met the most respectful and kind people I have ever seen. I loved everything in this city.
There are a lot of places to visit in Tokyo. If you have limited days, it would be best to list the places that interest you the most. I will try to tell you about the most popular places.
1- Meiji Jingu
The Meiji Shrine is located in Yoyogi Park. It is a very historical temple in the city. They built it between 1920-1926.
This religious structure is dedicated to Emperor Meiji and his wife, Empress Shõken, who played a major role in Japan’s modernization. The mighty ruler and his wife often visited this garden.
Meiji Jingu
The temple, which has become one of the places to visit in Tokyo due to its peaceful environment and splendor, consists of 2 regions named “Nairen” and “Gaien”.
The royal treasure is preserved in Naien. On the other hand, Gaien hosts a multi-purpose sports complex with a picture gallery displaying wallpapers depicting the life of the emperors.
Where to Stay in Tokyo? Check booking website for a hotel list.
2- Senso-ji Temple
Senso-ji Temple is the oldest religious temple in Tokyo. So that makes Sensoji Temple is one of the most popular Buddhist temples in the city.
Although it is an old place, they always keep adding new things. In World War II, almost the entire temple was destroyed. Only the eastern gate remained intact.
Senso-ji Temple – Things to do in Tokyo
The story: In 628, the two brothers found a statue of Kannon, the goddess of mercy on the banks of the Sumida river. And then they put the statue back in the river, but the statue always returned to them. As a result, Sensoji was built for the goddess Kannon. The temple was completed in 645 and became Tokyo’s oldest temple.
The temple, which is shown as the most important attraction of Northern Tokyo due to its colorful architecture and historical importance, hosts various events throughout the year.
So visiting Senso-Ji Temple is one of the best things to do in Tokyo. It is on the north side of Taito. You can easily reach it from Asakusa station. The temple is open 24/7. The main hall is open from 6 am to 5 pm. The entrance is free.
3- Tokyo Skytree
The height of Tokyo Skytree is 634 meters. It is the tallest tower in Japan.
It has modern architecture which amazes tourists. This is a well-organized observation tower. You will love the view was extraordinary, even on a somewhat hazy, but not exactly cloudy day.
Tokyo Skytree – Places to visit in Japan
There are observation terraces at two different points of the tower. Tembo Deck, 350 meters high from these terraces, offers visitors the opportunity to both watch the city view and eat and shop on its 3-floor area.
The second observation terrace, called Tempo Gallery, whose height is 450 meters and built using glass and steel, not only offers its guests an amazing city view but also increases their adrenaline levels with its spiral design. You can buy an online ticket via GetYourGuide.
4- Ginza – Places to Visit in Tokyo
If you are interested in a residential area that offers rich shopping opportunities, colorful nightlife, you can add Ginza District to your list of places to visit in Tokyo. You can also find delicious food and any kinds of beverages here.
Ginza – Wako Building
You can visit Ginza Wako, Ginza Six, or Tokyu Plaza Ginza if you want to shop here. Tokyu Plaza Ginza, in particular, attracts travelers with its tax-free shopping opportunities.
If you want to get to know the local culture, you can also include the Shelliza Theater and Police Museum on your sightseeing list. So visiting Ginza should be one of the things to do in Tokyo.
5- Shibuya – Places to Visit in Tokyo
Shibuya (渋 谷) is one of the twenty-three cities of Tokyo but is generally known as the popular shopping and entertainment district located around Shibuya station. So Shibuya is one of the most colorful and busy districts of Tokyo. You can visit this area for shopping, dining, and nightlife.
Shibuya is a center of youth fashion and culture. And also its streets are the birthplace of many of Japan’s fashion and entertainment trends. More than a dozen major brands have branches for all types of customers. Much of the region and most of the fashion stores are owned by two rival companies, Tokyu or Seibu.
Shibuya Crossing – One of the famous places to visit in Tokyo
6- Asakusa – Places to Visit in Tokyo
Asakusa is a quaint town full of local delicacies and souvenirs, with an atmosphere of Tokyo’s past. The main attraction of the area is Sensoji, a very popular Buddhist temple built in the 7th century. You can reach this temple by Nakamise street, which has been full of shops selling various traditional local snacks and souvenirs for centuries.
What to do in Tokyo – Must-see tourist spots
Asakusa is a very beautiful and historic place. You will love the atmosphere and friendliness of the area. There are lots of traditional Japanese stores nearby. Also, the gate is a must photo stop.
You can explore the whole area by walking. Or else you can buy a tour on GetYourGuide. So, seeing Asakusa is one of the fun things to do in Tokyo.
7- Shinjuku
It is one of Tokyo’s busiest areas. It is a very popular place with its rows of skyscrapers, business people in suits, interesting bars in nightlife, robot restaurants, girls bars. You should also see the building with Godzilla head in this area.
