Sights and landmarks in Tokyo

Sights and landmarks in Tokyo

1. SeeAkasaka

   21_21 Design Sight

   Changing exhibitions devoted to the latest and greatest in Japanese design.

   10:00-19:00 (last entrance 18:30); Tue off

2. SeeMinato

   Aquapark shinagawa

   アクアパーク品川

   A popular aquarium with exhibits that combine dolphin shows and technology. The tunnel tank includes manta rays, green sawfish, and the only dwarf sawfish on display in the world.

3. SeeTaito

   Asakura Museum of Sculpture

   朝倉彫塑館

   Sculptor Asakura Fumio (Artist name Kōso 1883-1964) designed this atmospheric house himself. It combined his original Japanese home and garden with a large studio that incorporated vaulted ceilings, a 'sunrise room' and a rooftop garden with wonderful neighbourhood views. It's now a reverential museum with many artist's signature realist works, mostly of people and cats, on display. This is a wonderful place to stroll and contemplate the meaning of life. You must remove footwear before entering the museum, but cannot go barefoot, so you must wear socks.

   Tue Wed Fri-Sun 09:30-16:30·Adult ¥500, student ¥250

4. SeeShibuya

   Bunkamura

   Bunkamura-dori. A complex featuring an excellent art museum, in addition to theaters for film and stage plays. On the basement floor there's an art and design bookstore as well as a branch of Paris' famous Les Deux Magots café.

5. SeeBunkyo

   Bunkyo Civic Center

   文京シビックセンター bunkyō shibikku sentaa

   The lavish government building for the Bunkyo ward of Tokyo, once described in the Japan Times as "a colossal Pez candy dispenser." A free observation deck on the 25th floor, jutting out of the top like the Starship Enterprise, commands a fine view of much of Tokyo.

   Free

6. SeeShibuya

   Center Gai

   センター街 Sentaa-gai

   The narrow street leading away from the station to the left of the giant video screen, it's famous as the birthplace of many of Japan's youth fashion trends. Center Gai is jam-packed with clothing stores, music stores, and video game arcades. This is a great place to stroll and feel the Shibuya vibe.

7. SeeChiyoda

   Chidoriga-fuchi Moat

   千鳥ヶ淵

   One of, if not the most prominent cherry blossom site in Tokyo, and attracts throngs of people in its March-to-April peak season. It is located just across the street from Yasukuni-shrine. Rowboats are also available for one to row along a limited portion of the moat at ¥500 for 30 minutes, ¥1000 for an hour and at a slightly more expensive rate during cherry blossom periods.

8. SeeSumida

   Edo-Tokyo Museum

   江戸東京博物館 Edo-Tōkyō-hakubutsukan

   This bizarre multi-story edifice suspended in midair and bearing not a small resemblance to a Star Wars Imperial Walker (meant to be a replica of an old raised warehouse) covers the history of the metropolis, starting from 1590 when it was selected as Japan's new capital Edo, all the way through the Kanto earthquake and firebombings of World War II. The museum is built with the latest technology including life-size replicas of entire buildings and the Nihombashi Bridge. Free informative tours are available in several languages, depending on which volunteers are around; audio guides in several languages always available. Pair it up with a visit to the more intimately sized Fukagawa Edo Museum in nearby Kōtō ward, just a couple of stops away on the Toei Ōedo subway line.

   Tue-Sun 09:30 - 17:30, Sat 09:30 - 19:30; last admission 30 minutes before closing time·Adult ¥1,300, age 65 and over ¥650, university student with ID ¥1,040, younger students with ID free; ¥100 discount for advance purchase

9. SeeShinjuku

   Fire Museum

   消防博物館

   Three fire-fighting helicopters, ten trucks, and 3 floors of exhibitions. Very popular with kids, who can wear fire-fighting clothes and ride some of the helicopters and trucks.

   09:30-17:00, closed on Mondays·Free

10. SeeAkasaka

    Fujifilm Square

    Fujifilm's exhibition space for the latest and greatest in photography. Exhibits are usually free and well worth a visit.

