Tokyo is a pleasant city that combines luxury with traditional elements, making it one of the most visited attractions in Japan and the Asian continent.
The Japanese capital has ancient temples, gardens, palaces and an entire millennial culture that distinguishes it from other cities in the world.
Let us know in this article the 15 best tourist places in Tokyo.
1. Imperial Palace
The official residence of the Emperor and his family should be one of the first places to visit in Tokyo. It is in the Marunouchi district and among its main attractions are the 17th century parks surrounded by moats and walls.
The Imperial Palace stands on a land where Edo Castle or Chiyoda Castle is located, the first fortress built by order of the feudal lord, Ota Doka. From there the city began to grow.
In the beautiful complex you will see the famous Nijubashi Bridge, through which you reach the interior of the palace. The bridge is reflected in the water, which is why it is called a “double bridge”.
The wall that surrounds the palace is 2 meters thick and one of its gates leads to the Higashi-Gyoen Garden, one of the few places with public access.
Some gardens are only open two days a year: January 2 and April 29, when the Emperor appears for the people to see.
2. Ginza District
The most important center of trade in Tokyo has been established in the Ginza District for centuries. As notorious and important as Times Square in New York.
The five ancient roads that linked the country’s major ancient cities meet in Ginza, now a place full of unique shops and impressive venues, also home to the famous Kabuki-za Theatre.
3. National Museum of Natural Sciences
The National Museum of Natural Sciences in Tokyo is one of the oldest in the country (1871). It is inside Ueno Park.
Inside you will see a wide display of objects and components from history and natural sciences, including interactive displays on scientific, space, nuclear energy advances and other aspects that show the development of the country.
In the Gallery of Japan, Nihonkan, you will see displays of prehistoric beings and the Japanese people, such as typical costumes, traditions, and customs. While the Global Gallery, Ckikyukan, has exhibits on science, technology, robotics, and vintage cars.
4. Ueno Park, Zoo
Ueno Park is the largest green area in the city with beautiful and colorful gardens, a zoo, an aquarium, museums and temples. All this makes it one of the tourist places in Tokyo.
You can take a ride in small boats on the Shinobazu pond and visit the Toshogu shrine with its 256 bronze and stone lamps, built during the 17th century.
The zoo was founded in 1882, making it the oldest in Japan. Among many other animals, it has pandas from China and its aquarium is one of the biggest and best on the continent.
5. Asakusa and the Senso-Ji Temple
Tokyo’s most popular shrine dedicated to the Buddhist goddess of compassion: Kannon. It was built in the year 645 and despite its renovations, it still retains its original appearance.
Of the temple, located in the Asakusa district, the Kaminarimon gate stands out with its 3.3 meters high; a red paper lantern with the calligraphy “thunder gate”; the famous Vat incense, which is said to alleviate ailments or discomforts; and the doves, messengers sent by the goddess Kannon.
6. Tokyo National Museum
The Tokyo National Museum houses just over 100,000 works of art from Japan, China and India, 100 of which are considered national treasures. Among its pieces are some Buddhist sculptures from the 6th century to the present day.
You’ll also see collections of ancient fabrics and historical Japanese clothing, vintage weapons and military equipment, ceramics, and pottery.
The museum, opened in 1938, has Japanese paintings and Chinese artworks several hundred years old.
7. National Museum of Western Art
One of the tourist spots in Tokyo is in Ueno Park, just a 3-minute walk from Ueno Station. It is the Museum of Western Art, Kokuritsu SEIYO Bijutsukan, built in 1959 by the Swiss architect, Le Corbusier.
The exhibits on display are mostly works by French artists owned by art collector Matsukata and Japanese businessman Kojiro.
In the museum courtyard you will see sculptures by Rodin, while inside there are works by Paul Cézanne, Claude Monet, Eduardo Manet and Edgar Degas.
The Museum of Western Art also has an excellent restaurant with wonderful views of the courtyard.
8. Santuario Meiji
Beautiful shrine built in honor of Emperor Meiji and his wife, Empress Shoken. Its construction began in 1915 and ended in 1926. Since then it has been one of the tourist spots in Tokyo.
The structure was rebuilt in 1958, recovering its original beauty and splendor, after being finished in World War II.
What is one of the most important religious sites in Tokyo has a forest with at least 120,000 trees, representing the tree species of Japan.
In the sanctuary, the Naien inner enclosure stands out with the museum full of royal treasures and the Gaien outer enclosure, which houses a collection of photographs on the life of the emperor and empress.
9. Museo Miraikan
Museum designed and built to showcase and highlight Japan’s technological leadership. Its full name is the National Museum of Emerging Sciences and Innovation.
The also known as Miraikan is one of the newest museums in Tokyo created by the Japan Science and Technology Agency.
In its modern facilities you will see interactive displays that range from earthquakes, robotics and renewable energy, to modern means of transport such as the magnetic levitation train.
10. Museo Edo-Tokio
At the Edo-Tokyo Museum, opened in 1993, you’ll see a display of the past, present, and future of the entire region.
Be sure to cross the bridge that will take you to a replica of a plan and model of houses in the old city of Edo.
11. Skytree de Tokio
The tallest building in Japan (634 meters) is a communication tower, restaurant and observation deck, in the city of Minato, on the outskirts of the Sumida district.
The structure was opened in 2012 and since then it has become one of the tourist spots in Tokyo for its impressive views.
The modern design tower has a tripod-shaped base and different cylindrical levels for observations. There is one at 350 meters and another at 450 meters high, which includes a spiral glass walkway that leads to a higher area.
12. National Art Center
The National Art Center is one of Tokyo’s tourist attractions and one of the best museums in the world.
Since it opened in 2007, it has gained a great reputation for its permanent collection of paintings, numbering more than 600, almost all done in the 20th century.
This curved glass building is in the Roppongi district.
13. Teatro Kabuki-za
Tokyo has many theaters, but the Kabuki-za Theater is the most prominent and therefore one of the tourist attractions in the city.
It is a form of theater that dates from medieval times with burlesque touches, dance and song.
It is in the Ginza district and there are performances of the traditional Kabuki shows, attractive to both Japanese and tourists. It doesn’t matter if you don’t speak the language, you will always be able to understand the presentation.
14. Mori Art Museum
This museum is housed on the upper floors of the Roppongi Hills Mori Tower, where the National Art Center is also based. It has constant exhibitions of contemporary works of art from all over the world.
15. Tokyo Disney Sea
Disney is present in the Asian continent with this fabulous park, one of the tourist places in Tokyo.
It includes a Disney-themed water park, two amusement parks, a resort, an entertainment center and a large and fun shopping center. They also offer shows of classic Disney movies.
Tokyo is a jewel of technology, entertainment and even history. It is a perfect compendium of modernism and culture, which you need to visit at least once in your life.
