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66 things to do
Tokyo can be broadly divided into the "23 special wards", "Tama region" and "Islands". This article is about the 23 special wards of Tokyo, which corresponds to what many think of as the "city of Tokyo". For information on Tokyo as a prefecture, Tama region and Islands, see Tokyo Metropolis. Tokyo (東京 Tōkyō) is the enormous and wealthy capital of Japan, and its main city, overflowing with culture, commerce, and most of all, people. As one of the most populated urban areas in the world, Tokyo is a fascinating and dynamic metropolis that mixes foreign influences, consumer culture and global business along with remnants of the capital of old Japan. From modern electronics and gleaming skyscrapers to cherry blossoms and the Imperial Palace, this city represents the entire sweep of Japanese history and culture. Tokyo truly has something for every traveller. Over 500 years old, the city of Tokyo was once the modest fishing village of Edo (江戸 - literally Gate of the River) due to its location at the mouth of Sumida-gawa. The city only truly began to grow when it became the seat of the Tok…
Wikivoyage, revision 5302073. Licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Quick facts
Popular tours and experiences
Climate
Typical temperatures through the year
Dates to know
Respect for the Aged Day
2026-09-21 · 敬老の日
Autumnal Equinox Day
2026-09-23 · 秋分の日
Sports Day
2026-10-12 · スポーツの日
Culture Day
2026-11-03 · 文化の日
Labour Thanksgiving Day
2026-11-23 · 勤労感謝の日
Mitsui Memorial Museum
See
Art museum, the collection includes items used in the Japanese tea ceremony as well as Eastern antiques. Housed in an hi…
Japan Traditional Crafts Aoyama Square
See
Gallery and shop for handicraft products from all over Japan.
8-1-22 Akasaka
11:00-19:00
Free
Photo by DannyWithLove · CC BY-SA 4.0 · View source
Mori Building Digital Art Museum: teamLab Borderless
See
Art museum with immersive art exhibits.
Azabudai Hills Garden Plaza B B1 5-9, Toranomon, Minato-ku,
Daily 08:30-21:00
¥3600-5600, depending on how far in advance you buy
Fire Museum
See
Three fire-fighting helicopters, ten trucks, and 3 floors of exhibitions. Very popular with kids, who can wear fire-figh…
Yotsuya 4-10
09:30-17:00, closed on Mondays
+81 3-3353-9119
Free
Hanazono Shrine
See
More remarkable for its location than its appearance, but it's a nice place to take a breather. There's often a flea mar…
near the intersection of Meiji-dori and Yasukuni-dori
Photo by Kakidai · CC BY-SA 3.0 · View source
Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden
See
A large public garden, and one of the most popular places for viewing cherry blossoms in spring. It has Japanese, Englis…
09:00-16:30; open until 18:00 mid-March to June and mid-August to September, until 19:00 July to mid-August. Closed Mondays (with some exceptions) and during the New Year's Holiday
¥500, seniors/students ¥250, children under 15 free
Shinjuku-sanchōme and related red-light districts to the east of the station
See
It is perfectly safe to walk around here during the day and marvel at the photo billboards of various male and female es…
Photo by ↑ＰＯＮ at Japanese Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 3.0 · View source
Shinjuku Southern Terrace
See
The promenade next to the Southern Terrace exit offers a magnificent view of the Takashimaya department store and a brid…
across from the South Exit of Shinjuku Station
Photo by Markus Leupold-Löwenthal · CC BY-SA 3.0 · View source
Tokyo Metropolitan Government Center
See
The two enormous buildings of this giant hive of bureaucracy are an Orwellian architectural masterpiece designed by note…
2-8-1 Nishi-Shinjuku
Free
Photo by Tokyo_Opera_City.jpg: Ons derivative work: Torsodog (talk) · CC BY-SA 3.0 · View source
Tokyo Opera City
See
A building complex with a skyscraper. Housing the New National Theatre Tokyo, concert halls, two art museums (one specia…
Tokyo Toy Museum
See
An old school filled with toys and fun small houses. Accompanying adults won't get bored, thanks to the variety of toys.
