Things to do in Tokyo

Sightseeing in Tokyo can bring about sensory overload if visitors aren't careful. Animated billboards, the buzz of a densely packed and highly energetic population, and glittering gleaming architecture all compete for attention, meaning there's never a dull moment.

The transport system is excellent, good value, and easy to figure out, even for Westerners. However, the best way to view the city is still on foot, taking in the multitude of sights and sounds along the way. Visitors will surely find plenty of unexpected treasures, from little temples on side streets to the warm smiling welcome of a local shop keeper.

Tokyo really does have something for everyone. Honeymooners come to cultivate romance amid the cherry blossoms; shoppers will find exactly what they're looking for and plenty on top of that; and backpackers can find ways to take in the culture without breaking the bank.

The temples and museums listed below are well worth visiting, but travellers can also lose themselves in the neon lights of Shibuya, or check out the hip Harajuku girls in Takeshita Street.

If travellers wish to experience the culture more deeply, they can take a class in any number of traditional Japanese art forms, including calligraphy, tea ceremonies, martial arts, massage, flower arranging, and meditation. Tokyo has a number of neon-lit pachinko parlours with men, women, and children trying their hand at the popular game. Japanese sports such as baseball and sumo wrestling are also fun ways to get a taste of Tokyo culture.

Tokyo Imperial Palace photo

Tokyo Imperial Palace

Japan's Imperial Palace is regarded as the heart and soul of Tokyo, and stands on a huge site that still bears the remains of Edo Castle, stronghold of the Tokugawa Shogunate. The

Yasukuni Shrine photo

Yasukuni Shrine

To the north of the Imperial Palace lies the controversial Yasukuni Shrine, built long ago in 1869 to commemorate those two and a half million Japanese who died in war. Soldiers fo…

Edo-Tokyo Museum photo

Edo-Tokyo Museum

This museum details the 400-year history of Tokyo from its beginning as a sleepy village called Edo to its time as a feudal capital, and its ultimate emergence as a modern megacity…

Akihabara photo

Akihabara

In a small area west of Akihabara Station lies a bright cluster of electronics shops, manga and anime stores, and video game outlets. The suburb has been specialising in electrical…

Senso-ji Temple photo

Senso-ji Temple

The Asakusa neighbourhood in Tokyo draws visitors to admire the city's oldest temple, Senso-ji, founded in 628. The story goes that two brothers fishing in the nearby river netted …

Tokyo Disney Resort photo

Tokyo Disney Resort

There is plenty of fun to be had at Tokyo Disney Resort, which is reminiscent of the themepark found in California. Opened in 1983, it has gradually developed a character of its ow…

Tokyo National Museum photo

Tokyo National Museum

Close to Ueno Station and enclosed in the beautiful, spacious Ueno Imperial Gift Park, the National Museum is host to the largest collection of Japanese art in the world. Exhibits …

Mount Fuji photo

Mount Fuji

The dormant volcano of Mount Fuji has been revered since ancient times, its symmetrical 12,388-foot (3,776m) snow-crowned summit as symbolic as the country's own flag. It features …

Kamakura photo

Kamakura

The city of Kamakura was the political powerhouse of Japan during the middle ages and the seat of government for most of the 13th century. Because of its historic importance, it bo…

Yokohama photo

Yokohama

The main reason for visiting Yokohama is to marvel at its futuristic new city centre and perhaps take a stroll through Japan's largest Chinatown. Entered through four colourful gat…

Inokashira Park photo

Inokashira Park

Inokashira Park is a tranquil oasis amid the bustle of Japan's capital city and is often lauded by locals and visitors as the best urban park in Japan. The park contains a temple d…

Tokyo Tower photo

Tokyo Tower

Modelled after the Eiffel Tower, the Tokyo Tower is more colourful and serves a technological purpose. Functioning chiefly as a television and radio antenna, it's also one of the c…

Meiji Jingu photo

Meiji Jingu

Built in homage to the Emperor Meiji and his wife, the Empress Shoken, the Meiji Jingu monument is located in a 175 acre (70ha) evergreen forest and consists of two main areas. In …

Tokyo Joypolis photo

Tokyo Joypolis

Kids will be kept busy for hours on end at Tokyo Joypolis, one of the world's most famous theme parks. Apart from all the rides and games, there are several shops and a wide select…