Top 10 Must-Visit Attractions in Tokyo, Japan
Must-Visit Attractions in Tokyo
When you think of Japan, Tokyo is probably the very first city that comes to mind. I like to call it “a city that feels brand new no matter how many times you visit.” A temple that is more than a thousand years old and the tallest tower in the world stand just a few subway stops apart, and a quiet forest coexists with the busiest pedestrian crossing on Earth—all within one city. It is only about a two-and-a-half-hour flight from Korea, and with its well-rounded mix of sights, food, and shopping, it is a place I confidently recommend even to first-time overseas travelers. So today I’ve put together, in ranked order, 10 of the best must-visit attractions in Tokyo that I’ve been to myself and always recommend to friends. Let’s get started!
No. 10. Ueno Park
If you want to enjoy culture and nature in one go on your Tokyo trip, there’s nowhere quite like Ueno Park. Opened in 1873, it is one of Japan’s very first public parks, and even today it draws more than 10 million visitors a year as one of Tokyo’s signature urban parks. Packed into its grounds are the Tokyo National Museum, the National Museum of Western Art, the National Museum of Nature and Science, and Ueno Zoo (famous for its giant pandas), so you could easily spend a whole day here without getting bored. In spring, more than 1,000 cherry trees form a blossom tunnel, transforming the park into one of Japan’s most beloved hanami spots.
No. 9. Akihabara
Known as “Electric Town” (Denki-gai), Akihabara first made its name as an electronics district, but today it’s even more famous as the holy land of anime, manga, and gaming subculture. Giant character billboards, floor-upon-floor shops selling figures and merchandise, retro arcades, and maid cafes—every alley bursts with a distinctly Japanese energy. You don’t have to be a hardcore fan to enjoy taking in the dazzling streetscape and hunting for souvenirs. And for those chasing the latest electronics or cameras tax-free, it remains a rewarding shopping spot.
No. 8. Odaiba
Built on a man-made island in Tokyo Bay, Odaiba is a waterfront playground you enjoy with the sea breeze in your hair. At night, the Rainbow Bridge glows in shifting colors and serves as the area’s icon—the city skyline seen from the seaside promenade is truly gorgeous. The life-size Unicorn Gundam statue is a perpetually crowded photo spot, and with large shopping malls, a hot-spring theme park, and digital art exhibitions, there’s plenty for families and couples alike. Even the ride over on the driverless Yurikamome train, gliding across the bay, is a sightseeing experience in itself.
No. 7. Shinjuku Gyoen
It always amazes me that such a vast garden hides right in the heart of skyscraper-packed Shinjuku. Spanning about 58.3 hectares (144 acres), Shinjuku Gyoen was created as an imperial garden in 1906 and opened to the public after World War II. Its greatest charm is that you can stroll through three distinct styles in one place: a formal French garden, an English landscape garden, and a traditional Japanese garden built around a pond. The cherry blossoms in spring and the foliage in autumn are especially beautiful, making it the perfect urban oasis to rest your tired legs mid-trip.
No. 6. Tokyo Tower
Long before the Skytree existed, Tokyo Tower was the face of the city. Built in 1958, this red-and-white steel lattice tower stands 333 m (1,093 ft) tall and was inspired by the Eiffel Tower in Paris—in fact, it’s a touch taller than its inspiration. Although it handed the title of “tallest structure in Japan” to the Skytree in 2012, its distinctive retro silhouette rising among the downtown high-rises is still beloved by many. Its cheerful orange hue looks lovely by day, but it truly shines at night as one of the city’s great after-dark views.
No. 5. Ginza
If you had to name Tokyo’s most elegant shopping district, it would surely be Ginza. Lined with luxury boutiques, long-established department stores, and Michelin-starred restaurants, this street more than lives up to its reputation as one of Japan’s premier destinations. The clock tower atop the Wako department store on the main corner is a symbol of Ginza, and snapping a photo in front of it is practically a rite of passage. On weekend afternoons, the main avenue closes to traffic for a “pedestrian paradise” (hokoten), so even if shopping isn’t your thing, it’s a lovely place for a leisurely stroll down the middle of the road.
No. 4. Meiji Jingu
It never ceases to amaze that such a deep, serene forest sits right next to the fashion mecca of Harajuku. Meiji Jingu is a shrine built in 1920 to honor Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken. What’s truly astonishing is that the lush forest wrapping the shrine isn’t natural—it’s a man-made forest created by planting some 100,000 trees donated from all over Japan at the time of its founding. As you pass beneath the enormous wooden torii gate and walk the gravel path, the noise of the city vanishes as if by magic. It’s also famous for drawing the largest crowds of any shrine in Japan for the New Year’s first prayer (hatsumode).
No. 3. Tokyo Skytree
No conversation about Tokyo’s skyline is complete without the Tokyo Skytree. Opened in 2012, this 634 m (2,080 ft) tower is registered with Guinness World Records as the tallest tower in the world. Amusingly, the number 634 comes from a pun on “Musashi” (the old name for this region), read as 6 (mu), 3 (sa), 4 (shi). From the observation decks at 350 m and 450 m, the vast Kanto Plain unfolds below you, and on clear days you can even spot Mount Fuji far in the distance. The glass-floor sections offer a thrilling, vertigo-inducing peek straight down.
No. 2. Shibuya Scramble Crossing
You’ve seen this scene in countless films and commercials—the Shibuya Scramble Crossing. When the lights change, people pour out from every direction and tangle diagonally across the intersection; with as many as 3,000 people crossing on a single signal, it’s considered the busiest pedestrian crossing in the world. The spectacle itself is a sight that symbolizes Tokyo’s energy. The statue of the loyal dog Hachiko, who waited for his owner, stands right here too, making it a beloved meeting point. Looking down on the wave of people from the nearby Shibuya Sky observation deck or the second-floor window of Starbucks is a fun way to take it all in.
No. 1. Senso-ji and Asakusa
The glorious No. 1 is Tokyo’s oldest temple, Senso-ji in Asakusa. Legend says it began in the year 628, when two fishermen brothers pulled a statue of the Kannon (goddess of mercy) from the Sumida River and enshrined it. The front gate, Kaminarimon (“Thunder Gate”), with its massive red lantern, is a symbol of Tokyo and one of the city’s best photo spots. Beyond the gate, the Nakamise shopping street leads all the way to the main hall, and snacking on treats like ningyo-yaki and senbei as you walk is a delight. Many travelers also tour the nostalgic streets of Asakusa by rickshaw or stroll around in a rented kimono.
And that wraps up our tour of 10 of the best must-visit attractions in Tokyo—what did you think? From a temple over a thousand years old to the tallest tower in the world, Tokyo may be the only city where the old and the new blend together so naturally. This ranking simply reflects my own taste and experiences, so please take it in the fun spirit it’s intended, and I hope it serves as a helpful reference as you plan your own Tokyo trip. I’ll be back soon with more great travel tips!
