From old to new, Tokyo is packed full of traditional and modern delights.
We’re reader-supported and may be paid when you visit links to partner sites. We don’t compare all products in the market, but we’re working on it!
Japan's capital is a beacon for travellers from all around the world seeking natural beauty, traditional practices, high-energy nightlife and modern design. And let's not forget it's also the birthplace of karaoke.
Tokyo offers a seemingly unlimited choice of entertainment, shopping, culture and dining options to its visitors, spread across one of the greatest metropolises in the world.
Understandably, deciding where to visit is going to be one your toughest decisions, though our guide to Tokyo can help you make the most of your time in the city.
Best places to visit in Tokyo
1. Ginza
Boasting some of the world's best luxury shopping, Ginza is a trendy hotspot and cultural downtown area, with shops that have existed for over a hundred years.
It's a long-established tradition to shop and stroll when the road is closed to traffic on weekend afternoons, and an impressive collection of glitzy clubs make this area perfect if you’re looking for a fun night out.
Best for: The culture seeker
How to get there: Ginza is one stop away from Tokyo Station, where you can catch buses or trains all around Tokyo and Japan.
Top 5 things to see/do: Tsukiji Market, Tokyo Central Railway Station, Imperial Palace, Bank of Japan Currency Museum, Kabukiza Theatre.
Shibuya attracts a younger crowd where you’re more likely to see school uniforms and bizarre outfits.
By day you can explore Shibuya’s trendy boutiques and cool izakayas, a casual Japanese-style pub. By night the sidewalks swell with excited youth and the sounds of DJs playing in glass booths suspended over the streets.
A visit wouldn’t be complete without a stop at Harajuku Takeshita-dori, a popular street known for wacky shops selling colourful clothes and accessories, and for its fluffy, sweet crepes.
Best for: Young travellers or families with teenagers.
How to get there: Shibuya Station is a major transportation hub so it is easy to connect to airports or anywhere within Tokyo.
Top 5 things to see/do: Shibuya Scramble Crossing, Yoyogi Park, Meiji Jingu Shrine, Harajuku, Omotesando.
How long do I need? Half day.
Recommended tour:Harajuku – Shibuya Private Walking Tour – See the famous Shibuya crossing and explore the latest shopping spots, cute cafes and some very high-tech sushi.
3. Shinjuku
Shinjuku is the embodiment of everything Tokyo is known for. Expect neon lights, bustling streets, skyscraping entertainment centres, beautiful parks, vending-machine restaurants and mammoth shopping malls.
At night, Shinjuku pulses with the sounds of club music and clinking drinks as restaurants and shops close very late at night. There really is something for everyone with wacky robot cabaret shows, red-light districts and hidden restaurants just waiting to be found.
Best for: The thrillseeker.
How to get there: Shinjuku is located on top of Tokyo's busiest train station so all roads lead to here.
Top 5 things to see/do: Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden, Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building Free Observatory, Samurai Museum, Shinjuku Golden Gai, Omoide Yokocho.
How long do I need? Full day.
Recommended tour: Shinjuku and Kabukicho Evening Walking Tour – Wander the neon-lit laneways of Shinjuku and Kabukicho after dark on this two-hour nocturnal adventure. Sample hole-in-the-wall restaurants, take in the quirky bars of the Golden Gai and explore Kabukicho, the famous red-light district.
4. Asakusa
You’ll find lots more locals than foreigners in Asakusa for a taste of traditional Tokyo. If you imagine your time in Tokyo to be filled with Japanese rickshaws and temples, this is the place to be.
In one of the oldest neighborhoods, you’ll find Tokyo’s oldest temple, a maze of little streets, lots of small shops and eateries and the perfect place to soak up Japanese culture.
Best for: The off-the-beaten-path traveller.
How to get there: Asakusa is a 10-minute ride from Ginza via the metro Ginza line and accessible from the airport by train or bus.
Top 5 things to see/do: Sensoji Temple, Nakamise Shopping Street, Tokyo Skytree, Ueno Park, Tokyo National Museum.
How long do I need? Full day.
Recommended tour:Tokyo Asakusa Rickshaw Tour – An informative, customisable rickshaw ride through the Asakusa district including a stop at Sensoji Temple.
5. Odaiba
Odaiba is an entertainment hotspot where you’ll find a giant ferris wheel, amusement arcades, concert halls, heaps of shopping and a larger-than-life robot.
Known mostly for the Rainbow Bridge and the Statue of Liberty replica, Odaiba is also chock-full of family-friendly museums, theme parks and fun activities on the bay.
Best for: Families or the young at heart.
How to get there: An airport transfer or shuttle is your best bet to get here and public transport can be used to get around.
Top 5 things to see/do: Rainbow Bridge, Fuji TV Building, Gundam Front Tokyo, Legoland Discovery Centre, Toyota Megaweb.
