Places in Tokyo, Tokyo Places in Tokyo, Tokyo

What Are the 15 Most Beautiful Places in Tokyo?

The natural beauty of Tokyo provides us with a much-needed break from our busy lifestyle.

Tokyo’s perfect balancing act of bustling and peaceful living is precisely what one needs to feel relaxed.

While Tokyo’s rapid expansion will make you aware of how quickly the world is changing, the city’s natural beauty will allow you to escape this rapid trend.

Tokyo’s greatest asset is that it offers something for everyone. You can discover anything here, whether you enjoy nature, fashion, culture, museums, or art. You will find it all here.

Here is our selection of the 15 most beautiful places in Tokyo to help you plan your vacation to this fascinating and diverse city.

1. Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden

Places in Tokyo, Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden
Photo By Thor Alvis / Unsplash / Copyright 2018

The Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden is a stunning garden that dates back to the Edo Era. The garden was formerly the residence of a feudal lord, and later on, it was taken by the imperial family, who used it to relax and host guests.

After suffering devastation during World War II, the garden was rebuilt and given a new identity as a national park.

This location is well-known among anime fans as the setting for the 2013 anime film “The Garden of Words.” It also appears in Yasunari Kawabata’s “The Sound of the Mountain.

There are three distinct gardens in the vicinity:

1.1. The Classic Japanese Garden

The park offers visitors a glimpse of stunning Japanese nature with its many ponds and bridges.

1.2. Garden in French

The French formal garden, surrounded by so many flowers, allows one to smell the scent of the flower and romance. With its blooming flowers, this garden is simply magical in the spring.

1.3. The English-Style Garden

The English-styled garden is well-known for its cherry blossom trees that line its large open lawns.

1.4. Flora

The garden is home to various trees, including plane trees, huge Himalayan cedars, tulip trees, cherry trees, and cypress trees. The garden’s greenhouse houses over 1,700 tropical and subtropical plants for public view.

Every November, the enchanting Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden has a chrysanthemum show that draws plenty of visitors who may take advantage of the chance to capture this special moment on camera or simply relax and take in the serene nature.

The garden showcases more than 400 distinct species in bloom from March to April. During that period, many people visit the garden, making it one of the popular places in Tokyo for enjoying the cherry blossoms.

1.5. When to Visit

  1. Open

  • Open from 9:00 am to 4:30 pm.
  1. Closed

  • Closed on Mondays
  • Closed at both year’s end and throughout the New Year’s holiday (December 29 – January 3).
  1. Entrance Fee

  • Fee for general admission: 500 Yen
  • 65 years and older: 250 Yen
  • Students: 250 Yen
  • *Free for children 15 and under
  •  Groups comprising 30 or more individuals: 400 Yen

2. Sensoji Temple

Places in tokyo, Sensoji Temple
Photo By kongwiz / pixabay / Copyrght 2017

Devoted to Kannon, the bodhisattva of mercy, the Sensoji Temple is located in Asakusa and is Tokyo’s oldest Buddhist temple. The famous Kaminarimon, also known as the Thunder Gate, is the exterior gate of Sensoji Temple and serves as the temple’s entryway.

The temple is surrounded by a five-story pagoda, the Asakusa Shinto shrine, and Nakamise-dōri full of shops selling traditional items and Japanese food.

The temple was rebuilt after being destroyed during the Second World War.

As one of the most visited places in Tokyo, the Sensoji Temple area hosts several activities annually. The biggest event is the Sanja Matsuri, an Asakusa Shrine yearly celebration in May to commemorate Hinokuma Takenari, Hinokuma Hamanari, and Hajino Nakatomo, the three men who founded the temple.

The magnificent shrine is free to visit, although it’s often busy. It is preferable to visit it early morning or after the busiest times of the day to escape the crowds.

2.1. When to Visit

  1. Open

  • Open all year.
  • Open from 6 am to 5 pm. The temple opens each morning at 06:30 between October and March.
  1. Entry Fee

  • Free Entry

3. Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum

Places in Tokyo, Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum
Photo By siraanamwong / unlimphotos / Copyright 2022

The Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum is an art museum located in Ueno Park in Tokyo, Japan. The museum was founded in 1926 as Japan’s first public art museum. The present museum was designed by Japanese architect Kunio Maekawa and was finished in 1975.

