Japan is a popular travel destination for many reasons: beautiful cherry blossoms, seasonal festivals, and amazing food. Tokyo in particular is popular for being a tourist-welcoming area and filled with so many things to do. The Pandemic has spared us the opportunity to travel but I believe things are going better. if you ever come to Japan here are the top 6 different places to visit in Tokyo.
Tokyo has been the Capital of Japan since 1868 and the city has so many things to offer.
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Table of Contents
A Little About Tokyo
Tokyo is known as a prefecture and a metropolis, which are essentially multiple big cities that makeup Tokyo as a whole. So, Tokyo is not just a single city and contains a whopping nearly 14 million people in that prefecture alone.
Besides the cities, there are also some residential towns and islands off the coast that belong to Tokyo as well. This fact makes Tokyo much larger and more varied than just a single city, meaning there’s plenty to do and visit.
Did you know that tourists don’t pay taxes when they shop in Tokyo? That’s according to the square service apartment’s facts about the city. It’s fascinating, isn’t it? Also, Tokyo is the safest city in the world and it has the busiest crossing street in the world, the Shibuya crossing.
Save on your Tokyo travels
Japan is such a great place to travel but it`s not as cheap as other Asian countries. One of the best ways to save on your travels is to save on your transportation.
East Japan Railway Company offers regional and Japan rail passes which make you get unlimited rides on trains and bullet trains. This can save you a lot of money in your travels. Check out JR East’s official website for more information.
1. Sensoji Temple
A great place to dip your toes into Japanese culture is the Sensoji Temple, one of the oldest and most visited temples in Tokyo. It entails rich Japanese culture as well as beautiful sights. There’s also a shopping strip leading up to the temple with prefecture-specific snacks and traditional souvenirs for tourists.
Depending on what time you visit, you may run into various events like annual festivals, markets, and carnivals.
2. Ueno Park
Ueno Park is a large public park next to Ueno Station in central Tokyo. It’s known for not only its beautiful park that’s popular during its cherry blossom season but for museums and zoos as well. You can easily take up a whole day here with different activities.
Ueno Park is home to the Tokyo National Museum, which is the oldest and largest museum in all of Japan. But there’s also the National Museum of Nature and Science, Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum, National Museum of Western Art, and the Shitamachi Museum all located nearby the park.
Another great place to visit in Tokyo is the Ueno Zoo, which is also located inside the park with plentiful animals to visit and see. In particular, they have giant pandas and Japan is cooperating with China and the U.S. to help bring their population back up. It’s also the biggest and oldest zoo in all of Japan!
3. TeamLab Borderless
Are you a fan of art museums? I bet you’ve never been to one like this before! This museum is a stunning digital art museum that’s perfect for any photos or videos. It’s also interactive, so the art shifts and changes if you touch it. Overall, an amazing, unique place to visit in Tokyo!
This is a great place to visit if you’re an art lover, but even if you aren’t, it’s such an amazing sight to see. It’s really popular on Instagram as well if you want a sneak peek before your trip.
ALSO READ: Why you should the rural sides of Japan
4. Meiji Jingu
Meiji Jingu is one of the most popular shrines for both tourists and locals. Especially around New Year, it’s busy with the traditional new year’s first prayers. This is one of the best places to visit in Tokyo if you want to imbibe Japanese culture.
Besides New Year, there are often weddings and a museum dedicated to a previous emperor and empress very close by. There is also a large area of the shrine grounds taken up by the Inner Garden, a beautiful garden that’s popular in June for its flower blooms. Overall, if you want to visit one shrine and check off a few other activities, then the Meiji Jingu is a great choice.
5. Akihabara
Akihabara is a district in Central Tokyo known for its video games, manga, anime, and other otaku culture-related goods. If you are a fan of anime or manga, this is definitely the number one place to visit. It’s also one of the most popular places in Tokyo for tourists to visit and contains not only stores but various themed cafes.
6. Tokyo Skytree
This popular destination in Tokyo is a 634-meter tall tower with observation decks to overlook the city. What’s particularly interesting about this tower is that it’s the tallest structure in Japan and the second tallest in the world!
Tokyo Skytree is more than just a tower, but also has shopping centers, an aquarium, and several restaurants either at the base of the tower, or higher up. Also, don’t worry, there are elevators that lead to multiple floors you can visit. If you aren’t afraid of heights and want an amazing view of the Kanto region, this is a great stop.
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Planning Tips
I’ve listed the top 6 places to visit in Tokyo, Japan, but make sure you’re planning ahead before your big trip. The majority of Tokyo involves train stations and walking, so plan locations and activities accordingly. Tokyo is a giant prefecture, so there’s going to be a lot you won’t be able to get to in a week.
A handy guide is planned by the train station routes. For example, you should get off at the Tokyo Skytree Station on the Tobu Isesaki Line if you want to visit the Skytree. If that’s your main activity for the day, plan for most other activities to be within walking distance. Otherwise, you’ll be jumping onto the train very often.
Have a plan for a rainy day too. Make sure you have backup plans just in case something gets canceled, or the weather isn’t great. Museums are great for rainy days.
Although knowing Japanese isn’t a must, knowing the basic please and thank you can go a long way. There are a lot of things you’ll find in English, especially in Tokyo, such as English menus, signs, and more. Regardless, studying a little conversational Japanese wouldn’t hurt.
Book your hotels and get great deals with Booking.com and check these getaway deals to save money from your travels.
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More places to visit in Tokyo
I hope you found this helpful! Traveling to Japan can be a really big commitment, so planning ahead of time is essential. This is a great first list for those who want the most popular and highly-rated activities and events. Make sure to research if you’re looking to attend a certain festival, or want to see the cherry blossoms!
More about the Author
This is a guest post from Alexis. He runs a blog called Cafe Beauty, a beauty and lifestyle-centric blog where she shares makeup reviews, seasonal favorites, and monthly releases. You can find her Twitter here and her Instagram as well.
QUESTION: Would you visit Tokyo, Japan? Which of these places to visit in Tokyo fascinates you most?
We’re planning to go to Tokyo, and we want to visit Akihabara too! So many nice places to visit, I’m getting more and more excited!