TOKYO TRAVEL GUIDE

Tokyo is a crazy, frenetic, eclectic, and astounding city. It marries traditional tastes, unique fashion, Western music, avant-garde cocktails, and delicious food to create a place that is incredibly cool and weird. It comes alive at night when the neon billboards and bright lights turn on and the Japanese cut loose after a long day at work.

I love Tokyo. I think it is one of the most interesting cities in the world. I love that it’s a fast-paced, modern metropolis that still embraces its traditional roots. I love the orderly crowds when you expect chaos and the never-ending list of amazing things to see and do. I love the wild nightlife scene of the Japanese “salaryman” bars, cocktail bars, karaoke bars, nightclubs, and jazz venues.

1. Admire Senso-ji Temple

The original Buddhist temple here was built in the seventh century. The current restored temple, just a quick walk from the Asakusa train station, is beautifully painted in rich reds and lives in an oasis of ancient structures nestled among modern skyscrapers, including a five-story pagoda and the famous Kaminarimon aka “Thunder Gate,” constructed in 941. There’s also a huge statue of Kannon, the goddess of mercy, inside the main hall, and other statues of ancient gods and goddesses, lanterns, and much more throughout the grounds, which are free to enter and open 24/7. The temple itself is open daily 6am–5pm (6:30am October-March). Get there early to avoid the crowds. On the weekends, you’ll want to get there by 8am.

2. Visit the Tokyo Tower

Built-in 1957, this bright Eiffel Tower doppelgänger stands approximately 333 meters (1,092 feet) and is made entirely out of steel.

3. See the Tsukiji and Toyosu Fish Markets

Tsukiji Fish Market opened in 1935 and for decades was the most famous wholesale fish market in the world. In October 2018, it moved its wholesale (inner) market and fish auction to a new location in Toyosu and doubled in size, now including a fruit and vegetable section and rooftop garden.

4. Admire the Imperial Palace

The Imperial Palace is the primary residence of the emperor of Japan. Built in the late 15th century as a feudal city-within-the-city and inhabited by various warrior clans, Edo Castle, as it was called through most of history, was renamed when the then-emperor moved Japan’s capital from Kyoto to Tokyo in 1869. While visitors aren’t permitted inside the palace and other buildings, the grounds are a peaceful place to wander. For access to limited areas of the grounds, book a free tour in advance on the Imperial Palace website.

5. Explore Ueno Park

Ueno Park is home to over a thousand cherry blossom trees as well as the Tokyo National Museum (admission is 1,000 JPY), both the oldest and largest art museum in Japan, with the world’s largest collection of art and artifacts from Asia. The park is also the site of Ueno Tosho-gu, a Shinto shrine for several shoguns (free, but it’s 500 JPY to visit the inner shrine); the National Museum of Nature and Science (630 JPY); the Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum (admission varies by exhibition); the National Museum of Western Art (500 JPY); the Shitamachi Museum (300 JPY); and the Ueno Zoo (600 JPY), Japan’s oldest zoo, which has four hundred animal species. There are plenty of places to sit and relax or have a picnic. On weekends, you usually find some events or festivals here too.

Other Things to See and Do in Tokyo

1. Watch a sumo match

Ryogoku Kokugikan, Japan’s most famous sumo wrestling arena, hosts tournaments three times each year, in January, May, and September. The sumo wrestling that we see today dates back to the 17th century, though its origins far precede that. To this day, it’s one of the most popular traditions in the country. If you’re in town at the right time, this is a must-see.

2. Take a walking tour

Walking tours are a great way to get the lay of the land while connecting with a local guide. I always go on one or two when I first arrive somewhere, as then I can get recommendations and tips for the rest of my trip.

3. Go on a day trip to Mount Fuji

Hakone is a picturesque mountain town located an hour outside of Tokyo. It is known for its stunning views of Mount Fuji, aka “Fuji-san,” one of Japan’s three holy mountains. It’s easy to go for the day and spend some time in the area and hike a bit of the mountain (weather permitting). Hakone, also famed for hotels with private onsen (hot springs), is a good place to spend a couple nights if you have the time.

4. See the Hachiko statue

This is a life-sized bronze statue of an Akita dog located outside Shibuya Station, the fourth-largest commuter station in the world (and Shibuya Crossing is the world’s busiest intersection). The legendary Hachiko would greet his owner there on his return from his daily commute until the owner passed away at work in 1925. Hachiko visited the train station daily and waited for his owner until he also died in 1935. He is a national hero in Japan, and his story is well known, as it highlights the virtues of loyalty and devotion, which are highly valued in Japanese culture. You can find Hachiko, unsurprisingly, at the Hachiko Exit.

5. Shop at Akihabara Electric Town

This is one of the funkiest neighborhoods in town. You can find pretty much any gadget you’ve ever imagined here, on block after block of electronics shops, ranging from one-man kiosks to massive malls. There are also lots of artists selling their music, manga and anime specialty shops, weird maid cafés (where the staff dress up as maids), pachinko arcades (video game spots), and a bunch of eclectic stores. 

6. Wander Roppongi Hills

Roppongi Hills is one of Tokyo’s more upscale neighborhoods. The National Art Center is located here, featuring 12 galleries that showcase rotating exhibitions by contemporary artists (admission is free). One of Tokyo’s tallest buildings, Mori Tower, is also in Roppongi; it contains the hip Mori Art Museum, which features Japanese modern art (2,000 JPY admission), and Tokyo City View, a 52nd-floor vantage point of the endless concrete jungle (admission to the viewpoint is 2,000 JPY when booked online, with an additional 500 JPY for the rooftop Sky Deck). Additionally, the neighborhood is famous for high-end restaurants (including a lot of omakase sushi eateries), clothing stores, and cafés. It’s much more low-key and suburban than other parts of Tokyo.

7. Drink on Golden Gai

In a dark corner of Shinjuku, Tokyo’s largest and most famous nightlife district, is located this lively alleyway of hundreds of back-street bars. The area is relatively quiet during the day, but at night, its zigzagging hallways and closet-sized beer rooms are filled with people getting cheap drinks and wanting to party. Though it’s touristy, you’ll still find a number of Japanese people here.

8. Get on a suijo-bus

For centuries, one of the traditional ways to get around has always been via water bus. There are even floating restaurants, known as yakata-bune, as well as lunch and dinner cruises that you can book.

9. Visit the Great Buddha

Make a day trip to the small city of Kamakura to see its 13-meter (43-foot) bronze statue of Buddha, built in 1252. The statue was initially constructed within Kotoku-in Temple, but that has since been washed away by several storms, so the statue now sits in the open air. Usually, you can even go inside it as well (there’s nothing to really see, but it’s neat to step inside a centuries-old work of art). Admission to enter the temple grounds is 300 JPY, while it’s 20 JPY to go inside the statue.

Kamakura is on the proposed list for UNESCO World Heritage Sites and is also home to important Zen temples and shrines of historical significance to Japan.