The current Imperial Palace sits at the former site of the Edo Castle surrounded by large moats and stone walls. It’s a short walk from Tokyo Station and is the household of the Imperial Family. The Edo Castle used to be occupied by Shogun Tokugawa who ruled Japan from 1603 - 1868. In 1868, the shogun was overthrown in what is known as the Meiji Restoration, and the country’s capital and Imperial Family moved from Kyoto to Tokyo. The palace was built in 1888, but destroyed once during the Second World War. It was rebuilt to it’s exact same style right afterwards.

Today, parts of the Imperial Palace are opened to the public. The inner grounds are usually closed except on January 2nd for a New Years greeting and on February 23rd for the Emperors birthday. The Imperial family makes appearances from a balcony on these special occasions. You can take a stroll around the Imperial Palace East Gardens, see the many bridges and moats from hundreds of years ago or even visit the Museum of Imperial Collections.

Entrance Fee: Free

Photo credit: Japan Guide

Address: 1-1 Chiyoda, Chiyoda City, Tokyo 100-8111

Hours: Closed Sunday and Monday, 9:00am - 11:15am, 1:30pm - 2:45pm

Website: https://sankan.kunaicho.go.jp/english/index.html

How to get there: There are several gates to enter from, but the Otemon Gate is the main entrance. It is a 5 minute walk from the Otemachi Station on the Chiyoda, Tozai, Hanzomon, Marunouchi and Mita subway lines. It’s a 15 minute walk from Tokyo Station.

 

Discover anime and manga heaven at this massive shopping complex in Nakano. While Akihabara is known to be the center of anime and manga, Nakano Broadway is the hidden, secret sibling. it’s a hidden gem in the outskirts of Tokyo. The second and third floors are where most of anime and manga goods are while the first and basement floors sell produce, clothes, second hand goods and shoes. They also have many antiique shops including watch shops, camera shops, video games and little souvenir shops as well.

Don’t miss out on the following stores:

• The dozen or so Mandarake shops selling anime and manga goods

• The world famous Bar Zingaro with the 2004 World Barista Champion and 2005 World Cup Tasting Champion Tim Wendelboe’s coffee beans and book 

• 8 layer ice cream at Daily Chico

Entrance Fee: Free

Photo credit: Live Japan

Address: 5-52 Nakano, Nakano City, Tokyo 164-0001

Hours: Varies on store, but typically around 11am - 7pm

Website: https://nakano-broadway.com/

How to get there: A 5 minute walk from Nakano Station on the JR Line.

 

One of the best views of Tokyo can be seen atop the Tokyo’s government building. This 243 meter tall building houses an observation deck at 202 meters. With favorable weather conditions, you can see Mt. Fuji, Tokyo Tower, Tokyo Skytree and Tokyo Dome. The north observation deck is open later at night making it a very popular spot to get a scenic view of cities night time lights.

The second story holds a tourist information center and at times, there are volunteer tour guides who can show you around restricted areas in the government building.

Entrance Fee: Free

Photo credit: Japan Guide

Address: 2−8−1 Nishishinjuku, Shinjuku City, Tokyo 163-8001 Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building

Hours: 9:30am - 10:30pm

Website: https://www.yokoso.metro.tokyo.lg.jp/en/tenbou/index.html#h2-01

How to get there: Direct access from Tocho-mae Station on the Tokyo Metro Oedo Line or a 10 minute walk from Shinjuku Station on the JR Line.

 

The Tokyo Dome City is an entertainment complex that features the massive Tokyo Dome baseball stadium, an amusement park, the Laqua hot spring and spa and variety of restaurants and shops. Here is a simple guide of 5 things you can do at Tokyo Dome City:

• The Tokyo Dome is a massive indoor baseball stadium that seats 55,000 people. It’s home to the Yomiuri Giants. When there are no games, concerts, festivals, shows and events are held inside the Dome.

• Laqua Spa is a popular relaxation spot with hot springs, saunas and pools. Soak in a traditional Japanese onsen here. The hot spring comes from water dug from 1 km underground.

