Tokyo

Ancient shrines and neon streets in the world’s greatest food city.

Tokyo balances the serene and the electric: quiet temple gardens a few steps from the Shibuya scramble, tiny eight-seat counters serving perfect sushi, and a rail network that runs to the second.

Best time to visit: Late March to April for cherry blossom, October to November for autumn colour. Language: Japanese. Currency: Japanese yen (JPY).

Did you know?

Greater Tokyo is the most populous metropolitan area in the world, with around 37 million people.
Tokyo has more Michelin-starred restaurants than any other city.
Senso-ji in Asakusa, founded in the 7th century, is Tokyo’s oldest temple.

Things to do in Tokyo

Tokyo Skytree (Observation tower): Tokyo Skytree , a.k.a Tokyo Sky Tree, is a broadcasting and observation tower, located in Sumida, Tokyo, Japan.
Tokyo Tower (Observation tower): Tokyo Tower , also known by its official name Japan Radio Tower is a communications and observation tower in the district of Shiba-koen in Minato, Tokyo, Japan, completed in 1958.
Tokyo National Museum (History museum): The Tokyo National Museum or TNM is an art museum in Ueno Park in the Taitō ward of Tokyo, Japan.
Yasukuni Shrine (Shinto shrine, free): Yasukuni Shrine is a Shinto shrine located in Chiyoda, Tokyo.
Tokyo Disneyland (Theme park): Tokyo Disneyland is a 126-acre theme park at the Tokyo Disney Resort in Urayasu, near Tokyo in Chiba Prefecture, Japan Its main gate is directly adjacent to both Maihama Station and Tokyo Disneyland Station.
Edo Castle (Historic site): Edo Castle is a flatland castle that was built in 1457 by Ōta Dōkan in Edo, Toshima District, Musashi Province.
Ueno Imperial Grant Park (Park, free): Ueno Park is a spacious public park in the Ueno district of Taitō, Tokyo, Japan.
Meiji Jingū (Shinto shrine, free): Meiji Shrine is a Shinto shrine in Shibuya, Tokyo, that is dedicated to the deified spirits of Emperor Meiji and his wife, Empress Shōken.
Tokyo Disney Resort (Amusement park): Tokyo Disney Resort is a theme park and vacation resort located in Urayasu, Chiba, Japan, just east of Tokyo.
Sensō-ji Temple (Buddhist temple, free): Sensō-ji , is an ancient Buddhist temple in Asakusa, Tokyo, Japan.
Tokyo Mosque (Mosque, free): The Tokyo Mosque, also known as Tokyo Camii, is a mosque with an adjoining Turkish culture center located in the Ōyama-chō district of Shibuya ward in Tokyo, Japan.
St. Mary's Cathedral (Cathedral, free): St.
National Art Center, Tokyo (Art museum): The National Art Center, Tokyo is a museum in Roppongi, Minato, Tokyo, Japan.
Ueno Zoo (Zoo): The Ueno Zoo is a 14.3-hectare zoo, managed by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, and located in Taitō, Tokyo, Japan.
National Museum of Nature and Science (History museum): The National Museum of Nature and Science is in the northeast corner of Ueno Park in Tokyo.
The National Museum of Modern Art (Art museum): The National Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo , also known as MOMAT, is the foremost museum collecting and exhibiting modern Japanese art.
Shinjuku Gyoen (Botanic garden): Shinjuku Gyo-en or Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden is a large public garden in Shinjuku and Shibuya, Tokyo, Japan.
Tokyo International Forum (Cultural venue): The Tokyo International Forum is a multi-purpose exhibition center in Tokyo, Japan.
Tokyo DisneySea (Theme park): Tokyo DisneySea is a theme park at the Tokyo Disney Resort located in Urayasu, Chiba Prefecture, Japan, just next to Tokyo.
Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum (Art museum): The Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum is a museum of art located in Ueno Park, Tokyo, Japan.
Artizon Museum (Art museum): Artizon Museum Aatizon Bijutukan, until 2018 Bridgestone Museum of Art , is an art museum in Tokyo, Japan.
