The biggest Tokyo tourist traps, ranked – and where you should go instead

Starting off strong we’ve got Meiji Shrine in Shibuya. With its lust forest, iris garden, iconic wall of over 200 traditional sake barrels and its two massive ‘husband and wife’ camphor trees honouring Emperor Meiji and wife, the picturesque Shinto shrine ranks high on just about any ‘best shrines in Tokyo’ list you can find.

To say the spacious 700,000sqm location is popular is an understatement. During the New Year hatsumode period alone, over three million visitors flock to the sacred site to pray for good fortune, making Meiji Shrine’s hatsumode celebrations the largest in Japan. The site is a solid choice for any visitor’s to-do list, but again, it can get crowded during peak seasons.

Not to be confused with Hanazono Shrine in Shinjuku, the humble Hanazono Inari Shrine in Ueno is lesser known amongst tourists, and therefore not as likely to be on the average visitor’s itinerary. The shrine is rather small compared to Meiji (what shrine isn’t?), and though its vermillion torii gates might not hold a candle to the thousands found at Kyoto’s Fushimi Inari Shrine, it’s still worth a quick look.

Given its proximity to Ueno Park (and the park’s accompanying museums), Hanazono Inari Shrine has the added benefit of being located in a high foot traffic area without feeling touristy itself, meaning you can feel like you’ve done something slightly off the beaten path without going too far out of your way. While you’re there, check out the equally lovely Gojoten Shrine just next door.

Digital art collective teamLab burst its way onto the scene back in 2001 and has only grown in international popularity since then, with over a dozen branches worldwide. The world’s first permanent digital art museum, teamLab Borderless, opened right here in Tokyo, and its highly immersive companion teamLab Planets came later in 2018.

Whether you’re gazing at digital projections of exploding flowers at Borderless or wading knee deep through water surrounded by projections of fish at Planets, teamLab is an unforgettable experience everyone should try at least once. The only downside is that crowds can be intense; teamLab Planets has been named Asia’s Leading Tourist Attraction twice, after all. Enter our alternative.

Though not nearly as expansive as teamLab’s exhibits, the Art Aquarium Museum in Ginza has plenty of striking visuals in its own right, and quite the interesting muse: goldfish. Located on the eighth floor of Mitsukoshi department store in Ginza, the unique museum houses over 3,000 goldfish in 70 varieties.

The venue’s exhibits draw heavily from traditional Japanese culture aesthetics – think lanterns, torii gates, kimono prints and more – with goldfish taking centre stage as living works of art in each installation. About an hour and a half is enough time to take it all in, so swing by for a look-see, then try some retail therapy or the myriad of other things to do in Ginza.

Ameyoko – supposedly short for ameya yokocho (‘candy store alley’) – originated as a post-war black market. The ame in ameya could also stand for America, as American products were often found there alongside the sweet treats. Regardless of the etymology, the Ueno-based market served as a location to find all manner of goods during a difficult time in the country’s history.

Nowadays, the bustling 500m shopping street sells just about everything from clothing and cosmetics to toys and fresh seafood in its 400+ shops and stalls, and of course you can still find sweets. If you need a proper bite to eat while you browse, there are plenty of food vendors and sit-down restaurants along the path serving up local and international cuisine.

Remember Hanazono Inari Shrine? That’s not too far from Ameyoko. After a stint here, have a stroll through nearby Ueno Park and pay the shrine a visit while you’re there.

Yanaka Ginza is only about a 20-minute metro ride from its bustling counterpart Ameyoko. What this quaint shotengai (shopping street) lacks in Ameyoko’s size or variety, it makes up for in pure charm: think small independent shops, cafés, handmade crafts… you get the idea.

Try the menchikatsu (breaded hamburger patty) sold at multiple stops for a taste of a simple yet tasty local delicacy. As you stroll, keep your eyes peeled for the seven lucky wooden cat statues hidden about the area. We’ll get you started with the two cats in the photo above, but you’re on your own for the rest.

Constructed in 1958, this 333m Eiffel Tower-coded structure is easily one of the city’s most iconic landmarks. Its main deck at 150m and top deck at 250m both offer spectacular city views; the top deck’s mirrored walls create a trippy, futuristic effect worth checking out.

Main deck tickets are ¥1,500, top deck tickets are ¥3,300 and the ¥7,000 Tokyo Diamond Tour ticket gets you access to the swanky Maple Lounge. If you’re the sporty type, check out the arcade-like Red Tokyo Tower on the way down. On the first, third, fourth and fifth floor you’ll find e-sports, VR games and other fun attractions.

The only downside to checking out the view from Tokyo Tower is that you can’t see Tokyo Tower itself – good thing we’ve got alternatives.

This two-towered behemoth in the heart of Shinjuku oversees the city’s 23 wards and 39 other municipalities.

