Tokyo mixes centuries-old shrines with experimental digital art museums in ways that make perfect sense once you’re here. You’ll find peaceful temple grounds minutes from neon-lit intersections, and forested sanctuaries next to skyscrapers. This guide walks you through the city’s essential attractions, the places that help first-time visitors understand what makes Japan’s capital so compelling.
We’ve organized these Tokyo attractions by the experiences they offer, from spiritual traditions at historic temples to panoramic views from modern towers. Whether you’re traveling with family, exploring as a couple, or navigating solo, you’ll find spots here that match your travel style.
1. Senso-ji Temple
Senso-ji is Tokyo’s oldest Buddhist temple and the spiritual anchor of Asakusa, the traditional district on the Sumida River’s east bank. You’ll enter through Kaminarimon Gate with its enormous red lantern, then walk Nakamise Shopping Street where vendors sell everything from handmade crafts to warm taiyaki fish cakes. It’s the right choice if you want to experience Japanese temple culture without leaving central Tokyo.
The temple dates to 628 CE, making it over 1,300 years old. While the current buildings are post-war reconstructions, the site maintains its importance in Tokyo’s religious life. Come early, around 6:00 AM when the main hall opens, and you’ll catch morning prayers with far fewer people. The five-story pagoda looks particularly good in late afternoon light, and the grounds stay illuminated until 11:00 PM if you prefer evening visits. Don’t skip the ritual at the large incense burner in the courtyard; locals wave the smoke toward themselves for purification and good health.
Visitor Information:
Location: 2-3-1 Asakusa, Taito-ku, Tokyo
Hours: Main Hall 6:00-17:00 (Apr-Sep), 6:30-17:00 (Oct-Mar); grounds open 24 hours
Entry Fee: Free
Best Time to Visit: Early morning (6:00-8:00) for smaller crowds; evening for lit-up temple grounds
Website: https://www.senso-ji.jp/english/
2. Tokyo Skytree
Tokyo Skytree stands 634 meters tall in Sumida, making it Japan’s tallest structure and a broadcasting tower that doubles as an observation deck. On clear days, you’ll see Mount Fuji from both viewing platforms, one at 350 meters and another at 450 meters. The complex at ground level includes an aquarium, planetarium, and over 300 shops and restaurants, so it’s easy to spend half a day here.
The tower opened in 2012 and quickly became part of Tokyo’s skyline. The Tembo Deck gives you 360-degree views through floor-to-ceiling windows, while the upper Tembo Galleria features a glass-floored spiral ramp that some visitors find thrilling and others find terrifying. Sunset is the most popular time, you’ll watch the city shift from daylight to night, but that also means ticket lines unless you’ve booked online ahead. The tower sits near Senso-ji Temple, so many visitors combine both in one Sumida district tour.
Visitor Information:
Location: 1-1-2 Oshiage, Sumida-ku, Tokyo
Hours: Mon-Sat 10:00-21:00; Sun and holidays 9:00-21:00
Entry Fee: Tembo Deck ¥2,400-¥2,600; both decks ¥3,500-¥3,800 (prices vary by day)
Best Time to Visit: Weekday mornings for shorter waits; sunset for dramatic views
Website: https://www.tokyo-skytree.jp/en/
3. teamLab Planets TOKYO DMM
teamLab Planets is the interactive digital art museum where you walk barefoot through water and immersive light installations that respond to your movements. It’s in Toyosu, the waterfront district east of central Tokyo, and offers four massive exhibition spaces where the boundaries between you and the artwork dissolve. Good for anyone who likes contemporary art, photography, or just wants something completely different from traditional sightseeing.
You’ll wade through ankle-to-knee-deep water in several rooms, your pants will get wet, so wear shorts or roll up your trousers. The installations change based on the season, time of day, and how visitors interact with them. Digital koi swim around your legs; flowers bloom and wither on the walls in real time. A new garden area opened in January 2025, extending what was already a 60-90 minute experience. The museum provides waterproof lockers for bags and phones, and there’s an accessible route for people with mobility needs. Book tickets online because entry times fill up, especially on weekends.
Visitor Information:
Location: 1-1-35 Toyosu, Koto-ku, Tokyo
Hours: 9:00-22:00 (last entry 21:00), open daily
Entry Fee: Adults ¥4,000-¥5,400 (varies by date); students ¥2,800; children 4-12 ¥1,500
Best Time to Visit: Late morning or after 8:00 PM for fewer people; book ahead
Website: https://teamlabplanets.dmm.com/en
4. teamLab Borderless: MORI Building DIGITAL ART MUSEUM
teamLab Borderless takes the concept further, artworks move between rooms, interact with each other, and create a space with no fixed paths or maps. The museum reopened in 2024 at Azabudai Hills after relocating from Odaiba, and now sits near Roppongi’s art triangle. Plan for 3-4 hours because the layout intentionally gets you lost in the best way, with new rooms appearing around corners you didn’t notice before.
The core idea is that nothing stays contained. Digital butterflies scatter as you approach. Flowers bloom across one wall, then travel into the next room. The “Forest of Resonating Lamps” responds to your presence with rippling light patterns, and the “Athletics Forest” lets kids (and honest adults) climb and slide through projected landscapes. The museum closes the first and third Tuesday of each month, so double-check before you go. Wear comfortable shoes and clothes you can move in, some installations reward physical interaction.
Visitor Information:
Location: B1, Azabudai Hills Garden Plaza B, 1-2-4 Azabudai, Minato-ku, Tokyo
Hours: 10:00-21:00 (last entry 20:00); closed 1st and 3rd Tuesday monthly
Entry Fee: Adults ¥3,600-¥4,800; students 13-17 ¥2,800; children 4-12 ¥1,500
Best Time to Visit: Weekday mornings or late afternoons; allow 3-4 hours minimum
Website: https://borderless.teamlab.art/
5. Meiji Jingu
Meiji Jingu sits in the middle of Tokyo but feels worlds away once you pass through the massive torii gates into its 170-acre forest. The shrine honors Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken, who led Japan’s rapid modernization in the late 1800s. It’s the place to experience Shinto culture and forest quietness without commuting far from Shibuya or Harajuku, both neighborhoods are just a few minutes’ walk away.
The shrine was built in 1920, destroyed in World War II, then rebuilt in 1958 using the same traditional methods. Over 100,000 trees from across Japan were planted to create the forest, which now feels ancient despite being relatively young. You’ll often see traditional wedding processions on weekends, brides in white kimono, grooms in formal hakama, both walking slowly with an attendant carrying an umbrella. The Inner Garden costs ¥500 to enter but offers seasonal flowers, including spectacular irises in June, plus a quiet iris-lined pond that Emperor Meiji enjoyed. New Year brings over three million visitors making their first shrine visit of the year, so that’s the time to avoid unless you want the full cultural immersion of standing in line for hours.
Visitor Information:
Location: 1-1 Yoyogikamizonocho, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Hours: Sunrise to sunset (opens 5:00-6:40, closes 16:00-18:30 depending on month)
Entry Fee: Free (Inner Garden ¥500)
Best Time to Visit: Early morning for peaceful walks; autumn for fall colors
Website: https://www.meijijingu.or.jp/en/
6. Tokyo Tower
Tokyo Tower has been standing since 1958, painted orange and white to meet aviation safety standards, and it remains one of Tokyo’s most recognizable structures. At 333 meters, it’s shorter than Tokyo Skytree but offers a different kind of charm, there’s something nostalgic about this Eiffel Tower-inspired lattice design that captured Japan’s post-war optimism. Views stretch across Tokyo Bay to the city beyond, with Mount Fuji visible when weather cooperates.
The Main Deck at 150 meters includes glass floor panels where you can look straight down, not everyone’s favorite feature but worth trying if you’re comfortable with heights. The Top Deck Tour at 250 meters adds geometric mirrors and LED installations for a more theatrical experience. The tower sits in Shiba Park near Zojoji Temple, one of Tokyo’s important Buddhist temples, so you can combine both if you’re interested in that area. Evening visits show you Tokyo lit up, and the tower itself changes its illumination colors for seasons and special events. The base houses One Piece Tower, an anime theme park, plus restaurants with tower-facing windows on the FootTown building’s upper floors.
Visitor Information:
Location: 4-2-8 Shibakoen, Minato-ku, Tokyo
Hours: 9:00-23:00 (last entry 22:30), open year-round
Entry Fee: Main Deck ¥1,500; Top Deck Tour ¥3,300-¥3,500
Best Time to Visit: Sunset for day-to-night transition; clear winter days for Mount Fuji
Website: https://www.tokyotower.co.jp/en.html
7. Shibuya Scramble Crossing
Shibuya Scramble Crossing is where up to 3,000 people cross simultaneously when all the traffic lights turn red. It’s right outside Shibuya Station’s Hachiko Exit, and while it might sound like chaos, there’s an odd order to it, everyone waits, then everyone moves at once from all directions without colliding. It’s become Tokyo’s most-photographed intersection and a shorthand for the city’s organized density.
The crossing works 24/7, but you’ll see the real volume during weekday rush hours, 7:00 to 9:00 AM and 5:00 to 7:00 PM when commuters and shoppers pack the intersection. Giant video screens wrap the buildings above, creating a sensory overload that somehow represents modern Tokyo. For the bird’s-eye view, head up to the Starbucks in the Tsutaya building (though it’s usually crowded) or book a spot at Shibuya Sky observation deck on the same side. The crossing has appeared in films like “Lost in Translation” and hosts unofficial gatherings during Halloween and New Year’s Eve, though authorities have been trying to reduce those crowds in recent years.
Visitor Information:
Location: 2 Chome Dogenzaka, Shibuya City (outside Shibuya Station Hachiko Exit)
Hours: Accessible 24/7
Entry Fee: Free
Best Time to Visit: Weekday rush hours (7:00-9:00, 17:00-19:00) for peak crowds; evening for lit screens
Website: Not applicable
8. Hachiko Statue
The Hachiko Statue commemorates Japan’s most loyal dog, an Akita who met his owner at Shibuya Station every evening, and continued showing up for nine years after the professor died in 1925. It’s Tokyo’s most popular meeting point, always surrounded by people checking their phones and scanning for friends. The bronze statue represents a Japanese cultural value about loyalty and devotion that still resonates today.