Shinjuku – Things to do in Japan
In addition, there is Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden. It has very nice natural beauty. There are ponds and small rivers in it. It is a great place to meet and chat with Japanese young people spread out in a green area.
If you want to enjoy Tokyo nightlife, you should go to Kabuki-chō (歌舞伎町) in Shinjuku. Because it is an entertainment and red-light district in the city.
8- Tokyo Tower – Places to Visit in Tokyo
You should visit the Tokyo Tower to get a great view of this wonderful metropole. You can see all of Tokyo and also if the weather is good you can see the impressive and beautiful Mount Fuji.
It is the second tallest structure in the country. There are 2 observation terraces here. One is at the 150th meter of the tower, other is at the 250th meter of the tower. If you like rooftops and high panorama views, visiting this place is one of the fun things to do in Tokyo. This tower looks like Eiffel in Paris by the way.
Tokyo Tower – Best places to visit in Japan, East Asia
9- Ueno Park
Ueno Park is another of Tokyo’s lively areas. Since it is an important subway intersection, you will probably come to this place during your line transfers.
Ueno Park has so much to explore with easy access from the train. Temples, shrines, museums, ponds, fountains, the Zoo, and in mid-January the Peony Festival. This park is really one of the must-see tourist spots in the city.
Ueno Park has a very big garden. It is very enjoyable to walk around here. There is also a small lake in the park. You can do kayaking on the lake. There is no entrance fee to enter this park.
10- Yoyogi Park
Yoyogi is one of Tokyo’s largest city parks. It covers an area of approximately 550,000 square meters. There is also the famous Meiji Shrine in this park. Along with this temple, you can visit the Meiji Temple Treasures Museum here.
The park becomes more beautiful with cherry blossoms in the spring season. So I recommend that you come here especially in March to take wonderful photos for Instagram. There are also full old pine trees which give you the good feeling of a forest.
Yoyogi Park
11- Odaiba District
Located in Tokyo Bay, the man-made Odaiba Island stands out with the shopping and entertainment opportunities it offers its guests today. So if you want to go shopping you should come to Odaiba.
There are 4 main regions in Odaiba that can be visited. Among these regions, attractions such as Decks Tokyo Beach, Aquacity Odaiba, and Rainbow Bridge within the borders of the Fuji TV Area are waiting for you.
Tokyo Bridge, Odaiba – Free places to visit in Japan
In Palette Town, you can get on the giant ferris wheel, take a test drive with the latest models produced by the company in Toyota Mega Web, and shop at “Venus Fort”. So Odaiba District is one of the beautiful places in Tokyo.
12- Tsukiji Market
If you want to eat the most delicious sushi in your life, you should visit Tsukiji Market. Because this place is the world’s largest wholesale fish and seafood market.
So it is not a just market. Because it has become one of the tourist attractions in Tokyo. You can also learn some information about Japanese food culture, and Japanese lifestyle here.
Tsukiji Market – Japanese food and fish market
13- Samurai Museum – Places to Visit in Tokyo
You can see special samurai clothes and imitations of their weapons in this museum. There is also an English tour guide, they briefly talk about the history of samurai. At the end of the tour, there is a samurai show, which was fun. I highly recommend you see Samurai Museum.
Here you can both watch the ninja-samurai activity and take photos with their clothes. There is some entrance fee but it is worth experiencing it. In addition, there are beautiful souvenirs in the shop of the museum.
14- Tokyo National Museum – Things to Do in Japan
Visiting this museum is a 1-day activity during your vacation. The museum consists of 2 parts. Private museum section and general museum section.
You can find answers to Japanese and all your questions about Japanese people here. So maybe you will learn about many subjects that you have never heard about before.
So it is really worthwhile to visit the museum. It provides a valuable insight into Japanese history, culture, and people. It even covers the Ryukyu and the Ainu cultures.
15- Tokyo Metropolitan Government Buildings
Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building in Shinjuku attracts the attention of travelers thanks to the observation terraces with free entrance.
The Metropolitan Government Center, which was the tallest building in the city until 2007 when construction of the Midtown Tower was completed, has a height of 243 meters. There are two towers on the north and south sides of the building. There is an observation deck in each of the towers.
On clear days, Fuji Mountain, Tokyo Skytree, Tokyo Tower, Meiji Temple, and Tokyo Dome can be seen in detail from the 202-meter-high observation terraces here.
The observation terrace in the northern tower of the building is still open to visitors after midnight. So travelers can have the opportunity to witness Tokyo’s unique night view during their stay in the city.
Places to visit in Tokyo – Metropolitan Government Building
By the way, if you are planning to travel to Asia, you should also read these articles:
