Gathering the gems worth your time…
Destination guide
Tokyo
Japan
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".
Introduction quoted from Wikivoyage, CC BY-SA
Sources gathered & checked 5 days ago
At a glance
- Best time to go
- March and May
- Getting around
- Train and subway · Bus · Sky Hop Bus
- Vetted picks
- 31 places to see, do, eat, and stay
- Real coverage
- 6 vetted creator sources — mostly locals
AI insights
Local-ledComputed from the Wikivoyage listings, transport section and mostly LOCAL creators' videos on this page
The most-viewed guide here is "【東京観光】定番から最新まで！おすすめスポット15選│東京タワー│東京スカイツリー│明治神宮│MIYASHITAPARK" by じゃらん (125K views) — a solid first watch.
じゃらん and ツギノタビサキ are creators from here, not a visiting channel — worth watching for what the guidebooks skip.
Getting around: by train and subway, by bus, sky hop bus and 2 more — the section below has the details straight from Wikivoyage.
10 of the places below list a real price from their own source — worth a scan before you budget the trip.
How these 31 picks are sourced
8 of 31 are named by a second, independent source — Lonely Planet, Michelin Guide and Time Out, and 2 others — and each card names its own. The remaining 23 rest on the reference article alone: we list them because Wikivoyage or Wikipedia documents them, not because anyone else vouched for them. We also watched 6 creator videos, 4 of them from local channels rather than visiting ones. 23 of the 31 descriptions are quoted word for word from Wikivoyage under CC BY-SA rather than written by us, as is the introduction above — each of those cards says so. What we add is the checking, the corroboration above, and the choice of which places are worth your time at all.What we can't promise is that it's still true. Venues close, hours and prices change, and we don't re-check them — a place here closed for good and sat on this page for a year before anyone noticed. The insights are AI-written from these sources and can be wrong too. Confirm anything you'd be sorry to be wrong about before you set out. Terms.
Watch first
Ranked by views and how well each landed with the people who watched it, judged against the other coverage of this place — plus a local creator where we found one.
【東京観光】定番から最新まで！おすすめスポット15選│東京タワー│東京スカイツリー│明治神宮│MIYASHITAPARK
じゃらん · 125K viewsLocalja
12 Must Try Japanese Foods in Tokyo 🇯🇵 Ultimate Travel Guide
Abroad in Japan · 2.5M views
【東京 観光】おすすめ定番スポット５選
ツギノタビサキ · 53K viewsLocalja
101 Things to Do in TOKYO 🇯🇵 Hidden Spots Revealed
Abroad in Japan · 2.0M views
【東京観光】新宿、渋谷、浅草・・・東京の観光におすすめの「街」10か所紹介します！
旅行好きのエイト / Eito Travel Channel · 22K viewsLocalja
【東京ガイド】東京のおすすめ観光地10選
旅行の教科書 · 11K viewsLocalja
Best time to go
Best window: March and May
No month to avoid, though the shoulder seasons are the pick.
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
IdealGoodOkayOff-season
Rated from ten years of daily temperature and rainfall recorded at this destination, via Open-Meteo's ERA5 reanalysis. Hover a month for its real numbers.
Getting around
By train and subway
Tokyo has one of the most extensive mass transit systems in the world and is the most used subway system in the world in terms of annual passenger rides. It is clean, safe and efficient – and confusing.
By bus
The few areas within Tokyo that aren't easily accessible by train are served by various bus companies. Buses operating within 23 wards of Tokyo have a fixed fare regardless of distance (¥210 on Toei buses and ¥220 on other private bus companies), which is…
Sky Hop Bus
Willer Express operates a hop-on, hop-off bus service called the Sky Hop Bus, which bills itself as "the first open-top double decker bus in Japan".
On foot
In this large city with such an efficient public transportation system, walking to get from point A to point B would seem a bit stupid at first glance. However, as the city is extremely safe even at night, walking in Tokyo can be a very pleasant experience.
By taxi
Taxis are pricey, but may be competitive for groups of three or more. Also, if you miss your last train, you may not have another choice.
Transport notes from Wikivoyage, CC BY-SA 4.0.
What to see
Places are listed from Wikivoyage and our own sourced research. Worth it means a second, independent source names the place too; “3 sources agree” means three or more do — and each card names them, so you can check. Single source means the opposite, said plainly: the reference article lists it and nothing else we checked does.
Shibuya Crossing
Worth itAlso recommended by Lonely Planet and 1 other
The world's busiest pedestrian scramble, best seen from the Shibuya Sky deck.