• Right next to the Tokyo Dome is a noticeable amusement park with rides and carnival games. Some if it’s popular rides include the Ferris wheel where you can sing karaoke in side, their signature Thunder Dolphin ride that goes up to 130km/hr (80mph) and an 80 foot tower drop ride.

• Beers and bowling at CuBar lounge. They have a menu of many draft beers, whiskeys and cocktails you’ve never heard of…all while bowling!

• Peek through the ultra large 4k screen of the universe at Sora Theater in the TenQ Space Museum.

Entrance Fee: Depends on attraction

Photo credit: Tokyo Dome Website

Address: 1 Chome-3-61 Koraku, Bunkyo City, Tokyo 112-0004

Hours: Varies on store/attraction but varies from 10am - 9pm

Website: https://www.tokyo-dome.co.jp/en/tourists/

How to get there: A 3 minute walk from Suidobashi Station on the JR Chuo and Sobu Lines. Or a 3 minute walk from Korakuen Station on the Tokyo Metro Marunouchi and Namboku Lines.

 

The Toyosu Fish Market is the successor of the historical Tsukiji Fish Market. Opening up in 2018, it became the largest wholesale fish and seafood market in the world. Tourists can view the market from a viewing deck on the second floor. When entering the market, you need a visitors pass to be able to get to the viewing deck. Within the complex, you can eat at restaurants that are direct implants from the market.

The market is housed in 3 interconnected buildings - 2 for fish and seafood and 1 for fruits and vegetables. Compared to the lively, authentic action that filled Tsukiji’s atmosphere, Toyosu is a lot more organized and sterile - only clearly marked areas can be visited by tourists.

Entrance Fee: Free

Photo credit: Tokyo Cheapo

Address: 6-3 Toyosu, Koto City, Tokyo 135-0061

Hours: Market is open from 5am-5pm, but most shops open at about 7am. Closed Sundays and National Holidays.

Website: https://www.shijou.metro.tokyo.lg.jp/english/

How to get there: A 5 minute walk on the Shijo-mae Station on the Yurikamome Line.

 

The Tsukiji Fish Market consists of a few blocks with narrow alleys lined up with wholesale and retail shops a long with restaurants and food stands. Within these shops, you can find fresh seafood, produce, delicious seafood and even kitchen items like knives. A visit to the Tsukiji Fish Market can include a sushi breakfast or lunch as the restaurants and shops are typically opened at 5am and opened until a little past noon. Most of the seafood sold here comes directly from the Toyosu Fish Market, making it one of the best places to enjoy fresh seafood in Tokyo.

The Tsukiji Fish Market opened up in 1935 when it replaced a different fish market in Nihonbashi that was destroyed in the Great Kanto earthquake in 1923. This market was the largest wholesale fish and seafood market in the world until it moved in 2018 to the Toyosu Fish Market which is where the current fish market is located. Although it relocated, most of the shops and stores remain in Tsukiji, making it a unique place to visit for seafood.

While your’e in the area, also check out the Namiyoke Inari Shrine - the local shrine for the fish market. The shrine literally means “protection from the waves”.

Entrance Fee: Free

Photo credit: Tokyo Cheapo

Address: 4-16-2 Tsukiji, Chuo City, Tokyo 104-0045

Hours: Depending on store, typically opened as early as 5 am and closes around 2pm.

Website: https://www.tsukiji.or.jp/english/

How to get there: A 1 minute walk from the Tsukiji Station on the Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line or a 1 minute walk from the Tsukijishijo Station on the Tokyo Metro Toei Oedo Line.

 

Featured on our Yokohama Tour, you can design your own cup noodles at The Cup Noodle Museum. The Cup Noodle Museum in Yokohama is a fun, interactive, hands-on museum that depicts the history and creation of the instant ramen package and cup noodles. The instant ramen package was created in 1958 by the founder of Nissin Food Company, Momofuku Ando. The Cup Noodles was invented later on by him in 1971.

A long with a short movie, and exhibits to show the history the Nissin Food Company and Momofuku Ando, there is the My Cup Noodle Factory where you can create and design your own Cup Noodles to take home. You first receive and empty Styrofoam cup where you can draw your own designs on it. After choosing your special design you bring it over to the factory area where you choose your soup flavor and toppings! You can watch it being made right in front of you too!

