Exploring the New and Old: 10 Selected Spots in Tokyo
The true charm of Tokyo lies in the seamless coexistence of the near future and deeply rooted traditions.
Right at the foot of sprawling metropolises lined with soaring skyscrapers, the serenity of centuries-old temples unfolds. In Tokyo, these two completely different worlds blend together in a way that is wonderfully natural and beautifully harmonious. This very contrast is what captivates and draws travelers from all over the world to this city.
To help you fully immerse yourself in Japan’s “culture” and “atmosphere,” we have curated 10 essential spots across five different categories. From must-visit classic destinations everyone should experience at least once, to hidden gems cherished by locals, here are 10 exceptional places to discover the true charm of Tokyo.
History and Tradition
Tokyo’s oldest temple embraced by the vibrant old-town spirit VS a sacred shrine standing solemnly beside the cutting-edge culture
Senso-ji Temple (Asakusa)
Founded in 628, Senso-ji Temple is Tokyo’s oldest sacred site. It enshrines the Bodhisattva Kannon, who has compassionately embraced the prayers and wishes of countless people throughout the centuries. Passing under the giant red lantern of the iconic Kaminarimon Gate—which radiates an overwhelming sense of presence—brings you into Nakamise-dori. As the main approach to the temple’s main hall, it stands as Japan’s oldest shopping street, keeping the refined spirit of old Edo alive today. The street is lined with shops selling aromatic, freshly baked rice crackers and traditional Japanese sweets. The vibrant energy of visitors strolling past in beautiful kimonos combines with the solemn wisps of incense drifting from the main hall to create a deeply welcoming and lively atmosphere. Senso-ji is a place where the warmth of Buddhist culture, nurtured by the faith of everyday people, blends beautifully with the bustling charm of Tokyo’s historic downtown.
Meiji Jingu Shrine (Shibuya City)
Established in 1920, Meiji Jingu Shrine enshrines Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken, serving as one of Tokyo’s most iconic shrines that passes down traditional Japanese Shinto culture to the present day. The approach leading to the beautiful main sanctuary—built in the ancient Japanese architectural style known as Nagare-zukuri—is enveloped by a dense forest. This sacred grove was nurtured over a century from approximately 100,000 trees donated from all over the country. Stepping through the massive Torii gate, you are instantly met with a serene silence and crisp, pure air that makes it hard to believe you are in the very heart of the metropolis.
However, taking just one step outside this sacred forest completely transforms the scenery, leading you straight into Takeshita Street, the global epicenter of pop culture. This bustling street is lined with shops offering colorful crepes and the latest trendy sweets, overflowing with youth showcasing unique fashions and the newest music beats. Meiji Jingu Shrine is a remarkable place where the solemn tranquility preserved by a place of prayer beautifully blends with the explosive energy of modern youth culture.
Nature & Gardens
A historic Edo garden alive with waka poetry VS futuristic moss garden where digital art meets Zen.
Rikugien Garden (Komagome)
Crafted over a span of seven years by Yanagisawa Yoshiyasu, the grand chamberlain to the fifth shogun Tokugawa Tsunayoshi, Rikugien is a delicate and beautiful landscape garden designed for strolling around a central pond. The garden mirrors famous scenic spots celebrated in classical Japanese poetry anthologies, such as the Manyoshu and Kokin Wakashu. With every step you take, the scenery transforms as if unrolling a traditional picture scroll. It is also renowned as a premier destination for autumn foliage and weeping cherry blossoms in spring. At Fukiage Chaya, a teahouse nestled in a corner of the grounds, visitors can savor traditional matcha green tea and seasonal wagashi sweets while gazing out over the tranquil pond. Completely detached from the hustle and bustle of the city, it remains a soothing sanctuary where the essence of classical Japanese beauty still thrives today.
teamLab Planets TOKYO (Toyosu, Koto City)
This innovative art space redefines the concept of a “garden” through cutting-edge technology while inheriting the aesthetic sensibilities of Japan’s historic landscape gardens. In the outdoor “Moss Garden Area,” countless futuristic, silver ovoid (egg-shaped) objects are scattered across a lush bed of real, vibrant moss. During the day, it is a quiet garden that mirrors the surrounding scenery, but as the sun sets, the landscape completely transforms. The ovoids begin to emit a mystical, “solidified light.” When touched by a person or swayed by the wind, they resonate with a soothing tone, beautifully transmitting their color and sound to the surrounding objects one after another. This unparalleled garden experience—found nowhere else in the world—takes the profound sense of oneness with nature found in traditional Japanese “Zen gardens” and expands it through modern digital technology.
Anime & Culture
A hand-crafted museum alive with Ghibli stories VS a cutting-edge sanctuary where Pokémon hide in nature.
Ghibli Museum, Mitaka (Mitaka)
Surrounded by lush greenery, the Ghibli Museum, Mitaka, is a place where you can completely immerse yourself in the world of Studio Ghibli, which boasts fans all across the globe. True to its catchphrase, “Let’s lose our way together,” the museum has no set route, inviting you to explore the maze-like building guided purely by your own curiosity. From the beautiful stained-glass windows crafted by artisans to the exhibitions showcasing the rooms where animation comes to life, the warmth of handiwork and the passion of the creators overflow in every single detail. With exclusive screenings of original short animated films that can only be seen here, it is a magical space where everyone—from children to adults—can instantly return to a state of childlike wonder.
