Must visit in TOKYO
Tokyo is unlike any other city on earth — a megalopolis of nearly 14 million people that manages simultaneously to be one of the world's most efficiently organised, technologically advanced, and culturally rich urban environments while retaining pockets of ancient tradition, quiet neighbourhood life, and natural beauty that can stop a visitor in their tracks. The Japanese capital rewards every kind of traveller: history lovers find thousand-year-old temples rising from dense urban districts; design and architecture enthusiasts discover extraordinary buildings at virtually every turn; food obsessives encounter a city that holds more Michelin-starred restaurants than Paris, New York, and London combined; and those simply in search of spectacle find it everywhere, from the thunderous organised chaos of Shibuya Crossing to the soaring steel lattice of Tokyo Tower glowing orange against the night sky. Tokyo is also a city of profound neighbourly contrasts — the serene forested approach to Meiji Shrine sits minutes by train from Harajuku's technicolour youth fashion streets; the ancient lanes of Asakusa lead to the shimmering modernity of the Tokyo Skytree; and every neighbourhood has its own distinct identity, cuisine, social character, and atmosphere. This guide covers ten essential attractions that between them capture the full breadth of what makes Tokyo one of the world's great must-visit destinations.
Tokyo Tower — The City's Iconic Landmark
Tokyo Tower has been the defining image of the Japanese capital since its completion in 1958, when it was the tallest structure in Japan at 332.9 metres — a record it held until the construction of Tokyo Skytree in 2012. The tower was modelled partly on the Eiffel Tower in Paris, which it surpasses in height by 13 metres, and was originally constructed to serve as a broadcast antenna for Japan's nascent television industry; it continues to transmit signals today. The tower's distinctive red-and-white colour scheme — required by aviation safety regulations — has become one of the most recognisable elements of the Tokyo skyline, and when illuminated at night in orange and white the effect is genuinely magical, particularly when viewed from the gardens of nearby Zojoji Temple, where the tower rises dramatically above the temple's ancient gate.
Two observation decks offer different perspectives on the city. The Main Deck, at 150 metres, provides panoramic views across the full 360-degree spread of metropolitan Tokyo — on clear days, particularly in winter when the air is driest, the snow-capped cone of Mount Fuji is visible approximately 100 km to the southwest, a sight that never fails to astonish first-time visitors. The Top Deck Tour, at 250 metres, adds a guided experience with multimedia elements and floor panels of reinforced glass through which visitors can look directly downward. Main Deck entry costs ¥1,200 for adults (approximately €8); the Top Deck Tour costs ¥3,000 (€19). The tower is open daily from 9:00 am to 10:30 pm. The surrounding Shiba Park and the temple precinct of Zojoji provide excellent ground-level viewing spots and are ideal before or after an ascent.
Sensoji Temple — Ancient Heart of Asakusa
Sensoji is Tokyo's oldest and most visited temple, a Buddhist establishment in the Asakusa district of Taito ward that according to tradition was founded in 628 AD when two fishermen discovered a small golden statue of Kannon — the bodhisattva of mercy — in the Sumida River. The temple has been rebuilt and expanded many times over the intervening fourteen centuries, most recently after its near-total destruction in the Allied bombing raids of March 1945, and the current main hall dates from 1958. Despite its relatively recent construction, the atmosphere of Sensoji is deeply ancient: the temple receives approximately 30 million visitors annually, more than any other religious site in Japan, and the accumulated weight of centuries of prayer and devotion gives the site a genuine spiritual gravity that is felt even by secular visitors.
The approach to the temple along Nakamise-dori — a covered shopping street connecting the outer Kaminarimon Gate (with its enormous red lantern, one of the most photographed objects in Japan) to the inner Hozomon Gate — is lined with dozens of small shops selling traditional Japanese crafts, souvenirs, snacks, and sweets, many of them family businesses that have occupied the same stalls for generations. Beyond the Hozomon Gate, the main hall and the five-storey pagoda that stands beside it form an architectural ensemble of considerable beauty. The temple grounds are free to enter; the inner hall requests a small voluntary donation. The best time to visit is shortly after dawn, when the incense smoke drifts through the still morning air and the crowd has not yet arrived — by 9:00 am on weekends the main approach can be genuinely congested. Nearest station: Asakusa (multiple lines).
Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden — Three Gardens in One
Shinjuku Gyoen is one of the largest and most beautiful parks in Tokyo, a 58.3-hectare national garden in the heart of the city that was originally developed as an imperial garden before opening to the public in 1949. What makes it remarkable is its incorporation of three distinct garden styles within a single site: a meticulously maintained French formal garden of geometric beds and grand allées; a spacious English landscape garden of sweeping lawns and mature specimen trees; and a traditional Japanese stroll garden featuring a series of ponds, stone lanterns, curved bridges, and carefully composed vistas that change character with every season.
Shinjuku Gyoen is best known internationally for its cherry blossoms: the park contains approximately 1,000 cherry trees of some 65 varieties, and the combination of early-flowering and late-flowering cultivars extends the blooming season from late March well into April — making it one of the longest and most reliably spectacular cherry blossom sites in Tokyo. The French and English sections bloom with early varieties; the Japanese garden section features the magnificent drooping shidarezakura variety. Autumn is equally beautiful, with the park's maples, ginkgoes, and other deciduous trees turning to vivid reds, oranges, and yellows from mid-November. Entry costs ¥500 for adults and ¥250 for children (free for under-15s). No alcohol is permitted within the park — a rule that distinguishes Shinjuku Gyoen from the more carnivalesque atmosphere of Ueno Park during cherry blossom season. The garden is closed on Mondays. Opening hours are 9:00 am to 4:30 pm (extended to 6:00 pm in spring and summer). Nearest station: Shinjuku Gyoenmae (Marunouchi Line).
Meiji Shrine — Sacred Forest in the Heart of the City
Meiji Shrine (明治神宮, Meiji Jingū) is one of Japan's most important and most visited Shinto shrines, a place of extraordinary atmospheric beauty set within 70 hectares of forested parkland in Shibuya ward — a green lung of remarkable scale and stillness in the middle of one of the world's most densely developed cities. The shrine was completed in 1920 to enshrine the spirits of Emperor Meiji (1852–1912) and his consort Empress Shoken, figures credited with guiding Japan through its transformation from feudal isolation to modern industrialised nation during the Meiji era. The forested grounds, planted with some 100,000 trees donated by people from across Japan at the time of the shrine's construction, have grown into a mature secondary forest of remarkable density and ecological richness — home to numerous bird species and providing a genuine sense of natural sanctuary in the urban fabric.
The approach to the main shrine hall along the broad gravel path beneath towering cypress and camphor trees is one of the most calming and impressive walks in Tokyo: the transition from the noise and density of Harajuku and Omotesando outside the gates to the cool, resinous quiet of the forest interior takes only a few hundred metres but feels like a journey of much greater distance. The massive wooden torii gate at the forest entrance — one of the largest in Japan, made from a 1,500-year-old cypress tree from Taiwan — announces the transition from the secular to the sacred. The shrine precincts are free to enter; a small additional fee applies for the inner Treasure Museum and the famous iris garden (best in June when 150 varieties of iris are in flower). Meiji Shrine is open daily from sunrise to sunset; the specific closing time varies by season. It receives approximately 3 million visitors in the first three days of the New Year alone — the largest hatsumode (first shrine visit of the year) gathering in Japan. Nearest station: Harajuku (JR Yamanote Line) or Meiji-Jingumae (Tokyo Metro).
