Now I've shared some top tips in Japan with you, it's time to delve into the most common first city on a Japan travellers itinerary, Tokyo.

Tokyo started off as a tiny fishing village called Edo and ended up becoming the big shot in Japan when the Tokugawa shogunate (military government of Japan during the Edo period from 1603 to 1868) set up camp there. Then in 1868, Emperor Meiji was like, "Hey, let's move the imperial capital from Kyoto to Edo," and BAM, Tokyo was born, meaning "Eastern Capital." During the Meiji Restoration, the city went through a major glow-up, becoming a symbol of Japan's rise as a global player. Even after extensive destruction during World War II, Tokyo bounced back quickly and turned into one of the biggest and most influential cities in the world, known for its cool ideas, rich culture, and serious economic power.

I spent 3 days in Tokyo when I visited. I would suggest spending between 3-5 days to explore Tokyo.

When deciding where to stay, the areas of Shinjuku, Ginza, Asakusa, Shibuya or Tokyo Station are great choices in order to easily access Tokyo's atractions. Get in touch with me to find out more about accommodation in Tokyo or to book with the best rates.

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Now, here are my top 10 attraction suggestions in Tokyo!

1. Tokyo Skytree (東京スカイツリー)

At 634m tall, Tokyo Skytree offers amazing views over the city. Tickets can be purchased either in-person on the day or in advance online. I suggest buying in advance to ensure availability, save a small amount on the cost and to save waiting in the often long lines!

When buying a ticket, you will have the option of visiting floor 350 (Tembo Deck) or both floors 350 and 450 (Tembo Galleria).

Assuming you've done the smart thing and reserved your tickets online, upon arrival there will be a seperate queue for online ticket reservations where you can redeem your ticket.

Tokyo Skytree generally opens from 8am-10pm Monday to Saturday (closed Sunday) however, make sure to check the opening times before travelling on the official website.

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2. Teamlab Planets (チームラボプラネッツ)

TeamLab has been created by a team of artists, CG creators, mathematicians, engineers and lots more people. This place has became very popular so it's crucial to buy your tickets ahead of time.

The rooms within this experience changes regularly but expect to spend around 3 hours to see and experience all exhibits. You can expect sounds, colours and interaction with elements.

There is limited food available on site so I'd recommend eating before you go. Also, make sure to drink water ahead of time as carrying water is not allowed in the exhibits but is available at certain points throughout for purchase.

Make sure to wear easily removable footwear and shorts or trousers that are able to roll up - this is due to the fact you will remove footwear for the experience and will at some points be walking through water.

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3. Shinjuku Gyoen (新宿御苑)

This is one of the largest parks in Tokyo. In Spring, it's one of the best places to see cherry blossoms. In Autumn (mid-November to mid-December), you'll be able to see the autumnal colour changes.

There are 3 sections in the garden including a traditional japanese landscape garden, french garden and english landscape garden. There's also a greenhouse containing tropical and subtropical flowers.

Opening hours vary by season - see here for opening times.

Admission fee is 500¥ payable directly upon entering.

4. Imperial Palace East Gardens (皇居東御苑)

Access to the inner palace is restricted however, it is possible to visit the East Gardens. This used to be Edo Castle's innermost circles of defence which are known as the honmaru ("main circle") and ninomaru ("secondary circle"). Tokugawa shogun ruled Japan from 1603 to 1867 and this was his residence.

I would allow for around 1 hour to walk the gardens and admission is free. Just beware of the opening times that differ per season.

5. Sensō-ji (浅草寺)

This is the oldest temple in Tokyo (temple of Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva) and is known as Asakusa Kannon as it houses the Kannon (Goddess of Mercy in Japanese Buddhism).

This temple is located a few steps away from Asakusa station and is free to visit (although you may make a donation at the temple if you wish). For this, alike most attractions, try to avoid visiting on the weekend as it can get incredibly busy.

When I visited, I also enjoyed seeing the koi fish in the surrounding ponds and I enjoyed a Taiyaki whilst in this area (a Japanese fish shaped cake with fillings including red bean, custard, chocolate, and more).

You should plan to spend around 1 hour visiting this temple.

6. Shibuya Crossing (渋谷スクランブル交差点)

And now, for one of the most famous sights in Tokyo. Imagine every 2 minutes, up to 2,500 people can make their way across this crossing, creating what becomes an amazing spectacle to watch and photograph.

The Shibuya area also has many shops, bars, restaurants, and coffee shops (we certainly visited a few of these!)

To visit Shibuya Crossing, head to Shibuya Station's Hachiko exit (a station where nearly 3 million people travel through per day).

Once you have walked across Shibuya Crossing for yourself, you'll need to view it from above.

You can see the crossing for free from Starbucks in TSUTSYA music shop (no coffee purchase required) however, for the ultimate view, head to Shibuya Sky.

Shibuya Sky is a 360-degree observatory with some of the best views of Tokyo that you'll find. For this attraction, tickets must be reserved in advance (we found out this lesson the hard way a few times!)

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7. Shinjuku (新宿)

Shinjuku is the place to visit at night. Kabukicho sits near the East exit of Shinjuku station and is home to izakaya pubs, bars, and nightlife spots.

Kabuki-cho has lots of retro bars in small buildings allowing friendly experiences with other tourists and locals alike. In this area, try to find the giant Godzilla!

I also recommend treating yourself to Takoyaki while in Shinjuku. This famous street food is a small fried ball typically filled with octopus, tempura scraps, pickled ginger, and green onion.

When you're here, try to check out KAKURETAI, a typical Tokyo-style speakeasy bar.

I'm not going to tell you too much about Shinjuku. The best plan is to go there with no real plan and see where the night takes you!

8. Shimokitazawa (下北沢エリア)

During the day, this area has lots of cool shops selling vintage items, homewares, cafes and restaurants but at nightime, the bar scene takes over. There are also lots of independent and quirky coffee shops in this area (most are quite small though so suited for groups of 4 people and less).

When I visited, I enjoyed spending a few hours wandering around this bohemian area of Tokyo (that felt miles away from the likes of Shibuya with it's hustle and bustle.

9. MarioKart (マリオカート)

When growing up and playing MarioKart, I always imagined what it would be like if it were real. Well, it is very real and located in Akihabara in Tokyo. Although not associated with Nintendo, you can take to the streets and dress up as some of your favourite characters whilst riding around the roads of Tokyo in your go karts.

To be allowed to take part in this experience, you must have a 1949 international driving license or a Japanese driving license. To obtain an international driving license, click here.

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10. Sumo at Ryogoku Kokugikan (両国国技館)

With Japan's most popular sport being Sumo Wrestling, you can have the opportunity to join up to 10,000 fans spectating this sport.

Sometimes, you may be able to see a sumo tournament in action however, at other times when tournaments are not on, there is the opportunity to join a tour to see sumo training in action. I've included some links to tickets below to see some sumo morning practice.

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And that's my top tips for Tokyo

These are just 10 things I suggest seeing in Tokyo. There is, however, so much more! Whether you want to experience Tokyo Disney, lap up some history at the national museum or upmarket shopping in Ginza, Tokyo has so much to offer (and far too much for me to fit into a single blog!)

Keep your eyes peeled for the next blog: Unlocking the Secrets of Japan - Hakone.

You can reach out to me directly if you have any questions or would like a no-obligation travel quote!

Cal a.k.a. The Gallivanting Scot