Sightseeing Tokyo Top 10

September 6, 2024 By Salva Off
sightseeing tokyo top 10

What are the top 10 things to do in Tokyo?

  • Be sure to visit Tokyo Tower.
  • Take a pleasant walk at Shibuya Crossing.
  • Make a cultural visit to Senso-ji Temple in Asakusa.
  • Explore Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden.
  • Enjoy a feast of fresh seafood at Tsukiji Fish Market.
  • Don’t miss shopping for electronics and anime in Akihabara.
  • Experience fashion and youth culture in Harajuku.
  • Shop with luxury enthusiasts in Ginza.
  • Visit Ueno Park and its museums.

Enjoy fun activities and shopping on Odaiba Island.

Key attractions and tips for visiting Tokyo

Kabuki-za Theatre

  • Location: 4 Chome-12-15 Ginza, Chuo City, Tokyo 104-0061
  • Highlights: Historic Kabuki performances with a medieval, burlesque style. The theater’s interior is intimate, and spectators can enjoy food from various restaurants around the auditorium.

Yomiuriland

  • Location: 4015-1 Yanokuchi, Inagi, Tokyo 206-8566, Japan
  • Highlights: An amusement park featuring cherry blossoms, water attractions, and thrilling rides. It transforms with the seasons, offering cherry blossom viewing in spring and a snow-themed wonderland in winter.

Harajuku

  • Highlights: Known for outrageous fashion and futuristic boutiques, as well as historical sites like Meiji Jingu and the Ota Memorial Museum of Art. A vibrant district blending traditional and modern Japan.

Shibuya Crossing

  • Highlights: One of the busiest intersections in the world, famous for its bustling crowd and bright lights. For a panoramic view, head to the rooftop of Shibuya 109-2 department store.

Where to Stay

  • Luxury Hotels:
    • Mandarin Oriental, Tokyo: Offers excellent city views, multiple restaurants, a spa, and an indoor pool.
    • Conrad Tokyo: Known for views over Tokyo Bay, fine dining options, and a luxurious spa.
    • Palace Hotel Tokyo: Features views of the Imperial Palace gardens, family-friendly suites, and a luxurious spa.
  • Mid-Range Hotels:
    • Hotel Ryumeikan Tokyo: Near the Imperial Palace with modern rooms and a traditional tearoom.
    • Hotel Niwa Tokyo: Clean, comfortable rooms with whirlpool baths and a gym.
    • Courtyard by Marriott Tokyo Ginza: Close to the Ginza district with family-friendly rooms and dining options.
  • Budget Hotels:
    • Richmond Hotel Tokyo Shiba: Affordable, near Tokyo Tower and the Haneda Express Monorail.
    • Hotel Mystays Asakusabashi: Basic rooms with kitchenettes and bike rentals.
    • Hotel Yanagibashi: Budget-friendly with shared and private rooms, a communal kitchen, and laundry facilities.

Tips and Tours

  • Sightseeing & History: Consider the 1-Day Tokyo Bus Tour to see top sites efficiently.
  • Day Trip: Explore Nikko National Park with its sacred shrines and natural beauty.
  • Visit Mt. Fuji: Take the Mt. Fuji, Hakone, Lake Ashi Cruise, and Bullet Train Day Trip for a comprehensive experience.

Best Time to Visit

    • Spring (March-May): Enjoy mild weather and cherry blossoms, especially in April.
    • Fall (September-November): Ideal for pleasant weather and autumn foliage.
    • Summer (June-August): Busy with tourists, hot and humid.

FAQS

What are the must-see attractions in Tokyo, Japan? What are the top 10 must-see sightseeing spots in Tokyo for first-time visitors?

First-timers should prioritize:

  • Senso-ji Temple in Asakusa, Tokyo’s oldest Buddhist temple
  • Meiji Jingu Shrine, a serene Shinto oasis next to Harajuku
  • Tokyo Skytree, the tallest tower in Japan with panoramic observation decks
  • Shibuya Scramble Crossing, the world’s busiest pedestrian intersection
  • Imperial Palace & East Gardens, the residence of the Imperial Family
  • teamLab Planets digital art museum
  • Tsukiji Outer Market, Tokyo’s famous seafood and street-food hub
  • Ueno Park, home to multiple museums and seasonal cherry blossoms
  • Akihabara, the electronics and anime district
  • Odaiba, a futuristic waterfront with shopping, museums, and the Gundam statue

What are the must-visit places in Nagoya?

  • Nagoya Castle
  • Atsuta Jingu Shrine
  • Osu Kannon Temple
  • Toyota Museum
  • Nagoya City Museum
  • Sakae District
  • Port Messe Nagoya

What are the must-do activities in Kyoto, Japan?

