Must Visit Places in Tokyo for First Time Visitors

by Tsvete Popp
Sensoji Temple, Tokyo

Welcome to Tokyo

Get ready to discover the must-visit places in Tokyo that will leave you spellbound in this mesmerizing city. From ancient temples steeped in rich history to futuristic neighbourhoods pulsating with energy, Tokyo offers a kaleidoscope of experiences for every traveller. Join us as we explore iconic landmarks like the majestic Tokyo Tower, the bustling streets of Shibuya, and the serene beauty of the Meiji Shrine. Whether you’re seeking cultural immersion, culinary delights, or awe-inspiring architecture, Tokyo’s allure will surpass your wildest expectations. Get ready to create unforgettable memories as we unveil the top must-visit places in Tokyo, ensuring an unforgettable adventure in this captivating metropolis.

Sensoji Temple, Tokyo

Sensoji Temple

 

Where to Stay in Tokyo

As you would expect from a major travel destination in Asia, japan has no shortage of options when it comes to accommodation. As always, I’d suggest you stay somewhere central, to make accessing all the attractions as easy as possible.

Best Luxury Hotels in Tokyo Japan

  • The Peninsula Tokyo: Situated in the prestigious Marunouchi district, this luxury hotel offers spacious rooms with panoramic city views. It boasts exquisite restaurants, a lavish spa, a rooftop bar, and a swimming pool. The Peninsula Tokyo is renowned for its impeccable service and attention to detail.
  • The Ritz-Carlton Tokyo: Situated in the upscale Roppongi district, this luxurious hotel offers elegant rooms with breathtaking views of the city. Guests can indulge in a range of exquisite dining options, including Michelin-starred restaurants. The hotel features a spa, fitness center, and a tranquil garden terrace.
  • Mandarin Oriental Tokyo: Occupying the upper floors of the Nihonbashi Mitsui Tower, this renowned hotel provides luxurious accommodations and exceptional service. The rooms offer magnificent views of Tokyo’s skyline, and the hotel boasts a spa, a fitness center, several dining options, and a stunning rooftop bar.

Best Mid-Range Hotels in Tokyo Japan

  • Hotel Gracery Shinjuku: Located in the vibrant Shinjuku district, this mid-range hotel offers comfortable and modern rooms. It is conveniently situated near Shinjuku Station and provides easy access to popular attractions. The hotel features a range of amenities, including a restaurant, a café, and a Godzilla-themed viewing deck.
  • Daiwa Roynet Hotel Ginza: Situated in the upscale Ginza neighborhood, this hotel offers contemporary rooms with stylish interiors. It is within walking distance of luxury shopping, dining, and entertainment options. The hotel provides free Wi-Fi, a 24-hour front desk, and a restaurant serving Japanese and Western cuisine.
  • Citadines Central Shinjuku Tokyo: This serviced apartment hotel is located in the bustling Shinjuku area. The apartments are well-equipped with kitchenettes and offer a comfortable home-away-from-home experience. The hotel features a fitness center, a launderette, and a 24-hour front desk, making it ideal for both short and long stays.

Best Hostels in Tokyo Japan

  • K’s House Tokyo Oasis: Situated in the Asakusa area, this friendly hostel offers a variety of budget-friendly accommodations, including dormitory rooms and private rooms. The hostel features a communal kitchen, a cozy lounge area, and a rooftop terrace with views of Tokyo Skytree. It also provides helpful travel information and organizes events for guests.
  • Wise Owl Hostels Tokyo: Located in the vibrant neighborhood of Hatchobori, this stylish hostel offers a mix of dormitory rooms and private rooms. The hostel features a communal kitchen, a lounge area, and a rooftop terrace. It provides a comfortable and social atmosphere, perfect for budget travelers looking to meet fellow adventurers.
  • Nui. Hostel & Bar Lounge: Nestled in the vibrant district of Kuramae, this unique hostel combines modern design with traditional Japanese elements. It offers a range of dormitory rooms and private rooms. The hostel features a communal kitchen, a cozy lounge with a bar, and regular events such as workshops and live performances.