Hachiko’s story is genuinely moving: the dog waited at the station from 1925 until his own death in 1935, never understanding why his owner stopped coming. The original statue was melted down during World War II for metal, but a new one was erected in 1948 and became an instant landmark. In January 2025, the statue was relocated slightly from its original spot to improve pedestrian flow around the constantly crowded area. You’ll often see the statue decorated, scarves in winter, flower wreaths on anniversaries. April 8th is Hachiko’s memorial day when people gather to honor his memory. There’s a second statue at the University of Tokyo showing Hachiko reuniting with his professor, which offers a more emotional version of the story if you visit that campus.
Visitor Information:
Location: 2 Chome-1 Dogenzaka, Shibuya (Hachiko Square, outside Shibuya Station)
Hours: Accessible 24/7
Entry Fee: Free
Best Time to Visit: Early morning or late evening for easier photos
Website: Not applicable
9. Shibuya Sky
Shibuya Sky takes you to the rooftop of Shibuya Scramble Square, 229 meters above the crossing you probably just walked through. It opened in 2019 and quickly became one of Tokyo’s better observation decks because you can actually go outside on the roof, wind in your face, unobstructed 360-degree views, and a perspective that helps you understand Tokyo’s scale.
The experience starts on the 14th floor where you’ll take a dedicated elevator to the 46th floor Sky Gallery. That floor has geometric installations, hammock-style seating, and indoor viewing areas with a café. Then you head up to the open-air Sky Stage on the rooftop. Weather permitting, that outdoor section is why people come, there’s no glass barrier blocking your photos, just a waist-high rail and the city spreading out in every direction. A new ticketing system launched in 2025, and it strongly encourages booking online up to two weeks ahead. Sunset slots sell out fastest, so plan accordingly if that’s your target time.
Visitor Information:
Location: 14F entrance, Shibuya Scramble Square, 2-24-12 Shibuya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Hours: 10:00-22:30 (last entry 21:20); may close during strong winds
Entry Fee: Adults ¥2,700 (10:00-14:59) or ¥3,400 (15:00-21:20); children 6-11 ¥1,200
Best Time to Visit: Sunset hours; book 1-2 weeks ahead for popular times
Website: https://www.shibuya-scramble-square.com/sky/
10. Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden
Shinjuku Gyoen gives you 144 acres of landscaped gardens less than ten minutes’ walk from Shinjuku Station, Tokyo’s busiest transport hub. The park combines three garden styles (French formal, English landscape, and traditional Japanese) in one space, creating different atmospheres depending on which section you’re walking through. It’s where Tokyo residents come to see cherry blossoms in spring and fall colors in November without leaving the city.
The garden started as a feudal lord’s residence in the Edo period, became an imperial garden, then opened to the public in 1949. Over 1,000 cherry trees represent different varieties that bloom from late March through April, which means you’ve got a longer window than parks with just one type. The Japanese garden section features ponds and traditional tea houses, the English section offers open lawns under mature trees, and the French section near the main entrance has geometric flower beds and straight paths. The garden prohibits alcohol and sports, keeping it quieter than most Tokyo parks. There’s a greenhouse with tropical plants, and the seasonal flower beds add color year-round. During peak cherry blossom and autumn foliage seasons, the garden extends its hours and stays open every day instead of the usual Monday closures.
Visitor Information:
Location: 11 Naito-machi, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo
Hours: 9:00-16:30 (Oct-Mar 14), 9:00-18:00 (Mar 15-Sep 30), 9:00-19:00 (Jul-Aug)
Entry Fee: Adults ¥500; seniors 65+ ¥250; students ¥250; under 15 free
Best Time to Visit: Late March-May for cherry blossoms; November for fall colors
Website: https://www.env.go.jp/garden/shinjukugyoen/english/
11. Tokyo National Museum
Tokyo National Museum holds over 110,000 pieces spanning Japanese history from ancient pottery to samurai swords, it’s Japan’s oldest museum and still the best single place to grasp the country’s artistic evolution. The museum sits at the northern end of Ueno Park in Taito, part of the district’s cultural corridor that includes four other major museums. If you’re trying to understand what makes Japanese aesthetics distinct, start here.
The museum opened in 1872 during Japan’s rush to modernize while preserving its heritage. Six buildings spread across the grounds, though most people spend their time in the Honkan (Japanese Gallery) where exhibits flow chronologically through periods like Jomon, Heian, and Edo. The Toyokan (Asian Gallery) shows how Chinese and Korean art influenced Japanese styles, while the Heiseikan rotates special exhibitions and houses important archaeological finds.
Friday and Saturday evenings extend hours until 8:00 PM, letting you visit after exploring Ueno’s restaurant streets. Three free admission days (May 18, September 15, November 3) draw bigger crowds but save you ¥1,000 if timing works. The museum shop stocks excellent art books and replica ukiyo-e prints.
Visitor Information:
Location: 13-9 Ueno Park, Taito-ku, Tokyo
Hours: 9:30-17:00 (until 20:00 Fridays and Saturdays); closed Mondays
Entry Fee: Adults ¥1,000; university students ¥500; high school and under free
Best Time to Visit: Weekday mornings for quiet galleries; Friday or Saturday evening for extended hours
Website: https://www.tnm.jp/?lang=en
12. Ueno Park
Ueno Park sprawls across 133 acres in Taito, packing museums, shrines, a zoo, and lotus-filled ponds into what feels like Tokyo’s front yard. It became one of Japan’s first public parks in 1873, and locals still treat it that way, families picnic under cherry trees in spring, students sketch beside Shinobazu Pond in summer, and everyone comes to feed the resident ducks year-round. Five major museums cluster here within walking distance, making Ueno Tokyo’s densest cultural zone.
The land started as Kanei-ji Temple’s grounds during the Edo period, and you’ll still find temple buildings scattered through the northern sections. Toshogu Shrine near the park’s center has ornate gold gates, while Shinobazu Pond lets you rent paddle boats and watch herons fish. Ueno Zoo, Japan’s oldest, sits in the park’s southwest corner with its famous giant pandas. The park connects directly to Ueno Station’s Park Exit, so you can step off the train into tree cover within minutes.
Street musicians and artists set up along the main paths on weekends, and the vibe shifts from contemplative in the quieter temple areas to recreational near the pond and zoo. Cherry blossom season (late March to early April) brings over 1,000 blooming trees and crowds that match, locals spread blue tarps for hanami parties that start at dawn and run past midnight.
Visitor Information:
Location: 5-20 Ueno Park, Taito-ku, Tokyo
Hours: Open 24/7; individual facilities keep separate schedules
Entry Fee: Free (museums, zoo, and specific attractions charge admission)
Best Time to Visit: Late March-early April for cherry blossoms (expect crowds); autumn for comfortable weather
Website: https://www.kensetsu.metro.tokyo.lg.jp/jimusho/toubuk/ueno/
13. Imperial Palace
The Imperial Palace sits on the former grounds of Edo Castle in Chiyoda, right in Tokyo’s geographic center, and it’s still where Japan’s Imperial Family lives and works. Most of the compound stays closed to the public, it’s an active residence and government facility, but guided tours run twice daily at 10:00 and 13:30, Tuesday through Saturday. You’ll walk parts of the inner grounds, see traditional palace architecture, and get a sense of how Japan maintains imperial traditions within a modern constitutional monarchy.
Edo Castle occupied this site from 1603 to 1867 as the shogunate’s power center before becoming the Imperial Palace in 1868. The 75-minute tours need advance reservations through the Imperial Household Agency website, though same-day standby tickets sometimes open if groups cancel. You’ll see the Fujimi-yagura keep (one of few original castle structures that survived), cross the iconic Nijubashi Bridge over the moat, and view palace buildings from approved distances, you won’t go inside residential areas.
Two dates open the palace more broadly: January 2 for New Year’s greetings when the Imperial Family appears on a balcony to wave at crowds, and February 23 for the Emperor’s Birthday celebration. Both draw massive attendance but offer rare access and a genuine cultural experience if you’re willing to queue for hours.
Visitor Information:
Location: 1-1 Chiyoda, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
Hours: Guided tours at 10:00 and 13:30 (closed Sundays, Mondays, national holidays)
Entry Fee: Free (advance reservation required)
Best Time to Visit: Spring cherry blossoms or autumn colors along the moat; January 2 or February 23 for special openings
Website: https://sankan.kunaicho.go.jp/english/
14. Imperial Palace East Gardens
The Imperial Palace East Gardens occupy where Edo Castle’s main keep and inner defenses once stood, massive stone walls and moat sections remain, now surrounded by carefully maintained gardens that change with each season. Unlike the palace tour, these gardens don’t need reservations and let you explore freely through grounds that blend castle ruins with traditional landscaping. It’s the most accessible way to experience the Imperial Palace grounds.
Three gates provide entry: Ote-mon (the main gate with impressive stonework), Hirakawa-mon, and Kitahanebashi-mon. The gardens close Mondays and Fridays plus New Year week, so check the schedule before going. Spring starts with plum blossoms, then cherry trees, while autumn peaks from mid-November through early December when maples turn crimson against the old stone walls. The Ninomaru Garden recreates an Edo period feudal lord’s pond garden, carefully placed rocks, shaped pines, and a layout that reveals different scenes as you walk the path. Climb to where the main keep foundation remains and you’ll get views across modern Tokyo from what was once the tallest point in the city.
Hours shift seasonally, as early as 4:00 PM closing in winter, extending to 6:00 PM in summer, so plan accordingly. The gardens pair well with nearby Kitanomaru Park, which holds the National Museum of Modern Art and the octagonal Budokan concert hall.
Visitor Information:
Location: 1-1 Chiyoda, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
Hours: 9:00-16:00 to 18:00 depending on season (entry stops 30 minutes before closing)
Entry Fee: Free
Best Time to Visit: Mid-November to mid-December for autumn foliage; spring for plum and cherry blossoms
Website: https://www.kunaicho.go.jp/e-event/higashigyoen02.html
15. Tsukiji Outer Market
Tsukiji Outer Market survived the 2018 wholesale market relocation and keeps thriving in Chuo as a retail maze of seafood shops, knife vendors, tea dealers, and tiny restaurants. While the inner wholesale market moved to Toyosu, the outer market’s independent shops stayed put and still supply Tokyo’s restaurant industry alongside tourists hunting for fresh sushi breakfasts. It’s where you’ll eat the freshest sea urchin you’ve ever tasted, watch vendors slice tuna with knives the size of swords, and stock up on ingredients you can’t find anywhere else.
