Tokyo, the capital of Japan, is the center of the country’s politics, culture, and economy. If you want to experience the charm of Japan from various perspectives, sightseeing in Tokyo is the best choice.
Tokyo not only has many famous historical and cultural sites representing Japan’s history and culture but also incorporates culture and fashion from around the world. Furthermore, it is a gourmet food hub that gathers cuisine from all over the globe, with so many fun, delicious, and great shopping spots that it can be dazzling.
This article carefully selects 19 must-visit spots for everyone, recommending food, shopping, must-buy souvenirs, and must-see festival events, as well as comprehensive travel information on sightseeing spots near Tokyo. We hope this will serve as a reference when planning your Tokyo itinerary, and we wish you a perfect and lucky trip to Tokyo.
Table of Contents
- What Kind of Place is Tokyo?
- 19 Must-Visit Spots for Your First Visit to Tokyo
- Unique Tokyo Experiences! 5 Distinctive Attractions
- Enjoy Local Tokyo Cuisine and Atmosphere! 5 Must-Visit Food Spots
- First Stop for Shopping! 5 Selected Shopping Spots in Tokyo
- Enjoy the Ultimate Night View of the Metropolis! 5 Recommended Accommodation Facilities in Tokyo
- 5 Must-Buy Classic Souvenirs from Tokyo
- Must-See Festivals and Events in Tokyo (Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter)
- 3 Recommended Day Trip Destinations Near Tokyo
- 3 Recommended Two-Day Trip Destinations Near Tokyo
- Frequently Asked Questions About Tokyo Sightseeing
- Conclusion
What Kind of Place is Tokyo?
Tokyo is the capital of Japan. Since Tokugawa Ieyasu established the shogunate in Edo (present-day Tokyo) in 1603, Tokyo has flourished as the center of Japanese politics, culture, and economy. Many government agencies, financial institutions, and major corporations have their headquarters located here.
Tokyo has a large population of approximately 13 million people, making it not only the most populous city in Japan but also one of the most populous in the world.
As a highly concentrated international metropolis, Tokyo is also a place where various cultures intersect and blend. From Asakusa, with its traditional “shitamachi” (downtown) atmosphere, to the bustling urban center of Shinjuku; from Ginza, which gathers luxury brands, to the Imperial Palace, where you can feel Japan’s history; from Odaiba, with its romantic ambiance, to Akihabara, brimming with anime and manga culture; and from Harajuku and Shibuya, the trendsetting hubs for young people – you can experience a different side of Tokyo depending on the area you visit.
Tokyo is divided into “23 wards” (ku) and “39 cities, towns, and villages” (shichōson). The tourist resources of the wards and the cities, towns, and villages differ.
Within the 23 wards, while high-rise buildings and large commercial facilities stand side by side, the atmosphere of the older generations’ culture is also preserved. Many famous tourist attractions are mostly concentrated within the 23 wards. On the other hand, the “cities, towns, and villages” have a much smaller population than the “23 wards,” with no skyscrapers but abundant natural scenery. For example, the popular hiking spot “Mount Takao” is located in the cities, towns, and villages area, not within the 23 wards.
What is the Best Season for Tokyo Tourism?
Tokyo experiences four distinct seasons. Spring has mild weather and is ideal for cherry blossom viewing; summer has a rainy season with high humidity and occasional typhoons; autumn offers cool, crisp air and beautiful autumn foliage; and winter is cold, with snowfall around January.
Among these, Tokyo’s summer is hot and humid, and there is a risk of heatstroke if you’re not careful. If you want to visit many attractions, it is recommended to plan your trip in spring or autumn. The weather in Tokyo during these two seasons is pleasant with low humidity, making it the most suitable time for sightseeing.
In addition, Tokyo has many indoor attractions, so you can fully enjoy sightseeing without being affected by the weather, no matter when you visit.
Tokyo Seasonal Clothing Guide
Spring (March - May): Light jackets, thin sweaters Summer (June - August): Light clothing, short sleeves Autumn (September - November): Light jackets, coats Winter (December - February): Coats, wool suits, thick sweaters and jackets How to Get to Tokyo?
Tokyo has a highly developed transportation network, making it easy and convenient to travel to and from various cities within Japan. For example, it takes only about 1 to 2 hours to reach Tokyo from Nagoya or Osaka by Shinkansen (bullet train).
If traveling from overseas, you can use Narita International Airport, located in the suburbs of Tokyo, or Haneda Airport, located in Ota Ward, Tokyo, which operates both domestic and international flights. Both airports offer access to central Tokyo within an hour.
Main Modes of Transportation for Tokyo Sightseeing
Tokyo has various modes of transportation, including trains, buses, monorails, and taxis, with a total of approximately 85 train and subway lines and over 160 bus routes, making public transportation very well-developed. You can easily and conveniently reach almost any tourist attraction by relying solely on public transportation.
19 Must-Visit Spots in Tokyo
Tokyo has countless sightseeing spots, and with so many options, it can be hard to decide where to go. First-time visitors to Tokyo especially often hesitate because they can’t settle on a destination.
Below is a carefully selected list of 19 must-see attractions in Tokyo chosen from among the many options. If you’re still unsure, please take a look!
1.Meiji Jingu Shrine
This shrine is dedicated to Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken. Its grounds feature an artificial forest created with over 100,000 trees, and despite being located in the heart of Tokyo, it is surrounded by a vast forest. Meiji Jingu consists of the main hall (Honden), the inner garden (Naien), the outer garden (Gaien), and the Meiji Memorial Museum. The inner garden at the center of the shrine is tranquil and profound, while the outer garden is centered around the Saint Toku Memorial Picture Gallery and includes sports facilities. Meiji Jingu has numerous “power spots” and is also the shrine with the highest number of visitors nationwide for the annual New Year’s pilgrimages.
