by Ivan Mlinaric / CC BY-SA 2.0

A. About Tokyo

Nickname: The Eastern Capital

Tokyo is one of the busiest cities on the planet: the pace of life in the modern Japanese Capital with its skyscrapers, neon, electronics stores, large shopping complexes, and countless bars and clubs never seems to slow down.

The Greater Tokyo Area is the most populous metropolitan area in the entire world.

Best Things to do in Tokyo

The Good: 

Tokyo scores remarkably high for its beautiful location on Tokyo Bay with the Sumida River and is one of the safest metropolises in the world.

The city also boasts fantastic shopping, in districts such as Ginza, Shibuya, Ikebukuro, and Shinjuku. In addition, the Japanese capital scores notably well for its nightlife and transport.

The Not-So-Good:

Tokyo possesses no real standout sights, and the quality of the sights is overall not particularly high.

Furthermore, there is no real center, and the Japanese capital experiences a high price level. From time to time, you might notice unpleasant odors from canalizations.


B. Best Things to Do in Tokyo in 2024 (Detailed List with Photos and Information)

In total, we count more than 120 sights in Tokyo. The following sights contribute to a score of 7.05/10 in this most important category:

# Sky Tree 7 3.5 out of 5 stars

With a height of 634 m (2,080 ft), Sky Tree is the second tallest building in the world after the Burj Khalifa in Dubai.

From the two observation platforms at 451 m, you can enjoy 360-degree views of Tokyo.

Television Tower Total Height: 634 m / 2,080 ft | Observation Deck: 450 m / 1,480 ft) | Built: 2012

by By Reggaeman / CC BY-SA 3.0

# Shibuya 6 3.1 out of 5 stars

Shibuya is a trendy shopping, eating, and entertainment district full of people, neon lights, and giant screens.

It is home to the Shibuya Crossing, a famous intersection outside Shibuya Station.

City District with the famous Shibuya Crossing

Best Things to do in Tokyo | Best Cities | Tokyo | Shibuya (city district with Shibuya Crossing)

# Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden 6 3.1 out of 5 stars

Almost completely destroyed during World War II, Tokyo's most beautiful public park, located just a short walk from Shinjuku Station, reopened in 1949.

Park Land Area: 0.58 km2 / 144 acres | Created: 1949

Things to do in Tokyo | Best Cities | No. 15: Tokyo | Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden

# Tokyo National Museum 6 3.1 out of 5 stars

Located inside Ueno Park, Tokyo National Museum is Japan’s oldest largest, and best museum. It houses in five separate exhibition buildings over 110,000 items in areas of architecture, fine art, sculpture, calligraphy, classical books, ancient manuscripts, and archaeological materials.

Archaeological and Art Museum Gallery Space: 38,000 m2 / 410,000 ft2 | Established: 1872 | Visitors (2017): 2,178,825

by Wiiii / CC BY-SA 3.0

# Senso-ji 5.5 2.7 out of 5 stars

Located in Asakusa, the colorful Senso-ji is Tokyo's oldest Buddhist temple. Adjacent to the temple is an impressive five-story pagoda, the Asakusa Shinto shrine.

Temple

by Felix Filnkössl / CC BY-SA 3.0

# Imperial Palace 5.5 2.7 out of 5 stars

Destroyed during air raids in 1945, the Imperial Palace was rebuilt in 1968 using the principles of traditional Japanese architecture. Daily guided tours of the palace grounds are available, though the inner grounds of the palace are generally not open to the public.

Palace ⚠️ Prebooking ahead required!

Best Cities in the World | No. 15: Tokyo | Best Things to do in Tokyo | Imperial Palace

# Meiji-jingu 5.5 2.7 out of 5 stars

Located in the middle of a dark forest, Meiji Shrine is the largest Shinto shrine in Tokyo. It honors the spirits of Emperor Meiji, who died in 1912.

Temple

by Kakidai / CC BY-SA 3.0

# Shinjuku 5.5 2.7 out of 5 stars

Home to the world's busiest railway station, this lively city district is full of skyscrapers, bright lights, and flashing billboards.

City District

# Tokyo International Forum 5.5 2.7 out of 5 stars

This impressive multi-purpose exhibition center features swooping curves of steel and glass, with an exterior design resembling an elongated boat.

Modern Building | Modern Architecture

by Hide1228 / CC BY-SA 3.0

# Akihabara Electric Town 5.5 2.7 out of 5 stars

Also known as Electric Town, this city district is known worldwide as a wonderland for gamers, computer enthusiasts, and fans of anime and manga.

City District with Yodobashi Camera Electronic Store

Things to do in Tokyo | Best Cities | No. 15: Tokyo | Akihabara Electric Town

Scoring and Icons Legend (Click here for detailed information)

10 = top-10 sight in the world

9 = world-class  

8 = outstanding

7 = excellent 

6 = impressive

5 = interesting

4 = decent

3 = mediocre

2 = bad

1 = abysmal

= World Heritage Site

= Excursion

C. Other Notable Sights and Attractions in Tokyo

    • Edo-Tokyo Museum 5.5
    • Tsukiji Market 5.5
    • Ueno Park 5.5
    • Tokyo Metropolitan Government 5.5
    • Ginza 5.5
    • Takeshita Street 5.5
    • Tokyo Tower 5.5
    • Ghibli Museum 5.5
    • Mori Art Museum 5.5
    • Roppongi Hills 5
    • Tokyo National Museum of Modern Art 5
    • Fuji TV Building 5

D. Best Day Trips and Excursions from Tokyo

MOUNT FUJI (Height: 3776 m | Distance from Tokyo: 132 km | World Heritage Site: since 2013) 7


E. Top 10 List of the Best Things to Do in Tokyo (including close-by excursions)

To sum things up, these are the ten best sights we recommend to you when visiting Tokyo for at least three entire days:

Sky Tree (skyscraper) 7

Shibuya (city district) 6

Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden 6

Tokyo National Museum 6

Senso-ji Temple 5.5

Imperial Palace 5.5

Meiji-jingu Temple 5.5

Shinjuku (city district) 5.5

Tokyo International Forum 5.5

 Akihabara Electric Town (city district) 5.5