Imperial Palace — The Emperor's Residence and Outer Gardens
The Imperial Palace stands at the geographical and symbolic heart of Tokyo, occupying a large forested estate on the former site of Edo Castle — the seat of the Tokugawa shogunate that ruled Japan from 1603 until 1868 — in Chiyoda ward. The palace itself, the official residence and working offices of the Emperor of Japan, is not generally open to the public, but the surrounding grounds offer several compelling experiences for visitors. The Kokyo Gaien National Garden, the broad outer plaza in front of the palace, is freely accessible and provides the classic view of the palace's Nijubashi double bridge — two stone and steel bridges spanning the inner moat — that is one of the most photographed scenes in Tokyo. Particularly fine in spring when the surrounding cherry trees are in bloom.
The Imperial Palace East Gardens (Higashi Gyoen), covering approximately 21 hectares on the eastern side of the palace complex, are open free of charge to the public (closed Mondays and Fridays, and during imperial family events). Within the east gardens, visitors can explore the ruins of Edo Castle's main keep — destroyed in a fire in 1657 and never rebuilt — and the beautifully maintained Japanese garden areas with ponds, traditional planting, and a notable collection of ancient stone lanterns. Guided tours of the inner palace grounds themselves are available on certain days through advance online reservation via the Imperial Household Agency website (free of charge); these tours offer access to parts of the grounds normally closed to visitors and are highly recommended for those with a particular interest in Japanese history and architecture. Nearest station: Otemachi or Nijubashimae (multiple lines).
Shibuya Crossing — The World's Most Famous Intersection
Shibuya Crossing — officially the Shibuya Scramble Crossing — is the most famous pedestrian intersection in the world and one of Tokyo's defining images. Located directly in front of the Hachiko exit of Shibuya Station, the crossing operates as a full scramble: all vehicle traffic stops simultaneously in all directions while pedestrians cross from every corner at once, creating a brief spectacle of organised human flow that can involve more than 2,500 people in a single crossing cycle during peak hours. In the evenings, with the surrounding buildings illuminated by hundreds of advertising screens and neon signs, the scene is one of the most visually overwhelming in any city on earth — a quintessential expression of Tokyo's density, energy, and visual intensity.
The crossing is free to experience at street level, of course, but the most dramatic views are from above. The SHIBUYA SKY observation deck on the top floors of Shibuya Scramble Square — the tallest building in Shibuya, completed in 2019 — offers a bird's-eye perspective on the crossing and the surrounding district from 230 metres, with indoor and outdoor viewing areas and entry costing ¥2,000 (€12.50) for adults. On a lower level, the famous Starbucks on the second floor of the Tsutaya building directly adjacent to the crossing offers a window-seat view of the action — though arriving early is necessary to secure a seat, as this is consistently one of the most popular Starbucks locations in the world. Before or after experiencing the crossing, take a moment to visit the bronze statue of Hachiko — the Akita dog who waited faithfully at Shibuya Station every day for nine years after his owner's death in 1925 — located just to the left of the Hachiko exit. Nearest station: Shibuya (multiple lines).
A Note on the Robot Restaurant
The Robot Restaurant in Shinjuku's Kabukicho entertainment district — a wildly theatrical dinner show featuring enormous robots, LED-costumed dancers, taiko drummers, and an overwhelming sensory bombardment of light, sound, and colour — was one of Tokyo's most famous tourist attractions for nearly a decade before closing permanently in August 2021 as a result of the financial pressures created by the COVID-19 pandemic. At the time of writing, the Robot Restaurant has not reopened and shows no indication of doing so.
Visitors seeking a similarly distinctive and spectacular Tokyo experience have several excellent alternatives. teamLab Planets in Toyosu (open daily, adults ¥3,200–¥4,000 depending on season) offers immersive room-sized digital art installations that are extraordinary in their visual impact and have become one of the most talked-about attractions in the city. teamLab Borderless has relocated to a new venue in Azabudai Hills (open since early 2024) after its original Odaiba site closed. The Samurai Museum in Shinjuku (¥1,900 adults) and various traditional performing arts performances — kabuki at the Kabukiza Theatre in Ginza, or taiko drumming performances at dedicated venues — offer more culturally rooted but equally memorable spectacles. Tokyo Disneyland and DisneySea in Urayasu (adjacent to Tokyo) remain among the most popular large-scale entertainment venues in the Greater Tokyo area.
