9 Must Visit Tourist Attractions In Tokyo
(1) Sensō-ji
Senso-ji is the most visited religious site in the world because of the large population in the Tokyo metropolitan area and visitors to Tokyo. This number is higher than any temple in Kyoto. The current structure dates from 1958. Senso-ji was designated as a prayer temple because it is in an ominous direction towards the northeast of Edo Castle.
The Senso-ji temple complex contains many gates and buildings which have many interesting history facts. The temple became prominent because of the prayer offered in senso-ji for the successful outcome of the Battle of Sekigahara (1600). It remains a mystery whether Kannan’s ancient image actually exists or not, as it is not on public display. This does not prevent a steady stream of worshipers from leaving.
This temple was destroyed several times and the present temple building was rebuilt in 1958. The main entrance to the temple complex is through the magnificent, red Kaminari-Som and the busy shopping street Nakamise-Dori. You can see statues of Fynjin (god of wind) and Raigin (god of thunder) before entering from the gate.
The stalls on the banks of Nakamise-Dari sell everything from tourist trinkets to genuine Edo-style crafts. At the end of Nakamise-dori is the temple itself, and on your left you will see a 55-meter-high five-storey pagoda. At the eastern end of the temple complex is Asakusa-Jinja, built in honor of the brothers who discovered the Kannan statue that inspired the creation of sensu-ji.
Historically, the two religions of Japan, Buddhism and Shinto, were interlinked and it was not uncommon for temples to include temples and its antiquities. It is also the epicenter of Sanja Matsuri of May, one of Tokyo’s most important festivals.
(2) Tokyo Tower
Tokyo Tower is the world’s tallest tower. The Tokyo Tower has 333 meters height in the center and 13 meters taller than its model, the Eiffel Tower. Tokyo Tower was the country’s largest structure since its completion until 2012 when it was overtaken by Tokyo Skytree.
Tokyo Tower serves as a broadcast antenna. You can choose to take a lift or walk 600 steps to reach the main deck. The closest metro stations to Tokyo Tower are Onrimon station, Akabanebashi station and Kamiyacho station about 5–10 minutes walk.
Alternatively, you can reach the Tower from Hamamatsucho Station at JR Yamanote Line or Damon Station at Asakusa or Odo Metro lines within 15-20 minutes walk. Just below the tower is the “Foot Town” building, which houses a variety of souvenir shops, cafes, restaurants and One Piece Tower, an indoor amusement park.
Opened in 2015 on the 15th anniversary of the popular manga, the park features a variety of shows, games and other attractions that feature the series’ characters. The main deck of the towers, located at a height of 150 meters, is accessed via lift or 600-stairs (both pay). The observatory of the tower offers an interesting view of the city.
There are also some “lookdown windows” to stand on the floor, a souvenir shop and a cafe where visitors can enjoy refreshments. The very top deck was remade 250 meters in early 2018, adding topsy-turvy mirrors and LED lighting effects to give the feeling of floating above the city in a high-tech spacecraft.
It is the third largest observation deck in Tokyo (after two decks in Tokyo Skytree). When visibility is good, visitors can see Tokyo Skytree and Mount Fuji in the distance. If you are looking for a quiet activity, the Tokyo Tower Aquarium is a good option.
(3) Imperial Palace
Imperial Palace is built on the former site of the Edo Castle. It is the residence of the royal family of Japan. Edo Castle was an important place in the development of Japan. In 1868, the shogunate was overthrown, and the nation’s capital and royal residence were moved from Kyoto to Tokyo.
After the Meiji Restoration, it became the Imperial Palace. Emperor Meiji lived here until the new palace built. Construction of a new Palace completed in 1888. The Imperial Palace has continuously served as the residential place of emperors since 1868. Various ceremonies and public activities organized there.
Other major buildings of the Palace include the Imperial Household Agency and the Palace Sericulture Center. Only on 2 January and 23 February, visitors are able to enter the grounds of the inner palace. They can see members of the Imperial family, who perform several public performances on a balcony.
The Eastern Gardens of the Imperial Palace located on the eastern side of the palace grounds and opened to the public. If you want to get closer to the Tokyo Imperial Palace, you can join one of the guided tours to enter some interior areas.
