While planning a trip to Japan, it can be difficult to make a choice of where to go. There are so many interesting places to visit! To help you out, we made a list of the 5 recommended places to visit while traveling in Tokyo.
Asakusa ; Traditional Tokyo
This traditional part of town is centered around the Sensoji Temple with Kaminarimon or the ‘Thunder Gate’ and the Nakamise shopping street. It is surrounded by water and immersed in a rich tradition. It is very pleasant to walk along the traditional roads. The streets are full of stalls and authentic souvenir shops where they sell Japanese products. Many iconic buildings line the area like the Azumabashi bridge, the Skytree, and the Asahi Beer Hall. The Sensoji Temple in Asakusa is one of the oldest and most famous sacred places in Tokyo. Its history dates back 1,400 years. This temple is dedicated to Kannon, the Buddhist goddess of mercy.
Shibuya ; Quinessentially Tokyo
A trip to Tokyo would not be complete without stepping on the great Shibuya crossing. Walking through the rising tide of people flooding the intersection outside Shibuya Station, every two minutes, is an experience in itself. Shibuya station handles an average of more than 2.4 million passengers every day. This makes the Shibuya crossing one of the busiest roads in the world. It is believed that approximately 2,500 people cross it at once at peak times.
Shibuya street fashion follows world trends. The iconic building of Shibuya109 is a mecca for teenagers who follow fashion. Shibuya Hikarie and Seibu, on the other hand, are modern complexes for shopping and visiting sophisticated restaurants.
Yasukuni Shrine
In the heart of Tokyo, in Kudanshita, you can find the Imperial Yasukuni Shrine. Yasukuni literally means ‘Country in peace’. This beautiful precinct maintains the record of 2,466,000 souls who lost their lives in conflicts from the Meiji era to the end of the war in 1945. Here, all those souls are thanked for their efforts. It is considered one of the most important shrines in Japan due to its long history. Furthermore, its objective states that Japan can never enter a war conflict ever again. Traditional events and performances are often held on the shrine grounds, which makes it extra interesting to visit for tourists.
Akihabara
Tokyo’s go-to electronics district extends around Akihabara station. There is a store bazaar where all kinds of electronic products are sold. For fans of Japanese animation, Akihabara has become a kind of sacred city, since throughout the area you can get thousands of titles and any variety of collectible figures as well as other types of objects relating to all kinds of subcultures. It is a must-visit place while traveling in Tokyo due to its social and cultural impact in present-day Japan.
Harajuku
Harajuku is one of the main points where fashion and a particular type of Japanese youth come together to form a wonderful area full of colorful places. In this area, there is the famous Shinto shrine Meiji Jingu, the large park Yoyogi Koen, the elegant fashion boulevard Omotesando, and the internationally known street Takeshita Dori. In Harajuku, fashion has been unconventional for decades and you can see people dressed in Visual Kei style with multi-colored hair and extravagant clothes, as well as see medieval-style or super Kawaii style costumes.
The color, the fashion, and the gastronomy that can be found in Takeshita Street are unique, therefore, it is a place that can’t be skipped when you are in Tokyo.
Although there are many more places to visit if you have little time to visit the city, hopefully, this list makes it a little easier to make an itinerary for your stay in Tokyo.
Your Japan Tour
If you are thinking about making a trip to Japan, as seasoned Japan experts we can help you create your perfect Japan tour, including Tokyo. Contact us to start planning your unforgettable holiday to this fascinating country full of once-in-a-lifetime experiences, culture, history, nature, and delicious food!