Shibuya is a city known for its young population, where trends and styles are born. Its famous intersection, the busiest in the world, is an iconic sight where countless people cross paths. The Center-Gai shopping street is filled with restaurants, shops, and entertainment spots.

The city is perfect for anyone looking to experience Japan's youth culture firsthand. And while there, one shouldn't miss visiting the famous Hachikō Memorial Statue, located right in front of Shibuya Station, to pay tribute to the loyal pup.

Harajuku is a popular neighborhood for all things youth culture and fashion, just like Shibuya. It is characterized by hordes of young people expressing themselves through their style. Takeshita-dori Street is the central hub of subculture in the neighborhood, where you can find everything from girly to Lolita and punk.

If you're in Harajuku, you must try the famous crepes sold at almost every corner. Even on weekdays, Ura-Harajuku and Cat Street are crowded with fashion-forward individuals. These areas are Harajuku's backside, harboring even more trendy shops and spots.

Ginza is a sophisticated neighborhood for adults, known for its elegant department stores and high-end fashion brands. However, in recent years, fast fashion has also joined the mix, making the area more accessible to a broader range of people.

Tourists can particularly enjoy the area around Ginza 4-Chome Intersection on Sundays, as it becomes a “pedestrian paradise” and is closed to vehicles entirely. This allows visitors to leisurely stroll through the famous area.

For a dose of traditional culture, the Kabuki-za Theater is a must-visit. Here, visitors can explore the old art of Kabuki theater.

Asakusa is a popular sightseeing spot in Tokyo, visited by over 30 million people each year. This nostalgic neighborhood authentically conveys the taste and atmosphere of Old Edo (Tokyo's former name) up until this very day.

The center of Asakusa is the famous Senso-ji Temple and Kaminarimon Gate. The approach to the stunning temple is called Nakamise-dori Street, which is lined with all sorts of shops and stalls offering both souvenirs and traditional snacks.

You can recharge your energies with a bit of eel, tempura, sushi, or a variety of sweets and rice crackers on Nakamise-dori Street. For a tryst with traditional culture, head to the Asakusa Engei Hall and experience the Japanese storytelling art called rakugo.

A particularly unique way of exploring the city is taking a boat down the nearby Sumida River, all the way to Tokyo Bay.

Cinemas, karaoke, bowling alleys – that are just a few of the examples of the many entertainment opportunities that Shinjuku has to offer! The colorful urban jungle is Tokyo’s largest amusement quarter, home to clubs, bars, shops, eateries, and more. Golden Gai and its treasure trove of tiny bars is especially famous, right alongside Omoide Yokocho and its atmospheric yakitori stalls. Shinjuku is a city that never sleeps, illuminated by countless neon signs at night. We highly recommend savoring this urban scenery from the free observation deck on the 45th floor of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building! The beating heart of the area is the massive Shinjuku Station – it holds the Guinness World record as the busiest station with more than 3.42 million passengers per day. Its over 200 exits make the station seem like a maze even to the locals. Do you dare to get lost in wild, wonderful Shinjuku?

The first things you’ll notice about Ikebukuro are large department stores and electronic shops, but this northwestern neighborhood also offers a plethora of entertainment spots. The Sunshine Aquarium on top of the giant Sunshine City is fun for the entire family, while the indoor theme park J-World Tokyo takes you to the world of Shonen Jump, the famous manga magazine that is the home of countless manga success stories. Otome Road (“Maiden Road”) right behind Sunshine City is the Akihabara for ladies, filled with comics and merchandise, and P’Parco is a department store that unites fashion with anime goodies. For all gourmets out there, you’ll want to get to know Ikebukuro as one of Tokyo’s fiercest ramen battlegrounds!

Since the 1950s, Akihabara got its reputation as “Electric Town,” the place to go for all things electronics and parts. In the 90s, however, the neighborhood’s image changed to what it is today: the global headquarters of otaku culture, centered around anime, manga, and games! Both the main street and its back alleys are filled with merchandise shops and for every otaku, touring this area will feel like a treasure hunt! If you’ve ever been curious about Japan’s theme cafés, look no further, as maid cafés and other curious eateries dot Akihabara plentifully!

Ueno Zoo and its giant pandas are known far and wide, but Ueno Park also features a wonderful selection of museums and art galleries. That abundance is what earns the area the reputation of a city of art and culture. During spring, people flock to Ueno Park to enjoy its stunning cherry blossoms, while the shopping street Ameya Yokocho (or simply “Ameyoko”) entices with its local atmosphere, fresh food stalls, and bargain prices. Over 500 shops line the bustling street that is especially busy just before New Year’s when families come to shop for traditional year-end cooking. Grab a snack at one of the stalls and do some bargain hunting!

