Where to go at night in Tokyo. Culture of the Japanese capital - sights of Tokyo. Attractions of the prefecture - photo and description

The sights of Tokyo, according to the prevailing opinion, are connected with modern Japan, but there is something to see and where to go not only for lovers of megacities, but also for those who are interested in original Japan, and those who would like to learn about its history and get acquainted with the culture of this amazing country.

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What can be seen?

Every guest of the Japanese capital, regardless of age and preferences, will find something to see in Tokyo.

The city can offer to visit:

Gardens, parks and temple complexes.
Historical sights and monuments.
Parks for recreation and entertainment.
Museums and theaters.
Unique architectural structures, bridges, towers and observation decks.

The choice of places where you can go without leaving the Japanese capital is very extensive, here you can find something interesting for everyone - single and family, elderly travelers and students who came "on exchange". Like any other capital, Tokyo is able to give an idea of the whole country as a whole and the opportunity to learn something specific in more detail.

Websites and will help you order a sightseeing or thematic tour in the city.

observation decks

Every traveler wants to see the city from above and take some beautiful panoramic shots. As a rule, tourists stay at Haneda International Airport. The terminal building itself is simply beautiful - huge, with modern equipment and interior and, paradoxically, devoid of impersonality and the effect of "the presence of the crowd."

MIKI Yoshihito / flickr.com

Illumination of the floor, imitating paving stones, creates the impression of walking through the starry night sky. But it’s worth rushing to leave the Haneda halls not because of walks on artificial stars, but because of the Observation Deck.

There are observation decks in two terminals. Of course, they will not offer views of the city, but here you can take the most beautiful pictures of aircraft. For example, the well-known picture of an airplane looking straight into the waiting room was taken at this airport and published in one of the catalogs of a Japanese airline before it went viral on the Internet.

Access to the Observation Deck is round-the-clock and does not require any payment; there are also no restrictions on photo and video shooting.

IQRemix / flickr.com

In Tokyo itself, the sights include three more observation platforms, the most interesting of which is the Skytree television center. The site is located on the 450th floor, the viewing height is 600 meters. In terms of rubles, the cost of visiting is about 3,000 rubles.

Other sites:

Roppongihills (City View Observation Deck) - the main advantage is that the area on the 52nd floor is open in the evening and early night hours and from it there is an exit to the roof, which, however, is often locked. The cost of visiting is 1800 yen, the same amount includes the right to visit the small Mori Art Museum, located in the same building. There is a Mori tower, as the locals call it, in the Roppongi area, that is, after the inspection, you can go to a small local restaurant, of which there are quite a lot, or to the market. Prices are noticeably lower than next to the fashionable Skytree.
Metropolitan Government Buildings - located in a building very similar to Moscow buildings such as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, located in the Shinjuku area, it has only one plus that significantly outweighs the advantages of all other sites - admission is free. From the point of view of the review, not much Tokyo is visible here, but Mount Fuji (Fujiyama) is very clearly visible. On the site itself there is a sale of souvenirs and a small fast food cafe, and various fairs, holidays and exhibitions often take place nearby. For example, a craft fair is held annually on the streets of this particular area.

Museums

Any map of Tokyo for tourism will show a fairly large number of museums, all of them are interesting, but be sure to go to the following:

Samurai Museum - you can’t find out everything about the samurai here, but their life, clothes, armor, and so on are presented very well, the museum is open from 10:30 to 21:00, the entrance costs 1800 yen, it is located in the Shinjuku area.
Nezu Museum is an art museum with a classic Japanese garden. It should be visited by everyone who seeks to understand the worldview, the perception of the environment and its interpretation by the Japanese, as well as those who want to take photos with traditional statues that do not exceed human height. It is located in the very historical center, in the Minato district, next to the crossroads of Shibuya and Harajuku. Opening and closing hours may vary, but the halls and garden are always open during the daytime, starting at 2,000 yen.
The National Museum is, in principle, an ordinary large museum, in the expositions of which a little bit of everything is presented - from archaeological finds to modern achievements. Opening hours - from 10:30 to 17:00, there is a museum in Ueno Park in the Taito area, entrance from 1600 yen, for children and people over 60 years old - free of charge. In addition, this is one of the few places in Tokyo where there are tours in Russian.

paranoidnotandroid / flickr.com

Temple complexes

Acquaintance with the sights of any country or a particular city is impossible without visiting historical monuments, and they, as a rule, are directly related not only to secular life, but also to religion.