Most shops here have been family operations for generations, they didn’t move because they own their properties and serve loyal customers who’ve bought from them for decades. Come around 11:00 AM if you want lunch without crushing waits; the breakfast rush (8:00-10:00 AM) packs people shoulder-to-shoulder in the narrow lanes outside popular sushi counters. Many places close by 2:00 or 3:00 PM since vendors start their days at 4:00 AM buying from wholesalers.
The market stays authentic because working chefs still source their fish, produce, and specialty items here, it’s not just a tourist photo stop. The Information Center near the Harumi Street entrance offers maps and basic translation help. New Year (December 29-January 3) shuts most businesses, so avoid those dates unless you want to photograph empty alleys.
Visitor Information:
Location: 4-16-2 Tsukiji, Chuo-ku, Tokyo
Hours: Shops typically 5:00-14:00; restaurants 11:00-15:00 and 17:00-22:00 (varies by business)
Entry Fee: Free
Best Time to Visit: Around 11:00 for lunch and shopping; early morning (5:00-9:00) for market atmosphere
Website: https://www.tsukiji.or.jp/english/
16. Toyosu Market
Toyosu Market is where Tokyo’s wholesale fish business happens now after leaving Tsukiji, a modern refrigerated facility in Koto’s waterfront that handles billions of yen in seafood daily. The famous tuna auctions still run here at 5:30 AM, though viewing requires winning a lottery that opens about a month ahead. Even without auction access, you can watch from observation decks and eat at market restaurants that serve the same ultra-fresh fish Tokyo’s top chefs buy.
The market operates Tuesday through Saturday with roughly 116 annual closures for holidays and maintenance, check the official calendar before planning your visit. Three connected buildings handle different products: tuna, other seafood, and produce, though most visitors stick to the tuna facility where the action concentrates. The Yurikamome Line runs directly to Shijo-mae Station at the market’s entrance, making access straightforward despite the waterfront location.
If you skip the pre-dawn auction, arrive around 11:00 AM for lunch at sushi restaurants that open to the public, prices run lower than similar quality downtown, and the freshness is unbeatable since the fish literally came off the boat hours earlier. The facility feels clinical compared to Tsukiji’s cramped lanes, but that’s the point, modern food safety standards, better refrigeration, and space for the trucks and workers who keep Tokyo’s seafood supply moving.
Visitor Information:
Location: 6-6-1 Toyosu, Koto-ku, Tokyo
Hours: 5:00-17:00; tuna auctions 5:30-6:30 (advance lottery required for viewing)
Entry Fee: Free (auction viewing needs reservation)
Best Time to Visit: 5:30 for auctions (if you get tickets); 11:00 for restaurant lunch without crowds; check closure calendar
Website: https://www.english.metro.tokyo.lg.jp/w/016-101-003992
17. Ghibli Museum
The Ghibli Museum in Mitaka celebrates Studio Ghibli’s animated films through exhibits designed by Hayao Miyazaki himself, it’s less a traditional museum and more an immersive experience where you can see how animation gets made, watch exclusive short films, and wander through spaces that feel like walking into a Ghibli movie. Fans of “My Neighbor Totoro,” “Spirited Away,” or “Princess Mononoke” will find it essential, though even people unfamiliar with the films appreciate the craft and imagination on display.
Tickets sell on the 10th of each month at 10:00 AM Japan time for the following month, and they disappear within hours, sometimes minutes, so you need your computer ready when sales open. The museum admits visitors at specific entry times (10:00, 12:00, 14:00, or 16:00) but doesn’t set exit times, letting you stay as long as you want. Photography isn’t allowed inside, which helps maintain the intimate atmosphere and encourages people to actually look at exhibits rather than experience them through phone screens.
The rooftop garden features a five-meter-tall robot soldier from “Castle in the Sky,” and the Saturn Theater shows original short films you can’t see anywhere else. Getting here from Shinjuku takes about 20 minutes on the JR Chuo Line to Mitaka Station, then either a 15-minute walk through residential streets or a ride on the Ghibli-themed community bus (¥230 adults, ¥120 children).
Visitor Information:
Location: 1-1-83 Shimorenjaku, Mitaka-shi, Tokyo
Hours: 10:00-18:00 with specific entry times; closed Tuesdays and during maintenance periods
Entry Fee: Adults ¥1,000; ages 13-18 ¥700; ages 7-12 ¥400; ages 4-6 ¥100; under 3 free
Best Time to Visit: Weekday mornings; tickets go on sale at 10:00 AM on the 10th of each month for the following month
Website: https://www.ghibli-museum.jp/en/
18. Hamarikyu Gardens
Hamarikyu Gardens sits on Tokyo Bay in Chuo with a tidal pond that rises and falls with the sea, one of the few traditional Japanese gardens that incorporates saltwater. The garden dates to the 1600s as a shogun’s hunting ground, became an imperial detached palace, then opened publicly in 1946. You’ll find carefully shaped pine trees (including a 300-year-old black pine), a tea house on an island where you can drink matcha while watching egrets hunt fish, and views that juxtapose Shiodome’s glass towers against traditional landscape design.
The garden’s location next to modern Shiodome creates one of Tokyo’s most striking contrasts, you’re drinking tea in a wooden pavilion while skyscrapers loom just beyond the garden walls. Spring brings plum blossoms and cherry trees, while late autumn (late November through early December) shows maples and ginkgo in full color against the pond’s reflection.
The garden occasionally extends hours for moon-viewing events in late October and early November, paths get lit with traditional lanterns, the tea house stays open past dark, and the atmosphere shifts from daytime calm to something more intimate. Water buses depart from the garden’s pier to Asakusa and Odaiba, letting you incorporate Hamarikyu into a waterfront route. May 4 (Greenery Day) and October 1 (Tokyo Citizens’ Day) offer free admission, though you’ll share the space with more visitors.
Visitor Information:
Location: 1-1 Hamarikyu-teien, Chuo-ku, Tokyo
Hours: 9:00-17:00 (entry until 16:30); extended during special moon-viewing events
Entry Fee: Adults ¥300; seniors 65+ ¥150; elementary age and under free
Best Time to Visit: Spring for cherry blossoms and plum trees; late November-early December for autumn color
Website: https://www.tokyo-park.or.jp/teien/en/hama-rikyu/
19. Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building
The Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building offers free observation decks 202 meters up in Shinjuku’s west side, views that match paid platforms elsewhere in Tokyo without costing anything. Architect Kenzo Tange designed the 1991 twin towers to house city government offices, and the two public observation rooms (one per tower) give you 360-degree perspectives across the capital. On clear days you’ll spot Mount Fuji to the west; at night, Tokyo’s lights spread to every horizon like a glowing circuit board.
The south observatory stays open until 10:00 PM, making it better for sunset and night views, while the north observatory closes at 5:00 PM. Both towers close different days, south on first and third Tuesdays, north on second and fourth Mondays, so one’s usually accessible. Recent renovations in 2024-2025 updated the viewing areas and facilities.
Getting here from Shinjuku Station’s west exit takes about 10 minutes walking, or you can take the Toei Oedo Line directly to Tochomae Station which connects underground to the building. The first floor has tourist information, souvenir shops, and free WiFi throughout. Weekday mornings see smaller crowds; sunset hours fill with locals and tourists watching the day-to-night transition. The deck includes a café if you want to sit with your view, and English signage helps identify landmarks in different directions.
Visitor Information:
Location: 2-8-1 Nishi-Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo
Hours: South observatory 9:30-22:00; north observatory 9:30-17:00 (note different closure days)
Entry Fee: Free
Best Time to Visit: South tower for sunset and evening views; clear winter days for Mount Fuji visibility
Website: https://www.yokoso.metro.tokyo.lg.jp/en/tenbou/
20. Shinjuku Golden Gai
Shinjuku Golden Gai packs over 200 tiny bars into six narrow alleys in Kabukicho, each bar seats maybe 5-10 people and many center around specific themes like punk rock, jazz, film noir, or classic literature. It’s where Tokyo’s artists, writers, and night owls have gathered since the 1960s, and while it’s more welcoming to outsiders now than it once was, the intimate scale and individual character of each establishment make it unlike any other bar district you’ll find. If you want Tokyo nightlife at its most personal and condensed, this is where to go.
The alleys run between Hanazono Shrine and Shinjuku City Office, just a few minutes’ walk from Shinjuku Station’s east exit. Most bars open around 6:00 PM and operate until 2:00 AM or later, some stay open until dawn serving regulars and stragglers. Many charge a cover (typically ¥500-¥1,000) on top of drink prices, which helps sustain these tiny businesses in expensive Shinjuku real estate. Some bars welcome tourists and display English menus, while others cater exclusively to regular customers, look for signs in English or peek through the door to gauge the vibe before entering.
The best strategy is wandering the alleys, seeing what catches your eye, and choosing based on atmosphere rather than recommendations. A 2016 fire destroyed parts of Golden Gai, but the area rebuilt while keeping its ramshackle, layered aesthetic that feels genuinely Tokyo in ways the polished commercial districts don’t.
Visitor Information:
Location: 1-chome, Kabukicho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo
Hours: Individual bars vary; typically 18:00-2:00 or later
Entry Fee: Free to walk through; bars charge ¥500-¥1,000 cover plus drink prices
Best Time to Visit: Evening and night for atmosphere; weeknights less crowded than weekends
Website: Not applicable
21. Yoyogi Park
Yoyogi Park gives you 134 acres of open grass, tree-lined paths, and weekend energy right next to Meiji Jingu in Shibuya. Built on the former 1964 Olympic Village grounds, it’s become Tokyo’s favorite spot for picnics, jogging, tai chi practice, and people-watching, you’ll see rockabilly dancers performing near the entrance on Sundays, families flying kites, and couples reading under cherry trees. If you want to see how Tokyo residents actually spend their free time rather than just tourist sites, this is where to come.
The park started as a military parade ground before housing Olympic athletes in 1964, and that history shows in the wide-open design that feels different from Tokyo’s more structured gardens. The northern wooded section connects to Meiji Jingu’s forested approach, while the southern lawns host everything from Thai food festivals to weekend flea markets in the event plaza.
