Located conveniently next to the world renowned Tsukiji Fish Market, this temple is a hidden gem in Tokyo. Hongan-ji is a Jodo-Shinshu Buddhist temple - the most practiced form of Buddhism in Japan. What makes this temple unique is that it’s architecture was inspired by Southeast Asian temples - primarily Indian temples - making it a truly spectacular mix of culture in architecture. You can also go inside the grounds of the temples and if you’re lucky enough you might be able to see the monks reciting their mantras.

Entrance fee: Free

Photo credit: Accessible Japan

Address: 3 Chome-15-1 Tsukiji, Chuo City, Tokyo 104-0045

Hours: 6am - 5pm

Website: https://tsukijihongwanji.jp/

How to get there: A 1 minute walk from Tsukiji Station, Exit 1 on the Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line

 

Dedicated to the spirits of Emperor Meiji and his wife Empress Shoken who ruled Japan from 1868 to 1912 and responsible for “modernizing and westernizing” Japan, Meiji Shrine is one of the most famous shrines in Tokyo. It should definitely be on your list of things to do in Tokyo list. The shrine was built in 1920, 8 years after the Emperors death and stood until it was destroyed in the Second World War, but was rebuilt shortly after.

Meiji Shrine is adjacent to Yoyogi Park which help make up its massive forest that enshrouds the shrines main complex. Entrance into the shrine is marked by a massive torii gate. Once entering the gate, you can walk along the forested path that’ll lead you to the main shrines complex. The shrine is surrounded by over 100,000 trees which were donated from all around Japan. Along the way, you can see barrels of sake - a common sight at shrines as a symbol of connection between humans and spirits. Parallel to the sake are barrels of wine because Emperor Meiji - an advocate for embracing Western culture - enjoyed drinking wine especially after being diagnosed with diabetes which discontinued his sake intake. Join us on our Tokyo tour.

Read about our guide to proper etiquette’s at shrines here.

Entrance fee: Free

Photo credit: Savvy Tokyo

Address: 1-1 Yoyogikamizonocho, Shibuya City, Tokyo 151-8557

Hours: 5am - 6pm

Website: https://www.meijijingu.or.jp/en/

How to get there: A 1 minute walk from Harajuku Station on the JR Line or the Meiji-jingumae Station on the Chiyoda Line.

 

Being the oldest temple in Tokyo, Zojoji dates back to 628, when two fisherman were fishing nearby in the Sumida River and were surprised to see that they had caught a statue. They brought the statue to their village headman and he was surprised to see that it was a statue of Kannon - the buddhist deity associated with compassion. The village headman converted his home to a place of worship. The area grew in popularity with many visitors and worshipers and even became an important place where shoguns (the military dictator) had their offerings.

Today, it’s a very popular and important temple that is surrounded by many cultural and traditional stores which include the famous Nakamise shopping street - a large line of shopping vendors that lead up to the temple.

Entrance fee: Free

Photo credit: Go Tokyo

Address: 2-3-1 Asakusa, Taito City, Tokyo 111-0032

Hours: The shopping street hours are from 10am - 5pm

Website: http://www.senso-ji.jp/english/

How to get there: A 5 minute walk from the Asakusa Station on the Ginza Line, Asakusa Line, Tobu Skytree Line and Tsukuba Express.

 

Zojoji temple was built in 1393 as the Jodo-shu sect of Buddhism (Pure Land Buddhism) for the eastern region of Japan (Kanto). It moved to it’s current location in 1598, when Tokugawa Ieyasu moved to Tokyo and began ruling as shogun. Under Shogun Tokugawa’s rule, Zojoji Temple became the family temple. It also served as the center for religious studies and activities for Jodo-shu Buddhism. Since then, it has been destroyed by fires and air raids during World War II and rebuilt to it’s current form now. This temple is special in that it features the Tokyo Tower in the background, making it a unique contrast between the past and the present.

