Tokyo is an incredible city that has a lot to offer – but that also means it is often very crowded. Many tourists end up following the same path and only visit the most popular places. While the spots on this list are definitely worth seeing, I always recommend balancing your itinerary with some quieter or lesser-known places nearby.
Here are ten must-visit locations in Tokyo, plus some tips on how to make the most of your time there and on how to avoid the crowds.
Shibuya Crossing
The Worlds Busiest Pedestrian Crossing
Shibuya Crossing is a must-visit for anyone coming to Tokyo – it is one of the busiest pedestrian crossings in the world, with up to 3,000 people crossing all at once during peak times. Located just outside Shibuya Station, it is a symbol of Tokyo’s energy and pace, especially at night when the area lights up with neon signs and giant screens.
For a great overhead view, visit the MAGNET building, which has a rooftop observatory offering a direct look down onto the crossing. The entrance fee is 1800 Yen and includes one free drink.
Other than the crossing itself, Shibuya offers plenty to do. You can visit Shibuya Scramble Square, a modern high-rise with panoramic city views from the Shibuya Sky observatory. Explore the trendy shopping streets of Cat Street and Center Gai, packed with fashion boutiques, cafés, and street food. For a cultural stop, visit the Hachikō statue – Tokyo’s famous meeting point and the story of a loyal dog.
To unwind, visit Daikanyama, a refined neighborhood just minutes from Shibuya. Known for its low-rise architecture and curated shops, it offers a glimpse into Tokyo’s more relaxed, stylish side – with tree-lined streets, quiet cafés, and concept stores blending fashion, art, and design.
Asakusa
Discover Tokyos Rich Cultural Heritage
Senso-ji is Tokyo’s oldest temple. According to a legend, two fishermen discovered a statue of Kannon, the Buddhist goddess of mercy, in the Sumida River in 628. Even though they returned it to the water, it kept coming back, so a temple was built to enshrine it.
Today, Senso-ji is one of Tokyo’s most visited spiritual and historical sites, known for its bright red Kaminarimon gate, giant lantern, and the busy Nakamise-dori shopping street.
In and around Asakusa, there’s more to do than just visit the temple. You can take a walk along the Sumida River, especially during cherry blossom season, or visit Sumida Park for quieter views. From the riverbank, you can spot the Tokyo Skytree, just a 20-minute walk or short train ride away.
For a cultural stop, visit Asakusa Culture and Tourist Information Center, which has a free observation deck with great views of the temple and Skytree.
For a different atmosphere, cross over to Kuramae, a small neighborhood just south of Asakusa. Once known for its warehouses, it’s now a creative hub filled with artisan shops, craft studios, and minimalist cafés. You’ll find handmade leather goods, ceramics, and Japanese stationery in shops like Kakimori (custom notebooks) and Maito (natural-dyed textiles). It’s a quiet, modern contrast to the tourist crowds of Asakusa, and a great place to explore Tokyo’s local design scene.
Skytree
Beautiful Views from Tokyos Tallest Tower
Tokyo Skytree is the tallest structure in Japan and the third tallest in the world, standing at 634 meters. It was completed in 2012 and serves as both a broadcasting tower and a major tourist destination. The tower has two observation decks—Tembo Deck at 350 meters and Tembo Galleria at 450 meters—offering panoramic views of Tokyo, and on clear days, even Mount Fuji.
Skytree is part of a large commercial complex that includes Tokyo Solamachi, a shopping mall with over 300 shops and restaurants, an aquarium, and a planetarium. It’s especially crowded on weekends and public holidays, so weekday mornings are the best time to visit for shorter lines and a more relaxed experience.
After visiting the observatory, explore the Sumida area around Skytree. Mukojima, just across the river, offers a quieter, more traditional side of Tokyo with historic streets, Japanese gardens, and small wagashi (Japanese sweets) shops. Stop by Takagi Shrine, also known as the O-Nigiri shrine, or visit Kameido Shrine, famous for its seasonal wisteria and scenic pond. Stroll along the Sumida River for a slower pace and local charm.
Meiji Shrine
Surrounded by 100,000 Trees
Meiji Shrine (Meiji Jingu) is one of Tokyo’s most important Shinto shrines, dedicated to Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken, who played a key role in Japan’s modernization during the Meiji era (1868–1912). The shrine was completed in 1920, eight years after the emperor’s death, as a place to honor their spirits.
The shrine is surrounded by a man-made forest with over 100,000 trees donated from across Japan when the shrine was first built. The forest creates a peaceful atmosphere that feels far removed from the city, even though it’s right next to Harajuku Station.
At Meiji Shrine, visitors can walk through large wooden torii gates, explore the main hall, make offerings, and write wishes on ema (wooden plaques). The shrine also hosts traditional weddings, which visitors sometimes catch on weekends. A typical visit takes about 30 – 60 minutes, depending on how much you want to explore.
Nearby, skip the crowds on Takeshita Street and head into Ura-Harajuku, a quieter area with small fashion shops, local cafés, and creative spaces. Yoyogi Park is also next door, perfect for a longer walk or picnic under the trees – especially on weekdays when it’s less busy.
Toyosu Fishmarket
Try Tokyos Freshest Seafood
Even though the inner wholesale market moved from Tsukiji to Toyosu in 2018, it’s still possible to experience Tokyo’s seafood culture at its best. The move was made to improve hygiene, safety, and logistics – Tsukiji’s aging facilities could no longer support the scale and standards required for modern wholesale operations.
