Tokyo is one of the most beautiful cities in the world. It is the capital city of Japan. The city is inhabited by around 13 million people. Tokyo is the most expensive city to live in. It offers numerous tourist attractions including skyscrapers, historic monuments, ancient museums, and cultural experiences.
Spring is a popular time to visit Tokyo. There are several places to see the enchanting cherry blossoms which flourish around mid-late March and early April.
It can be difficult for first-time visitors to decide what they want to do in Tokyo. It is, therefore, an excellent idea to plan an itinerary.
Visiting Tokyo is a journey through the past and the future.
Meiji Shrine: Immerse yourself in nature and art
The Meiji Shrine was constructed in 1915 in honor of Emperor Meiji and his wife, Empress Shōken. It was completed in 1926. The original buildings were destroyed during World War Two. It was rebuilt in 1958 and is considered a very important religious shrine.
A 175-acre evergreen forest surrounds the shrine. The shrine has an Inner Precinct (Naien) and Outer Precinct (Gaien).
The Outer Precinct (Gaien) has an excellent collection of murals depicting the lives of Emperor Meiji and Empress Shōken.
A public garden complete with a tea house and iris garden is found in the Inner Garden (Yoyogi Gyoen).
Enjoy nature at the Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden
The Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden is among Tokyo’s ancient places. It was the residence of the Naito family between the 17th century and the 19th century. It was later transferred to the Imperial Family.
It was opened in 1949 and is among the most enchanting gardens in Japan. It combines the Japanese tradition, the French Formal, and English Landscape all
into one breathtaking garden.
It has around 1500 cherry trees making it a favorite for witnessing cherry blossoms. The garden also features beautiful ponds, a greenhouse, and multiple pavilions.
Enjoy Nature at Ueno Zoo and Ueno Park
Ueno Park is located in the heart of Tokyo. It is one of the most popular tourist spots in the city. The expansive 212-acre park has beautiful gardens, museums, and temples.
You can enjoy a boat ride on the reed-fringed Shinobazu pond.
A fascinating site to explore is the 17th-century Toshogu Shrine (Nikkō Tōshō-gū), which features 256 bronze and stone lanterns.
Ueno Zoo (Onshi Ueno Dōbutsuen) is the oldest zoo in Japan.
It was opened in 1882 and is renowned for its pandas. The zoo has more than 300 animals representing about 400 species.
Visit the Senso-Ji Buddhist Temple
The exquisite Sensō-Ji Temple (Kinryū-Zan Sensō-Ji) is located in the Asakusa district. It is the most famous shrine in the city.
The temple was constructed around AD 645 and dedicated to Kannon, goddess of compassion in Buddhism. It has been rebuilt numerous times and still retains its original appearance.
The temple is famous for its Incense Vat, purported to cure diseases.
Watch Sumo Wrestlers at Ryogoku Kokugikan Sumo Stadium
Japan is famous for its sumo wrestlers. Sumo wrestling is an ancient kind of Japanese wrestling style. Professional sumo wrestling emerged during the Edo era and is found only in Japan.
The Ryogoku Kokugikan Sumo Stadium is situated about 6 minutes from Chanko Tomoegata restaurant. It is the most famous sumo wrestling hall in Tokyo.
You can opt to pay to watch practice sessions. The stadium only hosts 6 tournaments per year. They are held around January, May, and September and last for two weeks.
Shop at Ginza
It is one of the busiest shopping centers in Tokyo. It features one of the world’s largest pedestrian zones.
You can shop in some of the most exclusive stores and shops. You can also relax and enjoy tea or coffee in the numerous coffee shops and restaurants.
The famous Kabuki-za Theater, which has traditional Kabuki performances, is also found here.
View the City from the Skytree
The Tokyo Skytree (Tōkyō Sukaitsurī) is a 634-meter-tall observation and communications tower.
It was officially opened in 2012. It offers spectacular panoramic views of the city from its observation decks and restaurants.
Visit the Tokyo National Museum
The Tokyo National Museum (ōkyō Kokuritsu Hakubutsukan) was opened in 1938. It has a collection of more than 100,000 works of Japanese, Indian and Chinese art.
It has hundreds of Buddhist sculptures from China and Japan. Some date from the 6th century. The museum also features an assorted array of textiles, weapons, ceramic, pottery, and other artifacts.