Vetted sources
Senso-ji
Worth itAlso recommended by Lonely Planet
Tokyo's oldest temple, approached through Nakamise street beneath a giant red lantern.
Vetted sources
Imperial Palace
Single sourceSurrounded by a series of moats and high walls, the site of the former Edo Castle has been the official residence of the Japanese imperial family since 1868.
Description quoted from Wikivoyage, CC BY-SA
Vetted sources
Yasukuni Shrine
Single source3-1-1 Kudan-kita
A controversial shrine to Japan's war dead, housing the souls of some 2.5 million people killed in Japan's wars — including convicted war criminals executed by the Allies.
Description quoted from Wikivoyage, CC BY-SA
Vetted sources
Edo-Tokyo Museum
Single sourcenear Ryogoku subway station exits A3/A4; take the West exit from the JR station
This bizarre multi-story edifice suspended in midair and bearing not a small resemblance to a Star Wars Imperial Walker (meant to be a replica of an old raised warehouse) covers the history of the…
Description quoted from Wikivoyage, CC BY-SA
Vetted sources
Sengaku-ji
Single sourceToei Asakusa Line Sengakuji station exit A2
A temple most famous as the resting place of the 47 Rōnin, a famous group of samurai who banded together to avenge their unfairly slain master.
Description quoted from Wikivoyage, CC BY-SA
Vetted sources
Tokyo Tower
Single sourcethe nearest station is Akabanebashi (5-min walk) although Hamamatsucho and Daimon are accessible through several lines and only slightly farther away
This was a newly re-industrialized Japan's 1958 answer to Paris's Eiffel Tower — a bit more modern-looking and 9 m taller.
Description quoted from Wikivoyage, CC BY-SA
Vetted sources
Imperial Palace East Garden
Single sourceKept in impeccable shape, the gardens of the Imperial Palace are particularly beautiful during the March and April plum and cherry blossom seasons.
Description quoted from Wikivoyage, CC BY-SA
Vetted sources
What to do
teamLab Planets
Worth itAlso recommended by Time Out
Immersive digital art where visitors wade barefoot through water-projected rooms.
Vetted sources
Golden Gai
Worth itAlso recommended by Time Out
A warren of over 200 tiny themed bars packed into narrow Shinjuku alleyways.
Vetted sources
Ryōgoku Kokugikan
Single source1-3-28 Yokoami
The largest sumo arena in Japan with a capacity for 10,000 spectators, this is where grand tournaments or basho are held in January, May and September, starting on the second Sunday of the month.
Description quoted from Wikivoyage, CC BY-SA
Vetted sources
Kabukiza Theater
Single sourceunderground passage from the Higashi-Ginza station of the Asakusa and Hibiya subway lines
The best way to see traditional Japanese theater is to go to Kabuki-za for a single act, or hitomaku-mi, which lasts between one and two hours.
Description quoted from Wikivoyage, CC BY-SA
Vetted sources
Tokyo Dome City
Single sourceAn attractions complex featuring a large indoor stadium, an amusement park, bowling alley, off-track betting center, and the LaQua shopping mall/spa (see Buy). Tokyo Dome is one of several Tokyo stadiums.
Description quoted from Wikivoyage, CC BY-SA
Vetted sources
Manten
Single source10 min from JR Ikebukuro station
There is a planetarium called Manten (meaning "full sky") in Sunshine City. This planetarium shows three types of programs and repeats them in a day.
Description quoted from Wikivoyage, CC BY-SA
Vetted sources
Iwasaki's Ganso Shokuhin Sample-ya
Single source400 m WNW of Tsukuba Express Railway's Asakusa Station, exit A2; Tobu Railway's Asakusa Station is 1 km away
Make your own replica food or sample food (sampuru) out of wax.
Description quoted from Wikivoyage, CC BY-SA
Vetted sources
Namja Town
Single sourcein Sunshine 60 on 2 & 3F
The Namja Town has many attractions. For example there are some Japanese style haunted houses, interactive 1964 shooting games, egg-raising game (the whole process is quite similar to raising a child, where you will…
Description quoted from Wikivoyage, CC BY-SA
Vetted sources
What to eat
Tsukiji Outer Market
Worth itAlso recommended by Lonely Planet and 1 other
Stalls serving fresh uni, tamagoyaki and grilled seafood skewers near the old fish market.
Vetted sources
Sukiyabashi Jiro
Worth itAlso recommended by Michelin Guide
Legendary sushi omakase counter made famous by 'Jiro Dreams of Sushi'.