Odaiba — Tokyo Bay's Artificial Island
Odaiba is a large artificial island in Tokyo Bay, developed as a futuristic residential and commercial district from the early 1990s and connected to central Tokyo by the Rainbow Bridge (a suspension bridge with a distinctive double-deck design carrying both road and the Yurikamome automated monorail) and by the Rinkai Line suburban railway. The island offers sweeping views across the bay towards the Rainbow Bridge and the downtown Tokyo skyline — among the most photogenic in the city, particularly at night when the bridge and the distant towers are illuminated — and houses a variety of shopping, entertainment, and cultural institutions.
Notable Odaiba destinations include: teamLab Planets (see above), one of the most visited attractions in the city; DiverCity Tokyo Plaza, a shopping mall famous for the full-scale Unicorn Gundam statue in its forecourt — an 18-metre mobile suit replica that lights up and moves at scheduled times throughout the day (free to view); the National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation (Miraikan), an excellent science museum with exhibits on robotics, space, and digital technology (adults ¥630); and the Fuji Television Building, whose distinctive spherical observation floor is visible from across the bay. The waterfront promenade around the island offers excellent views and is pleasant for walking on fine evenings. Access via the Yurikamome monorail from Shimbashi station (approximately 15 minutes, ¥320) provides views of the Rainbow Bridge crossing — a scenic journey in itself.
Tsukiji Outer Market — Dawn Seafood and the World's Finest Sushi Breakfast
A note on an important change: the famous inner wholesale fish market at Tsukiji — where the legendary tuna auctions once drew pre-dawn queues of visitors — relocated to the new Toyosu Market in the Kōtō ward bayside district in October 2018. The wholesale operations, the tuna auctions, and the professional market functions all now take place at Toyosu, which offers a dedicated visitor observation gallery and opportunities to apply to watch the morning tuna auction (registration required in advance through the Tokyo Metropolitan Central Wholesale Market website; limited places, highly sought-after). The new Toyosu facility is accessible from central Tokyo via the Yurikamome monorail.
However, the Tsukiji Outer Market — the network of retail stalls, small restaurants, cooking supply shops, and street food vendors that surrounded the old inner market — continues to operate at the original Tsukiji location in Chūō ward and remains one of the most rewarding food experiences in Tokyo. Dozens of small sushi counters, seafood stalls, tamagoyaki (sweet rolled omelette) makers, and specialist food shops line the lanes of the outer market, and the atmosphere of a working market dealing in extraordinary produce at the highest levels of quality is palpable even without the wholesale operations next door. The essential experience is a very early morning arrival — stalls begin opening from around 5:00–6:00 am — and a sushi or sashimi breakfast at one of the small counter restaurants, eating whatever the day's finest catch happens to be. Budget ¥1,500–¥4,000 (€9–€25) for a satisfying breakfast. Nearest station: Tsukiji (Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line) or Tsukijishijo (Toei Oedo Line).
Harajuku — Youth Culture, Fashion, and Omotesando
Harajuku is one of Tokyo's most energetic and visually distinctive neighbourhoods — a district in Shibuya ward, centred on Takeshita Street (竹下通り), that has been the epicentre of Japanese youth fashion culture since the 1980s. Takeshita Street, a narrow pedestrianised lane running from Harajuku station towards the Omotesando intersection, is lined with shops selling fast fashion, kawaii (cute) accessories, vintage clothing, wigs, costumes, crepe stalls, and bubble tea outlets in a density and visual clamour that perfectly expresses the creative excess of Japanese teen culture. The street is most animated on weekends, when it fills with young visitors from across the Tokyo metropolitan area, many dressed in elaborate personal styles that range from Lolita fashion (Victorian-inspired elaborate dresses and accessories) to streetwear, visual kei aesthetics, and inventive combinations that defy any single label.
