10 spots recommended by our staff for your first visit to Tokyo
Thinking of sightseeing in Tokyo for the first time?
Hello there! I’m Nabe, a staff member at K’s House Tokyo Oasis. Tokyo” is a simple word, but there are so many different areas and places to see that it’s hard to know where to go when you’re sightseeing for the first time, isn’t it? If you search the Internet, you will find a list of “50 recommended places to visit!” or “100 of the hottest tourist spots!” and so on, which can be confusing.
So this time I, Nabe, who works at a hostel in Tokyo, would like to introduce you to 10 places where you can enjoy Tokyo for the first time. The places I’m about to introduce are places we recommend to visitors who are sightseeing for the first time and they are all places with a strong “Tokyo-ness”, where you can really feel Tokyo. Please check out them for your next trip!
[ About this article ]
– This article is written for first-time visitors to Tokyo.
– This article introduces ten sightseeing spots with a high degree of “Tokyo-ness”, where you can feel real Tokyo.
– You can know “What you can see and do”, “What it is famous for?” and “Who is it recommended for?” at each spot.
10 spots recommended by our staff for your first visit to Tokyo
Shibuya・Harajyuku
Famous scrambles, shopping, food, clubs, events, etc.
Scramble crossing in front of the station, Meiji Shrine, Yoyogi Park.
Shibuya is sometimes shown on TV as “scene of Tokyo” with lots of people crossing the scramble crossing. From the latest fashion and entertainment to gourmet dining, you can see “the latest Tokyo” here. In recent years, the area has seen further development and the construction of large complexes that have attracted even more attention.
Next door is Harajuku, which along with Shibuya is where you can experience the latest in fashion and culture. Although Shibuya and Harajuku are at the forefront of youth culture, there are also cultural and natural sites such as the Meiji Shrine and Yoyogi Park that you would not expect to find in Tokyo.
Shinjyuku
skyscrapers in Tokyo , shopping, gourmet food, district including bars, theaters, and etc.
Tokyo metropolitan government building, Shinjuku Gyoen, Kabukicho, Shin-Okubo.
– People who want to see “The Tokyo” scenery.
– People who want to enjoy shopping, gourmet food and the lively entertainment district.
– People of all ages, from the young to the middle-aged
Shinjuku is one of the largest areas in Tokyo. It is a business district where many companies, large and small, gather, and a major commercial area with all kinds of shops, including famous department stores and restaurants.
It is also famous for the Metropolitan Government Office, the center of metropolitan politics, and Kabukicho, the biggest entertainment district with a chaotic and neon-lit atmosphere. Shinjyuku is famous as the “city that never sleeps” because it is crowded with people day and night.
Although Shinjuku is such a busy place, there is also a park nearby called Shinjuku Gyoen, which is so full of nature that it is hard to believe it is in Tokyo, so it is a good place to visit if you are a little tired of the overwhelming atmosphere of Shinjuku.
Tokyo Station・Marunouchi
Orderly, dignified and historic streets, Imperial Palace, shopping, etc.
Tokyo Station, Imperial Palace, Marunouchi Building.
– People who want to visit Tokyo’s historic spots such as Tokyo Station and the Imperial Palace.
– People who like fashionable and elegant atmosphere.
– Middle to senior citizens
Tokyo Marunouchi is located right in the middle of Tokyo and is a historic area where Edo Castle and daimyo residences, the center of politics, economy and culture in Japan, use to exist.
Today, it is a leading business district with offices of major corporations, as well as a commercial center with sophisticated hotels, restaurants and shops. The city is built with an emphasis on history and dignity, and the scenery here is different from the cluttered buildings often seen in Tokyo.
You can enjoy different atmosphere such as touring the Imperial Palace with a sense of history, gourmet food and shopping in a refined and dignified atmosphere, in Marunouchi, Tokyo.
Ueno
Visiting museums, cherry blossom trees, pandas, eating and drinking in local atmosphere.
Ueno Park, National Museum, Ueno Zoo, Statue of Takamori Saigo, Ameyoko street
– People who are interested in museums and art galleries
– People who want to see pandas
– People of all ages, including young people, parents and children, and seniors
Ueno is located on the eastern side of Tokyo and is the gateway to the east side of Tokyo where all north region trains arrive.
To the west of the station is the vast Ueno Park where there are many cultural facilities such as the National Museum with its valuable cultural and historical collections, Science Museum and the Museum of Western Art. Ueno Zoo, famous for its pandas, is also located here, and the park is crowded with people visiting the museums and zoo on weekends.
There is about 400 m–long shopping street called Ameya Yokocho (commonly known as Ameyoko) in the south of Ueno Park. Ameyoko is once flourished as a black market after the war, and sells a variety of food, clothing and sundries on this lively street with a somewhat Asian atmosphere. There are also numerous restaurants and bars, and it is fun to stroll around and drink at local izakayas (pubs).
Asakusa・Tokyo Sky Tree
Visit Senso-ji temple, stroll local atmosphere town , scenery from the highest observatory in Japan.
Senso-ji Temple, Kaminarimon Gate, Tokyo Sky Tree
– People who like or want to feel the local atmosphere.
– People who want to visit the classic Tokyo sightseeing spot.