Yotsuya 4-20
10:00-16:00, closed on Thursdays
¥500 per child, ¥700 per adult
Suga Shrine
See
It is a shrine located around Shinjuku. It is a small shrine, but the stairs in front of it are famous as the background…
5-6 Sugacho
10:00 ~ 17:00
+81 3-3351-7023
free
Yūshūkan War Memorial Museum
See
An odd collection of military paraphernalia (including human torpedoes and letters from kamikaze pilots) and one-sided (…
Daily 09:00-16:30
Adult ¥1000, post-secondary student ¥500, high school student ¥300, child free
Photo by Japiot · CC BY-SA 3.0 · View source
Tokyo International Forum
See
A massive, modern exhibition centre used for concerts, conventions and the like. On weekdays there are usually several f…
located in front of Yurakuchō station
+81 3-5221-9000
mAAch ecute Kanda Manseibashi
See
A historic train station that's been converted into a shopping mall. Besides interesting shops and cafes, there's also a…
Kanda-Sudachō 1-25-4
+81 3-3257-8910
Photo by Wiiii · CC BY-SA 3.0 · View source
National Diet Building
See
Housing Japan's bicameral legislature, it was built in the 1920s. The most recognizable symbol of the Japanese governmen…
Imperial Palace
See
Surrounded by a series of moats and high walls, the site of the former Edo Castle has been the official residence of the…
+81 3-3213-1111
Photo by john w · CC BY 2.0 · View source
Imperial Palace East Garden
See
Kept in impeccable shape, the gardens of the Imperial Palace are particularly beautiful during the March and April plum…
Open daily except Mondays and Fridays
Photo by Gary Bembridge from London/ New York, UK · CC BY 2.0 · View source
Kitanomaru Park
See
Connected to the East Gardens on the north side is this park. Offering much of the same, it is a convenient way to get t…
Chidoriga-fuchi Moat
See
One of, if not the most prominent cherry blossom site in Tokyo, and attracts throngs of people in its March-to-April pea…
on the northwest side of the Imperial gardens grounds
Holy Resurrection Cathedral
See
A beautifully-restored 1800s-vintage Russian Orthodox cathedral located near Ochanomizu Station on the Chuo Line. Use th…
+81 3-3291-1885
Kanda Shrine
See
This shrine has a history dating back to the 8th century and had been highly regarded under the Edo shogunate. The curre…
A block north across the river from Ochanomizu station
Hie Shrine
See
Another prominent shrine in Tokyo. Located atop a little hill at the edge of the area. Reached by a steep flight of stai…
+81 3-3581-2471
Photo by David Monniaux · CC BY-SA 3.0 · View source
Yasukuni Shrine
See
A controversial shrine to Japan's war dead, housing the souls of some 2.5 million people killed in Japan's wars —…
3-1-1 Kudan-kita
+81 3-3261-8326
Tokyo National Museum of Modern Art
See
With a modest permanent collection on display and regularly changing exhibitions, MOMAT is a nice place to kill a couple…
3-1 Kitanomaru-kōen
Tu-Th Sa-Su 10:30-17:00, F 10:30-20:00, closed M
+81 3-5777-8600
¥420 for adults, ¥130 for students and children under 15 free. Admission is also free on May 18, November 3 and the first Sunday of every month. Special exhibits extra
Photo by Ons · CC BY-SA 3.0 · View source
Idemitsu Museum of Arts
See
Has a noteworthy collection centering on Japanese traditional arts.