Beyond Takeshita Street, Harajuku's more sophisticated side is found in the network of smaller lanes known as Ura-Harajuku (or Cat Street), where independent Japanese fashion designers, concept stores, vintage boutiques, and artisan cafés occupy low-rise buildings in a considerably more relaxed atmosphere. Omotesando, the wide, tree-lined boulevard running south from Harajuku towards Aoyama, provides yet another register entirely: one of Tokyo's most architecturally impressive streets, lined with flagship stores designed by some of the world's great architects — Tadao Ando's Omotesando Hills complex, SANAA's Dior building, Jun Aoki's Louis Vuitton tower — and some of the city's finest coffee shops and patisseries. The combination of Takeshita Street's anarchic energy, Ura-Harajuku's independent creativity, and Omotesando's architectural splendour makes this area one of the richest and most rewarding single neighbourhoods to explore in the entire city. Nearest station: Harajuku (JR Yamanote Line) or Meiji-Jingumae (Tokyo Metro).
Additional Must-Visit Attractions in Tokyo
Tokyo Skytree (東京スカイツリー) in Asakusa/Oshiage, completed in 2012, is at 634 metres the tallest tower in Japan and the second tallest structure in the world. Two observation decks — Tembo Deck at 350 metres (¥2,100 adults) and Tembo Galleria at 450 metres (additional ¥1,000) — offer views on clear days extending to Mount Fuji and beyond. The base of the tower contains Tokyo Solamachi, a large shopping and dining complex with excellent food halls and specialty shops.
Akihabara (秋葉原), in Chiyoda ward, is the global capital of anime, manga, video games, electronics, and otaku (geek/enthusiast) culture — a district of multi-storey specialist shops, maid cafés (where costumed staff address customers as guests of the household), arcades, and figure retailers that must be seen to be believed. Non-enthusiasts find it fascinating as a cultural spectacle; genuine fans of Japanese pop culture could spend multiple days here without exhausting the possibilities.
Yanaka (谷中), in Taito ward, is one of the few remaining neighbourhoods in Tokyo where the streetscape and atmosphere of pre-war Shitamachi (low city) Tokyo has survived relatively intact — narrow lanes, traditional wooden shophouses, local temples and shrines, artisan workshops, and an independent shopping street (Yanaka Ginza) that feels genuinely unchanged from decades past. An essential destination for those seeking to understand what Tokyo looked like before the wholesale redevelopment of the postwar era.
Ueno (上野) offers a remarkable concentration of museums and cultural institutions within Ueno Park: the Tokyo National Museum (Japan's oldest and largest, with over 110,000 objects), the National Museum of Western Art, the National Museum of Nature and Science, the Tokyo Metropolitan Museum of Art, Ueno Zoo, and Shinobazu Pond — one of the city's finest lotus-pond landscapes. The park itself is one of Tokyo's most celebrated cherry blossom viewing sites in spring. Entry to individual museums costs ¥600–¥1,000 for adults.
teamLab Planets (チームラボプラネッツ), in Toyosu, Kōtō ward, is the single most innovative and talked-about art attraction in contemporary Tokyo — a sequence of large-scale immersive digital art installations that visitors experience barefoot, walking through rooms of water-surface projections, crystal-clear mirror rooms filled with floating flowers, and environments of overwhelming visual beauty that shift and respond to the presence of visitors. Entry costs ¥3,200–¥4,000 depending on season; advance online booking is strongly recommended as the attraction is consistently sold out on peak days.
Best Neighbourhoods to Explore in Tokyo
Shinjuku: The city's most intense and multifaceted district — skyscraper government offices, the world's busiest train station, Golden Gai's 200 tiny bars, Kabukicho's entertainment district, tranquil Shinjuku Gyoen, and the upscale department stores of the east side all within walking distance of each other.
Shibuya: The commercial and cultural heart of young Tokyo — the famous crossing, major department stores, Bunkamura arts complex, live music venues, and the most concentrated cluster of clubs and bars in the city.
Asakusa: The historic heart of old Tokyo — Sensoji Temple, Nakamise-dori craft shopping, traditional ryokan accommodation, rickshaw rides along the Sumida River, and the Tokyo Skytree visible from every corner.
