Tokyo is an absolutely magnetic city and if you go, you have to be prepared to fall madly in love with it. One of its greatest charms is its diversity, and it is made up of completely different areas, as if it were an autonomous world. In this article we are going to tell you about the most important neighborhoods in Tokyo that you cannot miss to discover the thousand faces of the Japanese capital.
For many, it is the world's technological capital, but its essence goes far beyond neon lights and skyscrapers. Tokyo has a traditional heart, with low houses, temples covered in incense smoke and women who still wear kimono. It has a working spirit that dresses up as cosplay on weekends. And it also has a hipster soul that takes refuge in modern cafes and boutiques.
But above all, Tokyo is a bag of surprises. Many. And to show you some of them, below we tell you which are the best neighborhoods in Tokyo , the ones you have to mark on your map no matter what:
1. Asakusa
It's one of our favourite neighbourhoods in Tokyo, where we usually stay on every visit (we spent about 3 months there). Asakusa is to Tokyo what Gion is to Kyoto : its traditional neighbourhood , an area full of shops, temples (the incredible Senso-ji stands out) and lots and lots of atmosphere. Especially at night, when the taverns fill up with people who come to have a beer and a few culinary delights (try the tempura!).
→ In this post we tell you everything to see and do in Asakusa
2. Shibuya
Famous for its namesake crossing , which is reportedly the busiest in the world (it is said that up to 3,000 people cross it at a time), Shibuya is the typical image that comes to mind when we think of Tokyo. Hustle and bustle, tall buildings, neon lights everywhere and a million restaurants, cafes, shops and businesses where it is impossible to get bored. Don't forget to take a photo with the statue of Hachiko, the most famous dog in all of Japan.
→ In this post we tell you everything to see and do in Shibuya
3. Harajuku
We won't have to walk far to get to another peculiar neighborhood: Harajuku, where Yoyogi Park and the impressive Meiji Shrine stand out . It is also one of the most important and famous shopping areas in Tokyo. Thanks especially to two streets: Omotesando , full of luxury stores and very nice shopping centers (don't miss the Tokyu Plaza with its incredible entrance full of glass), and Takeshita Dori street , where you will feel like you are in another world... a world ruled by Otakus , of course.
→ In this post we tell you everything you can do in Harajuku (coming soon)
4. Akihabara
But if we're talking about otakus, their favourite kingdom can't be other than Akihabara. The electronic city , with neon lights everywhere and all the geeky stuff you look for when you think of Japan: manga shops, maid cafes, shopping centres dedicated to electronics, video game stores and an atmosphere that's hard to find anywhere else in the world. It's one of the neighbourhoods in Tokyo that you must visit!
→ In this post we tell you everything to see and do in Akihabara
5. Shimokitazawa
Not everything is neon lights and cosplay in Tokyo, there are much quieter but not boring neighbourhoods. One example is Shimokitazawa, an area that few tourists know about and yet we love it! They say that Shimokita (as the locals call it) is the hipster soul of the Japanese capital and we think they are not wrong. Here the streets are dotted with second-hand shops, modern cafes and Japanese people dressed in the latest fashion. Come on, if you can find a couple of hours of time in your schedule, you will not regret it.
→ Here we tell you about our visit to Shimokitazawa
6. Ginza
And from the hipster soul, we move on to the most posh, elegant and posh area of Tokyo. Ginza is synonymous with luxury and elegance and it is not surprising that this is where you will find the offices of large companies and boutiques of the best brands in the world. If you want to enjoy an authentic experience, take a look at the Kabuki plays at the Kabuki-Za Theatre. It is not cheap, we warn you 😉
→ Here we tell you everything to see and do in Ginza
7. Odaiba
Odaiba is an artificial island overlooking Tokyo Bay, and that means: amazing views! Seriously, the panoramic view alone is worth the trip, but this neighborhood is also full of possibilities: there are super curious shopping centers , a giant colorful Ferris wheel, a few museums with different themes like the digital art teamLab Borderless that drives Instagrammers all over the world crazy, and even a beach where you can swim with views of the Rainbow Bridge. Did we mention there's a giant Gundam statue and a replica of the Statue of Liberty ? Go!
→ Here we tell you everything to see and do in Odaiba (coming soon).
8. Ueno
The Ueno district takes its name from its enormous park , one of the green lungs of Tokyo where strolling is a real pleasure (and even more so if you happen to be there during hanami ). But be careful, because there's much more hidden within its streets: it's a bustling area , full of life, thanks to a good handful of shopping streets full of shops, restaurants and markets. Plus: if you like museums, you'll find quite a few here!
→ Here we tell you what to see and do in Ueno (coming soon)
9. Shinjuku
Shinjuku is one of the liveliest districts in Tokyo, a world of neon lights , noise and crowds (the busiest station in the world is here: more than 3.5 million people pass through Shinjuku every day!). The ideal time to visit is at night and have dinner in a typical Japanese tavern in the Omoide Yokocho alley or, why not, enjoy the show in one of its themed restaurants. Also take a stroll through Kabuchiko, Tokyo's red-light district that was once one of the most dodgy in Japan 😛 Tip: if you see Godzilla peeking out from behind a building, don't worry... he's Shinjuku's mascot and is harmless.
→ Here we tell you everything to see and do in Shinjuku
10. Roppongi
Cosmopolitan and futuristic , that's how we would describe Roppongi, a modern and curious neighborhood where, although there aren't many things to do on a tourist level, we recommend you invest a couple of hours of your time here: Roppongi Hills (a city within a city) and the iconic Tokyo Tower nearby are well worth a stop along the way. Not to mention the great nightlife in this area... if you want to party, you'll find it here in abundance.
11. Ryogoku
We finish with another of the most special districts of Tokyo, in this case the one known as the sumo district . In this residential district, which apparently does not have much interest, most of the Heya of Tokyo are concentrated, the schools where the sumo wrestlers go every morning to train. In principle you cannot visit them (at least if you go on your own), but it is not difficult to see these giants taking a break in the street after each session.
→ Here we tell you everything to see and do in Ryogoku
Map of Tokyo's wards
Here is an interactive map with the location of the most important neighborhoods in Tokyo:
These are, for us, the best neighborhoods in Tokyo , the must-sees for your first visit to the Japanese capital. Aa ...