Kabuki-za (Theatre): Kabuki-za in Ginza is the principal theater in Tokyo for the traditional kabuki drama form.
Asakusa Shrine (Shinto shrine, free): Asakusa Shrine is a Shinto shrine in the Asakusa district of Tokyo, Japan.
Shiba Park (Park, free): Shiba Park is a public park in Minato, Tokyo, Japan built around the temple of Zōjō-ji.
New National Theatre Tokyo (Opera house): The New National Theatre, Tokyo is Japan's first and foremost national centre for the performing arts, including opera, ballet, contemporary dance and drama.
Kanda-myōjin (Shinto shrine, free): Kanda Shrine is a Shinto shrine located in Chiyoda, Tokyo, Japan.
Hie Shrine (Shinto shrine, free): The Hie Shrine is a Shinto shrine in Nagatachō, Chiyoda, Tokyo, Japan.
Zōjō-ji Temple (Buddhist temple, free): Zōjō-ji is a Jōdo-shū Buddhist temple in Minato, Tokyo, Japan.
Nezu Shrine (Shinto shrine, free): Nezu Shrine is a Shinto shrine located in the Bunkyō ward of Tokyo, Japan.
Imperial Theatre (Theatre): The Imperial Theatre , often referred to simply as the Teigeki, and previously the Imperial Garden Theater, was a Japanese theater located in Marunouchi, Chiyoda, Tokyo, Japan operated by Toho.
Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo (Art museum): The Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo is a contemporary art museum in Koto, Tokyo, Japan.
Asakusa Mosque (Mosque, free): The Asakusa Mosque, officially the Daar Al-Arqam Mosque, and commonly known as Masjid Asakusa, is a mosque located in Asakusa, downtown Tokyo, Japan.
Koishikawa Botanical Garden (Botanic garden): The Koishikawa Botanical Garden is a botanical garden with an arboretum operated by the University of Tokyo Graduate School of Science.
Gokoku-ji Temple (Buddhist temple, free): Gokoku-ji is a Shingon Buddhist temple in Tokyo's Bunkyō.
Sengaku-ji Temple (Buddhist temple, free): Sengaku-ji is a Buddhist temple belonging to the Sōtō school of Japanese Zen located in the Takanawa neighborhood of Minato-ku, near Sengakuji Station and Shinagawa Station, Tokyo, Japan.
Ryōunkaku (Observation tower): The Ryōunkaku was Japan's first Western-style skyscraper.
Mori Art Museum (Gallery): The Mori Art Museum is a contemporary art museum founded by the real estate developer Minoru Mori.
Tokyo Metropolitan Teien Art Museum (Art museum): The Tokyo Metropolitan Teien Art Museum is an art museum in Shirokanedai in Tokyo, Japan.
Tsukiji Hongan-ji Temple (Buddhist temple, free): Tsukiji Hongan-ji, officially romanized Hongwan-ji, is a Jōdo Shinshū Buddhist temple located in the Tsukiji district of Tokyo, Japan.
Yushima Tenmangū (Shinto shrine, free): Yushima Tenman-gū is a Shinto shrine located in the Bunkyō ward of Tokyo, Japan.
Tokyo One Piece Tower (Theme park): Tokyo One Piece Tower was an indoor theme park for the popular Japanese manga series, One Piece.
Ōta Memorial Museum of Art (Art museum): The Ukiyo-e Ōta Memorial Museum of Art is a museum in Shibuya, Tokyo, Japan.
Tōgō Shrine (Shinto shrine, free): The Tōgō Shrine was established in 1940 and dedicated to Gensui the Marquis Tōgō Heihachirō after his death.
Nezu Museum (Art museum): The Nezu Museum , formerly known as the Nezu Institute of Fine Arts, is an art museum in the Minato district of Tokyo, Japan.
Tokyo Photographic Art Museum (Art museum): The Tokyo Photographic Art Museum is an art museum concentrating on photography.
Tokyo Takarazuka Theater (Theatre, hidden gem): Tokyo Takarazuka Theater is another home for Takarazuka Creative Arts in Yūrakuchō, Chiyoda ward, Tokyo.
Ryōgoku Bridge (Bridge, free, hidden gem): The Ryōgoku Bridge is a bridge in Tokyo built in 1659 spanning the Sumida River just upstream of its confluence with the Kanda River.