Ginza: Tokyo's most prestigious shopping and dining district — international luxury brands, the Kabukiza Theatre, excellent art galleries, the Itoya stationery flagship, and the highest concentration of Michelin-starred restaurants in any single neighbourhood in the city.
Nakameguro: The Meguro River canal-side district, particularly beautiful in cherry blossom season when the trees overhanging both banks create a tunnel of pink blossoms, and in any season a neighbourhood of independent coffee shops, fashion boutiques, and intimate restaurants that represents Tokyo's most self-consciously stylish residential character.
Practical Tips for Visiting Tokyo
Getting there: Tokyo is served by two international airports. Narita International Airport (NRT), approximately 60–70 km east of central Tokyo, handles the majority of long-haul international traffic; access to the city by the Narita Express (N'EX) train takes approximately 55–70 minutes to Shinjuku or Tokyo Station (¥3,070 adults), or by Keisei Skyliner to Ueno or Nippori (approximately 40–45 minutes, ¥2,520). Haneda Airport (HND), approximately 25–30 km south of central Tokyo, handles domestic and an increasing share of international flights; access to central Tokyo is approximately 25–35 minutes by monorail or Keikyu Line (¥300–¥600).
Getting around: Tokyo's metro and railway network is the most comprehensive and efficient in the world, with virtually every part of the city accessible by train. An IC card — Suica or Pasmo — loaded with yen is the most convenient way to pay for all train, metro, and bus journeys; these cards are available from ticket machines at all major stations and can also be used at convenience stores and many restaurants. A 24-hour (¥600) or 48-hour (¥1,200) Tokyo Metro pass offers unlimited rides on the nine Tokyo Metro lines and provides excellent value for a day of intensive sightseeing. Taxis are clean, reliable, and honest but expensive — metered fares start at ¥500 and increase rapidly. The Uber and GO ride-hailing apps operate in Tokyo.
Best time to visit: Spring (late March to early May) for cherry blossoms — the single most beautiful time to visit, but also the most crowded and expensive. Autumn (October to mid-November) for vivid foliage, comfortable temperatures (15–22 °C), and lower crowds than spring. Summer (June–August) is hot (28–36 °C) and humid, with a rainy season in June; July and August are the most congested months but coincide with the lively Obon festival season. Winter (December–February) is cold (5–10 °C) but dry and often clear, with spectacular views of Mount Fuji from elevated Tokyo locations.
Currency: Japan is still largely a cash economy, and yen (¥) is essential. ATMs at 7-Eleven, Lawson, FamilyMart, and Japan Post offices reliably accept international cards around the clock. Credit cards are increasingly accepted at larger restaurants and hotels but should not be relied upon at smaller establishments, traditional inns, market stalls, or smaller bars.
Language and etiquette: English signage and announcements are increasingly common on the metro and at major tourist sites, and English is spoken at most tourist-facing businesses. However, Tokyo's neighbourhoods and traditional establishments often have limited English capability; a translation app (Google Translate's camera function is invaluable) makes navigation significantly easier. Key etiquette points: do not eat or drink while walking; speak quietly in public spaces; queue patiently for everything; remove shoes when entering private homes and some traditional establishments; tipping is not practised and is not expected anywhere.
Conclusion
Tokyo rewards every traveller who makes the effort to venture beyond its most famous images. Yes, the scramble crossing is as astonishing as the photographs suggest, and yes, Sensoji Temple at dawn is genuinely moving; but Tokyo's greatest pleasures are often quieter and more personal — a perfect bowl of ramen eaten alone at a counter at midnight, a conversation with an opinionated bar owner in Golden Gai, the discovery of a neighbourhood shrine tucked behind an apartment block, or the view of Mount Fuji floating impossibly above the city skyline on a cold winter morning. Allow at least a week, embrace the train network, explore beyond the obvious, and Tokyo will almost certainly become one of the most extraordinary cities you have ever visited.