Tokyo. Tokyo is the capital of Japan and the world's most populous city. It is also one of Japan's 47 prefectures, with 23 central city wards and a number of cities, towns, and villages west of the city center. Tokyo can be intimidating. If you've been to one of Tokyo's observatories, you'll know that the city seems to stretch on forever and to make matters even more perplexing, there is no discernible center for Tokyo. Tokyo is a crazy, fast-paced, and amazing city. So, where does one even begin to delve? Start with this ultimate checklist, which includes the best things to do in one of the world's most beautiful cities.

Explore Sensō-ji Temple

Senso-ji is a popular religious landmark in Tokyo. It is Tokyo's oldest Buddhist temple, having been built in 645 and dedicated to Kannon, the Goddess of Mercy.

Senso-ji is located in Asakusa, approximately one minute from Asakusa Station. It is famous for its outer gate Kaminarimon, which has become a symbol of both Asakusa and Tokyo. A fun stretch of shops selling various types of snacks and souvenirs can be found between Kaminarimon and Senso-Ji. Nakamise-dori, the shopping street leading to Sensoji Temple, is lined with about 90 shops selling crafts, souvenirs, and a variety of sweet and savory snacks. Throughout the year, seasonal occasions are held on the temple grounds. Hozuki (Chinese lantern plant) market in July and hagoita (decorative paddle) market in December is popular.

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Relax at Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden

The park's origins date back to the Edo period when it was a feudal lord's private garden. It later became a botanical garden and was given to the government. Today, the National Garden is one of Tokyo's most popular tourist and local attractions.

It has three different types of parks: a Japanese landscape garden, a French garden, and an English garden. Shinjuku Gyoen also has a high concentration of cherry blossom trees, giving the park a distinct appearance. There are also many unique Japanese-style ponds dotted with bridges and islands, each of which is decorated differently with shrubs, pavilions, and trees.

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Imperial Palace

Imperial Palace, located at Edo Castle's former innermost defense point, is the best place to visit in Tokyo. After centuries of war, most of the buildings were destroyed and never rebuilt. The Palace was the home of Japan's Royal Family, as well as the Tokugawa shogun, who ruled Japan during the Edo period.

Most of the palace's grounds are open to the public, and guided tours in English and Japanese explain the palace's importance. Although the inner grounds are not open to the public, the East Garden is open all year and is practically a full-fledged attraction on its own. The Tokyo Imperial Palace Park is a sprawling green space in the heart of the city. The palace is surrounded by beautiful shrines, parks, and museums. Many of the fine attractions surrounding the Imperial Palace can be combined into a good half-day of sightseeing.

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View Cherry Blossoms in Spring

Tokyo, famous for its skyscrapers and cutting-edge technology, has more natural beauty than many first-time visitors realize. Spring is one of the most popular times to visit the country because of the beautiful cherry blossoms. There are dozens of places in Tokyo where you can see the beautiful cherry blossoms that bloom between mid-late March and early April.

Sakura in full bloom can be seen in Tokyo's popular parks such as Shinjuku Gyoen, Yoyogi Park, and Inokashira Park. Traditional Japanese gardens such as Rikugien Garden and Koishikawa Korakuen Garden are filled with cherry blossoms in spring. Hundreds of cherry trees color the banks of the Meguro and Sumida rivers. Tokyo Midtown, in futuristic Roppongi, has lit cherry blossoms and dining options.

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Gaze from Tokyo Tower

For many decades, the Tokyo Tower has served as the city's symbol. Even though it receives less attention now that the Tokyo Skytree has opened, it remains a beloved and one of the famous places in Tokyo. The Tokyo Tower is enjoyable to view from a distance or from the observation deck of the tower itself.

The tower is similar in form and shape to the Eiffel Tower, but it stands 333 meters taller, 13 meters higher than the Eiffel. On a clear day, the Tokyo Skytree and Mount Fuji, as well as the Zojoji Temple, can be seen from the top of the Tokyo skyline. The main observatory can be reached by elevator or the 600 stairs if you want to work off your breakfast/lunch/dinner. On clear days, the second set of elevators takes you even higher to the special observatory, Tokyo's third-highest observation deck, with a cinematic view of the city and Mt. Fuji.

