FREE Guide: Highlights of Tokyo - 40+ Locations with Tips! 🏯
FREE Guide: Highlights of Tokyo - 40+ Locations with Tips! 🏯
Mackenzie Woods
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Tokyo is the largest city in the world, making it easy to get lost in the planning. Use this guide that contains popular attractions and hidden gems alike to help plan your own adventure in the diverse city!
This guide focuses on the major areas and districts of the Tokyo metropolitan area, making it useful for those who only want to travel within a smaller perimeter. Keep in mind that if you're willing to expand your travel circle, there are many half-day and 1-day trips based out of Tokyo!
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Attractions
There is SO much to see and do in Tokyo, but many of us only have a few days to explore the city before moving on to the next location. Don't waste a moment of your time while there! Use this guide to mark all the sights you want to see in each part of the city so you can make the most of your trip.
Central Tokyo
Imperial Palace
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Only the palace grounds can be typically accessed by the public through guided tours. English and Japanese tours are available twice a day except for Mondays, Sundays, and national holidays.
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Imperial Palace East Gardens
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The gardens are free and open to the public! Note that they are closed on Mondays and Fridays
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Akihabara
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If you're a fan of comic books, cosplay, anime, or electronics, this is the district for you! A classic Tokyo must-see, come here to have your senses overwhelmed and your camera roll filled.
If you take the time to peruse the shops, you may find some incredible deals on comics, action figures, electronics, and more!
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Tsukiji Outer Market
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A great place to explore and find an authentic lunch! During high season, this place can get very busy so plan to visit outside popular eating times.
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Western Tokyo
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Shibuya Scramble Crossing
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The busiest intersection in the world! For a good stationary view to people-watch, grab lunch on the 1st or 2nd floor of one of the neighboring buildings.
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Shibuya Sky
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Recommended to buy tickets in advance - entrance is on the 14th floor of the building so keep this in mind in order to arrive on time.
Paradise Lounge offers snacks and drinks (both alcoholic and non-alcoholic) for purchase. I would recommend getting a drink and watching the sunset from the lounge chairs and couches in front of the windows. Watch the city lights come to life right in front of your eyes!
Bring small coins with you for the lockers! When going out on top of the building, it is required that you put any bags or larger personal items (other than phones) in a locker - a locker that requires coins to access!
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Shinjuku Golden-Gai
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A series of tightly packed alleys with over 200 bars! Many of which are themed, all of which are small and tight. But that's part of the experience!
Be aware that some bars are not open to tourists - these will typically have signs stating this. To avoid this issue altogether, look for bars with English signs.
Some bars will have a cover! Many of these state this on signs outside as well.
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Omoide Yokocho
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Similar to Golden Gai, this tightly packed series of alleys is a great location to feel like a local. Also known as "Piss Alley", this location also contains tiny restaurants so you can eat authentic Japanese street food.
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Godzilla Head
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Enter the Gracery Hotel and take the elevator up to the 8th floor to see Godzilla up close!
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Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden
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This expansive park is beautiful any time of year - but especially so in the fall and spring! The entrance fee is well worth the beauty of the gardens.
For a nice pick-me-up, there's a beautiful little Starbucks hidden away in the middle of the park. Take a break and enjoy your coffee while overlooking the gardens.
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Shimokitazawa
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Considered the "bohemian district" of Tokyo, come here for vintage clothing, eclectic shops and restaurants, and a memorable evening!
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Southern Tokyo
Tokyo Tower
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Another great place to view the city from above. Modeled after the Eiffel Tower, it actually stands 3 m taller!
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teamLab Planets
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An Instagram- and TikTok-worthy location! I recommend buying tickets advance - and don't be late!
Take as much or as little time as you want here. But I recommend taking it slow and not letting the crowd (or even the workers) hurry you along. Where you can, just sit or lie down and enjoy the moment you're in.
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Roppongi Hills
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This building is often called a "city within a city" due to the large size of the building and variety of attractions and shops within.
Views of the city can be taken in on both the Tokyo City View observation deck and the open-air deck on the rooftop.
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Toyosu Market
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A fish market with both a restaurant/shop area and a fish wholesale building with viewing platforms of the tuna and seafood auctions.
Tuna auctions take place around 5:30-6:30AM so wake up bright and early if you want to see this!
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Odaiba
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Fun shopping area on one of the man-made islands in Tokyo Bay. If you have the time to make over to this area, you'll see a lot of unique stuff - but if you don't have the time, this can be passed over.
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Northern Tokyo
Sensō-ji
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In the bustling center of Asakusa, this temple stands out for it brightly colored lanterns and the long row of stalls leading to the temple itself. Come here to find all your souvenirs and stay to admire the architecture and intricate statues.
