Tokyo is a hot spot for trends, technology and fascinating culture. Our family loves Tokyo and it is a great family friendly destination. It is the world’s most populated metropolis made up of various neighborhoods and districts. read on for a guide to the best neighborhoods of Tokyo.
Each neighborhood offers diverse attractions and character. Nearby train stations often correspond to neighborhoods. If your time is limited, explore neighborhoods that appeal to your interests. These are some of our favorites and a guide to the popular and best neighborhoods in Tokyo.
Shinjuku
It’s a large concrete jungle and the business district filled with skyscrapers. We enjoyed staying here for its central location. The twin towers of Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building (TMG) have two observation decks on their 45th floors where visitors can enjoy panoramic views of Tokyo for free.
Amidst the urban center is Gyoen National Garden that provides tranquil and beautiful scenery. Don’t miss this park if you’re visiting during Spring or Autumn.
Harajuku
This is the epicenter of street fashion, youth-oriented and offbeat trends. Visit even if you’re not a teen or traveling with one. Walk down Takeshita Dori especially on Sundays to see a fashion show unlike you’ve ever seen.
It’s one of the best places for people watching and this street also has some of the best crepes we’ve tasted. In stark contrast is the adjacent Omotesando Avenue that resembles Paris’ Champs-Elysses.
Don’t miss the nearby Meiji Jingu which is a popular Shinto shrine with the huge wooden torii gates and an expansive forest area. It’s a wonderful learning experience and great for leisurely strolls. We loved seeing several couples on a photo shoot and a wedding procession here on Sundays.
Shibuya
Tokyo’s version of New York’s Times Square is bright, busy and filled with many shopping, dining and entertainment options. Though, it’s most known for Shibuya crossing which is the world’s busiest pedestrian crossing.
I recommend admiring this organized chaos from afar. Go inside Keio Inokashira Line Shibuya Station to see the crossing or at Starbucks (no picture taking allowed from here).
Ginza
Tokyo’s shopping mecca with many department stores was every shopper’s paradise. This is also a major dining and entertainment district. Its main street or Chuo Dori becomes a pedestrian zone during the weekends with street performers for entertainment.
Check the department stores’ basement halls for some great and cheap food items and even score some samples. If you’re chocoholics like us, the Kit Kat Chocolatory is a great stop to try diverse flavors found only in Japan.
Don’t miss the nearby Imperial Palace and East Gardens. It’s still occupied by the royal family. Free tours of the palace’s inner areas are available with advanced reservations. The gardens are free and absolutely beautiful.
Odaiba
This artificial island on Tokyo Bay is a major entertainment and shopping district and a very family friendly area. It has a park, beach, Ferris wheel, bay cruises, a science museum and an indoor amusement park.
Visitors can go to the top of Fuji TV building for some beautiful panoramic views. We loved the free Mega Web car theme park to learn all about Toyota’s cars and even test drive. Don’t miss the Statue of Liberty replica here for a fun photo spot.
Akihabara/Akiba
Many call this district “geek central”. It has many electronics shops. There is also the eight-story Yodobashi Camera shop which is likely the world’s largest electronics store. If you’re a fan of the Japanese world of anime and manga, this is your spot.
Maid cafes are also popular here where costumed girls stand outside to entice costumers. Waitresses dressed up as French maids or anime characters await them inside.
Asakusa
If you’re looking for a more traditional Japan, this area has temples, ryokans, old sculptures and small shops. The main attraction is Senso-ji, an ancient Buddhist temple and Tokyo’s oldest. Don’t miss walking through the Kaminari-mon gate and its huge red lantern. Nakamise-dori is a fantastic street filled with over 100 shops selling Japanese items and snacks.
Rickshaws are available for touring the area and a great alternative to getting around the crowded streets. Nearby is Tokyo Skytree which is the world’s tallest free-standing broadcasting tower. Visitors can walk the glass galleria to the 450th floor for a 360-degree view of Tokyo.
