15 Must Visit Tokyo Attractions & Travel Guide

1. Sensōji (浅草寺)

Sensō-ji 金龍山浅草寺 is Tokyo’s largest ancient Buddhist temple and major Tokyo attractions for Japanese and foreigners located in Asakusa.

The temple is dedicated to the Bodhisattva Kannon, also known as Guan Yin or the Goddess of Mercy.

It is Tokyo’s oldest temple, and one of its most significant. Formerly associated with the Tendai sect, it became independent after World War II.

Opening Hours: Daily 06:00am – 05:00pm

Getting there

By Subway :

1. Tokyo Metro: Ginza Line – Asakusa Station

2. Toei Subway: Asakusa Line  – Asakusa Station

Book Online: Asakusa walking tour

2. Nakamise (仲見世)

Located just before Sensoji after Kaminarimon or “Thunder Gate”, a massive paper lantern dramatically painted in vivid red-and-black tones to suggest thunderclouds and lightning, Nakamise is one of the oldest shopping centres in Japan.

Apart from typical Japanese souvenirs such as yukata, keychains and folding fans, various traditional local snacks from the Asakusa area are sold along the Nakamise.

Opening Hours: Daily 10:00am – 5:00pm

Getting there

By Subway :

1. Tokyo Metro: Ginza Line – Asakusa Station

2. Toei Subway: Asakusa Line  – Asakusa Station

3. Meiji Jingū  (明治神宮)

Meiji Shrine 明治神宮 is the Shinto shrine that is dedicated to the deified spirits of Emperor Meiji and his wife, Empress Shōken.

To pay respect: At a Torii (shrine archway): Bow once when entering and leaving.

At Temizuya (water well): Rinse your left hand and then your right hand. Then rinse your mouth with your left hand before rinsing your left hand again. Lastly, rinse the dipper (allow the remaining water to run down the handle of the dipper).

At the Main Shrine building: Bow twice. Clap your hands twice. Make a wish if you like & Bow once again.

Opening Hours

Daily 06:30am – 4:30pm ( Summer opens until 6.00pm )

Getting there

By Subway :

1. Tokyo Metro: Chiyoda Line – Meiji Jingu Mae Station

2. Tokyo Metro: Fukutoshin Line – Meiji Jingu Mae Station

See Tokyo’s latest fashion trends with the Harajuku Kawaii Fashion Tour offered by Magical Trip. You can experience the highlights of Harajuku, Kawaii Cafe, Meiji Shrine and colourful street food in a half-day!

Book Online: Harajuku Kawaii Walking Tour

4. Imperial Palace & East Garden (皇居)

Tokyo Imperial Palace 皇居 is the main residence of the Emperor of Japan. Except on Jan 2 (New Year’s Greeting) and Dec 23 (Emperor’s Birthday), the palace buildings and inner gardens are not open to the public.

Only on both specific dates, visitors are able to enter the inner palace grounds and see the members of the Imperial Family, who make several public appearances on a balcony.

The Imperial Palace East Gardens 皇居東御苑, are a part of the inner palace area and are open to the public.

Opening Hours

Daily except Monday & Friday 09:00am – 4:00pm ( Summer opens until 5.00pm )

Getting there

By Subway :

1. Tokyo Metro: Marunouchi Line – Tokyo Station

2. Tokyo Metro: Tozai, Chiyoda, Marunouchi, Hanzomon Line – Ōtemachi Station (exit C10 – closer to East Garden)

3. Toei Subway: Mita Line – Ōtemachi Station (exit C10 – closer to East Garden)

Book Online: Tokyo Historical Bike Tour through Imperial Palace

5. Tsukiji Fish Market (築地市場)

Tsukiji Market 築地市場 is the biggest wholesale fish and seafood market in the world. It handles more than 400 different types of seafood from cheap seaweed to the most expensive caviar, and from tiny sardines to 300 kg tuna and controversial whale species.

The most interesting part is the Tuna Auction. It is limited to 120 visitors per day. Viewing tickets are issued on a First Come, First serve basis beginning at 4:30 AM at the market’s Fish Information Center, located next to the Kachidoki entrance. (Not the main entrance)

The first 60 ticket holders are able to view the auction from 5:25 AM until 5:50 AM, while the other 60 ticket holders can view the remainder of the auction from 5:50 AM until 6:15 AM.

Note: To watch Tuna Auction, it is advisable to stay near Ginza area so you can catch a cheaper cab early in the morning. No trains are operating at this hour.

