Location: Tokyo
Top Things to do in Tokyo
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Things to do in Tokyo, Kanto: The Best Sights & Landmarks
Tradition collides with pop culture in Tokyo, where you can reverently wander ancient temples before rocking out at a karaoke bar. Wake up before the sun to catch the lively fish auction at the Tsukiji Market, then refresh with a walk beneath the cherry blossom trees that line the Sumida River. Spend some time in the beautiful East Gardens of the Imperial Palace, then brush up on your Japanese history at the Edo-Tokyo Museum. Don’t forget to eat as much sushi, udon noodles, and wagashi (Japanese sweets) as your belly can handle.
Restaurants in Tokyo
1. Tokyo City View Observation Deck (Roppongihills)
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,746 reviews
Reviewed By philipspinks - Oxford, United Kingdom
There are great views to be had from the Observation deck of the Mori Building. We were in Japan at a relatively quiet period and had no issue getting a ticket or going up. It seems to be significantly less busy and less expensive than the Skytree and is a much nicer experience. Pre-booking is available and probably worthwhile in busier times. The combined tickets with the Mori Art Museum are almost the same price and we wanted to see the museum too, so a comparative bargain! There’s a place to sit and make a coffee from beans - an over-engineered coffee but a bit of fun! Thoroughly recommend.
2. Ryogoku Kokugikan
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 874 reviews
Reviewed By larryb802 - Pattaya, Thailand
We attended the May basho in Tokyo. This was our second time at the Kokugikan for sumo. I encourage everyone to see a Grand Sumo Tournament! There are 6 such tournaments a year in Japan: 3 in Tokyo; 1 in Nagoya; 1 in Fukuoka; 1 in Osaka. I see on this site that some people have had difficulty buying sumo tickets from overseas. Others have paid way too much for their tickets. Both times, we bought our tickets through the same website (I am not allowed to state here the name of the site – I tried!). This site charges a modest fee for purchasing the tickets for you, then a small fee for international mailing you the tickets. (You can, alternately, chose to have the tickets sent to your hotel in Japan; we haven't tried this option.) Their customer service is amazing! For example, the cost for 4 people on a weekday, Arena A seats, would be: *per seat = 9,000Yen + 1,200 Service Charge = 10,200Yen *times 4 = 40,800Yen *plus 1,590 - 2,550 Yen for shipping (depending where you live) *TOTAL for 4 people = 42,390 - 43,350Yen (=about $387US) Andrew J's review on this site states that he paid $186 AUD per seat for a 3,800Yen seat (which would likely be an Arena C seat). At the site we used, he would have paid (by my calculation) 22,600 Yen total for 4 seats = about $70 AUD per seat. The site we used was not difficult to find on the Internet, so keep trying! PLEASE SEE SUMO! But, do it at a REASONABLE PRICE!
3. Senso-ji Temple
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 9,321 reviews
According to legend, two brothers kept trying to return a statue of Kannon, the goddess of mercy, to the Sumida River only to have it returned to them the next day. This temple located in Tokyo's Asakusa district was built to honor her.
Reviewed By SandyS1593
There's so much going on at the Senso-ji Temple. There's the Asakusa Shrine, a five-story pagoda, beautiful gardens with a statue of Buddha and a street of over 200 shops that sell traditional Japanese items and souvenirs. If you only have time for one temple stop, I highly recommend Senso-ji.
4. Ginza
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 4,737 reviews
This large neighborhood is home to many stores and restaurants and is a favorite destination for the youth of Tokyo.
Reviewed By YairBarZohar - Qiryat Ata, Israel
This district, considered one of the most exclusive shopping areas in the world, has the largest concentration of Western brands in Japan, including Gucci, Chanel, Louis Vuitton and many others. You will also find huge stores of leading electronics companies, including Apple and Sony. Every Sunday and Saturday, from 12:00 to 17:00, the main street that passes through the Ginza district becomes a "pedestrian paradise" and is closed to vehicular traffic, so it's the best time to get there.
5. Odaiba District
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 4,008 reviews
Another of Tokyo's entertainment districts, this man-made island in Tokyo Bay is home to restaurants, theme parks and interesting architecture.