Any map of Tokyo will indicate a lot of such places, it will take at least 2-3 days to see only half. The most interesting attractions in Tokyo of this kind can be considered:

Hozomon (Asakusa temple complex) is practically an open-air museum. Tourists are especially delighted with the gate with huge lanterns and bast shoes, together each bast shoe and lantern weighs over 3 tons, and an interesting legend is associated with them. The complex is located in the Taito area, it works from morning to evening, there are always a lot of visitors, and admission is free.
Sengaku-ji Tower is an old active temple at the intersection of Shinagawa and Gotanda in the Minato area. Interesting for those who love the filmed story of the 47 ronin - here are their graves. Also on the territory there is a museum Ako Gishi's Memorial Hall and a garden of wooden sculptures, the entrance is paid only to the museum and this is a small amount - 1400 yen.

In Tokyo, attractions relating to religion and history are concentrated in the old center, with development dating back to the 17th century. The streets here are relatively quiet, and you can often see the shooting of some historical series or film. Often come across small bazaars with different goods - from food to souvenirs.

Ivan Mlinaric / flickr.com

All the temples you meet along the way will not require an entrance fee, and local tea houses, small traditional eateries (you can’t call them restaurants) differ significantly from those located in the modern center, both in prices and in quality.

The time here seems to be different, people live the way they lived a hundred or two hundred years ago, you can see kimonos and wooden sandals everywhere, and on a sunny day you can often meet Japanese women with paper umbrellas. By the way, such umbrellas can be bought at local markets, as well as many other things that will remind you of the trip and which cannot be found in modern Tokyo stores.

Bridges

Bridges are included in all guidebooks, and all people who go on a sightseeing tour must be taken to them. In any excursion there are four bridges, three - modern and one ancient.

Modern is:

Rainbow Bridge - very similar to the Sun Gate Bridge in the USA.
Tokyo Gate Bridge is a bizarre architectural solution, the interweaving of sparkling steel beams resembles either a collar or a meeting of two sharks, the bridge is the pride of the Japanese and an object for “boasting”, next to it sightseeing tours stop for a long time and it’s not about design, but about unique technical and engineering solutions used in construction.
Kachidoki Bridge is an ordinary bridge made of steel and concrete, except that it is wider and lower than bridges familiar to Russians.

The ancient bridge is Ni-ju Bashi or, as indicated in the guidebooks and on the tourism map, the Two-tiered Bridge. This is the only way to the emperor's palace. The territory of the palace is surrounded by a moat and a high wall, there is always a guard at the gate. You can get into the palace twice a year - on the new year and on the emperor's birthday.

The bridge itself is quite remarkable in that it is the only bridge in Tokyo Prefecture that survived in its original form, that is, it was not damaged in the war, like many other historical monuments. This is an example of a classic original national architecture, rightfully included in the sights of Tokyo and all of Japan.

It is located in the Chieda area, near the Cherry Garden, the imperial palace agency and the complex of three imperial shrines.

David Baron/flickr.com

In general, the whole area looks like a large park, it is very interesting to wander around here, and during the cherry blossoms you can take amazingly beautiful photos.

You can see almost all of Tokyo in a week. But if you travel with children, you should also expect to spend time on other attractions in Tokyo, such as a water park, amusement parks and, of course, the local Disneyland, only it will take at least a day.

In addition, one should not neglect the local theaters, it will be impossible to return home and pass for a “Japanese expert” without seeing a single performance in national theaters. The spectacle is completely different from everything that Europeans are used to, however, like Japan itself from Europe.

Video: sights of Tokyo.

What else do you need to know?

The conviction that life in Tokyo is expensive is very stable, it is difficult to say where it came from, but one cannot disagree with it.

For example, for convenience, in terms of rubles at a yen exchange rate of 0.54 rubles, surprisingly, the ruble is more expensive, the main prices look like this:

Single ticket for public transport (including) - 108.
Monthly pass - 5408.
A liter of gasoline - 72.
A bottle of water with a volume of 0.33 liters - 60.
A pack of the cheapest cigarettes in Tokyo is Camel and Marlboro - 248.
A bottle (0.33 l) of local beer - from 220.
Dinner for two with a bottle of wine and salad/hot dishes - 2986.
A simple "complex" lunch - 438.
A visit to the Japanese dry land in the old city - from 200 rubles, depending on how much will be eaten or drunk.
Coffee in the machine is 200, coffee in a fast food establishment is already more expensive - 240, but coffee in local small eateries is 160 and it is brewed quite tolerably.
Renting a studio apartment in the historical center for a month - 56,000, in the modern center the same studio - 78,000.
Rooms in 3 * hotels - from 1200 per day, in season - more expensive.

Living in Tokyo is not expensive for the Japanese themselves or for those who come to the capital of Japan to work. The lowest salary, for example, for a cleaner or a loader, is from 162,000 in terms of rubles. But for a tourist with an average Russian income of around 20,000 rubles, a voyage to Tokyo and life in it, of course, are expensive.

In Tokyo, you can find a lot of entertainment, interesting places and have a great time. Let's talk about the most popular Tokyo attractions and where travelers can spend time and save money at the same time.