Opening Hours

Daily except Sunday & alternate Wednesday: 04:00am – 11:00am

Getting there

By Subway :

1. Tokyo Metro: Hibiya Line – Tsukiji Station

Book Online: Tsukiji Market walk

Cooking Class in Tokyo

If you want to get an idea of how the fish sold at Tsukiji Fish Market is used, you can join a cooking class and learn from local experts on how to make authentic sushi. If you would prefer to learn to cook something different, there are a variety of exciting cooking classes available in Tokyo covering everything from ramen to gyozas, including vegan and vegetarian options.

6. Tokyo Skytree (東京スカイツリー)

One of Tokyo’s newest landmarks & attractions, the 634-meter Tokyo Skytree is the tallest tower in Japan. The tower is the primary television and radio broadcast site for the Kanto region.

The Tokyo Skytree is its two observation decks Tembo Deck & Tembo Gallery which offer spectacular views of the Tokyo city skyline. On the base of Tokyo Skytree host a large shopping complex with an aquarium.

Skip the Queue, Book Online: TOKYO SKYTREE® Ticket 

Opening Hours

Daily 08:00am – 10:00pm

Getting there

By Subway :

1. Tokyo Metro Hanzomon Line & Toei Subway Asakusa Line: Oshiage Station

For More Info: Tokyo Skytree Website

7. Tokyo Disneyland & DisneySea (東京ディズニーランド)

Tokyo Disneyland is a 115-acre theme park based on the films produced by Walt Disney. It was opened in 1983 as the first Disney theme park outside of the United States.

Tokyo DisneySea, the 4th most-visited theme park in the world is also the 9th park of the 11 worldwide Disney theme parks to open.

Inspired by the myths and legends of the sea, Tokyo DisneySea is made up of seven themed ports of call: Mediterranean Harbor, Mystery Island, Mermaid Lagoon, Arabian Coast, Lost River Delta, Port Discovery and American Waterfront.

Skip the Queue, Book Online: Disneyland Japan 1 Day Pass or DisneySea Japan Tickets

Opening Hours : Daily 08:30am – 10:00pm

Getting there

By Subway :

1. Tokyo Metro: Yurakucho Line – Shin-kiba Station. Change to JR Line Train to Maihama Station.

For More Info: Tokyo Disneyland Official Website

8. Kabukichō (歌舞伎町)

Kabukichō (舞伎町 is an entertainment and red-light district in northeast Shinjuku beyond Yasukuni-dōri Avenue.

It is very famous for hostess bars, host bars, love hotels, shops, restaurants, and nightclubs, and is often called the “Sleepless Town”.

The district’s name comes from late-1940s plans to build a kabuki theatre: although the theatre was never built due to financial difficulties, the name stuck.

Opening Hours

Daily 7:00pm – 3:00am

Getting there

By Subway :

1. Tokyo Metro: Marunouchi Line – Shinjuku Station

2. Toei Subway: Oedo & Shinjuku Line – Shinjuku Station

9. Ginza (銀座)

The Ginza (銀座) is considered the high fashion centre of the city and contains many upscale shops and restaurants.

It is one of the most expensive real estate in the world. During the weekend, the street will be closed to motor traffic during the day hence becoming a Pedestrians’ Paradise.

Opening Hours

Daily 10:00am – 10:00pm

Getting there

By Subway :

1. Tokyo Metro: Marunouchi, Ginza & Hibiya Line – Ginza Station

10. Yasukuni Shrine (靖國神社)

Yasukuni Shrine 靖国神社 is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the soldiers and others who died fighting on behalf of the Emperor of Japan.

When Emperor Meiji visited Tokyo Shokonsha for the first time in 1874, he composed a poem; “I assure those of you who fought and died for your country that your names will live forever at this shrine in Musashino”.

Opening Hours

Daily 6:00 to 18:00 (to 19:00 from May to Aug; to 17:00 from Nov to Feb)

Getting there

By Subway :

1. Tokyo Metro: Tozai & Hanzomon Line – Kudanshita Station

2. Toei Subway: Shinjuku Line – Kudanshita Station

11. Akihabara Electric Town (秋葉原)

Akihabara is the largest town collecting all kinds of electronic appliances and devices in the world. The products at the very top of technology are always abundantly available here.

Over here, staffs master 20 languages of the world. Communication here can be going on smoothly without any problems. Customers can easily purchase overseas model products.

Opening Hours

Daily 11:00am – 9:00pm

Getting there

By Subway :

1. Tokyo Metro: Hibiya Line – Akihabara Station

12. Roppongi (六本木)

Roppongi 六本木 well known as the city’s most popular nightlife district among foreigners offers a large number of foreigner-friendly bars, restaurants and nightclubs.