    Daily 10:00–19:00·Free

11. SeeGinza

    Ginza Blossom

    銀座ブロッサム

    This theater hosts a variety of different events. See the website for a partial listing.

    Cost varies by event and seating

12. SeeMeguro

    Gohyakurakanji

    五百羅漢寺

    This temple contains over 300 statues, all with different facial expressions. They were all carved by the same monk from 1687 to 1695.

    09:00-17:00 all year round·¥300

13. SeeShibuya

    Hachikō

    ハチ公

    A diminutive statue of a dog tucked away in one corner of the big plaza outside the station, best known as a meeting place and for the story (see box). It is also the name of one of the many exits from Shibuya Station and the prime meeting place before a night out. Just hanging out near Hachiko for a while will give you some great people-watching.

14. SeeChuo

    Hama-rikyū Gardens

    浜離宮恩賜庭園

    It was built by 17th-century shoguns for their private enjoyment. Hama-rikyu is now a public walking garden with an all-season range of flowers and flowering trees. The highlight is the tea house, picturesquely set on a small island in the middle of a pond, where green tea and sweets are available starting at ¥500, and ¥1000 for a set. The garden is next to Tsukiji fish market. A boat which runs up the Sumida River to Asakusa used to depart from inside the garden, but has been suspended indefinitely.

    Park admission ¥300 (age 65+ ¥150, primary school children free)

15. SeeShinjuku

    Hanazono Shrine

    花園神社

    More remarkable for its location than its appearance, but it's a nice place to take a breather. There's often a flea market in the surrounding park on weekends.

16. SeeShinagawa

    Hara Museum of Contemporary Art

    原美術館, hara-bijutsukan

    This small museum hosts a variety of interesting exhibitions in a 1930s house which is a great example of modern architecture in pre-war Japan. There is a very nice indoor/outdoor cafe. (2026: closed/moved to Gunma prefecture, see Wikipedia)

    Closed Mon; Tue Thu-Sun 11:00-17:00, Wed 11:00-20:00·¥1000 adults, ¥700 students

17. SeeChiyoda

    Hie Shrine

    日枝神社, Hie Jinja

    Another prominent shrine in Tokyo. Located atop a little hill at the edge of the area. Reached by a steep flight of stairs under a veritable tunnel of orange torii, the shrine grounds are an oasis of tranquility in the middle of Tokyo and, in good weather, a popular place for a lunchtime picnic. The Sanno Matsuri (山王祭) festival it hosts in June is counted among the 3 Great festival of Tokyo, featuring the usual panoply of music, dancing, yatai stalls and sake.

18. SeeBunkyo

    Hijiri-bashi Bridge

    聖橋

    On the Kanda river (神田川), on the border between Bunkyō and Chiyoda wards. It offers one of the best spots in Tokyo to see trains, three lines crossing each other (on the west, so better seen in the afternoon). Akihabara district in 500 m/10 min away to the east. Its name means Saints bridge. One side at Temple of Confucius Yushima Seido (湯島聖堂), the other side at cathedral of the Japanese Orthodox Church St. Nicholas Church (ニコライ堂, Nikorai do).

19. SeeShibuya

    Hikarie

    渋谷ヒカリエ

    Hikarie is a massive building on the east side of Shibuya Station with many restaurants, galleries, and theaters. Opened in 2012.

20. SeeChiyoda

    Holy Resurrection Cathedral

    ニコライ堂 Nikorai-do

    A beautifully-restored 1800s-vintage Russian Orthodox cathedral located near Ochanomizu Station on the Chuo Line. Use the Hijiribashi exit. The Hijiribashi bridge by the exit is one of the better looking bridges in Tokyo and looks moderately attractive when lit-up at night.

21. SeeToshima

    Honmyōji Temple

    本妙寺

    This temple is known for a fire called Meireki-no-Taika, an inferno 400 years ago which killed over 100,000 people. It is said that this fire broke out in Honmyōji. There are also some tombs of famous people in this temple. A Japanese swordman Chiba Shūsaku and a political office leader Tōyama Kinshirō, for example.

