Contents
Asakusa（浅草）
Asakusa, a downtown area in Tokyo, features Nakamise Street which stretches about 250m from Kaminarimon (Thunder Gate) to Hozomon (Treasure House Gate). There are many long-established specialty shops offering various foods like soba, tempura, monjayaki, sukiyaki, dojo dishes, and western food. Traditional toys, folk art goods, wind chimes, fans, and other miscellaneous goods are also sold, making it an ideal place for souvenirs. Asakusa also houses Japan’s oldest existing amusement park, Asakusa Hanayashiki. For planning a tour route, it’s convenient to use the 365ASAKUSA smartphone app, recommended by the Asakusa Tourism Federation. You just need to select the Asakusa landmarks you want to visit and the app will suggest an optimal route for you.
The Tokyo Skytree・The Tokyo Skytree（「東京スカイツリー®」 と「東京ソラマチ®」）
The Tokyo Skytree is the world’s tallest freestanding broadcasting tower, offering views of Tokyo and occasionally Mount Fuji from its 350m high observation deck. At the base of the Skytree, there is “Tokyo Solamachi,” a commercial complex with over 300 stores, attracting many domestic and international tourists. Additionally, there are various attractions such as the “Tenku” Planetarium and the “Sumida Aquarium.” The Sumida Aquarium boasts a large tank that replicates the sea of the Ogasawara Islands, penguins playing in one of Japan’s largest pool-type tanks, and a proud collection of jellyfish tanks. Taking photographs from the Tokyo Skytree is highly recommended.
The Ryogoku Kokugikan（両国国技館）
The Ryogoku Kokugikan is the most famous arena for Grand Sumo, where you can watch live sumo wrestling matches during the tournaments. There’s a sumo museum on the first floor where you can see the actual mawashi (loincloths) used by sumo wrestlers, and the handprints and autographs of referees and wrestlers. In addition to sumo, you can also watch professional wrestling and boxing matches, making it a must-visit for combat sports fans. You can fully enjoy the Ryogoku area by having chanko (sumo wrestlers’ stew) at restaurants around Ryogoku station, and viewing the sumo ring at the commercial facility “-Ryogoku- Edo NOREN” directly connected to Ryogoku station.
アメ横商店街
There is a historic shopping street stretching from Ueno Station to Okachimachi Station, established shortly after World War II. Along this approximately 500-meter-long street, there are about 400 stores selling a wide variety of goods such as food, souvenirs, cosmetics, trinkets, clothing, and more, at bargain prices. There are also plenty of gourmet food stalls for you to enjoy. It’s recommended to visit on weekday mornings when it’s less crowded. With many train lines available for access, the exact destination can vary depending on the exit used, so it’s important to confirm the train line and exit before your visit.
The National Museum of Western Art（国立西洋美術館）
The National Museum of Western Art is the only national museum in Japan that focuses on Western art in general, displaying Western art from the Middle Ages to the 20th century. It was designated as an Important Cultural Property of Japan in 2007 and was registered as a World Cultural Heritage Site in 2016. The building itself is a significant architectural work by Le Corbusier. Noteworthy in the forecourt are Auguste Rodin’s “The Gates of Hell” and “The Thinker (enlarged version).” This museum exudes a particularly profound atmosphere within Ueno Park. Why not spend some relaxing time there?
上野動物園
Ueno Zoo, opened in 1882, is the oldest zoo in Japan and is known for being the first in the country to welcome a giant panda from China in 1972. Pandas continue to be popular attractions, with a new panda exhibit called “Panda’s Forest” added recently. Moreover, the zoo houses animals in environments replicating their natural habitats, allowing visitors to observe creatures like polar bears swimming and bears hibernating. With a diverse collection of approximately 300 species and 3,000 individual animals, a visit to meet these creatures is highly recommended.
東京駅
Tokyo Station, which opened in 1914, is notable for its red brick facade, a faithful reproduction of its original design. Inside the station, there are many attractions including the “Tokyo Station Gallery”, a museum that utilizes the station’s exposed brick walls, and the “Tokyo Station Hotel”, which has a history spanning over 100 years. Furthermore, there’s “GRANSTA Tokyo”, the station’s largest commercial facility with around 151 shops located within the ticket gates. The station is extremely well-equipped, and it would be challenging to see everything in a single day. It’s the perfect place to understand both the past and present of Tokyo.
