Shibuya Crossing, Tokyo’s iconic mass transit hub that provides breathtaking views of organized chaos.
Odaiba’s Palette Town offers TeamLabBorderless’s captivating digital art, which you can interact with physically. Meanwhile, Ginza/Yurakucho boasts buildings by some of the greatest contemporary architects such as Hermes Building by Toyo Ito or Mikimoto Building by Renzo Piano. Access is simple through options like Cathay Pacific’s Dubai to Tokyo route.
1. Tokyo Skytree
Tokyo Skytree draws many visitors to the city as its structures house restaurants, shops, a planetarium and even a train station beneath it. But its main draw is its observation decks which offer stunning views over Tokyo while at night its LED illumination makes it even more eye-catching.
Tembo Galleria on the top floor of Tokyo Skytree is a glass corridor and an excellent place for taking pictures of the city and helping those suffering from vertigo to take steps straight down! Below that, there is Foot Town with souvenir stores and restaurants as well as special events throughout the year; early in the day or at sunset is best! Getting there from Tokyo Station via Metro Marunouchi line is simple too.
2. Tokyo Tower
Tokyo Tower’s panoramic observatories offer mesmerizing visual narratives of Japan’s capital’s growth, from traditional roots to modern ambitions, while its lights make an exquisite sight at night – in cool shades of white in summer and warmer tones of orange in winter, plus special event occasions like New Year or Valentine’s Day!
The main observation deck is always open for viewing; however, access to the 250-meter-high Special Observatory and look down window requires prior booking and additional fees. The tower’s floors feature numerous restaurants and shops such as 333g Steak House and Mos Burger restaurants and its latest attraction–one piece theme park! For visitors seeking something more tranquil there’s also an idyllic rooftop garden where visitors can retreat from all of the activity below.
3. Edo-Tokyo Museum
The Edo-Tokyo Museum stands out from traditional museum experiences by approaching history from an engaging, accessible perspective. Spread across two expansive floors are architectural models, replicas, woodblock prints and reconstructions of historical districts such as traditional homes, teahouses and Kabuki theaters from Tokyo’s 400 year history.
Travelers love the hands on exhibits here, which feature models and re-creations that are sure to delight both adults and kids. In addition, this museum caters well to international visitors with ample English information available and even guides in English available on each floor – including one dedicated solely to WWII Tokyo fire bombings! Ultimately the final floor covers modern history from 1900s forward with models and dioramas such as an eyewitness account from WWII’s Tokyo firebombings!
4. Tokyo National Museum
Ueno Park is home to Tokyo National Museum, home of one of Japan’s finest collections of Asian art and history. Established in 1872, this massive museum now holds more than 110,000 artworks including sculptures. Additionally, 89 items designated as national treasures reside here.
The Honkan is the main building built in 1938 that houses the Japanese gallery, housing 25 rooms where special exhibitions on ceramics, samurai swords, kimonos, ukiyo-e and other Japanese items rotate regularly. Meanwhile, Toyokan, Asian gallery, and Hyokeikan (1909 European style building), host other pieces from other parts of Asia.
Tokyo National Museum was one of the earliest museums to open in Japan at a time when Japan was beginning to re-engage with the outside world after centuries of self-isolation. Additionally, this venue hosts several special exhibitions that require separate admission fees.
5. Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum
Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum stands out among the cluster of museums in Ueno Park for its innovative temporary exhibitions and showcased collections from acclaimed institutions like Louvre, Metropolitan Museum of Art and Museum of Fine Arts Boston. Additionally, it hosts over 280 annual thematic exhibitions as well as initiatives that support Japanese artists like Ueno Artist Project.
Kunio Maekawa, an award-winning modernist architect, designed the current building in 1975. It serves as an “entryway to art”, offering various activities – special exhibitions featuring masterpieces from around the globe and public entry shows curated by artist groups – in order to become its “doorway”.
GPSmyCity’s self-guided app (available from both App Store and Google Play) makes exploring this attraction simple; simply follow the tour routes provided on your smartphone device, which will act as your tour guide.