Both its north and south tower house 360-degree public observation decks on the 45th floor (202m high), plus a snazzy gift shop and café. The best part? Entry to both towers is completely free of charge.

In the evening, the building hosts Tokyo Night & Light, a light show projected directly onto the face of the building itself. The nightly shows take place in half-hour intervals, where you’ll see a range of light shows ranging from Gundams to Godzilla. With its observation decks and light shows, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building is two free tourist attractions in one.

Clocking in at 634m, this television broadcasting tower is the tallest structure not only in Tokyo, but all of Japan. Tokyo Skytree has two decks – the Tembo Deck at 350m and Tembo Galleria at 450m – plus a café, restaurant and souvenir shop. You can reserve tickets up to a day in advance or purchase same-day tickets for either of the decks, or a combo ticket for both decks (we recommend the combo).

Skytree is a bit far from the city centre, so its view feels somewhat detached from the action compared to the other observation decks on this list, but it’s a breathtaking sight nonetheless. On your way back down, check out the other sites in the area, including an aquarium, planetarium and shopping centre Solamachi’s 300 shops and restaurants.

Just like the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building’s observation decks, the Bunkyo Civic Center’s deck is completely free. The giant Pez dispenser-like building is used mainly for administrative purposes, but it also offers the public a view of central Tokyo from its 25th floor.

At only around 105m, its observation deck is the lowest of the four here, but hey, it’s free. As an added bonus, the building is only a few minutes’ walk from Kagurazaka, a popular shopping area in its own right.

As a heads up, the building is open until 10pm, but the deck closes at 8.30pm.

Note: The Bunkyo Civic Center is closed until December 2026 for renovations. For a free option, stick with the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building until it’s available again.

The inner wholesale section of Tsukiji Market was moved to nearby Toyosu in 2018 after much rigamarole, but its outer market remains intact and has been going strong since 1923. At this essential staple of Tokyo culture you can find fruit and veg, traditional Japanese snacks, tea, kitchenware and, yes, still plenty of seafood, with accompanying English signage due to the location’s popularity with foreign visitors.

Unfortunately, crowds have become an issue recently, so much so that the locals have begun discouraging tourists from visiting during peak seasons like New Year. Still, Tsukiji has some incredible street food and snacks, so don’t feel too guilty about stopping by for just a bit to try them out.

Toyosu Market consists of three separate buildings: the Fruit and Vegetable Market Building, the Fisheries Wholesale Market Building and the Fisheries Intermediate Wholesale Market Building. If you’re a curious early bird, there are observation windows on the upper floor of each of these buildings that allow you to view the auctioning process, around 5.30am for tuna or 6.30am for fruit and veg.

Alternatively, you can enter a free ticket lottery to access a special observation deck to get an even better view of the tuna auction. The lottery opens up one month in advance for only a week – read more info about it here. Tickets disappear fast, so be quick.

On the fourth floor of the Fisheries Intermediate Wholesale Market Building lies the expansive Uogashi Yokocho Market, where you can browse freely (no ticket required) and purchase a wide range of products from high-quality knives and kitchenware to traditional sweets and pickled veg – plus plenty of seafood, natch. Come early, as shops tend to start closing around 2pm. 

A narrow alleyway of hole-in-the-wall bars and izakaya, Omoide Yokocho (‘Memory Lane’) is the go-to place for anyone looking for an introduction to Tokyo nightlife. The foreigner-friendly location has multi-lingual menus at the bulk of its eateries, making it great for those lacking Japanese language skills or feeling overwhelmed in a new city.

Given the watering hole’s popularity, the energy is fast-paced, and some of its smaller dining spaces are certainly not for the claustrophobic. But if you don’t mind the hustle and bustle, Omoide Yokocho is a good, cheap option for Tokyo beginners. Fellow nighttime hotspot Golden Gai is just a few minutes’ walk away, so head there after your visit to extend your bar-hopping into the wee hours.

What began as a black market in the years after the Second World War is now a lively maze-like collection of bars, restaurants and izakaya. Harmonica Yokocho is conveniently located right next to Kichijoji Station, and despite its proximity to a major station, the place isn’t nearly as rowdy as Omoide Yokocho.

Come during the daytime for a full-day experience, as nearby shopping street Sunroad is open at that time, and certainly worth a browse. Harmonica Yokocho is just one of many stops in the area, so make sure to explore and try all the things to do in Kichijoji.

Known affectionately as Akiba, the surrounding area of Akihabara Station is an absolute must for any self-proclaimed weeb. Here you’ll find all manner of manga- and anime-related paraphernalia, games and consoles, plus electronics and appliances ranging from smartphones to washing machines.

If you really want to ramp up the tourist trap experience, try out one of the many maid cafés dotted about the area. Needless to say, this geek’s paradise remains crowded pretty much all the time, so be prepared… or consider our alternative.

