Tokyo

Tourism

Tokyo has many tourist attractions. It would take weeks to see all 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. Here are only some of them (random order).

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Shrines, temples, and castles

The Imperial Palace, Meiji Shrine, and Sensoji Temple are the three most popular ones in Tokyo.

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• 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 (浄土宗）sect.
• 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.

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Spring (March-May)

• 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 Matsuriceremony by the Edo Shobo Kinen-kai (Edo Civilian Fire Fighters' Association) in the vicinity of Sensoji Temple in Taito-ku.

Summer (June-Aug.)

• Koenji Awa Odori
• Asakusa Samba Matsuri
• Sumida Fireworks in Asakusa and Sumida Ward
• Tokyo Bay Fireworks
• Jingu Fireworks
• Fukagawa Hachiman Matsuri

Fall (Sept.-Nov.)

• Tokyo Jidai Matsuri in Asakusa

Winter (Dec.-Feb.)

• 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

Others

• Grand Sumo Tournaments in Jan., May, and Sept. at the Ryogoku Kokugikan
• Tsukiji fish market

Parks and gardens

Flowers

• Plum 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

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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 Jimbocho for used (and new) books.

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:See also: Tourism in Japan

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