Sightseeing in Tokyo
Visitors can expect a kaleidoscope of sightseeing joys in Tokyo, one of the world’s most fascinating cities. As one of Asia’s most important financial and economic centers, travelers can expect a superb array of attractions for the family, the lonely tourist and finicky business travelers. With a vast array of artistic, architectural and fashion destinations, Tokyo will always enchant all visitors of all tastes, ages and budget levels.
Tokyo tours: start at the center of the action
Tokyo is subdivided into smaller cities, like Shinjuku, Harajuku and Shibuya. These high-density districts are connected to one another via an efficient network of buses, subways, elevated trains and surface trains. You can start with Tokyo’s midtown, where skyscrapers boast state-of-the-art architecture, best exemplified by the Midtown Tower and the National Art Center.
A walk through the provocatively built fashion outlets at Omotesando in Harajuku will perk up your senses. In Tokyo’s second most important center, Shinjuku, you should visit the beautiful iris gardens of the Meiji Shrine. This is a temple once reserved for the exclusive use of the Emperor. Shinjuku also has viewing gardens that become must-visit places during the cherry blossom season. The Metropolitan Government Center building offers free view decks for anyone who wishes to enjoy a spectacular view of Tokyo.
Tokyo’s local charms
Tokyo’s Rainbow Bridge has scenic pedestrian walkways and Odaiba has magnificent views of Tokyo Bay, but do keep in mind that they always close by 8 pm. The largest and probably most awesome fish market in the world, Tsukiji, should be visited for its early morning tuna auction and sushi outlets. The Honganji Temple near the Tsukiji train stop has fascinating Indian-style building heavily laden with gold and incense. Travel through time and see a preserved sample of 18th century Tokyo life in the Fukagawa Edo village and the Kiyosumu Teien Gardens.
Parks and temples for soul searching
Ueno Park in Taito-ku, the grandfather of all Tokyo parks, has a number of temples and a forested fringe. The Inokashira Koen Park is great for cherry viewing, while the Imperial Palace East Garden has beautiful plum blossoms in the spring. You can offer prayers to the Buddhist goddess of mercy at the Asakusa Temple, Tokyo’s oldest shrine.
Getting around Tokyo
To make sightseeing in Tokyo easier, hop on any open-top double-decker bus that provides speedy tours around the city. A 45-minute joy ride gets you past the Imperial Palace, with glimpses of the sparkling Marunouchi and Ginza shopping areas. A tour can come with a voice guide kit, so ask if there’s one available when purchasing a ticket.
Find good city guides online
A full sightseeing tour need not be expensive because there are many budget options or even freebies in Tokyo, and you can find them online. You can choose between tour operators that offer quick and comprehensive bus tour packages or online advice from frequent travelers and Tokyo-based expatriates. Thousands of budget accommodations, meals and shopping surprises await the adventurous bargain hunter in Tokyo.