Kanda Myojin has over 1300 years of history when it opened up in Otemachi in 730. It moved to it’s current location during the Edo period (1603-1868). Due to it being very close to Akihabara - the geek/computer savvy neighborhood - it’s popular among the otakus and tech geeks as well. You can pray for prosperity, good luck, success in business and marriage at this shrine. Kanda Myojin enshrines 3 deities: Daikokuten, who presides over bountiful harvests and matrimony, Ebisu, the god of fisheries and business and Taira no Masakado, a rebel against the Hei'an government (794–1185) whom later earned revered status. You can find their beatiful statues inside their large complex. The shrine also features a shop and cafe where you can get souvenirs unique only to this shrine and try traditional drinks and sweets in the cafe.

If you’re lucky to visit during an odd numbered year in May (ex. 2019 May), then you can experience their very famous festival. The festival or Kanda Matsuri is considered to be one of Japan’s Three Great Festivals.

Entrance fee: Free

Photo credit: Jana Guide

Address: 2-16-2 Sotokanda, Chiyoda City, Tokyo 101-0021

Hours: 9am - 5pm

Website: https://www.kandamyoujin.or.jp/what/

How to get there: A 5 minute walk from Ochanomizu Station on the JR Chuo Line. If you are in the Akihabara area, it’s about a 15 minute walk.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

In the midst of the largest metropolis in the world, you can find a lush forest of green at Yoyogi Park. It’s the largest park in Tokyo and features wide lawns, ponds and lakes and frequent gatherings and events. Also adjacent to the Meiji Shrine and close to Harajuku, it should definitely be on your list of things to do in Tokyo. During the spring time, you can also enjoy the beautiful cherry blossoms while picnicking on the lawns. Before becoming a park in 1967, it served as the Olympic Village for the 1964 Olympics and before the Olympics, it was a military housing unit for the Americans during the occupation after World War II.

Entrance fee: free

Photo credit: Wikipedia

Address: 2-1 Yoyogikamizonocho, Shibuya City, Tokyo 151-0052

Website: http://www.tokyo-park.or.jp/park/format/index039.html#googtrans(en)

How to get there: A 5 minute walk from the Harajuku Station on the JR Line. It’s right next to the Meiji Shrine.

 

Nezu Kaichiro, a businessman in the early 1900s, passionately collected pre-modern Japanese and east Asian art. Upon his sudden death in 1940, the Nezu museum was built by his family to conserve and preserve his special art collection. The exhibition now has over 7000 pieces with seven being national treasures, 87 important cultural properties and 94 important art objects. The museum also features a cafe, a beautiful Japanese garden and a unique architectural layout all in one harmonious place.

Entrance fee: 1100 Yen for adults, 800 yen for high students and above

Address: 6 Chome-5-1 Minamiaoyama, Minato City, Tokyo 107-0062

Hours: Closed Mondays and holidays, 10am - 5pm

*If Monday is a holiday then it is open and closed the next day

Tel: N/A

Website: http://www.nezu-muse.or.jp/en/

How to get there: An 8 minute walk from exit A5 of Omotesando Station on the Ginza, Hanzomon or Chiyoda metro lines.

 

Discover the Imperial families extensive collection of art with over thousands of works from various artists. Located right in the Imperial Palaces East Garden, you can see a variety of art styles such as calligraphy and Nihonga-style art from ancient Japan and China. This private collection was donated by the Imperial household in 1989 - the start of the Heisei era.

Entrance fee: free

Photo Credit: Chris Rowe blog

Address: East Gardens of the Imperial Palace, 1-1 Chiyoda, Chiyoda City, Tokyo 〒100-0100

Hours: Closed Monday, Friday and holidays, 9:00am - 3:45pm

Tel: 03-3213-1111

Website: https://www.kunaicho.go.jp/e-event/sannomaru02.html

How to get there: The museum is located in the East Gardens of the Imperial Palace. It is closest via the Ote-mon Gate. From Otemachi Station it is about a 3 minute walk.