Tokyo consists of about 14 urban hubs, each of which is like a small city. Here, I'll introduce each of these districts and the sights they contain to help you plan your trip.
This page lists all of the Tokyo districts of interest to travelers. I start with the Tokyo Station and Marunouchi Area and then work out from there. Click any of the districts listed below to visit the main page for that district. Each main district pages contain full lists of sights, hotels, restaurants, shops and nightlife.
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Tokyo Station Area and Marunouchi Area
The Tokyo Station Area is where most visitors arrive in the city. Nearby is the Marunouchi Area, an office district with lots of good restaurants and two good museums. Read more
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Imperial Palace Area
A green oasis in the center of the city, the Imperial Palace is surrounded by several interesting parks, gardens and shrines. Read more
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Ginza
Tokyo's first Western-style shopping district, Ginza is still a major retain hub, with the best department stores, boutiques and great restaurants. Read more
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Tsukiji
Although the famous fish market has been moved to Toyosu, there’s still a bustling kitchen and vegetable market here, along with lots of sushi and street food shops. Read more
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Shimbashi, Shiodome, Hamamatsucho and Shinagawa
These four working districts south of Ginza contain some interesting gardens and parks, along with heaps of great hotels and restaurants. Read more
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Roppongi and Akasaka
Between Tokyo Station and Shibuya, these two fashionable districts are the city's dining and nightlife centers, along with some great sights to see in the day. Read more
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Shinjuku
A huge hub on the west side of the city, Shinjuku has it all: interesting sights, shopping, dining, nightlife, and plenty of great hotels. Read more
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Harajuku and Aoyama
Harajuku is home to the city's best shrine, Meiji-jingu Shrine, and the fashionable Omotesando shopping street. Nearby Aoyama is home to one of its best museums: the Nezu Museum. Read more
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Shibuya
Another huge hub on the west side, Shibuya is a huge youth-oriented shopping district with great restaurants, bars and hotels. Read more
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Ebisu, Daikanyama and Meguro
These three fashionable districts south of Shibuya offer some low-key sights and plenty of great shops and places to eat and drink. Read more
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Akihabara, Kanda and Jimbocho
Just north of Tokyo Station, Kanda is a working area with some great dining and bars, while Akihabara is geek central – Tokyo's pop culture paradise. Read more
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Ueno
Ueno is home to a huge park, Ueno-koen Park, where you'll find some of the city's best museums, a zoo and a shrine. It's also a center for budget accommodation. Read more
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Asakusa, Ryogoku and Skytree
Near Ueno, Asakusa is home to the city's most popular Buddhist temple: Senso-ji Temple. It's also a budget accommodation center. Read more
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Odaiba
Out in Tokyo Bay, Odaiba is a man-made island that is home to several big attractions like a science museum, a giant Ferris wheel, shopping centers and exhibition halls. Read more
Tokyo Vacation Checklist
- For all the essentials in a brief overview, see my First Time In Tokyo guide
- Check Tokyo accommodation availability and pricing on Booking.com and Agoda.com - often you can book with no upfront payment and free cancellation
- Need tips on where to stay? See my one page guide Where To Stay In Tokyo
- You can buy shinkansen (bullet train) tickets online from Klook - popular routes include Tokyo to Kyoto, Tokyo to Osaka and Tokyo to Hiroshima
- You can buy an eSim to activate in Japan or buy a Japan SIM card online for collection on arrival at Tokyo Narita or Haneda airports. Or rent an unlimited data pocket wifi router
- See my comprehensive Packing List For Japan
- Compare airline flight prices and timings for the best Japan flight deals. Check my guides to arriving at Narita Airport and at Haneda Airport.
- If you're visiting more than one city, you might save money with a Japan Rail Pass – see if it's worth it for you
- A prepaid Welcome Suica card makes travelling around Tokyo much easier - here's how
- World Nomads offers simple and flexible travel insurance. Buy at home or while traveling and claim online from anywhere in the world
- Do you want help planning your trip? Chris Rowthorn and his team of Japan experts at Japan Travel Consulting can help