Tokyo is Japan’s capital city and biggest metropolis in the world, known for its vast offerings with traditional and modern ways of life, which not only include over a thousand temples and shrines, a world-class transportation system like no other, advanced technology, a haven for food lovers with its many Michelin restaurants, bold and unique fashion styles, and much more. Still the most populous city in the world, there are near-unlimited choices when it comes to entertainment, shopping, sightseeing and things to do for your first trip to Tokyo, Japan. It’s no wonder Tokyo is such a great location for a first-time visitor as well as multiple return visitors who just can’t get enough.
With 23 special wards (municipalities) in Tokyo alone, it may be hard to decide which to visit or how to plan your trip. This guide covers the more popular wards and areas that you’d want to visit as a first-time visitor so that you can see as much of Tokyo as possible as well as iconic locations that may have inspired you to plan this trip. All you need to know about how to plan your trip to Tokyo, Japan and how to prepare is here all in one place to make your experience easier. And before you even start planning the itinerary of your trip to Tokyo, Japan, make sure you read the 46 Comprehensive Things To Know Before Visiting Japan so that you’re fully prepared – I cover everything you need to know!
For my first time in Japan, I was able to visit for 2.5 weeks and I had planned to stay for one week in Tokyo and several days each in Hakone, Kyoto, and Osaka. Tokyo was our longest stop (you can see my entire trip under Tokyo, Japan story highlights on my Instagram) because there’s just an abundance of things to do and to be honest, even one week is not enough time to see it all so make sure you give yourself enough time as although things may seem close together, they’re actually not and a lot of walking will be involved (even a 20-minute walk will seem very long when you’ve been walking all day), and you’ll want to plan your trip to Tokyo, Japan in a way where it can be as smooth of a trip for you.
When To Visit Japan
First, you’ll need to decide what season you’d like to visit Japan. This will determine the pricing of your trip, your comfort level when it comes to the temperature and even certain foods that are available only seasonally. Obviously, the most popular and expensive time to visit Japan is during cherry blossom season between March and April (depending on which region of Japan you’re visiting) and the temperature is quite comfortable too where you can expect both cold and sunny days as the season changes. Autumn, between the months of October and November, is also a great time to visit Japan as the leaves look gorgeous when they’re changing colors and the temperature is very nice too.
Rainy season in Japan is usually between June and July and it is also uncomfortably hot in July and August. I highly suggest avoiding these months if you can because it can be hard to enjoy Japan with rain and extreme temperatures with very high humidity to go along with it. Our original trip in 2020 was supposed to be for the month of May, but when we re-scheduled our trip in 2023, we visited Tokyo at the end of June into the first week of July so I was expecting heat and humidity. Throughout the entire trip (except for Hakone where we were high up in the mountains), the temperature was ranging from 30-35°C with humidity of at least 80%. I have to admit with the amount of walking we did, the weather was tough to deal with and I was constantly wiping away sweat. You’ll want to opt for shorts, dresses, and skirts in this weather if you’re not used to it! There were still a lot of tourists during these months though, as it is the first year that Japan has opened since the pandemic happened.
Around late December to mid-March is usually low season as there are fewer visitors during the wintertime with its colder weather so you can find cheaper airfare and accommodations around this time.
Once you decide when you want your trip to Tokyo, Japan to be, try to book your trip at least 6 months in advance for the best pricing as well as have the opportunity to have more choices when it comes to flights and accommodations. Use my Ultimate Guide To Planning Your Trip Abroad and my Free Pre-Trip Planner And Checklist to help you plan your trip to Tokyo, Japan since there is so much to see, you want to make sure you can tackle your Tokyo bucket list in a strategic way. Here are also the Best Ways To Save Money On Flights For Your Next Vacation as flights to Japan especially from North America are not cheap!
Where To Stay In Tokyo, Japan
Tokyo, Japan is so large that depending on how convenient you want things for yourself, you can actually stay in a few locations and move hotels every couple of days if that doesn’t bother you. Otherwise, Tokyo has an excellent transportation system you can use to take you from place to place if you don’t mind a longer commute. But do keep in mind that the Metro closes at around midnight every day so you’ll need to either get back to your hotel before then, stay out all night, or find some other way home because taxis are very expensive.
Because our trip got extended by an extra first night since our flight arrived earlier than originally planned, allowing us to have a full week in Tokyo, Japan, I had to book separate accommodations. It actually worked out as we stayed in Asakusa the first night in Taito City, Tokyo and moved to Ryogoku in Sumida, Tokyo the second night and stayed there for the rest of the week in Tokyo. In Sumida, we stayed at The Gate Hotel Ryogoku by HULIC which I booked at Hotels.com and reserved the king room with the river view. We absolutely loved our stay and it was also a few minutes’ walk to two different subway stations. We had chosen this location since it was mostly in the middle of everything in terms of all the destinations we planned to visit on our trip to Tokyo and we didn’t want to keep moving hotels. (Here’s an Instagram Reel of all the hotels I stayed in Japan and you can a walkthrough of the hotel room I stayed at in Tokyo.)
