Destination Tokyo: Top Tokyo Places To Visit

"We should go here," said Eri. "You'll love it. There's a green tea ceremony in the morning. Then we can get some great yakisoba noodles. And in the afternoon we can go and watch the festival at Sensoji Temple."

Oh, how I loved Eri. In my first few weeks in Japan she was my colleague, guide, and very quickly a firm friend as she showed me all the best Tokyo places in town. Without that one-on-one destination Tokyo help, I'm sure my first experiences wouldn't be the great memories I now have.

Planning your destination Tokyo itinerary

When you're planning your first destination Tokyo adventure, having a personal guide to sort out what's on your to do list can make all the difference to having a great time. The city is huge, and deciding which places are worth visiting and which ones to skip can be a confusing process.

Top 10 Tokyo Places

This section of the site has our top 10 Tokyo places to visit so you can easily decide which ones to include on your vacation itinerary.

1. Akihabara

Akihabara should be on your destination Tokyo list of things to do if you'd like to get a good look at some of the subcultures that are a regular part of Tokyo life. Things you can expect to see include the famous 'otaku' who congregate here, cute maids inviting you into their cafes, and cosplayers out to show off for the day. There's also some great electronic and gadget shopping available. For more information see our Akihabara page.

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2. Asakusa

If it's tradition you're after, Asakusa is the Tokyo place you'll find it. It's the oldest part of town and is a hub for all the major cultural events that go on in the city. Sightseeing spots include Sensoji Temple, Kaminarimon (or Thunder) Gate, Nakamise Shopping Street, and the famous Tokyo Sky Tree. For more information see our Asakusa page.

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3. Ebisu

Ebisu is an area of Tokyo with two sides. Why would you put it on your destination Tokyo list? Because the contrast between those two sides is well worth a look. You can go up the Ebisu Garden Place tower for free and get some great views over the city while you enjoy a good meal. Or how about tasting some famous Yebisu beer while you check out the brewery of the same name. For more information see our Ebisu page.

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4. Ginza

Ginza is the original expensive and classy district in Tokyo. If you're into high fashion and rubbing shoulders with the rich and famous, this is the Tokyo place for you. There's more to it than just that of course, but at its heart, Ginza is all about seeing and being seen. And if you've got a pet in your life that deserves some high end designer gear, the fashion shops here cater for both animal and human tastes. For more information see our Ginza page.

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5. Harajuku

Of all our destination Tokyo places, Harajuku remains a firm favourite. Why? Because of the variety of options available here. Choose from a visit to Yoyogi Park, a tour of Meiji Jingu Shrine, Omotesando Hills shopping mall, or the more eclectic Takeshita Dori shopping street. Add in some excellent restaurants and the Oriental Bazaar for the best in souvenirs and you can't go wrong. For more information see our Harajuku page.

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6. Kichijoji

The places on our destination Tokyo list have so far all been in the centre of the city. Kichijoji is the exception. It's about a 30 minute train ride to the West of the city but is a great day out if you fancy it. During the Japanese cherry blossom season, Inokashira Park is ablaze with pink flowers. In Autumn it's the turning of the leaves that draws the crowds. It's a university town so it's also a good place to find some good bargains as well as some good basic grub to set you on your way. For more information see our Kichijoji page.

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7. Odaiba

Odaiba is another personal favourite. It's an action and shopping packed Tokyo place with lots of sightseeing as well. Take the Yurikamome line out over Tokyo bay and alongside Rainbow Bridge. Check out the best cat accessories store in town. Spend some time at Toyota Megaweb. Then hunker down for some serious shopping and eating at one or all of the funky malls you'll find here. For more information see our Odaiba page.

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8. Shibuya

Of all the Tokyo places you can visit, Shibuya is probably the most well known. It has the iconic Hachiko crossing right outside the main station, which has been featured countless times in movies and media around the world. It's pretty cool to be able to say, "I've been there," the next time you see it pop up on the screen. It's also the hangout for those sporting the trendiest in Japanese fashion, as well as being home to some great cheap bars and eating places. For more information on this destination Tokyo choice see our Shibuya page.

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9. Shinjuku

And after Shibuya, there's Shinjuku. Made famous by the film Lost in Translation, it comes in a very close second to Shibuya on the most well-known of Tokyo places list. It's actually divided into 3 distinct areas with very different characters. They include attractions like Tokyo Opera City, the old Golden Gai district, the Shinjuku Government building for some sky high views, and the infamous red light district. It's at least one full day out to really see everything that's here. For more information see our Shinjuku, Shinjuku East and Kabukicho pages.

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10. Ueno

At the top end of Tokyo you'll find Ueno. It's the main entry point to the city for many visitors arriving at Narita Airport as it's the first major station where the connecting trains stop. It's also where you'll find Ueno Park (famous for its cherry blossom trees), Ameyoko shopping street, and many of the best museums in the city. Need another reason to put it on your destination Tokyo list? It's also close to the Ryogoku area where the Grand Sumo Tournament is held. For more information see our Ueno page.

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And that's the last of our top 10 Tokyo places to visit. But it doesn't mean the end of your Tokyo vacation planning.

Your personal guide to Tokyo

You might not have an Eri to show you round the first time you land in Tokyo. But you've got the next best thing… you've got TokyoTopia.com : ) We've put together a Tokyo guidebook that's a little bit different from all the rest. It's designed just with the first time traveler to the city in mind. If you think you'd like a helping hand to make sure you don't miss anything important in your planning, go and check it out on our Taming Tokyo page. Not a bad name for a book eh?

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Have we missed your favourite Tokyo place?

If you think we've missed a placed that should be included on our destination Tokyo list, we'd love it if you'd share using the form below.

Tell us why you think visitors would love your favourite place. Remember to include information about where it is, how to get there, what activities are available, and any special events that visitors can enjoy.

Also note that we ask for a minimum 400 words before we'll publish a recommendation as a page. Why? If it's less, it's unlikely to contain enough information to be useful to a first time visitor. Thanks for understanding : )

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