Tokyo Sightseeing: 20 Best Areas & Sample Itineraries

Tokyo is one of those cities where you don't know where to start when planning your first trip. There's so much to see that figuring out a good route is actually the hardest part.

This guide covers it all in one place: neighborhoods, key spots, shopping, itineraries, and trip prep.

Tokyo Neighborhoods at a Glance

Each neighborhood in Tokyo has a completely different feel. The key is to plan your route based on what you want to do.

💡 If this is your first time in Tokyo, just Shinjuku, Asakusa, and Shibuya will cover the basics. See the itinerary section below for a recommended 3-night/4-day route.

Top 20 Tokyo Spots by Area

① Shinjuku

Tokyo's main commercial and transportation hub. Kabukicho's neon streets, Shinjuku Gyoen park, and the free observation deck at the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building are all here. You can shop, see night views, and enjoy nature in one area. If it's your first time in Tokyo, Shinjuku is the number one area to include.

👉 Shinjuku Guide - Shinjuku Gyoen, Restaurants, Shopping & Golden Gai

② Shibuya

Scramble Crossing, Shibuya Sky observation deck, Miyashita Park - the center of Tokyo's trends. The night view from the rooftop at Shibuya Sky is one of the most popular observation deck experiences in Tokyo.

👉 Shibuya Guide - Shibuya Sky Reservations, Shopping & Restaurants

③ Omotesando & Harajuku

Starting from the forest path of Meiji Shrine, through Takeshita Street's pop-culture scene, to the luxury brand avenue of Omotesando - this is the core of Tokyo's style route.

👉 Harajuku Guide - Harry Potter Store, Takeshita Street & Cat Street

👉 Omotesando Guide - Coffee, Shopping, Restaurants & Architecture

④ Tokyo Station & Marunouchi

Tokyo's biggest transportation hub and a souvenir shopping paradise. Character Street, Ramen Street, and Okashi Land are all gathered underground, and the Marunouchi night illumination is worth seeing too.

👉 Tokyo Station Guide - Character Street, Restaurants, Night Views & Coin Lockers

⑤ Ginza

Tokyo's top-end shopping district. Department store guest cards, apps, and payment methods all affect how much discount you get. Michelin-starred restaurants and galleries are concentrated here, so it's also a good pick for foodies and art fans.

👉 Ginza Area Guide - Recommended Walking Course

⑥ Tsukiji

Tokyo's iconic food market. Seafood skewers, tamagoyaki, onigiri, and all kinds of street food are packed in here. The earlier you go in the morning, the fresher the food and the livelier it gets.

👉 Tsukiji Market Restaurant Guide - Hours, Holidays & Street Food

⑦ Asakusa

Senso-ji Temple, Nakamise-dori street food, and Sumida River cruises. This is where Tokyo's traditional atmosphere is strongest. Go early in the morning and you can enjoy it without the crowds.

👉 Asakusa Guide - Things to Do & Restaurant Roundup

👉 Asakusa Street Food - Silk Pudding, Menchi Katsu & Melon Pan

⑧ Tokyo Skytree

634 meters tall, with two observation levels: the Tembo Deck (350m) and the Tembo Galleria (450m). Combine it with the nearby Solamachi shopping mall and Pokemon Center for a solid half-day.

👉 Tokyo Skytree Reservation & Discount Guide - Tembo Deck vs Galleria

⑨ Ueno

Museums, a zoo, and a pond all in one spot. It's one of Tokyo's top cherry blossom locations in spring, and together with the Ameyoko market street food, it makes a good half-day route.

👉 Ueno Guide - Ameyoko Market Food, Ueno Park & Walking Course

⑩ Akihabara

The home of electronics, figures, and anime. Beyond the otaku scene, Akihabara is also good for anyone looking for unique experiences like gacha machines and retro game centers.

👉 Akihabara Guide - Figure Shops, Gacha & Recommended Course

⑪ Tokyo Dome

Baseball games, an amusement park, hot springs, and shopping all in one place. It works well as a rainy-day indoor plan, and together with nearby Korakuen, you can fill an entire day.

👉 Tokyo Dome Guide - Concerts, Baseball, Things to Do, Restaurants & Hotels

⑫ Nippori & Yanaka

A lesser-known area where the Edo-era atmosphere still lingers. The menchi katsu at Yanaka Ginza shopping street and the sunset at Yuyake Dandan staircase have become popular Instagram spots.

👉 Yanaka Ginza - Getting There, Menchi Katsu & Yuyake Dandan Sunset

⑬ Ikebukuro

One of Tokyo's three major downtown areas alongside Shinjuku and Shibuya. The east side has anime, otaku culture, and restaurants; the west side has a modern art museum and quiet parks. Something for every type of traveler.

👉 Ikebukuro Guide - East vs West Recommended Course

⑭ Tokyo Tower

A symbol of Tokyo. The daytime and nighttime feel are completely different, and there are over 15 photo spots in the surrounding area. Pair it with nearby Shiba Park and Zojo-ji Temple for an efficient route.