View from Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building

Begin your search for the perfect accommodation now while the excitement is still fresh in your mind. Discover stylish and affordable options, and find the best accommodations at the lowest prices:

Explore a wide range of hotels in Japan here (Booking.com)

Explore a wide range of hotels in Japan here (Tripadvisor)

Explore a wide range of hotels in Japan here (Agoda)

Discover affordable hostels in Japan here (Hostelworld)

Easily compare prices and book hotels in Japan here (Hotellook)

Must Visit Places in Tokyo

In June 2019 I was travelling to Japan for the very first time in my life! I cannot remember the last time I was as excited to visit a new country as I felt before travelling to the land of the rising sun. Our first challenge was Tokyo, the capital of Japan since 1869. With a population of 38.140.000 and an area of 2.193,96 km², Tokyo is the most populated city in the whole world! And if you have been travelling to Tokyo, you already know what I mean by “challenge”. No matter how many days you want to spend in the metropolis, it won’t be enough for seeing everything that is worth visiting. So the secret of travelling to Tokyo is: plan and book in advance and choose wisely which places you really want to visit during your stay in one of the world’s most unique cities!

I’ve never been to a place like Tokyo. Zen and Chaos live together in the buzzing metropolis! From traditional Shinto Shrines to modern skyscrapers, from the best metro system in the world to the most peaceful gardens ever,  from Michelin Star restaurants to Ramen vending machines, from tea ceremonies and Sumo wrestling to eccentrically costumed youngsters – Tokyo has it all! 

Japan will change your perspective on travel and Tokyo is a great place to start one of the best trips of your life!  Here are some of the best places and some of my favourite spots we visited during our trip to Tokyo! Enjoy!

Meiji Jingu

Meiji Shrine

Meiji Shrine and its surroundings are very different from the otherwise lively areas of Tokyo! Located in Yoyogi Park, Meiji Shrine is one of these places where you can escape the megapolis madness! 

Meiji Jingu is a traditional Shinto shrine located in this peaceful park in the middle of the concrete jungle of the Harajuku district. Yoyogi Park is a beautiful and peaceful green spot which is one of the favourite places of the locals for biking or just chilling. 

Meiji Shrine was built in 1920 to pay tribute to Emperor Meiji and has become Japan’s most famous Shinto shrine. Nowadays the shrine is one of the most beloved places for traditional weddings in Tokyo. 

At the entrance of the Meiji Shrine, there are two massive Toriis, each 12m high. The Japanese believe that when you enter the toriis you are automatically leaving the everyday worries behind. And I can easily imagine why Meiji is considered as being one of the most peaceful and calm places to visit in Tokyo!

We visited the shrine in the early Saturday morning at 8:00, but as it always happens in Japan, even at 8:00 during the weekend we were not the only people to visit the shrine. If you want to experience a Shinto wedding you might visit the shrine on a weekend too! We were lucky enough to see two beautiful weddings on that Saturday morning. 

Meiji Jingu, Tokyo

Meiji Jingu, Tokyo

Meiji Jingu, Tokyo

Meiji Jingu, Tokyo

Meiji Jingu, Tokyo

Meiji Jingu, Tokyo

Meiji Jingu, Tokyo

Meiji Jingu, Tokyo

Meiji Jingu

Meiji Jingu, Tokyo

Asakusa

Asakusa is one of the most interesting and old, but well-preserved neighbourhoods in Tokyo. Compared with the modern districts, Asakusa offers cheaper food, accommodation and shopping alternatives. This is one of the main reasons why so many backpackers choose to stay in this district. In Asakusa, you will be able to enjoy the old Tokyo vibe and visit some of the most interesting temples and traditional markets too!

Sensō-ji

One of the highlights of Asakusa is the Sensoji Temple. Sonso-ji is the oldest and most iconic temple in Tokyo, constructed in the early 7th century AD. The temple got famous for its large red lantern in front of the entrance, red structure and green rooftops. Sensō-ji became the symbol of Asakusa and the reason why the village grew as part of the city. Back in the days, Sensō-ji served as a city wall and protection of the city of Edo (the name of Tokyo at the time). 