A nice bonus only for our readers - a discount coupon when paying for tours on the site until July 31:

AF500guruturizma - promo code for 500 rubles for tours from 40,000 rubles
AF2000TGuruturizma - promo code for 2,000 rubles. for tours to Tunisia from 100,000 rubles.

And you will find many more advantageous offers from all tour operators on the website. Compare, choose and book tours at the best prices!

The Japanese auto industry is known far beyond the borders of the state. One of the most popular brands coming off the assembly lines of the land of the rising sun is Toyota. It is to her that a whole museum and exhibition complex is dedicated - Toyota Mega Web, which is one of the ten best car museums in the world, and according to some ratings it even leads it. The exposition consists of six halls, in each of which guests can not only look at cars and their parts, but also touch, experience, and even feel. For example, switch gears on different boxes or hear the noise of the motor.

The museum's largest exhibition is the Toyota City Showcase, which presents all existing and still under development models of this brand. Here, guests have a unique chance to travel back in time, through different auto eras, taking pictures first with a rarity of the 1960s, and then with an ultra-modern, not yet released model, more reminiscent of a lunar rover. However, the Ride One hall is the most popular among visitors. After all, here all adult drivers who have a license can choose the model they like and make a test drive through the pavilions of the museum.

The duration of the route, however, is not too long - only 1.3 kilometers. Toyota Mega Web also took care of those who have not yet been entitled to rights. In the Kids Hybrid Ride Oneо pavilion there is a small 150-meter kart, during the race, on which little guests can get their portion of adrenaline.

Getting to the Toyota Mega Web Museum is not difficult, it is located near the Aomi metro station on the U10 line. The doors of the exhibition and entertainment center are open daily from 11-00 to 21-00, admission is free. You will have to pay extra except for a test drive or go-kart, 300 yen, respectively. There are traditionally many people who want to visit the world of Toyota, so you should prepare for the fact that there is always a queue of potential visitors at the entrance. However, the little wait is worth it!

Disneyland is traditionally associated with Paris. Few people know that this is an American project and the first amusement park under this logo outside the United States appeared in Japan. Today it is a huge complex covering 47 hectares, where guests of all ages will surely find entertainment to their liking. Conventionally, it is divided into 7 thematic zones. The first one that visitors get to is Fantasyland, where you can visit Cinderella's castle, fly Peter Pan or just chat with funny cartoons. For example, Dumbo the elephant.

Older guests are attracted by the Land of Adventures, conditionally divided into two parts - the tropical jungle and the world of pirates of the Caribbean. Here, attractions and entertainment are not so harmless, and some of them can even be called extreme. In Toon City, you can take pictures with the legendary life-size puppets. The most popular among the guests is Mickey Mouse, but others are also not left without attention.

You can travel back in time by looking into the Land of the Future. This zone perfectly reflects the essence of Japan - to catch up and overtake the whole world. All attractions in this area are futuristic and even fantastic. But in the Country of the Wild West, cowboys are waiting for guests and, of course, the legendary roller coaster is the most popular of all the rides in the world. You can complete your trip to Disney World in the Land of Animals, a zone focused on young guests or at the World Bazaar - where without themed souvenirs?

Tokyo Disneyland is not located in the city itself, but in its nearest suburb - Urayasu. But despite this, getting to it is not so difficult - first by subway to Tokio station and then by Tokyo Disney Resort bus. The amusement park is open from 9-00 to 22-00, however, during the summer months and weekends, it opens its doors earlier. Detailed information can be found on the official website. As for the cost of tickets, you can’t call it low. An adult ticket for a day will cost 7,400 yen, a child (for guests 4-11 years old) 4,800, a teenager (guests 12-17 years old) - 6,400. Discounts are available during the winter months.

The Imperial Palace is a sacred place for all Japanese. After all, despite the fact that the ruler has only nominal power, he is honored and even idolized. The history of the palace began in the distant 15th century. Today, many old buildings have been preserved on its territory, but there are also modern ones made in the classical Japanese style.

Unfortunately, tourists and local residents do not have the opportunity to see them all. Only East Park is open to visitors. By appointment, by registering on the website of the Administration of the Imperial Palace, you can also get on an excursion to the courtyard of the complex. Naturally, without visiting the palace. The imperial chambers are a sacred place to which public access is prohibited. However, the park has enough sights and places that deserve attention.

The first thing that catches the eye of the guests is the authentic landscape design, in the traditional Japanese style. The flowerbeds and paths perfectly complement the bridges, the most notable of which are Nijubashi and Meganebashi. It is impossible to pass by the Fushimi-yagura tower, which once served as a watchdog. It has been here since the distant days of the shogunate.

