12 Top attractions in Tokyo
Tokyo is, without a doubt, one of the most fascinating cities we have ever visited. The sheer scale, the people, the energy! Everything grabs you by the throat in the most exhilarating way.
It is also one of the largest metropolises in the world, if not the largest. With over 14 million people in the city itself and more than 40 million in the Greater Tokyo Area, the scale is simply mind-blowing. Add to that the busiest train network on the planet, with Shinjuku Station alone handling more than 3.5 million passengers daily, and you start to grasp the sheer intensity of this city.
In the autumn of 2024, we spent six full days in Tokyo, and putting together this list of top attractions in Tokyo was an easy task. Of course, there are a few usual suspects, some places are famous for a reason. But you will also find our personal favorites, places that truly left an impression on us. The order? Completely random. Because in Tokyo, there is something special on every corner, and every experience is uniquely personal.
So, get inspired, plan that trip, and experience these incredible places for yourself!
Team Lab Planets en Team Lab Borderless
TeamLab Planets Tokyo is an immersive digital art museum in the Toyosu district, where you walk through interactive installations. The museum blends light, water, and mirrors to create surreal, ever-changing environments.
There are four major exhibition spaces, including The Infinite Crystal Universe, where thousands of LED lights react to movement. In Floating in the Falling Universe of Flowers, digital flowers bloom and wither around you. The highlight for us? The Waterfall Room, where you walk through knee-deep water with koi projections that change upon touch.
TeamLab Borderless Tokyo is another revolutionary digital art museum, relocated to Azabudai Hills in 2024. Here, art has no fixed boundaries, and you continuously wander through shifting digital light installations. Light, colors, and projections seamlessly blend, making you feel like you are truly part of the artwork.
Both museums offer unique, interactive experiences that combine art and technology in the most spectacular way. Advance reservations are a must.
You can book your tickets here:
Shibuya Crossing
Of course, Shibuya Crossing is one of the usual suspects, if not the most important one. Skip this? Then you have not really been to Tokyo. And you would not be the only one thinking that, everyone wants to experience it.
But what exactly is Shibuya Crossing? It’s the busiest pedestrian crossing in the world, located right in front of Shibuya Station. At every green light, hundreds, sometimes thousands of people cross from all directions at once, creating a spectacular display of organized chaos. Surrounded by massive neon billboards and video screens, this is the place where you can truly feel Tokyo’s energy and modernity. The best viewpoints? The Starbucks above Tsutaya and, of course, the Shibuya Sky observation deck.
But Shibuya Crossing is more than just a busy intersection, it is a cultural icon, featured in movies, commercials, and all over social media.
We went twice. Once in the early morning, sipping coffee at L’Occitane Café on the second floor, already a great view of the chaos. And of course, at night, just before dark, when we headed to the observation deck. That’s when you witness the majestic transition from day to night, as the neon lights take over Tokyo’s skyline.
Want to visit the Shibuya Sky Observation Deck? Get your tickets here!
Tokyo Skytree
The Tokyo Skytree is without a doubt a tourist hotspot, but one that rewards you with a phenomenal view over the city. Sometimes, you just have to brave the crowds for an experience that is truly worth it, right?
At 634 meters, this is Japan’s tallest tower and the second tallest structure in the world, after the Burj Khalifa. Located in Sumida, the tower serves as both a broadcasting tower and an observation platform. There are two observation decks: the Tembo Deck (350m), offering panoramic views, and the Tembo Galleria (450m), where a glass walkway gives you the feeling of floating. On clear days, you can even spot Mount Fuji!
We combined our visit to the Tokyo Skytree with a stop at Senso-Ji Temple, which is about a 30-minute stroll away.
Want to guarantee your visit? Book your tickets in advance here, it saves you the queue and often gets you a discount!
Senso-Ji Temple
A visit to Senso-Ji Temple is perfectly combined with a trip to the Tokyo Skytree. These two landmarks are within walking distance, making it a great way to experience both historical and modern Japanese culture in one go.
Senso-Ji is Tokyo’s oldest and most visited Buddhist temple, located in Asakusa. Dedicated to Kannon, it was originally built in 628 and remains one of the city’s most iconic sites. Coming from the Tokyo Skytree, you enter through the impressive Kaminarimon (Thunder Gate), featuring its giant red lantern. This leads to Nakamise-dori, a lively shopping street lined with traditional snacks, souvenirs, and artisan crafts. At the end of this street, you will reach the main temple, which also features an imposing pagoda and a large incense burner, whose smoke is said to bring luck and good health.
