Tokyo is a big city, and there are many things to do. Here are seven of my favorite places to go in this city.
Let’s embark on a journey to the vibrant city of Tokyo, a place that never fails
to captivate with its unique blend of tradition and modernity.
When talking about Tokyo, the first thing that comes to my mind is Shibuya.
Shibuya is so attached to me that if somebody asks me to stay there all day,
I won’t hesitate to answer them immediately: YES. Shibuya is one of many
places in Tokyo; there are many more exciting things to do there.
This is why Tokyo is the best city to visit in Japan. Down below, I have listed the
seven most favorite places in Tokyo. Exploring Tokyo in just one day is a daunting
task. Planning your itinerary is crucial to making the most of your visit. I know
when and where to visit so that you can take advantage of the city’s wonders.
Here, I’ve compiled the best things to do while you’re in Tokyo. Please read
this article to ensure you don’t miss out on any of these experiences.
I assure you this will be helpful.
Shibuya
When I hear about Shibuya, I think of the famous Shibuya crossing.
This is where thousands of people gather to cross the street. It is the
busiest crosswalk in the world. It is mentioned that about 2,500
People come together to cross it when the traffic lights turn red, and
cars stop on all seven sides of the street. When I first saw it, I was
stunned by the crowd. This experience is on another level.
Then the famous Hachiko statue is at the corner of the Shibuya crossing.
The Hachiko statue was erected to honor a dog named Hachiko,
whose undying loyalty kept him waiting for his owner every day.
On that memory, the statue itself became an ideal meeting spot.
After crossing the Shibuya crosswalk, you can head to Yoyogi Park.
Yoyogi Park is unique because of the festivals they hold there
almost every week. In the middle of Tokyo’s biggest city, it’s no
surprise it would be one of the most eventful spots. After a nice
walk in the park, you can head straight to get some sushi. Yep, it’s
definitely sushi; after all, you are in Japan. If you are a fan of sushi,
then coming to Oobay is a place you must add to your list.
Next on the list are all the unique shopping malls Shibuya has to offer.
From there, you can get your shopping done, or you can get a souvenir
with you back home for the great memory of the beautiful Shibuya.
Now that’s all done, it’s time to experience the famous Shibuya nightlife,
starting with the Shibuya Scramble. Its best part is the rooftop, also
known as the Shibuya sky. After all that, you can visit the famous
Japanese restaurant Izakaya. I hope you get a great experience.
Tokyo Skytree
The Tokyo Skytree was first opened to the public in 2012. I have always
dreamed of seeing Tokyo from a higher place, and after watching it from
the Skytree, that dream was fulfilled within seconds. 2000 people can
attend at a time. There are certain times when you can’t even stand in
the Skytree because of festivals and other things.
After watching it in front of me, I saw it looked like a tree. There are two
main observatory decks in the Skytree. The first is at level 350, and the second
is at level 450. There is a small gift shop inside the Skytree on the 33rd floor.
It’s not too expensive, but it will give you a decent souvenir to take with
you. But if you need more stuff to explore, right next to the Tokyo Skytree,
there are many Ghibli stores to look at.
I recommend visiting the 6th floor of the Tokyo Skytree, the Tokyo
Solamachi Shopping Mall. There is a ton of things. I hope you will
get the perfect gifts for your loved ones and maybe for yourself.
On the same floor, there is the Sumida aquarium. It is pretty and
clean, and you can spend time there without looking at the clock.
This is the one where you can take advantage of Skytree Zoo.
There are tons of cute animals, and the fun part is that you can
even pet them. They are so friendly that it will be hard to leave them.
Akihabara
If you are looking to try Japan’s world-renowned Wagyu beef without
breaking the bank, then Wagyu Burger is just for you. Located just on
the outskirts of Akihabara station, this little burger shop is tucked
away inside an upscale and stylish shopping complex. But despite
being on the outskirts, it is well worth the short walk. It was worth a
shot to try the Wagyu burger. I hope you try it, too.
Akihabara is known for its quirky and unique hobby and anime shops.
This place will make you fall for it even if you are not an anime lover.
Even better, right by the station, you will see the Akihabara Radio Kaikan,
which has much to offer. Are you looking to relive the glory days of
gaming and find your childhood classics?
Well, Super Potato will fulfill all those needs. It’s a megastore that
sells all types of classic video games and relics of the past.
This store not only tells history through all the games on sale, but
you can also see it through classic decoration and old advertisements
that used to air over 30 years ago, while the first two floors are full of
games that would take you aboard the nostalgia train.
The top floor would give you that experience but in a different way.
On the top floor, you will meet with your favorite classic arcade games.