Art lovers should definitely look into the Peach Hall, where classical music concerts are regularly held. Stars whose names are known to the whole world are not uncommon on this stage. The park at the Imperial Palace is beautiful at any time of the year, but it is best to visit it in April and March, when the cherry blossoms. In addition, on December 23 and January 2, you can witness a unique spectacle - the imperial couple goes out onto a balcony covered with bulletproof glass in order to greet their people.

Getting to the palace is not difficult, it is located near the Tokyo subway station. You can walk in the park from 10-00 to 15-00 on any day except Monday and Friday. There is no entrance fee - just get a token and return it at the end of the walk.

For some, Japan is associated with a high-quality automotive industry, for some it is with the wonders of the scientific and technical process, and some immediately think of funny anime cartoons. Many of them were filmed at Studio Ghibli, and tourists who come to Tokyo can immerse themselves in the magical world by visiting the themed museum.

The exposition of the museum is not too big, but the size is compensated by what is called quality. In the halls and even office spaces, every detail is thought out. Guests suddenly come across traces of unseen animals in the corner, or funny and very cute cats on the taps in the toilets. A pleasant surprise will be the "chips" of the museum - secret passages, intricate labyrinths and magic lanterns. The latter very literally illustrate what animation is.

Guests are also attracted by a stand with sketches for various cartoons. Here you can get acquainted with the work of well-known and not so famous authors and learn anime "from the inside". Of course, the Studio Ghibli Anime Museum primarily attracts young guests. Moreover, not only from the number of tourists - local schoolchildren, who cannot imagine their life without anime, also often look into the studio. But adults, especially fans of Japanese cartoons, will surely find something interesting here. After all, this is a special, unlike anything culture of Japan, which undoubtedly deserves attention.

Anime World is located at 1-4-25, Kajino-cho Koganei-shi, 184. You can get to it by subway, the nearest station is Mitaka. Then you can walk on foot through a rather colorful quarter, it will take about 20 minutes, or take a traditional Japanese shuttle bus. A conspicuous sign and bright doors, which can rightly be called fabulous, are visible from afar.

Entrance tickets are not too expensive, 1000 yen. However, you should take care of buying them in advance - the number of visitors to the museum is strictly limited, no more than 2,400 people a day. During the school holidays in Japan, the “queue” to the museum can even stretch for 1-2 weeks.

Japan has everything. And even a small corner of French Provence, carefully recreated in the Museum of the Little Prince. While planning it, in the Land of the Rising Sun they celebrated their respect for one of the most famous European writers - Antoine de Saint-Exupery. It is surprising that a thematic museum appeared so far from his homeland.

Entering the gates of the museum, guests immediately find themselves in a completely different reality. Colorful streets, bakeries, which, as is customary in France, smell of croissants, small shops and shops. Even the signboards and signs were made by the Japanese not in their own, but in Exupery's native language. This was the final touch to create an authentic atmosphere.

Walking along the picturesque streets, sooner or later guests come across a two-story house - a copy of the one in which the author of The Little Prince lived. On the first floor of a small exposition, the personal belongings of the writer are collected, and on the second floor there is a library. The only work presented in it is The Little Prince. But it was published at different times and in different languages.

You can rest after a walk in a French restaurant. Dishes on the menu are exclusively European, devoid of Japanese flair.
The world of Exupery is located in the small town of Hakone. You can get to it from Tokyo by intercity shuttle bus, and it’s simply impossible to get lost any further — all roads and signs lead to the museum.

The entrance ticket costs 1600 yen, for schoolchildren and students there is a discount, they can visit the world of Exupery for 700 yen. Together with the ticket, guests receive a waybill, which you must definitely pay attention to. Those who have made all the marks at the exit are given a small souvenir. More colorful gifts can be purchased at the local shop.

The Miraikan Museum, or as it is often called the Museum of the Future, is an exhibition that presents the latest achievements of scientific and technological progress. And the Japanese, as you know, know a lot about this.

The first thing that attracts attention is the building itself, which houses the museum. Modern, futuristic, reminiscent of either a ship or a flying saucer. It can rightfully be considered an architectural landmark.

Inside, guests are waiting for six floors of real wonders. True, permanent exhibitions are located only in two of them, 5 and 6. In the other halls, no less interesting temporary exhibitions of technical topics are held.

All exhibits of the permanent exhibition deserve special attention. The main one is Geo-cosmos globe - a huge ball consisting of numerous OLED monitors. Each of them allows you to get information about a particular process occurring inside or outside the globe. As a result, a holistic dynamic picture is formed.

There are rooms in the museum where guests can learn a lot about themselves. For example, take fingerprints with a special scanner and analyze them with a computer program or find out how the brain works.

And finally, the highlight of the museum is the ASIMO robot, named after science fiction writer Isaac Asimov. He can talk, answer questions and, of course, move around in space. His actions are a real technical show that everyone can watch.

