People often struggle with how many days they should spend in Japan, wanting to make their way through all of the major sites. As a whole, Japan has a lot to do and see, but many visitors underestimate Tokyo’s size. Tokyo is broken up into 23 wards or “tokubetsu-ku” and those wards are further sectioned up into districts. While all of the wards have something to offer, it would be exhausting to try to see everything all in one trip! I personally find it easiest to take a day to see the north, south, east and west areas of Tokyo, focusing on popular sight-seeing spots.
Tokyo’s size might feel intimidating, but don’t worry, the city has a fantastic subway system that’ll make it easy to get around! To help you decide how to spend your time, I want to focus on 7 of Tokyo’s major districts!
Tokyo’s Major Districts Map
A Quick Guide to 7 of Tokyo’s Major Districts
- Chiyoda District
- Shibuya District
- Shinjuku District
- Chūō District
- Minato District
- Taitō District
- Sumida District
Chiyoda District 千代田
Whether you mean to or not, odds are you’ll pass through this major district in Tokyo, as it’s located in the heart of the city. The Chiyoda District is where you’ll come across Tokyo Station, the busiest station in all of Japan, and the Imperial Palace!
Akihabara
Akihabara has become a hub for geek sub-culture, as this district is home to the Tokyo Anime Center, Super Potato (retro games), and Radio Kaikan (9 floors of electronics, anime, gaming and more). You can easily walk down the streets of Akihabara and find arcades, anime figurines and so much more. All of this magic can be found in the northeast part of the Chiyoda district!
Imperial Palace
Only a short walk from Tokyo Station lies the Imperial Palace or “Kōkyo”, home to Japan’s Imperial family. The grounds are filled with beautiful gardens and cherry blossom viewing spots (also called “hanami” in Japanese). If you are interested in visiting, there are free organized tours to explore the inner areas and even some special days where you can see the Emperor! Although the tours are free, you do have to register for them in advance, either online or that day at the Kikyomon Gate.
Tokyo Station
Did you know that Tokyo Station is the busiest train station in Japan? This station is a hub for transfers, especially for the shinkansen lines. Fun fact, in Tokyo Station you can actually transfer to the shinkansen lines without going through the JR ticket gates! The building that houses the station is classified as a historical building and is truly beautiful!
Yurakucho
The Yurakucho district is just south of Tokyo Station and it’s a great area to go shopping and grab a bite to eat! Yurakucho is more relaxed than its Ginza neighbor and has more of a traditional Japanese feel. If you go, you must visit Gado-shita! It’s a restaurant area built under all of the elevated tracks of the train station, and is also the perfect place to try authentic izakaya and yakitori!
Read more: I’ve created the perfect 10 day Japan Itinerary for First Timer’s!
Shibuya District 渋谷
If you’re looking to go shopping in one of Tokyo’s major districts, look no further!
Shibuya Crossing
The Shibuya crossing is one of the busiest intersections in the world, where traffic stops in all directions and hundreds of people cross the street at the same time. It’s something you should go and experience at least once!
Harajuku & Takeshita Street
The Harajuku district is the center for teenage fashion in Tokyo! The focal point of Harajuku is the often crowded and busy Takeshita Street. The street is lined with clothing stores, trendy boutiques, fast food shops, crepe stands, and more! While Takeshita Street is geared towards teens, Omotesando (just south) Street is more for adult clientele, filled with famous brand named stores, nice restaurants and cafes!
Yoyogi Park & Meiji Shrine
A few blocks away from Harajuku lies the peaceful Yoyogi Park & Meiji Shrine. If you are visiting during cherry blossom season, Yoyogi Park is a great place to see the sakura in bloom! I recommend visiting the park first and then making your way down the path to the shrine. Once you pass the large torii gate, it’s about a 10-minute walk to the main complex, but it’s a very relaxing walk completely surrounded in forest. You honestly wouldn’t even know you were in the city!
Dreaming of Japan? I would love to help you plan a trip! Book a free consultation with me and let’s get planning!
Shinjuku District 新宿
Shinjuku has some of the best nightlife out of all of Tokyo’s major districts! The area is known for it’s bars and restaurants, specifically Golden Gai and Omoide Yokocho. Did you know that the district is actually a major business hub, with some of the tallest skyscrapers in Tokyo though? In fact, if you’re looking for a beautiful view of the city, there are free observation floors in the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building!
Omoide Yokocho
This charming, backstreet alley is filled with around 60 tiny restaurants and bars, most famous for yakitori and cheap beer! Omoide Yokocho dates back to the late 1940’s after World War II, when it used to be an alley for illegal drinking and cheap food. The original purpose was to be able to provide a social space for the local residents to enjoy affordable meat and alcohol in a poor, post-war economy. The beauty of Omoide Yokocho today is that it still feels like “old Japan” and provides an escape from the neon lights of Tokyo.
Golden Gai
Similar to Omoide Yokocho, Golden Gai is a collection of small bars lining a post-war alleyway. While Omoide Yokocho focuses on dinner, Golden Gai focuses on the cocktails! This area has grown in popularity over the years and has become a “going out” spot for celebrities, tourists, and locals alike. Don’t go out too early though or you’ll find the streets empty, as the bars don’t open until at least 8pm.