Cherry blossom season (late March to early April) brings massive hanami parties, families stake out spots under blooming trees from morning until evening. Late November offers a completely different show when the park’s ginkgo trees turn brilliant gold. The Harajuku border means you can easily pair the park with shopping on Takeshita Street or visiting Meiji Jingu. Just know the park gets dark after sunset since it’s mostly unlit, so plan daytime visits unless you’re comfortable navigating by phone light.
Visitor Information:
Location: 2-1 Yoyogikamizonocho, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Hours: Open 24/7
Entry Fee: Free
Best Time to Visit: Late March-early April for cherry blossoms; late November for golden ginkgo; weekend afternoons for events
Website: https://www.tokyo-park.or.jp/park/yoyogi/
22. Akihabara Electric Town
Akihabara crams hundreds of electronics stores, anime shops, manga cafes, and video game arcades into a few dense blocks in Chiyoda, it’s the undisputed center of Tokyo’s otaku (geek) culture and tech retail. The district earned its “Electric Town” name after World War II when electronics dealers set up shop under the elevated train tracks, and while you can still find every obscure cable and component imaginable, Akihabara now pulls in crowds for anime figures, retro games, maid cafes, and the latest gaming gear. Tech heads and anime fans consider this essential territory, though the neon overload and theme songs blasting from every storefront can feel overwhelming if that’s not your scene.
Chuo-dori forms the district’s spine, running from Akihabara Station through blocks of multi-story shops. The street goes pedestrian-only on Sundays (1:00-6:00 PM in summer, 1:00-5:00 PM in winter), making it easier to navigate between stores without dodging traffic. Big chains like Yodobashi Camera and Sofmap handle new electronics and games, while smaller shops tucked in back alleys specialize in used games, vintage consoles, and rare anime merchandise. Maid cafes, where servers in French maid costumes treat customers as “masters”, cluster near the station and represent a uniquely Akihabara phenomenon that some visitors find entertaining and others find awkward.
The district runs more on tourist money now than local electronics sales, but it remains the best place to hunt for anime collectibles, retro Nintendo cartridges, and gadgets you didn’t know existed. Most shops open around 10:00 AM and stay open past 8:00 PM, with weekdays seeing fewer crowds than weekends.
Visitor Information:
Location: Akihabara district, Chiyoda-ku (centered on Chuo-dori near JR Akihabara Station)
Hours: Most shops 10:00-20:00 (varies by business)
Entry Fee: Free to explore; purchases vary
Best Time to Visit: Weekdays for easier navigation; Sundays 13:00-18:00 for car-free main street
Website: https://akiba.or.jp/
23. Ueno Zoo
Ueno Zoo opened in 1882 as Japan’s first zoological garden and still occupies prime real estate in the middle of Ueno Park, where giant pandas, polar bears, and Sumatran tigers live minutes from major museums and Shinobazu Pond. The zoo spreads about 3,000 animals from 400 species across East and West sections connected by a monorail, keeping it manageable for families with young kids or anyone wanting a nature break during Ueno’s museum circuit. It’s also one of Tokyo’s best family-value attractions, especially since high school students and younger get in free.
The zoo splits into East Park (where the famous pandas Xiang Xiang, Ri Ri, and Shin Shin draw lines) and West Park (housing gorillas, hippos, and the vivarium), with a five-minute monorail or walking bridge connecting them. Pandas remain the undisputed stars, expect queues during peak times or when cubs arrive, though the zoo manages flow reasonably well.
The zoo carries historical weight beyond just animal viewing; it opened during the Meiji period as Japan modernized and wanted to demonstrate its ability to create Western-style institutions. Come early if you can, animals are most active around 9:30-11:00 AM feeding times, and remember the zoo closes at 5:00 PM with last entry at 4:00 PM. Three annual free admission days (March 20, May 4, October 1) pack the place but save you ¥600 if you don’t mind crowds. The location within Ueno Park means you can easily string together the zoo, Tokyo National Museum, and a walk around Shinobazu Pond in one visit.
Visitor Information:
Location: 9-83 Ueno Park, Taito-ku, Tokyo
Hours: 9:30-17:00 (entry until 16:00); closed Mondays
Entry Fee: Adults ¥600; seniors 65+ ¥300; students 13-15 ¥200; 12 and under free
Best Time to Visit: Early morning (9:30-11:00) for active animals; skip free days unless you love crowds
Website: https://www.tokyo-zoo.net/english/ueno/
24. Kabuki-za Theatre
Kabuki-za serves as the principal theater for kabuki, Japan’s traditional dramatic art with elaborate costumes, stylized movements, and all-male casts, right in the middle of Ginza’s shopping district. The current building opened in 2013 (the fourth theater on this site since 1889) with architecture that blends traditional Japanese roof design with modern comforts including English translation devices and accessible seating. If you’re curious about kabuki but nervous about sitting through a four-hour show, single-act tickets let you watch one section from the fourth-floor gallery for ¥1,000-¥3,500.
Kabuki typically runs two sessions daily, matinee around 11:00 AM, evening around 5:00-6:00 PM, with each full show lasting 3-4 hours including intermissions where people eat bento boxes. Full performances cost ¥5,000-¥20,000 depending on seat location, but the single-act option gives you 60-90 minutes of kabuki for much less money and time commitment. Rent an English translation device (¥1,500) if you want plot explanations and cultural context, which helps since kabuki uses archaic Japanese that even native speakers find challenging.
The theater itself is worth seeing, notice the traditional roof design and the tower that glows at night in Ginza’s skyline. Arrive 30 minutes early to browse the basement souvenir shop or grab a bento to eat during intermission, which is what locals do. The theater sits in the heart of Ginza, so you can pair kabuki with browsing Mitsukoshi department store or eating at one of the area’s famous sushi restaurants.
Visitor Information:
Location: 4-12-15 Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo
Hours: Performance times vary; typically matinee 11:00, evening 17:00-18:00; box office 10:00-18:00
Entry Fee: Full show ¥5,000-¥20,000; single acts ¥1,000-¥3,500; translation device ¥1,500
Best Time to Visit: Book 1-2 months ahead for popular performances; same-day single acts for shorter taste
Website: https://www.kabukiweb.net/theatres/kabukiza/
25. Roppongi Hills
Roppongi Hills is basically a city inside the city, a massive complex in Minato that opened in 2003 with luxury shops, restaurants, Mori Art Museum, cinema, hotels, and offices all connected around the 54-story Mori Tower. It’s where Tokyo’s ambitious urban planning meets high-end retail and contemporary culture; you can eat at a Michelin-starred restaurant, see a modern art exhibition, then catch sunset views from the observation deck without stepping outside. The scale feels overwhelming at first, but the layout makes sense once you identify the main zones.
The complex covers 27 acres where a residential neighborhood once stood, now transformed into steel and glass towers around public plazas. Mori Art Museum on the 52nd-53rd floors rotates contemporary exhibitions, while the 52nd floor Tokyo City View observation deck offers 360-degree perspectives. Shopping ranges from Louis Vuitton to Japanese craft shops, and restaurants span everything from ¥1,000 ramen to kaiseki courses that cost more than some people’s rent.
The outdoor arena hosts seasonal markets, movie screenings, and events that create a genuine public square feel despite all the commercial activity. Toho Cinemas occupies several floors if you want to catch a Japanese film with English subtitles. The complex connects underground to Roppongi Station, so you never need to go outside if it’s raining, though walking through Roppongi’s streets gives better context for how the complex fits the neighborhood. Evening visits show everything at its best: lights illuminate the buildings, restaurants fill up, and the observation deck delivers night views worth the entry fee.
Visitor Information:
Location: 6-10-1 Roppongi, Minato-ku, Tokyo
Hours: Shops 11:00-21:00; restaurants 11:00-23:00 (varies by establishment)
Entry Fee: Free to enter; individual facilities charge separately
Best Time to Visit: Weekdays for manageable crowds; evenings for atmosphere and illuminations
Website: http://www.roppongihills.com/en/
26. Roppongi Hills Mori Tower Observation Deck
Tokyo City View sits on the 52nd floor of Roppongi Hills Mori Tower, putting you 238 meters above street level with floor-to-ceiling windows wrapping around the tower. What sets this apart from other observation decks is the Sky Deck on the rooftop, an open-air platform where you actually feel wind and weather while looking across Tokyo. On clear days you’ll spot Tokyo Tower, Tokyo Skytree, and Mount Fuji from different angles, making this one of the few spots where all three appear in your field of vision simultaneously.
The indoor deck circles the tower’s perimeter with minimal structural interruption, letting you walk continuously around while views shift from Shibuya to Tokyo Bay to the mountains beyond. The rooftop Sky Deck costs an extra ¥500 but offers something unusual for Tokyo, no glass between you and the cityscape, though it closes during rain or strong winds for obvious safety reasons.
The observation deck shares floors with Mori Art Museum, so your ticket covers both the view and whatever exhibition is running. Hours vary by day: Monday-Thursday until 6:30 PM, Friday-Saturday until 7:30 PM, with later hours before holidays. The deck closed temporarily for special exhibitions in 2025, so check the calendar before planning your visit. Online tickets save a few hundred yen and guarantee entry, which matters during popular exhibition periods when they cap attendance. Sunset brings the most visitors but delivers that classic Tokyo moment of watching the city light up neighborhood by neighborhood.
Visitor Information:
Location: 52F, Roppongi Hills Mori Tower, 6-10-1 Roppongi, Minato-ku, Tokyo
Hours: Mon-Thu 10:00-18:30; Fri-Sat 10:00-19:30 (verify current schedule on website)
Entry Fee: Adults ¥1,800; students ¥1,200; children 4-12 ¥600; Sky Deck rooftop +¥500
Best Time to Visit: Sunset for day-to-night transition; clear winter days for Mount Fuji; book online for savings
Website: https://tcv.roppongihills.com/en/
27. Nezu Museum
Nezu Museum sits on a quiet Minami-Aoyama side street with over 7,000 pieces of pre-modern Asian art, ceramics, calligraphy, paintings, and Buddhist sculptures spanning Japanese and Chinese history. Kengo Kuma designed the 2009 museum building to flow into a traditional Japanese garden where bamboo groves, stone lanterns, and seasonal plantings create a landscape that feels impossibly far from nearby Omotesando’s fashion boutiques. It’s where you can see nationally-designated Important Cultural Properties in climate-controlled galleries, then walk garden paths that transport you centuries away from modern Tokyo.
