Sightseeing Spots in Tokyo

Best Sightseeing Spots in Tokyo

          Tokyo is Japan's capital and the world's most populous metropolis. It is also one of Japan's 47 prefectures, consisting of 23 central city wards and multiple cities, towns and villages west of the city center. The Izu and Ogasawara Islands are also part of Tokyo.

          Today, Tokyo offers a seemingly unlimited choice of shopping, entertainment, culture and dining to its visitors. The city's history can be appreciated in districts such as Asakusa, and in many excellent museums, historic temples and gardens. Contrary to common perception, Tokyo also offers a number of attractive green spaces in the city center and within relatively short train rides at its outskirts.

1. Tokyo Tower

With 333 meters, Tokyo Tower is 13 meters taller than its model, the Eiffel Tower of Paris, and the world's tallest self-supporting steel tower. It was completed in the year 1958 as a symbol for Japan's rebirth as a major economic power, and serves as a television and radio broadcast antenna and tourist attraction.Visitors can ascend to the main observatory at 150 meters and the special observatory at 250 meters to get a bird's eye view of Tokyo. Under good weather conditions, Mount Fuji can be seen in the distance. A wax museum and several more attractions can be found on the ground floors of the tower. Separate entrance fees apply.
It is recommended to combine a visit to Tokyo Tower with a visit to Zojoji Temple, one of Tokyo's major temple, just next to the tower.

The Tokyo Skytree, an almost twice as tall, new broadcast antenna in northem Tokyo was opened in May 2012.

Hours and Fees

Hours:                Main observatory: 9:00 to 22:00 ( entry until 21:45)
Closed:               No cosing days
Admission:         900 yen ( to main observatory only), 1600 yen ( including special observatory)

2. Shibuya

Shibuya is one of the twenty-three city wards of Tokyo, but often refers to just the popular shopping and entertainment area found around Shibuya Station. In this regard, Shibuya is one of Tokyo's most colorful and busy districts, packed with shopping, dining and nightclubs serving swarms of visitors that come to the district everyday.

Shibuya is a center for youth fashion and culture, and its streets are the birthplace to many of Japan's fashion and entertainment trends. Over a dozen major department store branches can be found around the area catering to all types of shoppers. Most of the area's large department and fashion stores belong to either Tokyo or Seibu, two competing corporations.

Famous Streets and Districts:

Center Gai The birthplace of many Japanese fashion trends, Center Gai is a busy pedestrian zone in the heart of Shibuya lined by stores, boutiques and game centers. In the evenings the street is crowded with young people heading to night clubs, restaurants and bars, or just loitering around.

Koen Dori Koen Dori, lit. "Park Street", is a popular shopping street leading from the Marui department store to Yoyogi. It was named after Parco department store (parco is Italian for park) and the fact that the street leads to Yoyogi Park.

Spain Slope Spain Slope (Supeinzaka) is a narrow, approximately 100 meter long pedestrian street with stairs leading up the slope to the Parco department store. It is lined by boutiques, cafes and restaurants, and was nicknamed for its resemblance to a Spanish street scene.

3. Asakusa

  Asakusa is the center of Tokyo's shitamachi (literally "low city"), one of Tokyo's districts, where an atmosphere of the Tokyo of past decades survives.

Asakusa's main attraction is Sensoji, a very popular Buddhist temple, built in the 7th century. The temple is approached via the Nakamise, a shopping street that has been providing temple visitors with a variety of traditional, local snacks and tourist souvenirs for centuries. Asakusa can easily be explored on foot. Alternatively, you can consider a guided tour on a rickshaw (jinrikisha, literally "man powered vehicle"). A 30 minute tour for two persons costs around 8000 yen. Shorter and longer courses are also available.

Temples and Shrines

Kaminarimon (Kaminari Gate) Hours: Always open Admission: Free Kaminarimon is the first of two large entrance gates leading to Sensoji. First built more than 1000 years ago, it is the symbol of Asakusa. The Nakamise shopping street leads from Kaminarimon to the temple grounds.

Sensoji Temple Hours: 6:00 to 17:00 (from 6:30 October to March) Admission: Free Sensoji ("Senso" is an alternative reading for Asakusa and "ji" means temple) is Tokyo's most famous and popular temple. Built in the 7th century, it is also one of its oldest, although the current buildings are postwar reconstructions.

Asakusa Shrine Hours: Always open Admission: Free Asakusa Shrine, also known as Sanja-sama, was built during the Edo Period and survived the air raids of 1945. The shrine's festival, the Sanja Matsuri, is one of Tokyo's most spectacular and popular. It is held every year on a weekend (Friday to Sunday) in mid May.rine

Shopping

Nakamise Shopping Street Hours depend on the individual shops; typically daily from 9:00 to 19:00 The Nakamise shopping street stretches over approximately 250 meters from Kaminarimon to the main grounds on Sensoji temple. It is lined by more than 50 shops, which offer local specialties and the usual array of tourist souvenirs.

Actually, in Tokyo, There is more sightseeing spots, so If you are interested in going to Tokyo. I personally recommend going to the above three spots.