The Miraikan Museum is located on the artificial island of Odaiba and can be reached by subway. Doors are open for visitors from 10:00 to 17:00. The ticket price, which includes visiting the permanent exhibitions, is 620 yen, for children - 210. On Saturdays, young guests can visit the museum for free.

The subway is one of the integral parts of Tokyo, it is the most popular form of transport among local residents. It is often difficult for guests to understand the intricate scheme, the intersection of lines and other intricacies of movement. In order not to get lost in the underworld, acquaintance with it is best to start at the Tokyo Subway Museum.

The museum building can be seen from afar - a huge wind generator is installed near it, providing electricity to the entire complex. This is the first thing that attracts attention. The second is a real turnstile in which you need to throw a coin and get the coveted ticket. Just like in a real subway.

And finally, after the formalities are settled, the guests get into the real world of the metro! Here you can get acquainted with historical documents, diagrams of different periods, technical tools. And, of course, go into the car and sit on an easy chair.

Young guests are invariably attracted by a huge model illustrating the operation of the subway. Unfortunately, the figurines cannot be touched - they are hidden under glass. But, nevertheless, from this the number of visitors crowding here is no less.

Older guests can try their hand at one of the stimulators - you can be a driver or a dispatcher. During the tour, museum workers do not forget to acquaint visitors with the rules in force in it, and also help to understand the intricacies of lines and transitions.

In order to get to the Tokyo Subway Museum, you still have to use the subway, which is yet to be explored. It is located near Kasai station. Doors are open on any day except Monday, from 10-00 to 17-00. The entrance ticket costs the same as the actual subway fare. A very symbolic moment.

The park is located near Harajuku Station. On Sunday you can meet musicians who perform in public for the first time in search of their audience and loyal fans, photographers choosing the right angle for shooting models, admirers of Elvis Presley skillfully copying an idol, rockabilly dancers and other creative personalities.

In summer, it is good to hide from the sweltering heat in the shade of trees, watch the locals walk with children and dogs, play sports. If you are lucky enough to be in the park during the cherry blossom season, be sure to have a picnic and enjoy the indescribable beauty of this place. Entrance to the park is free.

Travelers with children will appreciate this place, because here you can play with animals and even ride a pony for a nominal fee. For couples who want to enjoy the romance in the park, you can rent a boat for a few tens of rubles, which is practically nothing. Keep in mind that the park is open only at certain times: from 10 am to 11.30 am, and after a short break, you can safely walk from 1.30 pm to 3 pm.

You can fly up to the skies and capture the city from a bird's eye view by climbing to the observation deck of the capital's government building. A high-speed elevator will take tourists to the 45th floor. At an altitude of 202 meters, you can enjoy the panorama of the city, take beautiful photos and feel the atmosphere of this place. The entrance for visitors is open from 9:30 to 23:00. Registration closes 30 minutes before closing. Free admission.

The Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building was designed by Japanese architect Kenzo Tange at a cost of around $1 million. All in all, it's definitely worth a visit.

You can also find interesting entertainment at the Tokyo Tsukiji fish and seafood market. From specialized viewing platforms, curious travelers will be able to see the fish auction and watch how local traders deftly butcher huge fish.

Also, for the sake of interest, you can walk around the market, get acquainted with the goods and be surprised at how diverse the underwater world, whose representatives are now waiting for their buyer. If you decide to visit the Tsukiji market, then you will have to get up early, as it opens at three in the morning, and by lunchtime you will not find anyone here.

Sony Building and technical innovations

If you are interested in various high-tech gadgets and would not mind testing them for free, then you should definitely visit the Sony Building, which houses the company's five-story showroom. Here are all the latest Sony innovations that you can not only try out, but also purchase. Sony Building is open to visitors daily from 10.00 to 20.00. Also here you can visit the showroom of Toyota, Nissan or Honda.

Nightclub Ruby Room and Oath

Tokyo nightlife lovers also have something to offer. Without breaking the budget, you can have fun and dance at the Ruby Room nightclub, which is located at: Kasumi Bldg 4F, 2-25-17 Dogenzaka, Shibuya-ku. The main audience is foreigners, which means that you can feel quite comfortable here. If this club is not to your liking, then next to it, within walking distance, there is another attractive club for budget tourists - Oath. Here you can also dance absolutely free until 5 am on weekdays and until 8 am on weekends to the music of popular Japanese DJs.

Free bike rental

You can rent a bike for free and ride along a specially equipped path in the Palace Cycling Course park. You can do this only on Sunday from 10 am, but keep in mind that the number of bicycles is limited and the rule applies, whoever did not have time is late. You can get to the park from the Nijubashi-Mae subway.

To visit Japan and not visit the Sumo Wrestling Museum is an unforgivable mistake. Here, this sport is treated with great respect, and in the museum you can see photographs of famous sumo wrestlers, engravings, costumes and other interesting exhibits. You can visit the museum on weekdays from 10.00 to 16.30. Museum address: 1-3-28 Yokoami, Sumida-ku.