The tours will take you to special locations including Fujimi-Yagura (Mount Fuji-View Keep) and Hsuibori (Lotus Moat), as well as offer views of treasured spots such as the Simone Testubashi Bridge and Fujimitamon Defense Gate. Tokyo Imperial Palace tours are free, but registration is mandatory, either in advance or in the daytime.
500 guests are accepted each day, with 300 available to register for the day, so you have a good chance of arriving early. The tours take about 75 minutes and travel to 11 different places – starting at Kikyo Mon Gate, which is also where you register.
(4) Ueno Park
Ueno Park is the first public park of its kind in Japan. The park grounds were originally part of this Kaneiji Temple. During the Boshin civil war that followed the Meiji Restoration in 1868, Kaneji faced almost complete destruction and was loyal to the overthrown Shagun in a fight between the victorious forces of the new Meiji government.
After the fighting, the temple grounds transformed into parks and opened to the public in 1873. Saigo Takamori, who was a general at the Battle of Yugo. His statue stands near the park’s southern entrance. It spreads over a plot of approximately 53,000 square meters.
Today Uno Park is famous for the many museums on its grounds, most notably the Tokyo National Museum, the National Museum for Art, the Metropolitan Art Museum and the National Science Museum. It is also home to Uno Zoo, Japan’s first zoological park. At the southwestern end of the park is the Shinobazu Pond.
Bantendo stands on an island in the middle of the pond, a temple hall dedicated to the goddess of Banten. Ueno Park is a popular cherry blossom sighting spot in the spring where the tourists bloom with more than 1000 cherry trees, which are part of its central route. Today, let’s look closely at the many wonders within this lovely 100-year-old park. Cherry blossoms attract large numbers of hanami (cherry blossom viewing) parties.
(5) Meiji Jingu
Meiji Jingu is one of the most popular pilgrimage places in Japan. It is a shrine dedicated to the soulless souls of Emperor Meiji and his wife, Queen Shokane. The main complex of the temple buildings is located at the southern gate near Harajuku station and northern entrance near Yoyogi station.
The dense forests of the Meiji Jingu Shrine occupy vast lands of Shinjuku and Shibuya. The huge religious grounds provide walking trails that are great for leisurely strolls. Walking this misty path will make you forget that you are in the middle of two of Tokyo’s busiest districts.
Entrance to the temple grounds marked by a huge Tory gate. After which the sights and sounds of the busy city are replaced by a tranquil forest. In the first day of new year, the pilgrim welcomes three million visitors to the first prayer of the year. It is more than any other temple or shrine in the country.
The temple dedicated to Emperor Meiji and Queen Shokane after the emperor’s death and Empress departed. The main shrine and other important parts of the complex destroyed by fire during World War II. The pilgrimage buildings rebuilt in 1958.
There are around 100,000 trees around this temple which make up the Meiji Jingu forest. These trees planted during the construction of the temple. In the middle of the jungle, the buildings of Meiji Jingu also have an air of peace different from the surrounding city.
Pilgrims may take part in Shinto activities, such as purchasing charms and amulets or writing someone’s wish on the EMA. After your visit to the Meiji Jingu Shrine, enjoy a stroll in the nearby Yogi Park. You can shop and dine in the surrounding areas, including Harajuku, Omsotando, Shibuya and Shinjuku.
(6) Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden
Shinjuku Gyoen is a national park in Japan. It is located just a short distance from Shinjuku Station. This garden was the residence of the Naito family in the Edo period. Then It converted into a garden for the royal family but after the war it became a national park. Today, Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden divided into three individual parks.
The park’s classic traditional Japanese area features fully maintained shrubs and orchards as well as mini islands and ponds adorned with bridges. The park has many pavilions but the main is Kyu Goryo Tei which is also known as the Taiwan Pavilion to commemorate the wedding of the Shoa Emperor.
On the other side of the park is a completely different world. It has two western-style parks, a classic French garden and an English landscape garden with lawns and towering trees that grow with the seasons. Consisting of hundreds of cherry trees, the area is a popular cherry blossom sighting in the spring months of March and April, when carpets with light pink flowers planted on the ground.
It creates a stunning backdrop that resembles something from the walls of an art gallery. During September and October, the park takes on an entirely new personality, as the trees come together, sparkling the bright colors of autumn gold and red leaves.
Walk through the eastern corner of the Japanese garden and Momijiyama, also known as the Maple Mountains, to see the stunning maple trees, which remain red all the way through November and December and even Also in late January. Beyond the park’s outdoor beauty, the land here is also home to an art gallery and a greenhouse that boasts an impressive selection of tropical and subtropical flowers throughout the year.