22. SeeToshima

    Hōmyōji

    法明寺

    Famous Japanese temple built in 810. Features the statue of Kishimojin (鬼子母神像) who is a Japanese God of fertility. Visitors go to Hōmyōji to pray for their children's birth, growth and security. The Kishimojin figure typically take the form of the devil, but this statue holds a baby, and the figure is beautiful. In this temple the Oeshiki-Taisai festival (御会式大祭) is held from October 16 to October 18 every year.

23. SeeChiyoda

    Idemitsu Museum of Arts

    出光美術館, Idemitsu Bijutsukan

    Has a noteworthy collection centering on Japanese traditional arts.

    Daily 10:00-17:00 (until 19:00 on Fridays)·¥1000 for adults

24. SeeChiyoda

    Imperial Palace

    皇居 Kōkyo

    Surrounded by a series of moats and high walls, the site of the former Edo Castle has been the official residence of the Japanese imperial family since 1868. Reputedly the most expensive square kilometre in the world, which during the height of Japan's bubble was estimated to be worth slightly more than California. The inner palace gardens and buildings are closed to the general public except on the second day of the New Year (January 2) and the Emperor's birthday (February 23), when the imperial family makes a public appearance, and the emperor gives a speech to his assembled subjects. However, foreigners can also apply online to join a free guided tour (M-F at 10:00 and 13:30). If you're feeling lucky, you can also try just showing up at the Imperial Household Agency office located in the northwest corner of the Imperial Palace Park, which is open 09:00-12:00, 13:00-14:00; if there's space, you can join a tour on the same day. Tours are conducted only in Japanese, but electronic audio guides (in English) will be lent to foreign visitors free of charge. At the end of the tour, visitors wishing to enter the East Gardens (see next entry) will be given entrance cards and allowed through to the gardens via a private gate, allowing them to bypass the lines at the main Ōte-mon entrance; pay attention to the announcement in Japanese and queue up as directed.

25. SeeChiyoda

    Imperial Palace East Garden

    Kept in impeccable shape, the gardens of the Imperial Palace are particularly beautiful during the March and April plum and cherry blossom seasons. During the Edo period, this was the heart of the Shogun's castle, and you can see the tenshudai, the raised platform where the tenshukaku (main keep) was once located, and an open field that was once the site of the honmaru goten, the Shogun's main residential palace. Entrance is free through a number of gates; you will be given a plastic entrance card at the gate, which you are obliged to return upon leaving; most visitors use the Ōte-mon (大手門) gate near the Ōtemachi subway station (exit C10). Also an easy walking distance from Tokyo station.

    Open daily except Mondays and Fridays

26. SeeMinato

    Institute for Nature Study

    自然教育園

    A 200,000 sq m nature preserve in the heart of the city, with birds and waterfowl, insects and marine life.

    Sep 1-Apr 30: 09:00-16:30, May 1-Aug 31: 09:00-17:00; closed Mondays, closed Dec 28-Jan 4·Adults ¥300, senior citizens and children free

27. SeeSumida

    Japanese Sword Museum

    刀剣博物館

    Display of all types of Japanese art swords and fittings, some of them centuries old. Beautiful view from balcony on 3rd floor over Kyū Yasuda Garden. Quite hefty entrance fee, but a must see for anyone interested in Japanese swords.

    Tue-Sun 09:30-17:00·¥1,500

28. SeeAkihabara

    Kanda Myojin Shrine

    Akihabara's own temple. You can buy a multi-piece charm for ¥1,000 which will protect your electronic devices from evil. It's mostly noteworthy for the festival it organizes around May. On this occasion, a massive shrine is traditionally carried through the streets of Akihabara, providing an interesting contrast with all the high-tech to say the least.

    Free

29. SeeChiyoda

    Kanda Shrine

    神田明神 Kanda-myojin

    This shrine has a history dating back to the 8th century and had been highly regarded under the Edo shogunate. The current red-pillared structure has been rebuilt after being completely destroyed in the 1923 Great Kanto Earthquake. The Kanda Matsuri festival, which takes place in mid-May every other year is one of the largest in Tokyo and is a sight to behold. Arrive before noon or the shrine gets packed with spectators.