Recent redevelopment projects, Roppongi Hills and Tokyo Midtown have to increase Roppongi’s appeal to a wider range of visitors through big shopping complexes & luxury hotels.

Getting there

By Subway :

1. Tokyo Metro: Hibiya Line – Roppongi Station

2. Toei Subway: Oedo Line – Roppongi Station

13. Kabukiza (歌舞伎座)

Kabuki-za in Ginza was the principal theatre in Tokyo for the traditional kabuki drama form.

It is the only theatre in Japan that has shows every month. The building’s design is bold and unique, registered as a Tangible Cultural Property by the Agency for cultural affairs in the Japanese Government in 2002.

Getting there

By Subway :

1. Tokyo Metro: Hibiya Line – Higashi-Ginza Station. Exit 3.

2. Toei Subway: Asakusa Line – Higashi-Ginza Station. Exit 3.

14. Tokyo Tower (東京タワー)

Tokyo Tower 東京タワーthe world’s tallest self-supporting steel tower is a communications and observation tower.

At 332.5 metres (1,091 ft), it is the second tallest artificial structure in Japan. Completed in the year 1958 as a symbol of Japan’s rebirth as a major economic power.

Visitors can ascend to the main observatory at 150 meters and the special observatory at 250 meters to get a bird’s eye view of Tokyo.

Skip the Queue, Book Online: 6% Off Tokyo Tower Ticket – Main Observatory Deck

Opening Hours : Daily 09:00am – 09:00pm (main observatory)

Getting there

By Subway :

1. Toei Subway: Oedo Line – Akabanebashi Station. Exit Akabanebashi Gate.

2. Tokyo Metro: Hibiya Line – Kamiyacho Station. Exit No.1.

For More Info: Tokyo Tower Official Site

15. Hachikō Statue (ハチ公)

One of the most touching real-life stories in the world. Hidesaburō Ueno, a professor in the University of  Tokyo, took in Hachikō, a golden brown Akita, as a pet. During his owner’s life, Hachikō greeted him at the end of each day at the nearby Shibuya Station.

The pair continued until May 1925, when Professor Ueno did not return. The professor had suffered from a cerebral haemorrhage and died, never returning to the train station where Hachikō was waiting.

Every day for the next nine years the dog waited at Shibuya station. Hachikō died in 1935 and was found on a street in Shibuya.

Eventually, Hachikō’s legendary faithfulness became a national symbol of loyalty, particularly to the person and institution of the Emperor.

Getting there

By Subway :

1. Tokyo Metro: Hanzomon, Fukutoshin & Ginza Line – Shibuya. Exit Hachiko.

Other Attractions

 1. Sanrio Puroland (サンリオピューロランド)

Sanrio Puroland, home of Hello Kitty, My Melody is the 2nd theme park in Japan featuring characters, following Disneyland.

Located indoor, it is an all-weather park which offers a variety of live performances and attractions.

Note: You can buy bento’s outside of the theme park to save money.

Skip the Queue, Book Online: Sanrio Puroland

Opening Hours: 09:30 am – 5:00 pm (Check the website for the exact opening time & Closed Day)

Getting there

By Subway :

1. KEIO Line: From Shinjuku Station – Take the rapid bound train to Hashimoto & get off at Tama Center Station. Walk out of the station go straight till KEIO Plaza Hotel Tama and turn left.

For More Info: Sanrio Puroland Official Website

2. Pokemon Center Mega Tokyo

The Pokémon Center is a specialist store for Pokémon goods. The wide range of original Pokémon Center goods is the most popular items found at the Pokémon Center.

If you want Pokémon goods, the Pokémon Center is the place to go!

Opening Hours: Daily 10 am to 8 pm

Address: Sunshine City Alpa 2F, 3-1-2 Higashi-Ikebukuro, Toshima-ku, Tokyo, 170-6002

Getting there

By Subway :

1. Tokyo Metro: Yurakucho Line (Y) – Higashi-Ikebukuro Station

2. Tokyo Metro: Marunouchi (M), Yurakucho (Y) & Fukutoshin (F) Line – Ikebukuro Station

3. Book Your Tokyo Tours Online

• Otomo Travel – Book your own local tour guide
• Dress in Kimono & take pictures at the Shibuya crossing
• Robot Restaurant Shinjuku 
• Restaurant Reservation Service in Tokyo
• Mori Tower Observation Deck Roppongi Hills VIP Tix
• Things to do in Akihabara

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