Shin-Okubo is Tokyo’s Koreatown, boasting a plethora of authentic eateries and pubs that serve you the real taste of Korea! Nestled in between are shops chock-full with Korean idol goods and it is often said that spending a day in Shin-Okubo feels like taking a trip to Korea itself. Next to the numerous gourmet experiences, the neighborhood is also extremely stylish, and you’ll find countless young people snapping “Insta-worthy” shots of food, goods, shops, and themselves! Shin-Okubo also features Islamic alleys that treat you to Halal food and ingredients, as well as Indonesian and Nepalese cuisine. More and more Asian supermarkets open in the area, causing it to be nicknamed “Asian Town” recently.

Bookworms will have the time of their life in Jimbocho, a neighborhood known for its plethora of bookstores! There’s about 180 of them dealing in specifically old books and there’s many a treasure to be found. This legacy can be attributed to the many colleges that are in or near Jimbocho and the area has been the go-to spot for Japanese students to find whatever reading material their studies require. Nowadays, academics is only one of the genres, alongside specialized hobby publications and genres such as religion, literature, history, and even subcultures. Finding a rare and valuable book is a fairly common occurrence in Jimbocho, so prepare yourself for some stunning discoveries!
However, Jimbocho is also known as a hot spot for all things curry, from Japanese to authentically Indian! Plop down in one of the specialty restaurants and savor a spicy curry creation while burying yourself in that new book you just picked up.

Ochanomizu is a student city since long ago. Walking its streets during the daytime, among the many students going about their day, will make you feel the liveliness of the area. Its other characteristic is the large number of shops specializing in musical instruments between Ochanomizu Station’s Sudibashi Exit and Surugadai. There’s about 40 of them, handling both new instruments as well as second-hand treasures and even rarities that can only be found in Japan. From professional to beginner, the selection is rich and diverse! In fact, a lot of music lovers come to Japan for the sole purpose of buying a new instrument here. Many of the shops are regularly frequented by professional musicians because these stores offer things that aren’t handled at regular instrument-focused shops.

Kappabashi is known around Japan as “Kitchen Town” and enjoys a reputation for handling the best cooking ware in the country. About 190 shops and wholesalers line the street of about 800 meters and you’ll find a massive selection of equipment fit for restaurants such as dishes, fixtures, and kitchen utensils. On top of that, Kappabashi is the home of food samples, a quirky Japanese tradition that has made waves around the world! The fake food is so realistic, it is near indistinguishable from the real deal, from spaghetti to a cold glass of frothy beer! These are perfect souvenirs if you’re looking for something that is quirky and unique while representing a part of Japanese culture.

Shimokitazawa isn’t too far away from famous areas such as Shinjuku, Shibuya, and Kichijoji and is particularly popular among younger Tokyoites. Roughly speaking, it can be described as a town of music, theaters, and vintage clothes, boasting a wonderful Indie feel. There’s a lively but laid-back buzz to the area that matches the relaxed townscape perfectly, a melting pot of various subcultures coexisting in harmony.
From small miscellaneous goods shops to atmospheric cafés, Shimokitazawa is home to many unique spots, ranging from cutting-edge fashion to vintage clothes, live venues, and small theaters. It’s the Indie version of massive Shibuya and Shinjuku where new trends are born just as often – do stop by if you get the chance.

Sugamo is a district that is incredibly popular with Tokyo’s elderly population, not only because the nearby Kogan-ji Temple is home to the “Togenuki Jizo,” a Buddhist statue said to cure ailments. Try the custom: wash the statue gently with a cloth exactly where your pain or ailment sits. Seniors also flock to Sugamo for its many shopping opportunities at the Sugamo Jizo-dori Street. There are about 200 stores and restaurants selling clothes for seniors and offering delectable cuisine. The specialty of the area is “red panties,” bright red underwear said to shield excellently against cold weather – it has fans far and wide!

The silver sphere of Fuji TV headquarters, the giant Gundam statue, and Rainbow Bridge – these are some of the famous symbols of Odaiba, the man-made island that sits right in Tokyo Bay. It isn’t only home to large shopping malls such as DiverCity and Decks Tokyo, exciting shopping spots that also offer a multitude of entertainment opportunities. Odaiba also has numerous sights, such as the aforementioned Rainbow Bridge that connects it to the city and is beautifully lit up at night. The view from Odaiba’s promenade on Tokyo’s shimmering lights over the water is stunningly romantic, and even anime fans will have an amazing time with the life-sized Unicorn Gundam Statue that lights up and moves at certain times!

