Tokyo Travel Guide
From timeless temples to avant-garde art, discover Tokyo’s most captivating sights through a curated guide that blends cultural immersion with iconic must-sees. Whether you're here for a few days or planning a deeper journey, let this be your starting point to experiencing Tokyo at its most unforgettable.
February 17, 2025
11 mins read
Tokyo is one of the easiest cities in the world to enjoy—once you stop treating it like a compact checklist. First-timers usually underestimate three things: how big the city really is, how much “station exit choice” matters, and how quickly timed-entry tickets and queues can eat half a day.
This guide isn’t meant to be done in order. It’s designed to help you choose what’s worth your time for your pace, and avoid the classic mistakes (cross-town zigzags, showing up on closed days, or arriving at the wrong entrance)
How to use this list (so you don’t burn a day on logistics)
Choose 2–3 daily anchors, not 6–8. In Tokyo, many places that look “nearby” on a map are still 30–45 minutes apart by transit, especially once transfers and station walks are factored in.
Plan around closures and time slots. Some experiences are effectively always open (street scenes, crossings), while others have fixed closed days (gardens, museums) or require timed entry during busy periods—like teamLab or Tokyo Skytree.
Use station exits like street addresses. “Asakusa Station” alone can mean multiple lines and dozens of exits; knowing the right exit in advance can save a surprising amount of backtracking.
If you’re short on time—or traveling with kids or mobility needs—having an English-speaking guide handle pacing, transfers, etiquette-heavy experiences (kabuki, sumo), and crowd navigation can be a practical way to keep the day smooth. A quick overview of when this makes sense is explained in this guide to Tokyo private tours.
If you’re planning to do everything independently, it’s worth skimming this primer on getting to and around Tokyo before you arrive—especially the sections on IC cards, airport transfers, and the situations where taxis actually save time.
And if you haven’t booked accommodation yet, choosing the right base neighborhood makes every day easier. This guide to where to stay in Tokyo breaks areas down by travel style and priorities, rather than just listing hotels.
Skyline & “wow, we’re in Tokyo” views
1) Tokyo Tower (東京タワー)
Best for: Classic Tokyo skyline vibes without the “mega-complex” feeling.
Nearest station: Akabanebashi Station (Toei Ōedo Line) is the simplest walk.
Time needed: 60–90 minutes.
Go when: Evening for city lights (and often less haze).
Tickets/closures: Observation decks require tickets; open daily.
Friction to expect: Elevator queues at peak times; confusion between Main Deck vs Top Deck.
Consider skipping if: You’re acrophobic or city views aren’t your thing.
2) Tokyo Skytree (東京スカイツリー)
Best for: Highest-elevation views + a full “tower district” at the base.
Nearest station: Oshiage (Skytree) Station or Tokyo Skytree Station.
Time needed: 60–120 minutes.
Go when: Early for clearer skies or evening for lights.
Tickets/closures: Tickets required; busy days can sell out time slots.
Friction to expect: Timed entry + “Deck vs Galleria” ticket confusion; waiting on crowded days.
Consider skipping if: You’re sensitive to heights or hate fixed schedules.
3) Roppongi Hills – Tokyo City View (Mori Tower)
Best for: A polished “night view” with a more central feel.
Nearest station: Roppongi Station (Hibiya Line) via “Roppongi Hills” exit.
Time needed: ~60 minutes (longer if you add museum time).
Go when: Night for skyline drama.
Tickets/closures: Observatory/museum are ticketed; schedules vary by exhibit/season.
Friction to expect: Multiple venues inside the complex with different rules/tickets.
Consider skipping if: You’re already doing Tower and Skytree.
4) Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building (Shinjuku) – Free observation decks
Best for: Budget-friendly views and a low-commitment “pop in.”
Nearest station: Tochōmae Station (Ōedo Line) or a walk from Shinjuku.
Time needed: 30–60 minutes.
Go when: Late afternoon into dusk.
Tickets/closures: Free; hours vary by deck.
Friction to expect: Lines can surge; visibility depends on weather.
Consider skipping if: You’re doing multiple paid view decks already.
Old Tokyo & “this is why the city feels layered”
5) Sensō-ji (浅草寺) + Nakamise Street (Asakusa)
Best for: First-timer “living tradition” that actually feels alive.
Nearest station: Asakusa Station (Ginza/Asakusa/Tobu lines).
Time needed: 60–90 minutes (temple + Nakamise browsing).
Go when: Early morning to beat the Nakamise crush.
Tickets/closures: Free; grounds open daily.
Friction to expect: Nakamise gets shoulder-to-shoulder; first-timers get disoriented in narrow lanes.
Consider skipping if: You’re temple-fatigued or hate crowds.
6) Meiji Jingu (明治神宮)
Best for: A calm, forested reset that doesn’t feel like a city.
Nearest station: Harajuku (JR) or Meiji-jingūmae (Metro).
Time needed: ~60 minutes (longer if you linger).
Go when: Morning or late afternoon.
Tickets/closures: Free; opens sunrise-to-sunset.