Robot Restaurant
Popular among tourists, the Robot Restaurant in Shinjuku puts on one of the craziest shows in Tokyo! Despite its name, it isn’t really a restaurant. They do sell bento boxes, but they are supposed to be terrible! Plan to eat at one of the amazing restaurants in Shinjuku and afterwards, go to the Robot Restaurant for the show!
Chūō District 中央
The Chūō district makes up a part of the heart of Tokyo and is most famous for the Ginza area and the Tsujiki Fish Market.
Ginza
Ginza is the Manhattan of Tokyo! It’s a shopping hub, home to a number of luxury stores like Gucci, Channel, and Louis Vuitton, features numerous high end restaurants, and even has luxury car dealerships. While Ginza is big on shopping, it is also a major business center and is known for being the most expensive area in all of Tokyo!
Tsujiki Fish Market
Tsujiki Fish Market is the largest market in the city of Tokyo, where you can purchase fresh seafood at a wholesale prices. The most popular area is the Outer Market, which is lined with restaurants and shops. They are open from about 5 am to noon, perfect for enjoying a sushi breakfast in the morning, or picking up a fresh fish to have for dinner later!
Minato District 港
The Minato District is home to two very interesting areas: Roppongi and Odaiba. Funny enough, some of the other areas in this district like Azabu, Hiroo and Akasaka, are home to a large expat community!
Roppongi
During the day, Roppongi is a business center, filled with apartments, coffee shops and offices. After dark, this area completely transforms into a night-life destination for foreigners! Although it’s popular for its bars and nightclubs, Roppongi has seen some redevelopment in recent years with the opening of Roppongi Hills. Roppongi Hills is a great example of a “city within a city,” featuring a building complex with offices, restaurants, hotels, a museum and even an observation deck!
Odaiba
Odabia is a “futuristic,” man-made island created in the 1990’s, that sits out in Tokyo Bay. This is a really fun area to explore and I highly recommend visiting the Tokyo TeamLab Borderless Museum! The museum sells out almost everyday, so be sure to get tickets online in advance! Besides the museum, there’s a giant Gundam Robot, the Palette Town Ferris Wheel, the Legoland Discovery Center and so much more!
Taitō District 台東
Some would say that the Taitō district is the true downtown of Tokyo. This major district has an old Japan feel and is home to the iconic Sensosji Temple, Ueno Park and many museums. It’s the perfect place to experience the old Tokyo atmosphere!
Asakusa
The most famous temple in Tokyo is located right in the heart of Asakusa and is a must-visit destination! The best time to visit Sensoji Temple is first thing in the morning before it gets crowded. Before you reach the temple, you’ll pass through multiple gates and Nakamise-dori. Nakamise-dori, is the shopping street leading up to the temple and its filled with local treats and souvenirs; however, depending on how early you go, they may not be open. Fun fact, this shopping street has actually been around for centuries!
When you visit Sensoji Temple, be sure to go through the custom of purifying yourself at the chozuya (this can be found to the right of the temple entrance).
Ueno Park & Ueno Zoo
Ueno Park is only a short walk from the Ueno Station in Central Tokyo, and a quick train ride from Asakusa. If you’re visiting during cherry blossom season, I highly suggest you visit Ueno Park to get some street food and view the sakura blooms! The grounds of the park are massive and you can find multiple museums and the Ueno Zoo located here! One of the more popular museums is the Tokyo National Museum, featuring one of the largest and best collections of art and archaeological artifacts in Japan.
Sumida District 墨田
Sumida is the northeast most major district in Tokyo! Here you will find the famous Tokyo Skytree, beautiful parks, and even the city’s main sumo stadium!
Tokyo Skytree
Standing at 634 meters (2,080 feet), Tokyo Skytree is the tallest building in Japan and is equipped with 2 observation decks for visitors to get the best view of Tokyo. There are multiple ticket options, including tickets that allow entrance to both observation decks. If you want to stay a while, there is a restaurant and cafe that provides the same gorgeous views! Just as a heads up, the line for Tokyo Skytree gets long, taking sometimes an hour just to get in the door.
Ryogoku Kokugikan
The Ryogoku Kokugikan is a national sumo hall that hosts 3 major competitions during the months of January, May and September. If you are interested in attending one of these tournaments, visit the official website for more information or shoot me an email and I can help you plan your trip! If you can’t make a match, but want to learn more about the traditional sport, the venue has a sumo museum that is free to visitors!
Mikokuyu
Sumida’s Mikokuyu is a great place for travelers to experience Japanese-style bathing in sento (public baths). This facility has multiple bathing options and water temperatures, ranging from cold to scolding hot! You will find Japanese cypress baths and even semi-outdoor baths with a beautiful (and private) view of Tokyo Skytree!
Sumida Park
During the spring, Sumida Park is filled with delicate cherry blossom trees, making it the perfect place to enjoy a quick snack or picnic. Outside of cherry blossom season, the park’s location makes it an amazing viewing spot for the annual Sumidagawa Fireworks Festival in July!
Asahi Beer Headquarters & Restaurant
One of the most recognized modern buildings in Tokyo is the Asahi Beer Headquarters, which sits alongside the Sumida River. Two buildings actually make up the headquarters: the tallest resembles a tall mug of beer with a “foam” roof, and the other is short, famous for the gold-flame structure on top. There is even a beer hall, where you can drink a cold one while enjoy a top view of Tokyo!