However, if you do only want to stay in one accommodation in Tokyo, Shinjuku might be your best choice in terms of what area to stay because it is basically in the heart of everything you’d want to be near as a first-time visitor. You have easy access to transportation, an abundance of food choices, great shopping, and a plethora of things to do. Ginza is also another great option and is a premier luxury shopping area, a little less crowded, and closer to train stations if you want to visit cities outside of Tokyo. For any area you decide to stay in Tokyo, Japan, make sure you’re close to a subway station! It’ll likely be your only way to get around and you don’t want to be walking for miles from your hotel to just get to the subway – the walking does get tiring.
Here are also the Best Ways To Save Money On Hotels For your Next Vacation.
How To Get Around Tokyo, Japan
As I’ve briefly mentioned a few times already, you will be doing a lot of walking! Besides walking, your mode of transportation a majority of the time will be the subway and train systems during your trip to Tokyo, Japan. From the airport into the city, getting around to different wards and areas of Tokyo itself, or even going on a day trip outside of Tokyo – those will be one of your two options. And Japan really has done a great job of making it easy to get around and really connecting one location to another.
For details on how to use their subway and train system, see points 21 and 22 on my previous blog post 46 Comprehensive Things To Know Before Visiting Japan.
Types Of Food To Try In Tokyo, Japan
Japan is unquestionably a food destination as Tokyo is the food capital of the world. There are thousands of restaurants with hundreds that are Michelin-rated so it’ll be hard to list them all. I suggest doing your own research on what you’d like to eat (Instagram has been a great inspiration for me) as well as Time Out Tokyo, Condé Nast Traveler, and Tripadvisor. Keep in mind that restaurants are small and seating is limited so book your reservations at least a month in advance, if not, then you can risk waiting in line for a couple of hours if you can get in at all. If you’re not so worried about a specific restaurant you want to dine at and are willing to just wing it like we did for the most part, no matter where you go the food is consistent everywhere and is just beyond delicious. Even when I was full I wanted to keep eating and trying new foods because the food in Japan is just so mind-blowingly good.
There are also two types of meals I highly recommend you trying on your trip to Tokyo, Japan: 1) omakase – usually served at a sushi bar, you’ll get the chef’s choice of their take of making the freshest and best quality seafood and other food items and it can range from 10 to 20 small courses and 2) kaiseki – a traditional multi-course Japanese meal that comes in a certain order and can start at a minimum of 9 dishes or so. This kind of meal was served centuries ago for different purposes and today, it’s an art form and only fresh seasonal ingredients are used and prepared in a way to enhance those flavors.
Here is also a list of Tokyo’s Michelin restaurants to choose from. And to make it a little easier for you to decide what to eat on your trip to Tokyo, Japan, there are certain foods you should absolutely try while you’re in the homeland and a few restaurants I was totally in love with while I was there. Tokyo is most famous for the following foods:
Sushi
Known as the world capital of sushi, you can’t miss trying out sushi on your trip to Tokyo, Japan. Not only do you get extremely fresh seafood, but you get very skilled chefs to go along with it. Tokyo is where the Nigiri-style sushi was born so be sure to try some out! Sushi is not quite the same across the world and you have to try it out in the homeland. Sushi Jiro (if you’ve ever watched Jiro Dreams Of Sushi), is one of the most famous and hard-to-book sushi restaurants. You can also get premium craftsmanship of sushi in the Ginza district with its restaurants, many of which you can find in Edo style. Another area to find good sushi is Shinjuku – have you noticed that the areas I’m listing are also reflective of where you should be staying in Tokyo?
Udon
Udon is one of my favorite noodles and I make them all the time at home, so sometimes I enjoy them even more so than ramen. And as much as I love the thickness and texture of udon, I did prefer ramen a bit more in Japan solely because of the soup base! But there was quite a variety of udon I was able to try out in Japan and I especially liked the uniqueness of the Shake Marugame Udon by our hotel in Ryogoku. Instead of being in a traditional bowl, they layer the ingredients of the udon in a bubble tea-like cup and then you shake it all together before eating – and it was about $3-5 CAD. You can also get fried side dishes to go along with your udon for $1-2 CAD.
Ramen
There’s only two or three places where I really like ramen in Toronto, so I was extremely excited to be trying ramen in Japan. It actually became one of the meals I repeatedly got as I traveled throughout Japan and they taste different at every restaurant, but each one is just so good! Their soup base is perfect and flavorful and there are just so many different styles to choose from including cold ramen. There’s also a variation of ramen called tsukemen (also known as dipping noodles) where the broth – more concentrated than the noodle soup – and ramen come in two different bowls and you dip the ramen into the soup.
When you’re on your trip to Tokyo, Japan, you may notice that there are ramen vending machines everywhere. You actually can look at the photo and description of the ramen you want, pay at the vending machine, get a ticket, and take it inside to the restaurant to get your order and dine there. A lot of the restaurants I visited only had Japanese names so unfortunately I can’t share them, but you can see in these photos what they’re like.
Japanese Curry
One of the country’s most popular foods is the Japanese curry, it’s also considered comfort food. Japanese curry has always been my favorite type of curry – it’s a little more stew-like, sweeter and less spicy than other versions of curry. Although I love spicy flavors, Japanese curry is perfect for me any time and everyone will be able to handle this kind of curry dish.