Railroad executive and art collector Nezu Kaichiro assembled the core collection starting in the Meiji period, focusing on tea ceremony utensils, Buddhist art, and Chinese bronzes. Exhibitions rotate regularly to protect light-sensitive works and keep displays fresh for repeat visitors. The garden, five carefully maintained acres, transforms with each season: plum blossoms in early spring, irises blooming along the pond in May, deep green summer growth, autumn colors in November, and snow-dusted stone lanterns in winter.
The museum café overlooks the garden through floor-to-ceiling windows, making it a perfect spot to pause with tea and traditional sweets after viewing the collection. You’ll need advance online reservations for timed-entry tickets, and weekday mornings see the lightest crowds. The museum closes during exhibition changes and on Mondays, so verify the schedule before your visit, showing up to locked doors ranks high on the list of avoidable travel frustrations.
Visitor Information:
Location: 6-5-1 Minami-Aoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo
Hours: 10:00-17:00 (entry until 16:30); closed Mondays and exhibition change periods
Entry Fee: Adults ¥1,300-¥1,500; students ¥800-¥1,200; junior high and younger free
Best Time to Visit: Weekday mornings for quiet galleries; autumn for garden colors; advance reservation required
Website: http://www.nezu-muse.or.jp/en/
28. The National Art Center, Tokyo
The National Art Center, Tokyo does something unusual, it doesn’t keep a permanent collection. Instead, Kisho Kurokawa’s 2007 wavy glass and steel building in Roppongi hosts rotating exhibitions, artist association shows, and installations that change throughout the year. The undulating glass facade brings natural light deep into the interior, and honestly, the building justifies a visit even if the current exhibitions don’t match your interests.
Multiple exhibition spaces run independent shows simultaneously, you might find contemporary photography in one wing, traditional Japanese calligraphy in another, and experimental sculpture upstairs. Special exhibitions typically cost ¥1,500-¥2,000 for adults, while artist association shows (Japan Watercolor Society, Nika Association, etc.) charge less or sometimes nothing. Friday and Saturday extend special exhibition hours until 8:00 PM, making evening visits possible if you’re juggling a packed Tokyo schedule. The second-floor museum restaurant, run by celebrity chef Paul Bocuse’s organization, serves French cuisine with views through the dramatic glass facade, pricey but well-executed if you want to linger.
The museum shop stocks exhibition catalogs and design objects worth browsing even if you’re not buying. Underground passages connect to Nogizaka Station so you can arrive without going outside, though walking through Roppongi’s streets gives better context for how the museum fits into this art-dense neighborhood. Always check the exhibition schedule online since content rotates frequently and some shows cater to specific interests that might not match yours.
Visitor Information:
Location: 7-22-2 Roppongi, Minato-ku, Tokyo
Hours: Special exhibitions Mon-Thu 10:00-18:00, Fri-Sat 10:00-20:00; closed Tuesdays
Entry Fee: Building free; special exhibitions typically ¥2,000 for adults
Best Time to Visit: Weekday mornings for space; Friday-Saturday evenings for extended hours; check schedule first
Website: https://www.nact.jp/english/
29. National Museum of Nature and Science
The National Museum of Nature and Science splits across two buildings in Ueno Park, the Japan Gallery tracing Japanese natural history and the Global Gallery covering evolution, biodiversity, and science from around the world. One of Japan’s oldest museums (opened 1877), it holds over 5 million specimens ranging from stuffed animals to meteorites. The museum works particularly well for families with curious kids, science enthusiasts, or anyone wanting to understand Japan’s natural environment and how it connects to broader global patterns.
The Japan Gallery walks you through the Japanese archipelago’s geological formation, native species evolution, and human settlement through skeletal displays, dioramas, and hands-on exhibits. A full-scale blue whale model dominates the Global Gallery’s atrium, it’s massive in person, while other floors tackle dinosaurs, space exploration, and the evolution of life on Earth. Friday and Saturday stay open until 8:00 PM, letting you visit after Ueno’s other attractions close for the day.
The collection includes some surprises: Hachiko’s preserved remains (yes, the loyal Shibuya dog) and several meteorites that actually fell on Japanese soil. High school students and younger enter free, making this one of Tokyo’s top family-value attractions. May 18 (International Museum Day) offers free admission but packs the place with crowds. Plan 2-3 hours if you want to properly see both buildings, longer if you’re reading all the English explanations that accompany major exhibits rather than just looking at specimens.
Visitor Information:
Location: 7-20 Ueno Park, Taito-ku, Tokyo
Hours: Sun and Tue-Thu 9:00-17:00; Fri-Sat 9:00-20:00 (entry stops 30 min before closing)
Entry Fee: Adults ¥630; high school and younger free; seniors 65+ free
Best Time to Visit: Weekday mornings for elbow room; Friday-Saturday evenings for extended hours; allow 2-3 hours minimum
Website: https://www.kahaku.go.jp/english/
30. Edo-Tokyo Museum
The Edo-Tokyo Museum in Sumida traced Tokyo’s transformation from Edo (the shogunate’s capital) to modern metropolis through life-size reconstructions, detailed scale models, and thousands of historical artifacts. The distinctive elevated building opened in 1993 with a full-scale Nihonbashi Bridge replica that visitors crossed to enter the Edo period section. However, the museum closed in April 2022 for extensive renovations and won’t reopen until spring 2026, so it’s not currently accessible, but worth flagging for future Tokyo trips.
Before closing, this ranked among Tokyo’s most engaging historical experiences. Life-size reproductions of an Edo period theater, merchant row houses, and a feudal lord’s mansion gave you a visceral sense of scale and daily life that photographs can’t capture. The modern Tokyo section documented how the city rebuilt after the devastating 1923 earthquake and 1945 bombing, showing the transition to contemporary Tokyo through newspapers, photographs, and preserved objects.
During the renovation period, the museum runs smaller traveling exhibitions at Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum in Ueno Park, preview shows that hint at what will return when the full museum reopens. The museum sits three minutes from Ryogoku Station in the heart of sumo territory, so the eventual reopening will pair naturally with visiting the sumo museum at Ryogoku Kokugikan or catching a tournament if your dates align with the six annual basho. Check the official website closer to spring 2026 for exact reopening dates and information about new exhibitions and updated facilities.
Visitor Information:
Location: 1-4-1 Yokoami, Sumida-ku, Tokyo
Hours: Closed for major renovations until spring 2026
Entry Fee: Pre-renovation adults paid ¥600; check website for new pricing structure
Best Time to Visit: Currently closed; plan for spring 2026 or later, or visit traveling exhibitions at other venues
Website: https://www.edo-tokyo-museum.or.jp/en/
31. Ryogoku Kokugikan
Ryogoku Kokugikan is where sumo happens in Tokyo, a 10,000-seat arena in Sumida that hosts three of the six annual Grand Sumo Tournaments (January, May, and September). The distinctive green copper roof makes it easy to spot, and inside you’ll watch Japan’s national sport unfold through carefully choreographed rituals that haven’t changed much in centuries. Even if you can’t score tournament tickets, the free Sumo Museum on the ground floor displays historical memorabilia, including ceremonial aprons worn by past champions.
Sumo tournaments run for 15 days, with matches starting around 9:00 AM for junior divisions and building to the main division bouts around 2:00 PM. Tickets start at ¥3,500 for general arena seats and go up to ¥20,000+ for box seats near the ring where you can bring food and take photos.
The arena sits in Ryogoku, Tokyo’s sumo district where you’ll find chanko-nabe restaurants (the protein-heavy stew wrestlers eat) and occasionally spot rikishi (wrestlers) walking the streets in traditional yukata robes. Tickets go on sale about a month before each tournament and sell out quickly for weekend matches, so book early through the official website or authorized sellers. The Sumo Museum opens weekdays 10:00 AM-4:30 PM year-round, making it worth a visit even outside tournament season if you’re curious about the sport’s history.
Visitor Information:
Location: 1-3-28 Yokoami, Sumida-ku, Tokyo
Hours: Tournament days 9:00-18:00; Sumo Museum Mon-Fri 10:00-16:30
Entry Fee: Museum free; tournament tickets from ¥3,500
Best Time to Visit: January, May, or September tournaments; arrive by 14:00 for main matches
Website: https://www.sumo.or.jp/en/
32. Zojo-ji Temple
Zojo-ji sits in Shiba Park with Tokyo Tower rising directly behind it, creating one of Tokyo’s most photographed contrasts between traditional Buddhist architecture and modern steel. This Jodo sect temple was founded in 1393 and served as the Tokugawa family temple during the Edo period, when six shoguns were buried in elaborate mausoleums on the grounds. The temple grounds stay open all day, but the real magic happens early morning when monks conduct Buddhist ceremonies, or at night when the temple and tower both light up.
The massive Sangedatsumon Gate (a 1622 original that survived World War II) marks the entrance, leading to the main hall rebuilt in 1974 after wartime destruction. The Tokugawa Mausoleum area requires a ¥500 ticket but lets you see where six Tokugawa shoguns and their family members rest.
The temple museum (¥700, or ¥1,000 combined ticket) displays Buddhist artifacts and documents the temple’s history. Sunday mornings draw people for special ceremonies where you can observe Buddhist rituals up close. The temple sits near several major hotels and Tokyo Tower, making it easy to visit before or after other Shiba Park attractions. The grounds include hundreds of small Jizo statues, Buddhist figures protecting children, which create a moving sight lined up in rows wearing red bibs donated by parents.
Visitor Information:
Location: 4-7-35 Shibakoen, Minato-ku, Tokyo
Hours: Grounds 6:00-17:30; Main Hall 9:00-17:00; Mausoleum weekends 10:00-16:00
Entry Fee: Grounds free; Mausoleum ¥500; Museum ¥700; combined ¥1,000
Best Time to Visit: Early morning for ceremonies; evening for illuminated temple and Tokyo Tower backdrop
Website: https://www.zojoji.or.jp/en/
33. Gotokuji Temple
Gotokuji Temple in residential Setagaya is where the maneki-neko (beckoning cat) legend supposedly began, and hundreds, maybe thousands, of white cat figurines crowd the grounds to prove it. According to temple lore, a cat beckoned a feudal lord to shelter here during a storm in the 1600s, saving him from a lightning strike and bringing prosperity to the temple. Today people buy small cat figurines (¥300-¥500), make wishes, then leave them at the temple, creating an ever-growing army of lucky cats that’s equal parts spiritual and surreal.
