134 Best Sights in Tokyo, Japan

The best part of this aquarium in southwestern Tokyo's Shinagawa-ku Residents' Park is walking through a 72-foot underwater glass tunnel while some 450 species of fish swim around and above you. Do your best to avoid weekends, when the dolphin and sea lion shows draw throngs in impossible numbers. As for bilingual signage, don't expect much, save, unironically, for the ticket machines.

This lovely, 144-acre garden was once the estate of the powerful Naito family of feudal lords, who were among the most trusted retainers of the Tokugawa shoguns. After World War II, the grounds were opened to the public. It's a perfect place for leisurely walks: paths wind past ponds and bridges, artificial hills, thoughtfully placed stone lanterns, and more than 3,000 kinds of plants, shrubs, and trees. There are different gardens in Japanese, French, and English styles, as well as a greenhouse (the nation's first, built in 1885) filled with tropical plants. The best times to visit are April, when 75 different species of cherry trees—some 1,500 trees in all—are in bloom, and the first two weeks of November, during the chrysanthemum exhibition.

When an inlet of Tokyo Bay receded around the 17th century, Shinobazu became a freshwater pond. Abbot Tenkai, founder of Kanei-ji on the hill above the pond, had an island made for Benzaiten, the goddess of the arts. Later improvements included a causeway to the island, embankments, and even a racecourse (1884–93). Today, the pond is in three sections. The first, a wildlife sanctuary, is home to the city's lotus flowers; this is the only place in Tokyo you can see them bloom from mid-June through August. Some 5,000 wild ducks migrate here from as far away as Siberia, sticking around from September to April. The second section, to the north, belongs to Ueno Zoo; the third, to the west, is a small lake for boating. In July, the Ueno matsuri (festival) features food stalls and music events at the pond's edge. At the pond's southwestern corner, there is also a bandshell with various music events throughout the year.

Perched in the middle of Shinobazu Pond, this temple is dedicated to the goddess Benten, one of the Seven Gods of Good Luck that evolved from a combination of Indian, Chinese, and Japanese mythology. As matron goddess of the arts, she is depicted holding a lutelike musical instrument called a biwa. The temple, built by Abbot Tenkai, was destroyed in the bombings of 1945; the present version, with its distinctive octagonal roof, is a faithful copy. You can rent rowboats and pedal boats at a nearby boathouse.

Counting more than 1,300 years of history, this bucolic temple is best known for its azalea-covered hills. Roughly from the middle of April until early May, hundreds of azalea bushes blossom in vibrant reds, pinks, purples, and whites, providing an uncharacteristically colorful backdrop to typically austere Buddhist grounds. On May 3, there is even an azalea matsuri, or festival, with visitors coming from throughout the region to celebrate the fleeting beauty of these spring flowers.

Paths meander around the grounds and lead to a large, hillside statue of Kannon, the goddess of mercy and compassion, where the views are particularly noteworthy. Also of interest is the hondo, or main temple hall, dating back from the Muromachi Era (approx.1336–1573).

Japanese society in the days of the Tokugawa shoguns was rigidly stratified. Most of the city's land was allotted to the warrior class, temples, and shrines. The rest—between Ieyasu's fortifications on the west, and the Sumida-gawa on the east—was known as Shitamachi, or "downtown" or the "lower town" (as it expanded, it came to include what today constitutes the Chuo, Taito, Sumida, and Koto wards). It was here that the common, hardworking, free-spending folk, who made up more than half the population, lived. The Shitamachi Museum preserves and exhibits what remained of that way of life as late as 1940.

The two main displays on the first floor are a merchant house and a tenement, intact with all their furnishings. This is a hands-on museum: you can take your shoes off and step up into the rooms. On the second floor are displays of toys, tools, and utensils donated, in most cases, by people who had grown up with them and used them all their lives. There are also photographs and video documentaries of craftspeople at work. Occasionally various traditional skills are demonstrated, and you're welcome to take part. This small but engaging museum makes great use of its space, and there are volunteer English-speaking guides.

Opened in the mid-1980s to celebrate the reign of Emperor Showa, this sprawling park, one of Tokyo's largest, is a short walk northwest of the JR Tachikawa station. Depending on the time of year, you'll be treated to seas of hydrangeas, tulips, and nemophilas or to paths covered in cherry blossoms or gingko leaves. A museum dedicated to Emperor Showa is at the southeastern entrance of the park, which also has a small Japanese garden, a replica of a Showa Era (1926–89) farmhouse, and a number of sports facilities and fountains.

At this novel and surprisingly spacious indoor theme park dedicated to miniatures, you can imagine what it's like to be a giant while wandering through various countries, time periods, and fantasy lands. Watch a small rocket launch, search for hidden characters, or create a mini-me and become a permanent resident.

The multilevel museum began its life as a place to showcase works by painter Seiji Togo (1897–1978), who was a master at capturing grace on canvas. Today, it exhibits his work alongside pieces by other Japanese and Western artists, such as Gauguin and Cezanne. The museum is also home to van Gogh's Sunflowers.