Kagurazaka is a unique neighborhood that blends modern and traditional Japan like no other place. The many slopes and alleys all have enticing names such as Michikusa Yokocho (“Loiter Alley”) or Kakurenbo Yokocho (“Hide and Seek Alley”) – time flows solely here, inviting you to a leisurely stroll. During the Meiji era, Kagurazaka was populated by about 700 geisha and the district was known as a hanamachi, a geisha town. Even today, about 20 geisha are still active in the area and if you’re lucky, you might spot one of them walking down one of Kagurazaka’s stone-paved alleys. Long-established restaurants and eateries dot the area just as much as modern bars and miscellaneous stores, offering a curious taste of tradition meeting modern life.

As Roppongi was a settlement of the US military after World War II, the area is still populated by a large number of shops targeting Non-Japanese customers. A lot of embassies are also spread around the neighborhood, fitting in perfectly with Roppongi’s atmosphere of luxury and glitz. It is also famous for its rich nightlife scene with various clubs and bar but compared to Shibuya and Shinjuku, the crowd is a lot more international. Large commercial facilities such as Roppongi Hills and Tokyo Midtown add an extra layer of luxurious feel to the area, while art spots including the National Art Center will satisfy any culture cravings.

Fancy cafés and miscellaneous shops line the street of Kichijoji, an urban district that still lets you forget the hustle and bustle of the big city with its lush green park and zoos. It regularly ranks high as a neighborhood that Tokyoites want to live in.
Kichijoji also boasts excellent access from both Shibuya and Shinjuku and the choice of shops is diverse, with a great selection of apparel, souvenirs, and miscellaneous goods. Even large-scale malls can be found in this diverse mix. Another big attraction is Harmonica Yokocho, an area that is a bustling local market during the day and transforms in a nightlife parade with little pubs and bars at night, full of charm and personality. Kichijoji is also where you will go if you visit the Ghibli Museum, THE spot to go to explore the world-famous animation studio.

Shoppers flock to Jiyugaoka for its abundance of shops that specifically target the interest of female Tokyoites and its beautiful, calm cityscape of stone pavement and tree-lined streets. Fashionable apparel and accessories dominate most shops, but Jiyugaoka also is known for the many sweets stores and their delectable creations. Some come for the shopping, others come to savor the desserts! There’s even a “theme park” that’s all about these desserts called Sweets Forest,” featuring delicacies made by skilled pâtissiers. Stroll under the blue sky and enjoy the stunning scenery before treating yourself to a sweet delight!

The area between Daikanyama and Nakameguro is full of high-end shops, cafés, and restaurants. It’s the perfect spot for people with a refined fashion sense who seek to enjoy a sophisticated atmosphere. Stroll down the scenic alleys until you find a place that piques your fancy – we highly recommend taking your time and soaking in the charm of the area without any pressure, checking out the shops and cafés that you pass by. However, the many slopes might tire you out, so don’t hesitate to recharge your energies with a hot cup of coffee and a snack, preferably on the terrace of an open café. The area is especially beautiful in spring when the cherry blossoms hang over the nearby Meguro River.

Tsukishima is known as Tokyo’s “Monja Street.” Monjayaki is a local dish that features finely chopped ingredients such as cabbage or squid in a batter, which is then fried in a pan or a teppan. The dish is surprisingly liquid but tastes amazing and hearty, offering a unique Tokyo food experience. Tsukishima is home to more than 70 such Monjayaki shops, creating a wonderfully rustic and local atmosphere. Take in the scenery of retro wooden houses, surrounded by the waters of Tokyo Bay and Sumida River.

Sumo is one of Japan’s national sport and grand tournaments are held at the Ryogoku Kokugikan six times a year: three times in January, May, and September. Around that time, colorful flags surround the famous sumo hall, exciting sumo fans and tourists alike. The mornings and evenings are filled with the sound of the drums, making it absolutely clear that you have stepped into the realm of sumo. Even outside of the tournament season, you might find a wrestler just walking down the street as Ryogoku is dotted with sumo stables. A lot of former wrestlers have stayed in the area, now running restaurants that serve the iconic “Chanko Hot Pot,” a voluminous dish that is an integral part of every wrestler’s diet. Try the dish to get a first-hand experience of the sport even if you’re not able to see a match! For a thorough look at Tokyo’s past, we warmly recommend the Edo Tokyo Museum, authentically reproducing Old Edo and its transformation to the Tokyo we know today. Models and dioramas will take you back centuries!

Tokyo is a city with many faces, each neighborhood boasting a unique atmosphere and feeling. That’s why the city fascinates so many – no matter who you are, you are sure to find a place that you’ll absolutely fall in love with! From food, sightseeing, and the scenery that changes with the season, there is much to explore and even more if you experience Tokyo in its colorful variety!