Senso-Ji is especially stunning at night, when the temple and pagoda are beautifully illuminated, creating a magical atmosphere. The surrounding area is a blend of history and modern culture, with lively streets full of izakayas and shops.
We found this visit absolutely worth it, but be warned, it is one of the busiest attractions in Tokyo, so expect large crowds!
Shimo Kitazawa
Something completely different. It is not on many must-visit lists, but we loved wandering around Shimokitazawa for a few hours. Not a usual suspect, but definitely a neighborhood with a unique atmosphere.
Shimokitazawa is one of Tokyo’s trendiest and most creative districts. Known for its bohemian vibe, vintage stores, and alternative music scene, it mainly attracts young people, artists, and trendsetters. The area is packed with second-hand clothing shops, making it a paradise for vintage lovers. You will also find plenty of indie music venues, theaters, and cozy cafés.
No skyscrapers or wide boulevards here, Shimokitazawa is a maze of narrow alleyways, filled with street art, tiny bars, and unique boutiques. For us the perfect place to get pleasantly lost and discover a more authentic side of Tokyo.
Takeshita Street
Shopping in Tokyo comes in many forms, but Takeshita Street is in a league of its own. This is the place where Tokyo’s pop culture, fashion, and pure chaos collide. A narrow, overcrowded street in Harajuku, where you go from one surprise to the next.
Here, cosplayers, Kawaii lovers, and trendsetters wander past loud, over-the-top shops filled with brightly colored clothing, bizarre accessories, and things you absolutely don’t need. But let’s be honest, you want them anyway, right, Ella? Crepes with whipped cream and candy? Rainbow cotton swabs? Over-the-top bubble tea? You name it. Want to have tea with a few piglets and take a selfie with them? Yep, that’s an option too. Not our thing, but if that’s what you’re looking for, now you know where to go.
The crowd moves like a chaotic wave, while music blasts from every shop. Crowded, hysterical, completely overstimulatingl, but that’s exactly the magic. This is Tokyo at its most extravagant and eccentric best!
Meiji Shrine & Yoyogi Park
A world away from the chaos of Takeshita Street, yet just around the corner, are Meiji Shrine and Yoyogi Park. Here, it is all about history, culture, and tranquility.
In the heart of bustling Tokyo lies Meiji Shrine, a Shinto sanctuary dedicated to Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken, built in 1920 and nestled within a vast green forest. Upon entering, you pass through an imposing wooden torii gate, then follow wide gravel paths leading to the shrine. Along the way, you will see rows of sake barrels and wine casks, offered as tributes. The shrine itself exudes serenity and is a popular site for wedding ceremonies.
Adjacent to the shrine is Yoyogi Park, one of Tokyo’s largest city parks. Here, locals gather for picnics, live music, and street performances. On Sundays, you may often spot rockabilly dancers, cosplayers, and the occasional festival or market.
After the madness of Takeshita Street, we found this to be the perfect place to catch our breath and soak in a bit of Japanese spirituality and laid-back city life.
Starbucks Reserve
We are not necessarily Starbucks fans, but there are a few locations around the world that you just have to visit. The Starbucks Reserve Roastery Tokyo is definitely one of them.
This is no ordinary Starbucks, but a stunning, five-story coffee palace in Nakameguro. A paradise for coffee and pastry lovers, and without a doubt one of the most beautiful Starbucks locations in the world.
This Reserve Roastery offers an exclusive coffee experience, featuring a massive copper coffee bean silo as its centerpiece and a team of skilled roasters and baristas crafting coffee with precision.
What can you expect?
✅ Freshly roasted Starbucks Reserve coffees you will not find anywhere else
✅ Teavana Tea Bar with luxurious tea creations
✅ Arriviamo Bar serving coffee cocktails and alcoholic beverages
✅ Fresh pastries from an incredible bakery
The architecture (designed by Kengo Kuma) is breathtaking, with Japanese influences woven throughout. Its location along the Meguro River makes it even more special, especially during cherry blossom season.
Even if you are not a coffee lover or a Starbucks fan, this place is absolutely worth a visit!
Shinjuku Gyoen
On a beautiful, mild autumn morning, we visited Shinjuku Gyoen, just a stone’s throw from our lovely accommodation. This vast 58-hectare park, right in the middle of Shinjuku, was once an imperial garden and is now a public oasis where nature and tranquility come together.
