Travel Japan - Tokyo - Attractions
Tokyo has many tourist attractions. The following list covers just a
selection of the major ones. Thanks to a very convenient train and subway
system (with signs in English), it is easy to visit most of these attractions.
Shrines, temples, and castles
The Imperial Palace, Meiji Shrine, and Sensoji Temple are the three most
popular ones in Tokyo.
- Kokyo, or the Imperial Palace — Home of the Emperor and Crown
Prince and their families.
- Sensoji — Asakusa
- Meiji Shrine — Dedicated to Emperor Meiji
- State Guest-House
- Yasukuni Shrine
- Zojoji — Main headquarters of the Pure Land Buddhism
- Tsukiji Honganji Temple — Tokyo headquarters of the Jodo Shinshu
Nishi Honganji Buddhist sect.
- Gokokuji Temple
Festivals and events
Tokyo holds many festivals large and small throughout the year.
Spring Festivals and Events
- Bunkyo Tsutsuji Matsuri (azalea festival) at Nezu Shrine in Bunkyo-ku.
- Fuji Matsuri (wisteria festival) at Kameido Tenjin Shrine in Koto-ku.
- Hinode Matsuri (sunrise festival) at Mitake Shrine in Ome.
- Kachiya Festival at Katori Shrine in Koto-ku.
- Kanda Myojin Omikoshi Togyo at Kanda Myojin Shrine in Chiyoda-ku.
- Kappa Matsuri at Ebara Shrine in Shinagawa-ku.
- Kifune Matsuri at Kifune Shrine in Ota-ku.
- Kurayami Matsuri (black night festival) at Okunitama Shrine in Fuchu.
- Meiji Shrine Spring Festival at Meiji Shrine in Shibuya-ku.
- Osunafumi Taisai (walking-on-sand ritual) at Tamagawa Daishi Temple
in Setagaya-ku.
- Sanja Matsuri at Asakusa Shrine in Taito-ku.
- Shishi Matsuri (lion dance festival) at Nagasaki Shrine in Toshima-ku.
- Takigi Noh (open-air torchlight Noh performance) at Zojoji Temple
in Minato-ku.
- Yayoi Matsuri ceremony by the Edo Shobo Kinen-kai (Edo Civilian Fire
Fighters' Association) in the vicinity of
- Sensoji Temple in Taito-ku.
Summer Festivals and Events
- Koenji Awa Odori
- Asakusa Samba Matsuri
- Sumida Fireworks in Asakusa and Sumida Ward
- Tokyo Bay Fireworks
- Jingu Fireworks
- Fukagawa Hachiman Matsuri
Fall (Autumn) Festivals and Events
- Tokyo Jidai Matsuri in Asakusa
Winter Festivals and Events
- Hatsumode New Year's Prayers at Meiji Shrine, Sensoji, and other major
shrines and temples
- Dezome-shiki Fireman's Parade at Tokyo Big Sight
- Setsubun at Sensoji and other major temples
Parks and gardens
- Hibiya Park
- Jingu Gaien
- East Garden of the Imperial Palace
- Meiji Shrine Inner Garden
- Shinjuku-gyoen Park
- Showa Memorial Park in Tachikawa
- Sumida Park
- Ueno Park
- Yoyogi Park
- Kitanomaru Park
- Hama-Rikyu Imperial Gift Garden
- Kiyosumi Garden
- Rikugien Garden
- Inokashira Park in Kichijoji
- Kyu-Furukawa Gardens
- Koishikawa Korakuen Garden
- Koishikawa Botanical Garden
- Shinjuku Central Park
- Komazawa Olympic Park
- Kiba Park
- Kasai Rinkai Park
- Kinuta Park
- Jindai Botanical Garden in Chofu
Flowers
- Ume blossoms (Feb.-March)—Yoshino Baigo in Ome, Mukojima Hyakkaen
Garden, Hanegi Park in Umegaoka
- Cherry blossoms (Late March-early April)—Ueno Park and Shinobazu
Pond, Yoyogi Park, Shinjuku Gyoen, Inokashira Park in Kichijoji, Chidorigafuchi
Imperial Palace moat near the Budokan, Aoyama Cemetery, Sumida Park
and River near Asakusa, International Christian University
- Wisteria (Late April-early May)—Kameido Tenjin Shrine in Koto
Ward
- Azaleas (Late April-early May)—Nezu Shrine, East Garden of the
Imperial Palace, Shiofune Kannon Temple in Ome
- Roses (mid-late May)—Jindai Botanical Garden in Chofu
- Irises (early-mid June)—Meiji Shrine, Horikiri Iris Garden
- Hydrangeas (June-July)—Takahata Fudo Temple, Hino
Scenic views
- Tokyo Tower
- Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building Observatory
- Rainbow Bridge walkway
- Sunshine City Observatory in Ikebukuro
- Fuji TV Headquarters Observatory in Odaiba
Shopping and entertainment
Tokyo has various shopping districts famous for specific products. Akihabara
is well-known for electronics stores, Shinjuku for camera and book shops,
Ginza for department stores and luxury goods, Shibuya and Harajuku for
teenage fashion, and Jinbocho for used (and new) books.
- Shibuya—Teen fashion
- Harajuku—Street/teen fashion
- Shinjuku—Cameras, computers
- Omotesando—Fashion, luxury brands
- Ginza—Department stores, luxury brands
- Ueno
- Jinbocho—Used and new books
- Ameya Alley Market near Ueno
- Akihabara—Electronic appliances.
- Odaiba—Shopping and entertainment on Tokyo Bay
- Roppongi—Nightlife area popular among foreigners
- Ebisu Garden Place
- Budokan—Concerts, martial arts
- Tokyo Dome—Baseball, concerts
- Oedo Onsen Monogatari in Odaiba—Hot spring
- Tokyo Disney Resort—Disneyland and Disneysea
Other Attractions
- Grand Sumo Tournaments in Jan., May, and Sept. at the Ryogoku Kokugikan
- Tsukiji fish market
This article is licensed under the GNU
Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Tokyo".
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