11 Places Where Locals Love to Go in Tokyo
Interesting Places in Tokyo You Might Not Know
Whether you’re traveling to Japan for the first or 10th time, visiting places where locals love to go in Tokyo gives you an inside glimpse of life in this megalopolis. Tokyo has plenty of spots that give a real sense of Japan’s history, but you can also find ultramodern aspects dotting this vibrant capital city.
One of the great things about Tokyo is its variety. There are calm oases such as shrines, temples, and gardens, family-friendly theme parks, scenic spots where you can view the Tokyo skyline, places where you can find interesting art, fashionable shopping areas, and the list goes on and on. We’ve put together a list of places Tokyoites love that visitors to Tokyo shouldn’t miss.
1. Meiji Shrine
An iconic place of worship
Good for: Couples, History, Budget
Meiji Shrine (Meiji Jingu) was established in 1920 and dedicated to the deified Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken. Tthe shrine often receives thousands of devotees praying for success in love, exams, and business. After passing through the shrine’s entrance, you’ll be greeted with views of massive oak and camphor trees as you walk towards the main sanctuary building (honden). Bow once before passing through the large sacred gate (otorii).
To make a wish, bow and clap your hands twice at the main sanctuary building. You can also take and interpret unique fortune slips (omikuji), which are inscribed with waka poems. Visit in June and you’ll be greeted by a sea of blooming irises in The Imperial Garden (gyoen).
Location: 1-1 Yoyogikamizonocho, Shibuya Ward, Tokyo 151-0052, Japan
Open: Daily from sunrise to sunset
Meiji Shrine
2. TeamLab Borderless Tokyo
Experimental exhibits and interactive displays
Good for: Couples, Families, Photo
TeamLab Borderless Tokyo is an interactive museum in Tokyo’s Odaiba Palette Town. It’s jointly run by teamLab, which is made up of professional artists, programmers and animators, and Mori Building Co., Ltd. This vast museum displays 60 artworks on a revolving basis with a line-up that changes every season. There are exhibits that are fun for all ages, engaging your body and mind, allowing you to hop and jump as well as physically interact with digital art.
You’ll find immersive and educational displays where colorful lights gleam and make sounds when you approach them. Or engage in a exhibit where you can blend in with the changing scenes of Japan’s 4 seasons, which include cherry blossoms, rice terraces, and rivers.
Location: 5 Chome−９ Azabudai Hills Garden Plaza B, B1, Toranomon, Minato City, 〒106-0041 Tokyo, Japan
Open: Daily from 8 am to 9 pm
Phone: +81 (0)3-6230-9666
TeamLab Borderless Tokyo
3. Nakamise, Asakusa
A celebrated shopping street and haven for foodies and festival lovers
Good for: Couples, Food, Shoppers
With a history stretching back 300 years, Nakamise in Asakusa is one of the oldest shopping streets in Japan. The row of shops starts from Kaminari-mon Gate, known for its huge 4-meter-long hanging red lantern, and continues 250 meters to Sensoji, the oldest temple in Japan. On both sides of the street, there are nearly 90 shops and stalls selling regional foods like doll cake (ningyo-yaki), steamed yeast buns (manju), and rice crackers (senbei), as well as souvenirs such as chopsticks, umbrellas, and postcards.
There are festivals and events taking place in Asakusa almost every month. Visit during Sanjyamatsuri Festival in May and you’ll see several portable shrines (mikoshi) paraded around the Nakamise streets.
Location: 1 Chome-36-3 Asakusa, Taito City, Tokyo 111-0032, Japan
Nakamise, Asakusa
4. Tokyo Skytree
Breathtaking vistas
Good for: Couples, Food, Photo
Tokyo Skytree is a radio tower that’s around 634 meters in height, with an observation deck at 350 meters offering excellent views over the Kanto Plain. Completed in 2012, it was constructed in the Oshiage area of Sumida ward to support digital terrestrial broadcasting.
From the observation deck floor, you can take a TEMBO Shuttle, which has a see-through ceiling, to the Tembo Galleria observation corridor at 450 meters. After stepping out from the shuttle, you can walk to Sorakara Point, Tokyo Skytree’s highest accessible point. On the ground level, swing by the Planetarium TENKU or one of the quaint cafés or restaurants.
Location: 1 Chome-1-2 Oshiage, Sumida City, Tokyo 131-0045, Japan
Open: Monday–Friday from 10 am to 10 pm, Saturday–Sunday from 9 am to 10 pm
Phone: +81 570-550-634
Tokyo Skytree
5. Akihabara
A buzzing anime and gaming neighborhood with great shopping
Good for: Families, Shoppers
Akihabara, or Akiba, is the hub of Japan’s leading subcultures, such as anime, games, and idols. One of its standout buildings is Akibahara UDX, which features animation-related attractions, including an exhibition of animation’s original drawings, up-to-date animation info, and sales of character goods.
There are 100 concept cafés (including maid cafés) in Akihabara. A flea market takes place on weekends, with dozens of stalls selling anime-related goods, electric appliances, and handmade accessories. You can find specialized stores for models, robots, and card games in the historic Radio Kaikan. For a healthy dose of nostalgia, check out the 500 capsule toy machines at Gachapon Kaikan.