Sensō-ji Temple, Tokyo

Sensō-ji Temple, Tokyo

Sensō-ji Temple, Tokyo

The Five Storied Pagoda of Senso Ji

Sensō-ji Temple, Tokyo

Tokyo Skytree

The next attraction in the Asakusa district is the Tokyo Skytree, which is the tallest building in Japan with íts 634 meters! Unfortunately, you cannot visit the Skytree for free – the entrance fee costs ¥ 1000 – ¥ 3400 depending on the type of ticket. The construction of the Skytree took 4 years between 2008 and 2012. When it was finally built, the Tokyo Skytree was the second-highest building in the World after Burj Khalifa. The Skytree was constructed with extremely heavy steel tubes so that it can survive an earthquake with a magnitude of 7! 

Asakusa, Tokyo

Tokyo Tower

There is no doubt – when you see the Tokyo Tower for the first time, there is no way of not thinking about the Eiffel Tower in Paris! Actually, not only the colour of Tokyo Tower (333m) is livelier, but it is also 33m taller than the Eiffel Tower (300m). 

The tower is open daily from 9:00 to 23:00 and for admission of ¥ 900 – ¥ 2800 you will be able to visit two observation decks, a special observatory area, an aquarium, arcades, and a souvenir shop at the lower levels. On a clear day, you will be able to see even Mount Fuji from here!

Tokyo Tower

Zojoji Temple

In the Minato district, right behind the Tokyo Tower is located the Zojoji Temple. Zojoji is one of the most underrated temples in Tokyo, meaning that it is not one of the most visited places in the metropolis. What a great thing if you want to enjoy a temple in the buzzing city! We visited the temple on a weekday so we went inside the main building. During weekends many ceremonies are held here so probably it won’t be that easy to get inside. 

Zojoji temple offers much more than a great view together with Tokyo Tower in its background. Here you will find a mausoleum of Tokugawa family – one of the most powerful families of Japan from 1603 to 1867. Zojoji Temple is also famous for having many Mizuko Jizo statues which are a symbol of Japan’s unborn children.

Tokyo Tower, Zōjōji Temple

Odaiba

Get out of Tokyo and head southeast to Odaiba. Although Odaiba is also part of Tokyo, it feels like a different city after travelling for about an hour by subway from Shinjuku Station. The neighbourhood Odaiba is actually an artificial  island and is one of the few places in Tokyo where you can access the ocean and actually chill on the beach. 

Nowadays Odaiba is a well-known entertainment and shopping neighbourhood with many beautiful buildings like Fuji TV Building, Telecom Center, Palette Town, Miraikan, Tokyo Big Sight etc. Some of the free attractions are the Rainbow Bridge (the best time to visit is after sunset) and Tokyo’s Statue of Liberty and Venus Fort shopping mall.

Odaiba, Tokyo

Odaiba, Tokyo

Odaiba, Tokyo

Odaiba, Statue of Liberty

Odaiba, Statue of Liberty

teamLab

Welcome to one of the coolest museums I’ve ever been to – teamLab Borderless! TeamLab is the first Digital Art Museum in the World, and I as a digital junkie couldn’t resist visiting it. TeamLab Borderless is not just a museum for digital art – it is a result of endless creativity! The highly interactive museum is the outcome of some hard-working mathematicians, architects,  programmers, engineers, animators and musicians.

TeamLab Borderless uses more than 500 computers and projectors divided into five distinct zones: Borderless World, Athletics Forest, Future Park, Forest of Lamps and EN Tea House. All the artworks in all 5 districts are computer-generated in real-time. Almost anything here is tangible, but a combination of colourful projected images and vibrant sounds.

If you want to visit the museum, buy your ticket in advance! TeaLab is always booked out as tickets are being sold out weeks in advance. The best time to visit it is in the early morning (that’s why we got the best photos without having to share the best photo locations with others) or in the afternoon after 15:30. And don’t forget to take your time – one hour won’t be enough to explore all five districts. 