The museum’s permanent exhibits include 36 calligraphic pieces by 30 calligraphers and 12 sculpture pieces from 1975 to 1985. In addition, the museum holds exhibitions to display the creations of various artists. There is no entrance fee to the museum; only exhibition entry is charged, and the costs depend on the show.

For every museum enthusiast, this is one of the must-see places in Tokyo.

3.1. When to Visit

  1. Open

  • 9:30 am until 05:30 pm, with the last entry at 5 pm.
  • Friday: The museum is open to the public from 9:30 am until 05:30 pm, with the last entry at 5 pm.
  1.  Close

  • Closed on the 1st and 3rd Mondays.
  • The museum will be closed the next day if there is a national holiday.
  •  *Visitors should check the main page for the most recent information about exhibitions and events and any changes.
  1. Entry Fee

Single Ticket

  • Adults: 1,400 Yen
  • University students: 1,120 Yen
  • Middle & high school students: 700 Yen
  • Senior (65 and over): 700 Yen

Group Ticket (20 or more)

  • Adults: 1,120 Yen
  • University students: 890 Yen
  • Senior (65 and over): 560 Yen
  • Middle & high school students: 560 Yen

4. Tokyo Skytree

Places in Tokyo, Tokyo Skytree
Photo By hiro_yagi / pixabay / Copyright 2021

The Tokyo Skytree is one of the well-known places in Tokyo and a famous tourist attraction. It served as the city’s primary TV and radio transmission facility. The breathtaking views the Tokyo Skytree offers over the city have made it one of the most popular places in Tokyo to visit among tourists. From up here, one can even view Mount Fuji!

The 634-meter tower was designed to resemble a huge tree with extensive ground roots. The architecture of the building resists earthquakes with many levels and has two viewing platforms: The Tembo Deck and the Tembo Gallery.

There are also gift shops, souvenir shops, cafés, restaurants, a museum, an aquarium, a planetarium, and a glass floor for the visitors to explore.

Due to its popularity, many people visit the Tokyo Skytree every day. Therefore, it is advised to purchase the tickets online in advance.

4.1. When to Visit

  1. Open

  • Open entire year from 10 am – 9 pm, final admission at 8 pm.
  1. Entry Fee

The visitors have three ticket options:

Advanced Ticket

  • Tembo Deck: 1800 Yen
  • Combo Ticket: Access to Tembo Galleria and Tembo Deck: 2700 Yen

Same-Day Ticket

  • Tembo Deck: 2100 Yen
  • Combo Ticket: Access to Tembo Galleria and Tembo Deck: 3100 Yen

Skytree Package

  • This package includes a ticket for entry to the Tokyo Skytree as well as a ticket to other attractions.

 5. The Imperial Palace

Places in Tokyo, Imperial Palace
Photo By pierre9x6 / pixabay / Copyright 2022

The Tokyo Imperial Palace is one of the most recognizable places in Tokyo and the residence of the Japanese Emperor.

The Imperial Palace, which showcases traditional Japanese architecture and landscape, offers visitors a chance to explore Japan’s fascinating history and culture. Beautiful natural areas and ancient buildings can be seen across the Imperial Palace.

Although the inner palace grounds are off-limits to the general public, tourists can still enjoy other parts of the Imperial Palace that the public can access.

5.1. The Kitanomaru Park

Kitanomaru Park is a beautiful public park located on the northern side of the palace grounds. In addition to housing the National Museum of Modern Art and the National Crafts Museum, this park is well-known among visitors for its bird-viewing opportunities.

5.2. Chidorigafuchi Park

Chidorigafuchi Park, located on the northwestern side of Imperial Royal, is a long pathway that follows a palace moat. The park features a path of colourful spring cherry blossoms.

5.3. East Gardens

The garden is a great spot to see various plants and flowers. The grounds also have some remnants of the Edo Castle, huge stone walls, guard houses, and other historic buildings.

5.4. Nijubashi Bridge

Nijubashi Bridge is a stone bridge that spans the Imperial Palace’s inner moat. It serves as the primary entrance to the inner palace grounds, typically off-limits to the general public but open on January 2 and the emperor’s birthday.

