Tokyo Travel Guide

Tokyo is the capital of Japan and is located in the south of Honshu Island. It is one of the four major cities in the world together with New York, London, and Paris. As the fastest developing city in Asia, Tokyo's prosperity has derived new trends on the basis of retaining its traditional ancient architecture and natural scenery, attracting tourists from all over the world and becoming one of the most important destinations when planning a Japan tour, and there're several recommended attractions for you to choose from. The Tokyo National Museum and Imperial Palace are the best places to go if you are interested in traditional culture. New business districts such as Shibuya and Ginza are the haven for shopping and playing. Landmarks like Tokyo Skytree and Tokyo Tower are good places to take photos. And must-try foods of Sushi and ramen, as well as other specialty snacks like Japanese curry and tonkatsu waiting for you to explore. Here are some suggestions for your trip to Tokyo.

Top Tourist Attractions in Tokyo

1. Akihabara

Akihabara, the world's largest business area for animation products and the holy land of the quadratic element is also the gathering place for cutting-edge electronic products. It is said that there is no electronic product in Akihabara that you can't find. Not only that, as the birthplace of animation and quadratic elements, the whole street is filled with animation, electronic records, as well as various electronic parts and electronic equipment, attracting many fans of games and anime, and some e-sports players, if you're lucky enough, you can get their autographs. It is also the birthplace of Japanese idol culture, such as the famous idol group AKB48. They sometimes return to Akihabara for a show to thank their fans for their support. If you are interested in these things, then you should definitely visit Akihabara.

2. Imperial Palace

If you are interested in Japanese history and ancient architecture, then the Imperial Palace is recommended. The Imperial Palace is perhaps the most traditional Japanese place in Tokyo to view ancient Japan. The buildings inside the palace are mostly left over from the past, mainly divided into three parts, and adopt the traditional Japanese design style. After the palace was destroyed during World War II, it was rebuilt by craftsmen in the same architectural style. When you come to the Imperial Palace, there is a Double Bridge in front of the gate, which is a very distinctive building in the Imperial Palace. You can also enter the inner Court of the Imperial Palace guided by the staff with English explanations, where you can see all kinds of buildings from the Edo period to modern times.

Imperial Palace

3. Tokyo Skytree

The Tokyo Skytree is a soaring tower at 634 meters and was built using the most advanced engineering and technology. It is not only a TV tower but also a watchtower for people to use. Standing on the Tokyo Skytree, you can have a panoramic view of the whole city, including row upon row of tall buildings, winding streets, and even Mount Fuji in the distance. There is also an aquarium in the tower, where you can spend a pleasant day with friends and family. The tower is also full of commercial facilities, lots of interesting shops and good food to try.

4. Asakusa

Located in the bustling district of Asakusa, Sensoji Temple is home to traditional Japanese crafts and arts. As one of the oldest temples in Tokyo, you can see many people coming here every day to burn incense and pray for good luck. As Sensoji Temple is surrounded by water on all sides and is a blessed place, it is always a good idea to take a water bus and enjoy the scenery along the river, or take a boat ride slowly across the water and talk to the vendors selling goods along the river. On the way to Sensoji Temple, there were red lanterns with Chinese characters on them, like a scene from a movie, with variety shops and stalls selling food and handicrafts, making it a good place not only for people to pray, but also for shopping and dining, where you can buy a ticket here and enjoy the traditional Japanese repertoire.

Senso-ji Temple

5. Shibuya

Shibuya is home to some of the world's most famous large intersections, where you can see hundreds of people crossing the street at the same time, which is also a new experience for a new visitor to Tokyo. If you are a fashion player, Shibuya must be your first choice. Shibuya is also home to a lot of youth fashion culture and trends, and its streets are often featured on the covers of major magazines. Shibuya is also home to the largest observatory in Tokyo, Shibuya Sky. Take the lift to the top floor as if you were coming to the closest place to the sky. Not only that, but Shibuya also has a vibrant business scene, with plenty of snacks to taste, including some of the best sushi in Tokyo.

6. Meiji Shrine

The Meiji Shrine is a large shrine in Japan used to pray for good fortune, as the Japanese believe that this is the place where the gods live. Tucked away in a large man-made forest, Meiji Shrine is a place where you can enjoy a few moments of peace away from the metropolis. It's a long walk from the entrance to the throne room, so be sure to wear comfortable shoes when visiting. Walking along the road, you can see many shelves of wine bottles where the Japanese offer wine to the gods. About 15 minutes further along the road, there is a militaria, where worshippers wash their hands, symbolizing fear and respect for the gods. Here, you can also buy peace charms to pray for the health of your family after entering the shrine.

Meiji Shrine

7. Tokyo Disneyland

Tokyo Disneyland is considered the number one theme park in Asia and one of the best-run Disney parks. As well as a wonderland of entertainment facilities, classic cartoon character shows and costume parades, the park holds regular annual events, especially at Christmas. The New Year activities are also very attractive, Whatever your age, there is always something for everyone at Disneyland. If you want to feel like a child again, then come to Disney for a luxurious fairytale tour.

