Tokyo

This nationally recognised Shinto shrine is considered one of Japan’s primary symbols of the country’s major religion. Take in the huge 11-metre cypress tree torii (gate) before wandering peacefully along winding paths to the wonderful inner buildings. Near the main complex, the modern Meiji Jingu Museum displays personal artefacts of the imperial couple, from manuscripts to garments. For a small fee, the Inner Garden (Jingu Naien) reveals a landscape of seasonal beauty, most famous for its June iris blooms.

Escape the hustle and bustle of Tokyo and discover Japan's natural wonders around World Heritage Mount Fuji and Hakone in just one day. Visit the 5th Station of Mt Fuji, explore the Ninja House, and relax in a Japanese Garden. Later, experience the vibrant energy of Owakudani, the Great Boiling Valley, go for a landscape ride on a sky gondola, then feel the breeze from a Lake Ashi cruise.

The Senso-ji temple is Tokyo's oldest-established Buddhist temple. Though a major tourist attraction, this is primarily a traditional, local site where worshippers cast coins, clap ceremoniously and bow in respect to an image of Kannon, the Goddess of Compassion.

The stylised Kabuki-za theatre performance consists of elaborate choreography and makeup combined with colourful traditional nagauta music. In the 17th century, female kabuki performers were banned; men now play the roles of both genders most convincingly.

Ryōgoku is the spiritual home of sumo, Japan's national sport, where it's common to see wrestlers in traditional dress milling about the iconic Kokugikan stadium. The district's identity is deeply rooted in the Edo period (1603–1868), a legacy preserved in its exceptional museums. The Tokyo Metropolitan Edo-Tokyo Museum (reopening in spring 2026) offers a vast, immersive journey through the city's history, while the sleek Sumida Hokusai Museum celebrates the life and iconic woodblock prints of the local ukiyo-e master. Beyond the museums, the area is saturated with sumo culture. You can taste Chankonabe (the wrestlers' hearty stew) in local restaurants and may glimpse trainees from nearby stables. With its historic Ekoin Temple and traditional craft workshops, Ryōgoku offers a compelling, culturally rich escape into old Tokyo.

For a taste of Japanese history, this is where you’ll find Japan’s largest collection of Asian artefacts. The main gallery, Honkan, displays an impressive assortment of swords, masks, wood-block prints and kimonos while other must-see features include the 7th-century bronze-seated Buddhas in the Horyu-ji Homotusukan.

At the top of Mori Tower in the vast Roppongi Hills, this one of the major contemporary art museums in Tokyo combines breathtaking views with fresh artistic talent. The museum has held exhibitions featuring a number of big-name artists from Japan and beyond, including Yayoi Kusama, Ai Weiwei, Anish Kapoor and Jeff Koons. Of particular note are the visual projections allowing guests to traverse through virtual imagery and environments. Also includes The Sun cafe, The Moon restaurant, a gift shop and a panoramic observation deck.

Shinjuku Gyoen offers a serene escape from Tokyo’s skyscraper district, blending traditional Japanese landscapes with elegant French formal gardens and expansive English lawns. Originally an imperial retreat (1906), it reopened to the public in 1949 and remains a favourite for picnics and cherry-blossom viewing. Don’t miss the sleek greenhouse brimming with tropical plants, the historic Taiwanese pavilion overlooking reflective ponds, or Momijiyama’s fiery autumn maples. With over a dozen cherry varieties, the bloom season stretches unusually long.

This amazing fantasyland also exists in Tokyo; a paradise for young and old. Tokyo Disneyland offers seven themed lands like the Adventureland where you can enjoy a jungle cruise or why not explore the Westernland and go on a mine train roller coaster? There is also an area called Fantasyland where you can wander around Prince Charming and Cinderella's castle. Additionally, there is Tokyo DisneySea which is located in Tokyo Disney Resort. It also provides seven themed ports with lots of fun for all ages.

The National Museum of Nature and Science offers a comprehensive journey through Japan’s natural history and scientific development. Its collections span from pre-Meiji scientific instruments to modern technology, including a real rocket launcher and a digital seismograph tracking earthquakes in real time. The museum is famous for its lifelike dinosaur exhibitions, a major draw for younger visitors, and houses the taxidermied figures of the loyal dog Hachikō and the Antarctic sled dogs Taro and Jiro. The Japan Gallery explores the archipelago's diverse ecosystems, featuring wildlife from Hokkaidō bears to Okinawan giant beetles. Other notable exhibits include an Edo-period mummy and an immersive 360-degree theatre.

The Rainbow Bridge is more than a transport link; it's a defining feature of Tokyo Bay's skyline, connecting the mainland to the futuristic Odaiba district. Its 798-metre span includes dedicated pedestrian walkways on both its north and south sides. You can cross the bridge on foot in 20–30 minutes with uninterrupted views. The southern side provides the classic panorama of Odaiba's skyline, while the northern side frames Tokyo Tower against the city. While officially named the Tokyo Bay Connector Bridge, it earns its popular name from the colourful illumination of its white towers at night, creating a romantic silhouette. Note that the walkways close at 9pm in summer and 6pm in winter. For the best photographs, time your crossing for sunset when the city lights begin to sparkle.