On the 9th floor of the Imperial Theatre building
Daily 10:00-17:00 (until 19:00 on Fridays)
+81 35777 8600
¥1000 for adults
Tsukiji Outer Market
See
For more than 80 years, Tsukiji was the world's largest wholesale fish market. Although the wholesale operations (includ…
5-2-1 Tsukiji
Varies by shop, but typically M-Sa 09:00-14:00, closed holidays and most Wednesdays
+81 3-3542-1111
Free
Tsukiji Hongwanji
See
A Jōdo Shinshū temple just a few blocks away from the fish market, worth seeing because of its unique, South Asian-inspi…
3-15-1 Tsukiji
+81 3-3541-1131
Photo by Aimaimyi · CC BY-SA 3.0 · View source
Nihonbashi Bridge
See
Nihonbashi means Japan bridge. It is the most famous bridge in Japan and one of the very few historic bridges remaining…
Tokyo Stock Exchange
See
Tokyo's stock exchange, while one of the largest in the world by capitalization, is now entirely automated, and the tiny…
2-1 Nihombashi Kabutocho
+81 3-3665-1881
Hama-rikyū Gardens
See
It was built by 17th-century shoguns for their private enjoyment. Hama-rikyu is now a public walking garden with an all-…
1-1 Hama-rikyū Teien
+81 3-3541-0200
Park admission ¥300 (age 65+ ¥150, primary school children free)
Photo by Eckhard Pecher · CC BY 2.5 · View source
Tokyo Tower
See
This was a newly re-industrialized Japan's 1958 answer to Paris's Eiffel Tower — a bit more modern-looking and 9 m…
Daily 09:00-22:00
Photo by SElefant · CC BY-SA 3.0 · View source
Zōjō-ji Temple
See
This grand old temple is the headquarters of the Jōdo-shū sect and houses the graves of 6 of the Tokugawa shoguns, but i…
Shibakoen 4-7-35
Photo by Reggaeman · CC BY-SA 3.0 · View source
Sengaku-ji
See
A temple most famous as the resting place of the 47 Rōnin, a famous group of samurai who banded together to avenge their…
Takanawa 2-11-1
Institute for Nature Study
See
A 200,000 sq m nature preserve in the heart of the city, with birds and waterfowl, insects and marine life.
5-21-5 Shirokanedai
Sep 1-Apr 30: 09:00-16:30, May 1-Aug 31: 09:00-17:00; closed Mondays, closed Dec 28-Jan 4
+81 3 3441-7176
Adults ¥300, senior citizens and children free
Rainbow Bridge
See
Completed in 1993, this gateway to Odaiba is among the most beautiful modern bridges in Japan. Decorated with 444 lights…
Photo by Wiiii · CC BY-SA 3.0 · View source
Tokyo Metropolitan Teien Art Museum
See
Art museum housed in a classic Art Deco style structure, connected to a small park with Japanese and Western gardens and…
Photo by Kentin · CC BY-SA 3.0 · View source
Nezu Museum
See
Showcases the private art collection of Nezu Kaichirō with many pieces from the Edo period.
6-5-1 Minamiaoyama
+81 3-3400-2536
Taro Okamoto Memorial Museum
See
Former studio and house of Okamoto Taro. Unfinished works and paintings are shown. He made numerous masterpieces such as…
6-1-19 Minamiaoyama
+81 3-3406-0801
Photo by Rs1421 · CC BY-SA 3.0 · View source
TEPIA
See
Science museum showcasing new technologies, robots, home automation. Explanations are in Japanese but playing with the o…
2 Chome-8-44 Kitaaoyama
Tu-Su 10:00-18:00, closed on holidays
Free
Photo by カルカロドントサウルスもぐら · CC BY-SA 4.0 · View source
Aquapark shinagawa
See
A popular aquarium with exhibits that combine dolphin shows and technology. The tunnel tank includes manta rays, green s…
Photo by chensiyuan · CC BY-SA 4.0 · View source
Shibuya Crossing
See
The famous crossing sees people crossing in every direction en masse. The second floor of the Starbucks has been a great…
Hachikō
See
A diminutive statue of a dog tucked away in one corner of the big plaza outside the station, best known as a meeting pla…
Center Gai
See
The narrow street leading away from the station to the left of the giant video screen, it's famous as the birthplace of…
Moyai statues
See
