Ancient temples like Senso-ji share space with high-tech districts such as Akihabara. Home to the world's largest number of Michelin-starred restaurants and an extensive metro system.
Tokyo, Japan's capital and one of the world's largest cities, is where you'll find Buddhist monks chanting morning prayers at Sensoji Temple, engineers testing new robots in Akihabara's labs, and chefs crafting perfect sushi rolls in basement restaurants. Walk through streets where thousand-year-old temples sit next to glass skyscrapers, watch sumo wrestlers train at dawn, eat at a Michelin-starred ramen shop for lunch, and explore local markets filled with fresh seafood and traditional crafts.
Getting Around Tokyo
The city's railway network includes both subway and above-ground lines that connect all districts. JR East operates the Yamanote Line, which circles central Tokyo and stops at major stations including Tokyo, Shibuya, and Shinjuku. You can buy a PASMO or SUICA card to use on all public transport, eliminating the need to purchase individual tickets. The metro runs from early morning until midnight, with clear English signage throughout the system and station announcements in multiple languages.
Districts of Central Tokyo
At the Shibuya crossing, up to 3,000 pedestrians cross at once during peak times, while massive video screens and neon signs light up the intersection. Walk ten minutes west to reach the 134-acre Yoyogi Park and the 40-foot-tall wooden torii gates of Meiji Shrine. In Shinjuku, more than 3.5 million passengers pass through the station daily. Take the elevator to the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building's observation decks for free city views. In Asakusa, walk the 200-meter Nakamise shopping street to reach the five-story pagoda and giant red lantern of Sensoji Temple.
Modern Tokyo Experiences
From the Tokyo Skytree's observation decks at 350 and 450 meters, you can see across the city to Mount Fuji on clear days. At teamLab Planets in Odaiba, walk through knee-deep water as digital art installations respond to your movements. Akihabara's streets contain multi-story electronics stores, gaming centers, and shops selling everything from rare anime figures to vintage Nintendo games.
Food Scene
Tokyo's dining options range from street vendors to high-end restaurants. The outer market at Tsukiji has over 400 shops where you can find fresh seafood, kitchen equipment, and local specialties like tamagoyaki (rolled omelette). Try monjayaki (savory pancakes) in Tsukishima's specialized cooking stations or chanko nabe (sumo wrestler hot pot) in Ryogoku's traditional restaurants. Small ramen shops throughout the city serve regional varieties including shoyu (soy sauce), shio (salt), and tsukemen (dipping noodles).
Parks and Museums
The Tokyo National Museum in Ueno Park contains collections of samurai swords, ukiyo-e prints, and ancient pottery from the Jomon period. Walk through the 538,000-square-meter park to find cherry trees, lotus ponds, and paths connecting five major museums. At the Imperial Palace East Gardens, you can see the original stone walls and guardhouses from the 17th-century Edo Castle. The Mori Art Museum on the 53rd floor of Roppongi Hills focuses on contemporary art, while teamLab Borderless fills 10,000 square meters with interactive digital art installations.