Friction to expect: The approach walk is longer than it looks; multiple entrances confuse people.
Consider skipping if: You’re exhausted by walking or not into shrine culture.
7) Imperial Palace – East Gardens (皇居東御苑)
Best for: History + calm greenery right in the city center.
Nearest station: Takebashi (Tōzai) or Nijūbashimae/Otemachi area for gates.
Time needed: ~60 minutes.
Go when: Spring or autumn.
Tickets/closures: Free; closed Mondays & Fridays (plus year-end closures).
Friction to expect: Only certain gates are open; security screening at entry.
Consider skipping if: It’s raining or you want indoor museums today.
8) Yanaka Ginza (谷中銀座)
Best for: Nostalgic shopping street + local snack strolling.
Nearest station: Nippori Station (JR) is the easiest base.
Time needed: ~60 minutes.
Go when: Late afternoon for peak neighborhood atmosphere.
Tickets/closures: Street is open; shop days vary.
Friction to expect: Small lanes + limited English signage; some shops keep irregular hours.
Consider skipping if: You’re rushing—this one rewards slow wandering.
9) Koishikawa Kōrakuen (小石川後楽園)
Best for: A “classic Japanese garden” experience without leaving central Tokyo.
Nearest station: Iidabashi Station (multiple lines) is very close.
Time needed: 60–90 minutes.
Go when: Autumn leaves or spring green.
Tickets/closures: Ticketed; seasonal hours.
Friction to expect: You’ll want to slow down—bad if you’re trying to cram it between big stops.
Consider skipping if: You’re already doing multiple gardens.
Gardens & slow Tokyo (when you need breathing room)
10) Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden (新宿御苑)
Best for: A “big park” that still feels curated and peaceful.
Nearest station: Shinjuku-sanchōme or Shinjuku-gyoemmae.
Time needed: 60–90 minutes.
Go when: Cherry blossom season or autumn.
Tickets/closures: Ticketed; closed Mondays (and late Dec/early Jan).
Friction to expect: Seasonal closing times catch people off guard; busiest during peak bloom.
Consider skipping if: You’re only in Tokyo a short time and weather is poor.
11) Kiyosumi Gardens (清澄庭園)
Best for: Compact, beautiful strolling garden—easy to pair with nearby neighborhoods.
Nearest station: Kiyosumi-shirakawa Station (Ōedo/Hanzōmon).
Time needed: ~60 minutes.
Go when: Autumn or a clear winter day.
Tickets/closures: Low-cost ticket; closed around New Year.
Friction to expect: Gravel paths can be slippery when wet.
Consider skipping if: Rainy day and you want indoors.
12) Kiyosumi-shirakawa café area (bonus micro-neighborhood)
Best for: Coffee + “modern quiet Tokyo” vibes after a garden stroll.
Nearest station: Kiyosumi-shirakawa.
Time needed: 60–120 minutes (depending on how you café-hop).
Go when: Late morning to early afternoon.
Tickets/closures: None; individual cafés vary.
Friction to expect: Popular spots can have short waits.
Consider skipping if: You’re on a tight schedule.
Culture experiences that feel “hard” without context
15) Kabuki-za Theatre (歌舞伎座), Ginza
Best for: A uniquely Japanese performance experience (even if you only sample one act).
Nearest station: Higashi-Ginza Station Exit 3 (direct access).
Time needed: 60–180 minutes (single act vs full program).
Go when: You can commit to the etiquette (quiet, no photos, long sits).
Tickets/closures: Performance days only; ticket rules vary by program.
Friction to expect: Japanese-first format; timing and ticket options confuse first-timers.
Consider skipping if: You’re with young kids or you’re not into theatre at all.
16) Ryōgoku Kokugikan + Sumo Museum (両国国技館・相撲博物館)
Best for: Understanding a major tradition without needing to attend a full tournament.
Nearest station: Ryōgoku Station (JR/Ōedo).
Time needed: 60–120 minutes (more if tournament day).
Go when: Tournament months if you want the full spectacle.
Tickets/closures: Museum is typically weekday-focused; tournaments require tickets.
Friction to expect: Limited tournament seats; ritual etiquette and pacing are unfamiliar.
Consider skipping if: No interest in sports/tradition.
Modern Tokyo “only here” experiences
17) Shibuya Scramble Crossing + Hachikō Statue
Best for: The iconic “Tokyo is moving” moment.
Nearest station: Shibuya Station, Hachikō Exit.
Time needed: ~30 minutes (more if you linger/photograph).
Go when: Night for neon energy; early morning for calmer photos.
Tickets/closures: None.
Friction to expect: Dense crowds; easy to lose your group; the statue is smaller than people expect.
Consider skipping if: You’re traveling with a stroller and hate crowd compression.
18) Takeshita Street (竹下通り), Harajuku
Best for: Sensory overload fashion/crepes/teen Tokyo culture—love it or hate it.
Nearest station: Harajuku Station (Takeshita Exit).
Time needed: ~60 minutes.
Go when: Early to avoid the 11:00–17:00 crush.