Reviewed By unescotravelbug - Wooster, United States
I have been to Japan 8 times in the past but never made an effort to visit Odaiba till this trip since we were to depart from Haneda back to USA and stayed in Shinagawa for a night. It’s truly a fun place for all ages. Odaiba is a city of its own with amusement park, waterfront marine park where you will find a small replica of Statue of Liberty standing on the edge of the park with Rainbow Bridge and Tokyo Bay on the background. It’s the most visited site on the island. Kids love the fun activities; young adults love shopping for fashion ware, while some prefers visiting the science museums. Ferris wheel and Fuji TV headquarter’s sliver globe observatory are considered the iconic landmarks, along with Rainbow Bridge, all can be seen from the other side of Tokyo Bay by Hamamatsucho. At the waterfront by Aqua City you can include Statue of Liberty, Rainbow Bridge and a tiny needle look of Tokyo Tower all three in one shot of picture, along with Tokyo’s skyscrapers in distance. There are varieties of international cuisines for your hungry appetite or snack shops for midday break. Marine Park is a great location to watch sunset. Night views from the waterfront are exceptional impressive when lighted Rainbow Bridge and small tourist boats shine the darkness of sky. Free shuttle provided by Tokyo Bay bus that loop around the popular sites from The Nation Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation to the waterfront marine park. It runs every 20 minutes till 7pm. There is Rainbow Bus company from Shinagawa Station to Odaiba, runs every so often hourly from East Exit(Konan Exit); turn right you will see a sign directing you to the bus waiting stop. It takes 17 minutes, 210 yens each ride, the last hour of bus return is 9:57 pm., if you miss it there are taxis available to get back to Shinagawa. You can also take a private rail Yurikamome Line from Shinbashi station. If you are making a stop-over there is a manned booth for luggage stored by the west exit( near the Keikyu Rail elevator access) inside of the JR station or just rent a locker.
6. Tokyo National Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,192 reviews
This famous museum houses the largest collection of Japanese artifacts and artworks in the world. With over 100,000 pieces and room to display only 4,000, exhibits are rotated constantly
Reviewed By E9706FNpaulo - County Monaghan, Ireland
Located at the top of Ueno Park this is a very large museum and is worth a visit to get a real appreciation of Japanese history and culture. My time was limited so only got to see a portion of worth I wanted to see but would definitely return if back in Tokyo.
7. Tokyo Metropolitan Government Buildings
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,558 reviews
The tallest building in Shinjuku, TMG No. 1 offers sweeping views of Tokyo -- all the way to Mt. Fuji on a clear day -- from the 45th floor observatory.
Reviewed By kc3302 - Riverwood, Australia
Fantastic views of the Tokyo City and suburbs. Free entry. There are two observation towers - one in each of the building's two towers. It is located above Tochomae Station (on the Toei Oedo line), or is a comfortable 10 minute walk from Shinjuku Station (all other train lines including JR, Keio, Seibu, Odakyu and other subway lines).
8. Asakusa
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 6,105 reviews
This popular Tokyo neighborhood is home to many shops and restaurants as well as the famed Senso-ji Temple.
Reviewed By 228irenak
Great area- both the vast temple and shrine complex and the surrounding area, with super cute traditional streets. Nice place to hang out and walk around the little shops.
9. Happo-en Garden
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 552 reviews
Happo-en excels at planning, execution and prides itself on its ability to turn ideas into reality. Every event is unique and each project is overseen by a team specifically selected for each event every time. Our staff listen carefully to the ideas and requests of every customer to ensure every aspect of their ideal gathering come to full volition. We offer one-stop service starting from the initial meeting to the day of the event.
Reviewed By AdvtrTrvlr - Camarillo, United States
This is a great garden which is part of a hotel property and has all the traditional Japanese Garden features we were expecting from the little temple, a chapel where several couples were getting married, nice walkways, koi fish, sitting areas, a mini bamboo forest and lots of beautiful flowers and trees including bonsai trees. We would definitely recommend stopping to see this. It is near several other attractions if you are just wondering around so be on the lookout for it while walking around and using the pocket Wi-Fi that is highly recommended by all to help get around.
10. Chidorigafuchi
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,201 reviews
Reviewed By olafoomes - Amstelveen, The Netherlands
On the moat alongside the north-western side of Kitanomaru park a lot of rowing activities take place especially during the Sakura season. But also on the bank there is a path which offers the most scenic Sakura spot you can probably see in Tokyo, with an about 700 meter long tunnel of cherry trees in the spring. In the evening it is fully lighted which provides for a rather special atmosphere. An absolute Sakura highlight.
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