At Toyosu Market, you can watch the famous tuna auctions from a public observation deck. The market is clean, spacious, and well-organized, with separate areas for wholesale, fresh seafood, and restaurants – many operated by former Tsukiji vendors. The Uogashi Yokocho section is open to the public and features professional-grade ingredients, tools, and local snacks.
To round out your visit, head to teamLab Planets in nearby Toyosu. This immersive digital art museum is just one train stop away on the Yurikamome Line and offers a striking contrast to the traditional market experience – perfect for combining modern art and culture in one day.
Shinjuku Gyoen
An Imperial Garden with Seasonal Beauty
Shinjuku Gyoen is one of Tokyo’s largest and most beautiful parks, combining Japanese, English, and French garden styles. It’s especially known for its seasonal beauty, with cherry blossoms in spring, vibrant leaves in autumn, and peaceful landscapes year-round.
The park was originally built in the early 1900s as an Imperial garden on the site of a former feudal estate. It opened to the public after World War II and remains a peaceful escape from the city’s noise.
The park is located near Shinjuku Station, one of the busiest train stations in the world, handling over 3.5 million passengers per day. Despite being right in the middle of the city, Shinjuku Gyoen offers a calm and open space for walking, picnicking, or just taking a break.
While you’re in Shinjuku, you can also visit Hanazono Shrine, a quiet Shinto shrine located in the heart of the city.
After your visit, skip the crowds in the shopping districts and explore Kagurazaka, a relaxed neighborhood with narrow stone alleys, old ryotei (traditional restaurants), small boutiques, and a touch of French influence from the area’s former foreign schools.
Team Lab
An Unforgettable Digital Art Experience
TeamLab Planets is a digital art museum in Toyosu that combines light, space, water, and your senses to create an immersive, walk-through experience. Visitors go barefoot and move through a series of large-scale interactive installations—like a room filled with knee-deep water, mirrored surfaces, floating flowers, and light that reacts to movement. It’s a unique mix of technology and art that feels like stepping into another world.
The entrance fee is 3,800 yen for adults. A visit takes about 60 to 90 minutes. It’s family-friendly, but some installations are dark or have uneven floors, so keep that in mind if visiting with small children.
Wear pants that can be rolled up (you’ll walk through water), and bring as few belongings as possible – lockers are provided at the entrance.
Since it is located in Toyosu, combine your visit with the nearby Toyosu Fish Market. It is well-organized and has excellent sushi spots, food stalls, and areas where you can watch tuna cutting or explore seafood-related shops.
Akihabara
The Heart of Otaku Culture in Tokyo
Akihabara is packed with stores catering to anime, manga, and electronics fans.
For anime and manga, popular spots include Animate Akihabara, Gamers, and Mandarake, which is known for its huge selection of secondhand figures, comics, and rare collectibles.
For electronics, head to Yodobashi Camera Akiba, one of the largest electronics stores in Japan, or explore Akihabara Radio Kaikan, which has multiple floors of gadgets, parts, and otaku goods. For secondhand electronics, check out Janpara, Sofmap, or Hard-Off Akihabara, where you can find used laptops, cameras, and gaming consoles at good prices.
For a change of pace, walk about 15 minutes to Kanda or Okachimachi. These areas are more local and less flashy, with old bookshops, cozy restaurants, and vintage stores. A highlight nearby is Kanda Myojin Shrine, about a 10-minute walk from Akihabara Station.
Yanaka Ginza
A Walk Through Tokyo’s Nostalgic Streets
Yanaka is one of the few neighborhoods in Tokyo that survived both World War II and major earthquakes, so it still has that old Tokyo atmosphere. With its narrow lanes, wooden houses, and small local shops, it feels more like a quiet town than a part of the city.
It’s a great place to explore without a set plan. You’ll come across temples, traditional snack shops, local galleries, and old storefronts with a lot of character. The main street, Yanaka Ginza, is short but full of charm – perfect for grabbing street food, browsing handmade goods, or just taking in the slower pace. The area is also known for its cats, both real and in souvenir form, so keep an eye out.
For a quieter visit, go on a weekday morning or just before sunset. If you want to go beyond the shopping street, walk through Yanaka Cemetery. It’s wide, calm, and lined with cherry trees, especially peaceful in spring. The whole area is a good place to pause and reset during a busy Tokyo trip.
Harajuku
The Birthplace of Tokyo’s Fashion Styles
Harajuku is one of Tokyo’s most iconic neighborhoods, known for youth culture, experimental fashion, and street trends that have influenced global style for decades.
Its rise began in the 1970s and ’80s, when young people started gathering near Harajuku Station and Yoyogi Park, mixing Japanese and Western fashion in bold, creative ways. Today, it is still a center for individuality and pop culture.
Takeshita Street is the heart of Harajuku’s street style scene. It’s packed with fast fashion, accessories, kawaii (cute) goods, and colorful snacks. Some of the best shops include WEGO, Bodyline (for Lolita fashion), and smaller boutiques selling unique items you won’t find anywhere else. For street food, try the giant rainbow cotton candy, fresh crepes (Marion Crepes or Angel Crepes are the classics), fried chicken skewers, or sweet potato snacks.
For a more low-key experience, explore Ura-Harajuku (short for “Ura = back streets”), a quieter area behind the main streets with independent shops, local designers, and cool cafés.
From there, you can walk along Cat Street, a laid-back shopping street that connects Harajuku to Shibuya. It’s lined with vintage shops, minimalist fashion brands, coffee spots, and hidden gems—great for a slower, more stylish stroll.
