Futuristic and fascinating, Tokyo is a world city that should be on everyone's travel agenda.
One of the world's largest cities – 30 million people call Tokyo home – is a city of contrasts. Few other places in the world are such a jumble of science-fiction-style skyscrapers bristling with modernity next door to narrow alleys packed with dark, smoky restaurants and ancient temples. Though Tokyo was shaken badly by the March 2011 earthquake, the city sustained remarkably little damage, and now life is fully back to normal.
The first Tokyoites settled here around 10,000 BC and Edo, as it was known, remained a sleepy fishing village for thousands of years. But Edo was to grow to become the world’s largest city. In 1868, Edo was renamed Tokyo, meaning Eastern Capital, as the country embarked on a massive round of empire building, which eventually led to the calamitous World War II. Half the city was completely destroyed in air raids, and what was left now coexists with a thoroughly modern city.
On arrival, the first thing you should do is head up to the top of a skyscraper to get the lay of the land. From the Rainbow Bridge, Tokyo Tower, Mori Tower and Tokyo Skytree, you can admire the city's iconic landmarks and even see all the way to Mount Fuji.
Tokyo's fascinating street life is one of the city's highlights: head to the city's liveliest district Shinjuku to experience its atmosphere. The Roppongi Hills complex in the heart of the city is another unmissable sight with great nightlife and entertainment options galore.
Although thoroughly modern, Tokyo has not forgotten its past. The Tokyo National Museum has a vast collection with some artefacts dating back 12,000 years. Learn more about Japan's emperors at the Tokyo Imperial Palace, which has been home to shoguns and emperors for centuries. Visit the Yasukuni shrine, which commemorates the 2 million citizens who gave their lives for their country during the Meiji Restoration. Traditional Buddhist spirituality dates back thousands of years and can be explored at the Sensoji Temple
Despite its huge population, Tokyo has plenty of open spaces. The world-famous cherry blossoms are in bloom in late March and early April, and Shinjuku Gyoen is a popular destination if you want to admire the blooms.
Step from Tokyo’s busiest train station into streets filled with endless shopping and dining options and the largest concentration of “love hotels” in the city.
Follow the footsteps of centuries of worshippers along a street filled with traditional snack stalls and through the gates of one of Tokyo’s most popular temples.
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.
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.
Top hotels in Tokyo
Estimated price for 1 night / 2 adults
APA Hotel & Resort Nishishinjuku Gochome Eki Tower
3 out of 5
3-14-1 Honmachi, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo, Tokyo
P2,424
per night
15 Dec - 16 Dec
Located in Shinjuku, this hotel is 0.6 mi (1 km) from Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building and 1.6 mi (2.5 km) from Meiji Jingu Shrine. Tokyo Dome and Tokyo ...…Located in Shinjuku, this hotel is 0.6 mi (1 km) from Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building and 1.6 mi (2.5 km) from Meiji Jingu Shrine. Tokyo Dome and Tokyo ...WWW…
4.2/5Very Good! (2,461 reviews)
"Room too small, blanket not enough n room temperature control not stable."…""Room too small, blanket not enough n room temperature control not stable."WWW…"
Located in Shinjuku, this hotel is within a 15-minute walk of Robot Restaurant and Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden. Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building and ...…Located in Shinjuku, this hotel is within a 15-minute walk of Robot Restaurant and Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden. Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building and ...WWW…
4.4/5Excellent! (8,511 reviews)
"Great location, comfortable bed. Speedy check-in and checkout."…""Great location, comfortable bed. Speedy check-in and checkout."WWW…"
Located in Shinjuku, this hotel is within a 15-minute walk of Omoide Yokocho and Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden. Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building and Meiji ...…Located in Shinjuku, this hotel is within a 15-minute walk of Omoide Yokocho and Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden. Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building and Meiji ...WWW…
3.9/5Good! (5,011 reviews)
"Pros: Excellent location, right in the middle of Kabukicho Bed is comfortable Right in front of 2 convenient stores, and a vending machine in the lobby, very convenient"…""Pros: Excellent location, right in the middle of Kabukicho Bed is comfortable Right in front of 2 convenient stores, and a vending machine in the lobby, very convenient"WWW…"
Set within a large park filled with thousands of trees from all over Japan, this shrine is dedicated to a much-loved emperor and offers tranquility to visitors.
Get ready for a night of eye-popping entertainment like nothing you've seen at the Robot Restaurant, where bright lights, techno music, dinosaurs, and dancers combine with—of course—robots for a sensory spectacle in the heart of the Kabukicho red-light district.
Full-Day Sightseeing Bus Tour in Tokyo with Cruise
P5,093
Discover Tokyo's top attractions by bus. In morning you can feel the Japanese history going through Meiji Shrine, the imperial palace and Sensouij temple in Asakusa. In afternoon you will experience modern Japan at the Tokyo Sky Tree tower and Tokyo Bay Cruise.
Full-Day Mt. Fuji Bus Tour:4D Flight Experience-Fuji Airways
P6,019
Best bus tour to visit Mt. Fuji! Focused on taking the best view of Mt.Fuji as stayingat Fuji area all day! Visiting Oshino hakkai, traditional villadge famous for 8 beatiful ponds, Oshino Ninja Villadge to do unique ninja activities.
Mount Fuji, Lake Ashi & Hakone National Park by Bullet Train
P7,176
Leave the hustle and bustle of Tokyo behind on this escape to Japan’s highest mountain and volcano—Mount Fuji. Enjoy a scenic cruise on the immaculate Lake Ashi, and then take in stunning sights while soaring on the Hakone Komagatake Ropeway before returning to Tokyo by bullet train.
Visit the tallest structure in Japan and enjoy views of sprawling Tokyo City from the towering observation decks of TOKYO SKYTREE®. Skip past the lines and go straight up to the 1,150-foot (350-m) Tembo Deck or 1,475-foot (450-m) Tembo Galleria to relish the breathtaking panorama.
Private Tour - A Tour of the 'Must-See's in Akihabara
P5,465
Itinerary This is a typical itinerary for this product Stop At: Volks Hobby Paradise, 1-chōme-15-4 Sotokanda, Chiyoda City, Tōkyō-to 101-0021, Japan Volks Akihabara Hobby Tengoku: This is a store that sells massive amount character goods from popular anime and movie.
Discover the best places in Japan for otaku on an anime tour of Tokyo. Go shopping in Akihabara, get tickets to the Ghibli Museum, and cosplay in Tokyo.
Rugby World Cup Japan: Things to Do Between Matches
Crouch, bind, set for the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan! With matches spread over 12 venues in cities across the country, traveling for the Rugby World Cup lets you experience Japanese culture and hospitality beyond the usual tourist cities.
From the serenity of ancient shrines to the electric lights of Akihabara, here are some sustainable tourism tips for being a responsible traveler in Japan.
