15 captivating sights that define Tokyo

Tokyo is not just a city; it's a living concept. Tokyo blends the future, past, and present into an extraordinary metropolis unlike any other in the world.

From eclectic street fashion to the disciplined salarymen, here are 15 ways the energetic, well-choreographed hustle of Japan’s leading destination captivates, confuses, and enchants.

1. The Salaryman Phenomenon

Once the iconic symbol of Japan’s economic boom during the bubble era, the salaryman now often embodies a weary corporate cog—perhaps a fitting reflection of Japan’s current economic climate.

Rushing through Tokyo’s crowded rush-hour train stations in their uniform black suits, the Japanese salaryman’s dedication, loyalty, respect for authority, and strong camaraderie with colleagues played a pivotal role in corporate Japan’s past successes.

As younger Japanese professionals increasingly change careers and seek alternatives to the corporate world, the once-ubiquitous salaryman may soon be a rarity.

Yet, even when he fades from the scene, the salaryman will remain a lasting symbol in Tokyo’s modern history—whether as a hardworking, indispensable part of Japan’s economic engine, or unwinding with colleagues at a local yakitori-ya after hours.

2. Sumo Wrestling

In recent years, the world of sumo has been shaken by scandal, including serious match-fixing allegations. However, spotting a sumo wrestler off-duty, with his topknot and traditional robes, casually strolling through the streets of Tokyo, is still a rare and exciting experience.

For an almost guaranteed sighting, don’t miss one of the three annual sumo tournaments in Tokyo, held at the Ryogoku Kokugikan.

Ryogoku is the birthplace of professional sumo, where the Japan Sumo Association was founded in 1925. The sport’s origins, however, can be traced back to the Edo period, when some competitors were rumored to be ronin seeking new ways to earn a living.

Japan is the only nation where sumo is practiced as a professional sport.

3. Tokyo Dome

With its striking white dome, Tokyo Dome, also known as the city’s 'Big Egg,' is impossible to overlook. Located in Bunkyo Ward, this colossal structure is one of the largest enclosed baseball stadiums in the world, seating 55,000 fans. Its iconic Teflon roof is supported entirely by air, thanks to a slight increase in internal air pressure.

While Tokyo Dome is best known as the home of the Yomiuri Giants, the all-weather stadium also hosts a variety of sports events, exhibitions, and concerts. In December 1988, Michael Jackson performed nine shows there as part of his legendary Bad World Tour.

Outside the dome is Tokyo Dome City, a vibrant area featuring a small amusement park with attractions like the 80-meter-tall Tower Hacker and the exhilarating Thunder Dolphin roller coaster—perfect for adding some extra excitement to your day if the event inside isn’t enough.

4. Roppongi Hills

Unveiled on April 23, 2002, Roppongi Hills quickly became a landmark in the Roppongi district of Tokyo’s Minato Ward. It was immediately recognized as a game-changing development that would reshape the city for generations to come.

Developed by the late tycoon Minoru Mori, this vast complex includes office spaces, residential apartments, a hotel, restaurants and shops, cinemas, a museum, a major TV studio, an outdoor amphitheater, and even several small parks.

Mori’s vision was to create a space where people could live, work, shop, and enjoy entertainment without the need for commuting—ultimately enhancing quality of life, boosting leisure time, and even improving Japan’s global economic standing.

While Mori’s full vision has yet to materialize for the broader Tokyo population, Roppongi Hills did introduce an expensive but convenient new model of urban living for both locals and expatriates. It also paved the way for other modern urban complexes like Midtown and Omotesando Hills to emerge nearby.

5. Tokyo's Trains and Subways

For most newcomers, navigating Tokyo’s labyrinthine train and subway system for the first time may feel like an exhilarating adventure. But after a few trips, it can start to feel more like a daunting challenge. Whether you love it or loathe it, the train system is a crucial part of daily life for most Tokyoites.

Without this vast network of trains and subways, transporting approximately 20 million commuters every day, Tokyo’s workforce wouldn’t be able to get to their offices, meetings, and countless daily activities.

