List of 8 great places to visit in Tokyo

Tokyo is one of the largest tourist attractions in Japan.

In 1868, became the official capital of Japan and was renamed from “Edo” to “Tokyo”.

In 1964, the Summer Olympics took place in Tokyo, and in 2021 the Olympiad will again return to one of the greatest and most prominent cities in the world.

Tokyo has a long history and is quite extensive, that means that there are a lot of things to see and do.

In the following lines, you will know the best places to visit in Tokyo recommended by many travelers and natives. Keep reading.

1. Tsukiji Fish Market (築地市場)

It was know as one of the most famous fish market in the world, Tsukiji could be almost a mandatory visit location in Tokyo for sushi lovers.

Even when the morning tuna auctions where moved into the Toyosu market, it is still a sensational place to go early in the morning… or anytime, it’s never too early to eat sushi in one of the amazing restaurants!

So if you’re a fish lover, this is one of the best starter places that you can visit in Tokyo.

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2. Tokyo Imperial Palace Area (皇居)

On the grounds of the former Edo Palace, Tokyo Imperial castle was built in the 1960s and is the home of the Japanese imperial family.

There is only one part freely open to the public within the inner area of the palace, and it is that of the Oriental Gardens, or also known as Kōkyo Higashi Gyoen (皇居 東 御苑). It is open every day, except Monday and Friday, and on special occasions.

The royal residence and the nurseries are surrounded by a canal, which together with the extensions that cross it, makes a perfect place for a walk, the perfect place for photographs and for your Instagram account.

One of the most photographed views of the Imperial Palace is, starting from the great esplanade of Kokyo Gaien, both bridges that make up the access to the inner grounds of the Imperial Palace: the Nijubashi bridges.

In the immediate vicinity of the castle there is a commercial area frequented by department stores and charming cafes that are perfect to hang out.

At Tokyo Station, you can also take the opportunity to buy some sweets as a souvenir while you are there.

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3. Akihabara (秋葉原)

If the Imperial Palace and their surroundings represents a part of Japan’s history and traditions, then, Akihabara it’s about the bright lights of the future.

Akihabara A.K.A. “Electric Town”, is the mecca for anything about anime or manga, as well as idols and more. Even if you’re not familiar with this “sub-culture”, it’s definitely a worth taking experience. You will be able to find shops to see amazing products on sale which ranges of options from retro videogames to countless high-quality anime figurines.

And of course, it isn’t quite a trip to Japan if you’re not visiting a Maid Café where you can recieve a magic spell on your food or drink from her maids.

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4. Sensoji Temple (金龍山浅草寺) in Asakusa

Akihabara has a good train connection to Asakusa using the Tsukuba Express line. In Asakusa you will notice a massive contrast to what Akihabara is, given that Asakusa is more traditional looking, yet equally busy.

In Asakusa there is a lot to explore, firstly, one of the places that you should not miss is the Sensoji Temple; as well as the Nakamise shopping street that takes you from Kaminarimon’s entrance gate to the temple. On the streets of Nakamise you will probably have the opportunity to observe many people wearing traditional kimonos.

One of the local foods to try is Kaminari-okoshi, also across the river from Asakusa you can admire yourself observing the incredible Tokyo Sky Tree and the unusual golden flame located atop Asahi Beer Hall.

Finally, if you like to have lunch in Asakusa, it is a good option to try the tempura they serve at Daikokuya Tempura Honten.

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5. Shibuya (渋谷区 )

From Asakusa, it is possible to take the Ginza line on the Tokyo subway and about half an hour later you will find yourself in one of the most iconic places in Tokyo.

It is unusual for something as common as a crossing to become such a popular place, however, the Shibuya crossing is the exception to the rule, it has gained its fame thanks to appearing in various films such as Lost in Translation and The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift.

The Shibuya crossing is currently a highly representative place of Japan and is, without a doubt, for many tourists a mandatory stop when visiting Tokyo.

And, to top it all, many will probably know the story of Hachiko the faithful dog, whose statue is located right in front of the station, and has become another mandatory stop for those who visit Tokyo.

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6. Meiji Jingu Shrine (明治神宮)

Just one stop from Shibuya using the Yamanote line you will arrive in Harajuku; place where the Meiji Jingu Shrine is located.

This is a shrine which was built in honor of Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken, who passed away in the early 20th century. Near this sanctuary is also Yoyogi Park.

This sanctuary and the park are quite a pleasant space to go for a walk, since it is full of trees that make it a very cozy place no matter what time of year you are, but it is especially visited at the time of the flowering of cherry blossoms during spring.

This shrine has great fame in Japan, and is highly crowded especially the first days of the New Year, on the other hand, there is also the Meiji Jingu Treasure House which shows many articles about the Meiji Emperor.

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7. Yebisu Beer Brewery (恵比寿)

If on your tour of Tokyo you want to go to a sake brewery, let me tell you that most of them are somewhat far away, however, taking a tour of a brewery is quite easy.

If you were already at the Meiji Jingu Shrine, you can now return using the Yamanote line and continue for two stops south until you reach Ebisu.

In Ebisu you will find the Yebisu Beer Brewery, here you can learn the history of Yebisu brewing in Japan, including interesting anecdotes such as that a bottle of beer once cost more than the price of the entire dinner. Also of course you can try a little beer on the tour.

If this tasting is not enough for you, they also have a bar where you can drink more if you wish. This museum is located in Yebisu Garden Place, a quite pleasant area that has restaurants, shops and department stores nearby.

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8. Roppongi Hills (六本木ヒルズ)

Finally, at the end of what has been a very long day, and if you can get away from the brewery, it is good to end the day in Roppongi Hills. From Ebisu Station, just take the Tokyo Subway Hibiya Line for two stops to Roppongi Station.

Roppongi Hills was built with the concept of being a city within a city, a place where people can live, shop and work without having to travel very far, making it quite a fascinating area to visit.

It was completed in 2003 and incorporates gardens, museums, luxury shops, restaurants, and more. It can be a bit confusing to walk around, so definitely get a map before you start exploring!.

Another must for Japan is going to an izakaya, a kind of Japanese pub, so check out some place like izakaya Gonpachi when the sun goes down and enjoy some authentic Japanese food.

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Conclusion

After reviewing this list, you can surely conclude how extensive Tokyo is, in fact its own inhabitants still discover new things all the time. However, with good planning, it is possible to see a wide variety of fascinating places in a short time.

There are 1-day tours that are very well structured and save you the trouble of doing it yourself. In some cases, they are best for those who are intimidated by taking train lines on their own. In the same way, we can tell you that the stations are generally in English and their staff is very helpful with all tourists.

An additional tip is that you acquire a SIM or a portable Wi-Fi device on your trip when you arrive in Japan in this way you can use highly useful applications for your trip such as Google Maps and Google Translator. Especially if you want to be able to locate yourself quickly while you move from one place to another and thus save valuable time during your trip.

We hope you liked this list of places to visit in Tokyo during your trip to Japan. We will be eager to know which ones you went to and what you have like.