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Attractions

Sightseeing in Tokyo can bring about sensory overload if you're not careful. Animated billboards, the buzz of a densely packed and highly energetic population, and glittering, gleaming architecture all compete for your attention. One thing is certain though, you'll never be bored.

The transport system is excellent, good value, and easy to figure out, even for westerners. However, the best way to view the city remains the oldest way: on foot, walking the streets, taking in the multitude of sights and sounds on your way. You'll be sure to find plenty of unexpected treasures, from little temples on a side streets, to the warm smile welcome of a local shop keeper.

Tokyo really does have something for everyone. Westerners honeymooners come to cultivate romance amidst the cherry blossoms, shoppers will find exactly what they're looking for and plenty on top of that, and even backpackers can find a way take in the culture without breaking the bank. The temples and museums listed below are well worth your time, or you can lose yourself in the neon lights of Shibuya, check out the hip Harajuku girls in Takeshita Street or cosplayers in Akihabara, and take the elevated train from Shimbashi station to the bayside Odaiba district, and ride on the giant ferris wheel.

If you're curious, you can also take a class in any number of traditional Japanese art forms, including calligraphy, tea ceremony, martial arts, massage, flower arranging or meditation. Tokyo also has a number of neon-lit pachinko parlours with men, women and childrentrying their hand at the popular game. Japanese sports such as baseball and sumo wrestling are also fun ways to get a taste of Tokyo culture.

Tokyo Imperial Palace

Japan's Imperial Palace is regarded as the heart and soul of Tokyo, standing on a huge site that still bears the remains of Edo Castle, stronghold of the Tokugawa shogunate. The present palace was completed in 1888 and is still home to the...  see full details

Yasukuni Shrine

To the north of the Imperial Palace lies the controversial Yasukuni Shrine, built to commemorate the Japanese war dead and now regarded as home to the souls of about two and a half million who perished in conflict, mostly in the Pacific War...  see full details

Akihabara

Tokyo's electronic wonderland has become world-renowned. In a small area near Chuo-dori Avenue, west of Akihabara Station, are clustered more than 250 electrical appliance and electronics shops, many of them now dealing in computer hardware and software, where expert staff can answer queries and...  see full details

Senso-ji Temple

The Asakusa neighbourhood of Tokyo draws visitors to admire the city’s oldest temple, Senso-ji, founded in AD628 with a quaint legend attached to it. The story goes that two young brothers fishing in the nearby river netted a golden image of Kan’non, the Buddhist...  see full details

Yokohama

While visiting Japan's largest city, Tokyo, it is quick and easy to pay a visit to the country's second largest metropolis as well: Yokohama can be reached in less than 30 minutes by train from Tokyo, lying south of the capital. The main...  see full details

Inokashira Park

Inokashira Park is a tranquil oasis amidst the bustle of Japan's capitol city. The park contains a temple dedicated to the goddess of love, a petting zoo and aquarium, and is lively with musicians, artists and street performers. One of the more popular...  see full details

Meiji Jingu

A hop, skip and jump away from the Harajuku Station, the Meiji Jingu is an easily accessible shrine and worthwhile stop in Tokyo. Built as homage to the Emperor Meiji and his wife, the Empress Shoken, this monument is located in a 175...  see full details