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.
April
18°
May
23°
Jun
25°
Jul
29°
Aug
31°
Sep
27°
Oct
21°
Nov
17°
Dec
12°
Jan
9°
Feb
10°
Mar
13°

What people say about Tokyo

4.7
People
4
Food
5
Spaces
5
Value
4
Safety
5

What to do in Tokyo

The 30 best food cities in the world

Article from November 2024 with 30 places

The best food city in the world?

Let’s start off with a contender for the very best food city in the world. Japanese cuisine is one of the most popular, and Tokyo is the place to explore all the beautiful dishes it has to offer. Tokyo has the most restaurants with Michelin stars in the world. Still, for us who prefer a bit more casual culinary experiences, there are also plenty of street vendors, sushi bars, curry shops, and the world-famous Japanese pubs called izakayas.

What to eat in Tokyo

One of the must-try dishes in Tokyo is sushi, which is made with fresh, high-quality fish and is often served at specialized restaurants called sushi-ya. Another celebrated dish is ramen, a hearty noodle soup that comes in many different variations, always with a rich broth topped with various ingredients such as pork, seaweed, and eggs. Other traditional Japanese dishes to try in Tokyo include tempura, a type of deep-fried seafood or vegetable, and tonkatsu, a breaded and fried pork cutlet. There is also a whole category of dishes called donburi, which always have a bowl of rice as the base, and then some yummy topping such as chicken, onion, and eggs.

If Tokyo isn’t enough (unlikely!), you can also visit the nearby port city Yokohama which is famous for its beef hotpot called gyunabe and its chinatown serving up world-class Chinese style dumplings.

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Bucket list-worthy places in Japan

Article from December 2023 with 11 places

As Japan's capital and most populous city, Tokyo offers a unique blend of modernity and tradition. This sprawling metropolis is a fascinating mix of old and new, with historic temples alongside modern skyscrapers.

Here, you can explore the iconic Tsukiji Fish Market, where you can sample some of the freshest sushi in the world; visit popular attractions like the Meiji Shrine, Senso-ji Temple, Tokyo Tower, and the famous Shibuya Crossing.

For a taste of local cuisine, try sushi at Tsukiji Fish Market, slurp some ramen in Shinjuku, and the famous street food yakitori (grilled skewers).

Don't forget to explore the quirky neighborhood of Harajuku, known for its unique fashion and pop culture.

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The best places for women to travel alone

Article from October 2024 with 16 places

Safe even when you get lost in this massive city

When visiting places in Asia, it is tough to miss Tokyo, Japan's capital and largest city. Tokyo is known for its many attractions, including its modern architecture, vibrant nightlife, luxurious shopping, and world-class cuisine. It is also the home of some of the world's most iconic landmarks, such as the Tokyo Tower and the Imperial Palace.

Tokyo is renowned for its bustling streets, bustling markets, and its pop culture, including anime, manga and cosplay. Tokyo is considered one of the best places to visit for female travelers because of the following reasons:

  • Safety: Japan is generally a very safe country, and Tokyo is no exception. It has a low crime rate and women can feel safe walking around the city at any time of day or night.
  • Transportation: Tokyo has an efficient and reliable public transportation system that is easy to navigate, even for those who don't speak Japanese.
  • Cultural attractions: Tokyo is a city with a rich cultural history and offers a wide range of attractions for visitors. From temples and shrines to museums and art galleries, there is something for everyone to enjoy.
  • Shopping: Tokyo is a shopper's paradise, with a wide range of stores and markets offering everything from high-end designer brands to local handicrafts.
  • Food: Tokyo is known for its delicious food, with a wide range of restaurants and street food stalls offering a variety of cuisines. There are also many vegetarian and vegan options available.
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The 20 most bike-friendly cities in the world

Article from January 2023 with 20 places

Bike around this city of cities

Even though Tokyo is one of the most populated cities in the world, it works surprisingly well to explore it on a bicycle. The city has an extensive network of bike paths, wide sidewalks, and plenty of bike stands that allow riders to lock up their bikes when they’re not in use. Many parts of the city are like cities in themselves, so you will probably never run out of things to discover.

Both rural and urban routes

Tokyo has a unique mix of both rural and urban areas. This makes it easy to find both flat and hilly routes, and riders can find a variety of terrains to explore. For those looking to explore the city by bike, some of the best routes to take are the Imperial Palace, Ueno Park, and the Tokyo Skytree. Other popular routes are the Tokyo Bay Ride and the Yamanote line. There are also numerous parks, gardens, and temples that are easily accessible by bike, shopping districts, nightlife spots, and historical sites.

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Places nearby Tokyo

Best places to visit in🇯🇵Japan

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Bucket list-worthy places in Japan

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