Location: Sotokanda, Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo 101-0021, Japan
Akihabara
6. Shinjuku Gyoen
The green lungs of Tokyo
Good for: Budget, Photo
Shinjuku Gyoen was established as Japan’s first imperial garden in 1906. It’s a landscaped garden typical of the Meiji period. Within the entire area, you’ll find around 100,000 trees and various flowers from all 4 seasons, cherry blossom in springtime, hydrangeas in summer, cluster-amaryllis and osmanthus in autumn, and Japanese daffodils and camellia in winter.
You can also observe tropical flowers and fruits in Shinjuku Gyoen’s onsite greenhouse. There are cafés, resting houses, and tearooms as well, allowing you to enjoy a relaxing walk around this green oasis. To reach Shinjuku Gyoen, take the train to Shinjuku Station and you’ll find the garden a 10-minute walk away.
Location: 11 Naitomachi, Shinjuku City, Tokyo 160-0014, Japan
Open: Tuesday–Sunday from 9 am to 5.30 pm (closed on Mondays)
Phone: +81 (0)3-3350-0151
Shinjuku Gyoen
7. Ghibli Museum
A must-visit for all Totoro fans
Good for: Families, Photo
Ghibli Museum lets you immerse yourself in the world of Japanese animation masterpieces like My Neighbor Totoro, Castle in the Sky, and Spirited Away. This museum is a dream come true for all Ghibli fans, with original drawings of your favorite scenes, characters in the permanent exhibition room, and a statue of Totoro welcoming you at reception.
You can watch Ghibli’s original short animated films at Saturn Theatre, while children might enjoy boarding the Cat Bus. A spiral staircase leads you to a rooftop garden, where you can enjoy the greenery of Inokashira Park with its 5-meter-tall robot. To reach Ghibli Museum, hop on a train to JR Mitaka Station and then walk 15 minutes along the Tamagawa Josui aqueduct.
Location: 1 Chome-1-83 Shimorenjaku, Mitaka, Tokyo 181-0013, Japan
Open: Daily from 10 am to 6 pm (closed on Tuesdays)
Ghibli Museum
8. Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building
Amazing views and fuss free dining
Good for: Budget, Photo
The Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building is a free sightseeing spot that’s within a 10-minute walk from Shinjuku Station. You can enjoy scenic views of Tokyo from the 45th-floor observatory, which stands at 202 meters. On the northeast side you’ve got views of Tokyo Skytree, Tokyo Tower to the southeast, and on a clear day, Mt. Fuji to the west.
The Tokyo Tourist Information Center on the 1st floor has plenty of useful information for your trip. You can visit the self-service staff cafeterias on the 4th and 32nd and 4th floors if you check-in at reception. Check out the building’s many cafés, restaurants, and shops before you leave.
Location: 2 Chome-8-1 Nishishinjuku, Shinjuku City, Tokyo 163-8001, Japan
Open: Monday–Friday from 8 am to 6.45 pm (closed on Saturdays and Sundays)
Phone: +81 (0)3-532-11111
Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building
9. Tokyo Bay Cruise / Sumida River Cruise
Admiring Tokyo sights from a different perspective
Good for: Couples, Luxury, Photo
Admire the view of Tokyo from Tokyo bay or Sumida River by taking a trip on a cruise ship, houseboat or waterbus. These tours depart from various piers in the Japanese capital. Luxury cruise ships departing from Hinode Pier offer dinner while cruising around Tokyo Bay.
To revisit the Edo period, opt for a houseboat tour. Enjoy edomae tempura (deep-fried shrimp and conger eel) while admiring views of Tokyo Tower and Tokyo Skytree. This tour usually offers night views of industrial areas like Rainbow Bridge and Haneda Airport. Hop on a water bus if you want to visit the city’s popular sightseeing spots as it departs from places within the Tokyo Metropolitan Area like Asakusa, Odaiba, and Hamarikyu.
Tokyo Bay Cruise / Sumida River Cruise
10. Aoyama
A cozy neighborhood with stellar shopping and dining
Good for: Couples, Food, Shoppers
Aoyama is an affluent neighborhood that’s centered around Omotesando (the front approach to Meiji Shrine) and a charming and artsy place. Nezu Museum has a collection of over 7,000 Japanese and oriental antiquities, including National Treasures and Nationally Important Cultural Properties. The Taro Okamoto Memorial Museum and the celebrated artist’s home studio are located here. Both are definitely worth a visit to check out his abstract drawings and sculptures.
If you’re hungry, you can find a wide range of top-quality French, Italian, kaiseki and sushi restaurants. For shopping, check out the Spiral and Omotesando Hills complexes. Visit during Japan’s Christmas season when Aoyama becomes even more romantic with a 1-km-long line of Zelkova trees decorated with bright lights.
Location: Aoyama, Minato City, Tokyo, Japan
Aoyama
11. Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea
Fun for all ages
Good for: Families, Photo, Adventure
Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea are part of the Tokyo Disney Resort, which is located in in the city of Urayasu, Chiba Prefecture. Inside the 176-acre theme park, you’ll find exciting attractions like Pooh’s Hunny Hunt, Splash Mountain for white-water rafting on a log boat, and the Jungle Cruise boat expedition. Don’t forget to stop by Cinderella’s Castle, Tokyo Disneyland’s most famous landmark.
DisneySea offers night shows on the water, which include water-screen projections of Cinderella and Aladdin, as well as light reflections of the magical Disney World. Be sure to have your camera ready for some epic holiday photos.
Location: 1-1 Maihama, Urayasu, Chiba 279-0031, Japan
Open: Hours vary by season and theme park
Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea
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