Capital of 🇯🇵Japan

Tokyo

Populous, prominent, energetic, and delicious since the 1800s.

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.

4.7
out of 5

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.

Average temperatures during the day in Tokyo.
January
9°
Feb
10°
Mar
13°
Apr
18°
May
23°
Jun
25°
Jul
29°
Aug
31°
Sep
27°
Oct
21°
Nov
17°
Dec
12°

What people say about Tokyo

4.7
People
4
Food
5
Spaces
5
Value
4
Safety
5

A map of your visited countries

Share where you have been with your own interactive map of the world.

Your travel bucket list

Keep track of where you want to go with an interactive travel bucket list.

Articles about Japan

Image of Bucket list-worthy places in Japan
Image of Bucket list-worthy places in Japan

Bucket list-worthy places in Japan

December 2023,
Japan is a country that never fails to impress visitors with its unique blend of ancient traditions and modern innovation. With a rich cultural heritage, stunning natural beauty, and mouth-watering cu
Image of The most beautiful national parks in the world
Image of The most beautiful national parks in the world

The most beautiful national parks in the world

November 2024,
National parks are unique in several ways, about 15% of all land and 8% of all water in the world is protected. National parks are protected pockets of nature that offers a unique opportunity for bot
Image of All World Expo locations since 1851
Image of All World Expo locations since 1851

All World Expo locations since 1851

November 2024,
For more than a century and a half, global citizens have congregated at World Expos to celebrate human achievement, explore pressing issues of the day, and experience the cultural expressions of peopl
Image of The 30 best food cities in the world
Image of The 30 best food cities in the world

The 30 best food cities in the world

November 2024,
This is a list of the top food destinations in the world based on the opinions of travelers from more than 100 countries. If you travel to eat, this is for you! It doesn’t matter if you are a foodie o
Popular on Humbo right now
Humbo™AboutVisitedBucket listQuizzesSustainable travelPrivacyTerms