Wagyu Beef
For your trip to Tokyo, Japan you’ll also need to try some of their famous wagyu beef. Wagyu is a classification of different Japanese cattle breeds and is known for being the most tender and flavorful beef as they have higher levels marbling and the texture is finer. Kobe beef is the most popular type of wagyu beef. The best one I’ve had was at the Tsukiji Outer Market and one of their food stalls only specializes in fresh A5 wagyu beef and they cook it fresh on the spot for you. The prices are pretty decent as well and I wouldn’t necessarily say it’s expensive either for wagyu.
Unagi
Unagi, or freshwater eel, is another popular food choice on your trip to Tokyo, Japan. It is full of good fats that make it tastier and softer after cooking. There are many restaurants solely devoted to unagi such as Asakusa Unana with their unagi onigiri but unagi dishes can also be found at many sushi restaurants. Unagi kabayaki is by far the most common unagi dish in Japan.
Uni
Uni, also known as sea urchin, are hand-harvested by divers so they can cost a little more and they may be an acquired taste for some especially if it isn’t of the best quality. Japan’s best sea urchin is called Kita Murasaki uni and is larger, creamier, sweeter, and rich with flavor out of all other kinds of uni.
Tonkatsu
Another Japanese favorite is the tonkatsu dish – it is breaded, deep-fried pork cutlet made with the fillet or the loin. You can find this dish in many restaurants including as a side dish, on top of rice (katsudon) or even the main attraction in udon soup. I love the way they fry in Japan and the texture is just so perfect without being oily.
Yakitori
You can see yakitori, or skewered chicken meat, all over Japan as it’s casual, cheap, and works as a great snack. Of course, you can also find other types of yakitori with different meats as well as offal (internal organs).
Soba
Thin noodles made from buckwheat are an art in itself as handmade soba takes a lot of skill and experience to make. It should have a chewy texture and can be eaten hot or cold. Although it can be enjoyed on its own, tempura is a popular side dish that goes along with soba. Here are the best soba restaurants in Tokyo, Japan.
Tempura
Tempura, is basically delicate seafood, meat, or vegetable fritters. The technique was first introduced in the 16th century by the Portuguese and the Japanese have perfected it. There are over 4,000 tempura specialists in Tokyo if you can believe that, so it’s a very important dish in Japan! You can get different kinds of tempura with pricing that ranges from budget to more expensive. You can eat it on its own, as a side dish, or as the star of the show with your rice or noodles.
Yakiniku
Yakiniku, also known as Japanese BBQ, is a type of food I saw very often all over Tokyo. You basically get your meat raw and grill it yourself over a personal or shared tabletop BBQ – so you can cook it to your liking. And I found that their meat was just so high quality and very flavorful and basically melts in your mouth – and it starts at about $5 CAD! It was actually one of my favorite meals in Japan and it’s very much worth the price. Here are the best yakiniku restaurants in Tokyo.
Shabu Shabu
Although it was a bit too hot for me to get shabu shabu (Japanese hot pot) while I was in Japan in the summer, it is a great meal choice during the colder months. You can have a great social gathering with this type of meal around a single pot of hot broth at the center of the table while the waiters bring out different types of ingredients for you to cook. (This is also a great way to try out the wagyu beef.) And you can create your own sauces to dip your food in. Here are the best shabu shabu restaurants in Tokyo.
Monjayaki
Many of you may already know about okonomiyaki, which is famous in Osaka and Hiroshima, and monjayaki is Tokyo’s version using different liquid ingredients which makes it have more of a cheese-like experience. You can have many ingredients put into your monjayaki depending on what you like and even have the fun of cooking it yourself on a hot stove top table at a restaurant. Here are the best monjayaki restaurants in Tokyo.
Japanese Buns
For those who know me, know I love bread, especially the Asian-style bread where it’s a little sweeter. And it was no different in Japan, I especially love their fresh melonpan – you can try them fresh or even at your local convenience stores. Bread was introduced to the country in the 1850s when Western people visited and America provided wheat to Japan after World War 2 which in turn created their famous foods (ramen, udon, etc.). Bread is such a huge thing in Japan that they eat more of that than rice – who would’ve thought?
Omurice
One of the must-eat food dishes on your trip to Tokyo, Japan is omurice. This comfort food is basically rice wrapped in a fluffy and smooth fried egg with a special gravy they pour all over the dish. And if you love sauce, you’ll love this dish. You can choose to have it plain and simple on its own, or have other ingredients such as wagyu beef on top. Either way, you can’t go wrong with savory and filling dish. These are the best omurice restaurants in Tokyo.
Matcha
Matcha can actually be consumed in many forms, and although Kyoto has the best matcha, I think this is worth mentioning on your trip to Tokyo, Japan as you can find the world’s strongest matcha at Suzukien! There are seven different levels of matcha gelato you can choose from as well as a variety of matcha drinks. There can be extremely long lines here so try to get there early.
Mochi / Daifuku
Although the best mochi can be found in Nara, Tokyo has no shortage of this glutinous rice confection. I personally love the strawberry daifuku which you can find in many places all over Tokyo with a fresh strawberry right in the middle. Mochi can come in so many different flavors and I think it’s great if you can try them all out! I went to a specialty Japanese confection store in Ginza and just bought a bunch of different flavors to try out. I also found the best matcha mochi I was able to try in Tokyo in this little store I found called Fukagawa Iseya Honten. There’s also many different forms of Mochi including donuts and even candy.