6. Tokyo National Museum of Nature and Science
The National Museum of Nature and Science in Ueno Park is an award-winning natural history museum with an unparalleled collection. Featuring exciting exhibits and activities for both children and adults alike.
The Japan Gallery explores the movements and interactions of Japanese ancestors who discovered islands and coexisted with nature, while the Global Gallery covers an array of subjects spanning science to astronomy, as well as fossils that reveal how life on Earth evolved over four billion years. Furthermore, this exhibit showcases technological inventions by Japanese since Edo period.
Plan your visit wisely as this museum covers two buildings with many galleries that may interest you, making sure that admission costs 620 yen for adults (Monday closure or Tuesday if it falls on a national holiday), with free admission for 1st grade students or younger.
7. Tokyo National Museum of Art
Tokyo National Museum boasts one of the nation’s most impressive collections, which span several buildings. The Honkan building, established in 1938 and designated an Important Cultural Property, houses Japanese art from ancient to modern day including ceramics, ukiyo-e prints, scrolls maps kimonos samurai armor and swords as well as much more.
The National Museum offers English guided tours of its Honkan building on select days, as well as Japanese archaeological artifacts and priceless treasures from Nara as well as rotating special exhibitions. For something different try visiting Tokyo Trick Art Museum nearby with paintings that play tricks on your eyes; designed by Kisho Kurokawa this impressive building stands as one of the city’s most adaptable art spaces.
8. Tokyo National Museum of Western Art
The National Museum of Western Art (NMWA) in Japan is the country’s only museum dedicated to Western art. Established in 1959 around Matsukata Kojiro’s core collection – including works from artists like Claude Monet – it seeks to promote appreciation of Western art among Japanese audiences.
The museum features 58 sculptures by Rodin (including The Thinker and Gates of Hell ) as well as special exhibitions held throughout the year. Le Corbusier designed its main building which now stands as an Important Cultural Property registered by National Cultural Properties Registry as well as being listed in UNESCO World Heritage Site along with 16 additional buildings by this pioneer of modern architecture.
Discover Tokyo attractions such as this gallery and grounds on a self-guided walking tour with GPSmyCity’s mobile app available for both iPhone and Android. Downloading it transforms your smartphone into your personal tour guide while you discover more about this Tokyo landmark as well as nearby points of interest.
9. Tokyo National Museum of Art
Tokyo National Museum of Art features an expansive selection of exhibitions. Its Japanese art collection encompasses almost every facet of traditional culture; for an example of this, check out Horyuji Treasures; Toyokan; and Heiseikan for examples from Japan’s prehistoric periods.
Visitors who visit can take advantage of audioguides available at the entrance in several languages and volunteer-guided tours on Honkan Building’s 2nd floor which take place several times each month.
This museum is ideal for visitors with enough time and desire to take in all its exhibits, providing an introduction to Japanese art history. You can purchase a Tokyo Museum Grutto Pass to save money on admission and activities at various museums, galleries, and attractions around Tokyo.
10. Tokyo National Museum of Art
Ueno Park is home to this expansive museum which spans multiple buildings and boasts one of Japan’s largest art collections as well as frequent blockbuster exhibitions throughout the year.
Visitors of this premier Tokyo museum can discover a treasure trove of Japanese art and antiques, including lacquerware, metalwork, pottery, ancient Buddhist sculptures, hand painted scrolls, gorgeous kimonos, Samurai swords and vibrant ukiyo-e woodblock prints – making it the best place in Tokyo to immerse themselves in all types of artwork in just a few hours!
Honkan houses the Japanese Gallery while other galleries exhibit items from various Asian cultures as well as Horyu-ji treasures and Jomon artifacts from Horyu-ji and Hortto Museum’s famed Jomon collection. English translation services are available throughout, while foreigner-friendly tours are also provided. A Tokyo Museum Grutto Pass can provide entrance and discounts at other museums throughout Tokyo such as Mori Art Museum and Suntory Museum of Modern Art.