Entrance fee: Free

Photo credit: Go Tokyo

Address: 4-7-35 Shibakoen Minato-ku, Tokyo 105-0011 Japan

Website: https://www.zojoji.or.jp/en/

How to get there: A 10 minute walk from Hamamatsucho Station on the JR Lines, a 3 minute walk from Onarimon Station on the Mita Line and 5 minute walk from Daimon Station on the Toei Asakusa and Oedo Lines.

 

Originally on the site of feudal Lord Naito’s private mansion, this garden is one of Japan’s largest, most popular and considered to be one of the most important gardens. The garden was completed in 1772, but the current form dates back to 1906 when it was converted to an Imperial Garden for the Imperial family to use to entertain guests. After World War II it was re-designated as a national garden and opened up to the public. Spanning over 144 acres, this garden has three distinctive styles to it - a formal garden, landscape garden and a Japanese traditional garden. This massive area features spacious lawns, peaceful walking paths and photogenic scenery. During the spring time, it’s one of the best places to cherry blossoms.

Entrance fee: 500 yen for Adults, 250 Yen for 65&over/students, Free for 15&under

Photo credit: Japan Forward

Address: 11 Naito-machi, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-0014, Japan 

Hours:

October - March 14th: 9am - 4pm

March 15 - September: 9am - 5:30pm (6:30pm from July 1st - August 20)

Website: https://www.env.go.jp/garden/shinjukugyoen/english/index.html

How to get there: A 10 minute walk from Shinjuku Station South Exit. A 5 minute walk from Shinjuku Gyoen-mae Station Exit 1 on the Marunouchi Subway Line.

 

If you are looking for things to do in Tokyo Japan, away from the bustle of the city, then look no further than the Koishikawa Korakuen Gardens. Located right next to the Tokyo Dome in Korakuen, it’s a nice peaceful garden inn the middle of this large metropolis.

Completed in 1629, this garden was built by Tokugawa Yorifusa, a member of the ruling Shogun Tokugawa family of the edo period (1603-1868) and a daimyo. His son, Tokugawa Mitsukuni fully completed building it. When Misukuni was constructing the garden and wondering what to put in the garden, he incorporated some concepts from the Chinese Confucian scholar Shushunsui which included the Seiko Lake from China and a full moon bridge (the bridge is supposed to look like a full moon with the reflection of the water). It was named Korakuen after a Chinese poem which entertained the idea that a ruler should enjoy his power after pleasing his people first. The garden also features tea house where you can enjoy traditional Japanese tea and sweets, a nice pond and seasonal flowers.

Entrance fee: 300 yen for Adults, 150 Yen for 65&over

Photo credit: Japan Guide

Address:  1 Chome-6-6 Koraku, Bunkyo City, Tokyo 112-0004

Hours: Closed New Years holiday and occasional event days) 9am - 5pm

Website: https://www.tokyo-park.or.jp/park/format/index030.html

How to get there: A 5-10 minute walk from Iidabashi Station on the JR Chuo Line, Tozai, Yurakucho, Namboku and Oedo Subway Lines. Also a 5 minute walk from Suidobashi Station on the JR Chuo Line.

 

The Meiji Shrine is one of the most important and famous shrines in Tokyo. Within the shrine is a beautiful inner garden that was once the resident home of Kato Kiyomasa, a power feudal lord in the area. The garden has a quaint Japanese tea house, an Iris garden, ponds filled with turtles and koi and a famous well called Kiyomasa’s Well, named after the feudal lord. The well is a popular “power spot” in Japan. A power spot is a place that is said to give off positive, restorative and lucky energy. Due to it’s popularity, there is often someone looking out after the well to ensure the line doesn’t get too long and keep people from spending too much time at the well.