The Most Popular Wards To Visit On Your First Trip To Tokyo, Japan And What To Do
Tokyo is ginormous and consists of 2,194 square kilometers and there is only so much you can do for a week there so I will only cover the areas I visited to be sure of the information I provide here and don’t worry, they’re most of all the popular destinations you’d like to visit on your first trip to Tokyo, Japan! I had visited Eastern, Western, and Central Tokyo so these are the areas I will be covering in this blog post. As always, feel free to mix and match what you like to do to customize your personal itinerary with the information I share as you may be a more leisurely traveler or one who likes to pack your days like I do – I just like to be comprehensive to be able to provide all the information you need in one place.
Eastern Tokyo
Taito City
The districts of Taito City I visited were mainly Asakusa and Ueno and they’re fairly close together so you can definitely visit both on the same day. Asakusa was an entertainment district back in the Edo period and has a more historic Tokyo vibe. Ueno and its most prominent temple holds significant historical meaning and is now a great place to see cherry blossoms and has many museums, shrines, temples, and parks to visit.
1 – Kappabashi Dougu Street
Time Spent – 30 minutes to 1 hour
Interesting Facts – Only about an 8-minute walk from Senso-ji Temple is Asakusa’s Kitchen Town where you can find dozens upon dozens of shops that provide all the necessities to stock a good restaurant with everyting besides food itself. It is one of the world’s best areas to get kitchen supplies and you can find everything from custom knives, to pots and pans, chopsticks and other eating utensils, and even Japan’s famous plastic food displays.
2 – Kaminarimon Gate / Nakamise-dori Street / Senso-ji Temple / Asakusa Shrine
Time Spent – 1 to 2 hours
Interesting Facts – Kaminarimon Gate is the outer gate that ultimately leads to Senso-ji Temple and is one of Asakusa’s most famous landmarks. Both sides of the gates have Buddhist deities for protection but the gate has burned down a few times and was finally rebuilt in its current location in 1960. As you pass the gates, you will walk through Nakamise-dori Street which dates back to 17th century Edo period and is one of the oldest shopping streets in Japan. It is still run by the same families from generations ago on the temple property. As you keep walking straight, you will head right to Senso-ji Temple, an ancient Buddhist temple that Asakusa is famous for as it’s Japan’s oldest temple which opened in 645 AD. To the side of Senso-ji Temple, you will see Asakusa Shrine. It is a Shinto shrine (a structure where the main purpose is to worship the Shinto gods) and is dedicated to the three men who founded Senso-ji Temple.
3 – Ameyoko Shopping District
Time Spent – 2 hours
Interesting Facts – Ameyoko is a colorful open-air market street also known as the Candy Alley, as traditionally, this is where candy used to be sold. American products also used to be sold on the black market here after World War 2. Now, you can shop for clothes, cosmetics, spices, and food.
4 – Ueno Park / Ueno Zoo
Time Spent – 3 to 6 hours
Interesting Facts – Ueno is another historical part of Japan where the significance comes from the Kaneiji Temple. It was a Buddhist sanctuary founded in 1625 to protect the area and the people against evil spirits and it actually occupied the entire area of Ueno. Today, you can walk through the park and visit different temples and shrines where you will also come upon the Ueno Zoo. It is Japan’s oldest zoo which was opened in 1882 and is known for its giant pandas and for successfully being able to breed them.
5 – Tokyo National Museum
Time Spent – Up to 3 hours
Interesting Facts – The Tokyo National Museum is the only museum in the world where you can enjoy over 3,000 displays of Japanese art of all genres and periods. You can also see artworks and relics from other Asian countries as well as Egypt.
6 – Kodokan
Time Spent – 30 minutes to 1 hour (if you decide to watch them train, or longer if you want to train yourself)
Interesting Facts – Judo, a martial art and now Olympic sport, was founded in Japan in 1882 by Kano Jigoro. Kodokan is the headquarters of the worldwide judo community and if this is something you’re interested in, you can watch the Judokas practice or even compete. People from all over the world come to train here and they also host conferences, conduct Judo seminars, conduct research studies about Judo, and more.
Sumida
The district of Sumida is right next to Taito across the Sumida River and is known for quite a few things including sumo wrestling and several famous landmarks you must see while you’re in Japan. In Sumida, we stayed in the Ryogoku area and found it to be decently close to wherever we needed to go as there was easy access to the JR Lines and the Metro and the prices were really good.
1 – Tokyo Skytree
Time Spent – 10 to 30 minutes if you really want to go (but you can actually see Tokyo Skytree from many different areas from afar so you don’t necessarily need to visit the tower itself)
Interesting Facts – Tokyo Skytree is a broadcasting and observation tower and is the world’s tallest tower at 634 meters and the third tallest structure after Burj Khalifa and Merdeka. The height of the tower was chosen as the individual numbers stand for “Musashi”, the old name of the region where the Tokyo Skytree stands tall.
