Tokyo is a city where old traditions and modern life come together in a unique way. You can visit ancient temples that are hundreds of years old, then walk a short distance to tall buildings and bright city streets. Every part of the city feels different, so there’s always something new to see. If it’s your first trip or not, Tokyo never really feels the same twice.
In this guide, we’ll show you 9 landmarks in Tokyo that show what the city is all about. You’ll discover cultural spots, busy neighborhoods, and amazing city views. These places will help you understand Tokyo better and plan a trip that covers its most important sights.
📍Sensō-ji Temple
Famous red lantern at Sensō-ji Temple | Photo Credits: Vinny Anugraha on Pexels
If you only visit one temple in Tokyo, make it Sensō-ji Temple. Located in the lively Asakusa district, this is Tokyo's oldest and most visited Buddhist temple. It was founded way back in 628 AD, making it over 1,400 years old!
Walking through the giant Kaminarimon Gate, you’ll see tons of stalls selling traditional snacks and souvenirs. Don't forget to pull a fortune slip (omikuji) while you're there!
If you can, book the Asakusa Sensō-ji Temple walking tour to explore the area with a local guide and get the full story behind this incredible place!
🕔 Best time to go to Sensō-ji Temple: Early morning (before 8 AM) to avoid large crowds.
🗺️ How to get to Sensō-ji Temple: Take the Tokyo Metro Ginza Line or Asakusa Line to Asakusa Station. It's just a short 5-minute walk from there.
📍Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden
Cherry blossoms at Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden | Photo Credits: Nicola Toscan on Pexels
Need a break from the city buzz? Head straight to Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden. This park covers about 144 acres right in the heart of Tokyo. It has three different garden styles — French formal, English landscape, and traditional Japanese. That alone makes it one of the most unique green spaces in all of Japan.
Shinjuku Gyoen is especially famous during cherry blossom season (late March to early April), when thousands of sakura trees burst into bloom. It's hands-down one of the best spots in the city for hanami (flower viewing). The park also has a greenhouse filled with tropical plants that's worth exploring year-round.
🕔 Best time to go to Shinjuku Gyoen: Late March to early April for cherry blossoms; early October for autumn foliage. The park is open Tuesday through Sunday.
🗺️ How to get to Shinjuku Gyoen: Take the Tokyo Metro Marunouchi Line to Shinjuku Gyoemmae Station. The main entrance is just a 5-minute walk away.
📍Tokyo Skytree
Tokyo Skytree | Photo Credits: Evgeny Tchebotarev on Pexels
Standing at 634 meters tall, Tokyo Skytree is the tallest tower in Japan and one of the tallest structures in the world. It opened in 2012 and quickly became one of the most iconic landmarks in Tokyo. The number 634 isn't random; it's a nod to the old name for the Musashi region of Japan. Pretty cool, right?
The tower has two observation decks: the Tembo Deck at 350 meters and the Tembo Galleria at 450 meters. On a clear day, you can see Mount Fuji from the top! At the base, you'll find Tokyo Solamachi, a massive shopping and dining complex with over 300 shops and restaurants.
🕔 Best time to go to Tokyo Skytree: Visit at sunset for golden-hour views, or after dark for a dazzling city light display.
🗺️ How to get to Tokyo Skytree: Take the Tobu Skytree Line to Tokyo Skytree Station, or the Tokyo Metro Hanzomon Line to Oshiage Station. The tower is connected directly to both stations.
📍Shibuya Crossing
Shibuya Crossing | Photo Credits: Madel Kim on Pexels
No trip to Tokyo is complete without going to Shibuya crossing. Also known as the Shibuya Scramble, this is the world's busiest pedestrian intersection. Up to 3,000 people cross at the same time when the light turns green.
The best way to see it? Head to Shibuya Sky, the rooftop observation deck of Shibuya Scramble Square, for a bird's-eye view of the madness below. The views are incredible, especially at night when the neon lights come alive.
🕔 Best time to go to Shibuya Crossing: Early evening (around 7–9 PM) when the lights are glowing and pedestrian traffic is at its peak. Weekends are especially lively.
🗺️ How to get to Shibuya Crossing: Take the JR Yamanote Line, Tokyo Metro, or Tokyu lines to Shibuya Station. The crossing is right outside the Hachiko Exit.
📍Meiji Jingu Shrine
Sake barrels on display at Meiji Shrine | Photo Credits: Abynaya on Pexels
In Harajuku, Meiji Jingu Shrine is a popular shrine in the middle of one of the world's busiest cities. It was built in 1920 to honor Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken, two key figures in Japan's modernization. Over 100,000 trees from across Japan were donated to create the surrounding forest.
Every New Year, over 3 million people visit Meiji Jingu to pray for good fortune, making it the most visited Shinto shrine in Japan during that time. Join the Meiji Shrine cultural guided walking tour to learn the deep history and traditions of this sacred place from an expert guide.
🕔 Best time to go to Meiji Jingu Shrine: Early morning for a crowd-free experience. Avoid New Year's week unless you want to join the crowds for the traditional hatsumode (first shrine visit of the year).
🗺️ How to get to Meiji Jingu Shrine: Take the JR Yamanote Line to Harajuku Station or the Tokyo Metro Chiyoda Line to Meiji-Jingumae Station. The shrine entrance is just a short walk from either.
📍Tokyo Tower
View of Tokyo Tower from below | Photo Credits: Wally Gobetz on Flickr
Before Skytree took the crown, Tokyo Tower was the tallest structure in the country. Built in 1958, this orange-and-white steel tower stands at 333 meters and was inspired by the Eiffel Tower in Paris. It served as a broadcast tower for TV and radio for decades. Today, it's one of the most recognizable landmarks in Tokyo.
