Last updated on April 15th, 2024
Visit Tokyo – Imperial Palace
The Imperial Palace is even more important to the Japanese than it is to the tourists who visit Tokyo. So, expect large crowds. You can get to the Imperial Palace from Tokyo Station. Each day, thousands of tourists visit the extensive grounds, gardens and the Niju-bashi Bridge. Adjoining the palace grounds is Hibiya Park.
Just outside the Imperial Palace grounds to the southwest is the National Diet Building. Diet refers to elected government politicians and has nothing to do with food. Nearby, south of Tokyo Station, Ginza has department stores with the latest fashions. Akihabara has the latest in technology and is just north of Tokyo Station.
Visit Tokyo – Ueno Park
Spend a day in Ueno Park. You can get to Ueno Park from Ueno Station. Ueno Park is famous for the cherry blossoms in spring. The park has a number of shrines, including the Kaneiji Temple, Kiyomizu Kannon Temple and the Toshogu Shrine. Pathways are lined with stone lanterns. The Ueno Zoo is located in the park too.
Ueno Park also has most of Japan’s museums on its grounds. Museums include the National Museum of Western Art, the National Museum of Nature and Science, the Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum, the Tokyo National Museum, the Ueno Royal Museum and the Shitamachi Museum. After visiting Ueno Park, head to the Asakusa Kannon Temple.
Senso-ji Asakusa Kannon Temple
The Senso-ji Asakusa Kannon Temple is a 1,300 year old Buddhist temple. It includes the Kaminarimon Thunder Gate, the main hall and a 5 story pagoda. Women can sometimes still be seen wearing kimonos at this location. Receive your fortune and if it’s a bad one, tie the bad fortune back to a stand by the temple, so that you can leave it behind.
Nakamise Pedestrian Shopping Street
The Nakamise Pedestrian Shopping Street starts immediately at the south side of the Asakusa Knannon Temple. The Nakamise Pedestrian Shopping Street is lined with shops and food stands. While in this area, also visit the Tokyo Skytree. The Tokyo Skytree is an observation deck, cafe and restaurant on the highest building in Tokyo.
Visit Tokyo – Sumida River Cruise
Another way to get to the Asakusa Kannon Temple is to take a Sumida River Cruise from Hinode Pier on Tokyo Bay. See the Rainbow Bridge, which changes to various colors at night. For some strange reason, a miniature Statue of Liberty stands near the bridge. Try a Tokyo Tower, Tea Ceremony and Sumida River Cruise Day Tour. Along the waterfront of Tokyo Bay, shop at Aqua City Odaiba and see the Fuji TC Building, Tokyo Big Sight, and Telecom Center.
Visit Tokyo – More Sights
- Tokyo Tower – Japan’s second tallest structure with views over the city. Stand over the glass-floor and look at the city below your feet. Visit Zojo-ji Buddhist Temple in the park beside the Tokyo Tower.
- Happo-en Japanese Garden – have tea and admire the bonsai trees.
- Tsukiji market – large wholesale market for fish, fruits and vegetables.
- Shinjuku is a busy commercial area and the place to be for night life. Take a train to Shinjuku Station to get there.
- Tokyo Disneyland – right downtown on Tokyo Bay.
Visit Tokyo – Hotels
- Hilton Tokyo Odaiba
- InterContinental Tokyo Bay
- The Royal Park Hotel Tokyo Shiodome
Visit Tokyo – Meiji Jingu Shrine
The Meiji Jingu Shrine is a popular destination for tourists and locals too. You can still see traditional Japanese wedding processions taking place here. You can also see prayer tiles. The Meiji Jingu Shrine is found in Yoyogi Park.
Visit Tokyo – Shibuya Crossing
Shibuya is a busy fashion district. At Shibuya Crossing, all traffic is repeatedly stopped for pedestrians to simultaneously cross the street in multiple directions. Locals are the ones who use Shibuya Crossing, but tourists come there to take pictures of the people crossing. Shibuya Crossing is a short distance from Shibuya Station.
Things to See and Do near Tokyo
- Take a day trip to the Japanese Alps in the Nagano area.
- Nikko Toshogu Shrine Complex. This Shinto shrine is a World Heritage site and includes the Shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu’s mausoleum. Nikki Toshogu Shrine Complex is about 2.5 hours north of Tokyo on the Tobu Nikko Line.
- Mt Fuji Day Trip including Lake Ashi Sightseeing Cruise
- Take a Central Japan Railway Company bullet train to Kyoto. You can catch glimpses of Mount Fuji on the trip.
- Nikko National Park Day Trip from Tokyo
Savor the Tastes of Tokyo
- Sushi Making and Tsukiji Fish Market Morning Tour
- Tokyo by Night: Japanese Food Tour
Get to Tokyo by Air
There are two airports you can use to get to Tokyo. Narita International Airport (NRT) is northeast of the city and operates international flights. Delta, All Nippon Airways and United operate out of Narita International. The express train from Narita International to Tokyo takes about an hour.
Haneda Airport (HND) is at the southern end of the city and operates mainly domestic flights. A monorail from Haneda Airport takes about a half hour to reach downtown.
Get to Tokyo – Cruise Ships
Small cruise ships can reach Tokyo and dock at Harumi Passenger Ship Terminal on Harumi Island. Larger cruise ships dock at Osanbashi Pier in Yokohama. An express train links Yokohama with Tokyo Station and Narita International Airport.
Get Around Tokyo
Tokyo excels at rail transportation like no other city, so be prepared to use the trains to get around Tokyo. East Japan Railway Company operates in Tokyo and also in areas northeast of the city. There are 3 types of trains in Tokyo: local (Futsuu), express (Kuuko) and bullet (Shinkansen). Prices vary with speed. Express trains link Tokyo Station, Shinjuku Station, Narita International Airport and Yokohama.
Central Japan Railway Company operates the popular Tokaido-Sanyo bullet train (Shinkansen) from Tokyo to Kyoto, Osaka and Hiroshima.
Visitors are eligible to buy a Japan Rail Pass for unlimited use of bullet trains and local rail.
Tokyo Weather
The Tokyo weather is hot and humid in the summer. In winter, the Pacific Ocean keeps temperatures from dropping below zero most of the time. Average temperatures peak in July and August at 90 F (32 C), while lows are about 73 F (23 C). From December to February average highs are 52 F (11 C) and average lows hover around freezing.
Rainfall is highest from August to October with the peak being in August. Winter sees the lowest precipitation. Snowfall is rare, but it can be quite heavy. Rare snowfalls can cripple the city when they do happen. Spring is likely the best time to visit Tokyo for good weather and cherry blossoms.
Visit Tokyo – Background
Tokyo was a small fishing village named Edo in the 1200s. Today more than 9 million people live in Tokyo, but the metro area has nearly 40 million people. Tokyo is the capital of Japan, the seat of government and the home of the Imperial Family. It’s also home to the largest percentage of Fortune 500 companies in the world.
Tokyo is considered to be one of the friendliest, cleanest, most livable and most expensive cities in the world.
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