Tokyo is a wonderful city to visit for both lovers of ancient Japanese history and culture, as well as admirers of modern Japanese culture, technology, innovation, and tall skyscrapers. Tokyo brings together the old and the new in a perfect, seamless manner and has something to offer everyone. From delicious local street food to the best fine dining restaurants with over 200 Michelin-star restaurants in the city, Tokyo is also a food lover’s paradise.
The best places to visit in Tokyo include the Imperial Palace, the Edo Tokyo Museum (which is temporarily closed), and the historically significant Tokyo Station which is a prominent train station in the city, amongst several others listed below.
7 Top Places To Visit In Tokyo
Tokyo National Museum
The Tokyo National Museum is one of the most historically significant museums in Japan and is located in Ueno Park. It is comprised of six different buildings offering different exhibitions of Japanese cultures, such as the main building exhibiting Japanese art, the Heisekan building showing Japanese archaeology, the Toyokan building showing Oriental art, etc. This is a stunning area and each building is designed by a different architect. We highly recommend visiting this beautiful feat when in Tokyo.
Tokyo Skytree
This beautiful 2,080-foot-tall tower dominates the Tokyo skyline. The Tokyo Skytree, also known as the iconic Tokyo Tower, is a fantastic destination to visit in Tokyo that is quite popular with travelers. This tower features several excellent eateries and retail options at its base, as well as some stores within the building itself. The observation deck, which provides 360-degree views of Tokyo’s skyline, is indeed the place to be to admire Tokyo. On clear days, you might even see Mount Fuji from here, and even Tokyo Bay. It’s roughly a 10-minute drive from Tokyo Station and a 20-minute rail ride.
Imperial Palace
Japan’s royal imperial family still lives in the Imperial Palace and the monarchy creates an important pillar of modern Japanese culture. If you want to take a tour of the palace, there are two tours available every day, and you may schedule beforehand one on their website. However, the Imperial Palace East Gardens are available to the public all year and are one of the greatest spots to see cherry blossoms during the spring season. Chidorigafuchi, the palace’s moat, is also a prominent landmark to enjoy cherry blossom season. The canal is wonderfully adorned with cherry blossom trees, the petals of which fall on the water producing a magnificent image.
Ueno Park
Ueno Park is one of the busiest places to see cherry blossoms since many people come here to participate in Hanami (cherry blossom viewing parties). This big park in central Tokyo is located within walking distance from Ueno Station and features 800 to 1000 cherry blossom trees that bloom early. It’s the best recluse in the city center to feel the peacefulness that is primarily only found in the outskirts of Tokyo. Most people come here for a picnic, and it’s an excellent spot to see cherry blossoms in full bloom. The park’s gorgeous large pond adds to its great beauty.
Shibuya Crossing
In terms of foot traffic, the Shibuya crossing is recognized as the world’s busiest crossroads. The Shibuya Scramble Square Tower, located near Shibuya station in Tokyo’s city center, towers over this crossing and gives a superb view of the activity on the street from the deck of the Shibuya Sky observatory, which is around 750 feet high. This is the most unusual way to view what a bustling metropolis Tokyo is. While you’re here, don’t miss the adjacent renowned Hachiko statue, which was erected in memory of a dog who waited every day at Shibuya station to see his master, even after the owner had died.
Mount Fuji
There are many different places where you can enjoy a stunning view of Mount Fuji. It’s located about 100km from Tokyo and makes for the perfect day trip. The greatest places to observe Mount Fuji are Hakone, a hot spring resort, and the Fuji Five Lakes region with Kawaguchiko in this region offering some of the most stunning views. Mount Fuji can’t always be easily spotted owing to its nature of being hidden behind clouds for a majority of the time, depending on the season and visibility when you visit. November to February would be the best time to visit either Hakone or Kawaguchiko to enjoy the best views of the mountain. If you want to climb Mount Fuji, that is only possible in the months of July and August, and it is a tough hike so we advise caution.
National Art Center
This is a stunning wavy glass building located in the Roppongi area. This contemporary art museum was designed by Kisho Kurokawa who is one of Japan’s leading architects. The museum is huge and spans over 14,000 sq. meters, making it one of the largest contemporary art museums in Japan. Located about 3km from the Harajuku station, and even closer to the Roppongi station, it’s impossible to miss this huge beautiful building in the Roppongi hills. Visiting the National Art Center itself is free, and it also boasts two cafes and a restaurant along with a lovely gift shop.
FAQ
What is the prettiest place in Tokyo?
Tokyo has some of the most beautiful gardens and landscapes to admire, especially during cherry blossom season. The Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden is known to be one of the prettiest places in Tokyo and so are the Imperial Palace East Gardens and Ueno Park.
What is the coolest place in Tokyo?
Some of the coolest places to visit in Tokyo include Tokyo Bay, Tokyo Skytree, With Harajuku – which is an entertainment and shopping complex near the Harajuku Station, the teamLab Borderless Digital Art Museum, the Tokyo Rainbow Bridge and the Shinjuku crossing.
What are 3 to 5 tourist things that you should do in Tokyo?
Some of the tourist attractions you should visit in Tokyo are:
- Tokyo Skytree
- teamLab Borderless Digital Art Museum
- Mount Fuji
- Ueno Park
- Imperial Palace
What is the nicest part of Tokyo?
The nicest parts of Tokyo are Shinjuku, Roppongi, Tokyo Station, Odaiba, Shimbashi, etc.
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