2 – Sumida Aquarium
Time Spent – 1 hour
Interesting Facts – Located on the 5th and 6th Floor of the Tokyo Skytree, you can visit over 7,000 marine animals here. This aquariums also only uses artificial seawater to curb CO2 emissions from the transportation of seawater in trucks to their aquarium. There are three routes to walk through the aquarium that provide different prospective and angles to enjoy and it links the two floors together so you can feel free to walk around as you wish. Visitors can also get right up to the penguins and fur seals so that you can feel like you’re in a connected space.
3 – Asahi Beer Hall / Beer Tower
Time Spent – Up to 1.5 hours
Interest Facts – At the headquarters of Asahi Beer, you can drink and dine here as there are three restaurants and one café on the 21st and 22nd floors. There’s also a small annex on the other side of the Beer Hall where you can try out some craft beers as well. At the Flamme d’Or restaurant, the menu is carefully created to pair well with their Japanese beer. The Asahi Flame (officially Flamme d’Or or Golden Flame) was designed by a French designer and architect and represents the burning heart of Asahi Beer. However, it is also popularly known as “the Golden Turd” for its odd shape.
4 – Ryogoku Kokugikan National Sumo Arena / Sumo Museum
Time Spent – 20 minutes at the museum (but longer if you’re watching a sumo match on your trip to Tokyo)
Interesting Facts – In January, May, and September, three of six official grand sumo tournaments happen at Ryogoku Kokugikan in Tokyo. This arena was built in 1985, can house over 10,000 visitors, and is the historic center of Japanese wrestling. They also host boxing as well as classical concerts. On weekdays, you can learn the history and culture of this Japanese sport at the Sumo Museum here. Also, Ryogoku has a dining street that resembles the Edo-period village and you can find many restaurants in this area that serve traditional protein-rich meals that were eaten by the sumo wrestlers.
5 – Ryogoku Edo Noren
Time Spent – Up to 2 hours
Interesting Facts – Formerly the Ryogoku Station building, this Edo-period style complex has many Edo-style restaurants and shops as well as a sumo ring. You can also find special Edo-style events being hosted here from time to time which makes for some great entertainment.
Koto
Koto City is the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games hub so it has a lot of sports centers and facilities. Because it is also by the waterfront, water activities like sailing and canoeing are also popular in this area of Japan. However, the main reason I went to Koto is because of the popular teamLab exhibition and a certain temple!
1 – Fukagawa Edo Museum
Time Spent – 30 minutes to 1 hour
Interesting Facts – The Fukagawa Edo Museum is a life-size reproduction of the streets in Tokyo during the Edo period to show the lifestyles of the people during that era. Even the lighting at this museum changes to show the different times of day as the Japanese people go about their lives. There are 11 buildings including houses, shops, a theater, boathouse, tavern, and fire tower and you walk through it all.
2 – Kiyosumi Gardens
Time Spent – 1 to 1.5 hours
Interesting Facts – This strolling-style landscape garden was completed during the Meiji Period and has changed ownership a few times and was eventually bought by the founder of Mitsubishi and then donated to the city and opened for public appreciation in 1932. What’s special about this garden is that there are stepping-stone paths where you can see turtles and fish. And back in the day, landscape stones were very valuable and had to be acquired across Japan.
3 – Naritasan Fukagawa Fudodo
Time Spent – 20 to 30 minutes
Interesting Facts – The highlight of visiting this temple is that they have a long hallway of glass Buddhas as well as the daily fire rituals with sutra chanting and taiko drumming. This temple is dedicated to the god of fire, Fudō Myō-ō, and was founded in 1800 by a monk who had a vision of this god when praying.
Time Spent – 2 hours
Interesting Facts – One of the most popular things to do on your trip to Tokyo, Japan is to visit the teamLab Planets Tokyo immersive museum. Not only is it a popular location for cool photo ops, you can immerse your entire body and become one with each exhibit. There are 4 large-scale artwork spaces and 2 gardens here and for the full details of how visiting teamLab works and tips you should know before you go, check out my Instagram Reel!
5 – Toyosu Market
Time Spent – 30 minutes
Interesting Facts – Formerly Tsukiji Fish Market, it was relocated to Toyosu Market so that the tuna auction was more organized and people didn’t have to line up at ungodly hours to get a spot. Now tourists can watch the fish auction from either the observation windows (you can just show up) or the observation deck (the best option as you’re closer to the action but there is an online lottery system). The best time to visit is around 5:45 AM and the auction ends at around 7 AM.
6 – Unicorn Gundam Statue
Time Spent – 15 to 20 minutes
Interesting Facts – If you’re into anime, this is the life-sized or full-scale statue of the RX-0 Unicorn Gundam from the Mobile Suit Gundam Unicorn series. It towers at a height of 19.7 meters and can switch between two modes: Unicorn and Destroyer. You can watch this transformation 4 times a day at 11 AM, 1 PM, 3 PM, and 5 PM. The change happens in about 10 seconds so be ready for it!
Central Tokyo
Chuo
Chuo City is in the heart of Tokyo, Japan and has a good mix of traditional and modern-day Japan. You can find some great luxury shopping here (take advantage because of the tax-free benefits for visitors, you can save a good amount of money here), towering skyscrapers, and as usual, many restaurants to choose from.