This Shibuya landmark and popular meeting place features Hachiko, a dog that has been portrayed in a few heart-wrenching films. As the story goes, every morning, Hachiko would accompany his master, a professor at Tokyo University, as far as Shibuya Station and then return to the station every evening to greet him. In 1925, the professor died of a stroke. Every evening for the next seven years, Hachiko went to the station and waited there until the last train had pulled out. The story of his loyalty spread, and Hachiko's fame grew. During the dog's lifetime, a handsome bronze statute of him was installed in front of the station at the exit that now bears his name. The present version is a replica—the original was melted down for its metal in World War II.

As chief of staff of the Meiji Imperial army, Takamori Saigo (1827–77) played a key role in forcing the surrender of Edo and the overthrow of the shogunate. Interestingly, Saigo himself fell out with the other leaders of the new Meiji government and was killed in an unsuccessful rebellion of his own. The sculptor Takamura Koun's bronze, made in 1893, sensibly avoids presenting Saigo in uniform, but instead with his dog. Entering Ueno Park from the south, the statue is on the right after climbing the large staircase on your way to Kiyomizu Kanon-do Temple.

Suginami is home to more than 100 animation studios, making it by far the animation creation center of Tokyo. Although you can’t visit any studios, exhibits at this small but highly interactive museum highlight the history of animation and demonstrate production processes. You can even sign up for workshops (for a fee) that enable you to create your own anime using digital screens.

One of Japan's most famous artists, Katsushika Hokusai (1760–1849) was born and spent much of his life in what's now Tokyo's Sumida-ku area, where he not only created iconic woodblock prints of Mt. Fuji and life in old Edo, but painted and sketched. Built where Hokusai grew up, this museum traces his life and work with the help of detailed English explanations. Although most pieces here are replicas, there are also a few originals on display, as well as a recreation of Hokusai's cramped workroom.

If you can't attend a sumo tournament, visit this museum in the south wing of the arena. There are no explanations in English, but the collection of sumo-related woodblock prints, paintings, and illustrated scrolls includes some nice examples of traditional Japanese fine art. Hours are limited to weekdays 12:30 to 4.

Part of the Sunshine City shopping and entertainment complex, which is housed in what was once Tokyo's tallest building, this aquarium is a good rainy day sight, especially if you have kids in tow. Although it's a bit of a trek from Ikebukuro Station, the way is lined with restaurants, shops, and arcades. There are 750 kinds of sea creatures on display, plus daily special events. English-language pamphlets are available, though most exhibits have some English explanation. Generally, its easy to buy entrance tickets in person, but, on holidays and weekends, you might want to make advance reservations via the website.

Based on the principle of dividing profits three ways, Suntory, Japan's beverage giant, has committed a third of its earnings to what it feels is its corporate and social responsibility: environmental conservation and providing the public with art and education. The establishment of the Suntory Art Museum in 1961 was just one of the fruits of this initiative, and the museum's current home at Tokyo Midtown Galleria is a beautiful place to view some of Tokyo's finest fine-art exhibitions. Past displays have included everything from works by Picasso and Toulouse-Lautrec to fine kimonos from the Edo period. The museum also runs occasional tea ceremonies in its traditional Gencho-an teahouse; check the website for the monthly schedule.

This retro shopping street between Shibamata Station and Taishakuten Temple has retained an old-Tokyo vibe, its wooden buildings having avoided both the heavy bombing that flattened much of Tokyo at the end of World War II and the subsequent redevelopment. Although the street developed as the approach to Taishakuten, Shibamata's renowned Buddhist temple, its connection to the eponymous site takes a back seat the items on sale here.

Taishakuten Sando is lined with small, family-run stores selling traditional snacks, such as savory senbei (rice crackers), dorayaki (sweet pancakes), and the Shibamata classic kusa-dango (sticky rice dumplings on skewers colored dark green because they include kudzu, or mugwort, in the mix). For the latter, stop by Monzen Toraya, a rice-dumpling specialist that has been around since 1887. Note that stores and restaurants here generally close sometime between 4 pm and 6 pm.

Established in 1629, this temple was damaged by the Great Kanto Earthquake of 1923, so its current incarnation dates from 1929. You enter through a towering wooden gateway that connects to Taishakuten Sando, Shibamata's main shopping street. Although admission to the grounds is free, it's worth paying the additional fee to enter the inner sanctuary, adorned with carvings of the life and teachings of Buddha, and the temple garden.

More a wildlife park than a zoo, this facility in Hino City (just north of Tama) gives animals room to roam; moats typically separate them from you, although, for an additional fee, you can take a bus ride through the lion enclosure for an up-close experience. To get here from Tama's main sights, take the Tama Monorail four stops from Tama Center Station to Tamadobutsu-koen Station.