  • You can make a cultural visit to Fushimi Inari Shrine.
  • Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion) Shrine is also a must-see.
  • Kiyomizu-dera Temple is one of the places you should visit.
  • Explore Arashiyama Bamboo Grove and breathe in the fresh air.
  • Visit Nijo Castle and enjoy the view.
  • Experiencing traditional Japanese culture in the Gion District is a must.
  • You should also visit the Zen garden at Ryoan-ji Temple.

What is the coolest thing to do in Tokyo?

One of the coolest things you can do is visit Sanrio Puroland on Odaiba Island or enjoy the city view from Tokyo Skytree.

What are the famous tourist spots in Kyoto?

  • Fushimi Inari Shrine
  •  Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion) Shrine
  • Kiyomizu-dera Temple
  • Arashiyama Bamboo Grove
  • Nijo Castle

What is the best thing to do in Sapporo?

Here are the top three things you can do: visit the Sapporo Beer Museum, experience the Sapporo Snow Festival, or explore the historic canals in Otaru.

How can I efficiently visit Tokyo’s top 10 attractions in one day?

To hit all ten in a single day: start early at Tsukiji Outer Market (6–8 AM), take the Metro to Asakusa Senso-ji (opens 6 AM), then Toei Asakusa Line to Tokyo Skytree (opens 8 AM). Transfer to JR Yamanote Line for Ueno Park (museums open 9:30 AM), then to Akihabara for lunch (11 AM). Midday, hop to Meiji Jingu Shrine (Yamanote Line to Harajuku) and wander Shibuya Crossing around 2 PM. Late afternoon head to Imperial Palace East Gardens (closes 5 PM). Finish at teamLab Planets (open until 9 PM) and Odaiba by Yurikamome Line for evening skyline views.

What is the best time of day to visit Senso-ji Temple to avoid crowds?

To experience Senso-ji Temple with fewer tourists, arrive before 8 AM on weekdays; most tour groups and cruise ship visitors don’t arrive until after 10 AM. Alternatively, an evening visit after 5 PM offers a quieter atmosphere and beautiful lantern illumination.

How long should I plan to spend at the Tokyo Skytree observation decks?

Allocate 1.5–2 hours at Tokyo Skytree: 30 minutes to queue and take the elevator to Tembo Deck (350 m), 30 minutes to explore the skywalk windows, and 30 minutes more if you also visit Tembo Galleria (450 m). Booking tickets online in advance can save up to 30 minutes in line.

What transport pass covers visits to Tokyo’s top sights most cost-effectively?

The Tokyo Metro 24-hour Ticket (¥800) lets you ride all subway lines unlimited for a day, covering Asakusa, Akihabara, Ueno, Shibuya, and Meiji Jingu via nearby stations. For JR-only routes (e.g., Tokyo Skytree via Oshiage), add a Japan Rail East Pass if you plan regional day trips like Mt. Fuji.

What makes teamLab Planets a unique Tokyo attraction?

Unlike traditional museums, teamLab Planets is an immersive digital art experience where you walk through water and into interactive light sculptures. Its “Floating Flower Garden” and “Butterfly Forest” rooms respond to your movements, creating ever-changing artworks you become part of.

How do I explore the Imperial Palace East Gardens and nearby attractions?

Imperial Palace East Gardens are free and open 9 AM–5 PM (except Mondays and Fridays). Plan 1–2 hours here, then walk to the adjacent Kitte Marunouchi shopping mall for lunch with views of the palace moat. Don’t miss the Nijubashi Bridge photo spot just outside the main gate.

What can I expect at Tsukiji Outer Market besides sushi?

While sushi counters are the star, Tsukiji Outer Market also offers tamago-yaki (Japanese omelet) stalls, grilled seafood skewers, matcha sweets, and kitchenware shops selling Japanese knives and ceramic bowls. Sampling street snacks as you stroll is part of the experience.

Which hidden-gem neighborhoods complement Tokyo’s top 10 sights?

After the main spots, explore Yanaka Ginza for old-Tokyo charm with retro shops, Kichijoji’s Inokashira Park for a lakeside walk, and Golden Gai in Shinjuku for nightlife among narrow, themed bars. These allow you to see Tokyo’s local side beyond the major landmarks.

How do I plan a day trip to Mount Fuji and Hakone from Tokyo?

Catch the JR Tokaido Shinkansen from Tokyo Station to Odawara (35 min), then transfer to Hakone Tozan Railway. Enjoy views of Fuji-san from Lake Ashi on a sightseeing cruise, and relax in an onsen before returning via Shinkansen or Odakyu Romancecar. This full-day itinerary can be covered with a Hakone Free Pass for transport savings.

Sources:

https://www.planetware.com/

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