The temple dates to 1480 and follows the Soto school of Zen Buddhism, though most visitors come specifically for the cat connection rather than religious devotion. The main collection of maneki-neko sits near a small shrine, and watching people photograph themselves surrounded by white cats makes for entertaining people-watching.
The temple office sells the figurines from 8:00 AM-3:00 PM, and they do sell out on busy days, so arrive before noon if you want to buy one. The temple itself stays quieter than major Tokyo temples since it’s in a residential neighborhood about 30 minutes from Shinjuku. A lucky cat-themed train runs occasionally on the Tokyu Setagaya Line (about one in ten trains), adding a cute bonus if you time it right. Allow 30-60 minutes to walk the grounds, visit the cat shrine, and maybe leave your own figurine.
Visitor Information:
Location: 2-24-7 Gotokuji, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo
Hours: Grounds 6:00-18:00; office 8:00-15:00
Entry Fee: Free
Best Time to Visit: After 10:00 AM when office opens; weekday mornings for fewer crowds; buy cats early as they sell out
Website: https://gotokuji.jp/en/
34. Koishikawa Korakuen Garden
Koishikawa Korakuen is one of Tokyo’s oldest landscape gardens, completed in 1669 for a Tokugawa family branch and designed with scenes inspired by Chinese and Japanese poetry. The garden sits in Bunkyo next to Tokyo Dome, and the contrast between the carefully shaped pines and the modern baseball stadium creates one of those only-in-Tokyo juxtapositions. You’ll walk circular paths around a central pond, past a miniature representation of Kyoto’s Arashiyama, and through carefully framed views that change with the seasons.
The garden’s name translates to “pleasure-after” garden, referencing a Confucian idea that a ruler should prioritize people’s happiness before their own leisure. The Edo period design philosophy shows in how paths reveal different scenes, you round a corner and suddenly face a small waterfall, or cross a bridge and find a different perspective on the central pond.
Late November through early December brings autumn colors that rank among Tokyo’s best, while late March shows cherry blossoms and plum trees in bloom. The garden occasionally hosts special evening illumination events in fall when they light up the maples and extend hours past the usual 5:00 PM closing. The garden draws fewer tourists than places like Shinjuku Gyoen despite being equally beautiful, possibly because it requires more effort to reach from major tourist zones. Entry costs just ¥300, making it one of Tokyo’s better garden values.
Visitor Information:
Location: 1-6-6 Koraku, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo
Hours: 9:00-17:00 (entry until 16:30)
Entry Fee: Adults ¥300; seniors 65+ ¥150; elementary and under free
Best Time to Visit: Late November-early December for autumn colors; late February-March for plum and cherry blossoms
Website: https://www.tokyo-park.or.jp/teien/en/koishikawa/
35. Rikugien Garden
Rikugien Garden recreates 88 scenes from Japanese and Chinese poetry in a landscape completed in 1702 for a Tokugawa-era official. The name means “six poems garden,” referencing six classical poetry styles, and the design follows traditional principles where you discover new views while walking the circular path around the central pond. It’s particularly famous for two special events each year: spring weeping cherry blossom viewing and autumn maple illumination, when the garden extends hours into evening and lights up the trees.
The garden took seven years to build, with workers shaping every view deliberately, islands in the pond, the placement of stones, the curve of paths all designed to evoke specific poetic images. Spring brings a massive weeping cherry tree near the entrance that becomes the star attraction, while autumn turns the maples around the pond brilliant red and orange.
During these peak seasons, the garden closes at 5:00 PM, reopens at 6:00 PM for evening illumination until 8:30 PM, and charges ¥900-¥1,100 for the special night viewing (regular daytime admission is ¥300). The evening events require advance online booking during peak periods, though same-day tickets sometimes available. The garden sits near Komagome Station in Bunkyo, a quieter residential area that sees fewer tourists than central Tokyo. The walking path takes about 45 minutes to circle at a leisurely pace, longer if you stop frequently for photos or tea at the rest house.
Visitor Information:
Location: 6-16-3 Honkomagome, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo
Hours: 9:00-17:00 (entry until 16:30); special evening illumination 18:00-20:30 during cherry and autumn seasons
Entry Fee: Regular ¥300; evening illumination ¥900-¥1,100
Best Time to Visit: Late March-early April for weeping cherry; late November-early December for autumn illumination
Website: https://www.tokyo-park.or.jp/teien/en/rikugien/
36. Kiyosumi Garden
Kiyosumi Garden centers around a large pond where koi fish swim past carefully placed rocks collected from across Japan, a Meiji-period businessman assembled the garden in the late 1800s using stones shipped from various provinces to show his reach and taste. The garden occupies what was once a feudal lord’s villa site in Koto’s Kiyosumi neighborhood, an area that’s become quietly trendy with coffee shops and small galleries while keeping a residential feel. At ¥150 admission, it’s Tokyo’s most affordable major garden.
The garden follows the “stroll garden” style where paths wind around the central pond, revealing different views at each turn. Three traditional buildings dot the landscape, a ceremonial tea house, a waiting pavilion, and a scenic viewing hall where you can sit and watch the pond. The garden’s famous for azaleas that bloom from early April through early May, with over 100 varieties creating layers of pink, red, and white. Rock placement was a major design element here; the Meiji businessman who built it specifically chose stones from different regions, creating what was essentially a rock collection displayed as landscape art.
The garden sees far fewer visitors than places like Rikugien despite being just as meticulously maintained, possibly because Kiyosumi-Shirakawa Station sits off the main tourist routes. Allow 30-45 minutes to walk the full circuit and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere that feels surprisingly far from central Tokyo despite being just a few subway stops away.
Visitor Information:
Location: 3-3-9 Kiyosumi, Koto-ku, Tokyo
Hours: 9:00-17:00 (entry until 16:30)
Entry Fee: Adults ¥150; seniors 65+ ¥70; junior high Tokyo residents and younger free
Best Time to Visit: Early April-early May for azalea blooms; morning for quiet atmosphere
Website: https://www.tokyo-park.or.jp/teien/en/kiyosumi/
37. Omoide Yokocho
Omoide Yokocho, literally “Memory Lane,” though foreigners often call it “Piss Alley” for less charming reasons, packs about 60 tiny restaurants and bars into narrow alleys right next to Shinjuku Station’s west exit. Built in the 1940s post-war black market area, these cramped spaces now serve grilled chicken skewers (yakitori), beef intestines (horumon), and cheap beer to salary workers and tourists who don’t mind eating shoulder-to-shoulder with strangers. The atmosphere hits peak authenticity around 8:00 PM when smoke from multiple grills fills the alleys and red lanterns light the way.
Most shops seat maybe 5-10 people on stools around a small counter where the chef grills right in front of you. English menus are hit-or-miss, and some places discourage solo diners (especially solo women) due to limited space, though this is changing as more tourists discover the area. Expect to spend ¥2,000-¥3,000 per person for food and drinks.
The alley layout confuses first-timers, it’s basically two narrow passages connected by even narrower cross-streets, but part of the experience is wandering until you find a spot that looks welcoming. A 1999 fire destroyed much of the area, leading to rebuilding that maintained the cramped aesthetic while adding basic fire safety. The location literally one minute from Shinjuku Station makes it easy to visit, though the tight quarters and smoke-filled air aren’t everyone’s scene. Go with an empty stomach and a sense of adventure.
Visitor Information:
Location: 1-2 Nishi-Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo
Hours: Individual shops vary; most 17:00-23:00 or later
Entry Fee: Free to walk through; meals typically ¥2,000-¥3,000 per person
Best Time to Visit: After dark for atmosphere; around 20:00 for peak energy; weeknights less crowded
Website: https://en.shinjuku-omoide.com
38. Kappabashi Dougugai
Kappabashi Dougugai, Kitchen Town, is where Tokyo’s restaurants buy their equipment, and where you can buy everything from commercial rice cookers to those plastic food samples displayed outside Japanese restaurants. About 170 shops line the street between Asakusa and Ueno, selling professional-grade cookware, dishes, knives, and restaurant supplies at prices lower than retail stores. The district is marked by a giant chef statue that’s impossible to miss, and it’s become a destination for both professional chefs and tourists who want Japanese kitchen tools.
Most shops open around 10:00 AM and close by 5:00 PM on weekdays, with varying weekend hours, Saturday sees most shops open, while only about 30% operate on Sundays, so plan accordingly. The plastic food sample shops draw the most tourist attention; these eerily realistic replicas of dishes cost ¥1,000-¥5,000 depending on complexity and make unique souvenirs or gifts for food-obsessed friends. Knife shops sell everything from ¥2,000 home knives to ¥50,000+ chef’s blades, and staff can explain the differences if you speak Japanese or bring translation help.
The district sits about 10 minutes’ walk from Senso-ji Temple in Asakusa, making it easy to combine both in one morning. The shops cater primarily to professional buyers, so the vibe feels more businesslike than tourist-focused, which is part of the appeal, this is real Tokyo commerce rather than a created attraction.
Visitor Information:
Location: 3-18-2 Matsugaya, Taito-ku, Tokyo (street between Ueno and Asakusa)
Hours: Most shops 10:00-17:00; varies by shop; 30% open Sundays
Entry Fee: Free to browse; purchases vary widely
Best Time to Visit: Weekday mornings for full selection; Saturday if you can only do weekends
Website: https://www.kappabashi.or.jp/
39. Takeshita Street
Takeshita Street is Harajuku’s 350-meter pedestrian shopping street where Tokyo youth culture displays itself through fashion, food, and organized chaos. The street runs from JR Harajuku Station to Meiji-dori Avenue, packed with about 130 shops selling kawaii (cute) fashion, oversized crepes, trendy accessories, and whatever’s currently popular with Japanese teenagers. It goes car-free from 11:00 AM-6:00 PM daily, though “pedestrian-only” feels optimistic when you’re navigating weekend crowds that move at a shuffle.
The street became famous in the 1970s-80s as Harajuku developed its reputation as Tokyo’s fashion youth center, and while the specific trends change constantly, the energy remains consistent, young people shopping, eating, and performing Tokyo street fashion. Expect to see everything from Lolita dresses to streetwear, with shops changing merchandise seasonally to match current trends. The famous crepe stands serve Instagram-worthy desserts piled with fruit, whipped cream, and toppings that challenge structural engineering.