This museum was founded in memory of the tragic event of 1923, which claimed the lives of many people and destroyed most of the city in 1923. It was then that an earthquake was recorded, which was given the name Kanto. The memorial museum is located in Yokoami Park, where you can see other buildings dedicated to this tragic incident.

Tokyo is a young city by world standards. He is only 400 years old. Throughout its history, Tokyo has experienced many fires, devastating earthquakes and war, gave the name to an entire historical era, changed its name and its face.

Now modern Tokyo is a huge metropolis, merged with the neighboring cities of Kawasaki and Yokohama. At the same time, it can be rightfully asserted that Tokyo is a city of contrasts, where antiquity coexists with modernity, European culture - with eastern, stone jungle - with ancient temples.

Attractions Tokyo

What to see in Tokyo? It all depends on how much time you have to explore this huge metropolis. Below I present top attractions in tokyo, which are the hallmark of the city.

Imperial Palace and Garden


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In the heart of Tokyo is the Palace of the Emperor of Japan. The first buildings of the castle appeared here in the 16th century.

Today the territory of the castle is divided into two parts. The Imperial Palace itself is located in the western part. Here, in the Fukiage Garden, are the private quarters of the current Emperor of Japan Akihito, his relatives and numerous courtiers. This part of the castle is closed to visitors.

In the eastern part of the castle, on the territory of the old fortress, the Eastern Garden of the Imperial Palace is now laid out.

A few buildings that have survived from the Edo Castle, as well as the stone walls of the castle in 1963, were declared a national treasure and protected by the state.

Tokyo Tower with observation deck

One of the symbols of the city is the Tokyo Tower television tower. The Japanese are as proud of it as the French are of the Eiffel Tower. In the year of construction (1958), it was the tallest tower in the world. The tower has two viewing platforms that offer amazing views of the city and Tokyo Bay.

Roppongi Hills - Tokyo's best viewpoint

Since 2003, the Tokyo Tower has been competing with the Roppongi Hills building complex, which houses 6 floors of shops, offices of large companies, a cinema, a Hyatt hotel, a television studio, a concert venue and many restaurants.

There is a wonderful observation deck on the 52nd floor, from where you can see the city from a bird's eye view, as well as get acquainted with the plans for the further architectural development of Tokyo.

Happoen Garden - tea ceremony and Japanese garden art

Tea entered Japan in the 8th century. But only in the XV-XVI centuries. the tea ceremony turned into a kind of ritual-philosophical mini-performance, in which every detail, object, order of things had its own special, unique meaning.


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A visit to the tea ceremony can be included in the city tour program. The tea ceremony lasts 20 minutes and is held either at the table or on the mat.

Omote-sando and Harajuku area - the center of fashion and design


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The Japanese call Omote Sando Street Tokyo's Champs Elysees. Recently, leading haute couture companies have opened their branches here. Prices for Omote sando are relatively lower, and fashion is more democratic than for Ginza, because this area is a favorite pastime of young people.

meiji temple


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Emperor Meiji played the same role in the fate of Japan as Peter I played in the history of Russia. At the end of the 19th century - the beginning of the 20th, he brought the country out of the dense Middle Ages into a number of world powers. The Japanese appreciated the deeds of the emperor according to their merits and after his death they built the Meiji temple, where the spirit of the deceased emperor and his wife is revered.

Shinjuku - skyscraper district

The Shinjuku area is one of the most important administrative and commercial sub-centers of the capital. The first Japanese skyscrapers were erected here. The new Tokyo City Hall building was also built here. There is an observation deck on the 45th floor.

Asakusa Buddhist Temple

Asakusa Temple is one of the main and oldest Buddhist temples in Tokyo.


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A festively decorated street always leads to the main building of the temple complex. Nakamise, which is essentially an endless series of shops (hence its name - "among the shops"). Since ancient times, there has been a brisk trade near the temples not only for cult items, amulets and souvenirs, but also for all sorts of things, including food. This tradition has not been broken here either, and most of the shops sell by no means “divine”: shoes, clothes, bags. The expectation that a visitor to Asakusa who is in a good, festive mood will definitely buy something.

13 Bridges of the Sumidagawa River

From Asakusa, pleasure steamboats cruise regularly down the Sumidagawa River. There are 13 bridges across the river, each of which has its own history.

Odaiba - a man-made island in the middle of Tokyo Bay

The journey along the river ends on the man-made island of Odaiba. Showrooms of Panasonic (Panasonic Show Room) and Toyota (Toyota Show Room) are located here. The island offers gorgeous views of Tokyo at night, illuminated by lights, and the magnificent Rainbow Bridge. The lights are reflected in the calm waters of Tokyo Bay, where restaurant boats float, illuminated by red lanterns.

