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Best Things to Do in Tokyo

Japan's capital and economic and cultural center

Updated: September 1, 2024

Introducing Tokyo’s daytime attractions! We will show you plenty of spots to enjoy Tokyo during the daytime, including downtown areas, beautiful parks, and historical sites.

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Tokyo is the capital of Japan and the economic, cultural, and political center of the country. Tokyo has 23 special wards. These wards represent the diverse culture, history, and contemporary charm of Tokyo. Here are some of the most popular wards and nightlife destinations for visitors to Tokyo.

Tourist Spots

SEASONAL

1. アートアクアリウム

Art Aquarium Goldfish and light fuse to create contemporary Japanese art

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Ginza

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Art Aquarium

Art Aquarium
Art Aquarium
Art Aquarium
Art Aquarium
Art Aquarium
Art Aquarium

Art Aquarium is a unique exhibition space that combines contemporary Japanese art and aquarium art. The exhibit revolves around traditional Japanese fish, especially goldfish. The goldfish on display swim amidst colorful lighting and artistic aquarium designs. Visitors can appreciate the beauty of these underwater creatures in a fantastic atmosphere.

Map IconAddress

Ginza Mitsukoshi, 4-6-16 Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo (Entrance reception/same-day tickets: 9th floor of the new building)

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Access Tokyo Metro Ginza Line, Marunouchi Line, Hibiya Line
"Ginza Station" A7 exit is immediate
Tokyo Metro Yurakucho Line
5-minute walk from Ginza-itchome Station (Exit 9)
Toei Asakusa Line/Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line
"Higashi Ginza Station" 2 minutes walk via the underground passage in the direction of Ginza Station
JR
9-minute walk from Yurakucho Station (Central Exit/Ginza Exit)
Official Site Art Aquarium

2. 新宿

Shinjuku Located in the heart of Tokyo, a vibrant city where business and entertainment merge

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Shinjuku

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City

Shinjuku
Shinjuku
Shinjuku
Shinjuku
Shinjuku

Shinjuku is a vibrant district where business, shopping, and entertainment converge. Shinjuku Station, one of the busiest stations in the world, is surrounded by large department stores, electronic shops, and dining establishments. Shinjuku Kabukicho, Japan’s largest entertainment district, is bustling with people seeking nightlife. For the Japanese, Shinjuku offers both convenience for daily life and leisure activities.

Best Things to do in Shinjuku

Best Things to do in Shinjuku

Map IconAddress

Shinjuku City Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo

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3. 渋谷

Shibuya A city known as a gathering place for young people's culture and a trendsetter.

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Shibuya

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City

Shibuya
Shibuya
Shibuya

Shibuya is the hub of youth fashion and culture, home to many shopping centers, apparel shops, restaurants, and clubs. The Shibuya Scramble Crossing is particularly famous for its bustling crowd. For Japanese people, Shibuya is a place where the trends and energy of youth are palpable, making it a social hotspot.

Best Things to do in Shibuya

Best Things to do in Shibuya

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Shibuya-ku, Tokyo

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4. 銀座

Ginza Tokyo's leading commercial area for luxury brand shopping

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Ginza

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District

Ginza
Ginza
Ginza

Ginza is the heart of luxury shopping and entertainment in Tokyo, lined with flagship stores of world-renowned brands, traditional Japanese confectionery shops, and high-end restaurants. It also houses cultural facilities such as the Kabukiza Theatre. For the Japanese, Ginza represents a special place for shopping, dining, and entertainment on significant occasions.

Best Things to Do in Ginza

Best Things to Do in Ginza

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Chuo-ku, Tokyo

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5. お台場

Odaiba Entertainment and shopping area located on Tokyo Bay

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Odaiba

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District

Odaiba
Odaiba
Odaiba
Odaiba

Odaiba is an artificial island in Tokyo Bay, featuring shopping malls, entertainment facilities, and observatories. It offers futuristic landscapes, such as the Rainbow Bridge and the spherical observation room of Fuji TV. Popular with families and couples, Odaiba is a leisure destination for the Japanese on holidays.

Best Things to Do in Odaiba

Best Things to Do in Odaiba

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Odaiba, Tokyo

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6. 池袋

Ikebukuro Large commercial area packed with shopping malls, entertainment facilities, and cultural institutions

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Toshima-ku

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District

Ikebukuro
Ikebukuro
Ikebukuro
Ikebukuro

Ikebukuro is a large commercial area packed with shopping malls, entertainment facilities, and cultural institutions. With attractions like Sunshine City, it offers a variety of amusements. For Japanese people, Ikebukuro is a hub of urban entertainment with diverse ways to enjoy the city.

Best Things to Do in Ikebukuro

Best Things to Do in Ikebukuro

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1 Chome Minamiikebukuro, Toshima City, Tokyo 171-0022

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7. 東京スカイツリー

Tokyo Skytree Japan's highest radio tower with a panoramic view of the city of Tokyo

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Oshiage

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Vantage point

Tokyo Skytree
Tokyo Skytree
Tokyo Skytree
Tokyo Skytree

The Tokyo Skytree stands as one of the tallest towers in the world, offering breathtaking views from its observation decks. It also features a shopping mall and aquarium at its base, making it popular among families. For Japanese people, it is a symbol of pride, representing the new face of Tokyo.