1 – Ginza
Time Spent – at least 4 to 5 hours
Interesting Facts – Tokyo’s top shopping district for luxury goods, a multitude of Michelin restaurants, and high-tech electronics is Ginza Kyobashi. It is the most expensive area in Tokyo with world-famous and internationally-recognized luxury brands and Chuo-dori (Central Street) is the main shopping street and runs east and west.
2 – Tsukiji Hongwan-ji Temple
Time Spent – 15 to 30 minutes
Interesting Facts – Originally the Edo-Asakusa Gobo Temple which was built in 1617 in Asakusa which had burnt down in a citywide fire in 1657, it was rebuilt between 1931 and 1934 in its current location. Its unique architecture was influenced by Indian temples and the main hall of Tsukiji Hongwan-ji Temple is considered a pilgrimage destination because of the artifacts of Prince Shotoku and other Shonins being housed there.
3 – Tsukiji Outer Fish Market
Time Spent – 2 to 3 hours
Interesting Facts – One of the must-do things on your trip to Tokyo, Japan is to explore and eat your way through Tsukiji Fish Market like I did. Tsukiji Market is the largest fish market in the world and first opened in 1935. It was built to replace the fish market in Nihonbashi that was destroyed in 1923 by the Great Kanto Earthquake. What’s left today is the Tsukiji Outer Fish Market as Tsukiji Fish Market had moved to Toyosu Market in 2018. It now consists of blocks of retail shops and restaurants with a large variety of seafood and other delicious Japanese snacks you’ll want to try.
4 – Tsukushima Monja Street
Time Spent – 1 to 2 hours
Interesting Facts – You can try the local flavors of Tokyo at Tsukushima Monja Street where there are over 70 monjayaki restaurants as well as other small shops and snack stalls. Here at the restaurants, you can cook your own monjayaki and customize your ingredients to your liking. Many shops here also serve okonomiyaki so you can try both and see which one you enjoy more.
Chiyoda
Chiyoda City is home to some very important buildings of Japan and is a political power centre and includes an area that is a must-visit for anime lovers.
1 – Akihabara
Time Spent – 3 hours
Interesting Facts – Home to fans of anime, manga, gaming, and electronics, you can find a multitude of stores dedicated to this otaku (diehard) culture. On Sundays, the main street Chuo Dori, is closed for pedestrians from 1 to 6 PM. Keep in mind that if you do buy electronics, make sure you look for foreigner-friendly ones so that you can use them overseas as the voltages will be different.
2 – Kanda Shrine
Time Spent – 30 minutes
Interesting Facts – Originally built in the year 730 AD, like many other important structures in Japan, it has been rebuilt multiple times due to fire and earthquakes. Its current location was rebuilt in the Edo period with concrete and was, therefore, able to survive the bombing of World War 2, unlike a lot of other Japanese historical structures. This shrine is the head of 108 Tokyo districts and the gods here are for prosperity, good luck, and marriage.
3 – Yasakuni Jinja
Time Spent – 20 to 30 minutes
Interesting Facts – Founded by Emperor Meiji in 1869, this shrine was built to commemorate over 2.5 million people who died in service of Japan, including the Boshin War, two Sin-Japanese wars, the First Indochino War, and World War 2. They had also included 14 convicted Class-A war criminals in the shrine which is why there is a lot of controversy surrounding this shrine.
4 – Imperial Palace
Time Spent – 2 hours
Interesting Facts – Only the East Gardens, which is part of the Inner Palace area, is open to the public. It was the former site of Edo Castle’s innermost circles of defence. However, only the moats, walls, entrance gates, and three guardhouses are still standing today. It used to be the residence of the Tokugawa shogun who ruled Japan from 1603 to 1867 and Emperor Meiji lived in the Nishinomaru Palace near the East Gardens from 1869 to 1873. You can also see the Edo Ruins and climb to the top for a panoramic view of the gardens.
5 – Hotel New Otoni Japanese Garden
Time Spent – 1.5 hours
Interesting Facts – At one of the greatest hotels in Japan right in the heart of Tokyo, you will find a secret oasis in their traditional Japanese Garden. Even if you aren’t a hotel guest, you can enter and walk around the garden. It was built 400 years ago in the Edo period and is an important symbol of the hotel with its 6-meter waterfall, pond with over 300 carps, and red-arched bridge. You can also eat at any of their four restaurants in the garden or seven restaurants inside the hotel that overlooks the garden.
6 – Hie Shrine
Time Spent – 45 minutes to 1 hour
Interesting Facts – The Japanese are not certain of the date of establishment at the Hie Shrine and the shrine was moved and also destroyed a few times and the present structure was created in 1958. The shrine also houses a National Treasure of Japan which is a tachior single-edged sword. People come here to pray for their marriage, prosperity in business, and healthy childbirth. They also have monkey deities that guard the shrine which makes it unique. What’s special about this shrine is that the back entrance has a tunnel of 90 red torii gates and it is a great alternative to visiting the famous Fushimi Inari Shrine in Kyoto if you’re not heading that way on your trip to Japan.
Minato
Minato City is known for its many landmarks, shrines, parks, and museums as well as entertainment districts that are popular with foreigners. You can also find many embassies in this area of Tokyo, Japan and it is also home to many Japanese office headquarters and some of the best restaurants in the world.