Ueno
This is Tokyo’s cultural center anchored by a large park. There’s a zoo, museums and several temples. We were at Ueno Park last year to view the cherry blossoms or hanami. This is one of the best places in Tokyo to see them during Spring.
We loved seeing the beautiful blooms and watching the Japanese celebrate with picnics under the trees. Check out the Ameyoko street market district outside the park for some great shopping with over 400 shops.
These neighborhoods give a glimpse of what Tokyo has to offer visitors. We highly recommend visiting all of the ones listed here. It’s a wonderful blend of old and new Tokyo. They’re all easily accessible with Tokyo’s efficient transportation system.
Have you visited these Tokyo neighborhoods?
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I’ve visited a few of these neighborhoods – Shibuya, Harajaku and Shinjuku. And I enjoyed them all and they’re all different. I think I really took to Harajaku the most – it was so eclectic. We stayed in Shinagawa so that became a favorite, also, since we spent so much time there. Japan is a very interesting country – and I’d love to go back!
So many cool neighborhoods! Not sure which one I prefer. All of them have great features. I like Ginza and Harajuku. #TPThursday
I’m literally in the midst of writing my own Tokyo post this weekend and that was already bringing back loads of nice memories but this makes me wish I could go back already and it’s not even been a year since I was there! We made it to most but not all of these, namely missing out Ueno and Odaiba so they’ll be first on my list next time. I loved people watching on Takeshita Dori and we really enjoyed the sunset views from the top of the Metropolitan Gov building. Such a fabulous city!
I like the mix of the traditional and the modern high-rises in Tokyo. I would like to visit several neighborhoods you pointed to in your post. Hubby said he visited several of the neighborhoods but his favorite was Akihabara.
Love, love, love Tokyo – your post makes me want to go back and explore more of its neighbourhoods! #TheWeeklyPostcard
You are bringing back some great memories of my travels to Tokyo. Since I would go for work, we always stayed in Shinjuku, but I think my favorite area to explore is Harajuku. It is just so eccentric and unique. Tokyo is an amazing city, though with so many great neighborhoods. Thanks for sharing on #TheWeeklyPostcard.
Ueno looks lovely. Not sure about the rest of Tokyo. All that steel and glass and crowdedness doesn’t quite call to me.
Very well organized post, Mary. Lots of useful information too. Tokyo is one of those cities that has been on my list forever, but still didn’t get to visit it. You always beat me to these great places.
I really love visiting Japan. We’ve only been to Kyoto and Osaka but I’ll be using this guide should I ever get to Tokyo. I’m sure I will because it is quite easy to get to from Australia. I love the yellow lanterns for Hanami in Ueno.
Of all the places around the world that we’ve visited, Japan is the one that all the kid have asked to return to. I can’t believe it’s been 5 years since we traveled there. Incidentally, my husband is in Malaysia and just texted me that he found Japanese Kit Kats that are Sake flavored. He’s surprised that I asked him to bring some back for me. I’m sure that you would have the same request.
You know me, I like the same towns but I wouldn’t mind checking out Tokyo! It’s a mixture of historic and modern, and boy those modern buildings, especially the shopping center look pretty awesome! Thanks for linking up with #TheWeeklyPostcard
Tokyo is one of our favorite cities, too Mary. It is one of those places we keep returning to. Great roundup of the different areas. Thanks for linking up! #wkendtravelinspiration
Wow ! I would love to visit here. It’s really beautiful!
Some of those buildings are just astounding! Thanks for the breakdown on some of the neighborhoods to visit. Asakusa seems like an area we would really enjoy, but then the modern skyscrapers are very interesting too! So much to see. :) Thanks for sharing with #TheWeeklyPostcard!
I never tire of Tokyo and love all of the districts. We tend to stay in Ueno for its convenience to the ski fields, and find it very handy to everywhere in Tokyo.