Tokyo was once crisscrossed by tram lines, and this is its last surviving one. Also known as the Tokyo Sakura Tram, for its views during the cherry blossom season (sakura means "cherry blossom"), the tram runs for 12 km (7.5 miles) and makes 30 stops. A ride on it is a great way to experience some Tokyo history and see what everyday life in the city is like. You can access the tram from directly under the Yamanote Loop Line's Otsuka Station.

The tiny hillock Benten-yama, with its Bentendo temple to the goddess of good fortune, is the site of this 17th-century belfry. The bell here once tolled the hours for the people of the district, and it was said that you could hear it within a radius of some 6 km (4 miles). The bell still sounds at 6 am every day, when the temple grounds open. It also rings on New Year's Eve—108 strokes in all, beginning just before midnight, to "ring out" the 108 sins and frailties of humankind and make a clean start for the coming year. Benten-yama and the belfry are at the beginning of the narrow street that parallels Nakamise-dori.

The symbol of old Kawagoe is a 17.5-mete (57-foot) bell tower that's the perfect photo-op. Originally built in the 1600s, the current structure dates to 1893, when it was rebuilt following a fire that destroyed much of the city. It’s just north of the Ichibangai shopping street. Although the bell is now automated, it does still ring four times a day.

Much like at the original two Disney parks in the United States, Mickey-san and his troupe of Disney characters entertain here at Tokyo Disneyland. When the park was built in 1983, it was much smaller than its American counterparts. In 2001, the construction of the adjacent DisneySea and its seven "Ports of Call," all with different nautical themes and rides, added more than 100 acres and establishing the comprehensive Tokyo Disney Resort. Out of numerous ticket options, most opt for the One-Day Passport, which confers unlimited access to the attractions, as well as shows at one or the other of the two parks.

This complex contains restaurants, shops, and Tokyo Dome itself—a major concert venue and home to the Tokyo Giants baseball team and Japan's Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum. Outside, a small amusement park has a selection of kiddie rides, though the Thunder Dolphin roller coaster is a thrill at any age. A visit to the Spa LaQua hot spring, with its various baths and saunas, makes for a relaxing end to a day of sightseeing.

This postmodern masterpiece, the work of Uruguay-born American architect Rafael Viñoly, is the first major convention and art center of its kind in Tokyo and actually consists of two buildings. Viñoly's design was selected in a 1989 competition that drew nearly 400 entries from 50 countries. The plaza of the Forum is that rarest of Tokyo rarities: civilized open space. There's a long central courtyard with comfortable benches shaded by trees, the setting for an antiques flea market the first and third Sunday of each month and for a collection of food trucks most weekday lunchtimes. Transit fans should stroll catwalks to the top, where there's a view of the Tokyo Station JR lines.

By far the most eclectic of Ueno's art museums, the Tokyo Metropolitan has large-scale exhibitions with themes ranging from classic masterpieces to modern architecture. Smaller galleries often host group exhibitions of painting, photography, calligraphy, sculpture, and nearly any other kind of art you can think of. Many smaller exhibits are free.

Dominating the western Shinjuku skyline, this grandiose, Kenzo Tange–designed complex seems to serve as a reminder that Tokyo's annual budget is bigger than that of some countries. Several other area skyscrapers have free observation floors, but those—on the 45th floors of both towers (663 feet above ground)—at city hall are the best. On a clear day, you can see all the way to Mt. Fuji, as well as to the Boso Peninsula in Chiba Prefecture. The Metropolitan Government website, incidentally, is an excellent source of information on sightseeing and current events in Tokyo.

This three-story dome-like structure houses roughly 600 species of fish and other sea creatures within a dozen zones, including Voyagers of the Sea (Maguro no Kaiyu), with migratory species; Seas of the World (Sekai no Umi), with species from abroad; and the Sea of Tokyo (Tokyo no Umi), devoted to the creatures of the bay and nearby waters. Don't miss the giant 2,200-ton bluefin tuna tank, the rays, or the puffins.

This work of Kingo Tatsuno, one of Japan's first modern architects, was completed in 1914, with Tatsuno modeling his creation on the railway station of Amsterdam. The building lost its original top story in the air raids of 1945, but it was promptly repaired. In the late 1990s, a plan to demolish the station was impeded by public outcry. The highlight is the historic and luxurious Tokyo Station Hotel, on the second and third floors. The area around the station is increasingly popular for dining, shopping, and entertainment.

In 1958, Tokyo's fledgling TV networks needed a tall antenna array to transmit signals. Trying to emerge from the devastation of World War II, the nation's capital was also hungry for a landmark—a symbol for the aspirations of a city still without a skyline. The result was the 1,093-foot-high Tokyo Tower, an unabashed knockoff of Paris's Eiffel Tower, complete with great views of the city. The Main Observatory, set at 492 feet above ground, and the Top Deck, up an additional 330 feet, quickly became major tourist attractions. Both observation decks were renovated in 2018 and are still major draws. On weekends and holidays, ambitious visitors can make the 600-stair climb up to the Main Observatory.