Photo: David Kernan, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Tokyo Travel Guide

About Tokyo

Tokyo is Japan's capital and most populous city — the metropolis proper passed 14 million residents in 2023, and the Greater Tokyo Area, spanning six neighboring prefectures, holds about 33 million people, making it one of the world's largest metropolitan areas. The city rose to prominence in 1603 as Edo, seat of the Tokugawa shogunate, and by the mid-18th century it had grown from a small fishing village into one of the largest cities on earth.

Since 1943 Tokyo has been governed as a metropolis with its own governor and assembly, administering 23 special wards. They include Chiyoda, site of the National Diet Building and the Imperial Palace; Shinjuku, the city's administrative center; and Shibuya, the commercial and entertainment hub whose scramble crossing has become a global symbol of the city.

Old and new sit side by side: Senso-ji in Asakusa is Tokyo's oldest temple, while the 634-meter Skytree in Sumida is the tallest tower in Japan. Haneda Airport is about 18 km south of the center, Narita about 68 km to the east in Chiba, and the Tokaido Shinkansen runs west to Kyoto in about 2 hours 15 minutes.

Population: 14.0 million (2023).

Interesting facts about Tokyo

Capital

Tokyo is Japan's capital and most populous city; the metropolis proper passed 14 million people in 2023.

Edo

As Edo, it became the seat of the Tokugawa shogunate in 1603 and grew into one of the world's largest cities by the mid-1700s.

23 special wards

Since 1943 Tokyo has been governed as a metropolis with a governor and assembly, administering 23 special wards.

Greater Tokyo

Greater Tokyo spans six neighboring prefectures and holds about 33 million residents (2025), one of the world's largest metro areas.

Main attractions in Tokyo

Senso-ji Temple

Photo: Jakub Hałun, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

2-1-1 Asakusa, Taito City, Tokyo 111-0032

Tokyo's oldest-established temple, dedicated to Kannon and reached via the Nakamise-dori shopping street; it is the most widely visited religious site in the world, with over 30 million visitors a year.

Category: Temple

Tokyo Skytree

Photo: Suicasmo, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

1-1-2 Oshiage, Sumida City, Tokyo 131-0045

A 634-meter broadcasting and observation tower in Sumida — the tallest tower in Japan, opened to the public on 22 May 2012.

Category: Landmark

Meiji Jingu Shrine

Photo: Nightcrafter, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

1-1 Yoyogi-Kamizono-cho, Shibuya City, Tokyo 151-8557

A Shinto shrine in Shibuya dedicated to the deified spirits of Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken, set in a large forested precinct.

Category: Shrine

Shibuya Crossing

Photo: Syced, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

Shibuya Station front, Dogenzaka, Shibuya City, Tokyo 150-0043

The scramble crossing by Shibuya Station, described as the world's busiest pedestrian crossing, with as many as 3,000 people crossing on a single green light.

Category: Landmark

What to eat in Tokyo

Getting to Tokyo

• By air: Haneda Airport is about 18 km south of central Tokyo and handles most domestic and many international flights; Narita International Airport is about 68 km to the east in Chiba.
• By train: The Tokaido Shinkansen runs from Tokyo Station to Kyoto in about 2 hours 15 minutes; the Tohoku Shinkansen reaches Sendai in about 90 minutes.

Getting around Tokyo

The JR Yamanote Line loops through the major hubs — Shinjuku, Shibuya, Ueno and Tokyo Station — and connects to a dense subway network that covers the rest. Buy a rechargeable IC card (Suica or Pasmo) for seamless transfers across lines.

Travel tips for Tokyo

• Senso-ji draws over 30 million visitors a year — go early in the morning to beat the crowds.
• Ride the Yamanote Line loop once to orient yourself; it hits all the major hubs.
• The Tokyo National Museum's collection runs to around 120,000 pieces — allow at least half a day, or pick one building.

Nearby cities

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