PokéPark KANTO (Inagi)
Opening in 2026 within the lush, expansive grounds of Yomiuriland, “PokéPark KANTO” is the latest Pokémon sanctuary captivating fans from around the globe. This extraordinary entertainment space recreates the world of the “Kanto Region”—the setting of the very first video games, Pokémon Red and Blue—right in the midst of real, untouched nature. The absolute highlight is the adventure of searching for over 600 realistic Pokémon hidden seamlessly throughout the lush forests and traditional satoyama landscapes. The moment you step inside, both adults and children alike will feel the thrilling excitement of becoming the main character of their own game. Breaking free from digital screens to engage with nature through all five senses while tracking down your favorite Pokémon, this cutting-edge destination masterfully fuses rich natural beauty with modern Japanese pop culture.
Food Culture
Historic, traditional shoyu ramen VS sophisticated, modern tanrei ramen
Asakusa Nadai Ramen Yoroiya (Asakusa)
Located in Asakusa, the birthplace of Japanese ramen, this renowned shop preserves and passes down the taste of traditional “Tokyo Shoyu Ramen” to the present day. Its beautifully clear, amber-colored soup features a light yet flavorful taste, crafted from a domestic chicken and pork bone base blended with seafood dashi from dried sardines and bonito flakes, all accented by a subtle, refreshing hint of yuzu. Paired with fine wavy noodles and topped with a small tender slice of chashu pork, bamboo shoots, and a classic “naruto” fish cake, its presentation captures the very essence of Japan’s nostalgic Showa-era landscape. Even as times change, this is a place where you can find the true roots of Tokyo’s soul food—delivering a comforting taste that makes you feel instantly at home.
AFURI (Nakameguro / Harajuku)
Breaking free from traditional frameworks, this sophisticated ramen shop continues to captivate trend-conscious visitors from both Japan and abroad, embodying the spirit of modern Tokyo. Its signature dish, “Yuzu Shio Ramen,” features a golden, ultimate tanrei (light and refined) soup. The broth carefully extracts the savory umami of whole chicken and seafood, using a base of pure natural water springing from the foot of Mt. Afuri, a famous peak in Kanagawa Prefecture. With every sip, the refreshing aroma of yuzu spreads luxuriously.
Guests can enjoy a variety of noodle options, including konjac noodles, accompanied by juicy chashu pork that is charcoal-grilled to order. Characterized by its chic, clean, and modern space resembling a stylish cafe, AFURI subverts the conventional image of a “ramen shop” to deliver a truly cutting-edge dining experience.
Modern Tokyo & Streets
Traditional townscapes from the Edo period VS the cutting-edge smart city of the future
Kawagoe Kurazukuri Street (Kawagoe City, Saitama Prefecture)
Just a short trip outside the center of Tokyo brings you to an area where the scenery makes you feel as though you have slipped back in time to the Edo period. The street is lined with Kurazukuri (warehouse-style) merchant houses built after a great fire in the Meiji era. Characterized by their heavy, black-plastered walls and massive tiled roofs, they still convey the dignified air of a town that once flourished as “Edo’s Kitchen.” Spending time here enjoying famous sweet potato treats and local street food while listening to the nostalgic chimes of the “Toki no Kane” (Bell of Time)—a wooden bell tower that serves as the town’s symbol—is a truly exceptional experience. It is a special walking spot where you can fully immerse yourself in the living history that once supported the growth of Tokyo.
TAKANAWA GATEWAY CITY (Takanawa, Minato City)
In stark contrast to Kawagoe, which deeply retains the vestiges of the Edo period, this is a state-of-the-art development area undergoing Tokyo’s most dynamic evolution today. Centered around Takanawa Gateway Station—reigning with a beautiful, origami-inspired large roof designed by the world-renowned architect Kengo Kuma—an innovative smart city built with the future of our planet in mind is taking shape. This expansive site masterfully fuses a cluster of the latest eco-friendly skyscrapers, commercial facilities leveraging cutting-edge digital technology, and an international hub for cultural exchange. It is an energetic destination where you can be among the first to experience “the near future of Tokyo,” where the environment, technology, and people coexist in perfect harmony.
To Finding Your Very Own Tokyo Memories
Right next to soaring skyscrapers that make you look up, you might find a quiet, traditional temple. After enjoying the most cutting-edge anime spots, you can take a relaxing breath at a warm, cozy izakaya tucked away in a back alley.
Tokyo is a city where such “new things” and “old things” beautifully coexist.
Feeling the energy of Tokyo at the famous places everyone visits, while spending a relaxing time at hidden gems cherished by the locals. By greedily enjoying both charms in this way, you are sure to create your own special, unforgettable memories of Tokyo.
There are still so many wonderful views waiting for you in Tokyo. Please head out to find your favorite places, carrying that sense of excitement with you.
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