TeamLab Borderless, Tokyo

TeamLab Borderless, Tokyo

TeamLab Borderless, Tokyo

TeamLab Borderless, Tokyo

TeamLab Borderless, Tokyo

TeamLab Borderless, Tokyo

TeamLab Borderless, Tokyo

Shinjuku

Ah, Shinjuku! I definitely wanted to stay in this neighbourhood of Tokyo, therefore I was searching for some affordable accommodations several months in advance! … and as you can guess – it was not the easiest thing to do! In the end, I booked 6 nights at APA Hotel Shinjuku Kabukicho Chuo and we were totally happy with our choice (except for the fact that the room was the smallest I have ever booked in my entire life! … I guess it is typical for Tokyo though!).

The reason why we wanted to stay in Shinjuku is that the neighbourhood is modern and traditional at the same time! Another reason is that Shinjuku station is probably the best station in terms of connection in and outside Tokyo. Here you can also find many gardens (Shinjuku Central Park, Shinjuku Gyoen Park, etc.) and shrines (Shinjukujunisha Kumano Shrine, Shinjuku Suwa Shrine, etc.), the best streets for going out at night (Omoide Yokocho, Golden Gai), museums (e.g. Samurai Museum), Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building (for the best view over Tokyo for free!), the famous Robot Restaurant, etc.

Shinjuku, Tokyo

Robot Restaurant, Tokyo

Shinjuku, Tokyo

Omoide Yokocho

Omoide Yokocho is one of the coolest streets in Tokyo located in Shinjuku! The meaning of Omoide Yokocho is “The Memory Lane” – and indeed, everything here feels nostalgic for traditional Japan. Its slang name though is much more colourful – “The Piss Alley”. The street is known for its pubs and food stalls (izakaya), but just in case you didn’t know – turn your Google Translator on, there are almost no menus in English! 

Shinjuku, Tokyo

Samurai Museum, Tokyo

Golden Gai

The Golden Gai is the best place in Shinjuku if you want to go out at night and feel the spirit of real Tokyo. Golden Gai is an area with 6 small alleys lined with more than two hundred bantam bars! The alleys are so narrow that if you stretch your hands you’ll probably touch the buildings on both sides! Most of the bars are bars at the street level and some of them are so tiny that only 2 or 3 people can sit inside at the same time! 


Shinjukujunisha Kumano Shrine

Shinjukujunisha Kumano Shrine

Shinjukujunisha Kumano Shrine

Shinjukujunisha Kumano Shrine

Harajuku & Takeshita Street

Harajuku district is one of the most interesting in Tokyo. Harajuku is located within walking distance of Yoyogi Park and the famous Takeshita Dori. In this neighbourhood, you will be able to buy the most unbelievable clothing ever! Harajuku style is colourful, shrill and not for everybody … You can easily stroll for several hours looking at the showcases and the people on the street. 

Takeshita Dori was definitely the busiest street we visited in Tokyo! By busy, I mean as BUSY as Tokyo can be! You have to follow the masses, otherwise, you will get smashed by them. 

Takeshita Street,

Takeshita Street,

Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building

Sometimes, the best things are free! And Japan has many of them! A good example is the Metropolitan Government Building where you can enjoy some of the most spectacular panoramic views of Tokyo for free. Metropolitan Government Building (Tocho) was within walkable distance of our hotel, that is why we managed to visit it after a long day of exploring the city! From the 45th floor you will be able to enjoy the views from Yokohama in the south, Chiba in the northeast and way out west to Mount Fuji! You haven’t really seen Tokyo if you haven’t seen it from here 🙂 

There are two observation decks on the 45th floor each. The South Observation Deck is closed on the first and third Tuesday of every month, the North Observation Deck is Closed on every second and fourth Monday of every month as well as between 29th December and 3rd of January. 

Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building

View fromTokyo Metropolitan Government Building
View fromTokyo Metropolitan Government Building

View fromTokyo Metropolitan Government BuildingView fromTokyo Metropolitan Government Building

Sunset View from Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building

Akihabara

Back in the day, Akihabara was a huge Black market during World War II as there was a surge in the demand for radio and its parts which remained unregulated for a long time. Nowadays, Akihabara is the electronics district of Tokyo, the Mecca of Maid and Gundam Cafes, Cat Cafes, comic shops, anime, Manga, gambling centres and a myriad of electronic shops. If you are a first-time Tokyo visitor, you have to wander through the main street called “Chuo Dori”! 

