Things to do in Central Tokyo

Activities, attractions and tours

Roppongi Hills showing a park, a city and a skyscraper
Central Tokyo
Central Tokyo
Roppongi Hills featuring a city, cbd and a skyscraper
Tokyo Tower which includes a city, central business district and a skyscraper
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Top places to visit

1. Tokyo Tower

Back in 1958 Tokyo's brand-new TV networks needed a tall antenna array to transmit signals, and the city needed a national symbol as it struggled to emerge from the devastation of World War II. The result was the 333-metre high white and orange Tokyo Tower, a structure that bears more than a passing resemblance to France's Eiffel Tower and which has just celebrated its 55th anniversary. The two observatory points quickly became major tourist attractions and the tower now attracts around 2.4 million visitors a year. As well as the amazing views, there's a small art gallery, the Guinness Book of World Records Museum Tokyo, and a wax museum in a complex known as Foot Town, found at the base of the tower.
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Sunset scene:Tokyo Tower in Tokyo, Japan

2. Tokyo Imperial Palace

From the 1600s to 1867, shoguns ruling Edo, as Tokyo was then called, resided in Edo Castle on this site in central Tokyo. The castle was the largest in the world at that time. In 1868, when the shogunate was displaced, Japan moved its capital from Kyoto to Tokyo and occupied the Edo Castle site. After fire destroyed much of the complex, they built a new imperial palace in 1888, much of which remains today. The walls, towers and moat bridges are reminiscent of how the site was hundreds of years ago, when ramparts and moats played a critical role in protecting the complex.
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Tokyo Imperial Palace which includes a lake or waterhole and a garden

3. Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden

Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden offers a peaceful experience in the heart of Tokyo’s Shinjuku district. Visit the garden year-round to enjoy artistic landscaping in this oasis within one of the world’s largest cities.
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Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden featuring heritage architecture and a park

4. Ueno Park

Tokyo’s Ueno Park was once the site of one of the city’s largest temples. Now recognized for its important museums and institutions, this park is also among Tokyo’s most popular cherry blossom viewing locations. Around late March to early April, over 1,000 cherry trees blossom along the park’s main pathway, attracting visitors from all over Japan and the world. Bring a mat and picnic to enjoy hanami with delicate pink blossoms falling beside you.
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Ueno park Shinobazu pond and modern buildings at autumn in Tokyo, Japan

5. Roppongi Hills

Fourteen years in the making, this haven of shopping, dining and entertainment is modern Tokyo at its best. The complex was built by the Harry Triguboff of Tokyo, Minoru Mori and appeals equally to locals, expats and holidaymakers alike who come to play in this city within a city. There's plenty to do and see, including a garden, a cinema and an art museum.
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Roppongi Hills showing a park, a city and a skyscraper

6. Tokyo Midtown

Tokyo Midtown is a vast, modern complex containing many shops, galleries and restaurants. A scenic park wraps around the northern side of the compound, which consists of a set of glassy towers and open-air plazas. Wander through the building and appreciate the innovative architecture and public works of art.
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Tokyo Midtown which includes street scenes, a city and night scenes

What to do in Central Tokyo

Popular places to visit

Tokyo Dome

Tokyo Dome

Catch an event at Tokyo Dome during your trip to Tokyo. Amble within picturesque gardens or visit the temples in this vibrant area.

Tokyo Dome
Tokyo Tower which includes a city, cbd and modern architecture

Tokyo Tower

No, you're not in Paris, though this Eiffel-inspired structure and Tokyo landmark might make you think you've been transported to Europe.

Tokyo Tower
Tokyo Imperial Palace which includes a lake or waterhole and a garden

Tokyo Imperial Palace

Home to Japan's Imperial Family, the grounds of the Royal Palace make for a peaceful break from urban life.

Tokyo Imperial Palace
Nippon Budokan

Nippon Budokan

Catch an event at Nippon Budokan during your trip to Tokyo. Amble around this vibrant area's picturesque gardens or experience its fascinating museums.

Nippon Budokan
Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden showing picnicing and a garden as well as a couple

Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden

A stroll through this peaceful, colorful garden is the highlight of a trip to Tokyo at any time of year. It is especially popular for the cherry blossoms of spring.

Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden
Ueno Park featuring a city and a garden

Ueno Park

Home to important museums, shrines and one of the city’s most photographed ponds, this public park is a perfect one-stop destination for culture and tranquility.

Ueno Park
Roppongi Hills showing a park, a city and a skyscraper

Roppongi Hills

This futuristic complex in southern Tokyo is the place to head for shopping, dining and spectacular views of the rest of the city.

Roppongi Hills
Waseda University

Waseda University

Explore the campus of Waseda University during your stay in Tokyo. Amble within picturesque gardens or visit the shops in this vibrant area.

Waseda University
Tokyo Midtown

Tokyo Midtown

One of Tokyo’s tallest buildings rises from the center of an eclectic hub containing fashionable galleries and restaurants and a tranquil park with cherry blossoms.

Tokyo Midtown

Areas of Central Tokyo

Ginza featuring skyline, signage and street scenes

Ginza

5/5(6 area reviews)

Named after a silver-coin mint, this district has a long association with affluence. Today it’s where you’ll find some of Japan’s most upmarket labels, restaurants and galleries.

Ginza
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Akihabara

While you're in Akihabara, take in top sights like Akihabara Electric Town and jump on the metro at Suehirocho Station to see more of the city.

Akihabara
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Akasaka

4/5(4 area reviews)

Visit the upscale restaurants, flashy entertainment complexes and theaters in this hilly neighborhood with modern skyscrapers, shopping malls and nightclubs.

Akasaka
Akihabara Electric Town which includes shopping, street scenes and signage

Chiyoda

4.5/5(15 area reviews)

Imperial, political and religious landmarks, peaceful gardens, superb art exhibitions, live music venues and theaters beckon visitors to Tokyo’s central district.

Chiyoda
Roppongi which includes street scenes, night scenes and a city

Roppongi

4/5(2 area reviews)

In the past this was one of Tokyo’s infamous nightlife areas, but its now an entertainment district known for tourist-friendly restaurants, bars, clubs and a gigantic spider.

Roppongi
Marunouchi featuring a skyscraper, a city and a garden

Marunouchi

4.5/5(2 area reviews)

Once home to feudal lords, this area now hosts Japan’s royal family, headquarters of multinational companies and, by night, some of the city’s liveliest nightlife.

Marunouchi
Tokyo

Tokyo