Best places to visit in Tokyo

If Japan is at the top of the list of places you want to visit when travel restrictions are lifted, then look no further!

Tokyo is one of the most popular travel destinations in Japan, with a mix of strong cultural history mixed with innovative technology. It’s an incredibly vibrant and exciting place to visit with so many different things to see.

Here are my top picks for five of the best places to visit in Tokyo!

Harajuku

The fashion capital of Japan and home to the kawaii style, Harajuku embodies all the best things about Japan! From the weird and wonderful side of rainbow coloured food to embracing the serenity of the gorgeous shrines. My three top picks to visit in order to experience Harajuku properly include visiting the Meiji Shrine, take a stroll down Takeshita Street for fabulous shops and immerse yourself into the weirdness of the Kawaii Monster Café. Before you leave, check out the iconic Harajuku station that survived through WWII before it’s demolished after the Tokyo Olympics.

Akihabara

Going to Akihabara will reawaken the child inside you and will be the most fun you’ll have in Tokyo. Known as the ‘Electric Town’, the streets are lined with numerous shops and arcades with a mixture of retro and the latest releases. If you’re a huge anime nerd or a fan of Japanese games, then the shops will have everything your heart desires. Make sure you head to Akihabara to check out all it has to offer, from Go-Karting through the streets to getting lost in the Don Quijote store.

Shibuya

There are endless amounts of things to do in Shibuya, but it all starts at the Shibuya Crossing. Featured in various movies, the famed pedestrian scramble is the world’s busiest pedestrian crossing with as many as 2,500 people. At night-time, the vibe of the crossing makes it feel like something straight out of a sci-fi film. Whilst in Shibuya, check out the heartfelt Hachikō statute and the gorgeous artwork in the station. If you stick around a night, head to the Drunkard’s Alley (Nonbei Yokocho) and experience drinking in Japanese style!

Shinjuku

One of the busiest and biggest places in Tokyo, it’s easy to get lost in Shinjuku! It’s worth the hassle, as you can see the whole view of Tokyo and Mount Fuji for free at the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building. Make sure to visit the Omoide Yokocho which is full of yakitori restaurants and bars that originally started as a black-market post-WWII. After the hussle through Shinjuku, head to the Gyoen National Garden and picnic under the cherry blossoms and capture the incredible view of the skyscrapers which are framed by the park’s trees.

Asakusa

The classic sacred temple of Sensō-Ji is a must-see, with its iconic red lantern and the spirituality surrounding it. This will take you back to old Japan with the Nakamise shopping street set up leading to the temple. A must-see shop is in the Kappabashi district, and it features everything fake food-related and will sell cheap souvenirs that you can buy to show everyone the madness of the fake food! Before leaving Asakusa, check out the oldest amusement park in the country nearby Hanayashiki.