Entrance fee: 500 Yen

Photo credit: Moshi Moshi Nippon

Address: 1-1 Yoyogikamizonocho, Shibuya City, Tokyo 151-0052 (Located in the Meiji Shrine)

Hours:

9am - 4:00 pm (November till February)

9am - 4:30pm (March till October)

Website: https://www.meijijingu.or.jp/en/whattosee/garden/

How to get there: Located right in the Meiji Shrine, it’s a 1 minute walk from Harajuku Station on the JR Line.

 

Once a resident home for a merchant during the Edo period (1603-1868), the ownership was transferred to a feudal war lord who turned it into a garden. Then, during the Meiji period (1868-1912) the founder of Mitsubishi bought the land and rebuilt the garden in order to have a nice place to bring important guests to. In 1932, Mitsubishi donated the garden to the Tokyo government who continue to possess this garden. The highlight of the garden are the stones throughout the landscape. Each stone is placed for a reason and some even make a water-less waterfall. The stone were acquired throughout Japan in an effort to make this unique garden. On your stroll around the garden, make sure to step across the stone paths in the water. These are placed to so that you can see fish and turtles inside the ponds. The garden also features a tea house styled Japanese restaurant (reservations required).

Entrance fee: 150 Yen for general admission, 70 Yen for 65&over

Photo credit: Go Tokyo

Address: Kiyosumi Garden Service Center 3-3-9 Kiyosumi, Koto-ku, Tokyo

135-0024 

Hours: 9am - 5pm

Website: http://www.tokyo-park.or.jp/park/format/index033.html

How to get there: A 3 minute walk from the Kiyosumi-Shirakawa Station on the Hanzomon or Oedo subway lines.

 

Apart of the inner palace, the Imperial Palace East Garden is the former site of the Edo Castle’s inner-most circle of defense. While the castle doesn’t remain to this day the East Garden features seasonal flowers and ancient gardens surrounded by moats, walls, gates and several old guardhouses. While you’re inside, you can also find the beautiful Suwano-Chaya teahouse, the Museum of Imperial Collections and Gakubu Music Hall. You’ll also see the former base of the Edo Castle that once stood there, which you can climb on top of for a view of the surrounding area.

The Edo Castle was once the tallest castle in Japan and was occupied by Tokugawa Shogun who ruled Japan from 1603-1868.

Entrance fee: Free

Photo credit: Japan Guide

Address: 1-1 Chiyoda, Chiyoda City, Tokyo 100-8111

Hours: Closed every Monday and Friday. *If national holiday is on Monday/Friday then it is open and closed the next day

9am - 5pm (March 1 to April 14 and all of September)

9am - 6pm (April 15 through August)
9am - 4:30pm (October)
9am - 4pm (November through February)

Website: https://www.kunaicho.go.jp/e-about/shisetsu/higashigyoen-map.html

How to get there: There are several gates to enter from, but the Otemon Gate is the main entrance. It is a 5 minute walk from the Otemachi Station on the Chiyoda, Tozai, Hanzomon, Marunouchi and Mita subway lines. It’s a 15 minute walk from Tokyo Station.

 

This large, landscape garden along the Tokyo Bay was the former site of the shogun’s family villa in the 1600s. It features seawater ponds and lakes, a beautiful field of various flowers, a tea house in the middle of a lake for a scenic view and traditional tea and snacks and a small port for a boat ride up towards Asakusa. The unique view of a traditional Japanese garden with a backdrop of skyscrapers of the Shiodome district puts you in a special location to experience the contrast of past and present in Tokyo.

Entrance fee: 300 Yen for adults, 150 Yen for 65&over

Photo credit: Go Tokyo

Address: 1-1 Hamarikyuteien, Chuo City, Tokyo 104-0046

Hours: 9am-5pm, Closed End of the year New Years holiday

Website: https://www.tokyo-park.or.jp/park/format/index028.html

How to get there: A 12 minute walk from Hamamatsucho Station on the JR Line or a 7 minute walk from Shiodome Station on the Oeda Subway Line.