Entrance Fee: 500 Yen General admission. 400 Yen to make a Cup Noodle.

Photo credit: Where in Tokyo

Address: 2-3-4 Shinko, Naka Ward, Yokohama, Kanagawa 231-0001

Hours: Closed Tuesdays, 10am - 6pm

*If Tuesday is a National Holiday then it is open and closed the next day.

Website: https://www.cupnoodles-museum.jp/en/yokohama/

How to get there: A 10 minute walk from Minato Mirai Station on the Minato Mirai Line.

*Cup Noodle Factory is in Yokohama, not Tokyo, however it is only about a 30 minute train ride away.

 

Want to have a hot spring getaway without leaving Tokyo? Look no further than Oedo Onsen Monogatari. It’s a public bathhouse in central Tokyo that’s part theme park, part bathhouse and part ryokan inn. This hot spring theme park features 13 different hot spring baths, an open air bath, foot bath, spa, massage, restaurant, relaxing space, mini soccer court and traditional carnival games at their edo style plaza.

Upon entrance into the bathhouse, you are given a yukata (light kimono) to wear to roam around the place. After soaking and relaxing in their bath, walk around in your yukata and try traditional Japanese snacks and sweets and try some traditional carnival games. If you’re tired you can go rest in their large lounge area where you can lay to rest and maybe even take a nap! If you feel like spending the night you can also reserve a room in a traditional Japanese styled room and sleep on a futon in a tatami matted room.

Entrance Fee: Entrance fee can change depending on time and day, but ranges from 2100-2500 yen which includes entrance, bath towels, bath fee and yukata robe.

Photo credit: Agoda

Address: 2-6-3 Aomi, Koto City, Tokyo 135-0064

Hours: 11am - 7am

Website: https://daiba.ooedoonsen.jp/en/#access

How to get there: A 2 minute walk from the Telecom Center Station on the Yurikamome Line.

 

Being near a waterside bay and having many rivers comes in handy for Tokyo as alternative route options to get around the city. There are a few companies that run boats to get around the city. The Water Bus, is a unique option to tour Tokyo and a different alternative to trains and taxis. Most notably conveniently locations for the Water Bus are the man made islands a long the Tokyo bay - especially Odaiba and it’s entire shopping and entertainment complex. Another notable location where the Water Bus leaves from is the Hamarikyu Gardens and Asakusa Pier.

Most of the Water Buses are operated by The Tokyo Cruise Ship Company and travel up and down the Sumida River - a very famous river in Tokyo. It also has access to the popular Eastern and Northern parts of Tokyo such as Asakusa and Ryogoku.

Entrance Fee: Depending on your destination and location, tickets can range between 400-2000 Yen.

Photo credit: Suijo Bus

Address: N/A

Hours: Depending on location and destination first buses leave around 10am and last ones about 4-5pm.

Website: https://www.suijobus.co.jp/en/

How to get there: There are multiple piers and stations which are shown below on a map.

Photo Credit: Japan Guide

Opening up in 1983, Tokyo Disneyland is the first Disney theme park to be opened up outside of the United States. It’s modeled after the Disneyland in California and the Magic Kingdom in Florida. Both Disneyland and it’s companion park Tokyo Disney Sea are the only Disney Parks not owned by The Walt Disney Company (although creative control is under Disney).

The park features seven themed lands throughout the park. Some of it’s highlights include the Star tours, Splash Mountain, Space Mountain and foods such as Japanese curry and tapioca!

Entrance Fee: 8200 Yen for adults, 6900 Yen for ages 12-17, 4900 Yen for ages 4-11

Photo credit: Matcha JP

Address: 1-1 Maihama, Urayasu, Chiba 279-0031

Hours: 9am - 10pm

Website: https://www.tokyodisneyresort.jp/en/index.html

How to get there: Get off at Maihama Station on JR (Japan Railway) Keiyo Line / Musashino Line. For more detailed info check here.