Ginza - Tokyo's shop window

A tour of Tokyo ends with a walk along where the most fashionable shops and the best restaurants of real Japanese cuisine are located.

Tsukiji Market

Tsukiji is the largest fish and vegetable market in the Japanese capital. The tuna carcass auctions, which take place at 5 am, are a special attraction that especially hardy tourists certainly want to see. Immediately at 6 am, the first sushi bars open, which prepare sushi from fish bought just on the market.

Schematic map of the Tsukiji market showing the location of the tuna auction (PDF, 660Kb)
. By all means read before heading out to the market in the morning on your own!

Other attractions

Other sights can be seen on the second day of your stay in Tokyo. These are the so-called "sights of the second day"

Museum of Samurai Swords
Wonderful Japanese-style Tokyo gardens: Korakuen, Hamarikyu, Rikugien
Tokyo Stock Exchange
Sumo wrestling competitions (depending on the season), judo training at the Kodokan

The earthquake of 1923 almost completely destroyed the city, and what survived in 1923 died during the bombing of 1945. Tokyo was rebuilt almost from scratch in the second half of the 20th century, and therefore today is one of the most modern capitals in the world. But this does not mean that there is nothing to see in the city - quite the contrary!

Tsukiji is not just a market, it is a giant food court with a great selection of the freshest seafood and fish. The main attraction on Tsukiji is the tuna auction. Visiting the auction is free, but the number of places for tourists is limited and the queue must be taken in advance, no later than 4.30 am. After the auction, wander around the market, appreciate the variety of marine life, and be sure to have breakfast or lunch at one of the Tsukiji sushi bars (restaurants in the market close around 13:30).

On the territory of Ueno Park there are several museums, temples and even the oldest zoo in Tokyo. Be sure to visit the Japanese Art Gallery in the main building of the Tokyo National Museum (Honkan) and the National Museum of Science and Nature. At the opposite end of the park from the Honkana is the interesting little Shitamachi Museum, which recreates life-size living conditions in the poor neighborhoods of Tokyo before the earthquake.

Meiji is Tokyo's largest and most popular Shinto shrine, dedicated to Emperor Mutsuhito and his wife. It was thanks to Mutsuhito, who chose a pro-Western course and opened Japan to foreigners, that the country became one of the leading world powers. Meiji is located in the depths of the ancient Yoyogi Park, which is visited daily by thousands of Japanese. The park is equipped with bike paths and a basketball court, and bike rental is available.

The Harajuku quarter, located in Shibuya, is one of the most unusual places in Tokyo. On Sundays, cosplayers gather here, young people in fancy costumes in the best traditions of anime. Photos with funny dressed Japanese teenagers were taken here.

Shibuya, the most famous crossroads in the world, perfectly expresses the spirit of Tokyo. Stand on the second floor of the Starbucks in the Tsutai bookstore building and watch thousands of people cross it in all directions at the same time. Be aware that there are queues at this Starbucks, and you will have to wait a bit to get a window seat. An excellent view of the intersection can also be seen from the glass skywalk between Mark City Shopping Center and Shibuya Station. In the evening, when neon signs and advertisements glow all around, the intersection looks even better than during the day.

The Mori Tower of Roppongi Hills is 238 meters tall, making it one of the tallest buildings in the city. On the 52nd and 53rd floors is the Museum of Contemporary Art, which displays both the work of Japanese artists and outstanding works of authors from around the world. Buying a ticket to the museum will also give you access to the observation deck, which offers one of the best views of Tokyo. In good weather, there is also an open observation deck on the roof of a skyscraper (be prepared for the fact that it is quite windy there).

This palace is the current residence of the imperial family, so the courtyard and the palace building itself are closed to the public. The palace is opened for tourists only twice a year - on January 2 and December 23. But without any problems you can see the adjacent eastern park. In addition to the variety of trees and shrubs that bloom here almost all year round, you can see the ruins of one of the towers of the original Edo Castle, on the site of which the modern imperial palace was erected.

Sensoji is one of Tokyo's most popular attractions. This is an elegant Buddhist temple dedicated to the goddess Kanon. The guidebooks write that it was founded already in the 7th century, but let this information not mislead you, the modern building of the temple was built only in 1958. Near Sensoji there is an old shopping street Nakamise, popular with tourists, where you can buy souvenirs and traditional Japanese sweets.

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Tokyo is a versatile city that perfectly combines cultural features, entertainment and natural beauty of the city. It is always full of tourists who want to get to know this huge and beautiful city better. Here's where to start.

Museum of Edo-Tokyo. Previously, the city of Tokyo was called exactly Edo, so the museum acquaints visitors with the history of the city of Edo, because the museum's collection covers the period from 1590 to the present day. The museum has been welcoming visitors since 1993 in the Ryogoku area.

