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Japan
Tokyo
Ancient temples next to neon crossings, sushi at dawn, rooftop views from Shibuya Sky and Tokyo Tower, digital art museums and tiny bars in Golden Gai.
The best of Tokyo, according to 4 travel creators
We read 4 Tokyo itineraries and counted which places come up again and again. Higher on the list means more creators recommend it.
Save to PinterestBest things to do in Tokyo
1.Meiji Jingu
Harajuku4 of 4 creators recommendFree
Shinto shrine to Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken in a big planted forest beside Harajuku Station.
2.Akihabara Electric Town
Akihabara3 of 4 creators recommendFree
Tokyo's electronics, anime, manga and gaming district. Chuo-dori closes to cars on Sundays.
3.Kabukicho
Shinjuku3 of 4 creators recommendFree
Shinjuku's nightlife district, home to the Godzilla head on the Toho building.
Tip: Ignore touts.
4.Senso-ji
Asakusa3 of 4 creators recommendFree
Tokyo's oldest temple, dedicated to Kannon, reached through the Kaminarimon gate and the Nakamise shopping street.
Tip: Go early morning or after dark to beat the crowds.
5.Shibuya Scramble Crossing
Shibuya3 of 4 creators recommendFree
The famous all-directions crossing outside Shibuya Station's Hachiko exit.
6.Imperial Palace East Gardens
Marunouchi2 of 4 creators recommendFree
Free gardens on the site of Edo Castle's inner keep, with the old castle foundations.
Tip: Closed Mondays and Fridays.
7.Kabukiza
Ginza2 of 4 creators recommendfrom $3.16
Tokyo's main kabuki theatre. Single-act tickets let you watch one act from the top floor.
8.Ryogoku Kokugikan
Ryogoku2 of 4 creators recommendfrom $25
Tokyo's national sumo arena. Grand tournaments run in January, May and September; nearby stables hold morning practice.
Tip: Tournament tickets sell out fast.
9.Shibuya Sky
Shibuya2 of 4 creators recommendfrom $16
Open-air rooftop deck about 230 m up on Shibuya Scramble Square, looking straight down on the crossing.
Tip: Sunset slots sell out weeks ahead: book online.
10.Takeshita Street
Harajuku2 of 4 creators recommendFree
Narrow street opposite JR Harajuku Station packed with youth-fashion shops and crepe stands.
11.teamLab Planets
Toyosu2 of 4 creators recommendfrom $24
Barefoot digital art museum where you wade through water and gardens of light.
Tip: Timed tickets online only.
12.Tokyo National Museum
Ueno2 of 4 creators recommendfrom $6.32
Japan's oldest and largest museum, with a vast collection of Japanese and Asian art.
Tip: Closed Mondays.
13.Ueno Park
Ueno2 of 4 creators recommendFree
Big public park holding national museums, Ueno Zoo, Toshogu shrine and Shinobazu Pond. Famous for cherry blossoms.
14.Asakusa Culture Tourist Information Center
Asakusa1 of 4 creators recommendFree
Kengo Kuma-designed tourist centre opposite Kaminarimon, with a free 8th-floor terrace over Nakamise and Tokyo Skytree.
15.Daikanyama & Ebisu
Daikanyama1 of 4 creators recommendFree
Laid-back neighbourhoods south of Shibuya with boutiques, cafés and the T-Site bookshop.
Where to eat in Tokyo
1.Tsukiji Outer Market
Tsukiji3 of 4 creators recommendFree
Blocks of seafood, knife and food stalls that stayed in Tsukiji after the wholesale market moved to Toyosu.
Tip: Many shops close Sundays, holidays and some Wednesdays.
2.Shinjuku Golden Gai
Shinjuku2 of 4 creators recommendfrom $6
Six narrow alleys of about 200 tiny bars in low postwar buildings.
Tip: Many bars charge a cover; some are regulars-only.
3.bills Omotesando
Harajuku1 of 4 creators recommendfrom $16
Bill Granger's Sydney café, known for ricotta hotcakes.
4.Gonpachi Nishi-Azabu
Nishi-Azabu1 of 4 creators recommendfrom $44
Big Edo-style izakaya in a wooden building, linked to the Kill Bill fight scene. Soba, yakitori and grills until late.
Tip: Book weeks ahead.
5.Ichiran Shibuya
Shibuya1 of 4 creators recommendfrom $6.82
Tonkotsu ramen chain known for solo booths and order sheets to customise your bowl.
6.Kyubey Ginza
Ginza1 of 4 creators recommendfrom $163
Edomae sushi in Ginza: omakase and set sushi at the counter.
Tip: Book weeks ahead.
7.La Cocorico Ueno
Ueno1 of 4 creators recommendfrom $9.47
French bistro known for rotisserie chicken, by Ueno Park.
8.Matcha Stand Maruni
Tsukiji1 of 4 creators recommendfrom $4.11
Small Tsukiji tea stand whisking matcha to order. Open 8 am-4 pm, closed Wednesdays.
9.Teppanyaki mon cher ton ton
Hibiya1 of 4 creators recommendfrom $69
Teppanyaki inside The Peninsula Tokyo where chefs grill wagyu and seafood at the counter.
Tip: Book weeks ahead.
10.The Pizza Bar on 38th
Nihonbashi1 of 4 creators recommendfrom $144
38th-floor pizza omakase at Mandarin Oriental Tokyo.
Where to stay in Tokyo
1.Aman Tokyo
Otemachi1 of 4 creators recommendfrom $76
Luxury hotel at the top of The Otemachi Tower.
2.Hotel Fukudaya
Meguro1 of 4 creators recommendfrom $106/night
Small traditional ryokan with tatami rooms in a quiet street near Shibuya.
3.The Gate Hotel Tokyo by Hulic
Hibiya1 of 4 creators recommendfrom $263/night
Upscale hotel in the Hibiya and Ginza area.
4.UNPLAN Shinjuku
Shinjuku1 of 4 creators recommendfrom $53/night
Design hostel near Shinjuku-sanchome with dorms, private rooms and a ground-floor lounge.
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