The tower glows beautifully at night, and spotting it from across the city skyline never gets old. Inside, you'll find two observation decks: the Main Deck at 150 meters and the Top Deck at 250 meters. On a clear day, the views of Tokyo are stunning.
🕔 Best time to go to Tokyo Tower: Evenings are magical when the tower lights up. Clear winter days offer the best visibility, with Mount Fuji sometimes visible in the distance.
🗺️ How to get to Tokyo Tower: Take the Toei Oedo Line to Akabanebashi Station (Akabane-bashi Exit) and walk about 5 minutes. Or take the Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line to Kamiyacho Station (about 7 minutes on foot).
📍 Imperial Palace
Imperial Palace in Tokyo | Photo Credits: Sha-dé van der Haar on Pexels
Right in the center of Tokyo sits one of the most significant landmarks in Tokyo, the Imperial Palace. This is the main residence of Japan's Emperor and Imperial Family. The palace grounds cover 1.15 square kilometers and sit on land that was once the site of Edo Castle, the seat of power for the Tokugawa shoguns for over 250 years.
While the inner palace is closed to the public most of the year, the surrounding Kokyo Gaien National Garden is one of the best spots for jogging, picnicking, and taking in the gorgeous stone walls and moats that once protected the old castle.
Join the Tokyo Imperial Palace and Edo Castle historical walking tour to really understand the history behind these ancient walls.
🕔 Best time to go to the Imperial Palace: The East Gardens are open Tuesday to Sunday. Spring (cherry blossoms) and autumn (fall foliage) make the walk especially scenic.
🗺️ How to get to the Imperial Palace: Take the Tokyo Metro Chiyoda Line to Nijubashimae Station, or the JR lines to Tokyo Station. It's about a 10-minute walk from Tokyo Station.
📍Hachiko Statue
Hachiko Statue | Photo Credits: Tina Chen on Flickr
Short on time but still want a memorable stop? Visit the Hachiko Memorial Statue right outside Shibuya Station. Hachiko was an Akita dog who waited for his deceased owner at this exact spot every day for nearly 10 years until his own death in 1935. His story of loyalty and love became a national legend and was even turned into a Hollywood film!
Today, the bronze statue of Hachiko is one of the most popular meeting spots in all of Tokyo. It's small but deeply moving, and there's always a crowd of visitors taking photos with Japan's most famous furry friend.
It's free to visit and only takes a few minutes, making it a perfect addition to a Shibuya day out. After your visit, explore other Shibuya landmarks nearby!
🕔 Best time to go to the Hachiko Statue: Any time of day, but evenings have a special atmosphere with all the Shibuya lights around you. But, expect it to be busy on weekends.
🗺️ How to get to the Hachiko Statue: The statue is right outside the Hachiko Exit of Shibuya Station, accessible by JR, Tokyo Metro, and Tokyu lines.
📍Rainbow Bridge
Rainbow Bridge at night | Photo Credits: Thomas Schaible on Pexels
Wrap up your Tokyo adventure with a visit to the Rainbow Bridge. This iconic suspension bridge stretches 918 meters across Tokyo Bay, connecting Shibaura in Minato to Odaiba. It quickly became one of the city's most photographed spots, especially at night when it shimmers in white, red, and green lights.
You can walk across the bridge's pedestrian promenade for free and take in sweeping views of Tokyo Bay, Rainbow Bridge, and the city skyline.
But, for an epic night out, join the JDM Tokyo car meetup night tour. You’ll cruise through the city that takes you past the bridge for some unforgettable night views. It's a one-of-a-kind way to end your exploration of the best landmarks in Tokyo.
🕔 Best time to go to Rainbow Bridge: After sunset when the bridge lights up beautifully. Clear evenings offer the best views of Tokyo Bay.
🗺️ How to get to Rainbow Bridge: Take the Yurikamome Line from Shimbashi Station to Shibaura-futo Station. You can also take the Tokyo Water Bus from Hinode Pier for a scenic approach.
FAQs about landmarks in Tokyo
What are three famous landmarks in Tokyo?
Three of the most famous landmarks in Tokyo are Sensō-ji Temple, Tokyo Tower, and Shibuya Crossing. Sensō-ji is the oldest temple in Tokyo and attracts tens of millions of visitors every year. Tokyo Tower is the city's most iconic steel structure, while Shibuya Crossing is known worldwide as the busiest pedestrian intersection on Earth.
What are the key attractions in Tokyo?
Tokyo is full of world-class attractions that cater to all types of travelers. History lovers will enjoy the Imperial Palace and Meiji Jingu Shrine, while thrill-seekers will love the sky-high views from the Tokyo Skytree and Tokyo Tower. Nature fans shouldn't miss Shinjuku Gyoen, and pop culture enthusiasts will have a blast in Shibuya and Harajuku.
Are there free landmarks to visit in Tokyo?
Yes! Several of the most popular landmarks in Tokyo are completely free to visit. The Hachiko Statue, Meiji Jingu Shrine, and the outer grounds of the Imperial Palace cost nothing to enjoy. Tokyo is a great city if you’re a budget-conscious traveler who still wants to experience its rich culture and history.
What are the best modern landmarks in Tokyo?
The Tokyo Skytree tops the list as the world's second-tallest tower and a marvel of modern engineering. Shibuya Scramble Square (home to the Shibuya Sky observation deck) is another stunning example of Tokyo's modern urban design. These spots highlight just how exciting Tokyo's modern skyline truly is.
What is the best way to explore the landmarks in Tokyo?
One of the best ways to explore the landmarks in Tokyo is through guided walking tours. They make it easier to learn about the city’s history, culture, and hidden stories while visiting famous spots like temples, shrines, and busy neighborhoods. Having a local guide also helps you discover places and details you might miss on your own.
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