Most shops open around 9:00-10:00 AM and close by 8:00-9:00 PM. Weekdays offer easier navigation than weekends when the street becomes genuinely packed. The proximity to Meiji Jingu (5-minute walk) and Yoyogi Park creates an odd but functional pairing, traditional shrine forest in the morning, youth culture shopping in the afternoon. If crowds aren’t your thing, skip this. If you want to see contemporary Japanese youth culture concentrated into one street, this is it.
Visitor Information:
Location: 1-19 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo (350-meter street from Harajuku Station)
Hours: Street 24/7; most shops 9:00-10:00 to 20:00-21:00; pedestrian-only 11:00-18:00
Entry Fee: Free; shopping depends on your budget
Best Time to Visit: Weekdays for space to move; 11:00-18:00 pedestrian hours; early afternoon for full energy
Website: http://www.takeshita-street.com/
40. Yanaka Ginza
Yanaka Ginza is a 170-meter shopping street in Taito’s Yanaka neighborhood with about 60 small shops selling everyday items, street food, and handmade crafts, it’s what Tokyo looked like before everything became glass towers and chain stores. The street maintains a Showa-era shitamachi (old downtown) atmosphere where locals still shop for groceries and the pace moves slower than central Tokyo. The “Yuyake Dandan” (Sunset Stairs) at the street’s entrance offer a popular photo spot, especially around sunset when light hits the shopping street below.
The neighborhood survived both the 1923 earthquake and World War II bombing, leaving it as one of Tokyo’s few areas with pre-war character intact. Many shops are family-run businesses that have operated for decades, fishmongers, tea vendors, traditional sweets shops, and increasingly, cat-themed stores that capitalize on Yanaka’s reputation as a “cat town” where street cats roam freely.
Most shops open around 10:00-11:00 AM and close by 7:00 PM, so this works better as a daytime activity than evening visit. The street gets busiest on weekends but never reaches the overwhelming crowds of places like Takeshita Street. Yanaka sits near Nippori Station on the JR Yamanote Line, making access easy despite the neighborhood’s off-the-tourist-path feel. The area pairs well with visiting nearby Yanaka Cemetery and the several small temples scattered through the neighborhood. Allow an hour to walk the street, grab street food (fried croquettes are popular), and appreciate the slower pace.
Visitor Information:
Location: 3-13-1 Yanaka, Taito-ku, Tokyo (170-meter street with ~60 shops)
Hours: Individual shops vary; most 10:00-11:00 to 19:00
Entry Fee: Free
Best Time to Visit: After 11:00 AM when shops open; sunset at Yuyake Dandan stairs for photos; weekdays for authentic local vibe
Website: https://www.yanakaginza.com/ (Japanese only)
41. Odaiba
Odaiba is Tokyo’s futuristic waterfront district built on reclaimed land in Tokyo Bay, think giant Gundam statue, shopping malls with ferris wheels, rainbow-lit bridges, and beaches where you can dip your toes while looking back at the Tokyo skyline. Originally built as a fortress in the 1850s to defend against foreign ships, it became a city showcase during the 1980s bubble economy and now functions as family entertainment central. The automated Yurikamome Line from Shimbashi Station offers the best approach, running on elevated tracks that give you views across the bay as you arrive.
Major attractions spread across the man-made island: teamLab Borderless (now relocated to Azabudai Hills but formerly here), the life-size Gundam statue at DiverCity Tokyo Plaza, Palette Town with its giant ferris wheel, Oedo Onsen Monogatari hot spring theme park, and multiple shopping complexes. The beach park lets you relax on sand with Tokyo Tower visible across the water, a surreal combination that somehow works. Evening visits show Odaiba at its best when Rainbow Bridge lights up and the waterfront takes on that blade-runner-meets-family-theme-park vibe.
The island feels somewhat disconnected from traditional Tokyo, which is precisely the point, it’s where the city experiments with urban development without the constraints of existing neighborhoods. Getting here takes about 18 minutes from Shimbashi via Yurikamome Line, or you can take the Rinkai Line from Shinjuku/Shibuya. Weekend crowds can be intense, especially around shopping areas and popular attractions.
Visitor Information:
Location: Man-made island in Tokyo Bay, Minato-ku and Koto-ku, Tokyo
Hours: Area accessible 24/7; individual facilities vary
Entry Fee: Free to access area; individual attractions charge separately
Best Time to Visit: Evening for illuminated Rainbow Bridge and waterfront sunset; weekdays for smaller crowds
Website: https://www.tokyo-odaiba.net/en/
42. Tokyo Midtown
Tokyo Midtown is Roppongi’s other major complex (alongside Roppongi Hills), mixing luxury retail, restaurants, hotels, art spaces, and office towers around Hinokicho Park, a Japanese garden that predates all the steel and glass. The complex opened in 2007 on former Japanese Defense Agency land and creates a different vibe than its Hills counterpart: slightly more design-focused, marginally less overwhelming, with better integration of outdoor space. The Suntory Museum of Art and 21_21 Design Sight occupy purpose-built spaces here, making it Roppongi’s art hub.
The complex spreads across multiple buildings: Galleria with luxury shops, Plaza with restaurants and performance space, Tower with hotels and offices, and Garden Side connecting to Hinokicho Park. The park itself, 2.5 acres of carefully maintained Japanese garden, offers a contemplative break from retail therapy. Seasonal events include winter illuminations, ice skating, and spring cherry blossom viewing under trees that were here before any of the buildings.
The Suntory Museum rotates exhibitions of Japanese art, while 21_21 Design Sight (designed by Tadao Ando) focuses on contemporary design with thought-provoking shows. Food options range from casual dining to high-end restaurants, with several outdoor terraces that make warm-weather eating pleasant. The complex connects directly to Roppongi Station via underground passages, and Nogizaka Station sits just three minutes away. Compared to Roppongi Hills’ concentrated energy, Tokyo Midtown feels more spread out and less tourist-focused despite having similar amenities.
Visitor Information:
Location: 9-7-1 Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo
Hours: Shops 11:00-21:00; restaurants 11:00-24:00 (varies by establishment)
Entry Fee: Free to enter; museums and facilities charge separately
Best Time to Visit: Weekdays for manageable crowds; winter for illuminations; spring for cherry blossoms in Hinokicho Park
Website: https://www.tokyo-midtown.com/en/
43. GINZA SIX
GINZA SIX (usually written “G6” or “GSIX”) is Ginza’s largest retail complex, 13 floors mixing luxury brands, Japanese crafts, contemporary art installations, and restaurants that span from food hall casual to kaiseki serious. Opened in 2017, it represents Ginza’s attempt to stay relevant as Tokyo’s premier luxury district against competition from Roppongi and Omotesando. The rooftop garden on the 6th floor offers unexpected green space and views, while the basement food hall channels upscale depachika (department store basement) energy.
The building houses about 240 shops and restaurants, including flagship stores for Japanese brands alongside international luxury names. Rotating art installations throughout the building, including a massive Noh theater that seats 480, position GSIX as more than just shopping. The Terminal Ginza tourist service center on the 6th floor provides currency exchange, tax-free counter, baggage storage, and multilingual support, making it genuinely useful for international visitors beyond just retail therapy. The rooftop Ginza Garden opens 7:00 AM-11:00 PM, offering a breather between shopping sessions with views toward Tokyo Tower. The complex connects directly to Ginza Station via underground passages, placing you in the heart of Tokyo’s historic luxury district.
Shopping here skews expensive, this is Ginza, after all, but the art installations, rooftop garden, and basement food hall work as free attractions if you’re just browsing. The tourist service center alone makes it worth knowing about for practical travel needs.
Visitor Information:
Location: 6-10-1 Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo
Hours: Shops/cafés 10:30-20:30; restaurants 11:00-23:00 (varies); rooftop garden 7:00-23:00
Entry Fee: Free to enter and browse; shopping/dining depends on budget
Best Time to Visit: Weekday mornings for easier navigation; use Terminal Ginza for travel services
Website: https://ginza6.tokyo/
44. Asakusa Culture Tourist Information Center
The Asakusa Culture Tourist Information Center sits directly across from Kaminarimon Gate with an 8th floor observation deck that gives you one of Tokyo’s best free views, Senso-ji Temple spreads below, Tokyo Skytree rises in the distance, and you understand how Asakusa’s traditional architecture fits into the broader cityscape. Architect Kengo Kuma designed the building to evoke traditional Japanese wooden structures stacked vertically, and it works both as practical tourist facility and architectural statement. The center provides multilingual tourist information, free WiFi, currency exchange, and English-guided walking tours on weekends.
Eight floors offer different services: tourist information desks on the ground floor, exhibition space showing local culture, a café on the 2nd floor, and that crucial observation deck on top. The viewing terrace opens 9:00 AM-10:00 PM daily, giving you flexibility for morning light or evening shots of illuminated Senso-ji.
The center runs free English-guided walking tours on weekends, volunteers lead small groups through Asakusa’s backstreets, explaining history and culture in detail you wouldn’t get wandering solo. The building’s design photographs well, those stacked wooden volumes create interesting angles from street level.
Located literally across from Kaminarimon Gate, you can’t miss it when approaching Senso-ji from Asakusa Station. Most visitors use it for practical purposes (tourist maps, bathroom break, WiFi), but the observation deck deserves 15 minutes of your Asakusa visit, especially if you arrive early before Senso-ji’s crowds build.
Visitor Information:
Location: 2-18-9 Kaminarimon, Taito-ku, Tokyo
Hours: Information center 9:00-20:00; observation terrace 9:00-22:00; café 10:00-20:00
Entry Fee: Free
Best Time to Visit: Morning for observation deck views; weekends for free English walking tours
Website: https://www.city.taito.lg.jp/bunka_kanko/kankoinfo/
45. Kanda Myojin Shrine
Kanda Myojin sits on the edge of Akihabara and has been protecting the area since 730 CE, making it one of Tokyo’s oldest shrines and the spiritual heart of the electronics district. The shrine gained unexpected relevance in modern times by selling protective charms for electronic devices and computers, positioning itself as the tech industry’s spiritual guardian. Every other year (odd-numbered years) around mid-May, Kanda Matsuri, one of Japan’s three great festivals, transforms the area with elaborate portable shrine processions and traditional performances.