1 – Roppongi
Time Spent – At least 5 hours
Interesting Facts – Roppongi is a popular area to visit, especially for foreigners who have an affinity for the nightlife scene. There is a large expat community here and you can find many Michelin-starred restaurants, luxury shopping, world-class museums, and other forms of entertainment.
2 – Tokyo Tower
Time Spent – 1 hour if you decide to go in the tower for views or about 30 minutes if you want to take photos nearby
Interesting Facts – The Tokyo Tower was inspired by the Eiffel Tower and was the tallest tower in the world standing at 333 meters when it was completed in 1958. It is a symbol of Tokyo’s rebirth after World War 2 and is now the second tallest structure in Japan.
Here is an Instagram Reel I created where I share some of the best locations to take photos of the Tokyo Tower.
3 – Zojiji Temple
Time Spent – 20 minutes
Interesting Facts – Opened in 1393, this is the head temple of the Jodo sect of Japanese Buddhism in the Kanto region. There’s a mausoleum and a small museum on the property which contains six tombs of the Tokugawa shogun. There’s also an Unborn Children Garden where there are rows of stone statues of children to commemorate the miscarried, aborted, and stillborn children and parents can decorate them with clothing and toys.
4 – Prince Shiba Park
Time Spent – 15 minutes if you’re walking through for photos
Interesting Facts – This park is actually built around Zojiji Temple and is Japan’s oldest public park, officially designated in 1873. We had only just walked through the park to get a different viewpoint of Tokyo Tower but there is a nice path that leads to the water as well as a temple and shrine along the way.
5 – Sengaku-ji Shrine
Time Spent – 30 minutes to 1 hour
Interesting Facts – This temple is famous for it being the graveyard of the 47 Ronin (masterless sumarai from Ako). December 14 is the anniversary of the avenge and a festival is held every year at this temple to honor this famous event in history. There is a single-room museum where you can view artifacts, letters, and armor of the 47 Ronin.
Western Tokyo
Shinjuku
Shinjuku is one of Tokyo, Japan’s most popular and fun neighborhoods. You can do just about anything and everything including shopping, eating, drinking, sightseeing, and really feel the Tokyo vibes. It is great to enjoy both during the day and night and I highly recommend doing so!
1 – Samurai Museum
Time Spent – 1 hour
Interesting Facts – With over 700 years of history in the Kamakura and Edo period, these honor-bound and brave warriors defended Japan over the many centuries. At this museum, you can experience a sword show performed by professional actors, try on a samurai helmet (kabuto) and battle coat (jinbaori), get Samurai calligraphy lessons, take part in a lecture with an expert on samurai swords, and even attend a Japanese traditional music show. Just remember to make your reservations ahead of time for certain exhibits.
2 – Shinjuku Golden Gai
Time Spent – 2 to 3 hours
Interesting Facts – Golden Gai is made of up six alleys with over 200 bars, each with only a handful of seats. Take into consideration there are some bars that don’t allow for foreigners or tourists so that can narrow your choices down a little bit. A big part of this experience is walking through all the alleys and taking in the post-war charm of the Kabukicho district.
3 – Omoide Yokocho (Memory Lane)
Time Spent – 1 to 2 hours
Interesting Facts – Originally a black market after World War 2 in the late 1940s, this narrow lane has about 60 or so hole-in-the-wall and yakitori restaurants that seat only a small amount of customers each so get there early or you may not get a spot and have to wait a while. The spaces are small and cramped but it really makes for the experience here.
4 – Shinjuku Station Area
Time Spent – 1 to 2 hours
Interesting Facts – Just outside of Shinjuku Station are a lot of different unique shops and restaurants you can walk by. There’s a lot going on here including street performances so it’s actually quite nice to take it all in and enjoy the scenery here while you grab some delicious drinks and snacks or even go shopping. Shinjuku is bustling with life and multiple things to do so don’t miss this stop on your trip to Tokyo, Japan.
5 – Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building
Time Spent – 2 hours
Interesting Facts – Opened in 1991, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government governs the special wars, cities, towns, and villages that make up the Tokyo Metropolis and is the tallest city hall in the world. It is free to go up to the panoramic observatory decks for a nice view of Tokyo on the 45th floor and there are gift shops and cafés available. On a good day, you can even see Mount Fuji, Tokyo Skytree, Tokyo Tower, Meiji Jingju, and the Tokyo Dome. So if you want to save some time and don’t mind seeing all these landmarks from above instead of in person, this is a great option.
6 – Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden
Time Spent – 2 to 3 hours
Interesting Facts – Originally constructed on the site of a private mansion that belonged to a feudal lord in the Edo era, it was completed as an imperial garden in 1906. After World War 2 air raids, the garden was rebuilt and was re-designated as a national garden and opened for public use. This garden blends 3 styles: Formal Garden, Landscape Garden, and Japanese Traditional Garden and is one of the most important gardens from the Meiji era.
7 – Kagurazaka
Time Spent – 2 to 3 hours
Interesting Facts – This shopping and dining neighborhood in Tokyo is also known as Tokyo’s Little Paris with its French restaurants and schools, cobblestones, and sloping streets. Although if I’m being honest, I didn’t really feel a French vibe. It was more of a traditional Japanese street with a temple along the way, and beautiful lanterns that light up the night as you walk by the storefronts. It is also an entertainment district with geisha houses nearby and I had the luck of seeing a geisha walk down the street here at night right after a delicious ramen meal.
