Tokyo is one of the most famous cities in the world. In addition to being Japan’s capital and most populous city, it also has more Michelin stars than any other city on Earth. The city is rich in culture, attractions, and weirdness. All travelers agree: when it come to people watching, it doesn’t get much better than Tokyo. With so much to do and see, it can be difficult for travelers to plan their adventure. Below you will find a list of some of the top things you should do when you make it to Tokyo.
Food
Tokyo is home to some of the world’s best restaurants as evidenced by the number of Michelin stars the city has. There’s no better place in the world to eat sushi than in Japan. After all, Japan is the birthplace of sushi. One of the best restaurants to eat traditional sushi is Sukiyabashi Jiro. Not only does master chef Jiro Ono have his very own documentary, he has also served both Barack Obama and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. Since the restaurant only has ten tables make sure you call ahead to reserve a table. If sushi just doesn’t sound appealing to you, take a look at this list of the top ten Michelin-starred restaurants in the city.
Meiji Shrine, Shibuya
Meiji Shrine is one of the most popular Shinto shrines in Tokyo. Shinto is the largest religion in Japan. The shrine itself sits inside a 170-acre forest that features 120,000 trees. Two areas make up the shrine. The inner precinct includes shrine buildings and a museum. In the outer precinct, you will find the Meiji Memorial Picture Gallery, the National Olympic Stadium, and the Meiji Memorial Hall which is often used for Shinto weddings. When you’ve had enough of the city and need a break, Meiji Shrine is the perfect place to clear your head.
Architecture
Tokyo is home to some of the world’s most visually appealing architecture. One of the city’s most iconic landmarks is the Rainbow Bridge. The bridge collects solar power during the day, and at night it produces colorful lights that resemble a rainbow. Outside of Shibuya Station, you’ll find Tokyo’s most famous intersection. Tall buildings with colorful signs reminiscent of New York City’s Times Square surround the crossing. Check out this list to see some of Tokyo’s best buildings.
Sports
Japan is crazy about baseball. In Tokyo, you’ll find two major league stadiums in the downtown area. The Yomiuri Giants (sometimes referred to as the Tokyo Giants) are one of the most popular teams in Tokyo. You can take in a game at the Tokyo Dome. Sumo wrestling is only practiced professionally in Japan. If you visit at the right time, you can watch one of the tournaments that take place in Tokyo. Here’s an article with some tips on watching a sumo match.