30. SeeChiyoda

    Kitanomaru Park

    北の丸公園, kita-no-maru kōen

    Connected to the East Gardens on the north side is this park. Offering much of the same, it is a convenient way to get to Yasukuni Shrine. The park also houses the Nippon Budōkan (日本武道館), which regularly stages martial arts competitions and live concerts, as well as the Kagaku Gijyutsukan (科学技術館, Science museum).

31. SeeBunkyo

    Koishikawa Botanical Garden of the University of Tokyo

    小石川植物園

    Not one of the great gardens of Japan and sometimes a bit shabby, but a pleasant stroll with interesting trees, a medicinal herb garden and several ponds. Not to be confused with Koishikawa Korakuen.

32. SeeBunkyo

    Koishikawa Kōrakuen

    小石川後楽園

    Laid out in the 17th century, this splendid traditional garden boasts a large collection of trees and flowering plants that provide touches of beauty all year round. Winding paths, wooded hills, ponds teeming with ducks and fish. The place can be a little crowded at certain times of year (such as during the cherry blossom season in late March-mid April), but there's plenty of room for everyone.

    09:00-17:00 (last entry 16:30), closed Dec 29-Jan 1·¥300

33. SeeMeguro

    Kumano Shrine

    熊野神社

    Built 800 years ago. Surrounded by trees, people visit to pray or just for the peace and quiet. Some come for specific the worship practice of Yakuyoke, a purification ritual to drive out evil spirits. Like all shrines, they sell protective amulets for health, good studies, or traffic safety, but these are distinctively cute. For a traditional shrine, they have a particularly flashy website that gives a good preview.

34. SeeToshima

    Kōgan-ji Temple

    高岩寺

    This small temple in Sugamo is known for two statues: Togenuki Jizō, who heals sick children, and the boddhisattva Kannon, who will cure your pains if you wash themagical appropriate part of the statue. More morbidly, you can also pray to Kannon for a swift and painless death, so you will not be a burden to your relatives in your old age. Visitors pray Enmei Jizōson for their health too. The way to pray is unusual. People drink a small Japanese paper. A small picture of a stone statue of Enmei Jizōson is drawn on it.

35. SeeMeguro

    Meguro Gajoen

    目黒雅叙園

    A luxury hotel and wedding hall, with restaurants, cafes, and banquet rooms. One of the most popular attractions, though, is the spectacular public restroom.

36. SeeMeguro

    Meguro Parasitological Museum

    目黒寄生虫館

    One of a kind and oddly popular with couples on dates, although you might want to skip lunch before (or after) your visit here as the exhibits and pictures can be rather graphic. A compact two-story building, the most famous exhibit inside is an 8.8-meter-long tapeworm, with a matching string for you to take the measurement.

    Tue-Sun 10:00-17:00; closed around New Years·Free; donations appreciated

37. SeeChuo

    Mitsui Memorial Museum

    三井記念美術館, Mitsui Kinen Bijutsukan

    Art museum, the collection includes items used in the Japanese tea ceremony as well as Eastern antiques. Housed in an historic building dating back to 1926.

38. SeeShibuya

    Moyai statues

    モヤイ像

    Another popular meeting spot, this time on the south side of the station, the two Moyai statues here are a spin on Easter Island's famous moai, made from volcanic pumice on Niijima in the Izu Islands far south of Tokyo. This, not the originals, was the inspiration for the 🗿 emoji.

39. SeeShibuya

    Myth of Tomorrow

    明日の神話, Ashita no shinwa

    A huge mural by famous artist Tarō Okamoto, it commemorates the Hiroshima atomic bombing. A human figure in it burns and others appear to run from flames. The mural is at the entrance of the Inokashira line, 100 m from Hachikō. It was built in Mexico, found there in 2004 and brought to Japan in 2005. Under repair from Oct 2023.

40. SeeShibuya

    NTT DoCoMo Building

    sometimes called DoCoMo Tower

    This gigantic tower resembling a granite Empire State Building, south of the Shinjuku Station, is owned by NTT DoCoMo, Japan's largest cell-phone carrier. The upper part of the building is a mobile communications tower.

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Listings from the Wikivoyage guide to Tokyo (CC BY-SA 4.0).