Shibuya
1 – Meiji Jingju
Time Spent – 1 to 2 hours
Interesting Facts – One of Japan’s most popular shrines, Meiji Jingju is a Shinto shrine dedicated to Emperor Meiji and his wife Empress Shoken. You can spend your time walking through the shrine itself, enjoy the traditional Japanese Garden and sacred forest here, or visit the museum which displays items used by or associated with the Emperor and Empress.
2 – Harajuku – Takeshita Street / Omotesando
Time Spent – 2 hours
Interesting Facts – Renowned for its quirky and cutting-edge fashion, colorful street art, mouth-watering sweets, and shopping, Takeshita Street in Harajuku is a must-visit destination on your trip to Tokyo, Japan. Just under a 10-minute walk is Omotesando where it’s comparable to Paris’s Champs-Elysees. There’s something for everyone here with shopping and it’s a great place to people watch.
3 – Sakurai Japanese Tea Experience
Time Spent – 45 minutes to 2 hours
Interesting Facts – You can’t go to Japan without trying an authentic Japanese Tea Experience! Tea, once drunk as a medicine, was associated with health and now it brings comfort and people together for social enjoyment. Here you can try fresh Japanese tea blends that involve a multi-sensory experience which factors in the ancient tradition of a tea ceremony into a holistic, modern experience which also includes sweets.
4 – Tokyu Plaza
Time Spent – 20 minutes to 1 hour
Interesting Facts – Tokyu Plaza is known for its mirrored entrance and is actually a great place to take photos before you head into the mall itself (if you decide to). This shopping complex sells clothing, cosmetics, and more as well as have a floor full of restaurants to choose from.
5 – Shibuya 109
Time Spent – 30 minutes to 1.5 hours
Interesting Facts – This department store is where you can find all the latest fashion trends in more than 120 shops with clothing, shoes, accessories, and more at very affordable prices. If you like to shop or get ahead of fashion trends, this is the best place to go on your trip to Tokyo, Japan.
6 – Shibuya Crossing / Shibuya Sky / Mag’s Park Rooftop / Shibuya Scramble Square
Time Spent – 2 hours
Interesting Facts – Shibuya Crossing is the busiest pedestrian crossing in the world with as many as 3,000 people crossing at the same time. Here’s an Instagram Reel I made that shows the view from above in Shibuya Sky and below walking through Shibuya Crossing.
At Shibuya Sky, you can get 360° panoramic views of Tokyo and it is about 230 meters above ground. On clear days, you can also see Fuji Mountain as well as the Tokyo Tower.
Mag’s Park Rooftop is at a lower angle than Shibuya Sky, but it is free and you still get a great view of Shibuya Crossing, so this is a great alternative if you don’t want to wait in line or pay to see the view from above.
7 – D47 Museum
Time Spent – 45 minutes to 1.5 hours
Interesting Facts – Dedicated to the 47 prefectures of Japan, each exhibition showcases a particular theme from each region which could include their culture, history, food, designs, and more. Visiting the 47 prefectures of Japan would take quite a bit of time so this museum can give you a quick glimpse into each.
8 – Starbucks Reserve Roastery Tokyo
Time Spent – 1 hour
Interesting Facts – I normally wouldn’t make it a priority to visit any Starbucks when I’m traveling, but after seeing videos of how different and unique the Reserve Roastery was in Tokyo, I knew I had to visit. There are 6 Reserve Roasteries in the world and they combine the art and craft of coffee in a beautifully designed location for your enjoyment at their bars or lounge areas. A full tour of my experience at this Starbucks is shared in my Instagram Reel with more details of this coffee house.
Other Popular Places To Visit On Your Trip To Tokyo, Japan
Although it wasn’t on my list of things to do on my first trip to Tokyo and I didn’t visit the wards these attractions below were in, these are some of the most popular destinations to visit when you take your own trip:
1 – Tokyo DisneySea or Tokyo Disneyland
If you had to choose between DisneySea and Disneyland, go for DisneySea! It’s also designed for and more popular amongst the grown-up audience whereas Disneyland is more catered towards younger kids, plus it’s very similar to the DisneyWorld in Orlando with the exception of a few things so it may or may not be worth it for you depending on how diehard of a Disney fan you may be. At DisneySea, it has a maritime theme inspired by the myths and legends of the sea with seven themed zones: Mediterranean Harbor, Mysterious Island, Mermaid Lagoon, Arabian Coast, Lost River Delta, Port Discovery and American Waterfront. Just remember that you will need to dedicate an entire day to each of these.
2 – Ghibli Museum
The Ghibli Museum showcases the work of the Japanese animation studio, Studio Ghibli and has interactive exhibits, short films, and play area where it will ignite your curiousity and interest of the entire animation process. However phones are not allowed as they want you to give your undivided attention to their museum.
Don’t forget to prepare for your own trip to Tokyo, Japan by reading 46 Comprehensive Things To Know Before Visiting Japan! The next stop on my trip to Japan is Hakone and I’ll be creating a blog post for that very soon.