Top Things to Do in Tokyo

1. Praying and Burning Incense in the Temple

Japan is a nation that believes in gods, so you can see many temples with a large number of worshippers in Tokyo. The first choice is Sensoji Temple, which has the longest and oldest history, and is also a famous shrine visited by about 30 million tourists from home and abroad every year. Before paying homage to the gods at Sensoji Temple, do not forget to wash your hands at the water fountain to show your sincerity as a worshipper. In addition, the number five is a symbol of good meaning in Japanese customs, so you can prepare a few coins ranging from five yen to 500 yen for good fortune.

2. Taking the Best of the Cherry Blossoms

It is always a good idea to visit this city in the spring so that you can experience both the bustling city and the vibrant cherry blossoms, known as hanami in Japanese. As one of the cities, along with Kyoto and Osaka, that is also dotted with thousands of cherry trees, there is no shortage of great places for you to enjoy your flower viewing. Whether it is the Ueno Park picnic under the cloudy petals with the delicacy of wagashi or a boat ride among the fancy flowers with the magnificent Imperial Palace as a backdrop, just immerse yourself in the spring atmosphere and enjoy the best of the cherry blossoms.

Sakura (Cherry Blossoms)

3. Visiting the Hot Springs Theme Park

Since its opening in 2003, Oedo Onsen in Odaiba has become Tokyo's premier hot spring theme park. The hot spring comes from an underground thermal spring and is known for its tawny brown quality. The indoor hot spring is separated into men’s and women’s sections, and the outdoor courtyard is also arranged in a unique style. Not only that, there are plenty of places to play, making it a great place for parents with kids to go to. After a long soak in the hot spring, you can try the delicious food provided by the hot spring pavilion, which combines local specialties and traditional snacks.

4. Watching Kabuki Performances

Kabuki is a traditional Japanese form of drama, that originated from traditional folk art, with gorgeous visual presentation and artistic impact. With its rich performance techniques and elaborate costumes, Kabuki requires not only the skill of the actors but also specific traditional Japanese music to fully reflect the mood changes of the characters. It is usually performed in the ancient Japanese language, but the theater is equipped with real-time lecture machines, so there is no need to worry about missing out on a wonderful performance because you don't understand it.

5. Attending "Anime Japan" Tradeshow

Anime Japan is the largest anime fair in the world. Japan is famous for its anime and manga, so this is one of the most nationally attended events with the highest national participation. In this event, anime fans from all over the world come together to dress up as their favorite anime characters and collaborate with others. It's a collision of the quadratic elements and the real world, and if you like a certain anime character, you might find a kindred spirit here.

More things to do in Japan and things not to do suggestions.

Best Traditional Japanese Food

1. Sushi

Sushi is a symbol of Japanese cuisine and one of the most popular Japanese dishes in the world. It is usually a combination of rice and various types of seafood with many different forms. The most common are: Nigiri Sushi, Gunkan Sushi, Temaki Sushi and Inaki Sushi. Sushi is a national favorite and can be enjoyed in a variety of venues, from cheaper gyrsushi to high-end sushi restaurants, catering to a wide range of people. The most popular types of sushi are salmon sushi, tuna sushi, and Shrimp sushi.

Sushi

2. Ramen

An authentic bowl of Japanese ramen is made up of three elements: soup base, sauce and noodles. To give customers a better dining experience, Japanese ramen has put a lot of effort into the side dishes, the most common ones are eggs, barbecued pork, nori and bean sprouts. Eggs are usually runny and customers can choose how well done they want them. Choose the side dishes and moderate the taste according to your own preferences, which can better enhance the experience of eating ramen.

3. Tempura

Tempura, the symbol of fried food, is surprisingly popular in Japan. Unlike sushi and other foods that rely on the flavor of spices to taste good, tempura is one of the few foods that can be enjoyed with the original ingredients, with little or no seasoning. Tempura has no strict restrictions on ingredients, any of which can be made into tempura. For a more authentic tempura, try tempura vegetables and tempura shrimp.

Must-buy Souvenirs in Tokyo

1. Kimono

The kimono is an ancient traditional Japanese costume and one of the most representative costumes of Japanese culture. Kimono developed to the present day has been modified and has become a work of art, which is rich in colors and forms, showing its unique luxurious beauty and delicacy, with special tailoring to show the curves of the body. The Yukata is worn for the summer festival in animation and the business kimono suits with fine patterns all belong to the kimono.

Yukata

2. Beauty Products

Many beauty products in Japan have wide popularity, and Japan is constantly updating the products every year to achieve better use effects and pursue higher quality. Japan also has a monopoly in the cosmetics industry, with few outside competitors except for a few world-class brands. With advanced cosmetics technology, Japan also invests a lot of money in the research and development of new products every year, and also attaches great importance to product safety.

3. Manga

The global popularity of Japanese animation is inseparably linked to its sensitive portrayal  of characters' feelings, the rich imagination of its plots, and the characteristics of both literature and continuity. On the one hand, Japanese manga has a very detailed taxonomy, so no matter what age level you are, you can find a style and theme that suits you. On the other hand, the form of animation is fascinating, and the style is wonderful and realistic. If you are looking for that comic book sequel you can't find, head to Tokyo.

As a city with a long history, Tokyo has its own culture and traditions. Come to Tokyo, you can not only experience the unique charm of this Asian city but also enjoy the food and natural scenery that are different from other countries. If you have any ideas about traveling to Japan, please contact us, and one of our professional travel experts will offer you a tailor-made itinerary within 24hrs. Travel with Odynovo to unlock more new and interesting destinations.