Tokyo is one of the world’s busiest cities, but it still has plenty to offer a traveller looking for a new experience. Whether you want to go for the classics like cherry blossom viewing or something a little different like a summer firefly festival, there’s lots to choose from.
If you’re travelling with children, don’t miss out on Sanrio Puroland and don’t forget to pop into the Ghibli Museum for some anime fun. You can also try sleeping in a ’capsule hotel’ for an out-of-this-world experience.
1. Tokyo National Museum
The Tokyo National Museum (Tokyo Kokuritsu Hakubutsukan) is Japan’s oldest and largest art museum. Established in 1872, it is home to one of the world’s most extensive collections of Japanese art and antiquities.
It has a variety of galleries to suit every taste, and you can spend a few hours here learning about Japanese history and culture through artwork. Paintings, calligraphy, sculptures, and Buddhist treasures are just some of the highlights here.
If you want to see more, the museum also has a huge collection of archaeological pieces from around Asia. These include samurai swords and masks, ceramics and lacquerware, as well as bronze statues and archeological relics from the Kamakura era.
The museum complex consists of five main exhibition buildings, a research centre and several outdoor exhibits. You can book a guided tour if you want to learn more about the collections and the architecture of the building. The grounds have lovely views of cherry blossom during spring.
2. National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation
The National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation, commonly known as Miraikan, is Japan's top-rated science museum and is a great destination for kids and adults alike. It has a plethora of interactive exhibits on everything from space exploration to future medicine.
Located in Odaiba, one of Tokyo's most popular amusement areas, this futuristic museum is a fun way to learn about cutting-edge technology and robotics. There are several zones to explore, including the Geo-Cosmos and Discover Your Earth exhibits.
Visitors can also see the Honda robot ASIMO, which is a good way to teach kids about the importance of robotics in the future. You can also visit the Dome Theater GAIA to experience dynamic images on a spherical screen.
The museum is situated on an artificial island in Tokyo Bay, and is easily accessible by train. There are train and water bus stops at the Telecom Center and Fune-no Kagakukan (Tokyo International Cruise Terminal) stations, both of which are a short walk from the museum.
3. Ghibli Museum
The Ghibli Museum is a magical place to discover the imagination of master animator Hayao Miyazaki. Located within Tokyo's Inokashira Park, this unique museum evokes the spirit of Studio Ghibli's enchanting fantasy world.
This enchanting and quirky museum is full of iconic Ghibli moments, including a replica of the giant cat bus from My Neighbor Totoro. You'll find many tiny doors, intricately designed staircases and even a rooftop garden where you can see a five-meter robot from Laputa (Castle in the Sky).
I also enjoyed learning how an animation movie is made from sparking ideas to completing it as a film by visiting the Permanent Exhibit Room "Where a Film is Born". The room was filled with a number of sketches, storyboards and other paper works from the Ghibli staff.
The museum organizes special exhibitions that change about once a year. They usually focus on particular themes such as food, the artists' process of painting backgrounds or the creative machines they use.
4. Meiji Jingu Shrine
If you’re looking for a serene, peaceful place to visit while in Tokyo, you won’t find many better places than Meiji Jingu Shrine. Completed in 1920, the shrine honors Emperor Meiji and his wife Empress Shoken.
One of the first things you’ll notice when you get to the main shrine is the vast forest surrounding it. The trees were transplanted from all over Japan to create this magical forest.
There are a number of attractions within the Meiji Jingu complex, including a museum dedicated to Emperor Meiji and his consort Empress Shoken. This recently-constructed museum features numerous items associated with Emperor Meiji and is regarded for its elegant design by famous architect Kuma Kengo.
The Meiji Jingu Shrine is a popular destination for Shinto devotees, who flock to the site during New Year’s Day and the end-of-the-year ritual Joyasai. This is when tens of millions of visitors swarm the grounds to pray for good fortune in the coming year.