5.5. When to Visit

  1. Open

  • The general open hours are from 9 am to 5 pm, depending on the month.
  • *Please check the official site before visiting.
  1. Closed

  • The Garden is shut on Mondays and Fridays each week.
  • The Garden will be closed the following day if a national holiday falls on a Monday.
  • Open on holidays, excluding the Emperor’s Birthday.
  1. Entry Fee

  • Visits to the Imperial Palace are free.

 6. Tokyo National Museum

Places in Tokyo, Tokyo National Museum
Photo by siraanamwong / unlimphotos / Copyright 2022

 The Tokyo National Museum, located in Ueno Park, is Japan’s oldest national museum, and its exhibits have captured the hearts of museum lovers worldwide. Considered one of the most special places in Tokyo, the museum provides visitors a window into Japan’s history and culture.

The six exhibition rooms at the national museum display Japanese art, archaeology, East Asian art, and treasures.

6.1. When to Visit

  1. Open

  • The opening hours are 9:30 am to 5:00 pm, with the last entrance 30 minutes before closure.
  1. Closed

  • Mondays, except holidays.
  • *The museum will be closed the next day if there is a holiday on Monday.
  • Year-End Holidays, which may vary.
  1. Entry Fee

Fee for the regular exhibitions

  • Adults: 1000 Yen
  • University Students: 500 Yen
  • Under 18 years and over 70 years: Free
  • *The cost of admission to special exhibitions varies depending on the exhibition.

7. Tokyo Tower

places In Tokyo, Tokyo Tower
Photo By Hope2016 / pixabay / Copyright 2016

One of Tokyo’s most well-known sites, completed in 1958, is the iconic Tokyo Tower. The tower serves as an observation and communication platform. The observatory offers an intriguing view over the city due to being in central Tokyo, making it one of the most popular places in Tokyo among people.

The tower, modelled after the Eiffel Tower, has two observation floors, one at 150 meters and the other at 250 meters.

The tower is painted white and orange colour under aviation safety requirements.

Directly below the tower is a four-story structure called FootTown, where visitors can enjoy galleries, shops, and many dining options.

Tokyo Tower is an icon of after-war modernity in Japan and represents love, prosperity, and ambition. For Japan, the tower is a sign of their culture and past.

The Tokyo Tower is also popular in anime culture and has been shown in many anime and movies.

7.1. When to Visit

  1. Open

  • Main Deck: 9 am – 11 pm, last entry at 10:30 pm.
  • Top Deck: 9 am – 10:45 pm, last tour at 10 pm -10:15 pm.
  1. Entry Fee

The price of tickets to the Tokyo Tower Main Deck varies depending on the visitor’s age.

  • Adults (19 and above): 1200 Yen
  • 16 to 18 years: 1000 Yen
  • 7 to 15 years: 700 Yen
  • 4 to 6 years: 500 Yen
  • *There are discounts on online tickets and group tickets. Please refer to the official site.

8. Meiji Shrine

Places in tokyo, Meiji Shrine
Photo By / Unsplash / Copyright 2019

A Shinto shrine in Shibuya, Meiji Shrine is devoted to the worshipped souls of Emperor Meiji and his wife. It was completed in 1920.

Like many places in Tokyo, the Meiji Shrine complex was damaged during the Second World War and rebuilt with the aid of public funding.

The stunning forest that encircles the shrine enriches the visitor’s experience. The shrine also hosts many festivals, of which the two main events are the Spring Festival and the Autumn Festival.

Aside from the temple, visitors may enjoy various attractions in the vicinity:

8.1. The Well of Kiyomasa

The stunning Japanese-style garden includes a little well known as Kiyomasa’s Well. The well is named after a well-known Samurai fighter named Kato Kiyomasa.

It is acknowledged as a symbolic spiritual location and is considered to bring good fortune.

8.2. Iconic Wine and Sake Barrels

The iconic sake and wine barrels are a popular photo setting among tourists. Famous sake brewers from around the nation have donated the barrels to the temple as an honoured gift for Emperor Meiji.

8.3. Museum in Meiji Jingu

The history of the Meiji Jingu Shrine is extensively documented at the Meiji Jingu Museum. The museum’s collection consists of antiques and things Emperor Meiji and his wife used.