Tokyo Dome City Attractions (Amusement park, hidden gem): Tokyo Dome City Attractions is an amusement park located next to the Tokyo Dome in Bunkyō, Tokyo, Japan, and forms a part of the Tokyo Dome City entertainment complex.
Mukōjima-Hyakkaen Garden (Botanic garden, hidden gem): Mukōjima-Hyakkaen Garden is an urban garden located in Sumida, Tokyo.
Tokyo Sea Life Park (Aquarium, hidden gem): Tokyo Sea Life Park is a public aquarium located in Kasai Rinkai Park, Edogawa Ward, Tokyo.
Hanayashiki (Amusement park, hidden gem): Hanayashiki is an amusement park in Asakusa, Taitō, Tokyo, Japan, that has operated since 1853.
Kansen-en Park (Park, free, hidden gem): Kansen-en Park is a Japanese garden located in Shinjuku, Tokyo.
Hanazono Shrine (Shinto shrine, free, hidden gem): The Hanazono Shrine is a Shinto shrine located in Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan.
Sompo Museum of Art (Art museum, hidden gem): The Sompo Museum of Art is an art museum in Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan.
Meiji Memorial Picture Gallery (Art museum, hidden gem): Meiji Memorial Picture Gallery is a gallery commemorating the "imperial virtues" of Japan's Meiji Emperor, installed on his funeral site in the Gaien or outer precinct of Meiji Shrine in Tōkyō.
Yamatane Museum of Art (Art museum, hidden gem): The Yamatane Museum of Art is a museum in Japan specializing in the nihonga style of Japanese watercolour painting.
Renkō-ji Temple (Buddhist temple, free, hidden gem): Renkō-ji is a Buddhist temple in Suginami-ku, Tokyo.
Hara Museum of Contemporary Art (Art museum, hidden gem): The Hara Museum of Contemporary Art was one of the oldest contemporary art museums in Japan.
Tōzen-ji Temple (Buddhist temple, free, hidden gem): Tōzen-ji, is a Buddhist temple located in Takanawa, Minato, Tokyo, Japan.
Ekō-in Temple (Buddhist temple, free, hidden gem): Ekō-in, also known as Honjo Ekō-in, is a Jōdo-shū Buddhist temple in Ryōgoku, Tokyo.
National Museum of Western Art (History museum): The National Museum of Western Art is the premier public art gallery in Japan specializing in art from the Western tradition.
Yoyogi Park (Park, free): Yoyogi Park is a park in Shibuya, Tokyo, Japan.
Miraikan (History museum): The National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation , simply known as the Miraikan , is a museum created by Japan's Science and Technology Agency.
Equestrian Park (Park, free): The Tokyo Equestrian Park is an equestrian sport venue located in Setagaya, Tokyo.
Gotoh Museum (Art museum, hidden gem): The Gotoh Museum is a private museum in the Kaminoge district of Setagaya on the southwest periphery of Tokyo, Japan.
Toshimaen (Amusement park, hidden gem): Toshimaen was an amusement park in Nerima, Tokyo, Japan, owned by the Seibu Group.

Where to eat and drink in Tokyo

Tsukiji Outer Market, Tsukiji: Tamagoyaki, fresh oysters and sushi for breakfast.
Golden Gai, Shinjuku: Six narrow alleys of tiny bars, some seating only five.
Ichiran Shibuya, Shibuya: Tonkotsu ramen eaten in a private booth.
Gonpachi Nishi-Azabu, Nishi-Azabu: Yakitori and soba in the hall that inspired a famous film scene.
Sushi Dai, Toyosu Market, Toyosu: Omakase at the fish market; arrive early to queue.
Uobei Shibuya, Shibuya: Sushi delivered to your seat on bullet-train rails.
Omoide Yokocho, Shinjuku: Lantern-lit alley of tiny yakitori grills.
Harajuku Gyoza Rou, Harajuku: Simple, perfect pan-fried and steamed dumplings.
Butagumi, Nishi-Azabu: Tonkatsu from heritage pork breeds in an old wooden house.
Myojaku, Tokyo: Refined Japanese cuisine at the very top of the city’s dining.
Ansolence, Meguro: The new restaurant from Michelin-starred chef Hongson Rin.
Sushi Yuki, Tokyo: An omakase counter newly recognised by Michelin.

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