Rail is the primary mode of transportation in Tokyo, boasting the world’s largest urban railway network with 882 interconnected stations across the metropolis. With 30 operators, 121 passenger lines, and continuous expansion, Tokyo’s rail system is an engineering marvel.

6. Ginza

In the early 20th century, the Ginza district emerged as a modern and upscale part of the city. Featuring Western-style brick buildings and wide, newly paved streets, it quickly became the go-to destination for Tokyo’s fashionable youth to see and be seen.

In 1923, the Great Kanto earthquake devastated much of Ginza, leading to a complete rebuild of the area. Nearly a century later, it continues to stand as one of Tokyo’s most impressive districts.

Younger shoppers are a rarer sight in Ginza these days, with those who do visit often sticking to window-shopping. The district is home to flagship stores of luxury brands like Chanel, Dior, and Gucci, cementing its reputation as one of the most exclusive shopping areas in the world.

Famous for its concentration of high-end restaurants and bars, Ginza has long been a premier entertainment destination for Tokyo’s wealthy elite. While the area’s luster has faded somewhat due to Japan’s economic downturn, a leisurely stroll through Ginza on a sunny Sunday remains a delightful experience.

7. Norwegian Wood

Though not a physical location you can visit, “Norwegian Wood” (or “Noruwei No Mori”) is a 1987 novel by Haruki Murakami, Japan’s literary icon of postmodern fiction. The book takes its title from the famous Beatles song of the same name.

Since its release, “Norwegian Wood” has sold over 10 million copies in Japan alone, and has been translated into more than 30 languages, reaching millions of readers worldwide.

The story’s narrator and central character is Toru Watanabe, a middle-aged man reflecting on his melancholic university years in Tokyo during the late 1960s and early 1970s. His journey revolves around his relationships with two very different young women.

“Norwegian Wood” is a coming-of-age novel where Tokyo serves as a subtle backdrop, often fading into the background of Murakami’s brilliant storytelling. For millions of readers who’ve never visited Japan, it offers a glimpse into the Tokyo of the past.

8. Godzilla

One fateful night, Godzilla, a giant radioactive reptile from the sea, emerges from Tokyo Bay to launch an attack on the city. After causing immense destruction and chaos, the beast vanishes. In response, the Japanese military sets up a line of electrical towers along the coast, designed to unleash 50,000 volts to stop the creature if it returns.

This is the storyline of the original 1954 “Godzilla,” a cult classic action film with strong ties to Japan’s experience of the nuclear bombings of 1945.

The film’s director and co-writer, Ishiro Honda, was deeply impacted by the devastation caused by the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, and he created Godzilla as a symbol of that catastrophic destruction.

More than half a century later, Godzilla—whose name combines the Japanese words for gorilla and whale—remains an instantly recognizable icon worldwide, eternally linked to both Tokyo and Japanese pop culture.

9. Shibuya Crossing

At almost any given moment, you’ll spot tourists snapping pictures of this legendary crossing—and for good reason. For those visiting Tokyo, it’s the quintessential way to capture the city’s nonstop energy and flashing lights.

Shibuya Crossing is undoubtedly one of the most famous and thrilling spots in Tokyo. Its unique scramble design halts traffic from all sides, giving way to a sea of pedestrians crossing the entire intersection every few minutes.

The three massive TV screens mounted on surrounding buildings gaze over the scene, making this spot a true reflection of the 'Times Square of Tokyo.' Located just outside Shibuya Station’s Hachiko exit, this crossing is famously Japan’s busiest intersection. Julian Worrall, an architecture professor based in Tokyo, describes it as 'a perfect example of Tokyo's magic when it’s not trying too hard.'

Even 20 years after first experiencing it, Worrall says the crossing continues to captivate him, 'with its chaotic signs, trains zipping overhead, and the sea of people… it’s all so unplanned, just like a natural hive growing over time.'

10. Harajuku Girls

When Gwen Stefani introduced her chic Japanese entourage, the Harajuku Girls, to the American public in 2004, the distinctive youth street fashions of the Harajuku district in Tokyo had already captivated fashion enthusiasts worldwide.

Rising in prominence during the post-bubble 1990s, Harajuku street fashion was fueled by pop culture and a growing demand for affordable yet trendy styles. This cultural movement birthed unique substyles like Gothic Lolita, Visual Kei, and Decora.