– People of all ages, including young people, parents and children, and seniors
Asakusa is one of the most popular places to visit in Tokyo. Passing through the Kaminarimon Gate with its impressive large lanterns, and continuing along Nakamise, a street lined with souvenir shops, you will come to Senso-ji Temple, which attracts many visitors every day.
There are many kimono rental shops in the area, and in recent years it has become common to see people, especially young people, walking the streets in kimonos. You can also take a sightseeing rickshaw ride, which is a chic way to enjoy visiting Asakusa’s sightseeing spots while dressed in kimono and riding in a rickshaw.
In 2020, the Sumida River Walk opened and it became easier to walk along from Sensoji Temple to Sky Tree. At Sky Tree, visitors can not only enjoy the view of Tokyo from the highest observatory in Japan, but also enjoy shopping and dining.
Asakusa is located next to Ueno, so it is possible to visit Asakusa in combination with Ueno.
Akihabara
electronics and hobby-related shopping, subcultural atmosphere such as anime and idols.
Denkigai ( Electronics district )
– People who like subcultures such as animation and games.
– People who want to buy home appliances and electrical parts.
– Young people
Akihabara is famous for its electronics, and there are a number of large and small electronics shops around the station. Akihabara is a kid of place like, it comes up to mind when Tokyo people buy electronics and in recent years it has become a popular place for foreign tourists who want to buy home appliances that can only be bought in Japan.
As well as being a town of electronics stores, Akihabara is also a mecca for hobby-related activities. Anime goods, figures, models, games, idol-related items and all kinds of subculture-related shops can be found in Akihabara.
In addition to shopping, you can enjoy the chaotic scene and atmosphere such as countless electrical appliance shops, anime character billboards and maid cafés girls who are calling out for customers in Akihabara.
Tsukiji・Toyosu
Visiting one of the largest markets in Japan, gourmet food, shopping for fresh fish and food products.
Tsukiji Outside Market, Toyosu Market
– Gourmet food lovers
– People who want to visit one of the largest markets and watch tuna auctions
Tsukiji is famous as the site of the Tsukiji Market, which once handled the largest volume of seafood in the world. Although the market has now moved to Toyosu due to aging problems, the Tsukiji Outside Market, located outside the Tsukiji Market, is still existing there and is crowded with people every day. The outer market offers fresh fish shops, butchers, fruit and vegetable shops and a variety of restaurants that are sure to please even the most discerning gourmets.
The Toyosu Market, where the wholesale market functions have been relocated, replaces the Tsukiji market, and is open to the public. The market also has a dining and shopping area that is open to the public, so you can enjoy shopping and eating as well as touring the market.
Odaiba
Shopping , Gourmet food, Museums, indoor theme parks, etc.
Rainbow Bridge, Fuji TV headquarters, Nippon Kagaku Miraikan,
– People who want to enjoy shopping in a fashionable shopping mall.
– People who want to have fun indoors due to bad weather.
– Those who want to immerse themselves in a futuristic atmosphere.
Odaiba is an area facing Tokyo Bay and there are many facilities where you can enjoy for all-day such as a large shopping mall, museums and an indoor theme park. You may have ever seen the photographic scenery which Tokyo Tower and Rainbow bridge are shoot together as part of the Tokyo landscape , and that is Odaiba.
You can access to Odaiba by train, boat or the self-driving train, Yurikamome Line. The view from the Yurikamome Line is recommended, as it looks as if you are driving through a futuristic city. If you prefer to walk slowly to Odaiba, why not try walking along the Rainbow Bridge?
Tokyo Tower
Urban landscape of Tokyo
Tokyo Tower, Zojoji Temple
– Those who want to enjoy the classic sightseeing spots in Tokyo.
– Those who want to enjoy the scenery of Tokyo.
Tokyo tower may come up to your mind first as a symbol of Tokyo. Most of people have probably seen the tower glistening in a deep red hue once before. Tokyo tower was built in 1958 and the 333 m high tower still has an overwhelming presence, even after the Sky Tree was built.
The observation deck is divided into a 150 m main deck and a 250 m top deck, from each of which you can enjoy a view of “The Tokyo”, and when it’s sunny and air is clean, you can also see Mount Fuji and Mount Tsukuba in Ibaraki Prefecture from there. There are many shops inside of tower and you can also enjoy a meal or buy souvenirs there.
Roppongi
< What can I do? What can I see? >
Shopping, art appreciation, gourmet food, etc.
Roppongi Hills, The National Art Center Tokyo, Mori Art Museum
– People who want to enjoy shopping and art in a sophisticated atmosphere
– People who want to enjoy eating out at stylish restaurants and bars.
Roppongi is a sophisticated downtown area in Tokyo where famous brand-name shops and restaurants are concentrated. It is also famous as an area where foreign companies and embassies of various countries are located, and where foreigners often gather. Roppongi is not only famous for shopping and dining, but also for its art scene, with the Mori Art Museum, the National Art Centre, Tokyo and other places where you can experience the latest art spots.
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How was it? The spots introduced in this article are the classic sightseeing spots in Tokyo, and I think you can fully enjoy Tokyo by visiting each of them. Finally, we have compiled a map showing the location of each spot, so we hope you can use it as a reference for your Tokyo sightseeing.
See you in Tokyo!
For your trip, please try 「K’s Hosue 」！
– People who like fashion, gourmet food, etc.
– People who want to enjoy events and Tokyo’s nightlife
– Mainly young people.