Another popular meeting spot, this time on the south side of the station, the two Moyai statues here are a spin on Easte…
Bunkamura
See
Bunkamura-dori. A complex featuring an excellent art museum, in addition to theaters for film and stage plays. On the ba…
Hikarie
See
Hikarie is a massive building on the east side of Shibuya Station with many restaurants, galleries, and theaters. Opened…
Myth of Tomorrow
See
A huge mural by famous artist Tarō Okamoto, it commemorates the Hiroshima atomic bombing. A human figure in it burns and…
Photo by Harani0403 · CC BY-SA 3.0 · View source
Yamatane Museum of Art
See
Specializes in modern Japanese-style paintings and has a notable collection, though only a handful are on display at one…
Daily 10:00-17:00
+81 3-3239-5911
¥600 per adult
Photo by NTT_DoCoMo_Yoyogi_Building_2009.jpg: Wiiii derivative work: 0607crp (talk) · CC BY-SA 3.0 · View source
NTT DoCoMo Building
See
This gigantic tower resembling a granite Empire State Building, south of the Shinjuku Station, is owned by NTT DoCoMo, J…
Photo by Wiiii · CC BY-SA 3.0 · View source
Hara Museum of Contemporary Art
See
This small museum hosts a variety of interesting exhibitions in a 1930s house which is a great example of modern archite…
4-7-25 Kitashinagawa
Closed M; Tu Th-Su 11:00-17:00, W 11:00-20:00
+81 3-3445-0651
¥1000 adults, ¥700 students
Shinagawa Aquarium
See
3-2-1 Katsushima
Closed Th; Tu 11:00-17:00, W 10:00-17:00
+81 3-3762-3433
¥1350 adults, ¥600 students, children ¥300
Showa Neon Takamura Kanban Museum
See
The sign company Showa Neon has a museum with shop signs from the Edo and early Meiji periods. Reportedly all descriptio…
1-7-17 Minami-Shinagawa
M-F 10:00-16:00
Free
Zōshigaya Cemetery
See
The final resting place of Lafcadio Hearn is about the most exciting attraction in this neck of the woods.
Minami-Ikebukuro 4-chome
Kōgan-ji Temple
See
This small temple in Sugamo is known for two statues: Togenuki Jizō, who heals sick children, and the boddhisattva Kanno…
3-35-2 Sugamo
Myōkō-ji Temple
See
According to legend, the grave of Lady Oiwa (Oiwa-san) in Yotsuya Kaidan, Japan's best-known ghost story and a direct in…
Honmyōji Temple
See
This temple is known for a fire called Meireki-no-Taika, an inferno 400 years ago which killed over 100,000 people. It i…
5-35-6 Sugamo
Hōmyōji
See
Famous Japanese temple built in 810. Features the statue of Kishimojin (鬼子母神像) who is a Japanese God of fertility. Visit…
+81 3-3971-4383
Sunshine 60
See
Sunshine 60 was once the tallest building in Japan and it remains the most prominent building within the Sunshine City c…
Ikebukuro
Tokyo Metropolitan Theatre
See
Offers various exhibits and concerts behind the impressive glass facade.
on the west side of the Ikebukuro train/subway station
Tokyo Shaheed Minar
See
A beautiful monument, symbolizing love to the mother language. It is based on the mother language movement, that origina…
Ikebukuro
Photo by Tadill · CC BY-SA 3.0 · View source
Kumano Shrine
See
Built 800 years ago. Surrounded by trees, people visit to pray or just for the peace and quiet. Some come for specific t…
Meguro Parasitological Museum
See
One of a kind and oddly popular with couples on dates, although you might want to skip lunch before (or after) your visi…
4-1-1 Shimomeguro
Tu-Su 10:00-17:00; closed around New Years
+81 3 3716-1264
Free; donations appreciated
Meguro Gajoen
See
A luxury hotel and wedding hall, with restaurants, cafes, and banquet rooms. One of the most popular attractions, though…
Gohyakurakanji
See
This temple contains over 300 statues, all with different facial expressions. They were all carved by the same monk from…
09:00-17:00 all year round
¥300
Japan Folk Crafts Museum
See
Founded in 1936. Must see for Japanese handicraft lovers.
4-3-33 Komaba