How long do I need? Full day.
Recommended tour:Explore Odaiba on a Walking Food Tour – Enjoy a day of eating and strolling through Odaiba. Have a relaxing lunch, followed by snacks and desserts while learning about one of the most beautiful places in Tokyo.
Available on select trips until 30 June 2022 to Australia, New Zealand, Bali, Alaska, India, Thailand, Peru, South Africa, Japan, Maldives, Canada and more. T&Cs apply.
Available on select voyages from 2021 - 2023 when you book a balcony, deluxe balcony, mini-suite or suite rooms. Destinations include Australia, New Zealand, Hawaii, Alaska, USA, Japan, Europe and more. T&Cs apply.
Available on select voyages from 2021 - 2023 when you book an Interior or Oceanview stateroom. Destinations include Australia, New Zealand, Hawaii, Alaska, Japan, Europe and more. T&Cs apply.
Available on select travel dates with Royal Caribbean, Carnival Cruises, Princess Cruises, Celebrity Cruises and more. Sample rate is for a 3-night Caribbean cruise with MSC. Destinations include Australia, Japan, Vietnam, Italy, Alaska and more. T&Cs apply.
Get up to extra 3% off activities when you pay with your Visa card. Available until 30 April 2021 on activities like dining experiences, attraction passes, tours and more. T&Cs apply.
Stephanie Yip is the travel editor at Finder and has been writing about travel and lifestyle for over a decade. She has written for Travel Weekly, Escape, Showpo, The Nibbler and Hostelworld. She was also the editor of kids magazine DMAG. Stephanie has a Bachelor of Communications from the University of Technology Sydney and has visited 55 countries (and counting).
Want to wow next time you hit the beach? Check out the latest on-trend swimwear styles at Cupshe right now and make the most of the exclusive, active promo codes listed right here. Happy shopping!
Tokyo is filled with culture, beauty, nature and world-class dining. With so much to choose from, here’s a list of the best things to do when visiting the city.
The land of the rising sun is a popular travel destination all year round for Australians with its eclectic mix of buzzing megacity metropolis, beautiful historic temples and an ever-intriguing culture. But sometimes an omamori good luck charm is not enough to ward off bad spirits, which makes travel insurance absolutely necessary for your next trip to Japan.
How likely would you be to recommend finder to a friend or colleague?
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Very UnlikelyExtremely Likely
Required
Thank you for your feedback.
Our goal is to create the best possible product, and your thoughts, ideas and suggestions play a major role in helping us identify opportunities to improve.
Important information about this website
finder.com.au is one of Australia's leading comparison websites. We compare from a wide set of banks, insurers and product issuers. We value our editorial independence and follow editorial guidelines.
finder.com.au has access to track details from the product issuers listed on our sites. Although we provide information on the products offered by a wide range of issuers, we don't cover every available product or service.
Please note that the information published on our site should not be construed as personal advice and does not consider your personal needs and circumstances. While our site will provide you with factual information and general advice to help you make better decisions, it isn't a substitute for professional advice. You should consider whether the products or services featured on our site are appropriate for your needs. If you're unsure about anything, seek professional advice before you apply for any product or commit to any plan.
Products marked as 'Promoted' or 'Advertisement' are prominently displayed either as a result of a commercial advertising arrangement or to highlight a particular product, provider or feature. Finder may receive remuneration from the Provider if you click on the related link, purchase or enquire about the product. Finder's decision to show a 'promoted' product is neither a recommendation that the product is appropriate for you nor an indication that the product is the best in its category. We encourage you to use the tools and information we provide to compare your options.
Where our site links to particular products or displays 'Go to site' buttons, we may receive a commission, referral fee or payment when you click on those buttons or apply for a product. You can learn more about how we make money here.
When products are grouped in a table or list, the order in which they are initially sorted may be influenced by a range of factors including price, fees and discounts; commercial partnerships; product features; and brand popularity. We provide tools so you can sort and filter these lists to highlight features that matter to you.
We try to take an open and transparent approach and provide a broad-based comparison service. However, you should be aware that while we are an independently owned service, our comparison service does not include all providers or all products available in the market.
Some product issuers may provide products or offer services through multiple brands, associated companies or different labelling arrangements. This can make it difficult for consumers to compare alternatives or identify the companies behind the products. However, we aim to provide information to enable consumers to understand these issues.
Providing or obtaining an estimated insurance quote through us does not guarantee you can get the insurance. Acceptance by insurance companies is based on things like occupation, health and lifestyle. By providing you with the ability to apply for a credit card or loan, we are not guaranteeing that your application will be approved. Your application for credit products is subject to the Provider's terms and conditions as well as their application and lending criteria.
Please read our website terms of use and privacy policy for more information about our services and our approach to privacy.