Shinjuku Gyoen blends Japanese, English, and French garden styles, featuring expansive lawns, winding paths, and serene ponds. In spring, the park transforms into a fairy-tale landscape, with thousands of cherry blossoms in full bloom, making it one of the most popular spots for hanami (cherry blossom viewing). We visited in autumn, but that did not take away from the experience. The warm autumn colors gave the park an extra magical atmosphere.
During our visit, it was peacefully quiet, but even on busier days, the atmosphere remains calm and balanced. Visitors stroll by the ponds, sit under centuries-old trees, or enjoy a tea ceremony in the traditional teahouse.
Shinjuku Gyoen is the perfect place to escape Tokyo’s madness. To pause, unwind, and immerse yourself in the beauty of nature.
National Palace Imperial Gardens
The Imperial Palace and its surrounding gardens were also on our wishlist. And while the palace itself is unfortunately closed to tourists, we took a beautiful walk through the gardens, admiring the palace from a distance.
The Tokyo Imperial Palace is the official residence of the Japanese Emperor and stands on the site of the former Edo Castle. Located in the heart of the city, surrounded by wide moats and imposing stone walls, it is a place where history and nature come together.
Although the palace is not accessible, you can still get a glimpse of the famous Nijubashi Bridge, which leads to the inner palace complex. Luckily, the surrounding Imperial Gardens, including the East Gardens, are open to the public and provide a surprisingly peaceful oasis in the middle of the city. Here, you can wander past traditional landscape architecture, historic watchtowers, and expansive lawns. In spring, the cherry blossoms bloom, while in autumn, the Japanese maples turn a stunning shade of red.
A visit to the Imperial Palace and its gardens offers a unique glimpse into Japan’s imperial history.
Shinjuku by Night
During our time in Tokyo, we stayed in a lovely accommodation in the Shinjuku neighbourhood. Shinjuku is a great neighborhood during the day, but it truly comes alive at night.
It is one of the most iconic districts in the city, where urban life runs at full throttle. A mix of modern skyscrapers, neon-lit streets, and organized chaos. By day, it is a business hub, home to towering office buildings and the ultra-busy Shinjuku Station, which sees over 3.5 million passengers daily. But once night falls, Shinjuku transforms into a surreal and electric nighttime spectacle.
✅ Kabukicho – The Neon-Lit Entertainment District
Kabukicho is where Tokyo never sleeps. This vibrant nightlife district is packed with bars, karaoke spots, clubs, and bizarre theme cafés. The blazing neon signs and flashing billboards make it a visual overload in the best way possible.
✅ Omoide Yokocho – Authentic Eats in a 1950s Alley
For a completely different vibe, head to Omoide Yokocho, a nostalgic alleyway filled with tiny izakayas and yakitori stalls, where locals and tourists dine shoulder to shoulder.
✅ Golden Gai – Tiny Bars with Big Character
Golden Gai is a maze of narrow streets packed with tiny, one-of-a-kind bars, each with its own personality. The perfect spot for an intimate and authentic drinking experience.
Shinjuku by night is Tokyo at its most magical and intense!
Shopping in Ginza
There are so many ways to shop in Tokyo, and every neighborhood has something special. But if you arelooking for luxury and comfort, Ginza is absolutely worth spending an afternoon!
Ginza is Tokyo’s most exclusive shopping district, known for its designer boutiques, high-end department stores, and top-tier restaurants. This chic area blends modern architecture with refined Japanese elegance and is a joy to stroll through, even if shopping is not your thing.
Here, you will find the flagship stores of Louis Vuitton, Chanel, and Dior, as well as the largest Uniqlo in the world. A massive 12-story store packed with trendy and affordable Japanese fashion. For tech lovers, the Apple Store Ginza is one of the most stunning in the world.
Beyond shopping, Ginza is a foodie’s paradise, offering Michelin-starred restaurants, sushi bars, and traditional tea houses. Like almost everywhere in Tokyo, the atmosphere shifts at sunset, when the neon lights transform the streets and give Ginza an entirely different vibe.
Whether you come to shop, eat, or simply soak in the luxury and elegance of Tokyo, Ginza is simply a fantastic neighborhood.
Conclusion
So, these are our top attractions in Tokyo, and as mentioned, the usual suspects had to be on the list. But Tokyo is so much more than just the famous highlights.
It is a city that never stops surprising you, whether you are getting lost in a maze of alleyways, sinking into a tiny izakaya, or stumbling upon a magical viewpoint. Tokyo has an energy you need to feel, live, and experience.
Have you been to Tokyo, or is it still on your list? Let us know! We would love to hear about your favorite spots or help you with tips for your trip.