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Tokyo Sky Tree / 東京スカイツリー
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The tallest structure in Japan (and the second tallest in all the world!), this is the best place to come to truly understand the size of Tokyo.
Come here at the end of your stay to try to point out all the locations you've been! And maybe even catch sight of Mt. Fuji
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Daikoku-yu
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Visiting an onsen bath is an experience all travelers to Japan should do. While there are some large bathhouses, I prefer smaller, more atmospheric bathhouses such as this one.
These baths are gender-separated and do feature outdoor baths. Note that communal soap and shampoo are not included.
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Ueno Park
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Look for pop-up markets in the center of the park, where you can often buy crafts and trinkets.
Home to several museums as well!
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Ueno Zoological Gardens
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This is Japan's oldest zoo! Note that it is closed on Mondays.
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Tokyo Outlying Areas
Tokyo DisneySea
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Not your typical Disney park! This is unique in that it is completely centered around water, with inspirations from the legends of the sea.
All ages will enjoy this park, but adults can rest assured that this park is geared more towards grown ups.
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Tokyo Disneyland
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This is the more classic of the two Disney parks in Tokyo. Come here for the princess castles and Mickey Mouse!
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Ghibli Museum
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Tickets MUST be bought in advance - and they are not easy to get. Tickets go on sale 3 months in advance of the first day of the month (not your intended date of visiting the museum).
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The Making of Harry Potter
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Tickets must be bought in advance!!
This is NOT a theme park - come here to tour recreations of the movie sets and become immersed in the magical world of Harry Potter. Don't forget to try the Butterbeer!
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Edo-Tokyo Open Air Architectural Museum
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Many consider this to be an unofficial Studio Ghibli attraction due to the similarities of the structures and the decorative bus stop to those seen in movies like Spirited Away.
Closed on Mondays!
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Restaurants & Bars
Japan is absolutely a foodie's paradise! Tokyo is the city with the most Michelin Star restaurants in the world - but you'll find incredibly delicious food around every corner too. And the best part?? In general, food is CHEAP in Japan! Be ready to eat tons of the best food of your life!
- Be Aware that many restaurants, even in Tokyo, only accept cash! Make sure to have some on you.
- Tipping is NOT required or expected in Japan.
Restaurants & Eateries
Fun/Themed Restaurants
Because sometimes it's fun to go to the cheesy or touristy places! They did become popular for a reason 😜
Pokémon Café
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A fun experience even for those who aren't fans of Pokemon! This is a popular place to eat so reservations are a must.
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Shiro-Hige’s Cream Puff Factory
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A must for fans of Studio Ghibli! Make this one of your first stops of the mornings, as they only make a limited number of cream puffs per day.
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Marion Crêpes Takeshitadori
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Highly recommended snack after your exploration of Harajuku!
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(Maid Cafe) at-home cafe Akihabara Main
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When in Akihabara....
Definitely not a place for everyone but it can still be a fun Japanese experience!
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Michelin Star Restaurants
With 200+ Michelin star restaurants in Tokyo, this list is just a dabble into the scene
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Tokyo Staples
Because not every night needs to be high-end!
Daiwa Sushi
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Highly recommended restaurant to try out omakase! Don't be intimidated if there is a long line - it does tend to move quickly.
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Gyukatsu Motomura (Harajuku Branch)
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Recommended to get here as soon as they open - the line will get long quickly!
Order the gyukatsu for the best beef you've ever had!
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Kura Sushi Shibuya Ekimae
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Trying conveyor belt sushi is a must when in Japan! Though this isn't a high-end culinary experience, it's fun and surprisingly cheap while still being quite tasty!
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Toridashioden Samon
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A perfect place to try oden (Japanese fish cake stew). Note that this restaurant is not open for lunch.
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Bars
Mogambo Tokyo
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An international bar with a party vibe! A great place to start out your night.
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Sapporo Draft Beer Black Label THE BAR
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Located in the basement of the Ginza Place building, this a great place to grab a refreshing drink in the middle of your site-seeing or shopping day.
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Asahi Sky Room
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A great place to grab a drink and get a good birds-eye view of the city without having to pay an entry fee!
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Mackenzie Woods
Available for hire
Hi there! I'm Mackenzie Woods, a chemical engineer by trade and a world traveler by passion. I've spent my whole life traveling around the US with my (rather large and chaotic) family, and in recent years expanded to traveling abroad. What do all my trips have in common? I plan them!! And now I'm here to share with you everything I've learned from planning these trips and traveling to these amazing places. From the beautiful national parks of the US to the bustling streets of Tokyo, I've put in the time and effort to research how to make the trip as incredible as possible - and now you don't have to! Please use my guides and itineraries to a variety of places around the world to help make your own travel adventures fit your goals and interests, so that you too can have these once-in-a-lifetime experiences. Happy travels!!
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