If Akihabara is a frenetic young weeaboo, Nakano Broadway is its chill otaku older sibling. Located at the end of a covered shopping street just off Nakano Station, this multi-storey building offers a wide range of goods and merchandise, the majority of which centre on otaku culture in some way.

From manga and figurines to vintage toys and much more, Nakano Broadway is an excellent source for old-school paraphernalia and obscure titles. If you can’t find what you’re looking for in Akihabara, chances are you’ll find it here instead. Crowds are smaller and the energy less hectic, so you can take time to browse at your leisure without feeling rushed.

If you happen to get hungry during your visit, there’s a large greengrocer in the basement, plus a few small restaurants serving up local and international cuisine from curry to Korean.

Stretching from Harajuku Station to Meiji Dori Avenue, this 350m-long street is where a myriad of worlds collide. Bold youth fashion, anime shops, animal cafés, boutiques and vintage goods… it’s an eclectic mix to be sure, and an adventurous shopper’s paradise.

The busy lane is also known for its street food and snacks, whether it’s sweet treats like crepes or savoury bites like a looong potato. Eat your fill as your shop, then continue your retail therapy at ritzy Omotesando just down the street. Alternatively, take a walk through nearby Yoyogi Park for a breather from the chaos, because as the above photo indicates, the area is massively popular. (Seriously, be prepared for crowds.)

This unassuming shopping street in northwestern Toshima ward was historically a rest stop for travellers on their way to Kyoto during the Edo period (1603-1868). That relaxed, laidback feeling continues to this day, so much so that the area is dubbed obachan no Harajuku, or Grannies’ Harajuku in English, due to its slower pace and high percentage of local elderly patrons.

Clothing stores, souvenir shops and street food abound. Do as the locals and pick up a pair of lucky red underwear, or stop by Koganji Temple and bathe its Kannon statue to cure your ailments. Be sure to sample the shio daifuku, a delightful local delicacy consisting of mochi filled with red bean paste, plus a touch of salt to cut through the sweetness.

The nostalgic road is more than twice the length of Takeshita Street, and wider to boot, so feel free to leisurely stroll while you take in the retro charm. Word to the wise: Stop by on the 4th, 14th or 24th of every month for a mini-festival featuring even more street vendors than usual.

Just beyond the iconic Kaminarimon Gate with its 700kg red paper lantern and Wind and Thunder gods lies Nakamise Shopping Street. There isn’t a single moment of the day when this 250m path isn’t absolutely brimming with visitors, both local and international alike.

The upside is that due to the street’s extreme popularity, just about every conceivable form of Japanese souvenir and snack imaginable can be found at its 100-plus shops and stalls, making Nakamise a great one-stop location if you’re on a tight schedule and looking for gifts for yourself or others.

Not to be confused with the Takeshita Street-adjacent Omotesando mentioned in Number 3, Naritasan Omotesando Street arguably borders on tourist trap territory itself, but with its wider streets and impressive Edo-style architecture, its crowds feel a bit more manageable than Takeshita or Nakamise, and the vibe is more traditional. The road was once for travellers making their way to Naritasan Shinshoji Temple, and in a way, it still is.

The street features a wealth of shops selling souvenirs, handmade crafts, traditional Japanese sweets and plenty of food, including several spots dedicated to serving up eel, one of the local specialities. This charming location is absolutely worth a visit on the way to or from nearby Narita Airport, or as a nice detour in your daytime itinerary.

Coming in at Number 1 on our list, Sensoji Temple is the tourist spot to end all tourist spots. No visit to Tokyo is complete without stopping by the 1,400-year-old temple, the oldest in the city and located right at the end of Number 2’s Nakamise Shopping Street. With upwards of 30 million visitors every year, it is hands down one of the most popular venues to visit.

Naturally, Asakusa is much more than Nakamise and Sensoji. After the obligatory tourist pilgrimage to those two sites, be sure to check out what else the area has to offer from street food, snacks and desserts to kitchen goods at nearby Kappabashi kitchen town, plus take a stroll down Sumida River while you’re at it. Come back in the evening after Sensoji’s main hall closes to get a taste of Tokyo nightlife, as the area is absolutely chock full of food stalls and izakaya.

Gotokuji Temple is just a stone’s throw from Miyanosaka Station on the Tokyu Setagaya Line, about half an hour from the city centre. The temple is rumoured to be the originator of the beckoning cat figure known as manekineko, commonly seen in storefronts and elsewhere, though like most legends, the truth of the claim is debated.

Creator of the kawaii cat or not, the temple displays the good luck charm in various sizes by the thousands. The horde of manekineko figures only constitutes one portion of the temple, so wander about the grounds and take in the captivating traditional architecture, including a stunning 22.5m three-tiered wooden pagoda. Take a little good luck home with you on your way out and pick up your own manekineko starting from just ¥500.