Bike Through Yoyogi Park

Yoyogi Park is one of Tokyo's largest city parks, with expansive lawns, ponds, and wooded areas. It is an excellent location for jogging, picnics, and other outdoor activities.

Although Yoyogi Park has fewer cherry trees than other sites in Tokyo, it is a popular hanami spot in the spring (late March to early April). It is also well-known for its ginkgo tree forest, which turns brilliant gold in the autumn (late November to early December). Cycling through the city is easy because it is mostly flat, but there are enough hilly neighborhoods to keep you interested.

Tokyo is distinguished by its excellent air quality, and despite the city's heavy traffic, biking is a pleasurable experience. However, Tokyo is massive, so don't expect to be able to cycle all the time, as it would take months to fully explore the city.

Take Cool Photos at Shibuya Crossing

Shibuya Scramble Crossing has become Tokyo's most iconic landmark as well as a popular photo location after being featured in numerous media outlets. When you visit, you'll see many tourists with cameras waiting for the best moment to shoot at the crossing's corner. When the traffic lights turn green at the world's busiest crossing, the view of passengers coming from all directions is breathtaking.

The Shibuya crossing is a must-see Tokyo experience, but first, visit Hachiko, the statue erected in memory of the world's most loyal dog. Then, cross the scramble and ascend to Shibuya Scramble Square's Shibuya Sky observation deck for the best views. The Shibuya crossing is a must-see Tokyo experience, but first, visit Hachiko, the statue erected in memory of the world's most loyal dog. Then, cross the scramble and ascend to Shibuya Scramble Square's Shibuya Sky observation deck for the best views. From 230 meters above ground, enjoy a breathtaking bird's-eye view of the busy junction below, as well as 360-degree views of the entire Shibuya area from the open-air sky deck.

Escape into Meiji Jingu

Meiji Jingu (Shinto Shrine) is located in a tranquil forest just a short walk from JR Harajuku Station. The shrine was built to honor Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken's virtues. The shrine will celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2020.

This serene shrine near Harajuku Station enshrines the spirits of Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken. The walk through the sacred grounds is both refreshing and illuminating. It's also a great place to get away from the overwhelming madness of nearby Harajuku. The shrine draws over a million people at New Year's and hosts many festivals throughout the year. The Inner Garden, just off the main path to the shrine, is exceptionally quiet and features a colorful iris field in early summer, around June.

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Go Museum Hopping Around Ueno Park

Ueno Park, Tokyo's largest, can easily be spent all day. The expansive, cherry blossom-filled park is home to the Tokyo National Museum. The city's most popular art museum, as well as the National Museum of Western Art, the Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum, and the underrated Shitamachi Museum. Spend the afternoon museum-hopping and finishing with a picnic in Ueno's beautiful foliage.

Tokyo is home to some of the world's best museums, and many of them are concentrated in Ueno Park. The Tokyo National Museum has the largest collection of ancient Japanese artifacts, while the Le Corbusier-designed National Museum of Western Art has Rubens, Pollock, Rodin, and Monet.

Visit Tokyo Disneyland

Tokyo Disneyland is everything you'd expect from the Disney empire, and it's a great treat for kids if you're traveling with them. Mario Leto gives his personal perspective on what to expect.

Yes, Disneyland exists in Japan. It's called Tokyo Disneyland, but it's actually in Chiba, a Tokyo suburb. Should you visit there? Do you have any children? Then you should definitely go. Are you a big fan of Disney? Then you should definitely go. Do you appreciate impeccable service, highly choreographed performances, and white people dressed as animated characters? Yes? You should definitely go!

Adventureland, Westernland, Fantasyland, Tomorrowland, Critter Country, Mickey's Toontown, and World Bazaar are Tokyo Disneyland's seven areas.

Final Words!

What were your thoughts on the list? Tokyo is a city full of tourist attractions that will never bore you! If you are planning a trip to Japan, we strongly advise you to include these 10 items on your bucket list! Some of these locations are unquestionably must-sees for all visitors to Tokyo, while others are novel, one-of-a-kind, and excellent choices! All of the listed attractions and activities are open all year, so you can enjoy them whenever you visit Tokyo. If you are a first-time visitor, deciding what to do in Tokyo with a limited time may be difficult. So, to make the most of your trip to Japan, carefully plan you're itinerary and decide where to go and what to do ahead of time.