Stand on the pedestrian walkway of the Rainbow Bridge in the evening and the whole bay opens up in front of you: the lights of Odaiba on one side, the city's towers on the other, and the water moving underneath. It is one of the simplest ways to understand how Tokyo is put together, and it costs nothing but the walk.
Tokyo suits travellers who are happy to move between very different moods in a single day: temple lanes in the morning, department-store basements at lunch, neon at night. The city rewards people who pick a few areas and let them unfold rather than trying to cross the whole metropolis.
This guide covers the sights and experiences the source material names, ordered so the strongest come first, plus a one-day plan that strings them together.
Top things to do in Tokyo
1. Senso-ji and Asakusa
Senso-ji in Asakusa is one of the first items on most visitors' agendas, and the surrounding district is the base for several other experiences in this list. Come here for the temple itself, then stay for the river.
Combine it with a boat ride on the Sumida River from Asakusa, and if you are in the city in the third weekend of May, the Sanja Matsuri is held near Senso-ji, with a parade of portable shrines, music, dancing and geisha performances.
2. The Imperial Palace gardens in Chiyoda
The gardens of the Imperial Palace are named alongside Asakusa and Meiji Shrine as one of the first sights most visitors seek out. The East Gardens are open to the public daily at 09:00, except Fridays and Mondays.
Pair a garden visit with the Sky Bus Tokyo "T-01 course", a 45-minute open-top bus ride that loops around the Imperial Palace via Ginza and Marunouchi and shows the shopping and business centre of the city.
3. Meiji Shrine in Harajuku
Meiji Shrine (明治神宮 Meiji-jingū) sits in Harajuku and is the third of the classic first stops. It is a calm counterweight to the streets immediately around it.
Afterwards, walk the nearby Takeshita-Dori for the young crowd, or the more grown-up Omotesando, and watch Harajuku's fashion tribes at their shopping.
4. Shibuya and east Shinjuku at night
Losing yourself in the neon outside the major train stations in the evening is one of the defining Tokyo experiences. Shibuya and east Shinjuku are the two areas the source singles out, and both are at their best after dark.
Shinjuku also works for a night out: raise a glass in the district's colourful nightlife, or join a bar hop or pub crawl in Roppongi if you want company.
5. Toyosu Market and Tsukiji
See the tuna auction at Toyosu Market, then eat a sushi breakfast at the former Tsukiji Fish Market. It is an early start, but it sets up the rest of the day well.
Both sit on the bay side, so you can continue towards Odaiba afterwards.
6. Odaiba by the Yurikamome
Take the Yurikamome elevated train across the bay bridge from Shimbashi station to the bayside Odaiba district. The scenery on the way includes a giant Unicorn Gundam robot statue.
If you would rather see the bay from the water side, the Odaiba Rainbow Bus starts at Shinagawa and Tamachi stations and is a cheap way to enjoy the view.
7. The Rainbow Bridge walkway
The Rainbow Bridge links Tokyo to Odaiba, and its pedestrian walkways are free and open until 20:00. The night-time view across Tokyo Bay is impressive.
Be prepared for traffic noise and smell, and consider combining the walk with the Yurikamome so you cross the bay twice, once on foot and once by train.
8. A free observation deck: the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Center
The Tokyo Metropolitan Government Center in Shinjuku has twin towers with viewing platforms that are absolutely free, offering a great view over Tokyo and beyond. It is the best-value viewing option in the city.
For a second free option, the Bunkyo Civic Center next to the Tokyo Dome has a 25th-floor observation deck with an iconic view of Shinjuku against Mount Fuji on a clear day.
9. Tokyo SkyTree in Sumida
Tokyo SkyTree is the city's newer viewing tower, standing 634 m above the ground. Its location away from downtown means the view is a distant jumble of buildings rather than a close-up of the centre.
Weigh it against the more familiar Tokyo Tower in Minato, which is not as expensive, though neither view is as good as some of the free alternatives.
10. Tokyo City View in Roppongi
Tokyo City View has an observation deck with great views of Tokyo Bay and downtown Tokyo, including the nearby Tokyo Tower. Admission is steep but includes entry to the Mori Art Museum.
It is a good choice if you want art and a view in one stop, and it sits in Roppongi, where the bar-hopping scene is.
11. Ueno's museums and Ueno Park
The city is dotted with museums large and small, covering interests from pens to antique clocks to traditional and modern arts, and many of the largest are clustered around Ueno. Entrance fees of ¥500–1,000 or more can add up quickly, so choose carefully.
Ueno Park itself dates from 1873, and the area is easy to combine with a wander south towards Yanaka.
12. Yanaka and Yanesen
Yanaka is Tokyo's most traditional and quaint district, retaining a pleasant atmosphere and old-town ambience. Losing yourself in the vestiges of the old area Yanesen (Yanaka-Nezu-Sendagi) is a sightseeing experience quite different from the city's commercial centres.
Give it a half-day rather than an hour; the appeal is in the walking.
13. Akihabara
Akihabara is where you venture into the belly of the pop-culture beast. It is a district to browse rather than tick off.
It pairs naturally with an evening in east Shinjuku or Shibuya if you want to end the day in neon.
14. A sento or onsen theme park
Enjoy a soak in a local sento, or one of the onsen theme parks such as LaQua at the Tokyo Dome in Bunkyo. It is a good way to close a long day of walking.
LaQua sits next to the Bunkyo Civic Center, so you can take in the free observation deck and then soak.
15. Inokashira Park and the Ghibli Studios Museum
In spring, take a boat ride in Kichijoji's Inokashira Park, then visit the Ghibli Studios Museum. Tickets for the museum must be bought in advance at a Lawson convenience store.
Cherry blossom season lasts only about 10–14 days in spring, and parks are usually very crowded during that time, so plan around it rather than expecting a quiet picnic.
If you only have one day
Morning: Start early at Toyosu Market to see the tuna auction, then eat a sushi breakfast at the former Tsukiji Fish Market. From there, head to the Imperial Palace in Chiyoda and walk the East Gardens, which open at 09:00 except on Fridays and Mondays.
Afternoon: Take the Sky Bus Tokyo "T-01 course" from the city centre for a 45-minute loop around the Imperial Palace via Ginza and Marunouchi. Afterwards, cross the bay on the Yurikamome from Shimbashi station to Odaiba and look out for the giant Unicorn Gundam robot statue.
Evening: Walk the Rainbow Bridge pedestrian walkway before it closes at 20:00 for the night-time view across Tokyo Bay. Finish with the neon outside the stations in Shibuya or east Shinjuku, and a drink in Shinjuku's nightlife district.
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to see cherry blossoms in Tokyo?
Sakura lasts only about 10–14 days in spring. Parks are usually very crowded during that window, so expect company if you plan a picnic.
Which Tokyo observation decks are free?
The Tokyo Metropolitan Government Center in Shinjuku has free viewing platforms on its twin towers, and the Bunkyo Civic Center has a free 25th-floor observation deck. The Rainbow Bridge pedestrian walkways are also free and open until 20:00.
Do I need to book the Ghibli Studios Museum in advance?
Yes. Tickets must be bought in advance at a Lawson convenience store.
What happens during Sanja Matsuri?
Held on the third weekend in May near Senso-ji Temple in Asakusa, the three-day festival features a parade of portable shrines with music, dancing and geisha performances.
Pick the areas that match your mood, check the days the Imperial Palace East Gardens are open, and start building your Tokyo itinerary around them.