(7) Odaiba
Odaiba is an artificial island located in Tokyo Bay. It is a shopping and recreation center that also boasts grand parks and an attractive beach. The area is one of the most popular date spots in Japan. Odaiba has many tourist places which attract thousands of visitors every day.
It originated as a set of small islands called the island of Qila to protect Tokyo against potential attacks in the Edo period. More than a century later, small islands joined the larger islands due to large landslides. Then Tokyo aimed at transforming the islands into a future residential and commercial district.
In the late 1990s, Several hotels, shopping malls and Elevated Train Line opened up that Odaiba developed into one of Tokyo’s most popular tourist attractions. The plan of the modern city furthermore provides the lush greenery of Odaiba and elevated footways.
To commemorate the Year of France in Japan, the French Statue of Liberty brought from the le des Signes in Paris and installed in Odaiba Beach Park. Gundam Front Tokyo is an entertainment place where you can see the world of Gundam and personally experience piloting a Gundam for yourself.
One of Odaiba’s symbols is the Rainbow Bridge, a suspension bridge that connects Tokyo to Odaiba. DECKS Tokyo Beach is a large urban shopping mall in Odaiba where you can enjoy shopping, restaurants, gourmet food and a variety of entertainment facilities.
Tokyo Joypolis is an indoor amusement park with a roller coaster, a haunted house and over 20 different attractions. The view of the huge Ferris wheel makes it possible for riders to see Tokyo Tower, Skytree, Rainbow Bridge and many other. Odaiba Beach Park is a large coastal park with sandy beaches and offers all kinds of greenery.
(8) Tokyo Skytree
Tokyo Skytree recognized as the world’s tallest tower by Guinness World Records with a height of 634 meters. The name Tokyo Skytree comes from the image of a giant tree pointing to the sky. Public decided it in 2008, with other major suggestions including the Rising Tower, Dream Tower and Edo Tower.
The sculptor Mr. Keechi Sumikawa designed Tokyo Skytree. The tower was built with a Japanese-like shape, inspired by the curve of a Japanese sword and the rise of pillars is commonly present in temples and shrines.
Generally, the blue lights of the Tokyo Skytree Tower represent the sense of chic and trend of Edo, the royal purple sign in Edo’s elegance and elegance. At the same time, orange colors develop the image of a special flag known as “Nobori”.
The height of the Tembo deck is 350 meters, and the Tembo Galleria stands at 450 meters. Depending on the weather, you can see 75 kilometers from Tembo Galleria and see the magnificent Mt. Fuji. In addition, we recommend looking at the streetscape of Tokyo stained in red during the evening as well as the twinkling night view.
The Tembo Galleria of Tokyo Skytree is a glass corridor and offers a view that is more spectacular than the floor 350. It is one of the most popular sightseeing places in Tokyo and really lets you take Tokyo’s mega-metropolis to perfection.
Shaped like a lumpy spiral, the Tembo Galleria will make you feel as if you are walking in the air! The most accessible part of the Tokyo Skytree Tower called Sorakara Point at 451.2 meters. It acts as a type of phase that creates an enigmatic, wonderful atmosphere with glass and light.
(9) Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building
The Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building is also known as “Tocho” in Japanese. It is located in Shinjuku. Architect Kenzo Tangay designed it. Serving as the sprawling city hall, the building offers amazing views of the capital from its 45th floor observation deck.
It consists of a complex of three structures, each with a city block. The tallest of the three is the Tokyo Metropolitan Main Building No.1. The building’s two minarets each have an observatory at a height of 202 meters. They are completely free to travel.
The upper floors of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government building divided between two towers, a northern tower and a southern tower. The South Observatory is a good place for nighttime viewing. From the observatory, you can see places such as Tokyo Skytree, Tokyo Tower, Tokyo Bay.
Around the edge of the Observatory, photographic panels indicate important locations that can be seen from there. The best view can be had in early autumn and winter, as the air is cooler and less misty. The Observatory has a gift shop that sells souvenirs of Tokyo.
The design of the building resembled an integrated circuit, while the form of a Gothic cathedral also developed. The campus also has two other buildings which are Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly Building and the Tokyo Metropolitan Main Building No. 2.