The shrine’s main hall dates to 1934 after the original burned in the 1923 earthquake, though the distinctive vermillion and gold decoration maintains traditional aesthetics. The grounds include several smaller shrines, a wedding hall, and EDOCCO, a cultural exchange center/museum that opens weekends and holidays (¥300 adults, ¥200 students) displaying festival artifacts and shrine history. The tech-blessing business isn’t just tourist gimmick; Japanese companies and individuals genuinely visit to pray for electronic equipment success, and the shrine sells specialized IT amulets that have become collector items among the devout and ironic alike.
The location between traditional religious site and modern otaku culture creates interesting contrasts, you might see someone in cosplay praying next to a businessman seeking blessing for new servers. The shrine sits about 5 minutes from either JR Ochanomizu or Akihabara Station, making it easy to combine with electronics shopping or Akihabara exploration. Kanda Matsuri years (2025, 2027, etc.) bring massive crowds, so plan accordingly if that interests you.
Visitor Information:
Location: 2-16-2 Sotokanda, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
Hours: Grounds 24 hours; shrine building 9:00-18:00; museum Sat/Sun/holidays 10:00-16:00
Entry Fee: Shrine free; museum adults ¥300, students ¥200
Best Time to Visit: Kanda Matsuri (odd years, mid-May) for festival; weekends for museum access
Website: https://www.kandamyoujin.or.jp/ (Japanese)
46. Ameyoko Market
Ameyoko is a 500-meter shopping street running along the JR Yamanote Line tracks between Ueno and Okachimachi Stations, basically a covered and open-air market where vendors shout prices, fresh seafood sits on ice, and the energy feels more post-war shitamachi (old downtown) than polished modern Tokyo. The name comes from either “Ame-ya” (candy store) or “America” depending on who you ask, referencing post-war black market origins when American goods and candy dominated sales. Today it’s about 400 shops selling everything from dried fish to sneakers to cosmetics.
The market’s character shifts by section: seafood and dried food near Ueno Station, clothes and shoes in the middle, Asian groceries and spices toward Okachimachi. Days before New Year’s Eve turn Ameyoko into chaos as Tokyo residents shop for osechi-ryori (traditional New Year food) ingredients, prices drop, crowds intensify, and vendors shout deals in a frenzy that embodies old Tokyo commercial culture.
Regular visits work better for browsing rather than serious shopping unless you know what you’re buying, though the atmosphere alone justifies a walk-through. Many stores close Wednesday, so avoid that day if you want the full market experience. Prices generally beat department stores, but quality varies and bargaining isn’t really done despite the market vibe. The area has survived multiple redevelopment threats because local resistance and its tourist appeal as “authentic old Tokyo” protect it. Allow 30-60 minutes to walk the length, longer if you stop to buy food or browse.
Visitor Information:
Location: Along Yamanote Line tracks between JR Ueno and Okachimachi Stations, Taito-ku
Hours: Most shops 10:00-20:00; individual shops vary
Entry Fee: Free to walk through; purchases vary
Best Time to Visit: Weekday mornings for navigation space; avoid days before New Year’s unless you want maximum chaos
Website: Not officially listed
47. Sumida Hokusai Museum
The Sumida Hokusai Museum celebrates ukiyo-e artist Katsushika Hokusai, who lived most of his 90 years in what’s now Sumida Ward, the man who created “The Great Wave off Kanagawa” and influenced Western art from Impressionism onward. Pritzker Prize-winning architect Sejima Kazuyo designed the 2016 building with reflective aluminum facades that create almost sci-fi aesthetics, which feels appropriate for displaying an artist who was experimental for his time. The permanent exhibition shows Hokusai’s life and work through reproductions (originals are too fragile for constant display), while rotating special exhibitions bring in other ukiyo-e artists and contemporary responses to Hokusai’s legacy.
The permanent collection costs just ¥400 (¥300 for students/seniors), making it one of Tokyo’s most affordable art museums. Special exhibitions add ¥700-¥1,000 but bring museum-quality shows worth the extra cost. The museum takes 1-2 hours to see properly, longer if you read all the English descriptions that provide cultural context about Edo-period life and woodblock printing techniques. The building itself photographs well with its geometric design and reflective surfaces, and the neighborhood around it maintains some of Sumida’s working-class character that Hokusai would recognize.
The museum sits near Ryogoku Station (5 minutes from Toei Oedo Line, 9 minutes from JR), making it easy to pair with Ryogoku Kokugikan sumo arena or the Edo-Tokyo Museum (currently closed for renovation). The neighborhood doesn’t see massive tourist traffic despite having these attractions, giving visits a more local feel than museums in central Tokyo.
Visitor Information:
Location: 2-7-2 Kamezawa, Sumida-ku, Tokyo
Hours: 9:30-17:30 (entry until 17:00); closed Mondays
Entry Fee: Permanent exhibition adults ¥400, students/seniors ¥300; special exhibitions additional ¥700-¥1,000
Best Time to Visit: Weekday mornings; allow 1-2 hours for thorough visit
Website: https://hokusai-museum.jp/?lang=en
48. Tokyo Disneyland
Tokyo Disneyland opened in 1983 as the first Disney park outside the United States, and despite being in Chiba Prefecture rather than Tokyo, everyone calls it Tokyo Disneyland because “Urayasu Disneyland” doesn’t have the same ring. Seven themed lands spread around Cinderella Castle, following the classic Disney template with Japanese operational efficiency that means trains run on time and staff stay relentlessly cheerful. If you know American Disney parks, you’ll recognize the format; if not, prepare for a day of rides, character meet-and-greets, and that particular Disney mix of nostalgia and commerce.
The park uses variable pricing, tickets range from ¥7,900 to ¥10,900 for adults depending on date and expected crowds, with similar scaling for juniors and children. You must buy tickets online in advance (they stopped selling day-of tickets), and booking opens two months ahead at 2:00 PM Japan time. Early Evening Passports (from 3:00 PM on holidays) and Weeknight Passports (from 5:00 PM on weekdays) cost less if you’re arriving late.
Weekdays see smaller crowds than weekends, though “smaller” is relative, Tokyo Disneyland stays popular. The park sits 15 minutes from Tokyo Station via JR Keiyo Line to Maihama Station, then a 4-minute walk. Disney Resort Line monorail connects Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea if you’re doing both parks. Operating hours vary by season (typically 9:00 AM-9:00 PM), so check the official calendar before planning your visit. English signage and staff make navigation manageable for non-Japanese speakers.
Visitor Information:
Location: 1-1 Maihama, Urayasu-shi, Chiba
Hours: Typically 9:00-21:00 (check official calendar for exact times)
Entry Fee: 1-Day adults ¥7,900-¥10,900; juniors ¥6,600-¥9,000; children ¥4,700-¥5,600 (variable pricing)
Best Time to Visit: Weekdays for smaller crowds; book tickets 2 months ahead; check calendar before planning
Website: https://www.tokyodisneyresort.jp/en/tdl/
Related guides: Tokyo Disney Resort Complete Planning Guide, Tokyo Theme Parks and Entertainment, Day Trips from Central Tokyo
49. Tokyo DisneySea
Tokyo DisneySea is the world’s only ocean-themed Disney park, it opened in 2001 next to Tokyo Disneyland and immediately became the more popular choice among adults for its theming, alcohol service (rare for Disney), and slightly more sophisticated atmosphere. Seven themed ports replace the land concept: Mediterranean Harbor (with Mount Prometheus volcano), American Waterfront (1920s New York), Port Discovery (retro-futuristic), Lost River Delta (Central American ruins), Arabian Coast, Mermaid Lagoon, and Mysterious Island. The recent Fantasy Springs expansion adds Frozen, Tangled, and Peter Pan themed areas.
Like Tokyo Disneyland, variable pricing means tickets cost ¥7,900-¥10,900 for adults depending on the date, with advance online purchase required. The park shares Maihama Station access with Disneyland, take Disney Resort Line monorail to Tokyo DisneySea Station (5 minutes from Maihama). Operating hours mirror Disneyland at roughly 9:00 AM-9:00 PM, though checking the specific calendar remains essential.
DisneySea attracts more Japanese adults and couples than Disneyland because the theming feels less kid-focused and alcohol availability (beer, wine, cocktails) at various restaurants sets it apart from most Disney properties worldwide. The park design emphasizes immersive environments, each port feels distinct with different architecture, music, and food that actually matches the theme rather than generic theme park fare. If you’re choosing between the two Tokyo Disney parks and don’t have young children demanding Mickey Mouse, DisneySea offers more interesting design and atmosphere.
Visitor Information:
Location: 1-1 Maihama, Urayasu-shi, Chiba (adjacent to Tokyo Disneyland)
Hours: Typically 9:00-21:00 (check official calendar)
Entry Fee: 1-Day adults ¥7,900-¥10,900; juniors ¥6,600-¥9,000; children ¥4,700-¥5,600 (variable pricing)
Best Time to Visit: Weekdays; advance booking required; unique sea-themed park with alcohol service
Website: https://www.tokyodisneyresort.jp/en/tds/
Planning Your Tokyo Visit
Tokyo’s attractions span 1,400 years of history, from temples founded in the 600s to digital art museums that opened last year. The city makes it easy to see multiple attractions in Tokyo in one day thanks to its efficient metro system, Senso-ji and Tokyo Skytree are both in Sumida, while Meiji Jingu sits between Harajuku and Shibuya. Each season changes what you’ll want to prioritize: cherry blossoms in spring, summer festivals, autumn leaves, and winter illuminations.
Choose based on your interests rather than trying to see everything. If you like contemporary art, dedicate time to both teamLab locations. If traditional culture matters more, focus on Senso-ji and Meiji Jingu with time in their surrounding neighborhoods. The observation decks (Skytree, Tokyo Tower, Shibuya Sky) offer similar experiences, so pick one unless you’re comparing views.
Most importantly, leave gaps in your schedule. Tokyo rewards wandering, you’ll find small shrines, local restaurants, and quiet neighborhoods between the major sites. The attractions in this guide give you the foundation, but the city’s real character shows up in the spaces between.
Japan Wanderlust creates personalized private tours that match your travel style and interests. We handle the planning, provide bilingual guides, and include private transportation so you can focus on experiencing Tokyo your way.