2. Senso-ji Temple
With a history spanning over 1300 years, Senso-ji Temple is Tokyo’s most famous and oldest temple, and a prominent tourist attraction representing the city. The “Kaminarimon” (Thunder Gate), with its hanging large red lantern, is the symbolic landmark of Asakusa, flanked by statues of the thunder god (Raijin) and the wind god (Fujin) on either side. “Nakamise-dori,” the shopping street leading from Kaminarimon to the main hall (Honden), is 250 meters long and lined with many shops selling crafts and other unique souvenirs.
3. Tokyo Skytree
As a new landmark of Tokyo, the “Tokyo Skytree” serves as both a radio tower and a tourist facility. Standing at a height of 634 meters, it is located in the center of Tokyo Skytree Town. Inside the tower, there are two observation decks, the “Tembo Deck” at 350 meters and the “Tembo Galleria” at 450 meters.
At the base of Tokyo Skytree, you’ll find “Tokyo Solamachi,” where you can enjoy dining and shopping, as well as entertainment and leisure facilities such as the Sumida Aquarium and a planetarium, attracting countless visitors from both Japan and overseas.
4. Ueno Zoo
Ueno Zoo’s official name is “Tokyo Metropolitan Ueno Zoological Gardens,” and it was the first zoo established in Japan, opening in 1882.
It is located within “Ueno Park,” an urban oasis full of natural beauty.
Despite being situated in central Tokyo, Ueno Zoo boasts a beautiful natural environment and is home to approximately 350 species, totaling over 2,600 animals.
It’s a great spot for families visiting Tokyo, where you can see the much-loved giant pandas.
5. Shinjuku Gyoen
Shinjuku Gyoen was once a samurai residence during the Edo period and was planned as an imperial garden in 1906 (Meiji 39), before being opened to the public for visits today.
Within its vast 58.3-hectare grounds, it features three distinct styles of gardens – a Japanese garden, a formal garden, and a landscape garden – earning it the reputation as a renowned modern Western-style garden.
In spring, you can admire approximately 70 varieties and 900 cherry trees, while autumn offers the beauty of stunning red leaves.
6. Tokyo Tower
Tokyo Tower, built in 1958, stands at 333 meters tall. At the time, it surpassed the Eiffel Tower in Paris, making it the world’s tallest self-supported steel tower. Located in Minato Ward, the central part of Tokyo, it offers panoramic views of the city from its observation decks. The tower’s interior is broadly divided into three parts: the “TOP DECK” (250m observation floor), the “MAIN DECK” (150m), and “FOOT TOWN” (at the base of the tower), each offering its own highlights.
7. Ameya Yokocho
Ameya Yokocho (Ameyoko) is a 500-meter-long shopping street stretching from JR Ueno Station to JR Okachimachi Station, lined with approximately 400 shops. The long shopping street is pedestrian-only, so you can enjoy shopping without worrying about traffic.
It brings together a wide variety of shops, mainly food-related, and holds various promotional events throughout the year. The energetic calls of vendors and the crowds of shoppers create a lively and vibrant atmosphere throughout the street. Just casually strolling through here allows you to feel the nostalgic “shitamachi” (downtown) atmosphere of Tokyo.
8. Shibuya Scramble Crossing
The intersection in front of Shibuya Station is said to be the busiest and most crowded crossing in the world. The spectacular sight of thousands of people crossing the street simultaneously has made this Shibuya crossing a landmark representing Tokyo. From the connecting bridge linking the JR Yamanote Line and the Keio Inokashira Line, you can overlook the busy scene of people coming and going across the intersection.
Whenever the traffic light turns green, the scramble crossing is instantly flooded with people. At its peak, as many as about 3,000 people cross in about two minutes. The scene of pedestrians smoothly navigating through the dense crowd without bumping into each other is quite magnificent, attracting many photography enthusiasts who specifically visit to capture a super cool photo of the crossing.
9. Sumida Aquarium
Sumida Aquarium is an indoor aquarium located on the 5th and 6th floors of the Tokyo Skytree Town West Building. The aquarium’s design concept is “the closer you look, the more you’ll love it,” showcasing an artfully presented marine world that allows visitors to observe various marine creatures up close.
Sumida Aquarium employs many unique display methods. These include the indoor “Open Tank,” spanning both the 5th and 6th floors, where you can observe adorable penguins up close; the “Tokyo Tank,” themed around the Tokyo Islands and recreating the marine world of the Ogasawara Islands; and the “Edo Goldfish Wonderland,” which gathers various types of ornamental goldfish.
10. Kabukiza Theatre
Kabuki is a traditional Japanese performing art. While performances are held in theaters throughout Japan, the most ornate and famous stage is the Kabukiza, a theater dedicated to Kabuki. Some people may think that watching a Kabuki performance is a difficult undertaking, but that’s not necessarily the case. At the Kabukiza, you can affordably and easily experience the enjoyment of watching Kabuki by purchasing “same-day tickets” (tōjitsuken) or “single-act tickets” (hitomaku-mi seki), which allow you to see just one act of the entire play.
The above information introduces must-visit spots, must-try gourmet areas, must-visit shopping spots, recommended accommodation facilities, must-buy souvenirs, and must-see festival events in Tokyo, hoping to provide a reference for friends planning a Tokyo itinerary.
It is also recommended to include some attractions around Tokyo in your itinerary. For example, Hakone, which has many healing spots, or Kamakura, which retains historical buildings and old streets, can make your Tokyo trip even richer and more diverse.