Neon lights and cherry blossoms. Sacred tea ceremonies and robot cabaret shows. Buddhist temples and high-octane sumo matches. The Japanese capital of Tokyo is a city of contradictions, where ancient traditions coincide with modern culture. Sightseeing tours help travelers get oriented with the sprawling metropolis and visit sights such as Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden, Meiji Jingu Shrine, and Senso-ji Temple. Dinner at a robot cabaret and a tour of Kabukicho offer a taste of the city’s eclectic nature. And food and market tours show off the best of Tokyo’s cuisine. Tokyo is also home base for day trips to Lake Ashi, Mt. Fuji, and Kyoto.
Tokyo’s summers are hot and humid, and winters are cold. Spring and fall are more comfortable as temperatures are warm but not too hot, and there’s little chance of rain. The city comes to life for cherry blossom season in spring and for autumn leaf season in fall, with parties held in parks. Golden Week (April 29-May 5) is especially busy due to a string of public holidays, so stay away if you don’t like crowds.
Tokyo’s extensive network of trains, subway lines, and buses make getting around easy, and you don’t need to know Japanese to navigate it. A slight complicating factor is that many but not all train lines are run by Japan Rail, and the subway is operated by different companies. Not all companies and lines are integrated, so switching train or subway lines sometimes involves leaving one station and entering another with the same or a similar name.
Tokyo is a large city with many tall buildings and lots of concrete. But there are also many parks and gardens. The formal Japanese gardens at Shinjuku Gyoen and the tree-lined pathways leading to Meiji Jingu are great places to experience Japanese culture, while the East Garden of the Imperial Palace is one of the best gardens for spring cherry blossom viewing. Large Ueno Park contains many attractions, including museums and a zoo.
Attractions 112 | Tours 1,151 | Reviews 37,677 |
While living in Tokyo, Claire spent her time exploring the traditional and modern streets of the city, shopping in Harajuku, and eating at izakayas (Japanese pub restaurants).
get an IC rechargeable card—it makes it easier to travel around the city’s public transport network and explore.
starts with a stroll in the East Garden of the Imperial Palace, followed by a visit to the National Museum, a shabu-shabu hotpot in Shinjuku, and karaoke to end the day.
Shibuya Crossing. Wait to cross alongside thousands of pedestrians while staring wide-eyed at the flashing advert-filled screens.
wander the historic Asakusa district, take a tour of the Senso-ji Temple, and sample kibi dango (mini mochi balls) and taiyaki (fish-shaped pancakes).
climb to the free observatories in the Tokyo Metropolitan Government building. On cloudless days you might be able to glimpse Mt. Fuji.
The language barrier is real but Tokyoites will do their best to help, so don’t hesitate to ask.
The sprawling, neon-soaked metropolis is known as one of the most exciting cities in the world. It’s a place where ancient traditions sit side by side with the thrillingly futuristic. While it’s home to many attractions, from the Imperial Palace to Senso-ji temple, it’s the experience of simply being here that draws return visitors to Tokyo.
...MoreFrom the Skytree to Roppongi Hills’ Mori Tower, Tokyo is home to many observation decks that offer sweeping views of the city’s complex skyline. The twin towers of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building have two observation decks, which offer some of the city’s best views, stretching as far as Mt. Fuji. And the best part is that they’re free.
...MoreFoodies will find some of the best restaurants in the world in Tokyo, while history lovers can enjoy the museums, ancient temples, and shrines, and nature lovers while away hours in the sprawling parks. From beer and yakitori in a tiny alleyway to dancing the night away at a megaclub, the nightlife scene is also top-notch.
...MoreA lifetime in Tokyo wouldn’t be enough to experience everything it has to offer. But, for starters, give yourself at least a week to visit the must-see attractions and get a taste of the city’s different districts. If time is tight and Tokyo is just one stop in Japan, try for three days at the minimum.
...MoreTokyo is a surprisingly green city and exploring the city’s parks, such as Shinjuku Gyoen and Ueno Koen, is a highlight, especially during cherry blossom season. Just outside the city, hiking the trails of Mount Takao makes for a great day trip, as does wandering around the ancient capital of Kamakura or enjoying the hot springs of Hakone.
...MoreYes, to an extent. While you’ll likely come across more English speakers (and bilingual signage) in Tokyo than anywhere else in Japan, the language is not widely spoken beyond the basics. While you can certainly get by in Tokyo without any Japanese, you should learn at least a few phrases.
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