Top 30 Attractions in Tokyo

Tokyo is one of the busiest metropolitan areas in the world. And here, local authorities and residents treat every square meter with typical Japanese prudence. The districts of the city are densely built up. Skyscrapers side by side with low buildings of past centuries. This shows the continuity of traditions, but allows you to modernize the streets.

Fans of everything unusual should pay attention to the museums of Tokyo. For example, in the samurai museum you can try on armor, and in the Mega Web exhibition center you can ride a retro car. Viewing platforms allow you to see the beauty of the Japanese capital from a height. One of the best is in Tokyo TV Tower.

What to see and where to go in Tokyo?

The most interesting and beautiful places for walking. Photos and a short description.

Ginza, Harajuku, Akihabara and Odaiba

The main and most interesting areas of the city. They differ in architecture, they have different functions and "specialization". Akihabara is famous for its retail outlets, it is the center of the anime and IT industry. Ginza has the most expensive hotels, first-class restaurants and great shopping. You can also make purchases while walking around the Harajuku quarter, but here the prices are more democratic, and cosplay fans gather. The artificial island of Odaiba is an attraction in itself.

Tokyo Imperial Palace

Located on the grounds of the former Edo Castle. The area, including gardens, is just under 7.5 km². It has been used as a residence since the middle of the 19th century. The architecture has features of both traditional Japanese style and elements typical of Europe. The complex includes a number of buildings, including the Imperial Concert Hall and the buildings of the Ministry of the Court. Tourists can only visit the East Garden.

Meiji Shrine

Built in 1920 in Yoyogi Park and dedicated to Emperor Mutsuhito. Inside is a collection of things from the ruling dynasty at that time. Guests, if desired, receive omikuji for a nominal fee - a prediction on a piece of paper. Along the perimeter, the temple is surrounded by a fence with figured carvings. Entrance to the territory through a large wooden gate. Immediately behind them is a garden where you can find 80 varieties of irises.

Senso-ji Temple

It has been leading its history since 628. It is considered the oldest Buddhist temple in the Japanese capital. Its foundation is associated with the discovery of the statue of the bodhisattva Kannon. For several centuries, trade was allowed near the temple. This tradition has been preserved even now: a street with souvenir shops and stalls with sweets begins right from the gate. A big fair is held on the territory of Senso-ji once a year.

Tokyo TV Tower

Construction lasted a year and a half and ended in 1958. The design can easily withstand wind gusts up to 90 m/s. In addition, it has been repeatedly tested for its ability to cope with the seismic activity of the region. Height 333 meters, which is 13 more than the Eiffel Tower. At two levels - 150 and 250 meters - there are observation platforms.

Tokyo Skytree

The translation of the name is "Tokyo sky tree". Opened in 2012. With a height of 634 meters, it is the tallest TV tower and the second tallest building in the world. Illuminated in either sky blue or magenta. Resistant in case of earthquakes. It is used not only for its intended purpose: there are viewing platforms, boutiques, restaurants. A complex with a planetarium, an aquarium and retail space was built nearby.

Theater "Kabukidza"

Year of foundation - 1889. Location - Ginza. It is the city's main kabuki theater. The building has been repeatedly reconstructed, retaining the features of the original appearance, but changing greatly. It suffered both from time and from cataclysms like fires and earthquakes. Accommodates 1964 spectators. For the convenience of visitors, an underground passage was opened, laid from the theater to the Higashi-Ginza station.

Tokyo National Museum

Located in Ueno Park. It has been leading its history since 1872. One of the oldest and largest museums in Japan. The area is more than 100 thousand m². The museum is a complex of 5 buildings. Each has a specific theme. The established exhibition area has been available to visitors since 1938. Here are samples of applied and fine arts, as well as artifacts related to history and ethnography.

