The best things to do in Tokyo

1.Senso-jiFree

Tokyo's oldest temple, reached through the Kaminarimon gate and the Nakamise shopping street.

Tip: Go early in the morning or after dark, when the buildings are lit and the crowds have gone.

2.Tokyo Skytree

At 634 metres, the tallest tower in Japan, with two observation decks across the river from Asakusa.

Tip: On a clear winter morning you can see Mount Fuji from the top deck.

3.A water bus down the Sumida River

Boats from Asakusa run down the river to the Hama-rikyu garden, a former shogun's garden with a teahouse on a pond.

Tip: Buy the ticket that includes garden entry and have matcha at the teahouse.

4.Ueno Park and the Tokyo National Museum

A big park a few stops from Asakusa, with the country's largest collection of Japanese art, a zoo and some of the city's most popular cherry trees.

Tip: The national museum is closed on most Mondays.

5.Sumo at Ryōgoku

Tokyo hosts three of the six yearly sumo tournaments, in January, May and September, at the Ryōgoku Kokugikan.

Tip: Outside tournament months, some stables allow visitors to watch morning practice; book through a tour.

6.Shibuya CrossingFree

The famous scramble crossing, where up to a few thousand people cross at once when the lights change.

Tip: Watch it from above, from the Shibuya Station walkways or a café window, then cross it yourself.

7.Shibuya Sky

An open-air rooftop on top of Shibuya Scramble Square, looking straight down on the crossing.

Tip: Sunset slots sell out first; book them as soon as they're released.

8.Meiji JinguFree

A Shinto shrine in a forest of 100,000 trees, a short walk from Harajuku Station.

Tip: On weekends you may see a traditional wedding procession.

9.Harajuku and OmotesandoFree

Teen fashion and crêpes on Takeshita Street, then designer architecture along the tree-lined Omotesando avenue.

10.Shinjuku Gyoen

One of the city's finest gardens, mixing Japanese, French and English styles, and a top spot for cherry blossom.

Tip: It's closed on most Mondays, and alcohol isn't allowed inside.

11.Omoide Yokocho and Golden Gai

Narrow alleys of tiny bars and grill counters, some with room for only five or six customers.

Tip: Some Golden Gai bars charge a seating fee or are regulars-only; look for signs welcoming visitors.

12.Tokyo Metropolitan Government BuildingFree

Free observation rooms on the 45th floor of the city hall, with views to Mount Fuji on clear days.

Tip: After dark, a projection-mapping show plays on the building's façade.

13.Imperial Palace East GardensFree

The grounds of the old Edo Castle, with stone walls, moats and the foundation of the main keep.

Tip: Entry is free, but the gardens are closed on Mondays and Fridays.

14.Tokyo Station and MarunouchiFree

The restored red-brick 1914 station building, framed by the business district's towers.

Tip: The free rooftop garden of the KITTE building opposite has the best view of the station.

15.Ginza

Tokyo's smartest shopping district, with flagship stores, department-store food halls and old stationers like Itoya.

Tip: The main street, Chuo-dori, closes to traffic on weekend afternoons.

16.Tsukiji Outer Market

The wholesale fish market moved to Toyosu in 2018, but the outer market's food stalls and knife shops stayed.

Tip: Go for breakfast; many stalls close by early afternoon, and some close on Sundays and Wednesdays.

17.Kabuki-za

The home of kabuki theatre, with performances most days of the month.

Tip: Single-act tickets, sold on the day, let you see one act without committing to a four-hour programme.

18.teamLab

Immersive digital art at teamLab Planets in Toyosu, where you walk barefoot through water, and teamLab Borderless at Azabudai Hills.

Tip: Both use timed tickets that sell out, especially at weekends.

19.AkihabaraFree

The electronics, anime and gaming district, a few stops north of Tokyo Station on the Yamanote line.

Tip: Look upstairs: many of the most interesting shops and arcades are on the upper floors.

20.Ghibli Museum

Hayao Miyazaki's museum in Mitaka, west Tokyo, with a short film you can only see there.

Tip: There are no tickets at the door. They go on sale on the 10th of each month for the following month and sell out within hours.