There are ancient manuscripts, kimonos, maps, ancient scrolls, as well as beautiful models that allow visitors to fully see how the Kabuki theater, for example, or city houses used to look like. And all this in full scale. In addition, tourists can understand how the European world influenced the development of the cultural characteristics of the country as a whole, and what events were of crucial importance.

Here, tourists can also watch and learn how to write beautiful Japanese characters - calligraphy, as well as see how some traditional Japanese dishes are prepared. And the cost is about 600 yen, which is not very cheap. In addition, various exhibitions from other museums and galleries often come here.

Address: 1-4-1 Yokoami, Sumida-ku.

Yasukuni Shrine / Yasukuni Jinja. This is a Shinto shrine that is dedicated to the fallen Japanese of all time during the war. The temple was built in 1869, and an inscription was hung at the entrance: “Those who made the highest sacrifice in the name of the Motherland are buried here.”

Yasukuni keeps lists of dead soldiers, of which there are more than two million people, as well as a mirror and a sword - attributes of the emperor's power. In addition, the temple was awarded the title of a special imperial sanctuary. It is actually very beautiful here as the temple is surrounded by cherry trees and traditional ginkgo trees. In the spring, there are especially many visitors, as a magnificent festival is held here in April. Visitors to the temple can also visit the military museum, which tells stories about the Japanese armed forces. The museum operates at the temple. The entrance ticket to the museum is about 800 yen, and the entrance to the temple is free.

Address: 3-1-1 Kudankita Chiyoda-ku.

Rainbow bridge / Rainbow bridge. The Rainbow Bridge is indeed considered the hallmark of Tokyo, as it is simply incredibly beautiful in the evenings. The bridge is a connecting structure of the city with the bulk area of Odaiba, and the length of the bridge is about a kilometer.

The illumination is installed on the cables that hold the bridge, and it is thanks to it that the bridge acquired the name Rainbow. I can say that the bridge looks beautiful not only at night, when the lights turn on. During the day, if you look at the bridge from the side of the water, it also looks very impressive and bewitching.

Tokyo Sky Tree. This is the tallest tower in the world, which reaches a height of 634 meters. The tower is located in the Sumida area, and became a unique replacement for the old tower in 2012.

Tokyo Sky Tree In addition, in 2008, when construction was just beginning, the Japanese held a competition for the best name for the tower. The victory was named - Tokyo Sky Tower, and the winners were honored to be the first to climb the observation decks of the tower, which are located at an altitude of 350 (Tembo deck) and 450 (Tembo galleria) meters. And already above 470 meters there is a huge antenna.

Entrance fee for different venues: lower platform - 2,500 yen, upper - 1,000 yen. Discounts are available for children.

Senso-ji Temple / Sensō-ji. The temple was built in honor of the bodhisattva Kannon, and it is rightfully considered the oldest temple in all of Tokyo, because the date of its foundation is 328.

In those distant times, there was only a small fishing village here. And then, from the Sumida River, the fishermen managed to catch the statue of the goddess Kannon, the goddess of mercy, with nets. It was in honor of this that a temple was erected here, which was rebuilt several times over the years.

The temple complex is a main hall, the entrance to which is the beautiful Kaminarimon gate, as well as a five-tiered pagoda. At the gate there is an arch with a beautiful traditional lantern. A whole old Nakamise-dori street leads from the temple, on which there are souvenir shops and shops.

Many Japanese believe that the smoke from an incense urn has healing properties, so don't be surprised to see large numbers of locals approaching the urns.

Address: 2-3-1 Asakusa, Taito. Free admission.

Imperial Palace in Tokyo / Tokyo Imperial Palace.

This is the real residence of the emperors of Japan, with an area of seven and a half square kilometers, and located in the very center of the city. This is a whole complex of buildings, surrounded by a garden and park areas. The buildings that make up the complex are built not only in the traditional Japanese style, but also in the European style. And all because during the war, part of the complex was badly damaged, and then it had to be rebuilt, but according to new projects.

The first complex was built back in 1888, right not far from the shoguns' castle.

The largest building in the palace is the audience hall. But tourists can also take a walk through the expanses of the park and garden, in which landscape design masters simply created fabulous paintings. This is perhaps the most photographed place, after the Rainbow Bridge and the TV Tower in Tokyo.

Address: 1-1 Chiyoda, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo.

Shibamata Teishakuten Temple. The temple is located in the Katsushika area on the outskirts of the city, so you can expect to spend about half a day driving and visiting the temple itself. But you will not regret the time spent when you arrive at the temple itself.

First, this is a beautiful temple. with a large courtyard, in which there are many ancient statues and stone sculptures.

Secondly, here you can admire wood carvings for hours, which is really unique.

Thirdly, there is a magnificent garden with a small pond. Here in this pond there are amazing carps that have already been fed by tourists, so do not be surprised that the fish will be very happy with your arrival and will simply beg for goodies.