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1 Chome-1-2 Oshiage, Sumida City, Tokyo 131-0045

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8. 東京タワー

Tokyo Tower Red and white radio tower overlooking the city of Tokyo

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Minato-ku

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Vantage point

Tokyo Tower
Tokyo Tower

Tokyo Tower has been a symbol of Tokyo since the Showa era, offering beautiful views from its observation deck. The area around the tower, including temples and parks, provides a place of relaxation for visitors. For Japanese people, Tokyo Tower is a familiar figure that continues to watch over the changing city of Tokyo.

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2-8, Shiba-Koen 4-chome, Minato-ku, Tokyo

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9. 上野

Ueno A city rich in history and culture

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Ueno

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City

Ueno
Ueno
Ueno
Ueno

Ueno is an area rich in history and culture located in Taito Ward, Tokyo. Ueno Onshi Park is a vast park, famous for its cherry blossoms. It is also home to many cultural facilities such as the Ueno Zoo, the Tokyo National Museum, and the Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum.

Best Things to Do in Ueno

Best Things to Do in Ueno

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Ueno, Taito-ku, Tokyo

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10. 浅草

Asakusa Tourist attraction filled with Japanese charm

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Taito-ku

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City

Asakusa
Asakusa
Asakusa

Asakusa is one of the oldest areas in Tokyo and a place where one can experience traditional Japanese culture. Sensoji Temple is the oldest temple in Tokyo and attracts many tourists. On Nakamise Street, visitors can enjoy traditional Japanese souvenirs and food. Asakusa is an area where visitors can enjoy the atmosphere of old Tokyo.

Best Things to Do in Asakusa

Best Things to Do in Asakusa

Map IconAddress

Asakusa, Taito-ku, Tokyo

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11. 中野

Nakano A town that combines a friendly downtown atmosphere with the convenience of the city

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Nakano

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City

Nakano

Nakano, one of Tokyo’s 23 wards, is a vibrant area located in the heart of the city. It has convenient transportation and is a popular residential area. In particular, the area around Nakano Station is home to many commercial facilities, offering an abundance of shopping and dining options.

Map IconAddress

Nakano-ku, Tokyo

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Tokyo's Local Cuisine

1. 江戸前寿司

Edomae Sushi Sushi made with fresh seafood from Tokyo Bay

Edomae Sushi is made with fresh seafood from Tokyo Bay and is a symbol of Tokyo’s sushi culture. The artisanal skills of the sushi chefs are evident in the nigirizushi and makizushi, and the high-end sushi restaurants in Tsukiji Market and Ginza are particularly famous.

2. ラーメン

Ramen Various ramen from all over Japan

Tokyo is teeming with a wide variety of ramen restaurants. You can enjoy a variety of soups, such as soy sauce, salt, miso, and tonkotsu (pork bone). Tokyo’s ramen is especially popular among tourists because of its unique style and abundance of toppings.

3. うな重

Unaju Grilled broiled eel on a bed of rice

Unaju is extremely popular. Unaju is a dish consisting of grilled broiled eel on a bed of rice. In particular, unajyu served at long-established restaurants that have been in business since the Edo period offers a traditional taste.

4. もんじゃ焼き

Monjayaki Famous Teppanyaki Cuisine

Monjayaki is a teppan-yaki dish famous in downtown Tokyo, especially in the Tsukishima area. Ingredients such as cabbage, seafood, and meat are mixed into a thin batter and grilled on a teppan grill. It is a homey and familiar dish for locals, as they enjoy grilling it by themselves.

5. ちゃんこ鍋

Chanko-Nabe One-pot meals eaten by sumo wrestlers in their rooms on a daily basis

Chanko-nabe is a nabe dish served at the famous sumo stables in the Ryogoku district of Tokyo. It is nutritious and hearty, with plenty of meat, fish, and vegetables. Chanko-nabe is known as a dish used by sumo wrestlers to improve their physical strength.

6. 油そば

Aburasoba A kind of ramen without soup

Aburasoba is a type of ramen with no broth, a dish in which noodles are tossed with sauce. In Tokyo, there are many restaurants specializing in this dish, and with a wide variety of toppings, it is a fun way to customize the dish to your own taste.

7. 天ぷら

Tempura Fried dishes with fresh seafood and vegetables

Tempura in Tokyo is a deep-fried dish made with fresh seafood and vegetables and characterized by the Edo-mae technique. Its crispy texture and simple seasoning that makes the most of the flavors of the ingredients are appealing.

8. 深川めし

Fukagawa-meshi Rice cooked with clams

Fukagawa-meshi is a dish that originated in the Fukagawa district of downtown Tokyo. Typical dishes include rice cooked with clams and rice topped with miso soup with clams. This dish began as a fisherman’s dish and is still loved by the locals today, a simple yet delicious dish that shows the bounty of the sea.