歌舞伎座
Kabukiza Theatre is a representative kabuki-specific theatre that has overcome fires and wars. It was newly opened in April 2013, and it is the only place where kabuki is performed almost every day throughout the year. The Kabukiza building is directly connected to the “Higashi Ginza” station on the second basement level, making it easy for visitors to dine and shop for souvenirs. Moreover, the main hall on the first-floor lobby reproduces the patterns that were created when the fourth Kabukiza Theatre opened. Be sure to check it out when you visit.
お台場海浜公園＆台場公園
The seaside park, surrounded by the old breakwater and Daiba Park, features a beautiful sandy beach that stretches about 800 meters. From evening to night, you can enjoy the beautifully lit Rainbow Bridge and Tokyo Tower. The park also offers a range of activities, with facilities for various marine sports and areas where you can enjoy fishing, playing on the rocky shore, and beach activities. Furthermore, at the nearby shopping mall, Aqua City Odaiba, you can enjoy shopping and a sophisticated dinner while taking in the night view of Odaiba.
東京ジョイポリス
“Tokyo Joypolis” is a theme park that follows the concept of “DigiReal”, blending digital and real experiences. Located indoors at Decks Tokyo Beach, it can be enjoyed regardless of the weather. It offers numerous attractions full of immersion, simulating the feeling of stepping into a game world through dynamic rides, visuals, and VR effects. Stage shows and events are also held, so checking the website in advance is recommended. Enjoy an extraordinary experience that can only be found at Joypolis.
豊洲市場
Toyosu Market, which relocated from Tsukiji in 2018, is a public wholesale market known for its fresh seasonal seafood delicacies. It’s possible to participate in the “Tuna Auction Viewing,” but a prior lottery application is required. A must-visit spot within the market is “Uogashi Yokocho,” where a variety of processed foods such as grilled eggs, pickles, Japanese tea, and shaved bonito are sold, making it an ideal place for souvenir shopping. Furthermore, the market also offers professional-grade items used by fishermen and chefs, such as knives, boots, and cooking tools. These areas are particularly recommended for visitors.
東京タワー
“Tokyo Tower,” inaugurated as a radio tower in 1958, continues to function as a tourist attraction today. It features two observation decks, the “Main Deck” at 150m and the “Top Deck” at 250m. The Main Deck offers a must-see nighttime view enhanced by projection mapping, while the Top Deck provides an exclusive tour where participants can learn about the history of Tokyo Tower and enjoy breathtaking views in a space scented with an original fragrance. Additionally, the “Foot Town” at the base of the tower offers a variety of amenities including eateries, souvenir shops, and other attractions for additional enjoyment beyond the views.
浜離宮恩賜庭園
“Hama-rikyu Onshi Teien” is a Japanese garden that was owned by the Tokugawa Shogunate during the Edo period, the Imperial family after the Meiji Restoration, and the Tokyo Metropolitan Government after World War II. Now, it is open to the public. The garden features the unique “Shioiri no Ike”, a pond filled with seawater where saltwater fish swim, the remains of the “Duck Hunting Grounds”, and the “Nakajima no Ochaya” where you can enjoy matcha tea. Additionally, the garden blooms with seasonal flowers throughout the year. Even though it’s located in the city, stepping into the garden allows you to forget the urban hustle and bustle.
明治神宮
This shrine, built in 1920, enshrines Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken, known as the Dowager Empress Shoken. It boasts the highest number of visitors for the New Year’s visit in Japan, and celebrated its 100th anniversary of establishment in the 2nd year of Reiwa. Its large torii gate is the largest wooden Shinto gate in Japan, measuring 12m in height and 17.1m in width. Along the shrine’s approach, there is a rest area called “Morino Terrace.” The forest surrounding the shrine is man-made, planted with about 100,000 trees donated from all over the country. The “Kameishi” or turtle stone is popular as a power spot, and along the south approach of the shrine, sake barrels, empty containers known as “Komodaru,” dedicated from all over the country, are lined up.