Edo Tokyo Museum

Dedicated to the history of Edo - that's how Tokyo used to be called. Opened in 1993. The building has a height of 62.2 meters, which is equal to the height of the ancient castle of Edo. The exposition is divided into two segments. The first - from 1590 - the year the city was founded to 1868, the second - from the moment of renaming to the present day. Among the exhibits there are models of ancient buildings, scrolls, kimonos. Interactive programs have been developed that immerse guests in the past.

Mega Web

Japan's main auto museum. Thanks to the founders - the Toyota concern, this place has turned into a real amusement park. The exposition includes 6 exhibitions. The cars of the present and the future are located on several floors. In one of the halls, everyone who knows how to drive a car is allowed to ride on the samples presented here. There is also a children's karting, the length of the track is 150 meters.

Samurai Museum

Located in the Shinjuku area. The spacious halls display armor and weapons of the samurai. Most of the items are originals. Standard armor was used only in combat. The guide will tell you how to put them on correctly. For an additional fee, some samples can be tried on. Photography is allowed in the museum, with the exception of a few particularly flash-sensitive paintings.

Nezu Museum

It is located in a picturesque garden among streams, tea houses and paths. Based on a private collection. The building was reconstructed in 2006, from that moment the modern history of the museum is being conducted. The collection is the national treasures of Japan. Calligraphic scrolls, gold-painted boxes, bronze dishes, folding screens - these and other exhibits introduce Japanese traditions.

National Center for the Arts

It opened its doors to connoisseurs of beauty in 2007. The area of ​​exhibition halls is 14 thousand m². One of the most visited art museums in the world. Its peculiarity is the absence of a permanent exhibition. Within its walls, the arts center hosts temporary exhibitions. The museum cooperates with other cities, including foreign ones, and also acts as a platform for demonstrations of private collections.

National Museum of Western Art

Belongs to Taito County. Based on the Matsukata Kojiro collection. For his collection of more than 350 art objects, an exhibition building was built by 1959. It was subsequently completed to increase the number of halls. Now, about 2 thousand exhibits have been collected under one roof. The exposition includes paintings, sculpture, graphics and drawings from Europe and North America from the Middle Ages to the 20th century.

National Museum of Nature and Science

Belongs to the territory of the Ueno Park. Works since 1871. The names changed several times, although the profile remained the same. At the turn of the 90s and zero, the museum went through modernization. It is divided into two galleries: the Global one tells about the planet as a whole, and the Japanese one tells about the peculiarities of the country. The purpose of the museum is to convey information about the stages of evolution to visitors of all ages in an accessible way. Since 2006, the Theater-360 has been open.

Mori Art Museum

Located on the top two floors of the "Mori Tower" - at an altitude of 238 meters. Because of this, it is considered the tallest museum in Tokyo. There is an observation deck around the perimeter. The first exhibition opened in 2003. The exhibition includes works by contemporary Japanese and foreign artists. It also exhibits paintings from private collections. For example, paintings by Monet, Kandinsky and Matisse.

Monument to Hachiko

Installed in 1934. Dedicated to a dog named Hachiko, who, thanks to literature and cinema, became famous even outside of Japan. He had been coming to Shibuya Station for many years to meet his master. He died, but Hachiko did not stop coming to the train, as scheduled. The symbol of loyalty was melted down for the needs of the army during World War II. The monument was restored in 1948.

Shibuya Crossing

It is considered the busiest intersection on the planet. During peak hours, 2.5 thousand people cross it in just a minute. This is how long the green light of the traffic light for pedestrians burns. More than 2 million people can walk here every day. Crossroads with such a complex device are also found in other countries. All of them are called "Barnes Dance" in honor of the transport engineer who introduced them into fashion.

Akasaka Palace

Built at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries. This is Japan's only neo-baroque building. Reminds me of Buckingham Palace. It is a guest house of the government - high-ranking representatives of other countries live here. Since 2009, it has the status of a National Treasure of Japan. The complex covers an area of ​​117 thousand m². The palace is encircled by a road without intersections with a length of about three and a quarter kilometers.

Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building

Also called Tokyo Municipality. The city government has been sitting in this complex of buildings since 1991. The building is one of the tallest in Tokyo - almost 243 meters. It has 45 floors and 3 more underground levels. 3 buildings are connected by bridges and between them a courtyard in the form of a fan was formed with a square laid out next to it. The structures are seismically stable and must withstand an earthquake of magnitude 8.

Ryogoku Kokugikan

The indoor sports arena opened its doors to visitors in 1985. Located in the Yokoami area. Most of all, spectators are attracted by sumo competitions. The main tournaments are held in January, May and September. In addition, the Ryogoku Kokugikan is suitable for boxing matches and performances by artists. There is a shop on the underground level that sells fried chicken. Part of the roof opens if necessary.

Tokyo station

The station building was built in 1914. The architect is Tatsuno Kingo. The red brick and some of the design features refer to the Dutch style. Inside is a real labyrinth of platforms, stairs, lifts and passages. About 4,000 trains pass through the station every day. Most of them are fast. From here, for the convenience of passengers, there are exits to the nearest metro stations.

rainbow bridge

Transferred across northern Tokyo Bay in 1993. The total length of the suspended structure is 798 meters with a width of 49 meters. The name is derived from the backlight. Moreover, the lamps are solar-powered, which is economical and good for the environment. For pedestrians, two crossings were made on the lower tier. A walk will not only help you get to the island of Odaiba and back, but also see the sights of the area.

Tsukiji Market

Also called "fish" among the locals, although other products are also sold here. About 2 thousand tons of seafood and fish are sold on the market per day. Consists of two parts. In the domestic market, there are wholesale sales, trading and processing of products. On the outside, you can buy both wholesale and retail. There are cafes and restaurants here. Most outlets open very early and close in the morning.

Shinjuku Gyoen

The park belongs to the territory of two districts at once: Shibuya and Shinjuku. The first park was closed and appeared in 1906. During World War II it was destroyed. The re-opening took place in 1949. Access was granted to all citizens and guests of Tokyo. In early spring, cherry blossoms especially attract locals and tourists. The total number of trees is about one and a half thousand. They represent 75 species.

Ueno park

Broken in 1873. There are several museums on its territory, including the Tokyo National Museum. Also, tourists are attracted by the temple of the goddess Kannon, where barren women pray. When they become pregnant, they bring a doll as a gift. Toys are traditionally burned once a year. The local zoo is home to over 2,500 animals. Especially famous are the two pandas, who replaced the deceased universal favorite Ling Ling.

Gardens of Hamarikyu

Located in the Chuo area. Destroyed in 1946. The area exceeds 25 hectares. The park is surrounded by a moat that was filled with the waters of Tokyo Bay. Traditional events - falconry for the New Year, a tea ceremony in a tea house in the center of the gardens, demonstration performances of aikido fighters. You can get to the park through one of the two bridges or by river tram. Attendance is paid for everyone except local schoolchildren.

Yoyogi Park

Located near Harajuku Station. He is famous for conducting the first airplane flight in the country, which took place in 1910. Since then, the park has hosted military parades. The rest of the time is used for recreation. There are sports grounds, a bike path, bike rental, areas for practicing martial arts. In part of Yoyogi territory, dogs can walk without a leash, which is unique in Japan.

Chidorigafuchi

The place is considered one of the most romantic in Tokyo. More than 300 trees have been planted along the deep moat filled with water. They hang over the shores and look like floating clouds during the cherry blossom season. A popular pastime is boating. The pier and rental point are very conveniently equipped. However, one must be prepared to stand in line, as it is traditionally crowded here.

Disneyland

Open since 1983. It occupies an area of ​​465 thousand m². Became the first Disney amusement park established outside of the United States. Attractions are located in 7 thematic zones: the Wild West Country, the Animal Country, the Fantasy Country, the Adventure Country, the Future Country, as well as in the Toon City and the Universal Bazaar. There is a single ticket for visiting, it is bought at the entrance, and admission to the attractions is on a first-come, first-served basis.