See the City: 10 Tokyo Attractions to Include in Your Itinerary

Tokyo is known for being a fantastic travel destination where you’ll never have to look very hard for what to do next, whether you’re staying in the lively shopping ward of Shibuya or in historic Asakusa district. There are just so many popular attractions to check out all over the city, such as the cherry blossoms at Ueno Park and the Kaminarimon Gate at Sensoji Temple. Here is your guide to 10 Tokyo attractions that you don’t want to miss.

Ueno Park is one of Tokyo’s most famous green spaces, drawing visitors year-round with its seasonal beauty. In spring, the park transforms into a dreamy landscape of pink cherry blossoms, making it a prime spot for hanami (flower viewing). Beyond nature, the park is home to cultural institutions such as the Tokyo National Museum, which showcases Japan’s rich history through samurai armor, delicate ceramics, and ancient scrolls.

For a more modern Tokyo experience, Shibuya Crossing is an absolute must. Often called the world’s busiest pedestrian crossing, it’s a mesmerizing sight to see thousands of people moving in all directions as soon as the lights change. Nearby, the neon-lit streets of Shibuya are packed with shopping, dining, and entertainment options.

Another unmissable landmark is Tokyo Skytree, the tallest structure in Japan. At 634 meters, it offers breathtaking panoramic views of the city from its observation decks. On a clear day, you might even catch a glimpse of Mount Fuji in the distance. Skytree is also home to shopping malls and an aquarium, making it a great stop for visitors of all interests.

1. Ueno Park

Ueno Park in central Tokyo is a large public park popular among locals and visitors for the numerous attractions on its grounds, which includes museums, temples, shrines, and beautiful natural features. The grounds of the park were actually once a part of the large and wealthy Kaneiji Temple. Ueno Park was established in 1873, and today attracts over 10 million visitors a year. It is one of the best spots in Tokyo to view the cherry blossoms when they arrive in late April to early March every year. There are more than 1,000 cherry trees along its main pathway. Another stunning natural feature of Ueno Park is Shinobazu Pond, which takes up a good portion of the park’s southwest corner. You can rent a boat to paddle out on the water.

At Ueno Park, you’ll find many picturesque shrines and temples, including Kaneiji Temple, Kiyomizu Kannon Temple, and Toshogu Shrine. The park is also home to the Ueno Zoo, the Ueno Royal Museum, the Tokyo National Museum, the National Museum of Nature and Science, the Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum, and the National Museum of Western Art. Ueno Park is open 24 hours a day, every day of the year, though hours for the various facilities on the park grounds can vary. Many of the facilities tend to be closed on Monday, so make sure you check hours ahead of time. The quickest way to get to Ueno Park by train is to go to Ueno Station and leave through the Ueno Park Exit.

2. Tokyo National Museum

If there’s one museum you pay a visit to inside Ueno Park, it should be the Tokyo National Museum. The largest and also the oldest of all the major museums in Tokyo, the Tokyo National Museum was established in 1872. It was originally located at Yushima Seido Shrine but later moved to Ueno Park. The Tokyo National Museum houses one of Japan’s largest collections of art and artifacts. It also holds over 100 Japanese National Treasures and over 600 pieces classed as Important Cultural Property. The Tokyo National Museum has more than 110,000 unique objects in its permanent collection, with around 4,000 items on display at a time, which are rotated on a regular basis. The collection largely features Japanese art, though it also has an incredible array of Chinese and Indian art from along the Silk Road, as well as a unique selection of Greco-Buddhist art.

Free English guided tours are available for English-speaking visitors looking to acquire in-depth knowledge about the museum and its collection. Audio guides and written English information are available as well. There are many options for getting to Tokyo National Museum by train. The nearest stations are Ueno Station and Uguisudani Station, both about a 10-minute walk. It is also a 15-minute walk from either Keisei Ueno Station or Nezu Station. The Tokyo National Museum is open from 9:30 a.m. until 5 p.m., though admission ends half-an-hour before closing time. It is closed on Mondays and over the year-end holidays. While at the museum, make sure you also pay a visit to its traditional Japanese landscape garden.