8.4. The Camphor Trees

This is one of the most famous places in Tokyo among couples. Couples frequently visit the area’s famed camphor trees to pray for enduring love and relationships.

8.5. When to Visit

  1. Open

  • Open all year.
  • Occasionally open from 5:40 to 6:40 in the morning and shuts between 4:20 and 6:30.
  1. Entry Fee

  • Free entry to the temple.
  • 500 Yen to the inner garden.
places in tokyo, Meiji Memorial Picture Gallery
Photo By Tom Tor / Unsplash / Copyright 2020

The Meiji Memorial Picture Gallery is a gallery built to honour the Japanese Emperor.

The gallery consists of 80 exhibits that showcase heroic characters and major historical events.

This is one of the places in Tokyo that has captured the Japanese culture, politics, and way of life of that period. The place’s exceptional works of art serve as historical records and are beautiful to look at.

The 80 pieces of art consist of 40 paintings in the Western and 40 in the Japanese style. Visitors are given a glimpse into the Meiji Emperor’s life through these murals.

9.1. When to Visit

  1. Open

  • The gallery is open all year long from 9 am to 5 pm.
  • Open during the New Year’s season (December 30 to January 2).
  • 10 am to 5 pm with the last admission: 4:30 pm.
  • *On some days, the gallery may be closed.
  1. Entry Fees

  • 500 Yen
  • *Check the site for any changes.

10. Edo Tokyo Museum

places in Tokyo, Edo Tokyo Museum
Photo By Susann Schuster / Unsplash / Copyright 2021

The Edo Tokyo Museum, which opened in March 1993, is one of the first places in Tokyo built to display Tokyo’s heritage. The museum hosts exhibitions, seminars, and workshops. Visitors can enjoy the museum’s permanent display of authentic and replica artifacts with these events.

The museum has gained popularity among tourists ever since it first opened in Tokyo and is now regarded as one of the city’s must-see attractions. However, owing to repairs, the museum is presently off-limits to the general public.

 11. Shibuya Crossing

places in tokyo, Shibuya Crossing
Photo by Denys Nevozhai / Unsplash / Copyright 2019

Tokyo is, without a doubt, a very bustling city with a lot going on. The Shibuya Crossing, a seven-crossing intersection, is a good example of that busy life.

Being one of the most crowded places in Tokyo, there’s virtually no way to escape the crowd, although one can join the Shibuya Scramble to pass the crossing quickly.

Given how many people cross the Shibuya Crossing daily, it’s a wonderful site to advertise any brand. Talking about a big crowd, ads on large video screens flash on neighbouring structures of the Shibuya crossing.

It is fascinating at night when dazzling neon signs illuminate the whole crossing. One can also enjoy the top crossing view from the Shibuya Scramble Square tower.

12. Yoyogi Park

places in Tokyo, Yoyogi Park
Phot by JoeyChow / pixabay / Copyright 2021

Yoyogi Park, one of Tokyo’s largest parks, is one of the best-known places in Tokyo. It’s right near the Meiji Shrine.

With its ponds, lawns, and forested parts, the park is great for taking relaxing strolls and outdoor activities like picnics, playing games, and exercising.

Locals and visitors frequently visit the park, especially on weekends, to enjoy and relax in such a beautiful setting.

Cherry blossom viewing is another popular activity in the park.

12.1. When to Visit

  1. Open

  • The park is open from 9 am to 5 pm.
  1. Closed

  • There are no closure dates.
  1. Entrance Fee

  • Free entry

13. Kiyosumi Garden

places in Tokyo, Kiyosumi Garden
Photo By Louie Martinez / Unsplash / Copyright 2017

One of the top tourist places in Tokyo is the classic Japanese garden known as Kiyosumi Garden.

This traditional Japanese garden was built by Iwasaki Yataro, the Mitsubishi company’s founder, to provide his staff with a spot to unwind and entertain important invitees.

The garden is designed around a sizable pond overflowing with various flower kinds and Japanese black pines. The garden’s wildlife consists of various bird species, fish, and turtles.

Along with the stone monuments of Basho’s Haiku, the garden is also home to huge stone formations. The garden is also home to a tiny replica of Mount Fuji.