Though Harajuku Girls are no longer seen in large crowds on Jingu Bridge or Takeshita-dori, the district still holds its title as the global epicenter of street fashion.

11. The Imperial Palace

Five days after the catastrophic earthquake and tsunami in March, Emperor Akihito made an incredibly rare public address to comfort and connect with the Japanese people.

In his address, the Emperor urged the citizens of Japan to remember those affected by the disaster, not just in the immediate aftermath, but in the years to come, and to support the nation’s recovery efforts.

The Imperial Family is deeply respected by most Japanese, and their home, the Imperial Palace, is one of the country’s most iconic landmarks. Originally built in 1868, the Palace was severely damaged during WWII air raids, but was fully reconstructed by 1968.

For many international visitors, the Palace’s understated and elegant design—qualities often associated with Japanese culture—adds to its unique appeal and mystique.

12. Tokyo Disneyland

After a month-long closure due to the Tohoku earthquake, visitors were already lined up for hours in anticipation of returning to the ‘happiest place on earth,’ as it’s known.

On weekends, it’s common to see young Japanese couples traveling through Tokyo, their hearts full of romance, clutching Mickey Mouse balloons and Disneyland souvenir bags as they head to their escape into a world of fantasy.

Tokyo Disneyland, which opened its gates in 1983, was the first Disney theme park to be established outside the United States. Interestingly, it is operated by Oriental Land Co. Ltd., not by the Walt Disney Company.

A must-see destination for both local Japanese and international tourists, Tokyo Disneyland draws in about 25 million visitors each year. Since its opening, it has added a unique touch of magic to Japan's capital.

13. Tokyo Olympics

While the 2016 Summer Olympics may have been held in Rio, Tokyo will forever cherish the memory of the 1964 Games. It was during that year that the Summer Olympics, also known as the XVIII Olympiad, came to Japan’s capital, marking the first time the event was hosted in Asia. The Games remain a powerful symbol in Japan’s national consciousness, especially for the older generations, as a key moment in the country's post-war revival.

The 1964 Tokyo Summer Olympics marked the end of a long period of isolation and despair following World War II, offering a newfound sense of hope for the future that had been absent for many years.

The Olympics introduced the world to a 'new' Japan – peaceful, sophisticated, and technologically ahead of its time. The shinkansen (bullet trains) debuted, and Japan showcased cutting-edge electronics, from cameras to precise timing devices used in the Olympic events.

The 1964 Tokyo Olympics also marked a historic milestone with the inclusion of judo as an official Olympic sport, and Japan triumphed by winning three gold medals in the discipline.

14. Tsukiji Fish Market

The Tsukiji Market, officially known as the Tokyo Metropolitan Central Wholesale Market, located in central Tokyo, holds the title of the world’s largest wholesale fish and seafood market.

It’s no surprise that both local and international tourists aim to arrive before dawn to catch the early morning auctions, which reach their peak between 5 a.m. and 8 a.m.

Tsukiji Market processes around 2,000 tons of seafood daily, sourced from all over the world. It opened in 1935 after the Great Kanto Earthquake of 1923 destroyed its predecessor, the Nihoni fish market.

Among the hundreds of items on display, ranging from seaweed to whale meat, one of the most striking attractions is the daily tuna auction. Here, massive fish are laid out for inspection by expert buyers. Be sure to check visitation rules before you go.

15. Tokyo Tower

Though the new Tokyo Sky Tree, a towering 634-meter structure, is set to open in May 2012 and is already generating a lot of buzz, it’s unlikely that the “new Tokyo Tower” will ever replace the iconic orange-and-white original in the hearts of the people.

For over 60 years since its grand unveiling in 1958, Tokyo Tower, located in the heart of Minato Ward, has stood as a symbol of Japan’s capital and remains an essential stop for tourists.

At 333 meters, Tokyo Tower is modeled after the Eiffel Tower and holds the title of the tallest self-supporting steel tower in the world. Attracting over 2.5 million visitors each year, its charm was further enhanced after the March 11 earthquake, which bent its top, adding a unique touch to this iconic landmark.