Vetted sources
Narisawa
Worth itAlso recommended by Michelin Guide
Innovative 'satoyama' tasting menu rooted in Japanese forest ingredients.
Vetted sources
Nakiryu
Worth itAlso recommended by Michelin Guide
Tantanmen shop that became one of the first ramen restaurants to earn a Michelin star.
Vetted sources
Gonpachi
Single sourceNishi-Azabu crossing, 5 min from Roppongi station
This lively and popular izakaya, with a spectacular spacious interior and high-profile location, has served luminaries such as George W.
Description quoted from Wikivoyage, CC BY-SA
Vetted sources
Sushi Kanesaka
Single sourceB1/F Misuzu Bldg, 8-10-3 Ginza Chuou-ku
The main branch of one of Japan's premier sushi restaurants with two Michelin stars, with another branch at the Palace Hotel, as well as two outposts in Singapore.
Description quoted from Wikivoyage, CC BY-SA
Vetted sources
Ninja Akasaka
Single source2-14-3 Nagata-cho, Akasaka Tokyu Hotel Plaza 1F
The entrance is a little difficult to find, but what do you expect from a restaurant designed like a hidden ninja fortress?
Description quoted from Wikivoyage, CC BY-SA
Vetted sources
Chanko Tomoegata
Single source3 min south from JR Ryōgoku West exit
One of Tokyo's oldest chanko joints, operating for over 100 years, specializing in a slightly unusual miso-flavored soup.
Description quoted from Wikivoyage, CC BY-SA
Vetted sources
Marone
Single sourcethe address (in English) is incredibly difficult to find, but luckily it's only a few doors down from the famous restaurant Tsunahachi (east of the station): look for their chalkboard outside a non-descript building and then go up to 2F
Tucked away in this tiny cubbyhole of a space is one of the most interesting small bars in Tokyo. A country western theme with Chet Baker and Nat King Cole pouring from the stereo.
Description quoted from Wikivoyage, CC BY-SA
Vetted sources
Where to stay
Tokyo Station Hotel
Single sourceMarunouchi 1-chome 9-1
If you ever wanted to sleep in a train station, then this might be the place to do it.
Description quoted from Wikivoyage, CC BY-SA
Vetted sources
The New Otani
Single sourceKioicho 4-1
The flagship of the international New Otani chain, and one of the largest hotels in Tokyo, with a variety of shops and restaurants under its roof.
Description quoted from Wikivoyage, CC BY-SA
Vetted sources
First Cabin Akihabara
Single source3-38 Sakuma, Chiyoda-ku
Nice capsule hotel that's more spacious than your usual affair.
Description quoted from Wikivoyage, CC BY-SA
Vetted sources
Sawanoya Ryokan
Single source7-min walk from Nezu station no 1 exit, 10 min taxi from Ueno station or 25- to 30-minute walk
Well-known and popular ryokan, all rooms Japanese style with tatami floors. 2 rooms with bath, the 10 others share two Japanese-style baths and showers.
Description quoted from Wikivoyage, CC BY-SA
Vetted sources
Juyoh Hotel
Single source10 min walk south from Minami-senju Station
Very nice cheap hotel, prices ranging from ¥3200 for a single (¥2980 with a discount coupon printable from their web page, includes cleaning service every other day) to ¥6400 for a double (¥5960 with…
Description quoted from Wikivoyage, CC BY-SA
Vetted sources
InterContinental ANA Tokyo
Single sourcebetween the Tameike-Sanno and Roppongi Ichome subway stations
An international hotel and all staff can speak English.
Description quoted from Wikivoyage, CC BY-SA
Vetted sources
Build your day
Pick the places you want in Tokyo, Japan and we will put them on a map in an order that does not cross the city twice.
Where to next
Nearby cities in Japan we’ve vetted too.
- YokohamaJapan's largest Chinatown sits beside the modern Minato Mirai harbour skyline.
- KamakuraA seaside former capital centred on the Great Buddha of Kotoku-in.
- HakoneHot-spring ryokan town with views of Mount Fuji across Lake Ashi.
- NikkoToshogu Shrine's gilded mausoleum sits deep in cedar-forested mountains.
- MatsumotoOne of Japan's original wooden castles, the black 'Crow Castle', rises against the Alps.
- TakayamaAn Edo-period old town of dark-wood merchant houses in the Japanese Alps, famed for Hida beef.
Travel content from Wikivoyage, CC BY-SA 4.0. Encyclopedic context from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0. Videos via the YouTube Data API.