If you are a Gambler, you’ll probably want to leave here, as this neighbourhood is a gamer’s dream! One of the reasons why Akihabara got a famous spot for gamers is the fact that here they can play all the retro games too. For example, SEGA has four stores in Akihabara where you can play any old or new game they have ever made. 

Akihabara, Tokyo

Akihabara, Tokyo

Nezu Shrine

Welcome to Tokyo’s Most Underrated Shinto Shrine – Nezu Shrine! Nezu Shrine It was originally built in 1705 during Edo Period, and it’s actually one of the oldest shrines in Tokyo. Thanks to its hundreds of orange-red torii gates (called “Senbon Torii”), Nezu reminds of Fushimi Inari-Taisha in Kyoto. But – here you can have the torii gates just for yourself! 

Nogi Shrine, Tokyo

Nogi Shrine, Tokyo

Nogi Shrine, Tokyo

Nogi Shrine, Tokyo

Shibuya Crossing

Shibuya Crossing is famous for being the busiest pedestrian crossing in the world! Tokyo’s urban area is home to more than 38 million people, of which sometimes 2.500 are passing through Shibuya Crossing at once! One of the main reasons why this crossing is so busy is its close proximity to the Shibuya Station – the third busiest transportation spot in Tokyo!

Shibuya Crossing is also known as the “Times Square” of Tokyo due to the huge LED signs and billboards located all over this place. The traffic lights change at every 2nd-minute cycle when hundreds, and sometimes thousands are crossing the street! The scene is a definition of organized chaos in the middle of a major business hub in Tokyo! Therefore Shibuya has become one of the most iconic landmarks of the city! 

Probably the best view over the buzzing crossing is from the second floor of Starbucks located in the Q-front building – take a coffee and enjoy the spectacle! 

Starbucks Shibuya Crossing

Shibuya Crossing, Tokyo

Shibuya Crossing, Tokyo

Hachiko Statue

Ah, Hachiko! What a great story, what a great dog! The monument of Hachiko was of my Top 5 must-visit places in Tokyo! The story of Hachiko might melt your heart, especially if you’re an animal lover like me! Hachiko was the dog of Eizaburo Ueno, a professor of agriculture science at Tokyo University. Back in the ’20s, the Akita dog used to follow his owner when he went to work in the morning at the Shibuya Train Station and picked him up in the afternoon when he returned from work. Every single day! Professor Eizaburo had suffered from a cerebral haemorrhage. One day he passed away while he was at work without returning at Shibuya station… Hachiko continued to wait at the station for 9 years, 9 months and 15 days! Nowadays Hachiko is a symbol of unconditional loyalty, not only in Japan! 

Hachikō Memorial Statue, Tokyo

Ginza District

Ginza is one of the most expensive and modern districts in central Tokyo. Here you can shop till you drop – Ginza is the most high-end and vibrant shopping area in Tokyo! Or … you can do as we did – window shopping! The two most interesting and glamorous streets of Ginza are Chuo-Dori Street and Harumi-Dori. Ginza is also home to the traditional Kabukiza Theatre. Also in Ginza, you can visit the most famous fish market in Tokyo called Tsukiji. The fish market is the total contrast to the upmarket fashion boutiques and glossy buildings. 


Ginza, Tokyo

Ginza, Tokyo

Ginza, Tokyo

Planning a trip to Japan?

Japan Accommodation

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Explore Asia

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Japan Flights

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Private Airport Transfers

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Rental Car in Japan

Looking to rent a car in Japan? Rentalcars.com has you covered! We search through all the major car rental companies in Japan to find you the best price possible.

Japan Tours

For those who have a passion for guided tours, look no further as we present the finest selection available to fulfil your wanderlust desires.

Travel Insurance

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Enjoy the day!

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