The two main architectural landmarks are Taisho Kinenken and the Ryotei Tea House.

The Taisho Kinenken at first is now rented out for large events and gatherings, and the Ryotei Tea House is situated in the center of the park.

13.1. When to Visit

  1. Open

  • Open from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm; final entry is at 4:30 pm.
  1. Closed

  • Closed at both year’s end and throughout the New Year’s holiday (December 29 – January 1).
  1. Entrance Fee

  • Fee for general admission: 150 Yen
  • 65 years and older: 70 Yen
  • *Free for Tokyo-based junior high school students and those in elementary school or below.

Groups comprising 20 or more individuals:

  • For adults: 120 Yen
  • 65 years and older: 50 Yen

14. Showa Memorial Park

places in Tokyo, Showa Kinen Park
Photo by Norikio Yamamoto / Unsplash / Copyright 2020

Showa Kinen Park is a national park established in 1983 to honour Emperor Hirohito’s 50th anniversary.

The area where this park now stands was formerly a Japanese military base and, later, a US military facility under the American following World War II.

Like other garden places in Tokyo, this park has both Western and traditional Japanese gardens, forests full of big trees and lovely flowers, and a huge pond.

Many people come to this park to take in the peaceful ambiance. The Tachikawa Festival is hosted here every summer and draws many people.

14.1. When to Visit

  1. Open

  • March 1 to October 31: 9:30 am to 5:00 pm.
  • November 1 to 28th / 29th February: 9:30 am to 04:00 pm.
  • Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays from April 1 to September 30: 9:30 am to 06:00 pm.
  • *Opening hours may vary. Please contact the park or check their website before visiting.
  1. Closed

  • Closed at both year’s end and throughout the New Year’s holiday (December 29 – January 1).
  • * Closed on the 4th Monday of January and the day after.
  1. Entrance Fee

  •  Fee for general admission (above 15): 450 Yen
  • 65 years and older: 210 Yen
  • *Free for Tokyo-based junior high school students and those in elementary school or below.

 Groups comprising 20 or more individuals:

  • For adults: 290 Yen
  • 65 years and older: 210 Yen
  • 1-year pass
  • For adults: 4500 Yen
  • 65 years and older: 2100 Yen
  • *Visitors can purchase a combined ticket to the park and the Emperor Showa Memorial Museum.

15. Hamarikyu Garden

Places In tokyo, Hamarikyu Garden
Photo by nu-ri / pixabay / Copyright 2015

Hama Rikyu is a beautiful landscape garden in Tokyo. Hama Rikyu, located near Tokyo Bay, has saltwater ponds.

One of the famous gardens of the Edo Period, it was made available to the general public in April 1946. Generations of shogun utilized the site as a secondary residence before it became a public garden.

This is one of the places in Tokyo famous for its many flower fields, a plum tree grove, and a garden of Peonies.

The garden has a teahouse where visitors may relax, enjoy, and take in the scenery on an island.

15.1. When to Visit

  1. Open

  • Open from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm; final entry is at 4:30 pm.
  1. Closed

  •  Closed at both year’s end and throughout the New Year’s holiday (December 29 – January 1).
  1. Entrance Fee

  • Fee for general admission: 300 Yen
  • 65 years and older: 150 Yen
  •  *Free for Tokyo-based junior high school students and those in elementary school or below.
  • * Guardians must accompany children less than elementary school age.

Groups comprising 20 or more individuals:

  • For adults: 240 Yen
  • 65 years and older: 120 Yen

Conclusion

It will be so much to miss Tokyo’s lovely temples, adorable animals, animal cafés, calming natural surroundings, and fascinating history and culture.

No other place on earth, like Tokyo, Japan, has a unique combination of ancient customs and modern architecture.

Feel the serenity in the environment and get your Zen experience while in Tokyo!

Last Updated on by alishbarehman

Author

  • Upasana Murmu

    Greetings, fellow reader! If you're here, you probably enjoy food, history, and travel just as much as Upasana does. Her interest and desire to learn more about things have only been spurred by her MBA degree. With her exceptional research and writing abilities, she hopes to grasp and share the most relevant content available.

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