Meiji Jingu Shinto Shrine
Tokyo, Kanto, Japan[1.4 miles]
Surrounded by 170 acres of lush forest, this calming, functioning shrine in otherwise heaving Harajuku is one of central Tokyo’s most tranquil spots.
Best for ages: 13+ | Free | 2-3 hours
Best places to stay:
Smack in the middle of the trendsetting triangle of Harajuku, Omotesando, and Shibuya, this boutique hotel is all about hipster luxury.
Spread over two buildings that house 15 rooms created by local designers, the options here range from spacious self-catering suite and ‘living suite’ complete with a ceiling projector for movie nights to standard rooms with lofts or terrace spaces.
Like the uber-mellow Trunk Bar and carefully curated Trunk Store – which feels like a convenience store for creatives – it’s all geared to a well-heeled millennial crowd. It’s the kind of place that will scream pretentiousness to some but feel like paradise to others.
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Bucket list experiences our writer says you must do in this destination, closest first
Tokyo, Kanto, Japan[1.4 miles]
Surrounded by 170 acres of lush forest, this calming, functioning shrine in otherwise heaving Harajuku is one of central Tokyo’s most tranquil spots.
Best for ages: 13+ | Free | 2-3 hours
Tokyo, Kanto, Japan[8.5 miles]
A collection of six excellent in one park, including the Tokyo National Museum. Also one of the city’s most popular sites for hanami in Cherry Blosssom season.
Best for ages: 6+ | Varies | 2-3 hours
Tokyo, Kanto, Japan[8.8 miles]
Drama and tradition combine in this 1,000-year-old sport. It’s a mesmerising and atmospheric spectacle – and Tokyo’s Ryogoku neighbourhood is the centre of it all.
Best for ages: 8+ | £15 | 2-3 hours
Tokyo, Kanto, Japan[8.9 miles]
Japan’s oldest and largest art and cultural museum, is a must-see for anyone interested in Japan’s fascinating history. Collections include samurai armour and swords, ancient Buddhist sculptures even tea ceremony utensils.
Best for ages: 8+ | £6 | 2-3 hours
Other worthwhile experiences in this destination if you have the time or the interest, closest first
Tokyo, Kanto, Japan[0.5 miles]
Like a thousand-person scrum, this is purportedly the world’s busiest road crossing – with as many as 3,000 people crossing at any one time. Grab a photo from above at the Crossing View observation deck.
Best for ages: 13+ | Free | 2-3 hours
Tokyo, Kanto, Japan[3.3 miles]
This collection of ramshackle alleyways in Shinjuku is home to some of Tokyo’s tiniest, but most unique bars.
Best for ages: 18+ | Free | 2-3 hours
Tokyo, Kanto, Japan[3.5 miles]
A fairly new museum stocked with an impressive collection of sparklingly sharp samurai swords, elaborate, colourful armour, guns and other samurai paraphernalia. Visitors can try the armour on and play at pretend sword fighting.
Best for ages: 6+ | £12 | 2-3 hours
Tokyo, Kanto, Japan[5 miles]
The Imperial family’s current home is off-limits to visitors, but you can steal photogenic glimpses and stroll the pretty East Gardens.
Best for ages: 18+ | Free | 2-3 hours
Destination guides including or relevant to this place to stay
Kanto, Japan
A dizzying mixture of old ways and modern style, crowds and calm, and arguably the best food scene on the planet.