Tokyo Travel Guide

When To Go

The best time to go to Tokyo depends on what you want to see and do. All year round, the city has tons of sights to see and activities to take part in.

• In springtime (March – May), visitors to Tokyo gather in the city’s public parks and gardens, such as Ueno Park, Shinjuku Gyoen, Sumida Park, Inokashira Park, and Yoyogi Park, to get the best seats for cherry blossom viewing.
• In summer (June – August), despite temperatures going over 30 degrees and the humidity reaching uncomfortable levels, locals and foreigners flock to the many festivals held in the city, such as the Asakusa Samba Carnival, Harajuku Omotesando Genki Matsuri Super Yosakoi, and Fukugawa Hachiman Matsuri.
• During autumn (September – November), crowds gather in Tokyo’s parks to enjoy the beauty of the autumn foliage.
• In winter (December – February), the city holds a number of illuminations or Christmas lights events throughout the holidays. Also, going to an onsen in nearby towns is popular with tourists who want to escape the cold.

Things To See

Top Attractions

• Tokyo Disneyland and DisneySea – Both made up of 7 themed parks many attractions and rides, Tokyo DisneyLand and Sea can be enjoyed by both adults and children. Both of the resorts can be reached by JR Maihama Station. Go to where the magic is!
• Tokyo Skytree – The tallest structure in japan since 2010, a 634-metre high tower that offers a restaurant, cafe and observation decks with fantastic views over Tokyo.
• Tokyo Imperial Palace – located in the middle of Tokyo, surrounded by moats and stone walls is the official residence of the Imperial family. It also features beautiful gardens which is also featured below.
• Tsukiji Fish Market – An early morning visit to Tsukiji Fish Market is popular with foreign tourists in Japan. With more than 2,000 tons of fish and other marine products handled each day, the wholesale market is always busy –  its stalls crowded with curious onlookers and its restaurants filled with visitors craving fresh, authentic Japanese seafood. It also offers other produce, such as fruit and vegetables.
• Tokyo Tower – One of Japan’s most important landmarks, the 333-metre high Tokyo Tower is the tallest, self-supported steel tower in the world. It was completed in 1958 and has served as the country’s symbol for its rise as a global economic power after the war. It has a 150-metre high observatory that can be accessed by either the stairs or the elevator and affords fantastic views of the metropolis
• Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building – For panoramic views of Tokyo, visit the observation decks of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building. They are 200 metres above the ground and access is free of charge. About a 10-minute walk from Shinjuku Station’s west exit, on clear days the skyscraper also provides scenic views of Mount Fuji, Tokyo Tower, Tokyo Dome and Tokyo Skytree.

Shrines & Temples

• Meiji Shrine – One of Tokyo’s top shrines, Meiji Shrine is a Shinto Shrine situated in a spacious, forested area between Shinjuku and Shibuya, and is a few minutes’ walk from Harajuku Station.
• Sensoji Temple – A popular ancient Buddhist temple in the Asakusa district
• Fukagawa Fudō-dō – A temple located in the historic Fukugawa neighborhood of Tokyo’s Koto ward, Fukugawa Fudo-do is a short train ride from Tokyo Station. Built in the early 18^th century for the deity Fudomyo, the temple contains a gigantic wooden statue and around 10,000 miniature statues of the god.

Where To Explore

• Asakusa – A district in Tokyo where you can experience the old town feel. It is home to the 7^th century Buddhist temple, Sensoji.
• Akihabara – A lively area in central Tokyo most popularly known for its manga, anime and electronic goods.
• Shibuya – Home to the world-renowned Shibuya crossing, this district is a culture and fashion hub for the young people of Japan.
• Shinjuku – With the busiest railway station in the world, Shinjuku is a busy shopping, entertainment and business district, where you can find many malls, restaurants, skyscrapers, museums, parks, and the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building.
• Roppongi Hills – Founded in 2003, Roppongi Hills is Tokyo’s most modern district, consisting of numerous apartments, restaurants, cafes, shops, an art museum, a hotel, an observation deck, and other establishments and facilities. It features a 238-metre high building known as the Mori Tower, the Mori Garden, the TV Asahi Headquarters, and a wide selection of shopping and dining spots.
• Mt Fuji – Located just outside of Tokyo this is one of the most popular Japanese natural wonders. Mt Fuji is a 3,776-metre high active volcano found between the Shizuoka and Yamanashi Prefectures that attracts swarms of tourists all year round, especially during summer (July and August) when it is open for climbing. It is also known for the Fuji Five Lakes and its numerous hot spring resorts.