Tokyo is one of the largest metropolises in the world. But don’t be intimidated by its size: yes, it’s chaotic, like any major city, but it is also perfectly organized!
Everything seems designed and planned down to the smallest detail (otherwise, we wouldn’t be in Japan!). Getting around the city and its many neighborhoods is very easy, but you’ll need an equally perfect sightseeing plan if you don’t have much time! So here’s what you absolutely must not miss in Tokyo...
Here’s what to see in Tokyo: the fail-safe TOP 10
1) The Imperial Palace
The official residence of the Emperor and his family, the Imperial Palace is surrounded by beautiful gardens and a wide moat, which separate it from the chaos of the city. As the main residence of the Emperor of Japan, its gates are opened to the public only twice a year, on January 2 and December 23 (the Emperor’s birthday). Visits to the innermost gardens are allowed by online reservation only, while the Imperial Palace East Gardens are open all year round without reservation and are a wonderful place to admire hanami, the cherry blossoms in spring.
2) Meiji Shrine and Yoyogi Park
The largest Shinto shrine in Tokyo, built in honor of Emperor Meiji and his wife Shōken, stands within a magnificent park where around 400 different species of trees have been planted, creating a true oasis of peace. The shrine’s entrance gates, the so-called torii, built from Japanese cypress wood, are the largest in the country. If you’re lucky, you may even witness a Shinto wedding here, held in such a solemn atmosphere that it feels almost surreal.
Near Meiji Shrine you’ll find Yoyogi Park, which on weekends—especially Sundays—fills up with young cosplayers and Rockabilly groups gathering to relive the glorious 1950s. With a bit of luck, you might even run into the Japanese lookalike of Elvis.
3) Shibuya District: crowded crossings
Home to the busiest pedestrian crossing in the world, this district revolves around Shibuya 109, a shopping mall and showcase of new trends and all things flashy. Outside the subway station stands the statue of the dog Hachiko, who continued coming here every day for 11 years after his owner died, waiting for him.
Another attraction in the district, especially popular among young people and the curious, is Love Hotel Hill, a hill lined with eccentric love hotels where, in addition to short stays, it is also possible to spend the night.
4) Asakusa District, Sensoji, and Tokyo Skytree: tradition
Despite the constant crowds visiting Sensoji Temple, in Asakusa you can still breathe in the atmosphere of early 20th-century Tokyo. Welcoming visitors to the temple is the Thunder Gate, beyond which numerous stalls selling all kinds of goods accompany you to the entrance. Don’t miss taking a photo of the beautiful five-story pagoda on your left. Tokyo Skytree, the tallest tower in Japan, is the perfect way to end your visit to the district: you can go all the way to the top and enjoy the view from its 634 meters of height.
5) Shinjuku District: the essence of Tokyo
Shinjuku is Tokyo’s most famous district, where you’ll find incredible skyscrapers, enormous shopping centers (the biggest you may ever see), unusual venues, giant screens everywhere, and millions of people passing each day through one of the busiest stations in the world.
It is the district that best represents Tokyo, especially when it comes to nightlife. This is the neighborhood that never sleeps and the one richest in shopping centers, skyscrapers, and all kinds of entertainment spots. You absolutely must stop by Golden Gai, an area with around 200 tiny bars that hold no more than 10 people at a time.
This is also where Tokyo City Hall is located, inside the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Office. You can go up to the twin observation decks to enjoy Tokyo from above: it’s free!
6) Roppongi Hills and Tokyo Tower: a touch of Paris
A huge complex in the Roppongi district, Roppongi Hills is a mini-city project within Tokyo. In fact, this complex includes numerous shops, restaurants, department stores, offices, apartments, hotels, museums, and much more. Nearby stands Tokyo Tower, a telecommunications tower freely inspired by the Eiffel Tower in Paris.
7) Ginza District: luxury, luxury, luxury
Dedicated to luxury shopping, the symbol of the Ginza district is the Clock Tower. It’s especially pleasant to take a walk here on Saturdays and Sundays, when the main street, Chuo Dōri, along with other side streets, is closed to traffic. If you’re passionate about electronics, don’t miss the Sony Building!
8) Akihabara District: manga and anime
Akihabara is one of Tokyo’s most extravagant and unmistakable districts. Famous for its large shopping centers dedicated to electronics, in more recent years it has also become the mecca of otaku culture, thanks to its many specialized stores selling every kind of product related to manga and anime. Every Sunday, the district’s main street is closed to traffic, allowing visitors to fully enjoy the atmosphere and energy of the neighborhood, where shops stand alongside maid cafés and manga cafés—perfect for carefree moments in very “kawaii” surroundings or for immersing yourself in manga reading.
9) Ueno District
Ueno is a peaceful and rather charming district that offers a splendid blend of nature and culture. It stretches around the vast Ueno Park, one of Tokyo’s green lungs, where the district’s main attractions are concentrated, including a series of museums: the Tokyo National Museum, the Metropolitan Art Museum, the Museum of Western Art, and the Science Museum. Small temples and shrines dot the park, offering further cultural highlights, but what truly wins over visitors is the park’s natural beauty, with paths winding among cherry trees and around Shinobazu Pond, a perfect spot to relax and enjoy a paddle boat ride. The park is also home to a zoo, ideal for a family afternoon. Nearby, you’ll find the picturesque Ameyoko Market, where you can buy seaweed, green tea, and much more.
10) Toyosu Fish Market
Opened in October 2018 on the artificial island of Toyosu, in Tokyo Bay, Toyosu Market has taken over from the historic former Tsukiji Fish Market, which was moved here to offer tourists and locals larger, more modern spaces. It is divided into two sections, one dedicated to fish and one to fresh produce such as fruit and vegetables, with corridors and walkways allowing visitors to move easily from one section to the other. Visiting Toyosu Market is a unique opportunity to witness everyday life, browse stalls piled high with the freshest products, and stop for breakfast or lunch at one of the various food spots. Like the former Tsukiji Market, you can also watch the tuna auction and auctions for other fish.
And if this was the fail-safe TOP 10 of things to see in the Japanese capital, just imagine how fail-safe our JAPAN TOUR must be. Take a look!
