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Top 16 Places To Visit In Tokyo

Tokyo, Japan

Tokyo, the capital city of Japan, is one of the best places to visit in Asia. It is home to the Imperial Palace and the seat of Government and Parliament, as well as luxury hotels, Michelin-starred restaurants, and fantastic shopping.

The cultural side of Tokyo is famous for its numerous things to do and top attractions, including museums; festivals; internationally noted cuisine; and professional sports clubs, including baseball, football, and traditional Japanese pursuits like sumo wrestling. It's also a city rich in music and theater, with numerous venues featuring everything from Japanese modern dramas to symphony orchestras and pop and rock concerts.

Here are the Top 16 Places to Visit in Tokyo, which are worth visiting on your Tokyo Trip:

1. Meiji Shrine

A striking example of traditional Japanese architecture, this shrine symbolizes peace and serenity. The Meiji Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the deities of Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken and is a beautiful reminder of tradition. Tourists may write their wishes and tie them to the columns as the locals do, and on Sunday mornings, a traditional Shinto wedding ceremony can be witnessed in the temple. Many Japanese festivals can be witnessed at the shrine all year round.

2. Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden

Walkthrough one of Tokyo's most historic pieces of land when you visit the Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden. Formerly the residence of the Naito family during the Edo period (17th-19th centuries), it was transferred to the Imperial Family. It is now a national garden, which opened in 1949, and is considered to be one of the most beautiful in Japan. The garden is considered one of the best because it fuses together three types of traditional gardens: French Formal, English Landscape, and Japanese traditional. It also happens to be one of the best spots in Tokyo to view the cherry blossoms, as the garden has roughly 1,500 cherry trees.

3. Tokyo Sky Tree

One of JapanÍs newest attractions, the Tokyo Sky Tree is a mesmerizing feat of engineering during the day and an illuminated marvel at night. It serves as the primary radio and television broadcasting site for the Kanto region and has two viewing galleries- the Tempo Observation Deck and the Tempo Gallery, through which the stunning Tokyo skyline can be seen. Tokyo is best viewed at night from the galleries, for the city comes to life. A large shopping center and an aquarium are located at its base. At a towering height of 634 m, it is the tallest tower in Japan.

4. Tokyo DisneySea

Tokyo's DisneySea is one of the most impressive theme parks around the world with many references to ocean and sea myths, and many Disney-themed ports, like the Mermaid Lagoon and The Mediterranean Harbour. This is not only a great attraction for children, but also for adults as it serves an eclectic variety of food. A 176-acre theme park boasting many attractions, it is a must-see for children and adults wishing to discover whimsy and delight.

5. Ueno Park and Ueno Zoo

A paradise-like oasis of green in the heart of busy Tokyo, Ueno Park (Ueno Koen) is the city's largest green space and one of its most popular tourist attractions. In addition to its lovely grounds, the park also boasts numerous temples and museums to explore. Criss-crossed by pleasant gravel paths, this 212-acre park includes highlights such as a trip on a small boat on the reed-fringed Shinobazu pond, around a little island with its Bentendo Temple. Be sure to also visit the 17th-century Toshogu Shrine (Nikko Tosho-gu), with its 256 bronze and stone lanterns.

Another highlight here is Ueno Zoo (Onshi Ueno Dobutsuen). Opened in 1882, it is Japan's oldest zoo and is famous for the pandas presented by the People's Republic of China. While it's a large attraction and houses more than 3,00 animals representing some 400 species, having a fun monorail connecting its various components can help speed up a visit (and make it even more enjoyable). The Aqua-Zoo, one of the largest aquariums in Asia, is also worth a visit, especially if you're traveling with kids.

6. Tokyo Imperial Palace Area

The chief attraction of Tokyo's Marunouchi district is the Imperial Palace (Kokyo) with its beautiful 17th-century parks surrounded by walls and moats. Still, in use by the Imperial family, the Imperial Palace stands on the site where, in 1457, the Feudal Lord Ota Dokan built the first fortress, the focal point from which the city of Tokyo (or Edo, as it was then) gradually spread. As famous as the palace is the Nijubashi Bridge leading to its interior, a structure that takes its name ("double bridge") from its reflection in the water. Other notable features include the two-meter-thick wall surrounding the palace and its gates, one of which leads to the East Higashi-Gyoen Garden.

7. Senso-Ji Temple

In the Asakusa district of Tokyo, the exquisite Senso-Ji Temple (Kinryu-zan Senso-ji)) – the city's most famous shrine – stands at the end of a long street market hosting vendors selling masks, carvings, combs made of ebony and wood, toys, kimonos, fabrics, and precious paper goods. Dedicated to Kannon, the Buddhist goddess of compassion, the temple was established in AD 645 and retains its original appearance despite having been rebuilt numerous times.