You will find Gyukatsu Ichi Ni San satisfying. Gyukatsu is one of Japan’s
most delicious and mouth-watering meals, and you must try it during
your visit. Gyukatsu, translated into English as beef cutlet,
is a traditional Japanese dish.
Asakusa
As I experienced Asakusa, I’d recommend going to the “Asakusa
Cultural Tourist Information Center” first. There, you can get maps
and brochures in both English and Japanese. From this center, you
can see the entire city of Asakusa and “Tokyo Skytree” from the top
of the building. From there, you can overlook “Nakamise Shopping
Street” and “Asakusa Sensoji Temple.” Which is the Oldest temple in
Tokyo.
Now, looking over it is no fun, so let’s go there. From the Asakusa station,
the Sensoji temple is just a 2-minute walk. When entering the temple,
you will find the “Kaminarimon,” which means Thunder Gate. After you
go through this gate, you’ll see Nakamise shopping street. It is one of
the oldest shopping streets in Japan. The shops in Nakamise Shopping
Street are open from around 8:00 am to 8:00 pm. You will find everything
from Japanese sweets to authentic traditional Japanese crafts. This is the
best place to buy Japanese souvenirs.
This shopping street is usually packed with tourists and locals in the daytime.
If possible, go there as early as possible in the morning to avoid crowds.
After going through another beautiful gate, you’ll see where you can draw a
fortune slip. It’s called “Omikuji” in Japanese. I got (Suekichi) Good Fortune
In the Future. After visiting the temple, go see some beautiful carp in a small
Japanese pond.
Then head straight to the “Nishisandou Shopping Arcade.” There, you will
get the famous melon pans on display. The bread usually doesn’t include
melon or its flavor, but its appearance just resembles a melon. That’s why
it’s called “Melon Pan(bread).” The Nishisandou shopping street vendors
mainly specialize in traditional kimonos, samurai goods, and random cute
stuff. I hope you will enjoy your trip.
Tokyu Kabukicho Tower
This new entertainment complex in Shinjuku is a must-visit in Tokyo.
This is a brand new and exciting attraction you can’t miss when you are in Tokyo.
Now, the first floor is the entire Izakaya restaurant, which is stagnating to look at.
Going upstairs is the epic Namco Center, where they have all your arcade games.
If you continue past all the arcade games, you will be met with the Pac-man-
themed DJ floor and a life-size Pac-Man mixing the music for the lounge area.
Continuing your way upstairs, you’ll find a brand new virtual reality gaming floor
where you can participate in one of many virtual reality games constantly
changing throughout the year. Finally, on the top floor, you can round out that meal
you just had on the first floor with the delicious gelato shop you’ll find up here and
then enjoy the view from the top while you snack on your gelato treat. I hope you’ll love it.
Imperial palace
The Tokyo Imperial Palace (皇居, Kōkyo, literally ‘Imperial Residence’) is the
primary residence of the Emperor of Japan. It is protected by wide moats
and thick walls and surrounded by meticulously kept gardens. The palace is
in central Tokyo and easily accessible from Nijubashimae Station or Otemachi
Station.
Joining a free tour of the Tokyo Imperial Palace isn’t just about sightseeing;
it’s an immersive experience of Japanese history and culture. Visitors wishing
to see the palace entrance should head towards the Sakashita-mon Gate,
which is a 15-minute walk from Nijubashimae Station or Otemachi Station.
Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of
2 hours to complete.
This is a very popular area for running and walking, so you’ll likely encounter
other people while exploring. The inner grounds of the palace are generally
not open to the public. You can enter the inner palace grounds and see the
members of the Imperial Family, who make several public appearances on
a balcony.
Ueno park
Ueno Park is a spacious public park in the Ueno district of Taitō, Tokyo, Japan.
The park was established in 1873 on lands formerly belonging to the temple
of Kan’ei-ji. Amongst the country’s first public parks, it was founded following
the Western example as part of the borrowing and assimilation of international
practices that characterized the early Meiji period. Ueno Park is one of Japan’s
five oldest public parks.
It’s best known for the Ueno Zoo, many museums, and spectacular cherry blossoms
in the spring. There is no admission fee to enter Ueno Park, but the various facilities
have modest admission fees (many are around 600 yen). It is a solid one-day visit.
I went to both the zoo and the museums and walked around the park. Be prepared
to walk.
The view of the cherry blossoms is beautiful, and it is considered one of the
three best nighttime cherry blossom viewing spots in Japan. Ueno Park is famous
for its scenic beauty, especially during cherry blossom season. It is also a hub for
several other attractions, including shrines, ponds, and smaller museums. It’s an
excellent place for a leisurely walk and experiencing the city’s natural beauty.