Tokyo

Surrounded 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.

3-1-1 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.

near 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 metropolis, starting from 1590 when it was…

Toei 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. Having obtained the head of the offender, they brought it to this very temple and then were…

the 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. Entry to the Main Observatory (150m) is ¥820, while ascending to the Special Observatory (250m) is an…

Tobu Railway to Tokyo Skytree Station, Toei Asakusa Subway Line/Tokyo Metro Hanzōmon Line to Oshiage (Skytree) Station, or direct bus from Tokyo Station (30 minutes, ¥500)

Completed in 2012, Tokyo Skytree stands tall over the old Sumida ward as the newest symbol of Tokyo and the world's tallest self-supporting tower at 634 m.

A diminutive statue of a dog tucked away in one corner of the big plaza outside the station, best known as a meeting place and for the story (see box).

Kept in impeccable shape, the gardens of the Imperial Palace are particularly beautiful during the March and April plum and cherry blossom seasons.

1-3-28 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.

in 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 need to take the egg to…

underground 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. This costs around ¥800, depending on the length, and seating is on the fourth floor.

An 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.

10 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.

400 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. This shop, in Tokyo's Kappabashi restaurant supply district, offers onsite workshops and at-home DIY kits to make food from wax. Workshops are usually conducted in Japanese.

Plies the Sumida River and Tokyo Bay between Hamamatsucho, Odaiba, Asakusa and other points.

Formerly run by Sega, four locations in Akihabara. As of July 31, 2025, the first store of gigo was closed.

next door to K-Books, down the street from Mandarake, and across the highway from the Sunshine 60

Lots of new anime/manga-related merchandise.

Not far from the Sunshine 60

One of the Mandarake chain of used anime/manga goods stores, the Ikebukuro branch specializes in doujinshi, in particular doujinshi for girls.

Nishi-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. Bush and former Prime Minister Koizumi, and was the model for the battle scene in Quentin Tarantino's…

B1/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. Sushi is prepared fresh for you at the counter while you watch.

2-14-3 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? Navigate through dark corridors, over bridges and trap doors to your hidden room, where ninja waiters attend to…

3 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. Lunch sets at ¥840/1260 weekdays/weekends are just about the cheapest chanko you'll find anywhere and a good…

the 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.

Marunouchi 1-chome 9-1

If you ever wanted to sleep in a train station, then this might be the place to do it. A part of Hyatt's Small Luxury Hotel collection, the Tokyo Station Hotel makes up a part of the 1914 red-brick building that is the terminal station of…

Kioicho 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.

3-38 Sakuma, Chiyoda-ku

Nice capsule hotel that's more spacious than your usual affair. Unlike other capsule hotels, the capsules are not vertically stacked, and the first class cabins have enough room to stand in and lay out your luggage.

7-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. Good neighborhood to simply wander and look at the houses and gardens.

10 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 coupon).

between the Tameike-Sanno and Roppongi Ichome subway stations

An international hotel and all staff can speak English. The rooms are a decent size compared to most American hotels. There is also a limousine bus connecting the ANA Hotel to Narita Airport - it takes approximately two hours and is…