👉 15 Best Tokyo Tower Photo Spots - Day & Night Locations

⑮ Azabudai Hills

Tokyo's newest mixed-use complex, opened in 2023. teamLab Borderless, the Sky Room observation cafe, restaurants, and shopping all in one place.

👉 Azabudai Hills Guide - Observatory, Restaurants & teamLab Course

⑯ Roppongi

Where Tokyo Midtown, Roppongi Hills, and the National Art Center come together - the center of art and night views. The area comes alive from the evening onward, and the observation deck lets you see both Tokyo Tower and Skytree at the same time.

👉 Roppongi Guide - Observation Decks, Art Museums, Shopping & Restaurants

⑰ Odaiba

An artificial island with Rainbow Bridge night views and a Statue of Liberty replica. Shopping malls, teamLab, and hot springs are all here - enough for a full day. The evening views are especially good.

👉 Odaiba Guide - Full-Day Recommended Course

⑱ Nakameguro

Cafes and boutiques line the Meguro River - this is Tokyo style in a nutshell. Starbucks Reserve Roastery Tokyo sits right on the riverbank, and the cherry blossom night views in spring are some of the best in Tokyo.

👉 Nakameguro Guide - Boutiques, Restaurants & Cafe Course

👉 Starbucks Reserve Roastery Tokyo - Walk-in & Waitlist Guide

⑲ Jiyugaoka

A European-style street filled with Western pastry shops and charming boutiques. Popular for cake and parfait tasting tours, and it pairs well with Nakameguro and Daikanyama for a half-day course.

👉 Jiyugaoka Travel Guide - Cafes & Cake Restaurants

⑳ Shimokitazawa

The home of vintage shopping, live music clubs, and independent cafes. This is where you feel Tokyo's hipster culture the strongest, and it's popular with travelers in their 20s and 30s.

👉 Shimokitazawa - Vintage Shopping, Cafes, Restaurants & Live Clubs

Tokyo Shopping Streets

Shopping in Tokyo has a completely different character depending on the area. Pick the right district for your purpose and you won't waste time on unnecessary detours.

1️⃣ Ginza

The center of luxury, department store, and duty-free shopping. Get an extra 5% off with guest cards at Isetan, Mitsukoshi, and Matsuya.

👉 Ginza Shopping Discount Tips - Mitsukoshi App vs Matsuya JCB Compared

2️⃣ Shibuya & Harajuku

Street fashion, select shops, and pop-up stores. The 6th floor of Parco with Nintendo and the Pokemon Center is a key stop.

👉 Shibuya Parco - Floor Guide, Duty Free, Restaurants & Brands

3️⃣ Shinjuku

Five department stores in one area, plus Bic Camera and Yodobashi for electronics. Get 5% off with the Isetan guest card.

👉 Shinjuku Department Store Guest Cards - Isetan, Takashimaya, Odakyu & Keio

4️⃣ Daikanyama

Tsutaya Books T-Site, select shops, and cafes are concentrated here - a good area for a relaxed stroll.

👉 Daikanyama Guide - Tsutaya T-Site, Select Shops & Shopping Course

👉 Daikanyama Dior Bamboo Pavilion - Reservations, Cafe Dior Menu & Book Tote

5️⃣ Mitsui Outlet Park Kisarazu

One hour from Busta Shinjuku, with over 300 stores - the largest outlet near Tokyo.

👉 Mitsui Outlet Park Kisarazu - Discount Coupons, Brands & How to Get There (vs Gotemba)

Tokyo Itinerary & Trip Prep

If you're preparing for your first Tokyo trip, go through the guides below in order.

📅 Itineraries

👉 Tokyo 3-Night/4-Day Itinerary - Landmarks & Top Spots (No Disney)

👉 Tokyo 3-Night/4-Day Itinerary - Disney, Shibuya Sky & Budget Breakdown

🚃 Transportation

👉 Tokyo Transportation Card Guide - iPhone Suica, Welcome Suica & Pasmo

👉 Tokyo Subway Map PDF - High-Resolution Download & How to Read It

🎪 Accommodation

👉 Shinjuku Hotel Recommendations BEST 10 - Budget, Onsen & Family Compared

☀️ Weather & Preparation

👉 Tokyo March Weather & Clothing Guide - Temperature, Rain & Cherry Blossom Season

👉 Tokyo Trip Prep A to Z - Flights, Immigration, Hotels, Transport & App Checklist

Tokyo is a city where you can find whatever you're looking for, no matter your travel style. Pick the spots from this guide that catch your eye and build your own route.

🧡 More Tokyo Travel Guides

👉 Tokyo Rainy Day Itinerary - Indoor Routes, teamLab & Umbrella Prep

👉 Tokyo Observatory Comparison BEST 5 & Free Night View Spots

👉 Japan Travel Discount Coupons Roundup (Don Quijote, Bic Camera & Department Stores)