Sprawling but very well organized, it will offer you a complete vision of contemporary Japan, between traditions and modernity. Now accessible to tourists, it is a unique city that will not leave you indifferent.
Bewitching places or unforgettable experiences, Here are 10 must-see places to see in Tokyo!
Take to the skies at Tokyo Tower
With its little air of an orange Eiffel Tower, you can spot the Tokyo Tower from a distance, but the best thing is to climb there! For this you have the choice between two panoramic observatories. The first is 150 meters high, this is where the Skywalk Window is located: a glass floor that will allow you to have a breathtaking view of the streets below. The second platform, the Top Deck, is located 250 meters away, just below the tower antenna.. At the top, a grandiose panorama awaits you: the immensity of Tokyo and, if you are lucky, Mount Fuji in the background. Tokyo Tower also features a giant aquarium, souvenir shops and a shopping mall. Manga fans are sure to stop by the One Piece attraction which takes up an entire floor of the tower!
La Tokyo Tower
Take a walk in Shibuya
Trendy district, Shibuya is a must see place in Tokyo. This is where the famous crossroads with crossing pedestrian crossings is located, one of the most borrowed in the world. When the snowman turns green, up to 1000 people are crossing at the same time. A tip? Go up to the 1st floor of Starbucks for a breathtaking and free view of the crossroads! In the surrounding streets, fashion is in the spotlight with an incredible number of colorful shops. Do you fancy a little shopping spree? This is where you can treat yourself! Players will not fail to enter a Game Center, these huge rooms where video games line up, very noisy but so typical!
Shibuya à Tokyo
Admire the Senso-ji in Asakusa
Tokyo's oldest temple is an architectural marvel. This huge complex is made up of multiple altars, gardens, bells and temples, not to mention the fountains in which one must purify oneself before entering. How to do ? Don't panic, here are the instructions: using a small ladle, you first rinse your left hand, then your right, your mouth with your left hand and finally your left hand again. Give it a try, the Japanese will be delighted to see that you respect the tradition!
Sensō Ji
At nightfall, the temple lights up to offer visitors a magical spectacle. The Senso-ji is located in the Asakusa district, which is a must see in Tokyo. Take the opportunity to stroll there and do some shopping: traditional souvenirs in Nakamise-dori or kitchen items in Kappashi Dori. Do the lanterns hanging at the entrance to restaurants catch your eye? You will find your happiness in this atypical street!
Stroll in Ueno Park
A true green lung of the city, Ueno Park is located in the district of the same name. In the spring, during the Sakura, this is the perfect place to see cherry blossoms in Tokyo. If you are there during this period, do not hesitate to do as the Japanese do: have a picnic and relax in the shade of a cherry tree: a perfect break between two visits! Get lost along the paths and choose among the many possible visits in the park: the oldest zoo in Japan, the splendid National Museum or the Tosho-gu shrine, sparkling with gold and decorative elements. Appreciated by locals and tourists alike, Ueno Park is a special place worth a visit and one of the must-see places in Tokyo.
Ueno Park
Immerse yourself in Japanese exuberance at Takeshita Dori
Going to Takeshita Dori on the weekend is an amazing experience. High place of Tokyo youth, it allows to see another facet of Japanese culture. This 400-meter-long pedestrian street is home to cosplay shops, vintage and futuristic items.. Here all looks are allowed: costumes, make-up, neon crest hair or Baby Doll outfit… you will be amazed! Are you looking for an original and inexpensive souvenir? Push the door of a Purikura, these photo booths are a hit in Japan, they allow you to customize your photos with decorations, smileys or drawings. If you're feeling peckish, there are colorful food stalls all along the street.
Cosplay in Tokyo
Marvel at the Meiji-jingu
This treasure of the Shinto religion is a must-see shrine in Tokyo. At the entrance are the majestic wooden torii which mark the passage from the world of mortals to that of the sacred. It is customary to incline when passing below and to walk on the sides in the alleys, the center of the paths being reserved for the spirits! Located in lush greenery, the place is of any beauty: constructions of raw wood allied to roofs or very elaborate doors. Calm and serenity reign supreme here and bustling Tokyo seems so far away ... yet it is located right in the center of the city, in the Shibuya district.
Meiji Jingu
Find your child's soul at the Ghibli Museum
Created by Hayao Miyazaki himself, the Ghibli Museum is dedicated to the animation studios of the same name and therefore behind the scenes of the creation of famous cartoons including My Neighbor Totoro, Spirited Away or Princess Mononoke. Welcomed by a giant Totoro, you will enter a magical world, full of details, where poetry seems to be the watchword! The architecture alone will plunge you into a marvelous parallel universe and a projection room will unveil a new short film. Some advice for future travelers: tickets must be reserved well in advance on the internet, with a waiting list system. To get there: stop at Kichijoji station and cross the beautiful Inokashira Park, a very pleasant bucolic getaway!
The Ghibli museum
Take a leap in time in Odaiba
A futuristic neighborhood par excellence, Odaiba is a must-see in Tokyo. The trip on the automatic metro of the Yurikamome line is, in itself, worth the trip! It turns, it goes fast and the view from the bridge that leads to the island is stunning. Once there you will have the choice between several visits. As a priority, go to Teamlab. An interactive place where you can play with the sublime lights: have fun catching multicolored butterflies, crushing (virtual!) frogs, admiring lanterns… an unforgettable experience!
The Miraikan Museum
Not far from there is the Miraikan Museum dedicated to science. The architecture of the building is to be seen and the giant planet with a view of the Earth in real time which dominates the place is breathtaking! The various rooms as well as the temporary exhibitions clearly demonstrate the presence of artificial intelligence in our lives and what place it will have in the future.
Getting lost in the back streets of Yanaka
It is the only place to have been spared the terrible earthquake of 1923 and the bombings of the Second World War. Located north of the city, this is the opportunity to see an old and preserved Tokyo. Stroll through its narrow streets lined with little wooden houses, each more charming than the next. Here and there temples, small cemeteries, cafes, restaurants as big as pocket handkerchiefs. The atmosphere is calm and relaxed, a perfect place for visitors seeking peace!
Yanaka
Feast on a Kaiten Sushi
In other words: a rotating sushi restaurant! The principle is simple: you sit at the counter or at a table and a conveyor belt scrolls the sushi in front of you. You just have to take the plates as you go, they are color coded according to the price of each dish. You will also have at your disposal a card or a tablet which will allow you to order a particular dish directly from the Chef. In all of these restaurants, green tea is offered through a small tap located near you. For the bill, an employee will come and count the number of plates you have used. Eating in a Kaiten Sushi is an experience to live at least once during a stay in Tokyo, you will be captivated by the dexterity of the cooks, as well as by the atmosphere, typically Japanese.
Kaiten Sushi à Tokyo
The must-sees in Tokyo… and after?
A multi-faceted city, Tokyo is sure to charm you. To organize your stay, do not hesitate to consult our complete guide which will give you all the practical information. And if your journey continues, you can find plenty of ideas for visits in the category dedicated to Japan.