Tickets/closures: None; shops vary.
Friction to expect: Shoulder-to-shoulder crowding on a short street; tourist-trap pricing.
Consider skipping if: You hate crowds or you’re stroller-heavy.
19) teamLab Planets (豊洲)
Best for: Full-body immersive art (water, mirrored spaces, barefoot walking).
Nearest station: Shin-toyosu Station (Yurikamome) is closest.
Time needed: 60–90 minutes.
Go when: Weekday mornings for the smoothest flow.
Tickets/closures: Timed-entry tickets; sellouts are common.
Friction to expect: Barefoot + wet floors; mobility constraints in some areas; timing is everything.
Consider skipping if: You have mobility limitations or dislike wet/physical installations.
20) teamLab Borderless (Azabudai Hills)
Best for: “Museum without a map” digital art wandering (different feel from Planets).
Nearest area: Azabudai Hills (central Tokyo).
Time needed: 90–150 minutes.
Go when: You can give it unhurried time—rushing ruins it.
Tickets/closures: Timed tickets; check official schedule.
Friction to expect: Easy to lose your sense of direction; crowds can bottleneck popular rooms.
Consider skipping if: You already did Planets and want variety elsewhere.
Pop culture & shopping districts (choose your flavor)
21) Akihabara (秋葉原)
Best for: Anime, retro games, arcades, electronics—maximum “Tokyo nerd culture.”
Nearest station: Akihabara Station (JR/Metro/Tx).
Time needed: 60–180 minutes depending on your fandom level.
Go when: Weekday midday for breathing room.
Tickets/closures: None; shops vary.
Friction to expect: Overwhelm—too many buildings, floors, genres, and noise.
Consider skipping if: Zero interest in anime/gadgets.
22) Tokyo Station Character Street (東京キャラクターストリート)
Best for: Efficient souvenir hunting (Pokémon, Ghibli goods, and more) without trekking across the city.
Nearest station: Tokyo Station (underground areas).
Time needed: 30–60 minutes.
Go when: Morning or late evening to dodge crowds.
Tickets/closures: None.
Friction to expect: It’s easy to get turned around in Tokyo Station—use signage and map pins.
Consider skipping if: You don’t care about character goods.
23) Pokémon Center TOKYO DX (Nihombashi)
Best for: The “flagship” feel (bigger than the Tokyo Station shop) and a cleaner browsing experience.
Nearest area: Nihombashi.
Time needed: 30–60 minutes (more if you queue for anything special).
Go when: Right at opening for the calmest shelves.
Tickets/closures: Store entry is typically straightforward; café reservations are a separate beast.
Friction to expect: Weekend lines; popular items can sell out fast.
Consider skipping if: You’re not a fan.
Neighborhood Tokyo (best when you’re done with the “big hits”)
24) Shimokitazawa (下北沢)
Best for: Vintage shopping + cafés + “Tokyo that locals actually hang in.”
Nearest station: Shimokitazawa Station (Odakyu / Keio Inokashira).
Time needed: 60–180 minutes.
Go when: Afternoon (many shops open late).
Tickets/closures: None; many shops take random weekday breaks.
Friction to expect: Maze-y alleys; it’s easy to wander without “finding the good part” unless you commit time.
Consider skipping if: You don’t enjoy browsing shops.
25) Koenji (高円寺)
Best for: Thrift stores, record shops, underground music energy.
Nearest station: Koenji Station (JR Chūō Line).
Time needed: 60–180 minutes.
Go when: Evening for bars/music, afternoon for shopping.
Tickets/closures: None; individual shop schedules vary.
Friction to expect: Less “signposted tourism,” so it rewards confident wandering.
Consider skipping if: You want famous landmarks, not neighborhoods.
Interest | Top Picks |
|---|---|
First-timers | Senso-ji, Shibuya, Tokyo Tower, Meiji Shrine |
Families | Ueno Zoo, Skytree, TeamLab, Odaiba |
Culture lovers | Kabuki-za, Ryogoku, shrines |
Photographers | Shibuya Crossing, Tokyo Skytree, gardens |
Pop culture fans | Akihabara, Pokemon Center, Harajuku |
Nature escapes | Shinjuku Gyoen, Meiji Shrine forest, Koishikawa garden |
Do I need reservations for everything?
No—but timed-entry attractions (teamLab, towers on peak days) are where you’ll feel it.
What’s the biggest mistake with “25 must-visit” lists?
Trying to do them all. Pick the ones that match your interests, and group by area.
Is Tsukiji “the fish market”?
The inner wholesale market moved years ago. What visitors do today is the Outer Market (still worth it for food energy).
Where should I go if it rains?
Kabuki-za (if you can handle the formality), Tokyo Station Character Street, some observation decks, and shopping complexes like Odaiba’s mall zones.
Onsen in Tokyo—what should I know?
You’ll need to shower first, follow rules, and tattoo policies vary widely. If you want an easy “Tokyo onsen” without chasing outdated guides, consider Spa LaQua or Thermae-Yu rather than old Odaiba references.
