Tokyo, the capital of Japan, is a massive, pulsating, and amazing metropolis. Temples, endless Japanese culinary delights, and some of the largest and most bizarre shopping malls in the world may all be found in the world’s most populous city.
Top 10 Places to Visit in Tokyo
There is so much to see and do in Tokyo that it can be difficult to create your own itinerary. Stick to these must-sees while visiting Tokyo to keep things easy.
1. Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building
The Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building is more formally known as Toch to the people of Tokyo. In any case, the complex consists of three separate buildings where the vast majority of Tokyo’s government employees spend their days.
Toch is a 48-story building by architect Kenzo Tange, although it is divided in two at the 33rd floor. Even though the edifice now has the appearance of a Gothic cathedral, its modernity is readily apparent.
It provides a vantage point from which to take in the expansive Shinjuku neighbourhood below. If the weather is right, you can even see Mount Fuji in the west. No charge to enter.
2. Akihabara
Akihabara is a large commercial and electronics district in Tokyo’s Chiyoda District. Although many Japanese people visit for a variety of reasons, this is also a popular destination for foreigners who want to see another aspect of Japan’s culture.
The otaku subculture and the abundance of electronic goods stores give Akihabara its primary identity. Akihabara is the place to go if you’re interested in seeing the cutting edge of Japanese technology and meeting some fascinating people.
Dozens of shops catering to anime and manga fans as well as those interested in other Japanese pop culture items can be found in this area. There are also a number of “maid cafes,” where the staff dress and behave like various maids from popular anime.
3. Tokyo Imperial Palace
The magnificent Imperial Palace in Tokyo serves as the official residence of the Emperor of Japan. The region is much more than simply a single palace; it is actually a huge park in the middle of the city.
Free and open to the public, you may stroll through several of the surrounding gardens and take in sights like a water-filled moat and cherry trees while you take in the scenery.
This is one of the best places in the city for shooting in April, when the cherry blossoms are in full bloom. The Imperial Palace was formerly known as Edo Castle, where samurai lived.
4. Tokyo Tower
You may be surprised to learn that Tokyo is home to a tower modelled after the Eiffel Tower. But it’s true! The brilliant orange and white lattice tower is the second-tallest building in all of Japan and a prominent symbol of the city.
Tokyo Tower, which opened in 1958, is largely utilised for broadcasting and communication. A visit to any of the two observation decks, however, will reward you with a breathtaking panorama of the city below.
5. Shibuya Pedestrian Crossing
Shibuya, a district in Tokyo, is famous for its nonstop nightlife, which includes numerous restaurants and shops. The massive pedestrian crossing in front of the Hachiko Exit of Shibuya Station is a must-see attraction.
At each turn of the signal, the pedestrian crossing is crowded with people, while giant neon screens above display advertisements in bright hues with flashing lights. The area around Shibuya Station in Tokyo is frequently used in media to represent the massive population of the city.
6. Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden
Many people’s mental images of Japan revolve around the country’s towering skyscrapers, crowded streets, and massive shopping districts. To find the Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden, once owned by the Nait family during the Edo period, is thus a great pleasure. The gardens are now accessible to the general public.
Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden showcases three distinct and magnificent landscape styles: the English garden, the French formal garden, and the traditional Japanese garden. Around 20,000 cherry trees fill the gardens, and you can have a picnic, wander along the concrete walks, appreciate their big greenhouses, or just stop and watch them.
7. Meiji Shrine
One of Tokyo’s most popular sights is the Meiji Jingu, often known as the Meiji Shrine. The shrine is a Shinto temple honouring the souls of Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken. It was established in 1920 to commemorate the passing of Emperor Meiji, who oversaw the Meiji Restoration.
The copper and Japanese cypress shrine is now a relatively minor component of the entire structure. Meiji Shrine, Meiji Memorial Picture Gallery, and Treasure Museum are all worth a trip to Tokyo to see.
8. Ueno Park
Ueno Park, located in Tokyo’s Ueno neighbourhood, was developed on the site of an ancient temple. Ueno, which was designated as a public park near the end of the 19th century, has the maximum foot traffic when the cherry blossoms are in full bloom in spring.
Ueno Park, Tokyo, is a fantastic year-round destination due to the many museums it houses. There are about 9,000 trees, in addition to ponds, temples, gardens, and more. Because of its accessibility and low entry fee, Ueno Park is frequently visited by people from all over the world.
9. Tsukiji Market
Tsukiji Market is a great place to witness firsthand where sushi and other seafood restaurants in Tokyo get their daily supplies. Tsukiji is the world’s largest wholesale fish and seafood market.
Wholesalers stock up on seafood at the inner market, but you can get your hands on just enough for dinner at the outer market, or eat at sushi restaurants that serve the freshest fish available. If you want to see the market at its busiest, you should get there early. Most customers show up before sunrise, and by noon, everything has essentially closed down.
10. Sensoji Temple
Even though Japan is home to tens of thousands of temples, Tokyo’s Sensoji Temple is the country’s oldest. The temple was first mentioned in 645, making it almost 1,400 years old. Most of the temple was destroyed during World War II, but it was reconstructed in its original form.
This makes Sensoji Temple a symbol of hope and renewal, and a testament to the strength of the Japanese people. Every year in the spring, thousands of people gather to the temple’s massive Thunder Gate to celebrate the beginning of the festival.
Spend some time on Nakamise-dri, the street leading up to Sensoji Temple, where you can buy food and souvenirs and perhaps get your fortune told.