8. Takaosan

Takaosan or Mount Takao is the answer to the adventurous; with hiking trails, natural hot spring bathhouses, natural parks, and ecological museums. Takaosan is a haven for the adventurous, and tourists who love hiking. There is a network of numbered hiking trails leading up to the summit of the mountain. It also has a cable car route, near the station at the summit, there is an observation deck where tourists may observe a breathtaking aerial view of Tokyo. Since Takaosan has been the subject of much mountain worship, a beautiful temple is along the hiking trails, called Yakuoin.

Attractions like the monkey park also lie along with hiking trail number 1. Near the base of the mountain, many tourists will find Keio Takaosan Onsen Gokurakuyu, a hot spring bathhouse with gender-segregated baths, for a relaxing experience. The area is also home to many varieties of cherry blossom trees.

9. Tokyo National Museum

Tokyo National Museum houses more than 100,000 important works of Japanese, Chinese, and Indian art, including more than 100 national treasures. Opened in 1938, the TNM, as it's usually known, includes highlights such as numerous Buddhist sculptures from Japan and China dating from the 6th century to the present, as well as fine collections of old textiles, historical weapons, and military equipment.

10. Miraikan and Edo-Tokyo Museums

One of Tokyo's newest museums, the impressive National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation (Nippon Kagaku Mirai-kan) – usually simply referred to as the Miraikan – offers a fascinating insight into Japan's leading role in the field of technology. Created by Japan's Science and Technology Agency, this ultra-modern, purpose-built facility includes many hands-on interactive exhibits dealing with everything from earthquakes to weather, as well as renewable energy and robotics. Highlights include a number of displays relating to modern transportation such as a superb model of a Maglev train, as well as a robotics exhibition.

Also worth visiting is the Edo-Tokyo Museum. Completed in 1993, the museum's exhibits deal with the region's rich past, present, and future.

11. National Art Center

Another of Tokyo's world-class museums, the excellent National Art Center is housed in a remarkable curved glass building in the city's Roppongi district. This superb facility only opened in 2007 and has since earned a well-deserved reputation for its fine permanent collection of more than 600 paintings, most from the 20th century. These include many important pieces of modern art and regular visiting exhibitions.

12. Nezu Shrine

Not too far from the Yanaka area, Nezu Shrine is a Shinto shrine located in Bunkyo ward, which is also walking distance from the Ueno area. The shrine is best known for its Azalea Festival in springtime, but a great spot to visit all year round. If Fushimi Inari Taisha in Kyoto is your thing, Nezu Shrine also has a gorgeous tunnel made with numerous vermilion torii gates, and it’s 100% photo-worthy.

13. Tsukiji Market

The main attraction of the Tsukiji Market is the sight of fresh produce and the atmosphere of fast business, with a tuna auction and the activity of the wholesale producers. The market is divided into inner and outer parts, and tourists are mostly encouraged to explore the outer market, where they are less likely to interfere with business. There are certain rules to be followed before entering the market, which include not touching any produce, not bringing small children, or wearing heels and uncomfortable shoes. Tourists may conclude the visit with freshly made sushi and sashimi for breakfast or lunch, with the high-quality produce found at Tsukiji.

14. Harajuku

The most trendy and fashionable district of Japan, it is a haven for extreme fashion and cosplay, as well as teenage anime and themed-caf_ enthusiasts. If there is a trendsetting district in Tokyo, it is the Harajuku district. The roads are filled with people sporting different kinds of extreme styles, which makes Harajuku the most fashionable district in Tokyo.

15. Akihabara

This district is a delight to tourists interested in electronics, gaming, anime, manga, and otaku (nerd) culture. Akihabara is widely acknowledged for itÍs technological and electronics market, and its gaming culture.

16. Roppongi

Roppongi is one of the most foreigner-friendly districts of Japan, with many embassies located there, and a roaring nightlife as well. The bars and restaurants all cater specifically to the ex-pat community and the district is composed mainly of elegant shopping malls, museums and immaculate residential areas (Roppongi Hills and Tokyo Midtown), and gardens. It is one of the most developed cultural places in Tokyo, as it boasts the National Art Centre. For a slice of the modern and sleek, Roppongi is a touristÍs best bet in Tokyo.

Besides these, there is much to explore in Tokyo like Yomiuriland, Shibuya Crossingm, Kabuki-za Theatre, National Museum of Western Art, National Museum of Nature and Science, Ginza District, Tsukishima Monja Street, and much more...

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