10 Best Things to Do and See in Tokyo
Exploring Tokyo on foot is one of the best ways to feel the city’s atmosphere, connect its landmark places and discover its neighbourhoods at a more natural pace.
In this guide, you will find the attractions not to miss when planning a walking route in Tokyo, with simple reference points.
To go further, you can also enjoy a private guided tour in Tokyo. It is a smoother way to connect places, understand details you might miss on your own and enjoy a more human, personal discovery adapted to your trip.
1. Tokyo Skytree
Tokyo Skytree is one of Tokyo’s iconic attractions, offering spectacular panoramic views over the Japanese capital and, on clear days, as far as Mount Fuji. This broadcasting and telecommunications tower is especially known for its high observation decks, where visitors can take in an impressive urban landscape blending skyscrapers, residential neighborhoods, and the banks of the Sumida River. The site also includes dining and shopping areas, making it a great place to enjoy Tokyo by day or by night.
2. Tokyo Tower
Tokyo Tower is an iconic landmark of the Japanese capital, admired for both its architecture and its panoramic views. By going up to its observation decks, you can enjoy sweeping views over Tokyo and, on a clear day, over the surrounding bay area. The site also features leisure areas, shops, and dining spots, making it a pleasant visit at any time of day. Lit up at night, the tower offers a particularly photogenic spectacle and remains a must-see stop during a stay in Tokyo.
3. Asakusa Shrine
Asakusa Shrine, located in the lively Asakusa district of Tokyo, is an iconic Shinto site that attracts many visitors looking to experience Japanese culture and a traditional atmosphere. It features an elegant architectural complex, torii gates, lanterns, and prayer areas that contrast with the bustling city around it. The site is admired for its peaceful ambiance, religious ceremonies, and its proximity to other famous places in the neighborhood, making it an essential stop for observing Tokyo’s living traditions.
4. teamLab Planets TOKYO DMM
TeamLab Planets TOKYO DMM is an immersive modern art museum in Tokyo, where visitors explore spectacular digital installations designed to engage the senses. The experience invites visitors to walk barefoot through spaces of water, light, and mirrors, among interactive artworks that change according to the movement and presence of the audience. It blends art, technology, and sensory experiences in a highly immersive way, creating poetic and often surprising atmospheres. This is a visit especially appreciated for its playful, contemplative, and photogenic appeal.
5. Meiji Shrine
Meiji Shrine is a major Shinto shrine located in the heart of Tokyo, set within a vast green oasis that contrasts with the energy of the city. As you walk through it, you’ll discover wide wooded paths, traditional gates, sacred buildings with a simple, harmonious style, and a peaceful atmosphere ideal for a stroll or quiet reflection. The site is especially appreciated for its natural setting, its gardens, and its sense of escape. It is an essential stop for discovering an iconic place of Japanese spirituality in a calm and elegant environment.
6. Shinjuku Gyoen Park
Shinjuku Gyoen Park in Tokyo is a large green space much appreciated for its peaceful walks in the heart of the city. Visitors can enjoy wide lawns, shaded paths, Japanese landscaped gardens, as well as English and French-style areas that create a variety of atmospheres. The site is especially beautiful throughout the seasons, with blossoms that attract many visitors. It is an ideal place to relax, observe nature, and take a break from the bustle of the city.
7. Ueno Park
Ueno Park, in Tokyo, is one of the Japanese capital’s most beloved green spaces. Visitors will find wide tree-lined avenues, lawns, ponds, and several cultural attractions nearby, including museums and a zoo. Busy throughout the seasons, it attracts strollers, families, and anyone looking for a peaceful place to unwind, thanks to its calm atmosphere in the heart of the city. It’s an ideal spot for a break between nature, culture, and urban life.
8. Tokyo National Museum
The Tokyo National Museum, located in Ueno Park, is one of Japan’s major museums and a must-visit for anyone looking to discover the country’s rich cultural heritage. Its collections showcase a wide panorama of Japanese and Asian works, from Buddhist sculptures and samurai armor to ceramics, textiles, prints, and everyday objects. The museum also hosts temporary exhibitions highlighting historical and artistic treasures, all in a peaceful setting that is ideal for visiting.
9. teamLab Borderless: MORI Building DIGITAL ART MUSEUM
TeamLab Borderless: MORI Building DIGITAL ART MUSEUM is an immersive digital art museum in Tokyo, where luminous, interactive works seem to move freely from one space to another. Visitors discover installations made up of projections, sound, and visual effects that react to their movements, creating a constantly evolving sensory experience. The journey invites you to lose yourself in a poetic, spectacular world, between imaginary nature, cascades of light, and labyrinths of images, to experience art in a fully immersive way.
10. Tokyo National Art Center
The Tokyo National Art Center is an art museum dedicated to temporary exhibitions in Roppongi, Minato City. Discover its striking glass architecture and ever-changing shows.
Antony M
During my travels, I looked for guides who spoke my language. This search turned out to be long and tedious. That is why I created MYTOGU (My Tourist Guide): a matching site between tourists and professional tourist guides.
